By Val Rhead
Previously we talked about “Cue Bids” and other basic conventions recommended by the bridge professional, Jerry Helms. Among them were “Michaels Cue Bid” and the “Unusual Two No Trump.” Both are “Cue Bids” that offer two bids for the price of one. Today we will look at the “Michaels Cue Bid” Convention.
Previously we talked about “Cue Bids” and other basic conventions recommended by the bridge professional, Jerry Helms. Among them were “Michaels Cue Bid” and the “Unusual Two No Trump.” Both are “Cue Bids” that offer two bids for the price of one. Today we will look at the “Michaels Cue Bid” Convention.
You feel fortunate on Black Friday when you enter your local store and find a “Two For the Price of One” sale on something you want to buy. In bridge, sometimes you can make the same offer to partner who is pleased to take advantage of it!
Your opponent opens One Club or One Diamond and you respond by bidding two of opener’s suit (Two Clubs or Two Diamonds). Remember that a cue bid is a suit in which you cannot wish to play. You obviously do not want to play in the opponent’s suit. You are giving your partner the message that you have both major suits, five Hearts and five Spades.
The strength of the hand can vary according to partnership agreement. Many players use Michaels on hands that are below opening points or else very strong hands. On hands that have a weak opening bid count, they would bid normally by overcalling with one of their five-card suits. Also, according to partnership agreement, some partners will use Michaels with a hand in which the two suits are five-four, if the four card suit is particularly strong (eg. AKxx)
On other hands, when your opponent has opened One Heart. You bid Two Hearts. You do not have Hearts. You are telling your partner that you have a two suited hand with Spades and an unspecified minor suit. Conversely, your opponent opens One Spade. If you then bid Two Spades, you are telling your partner that you have Hearts and an unspecified minor. If your partner does not have three card support in the major suit, he would bid Two No Trump to ask you, the Michaels bidder, for your minor suit.
In all these situations, your partner MUST NOT PASS, unless of course, the opponents have made an intervening bid. In that case, partner with a weak hand is free to pass. Michaels is a powerful defensive bid because it takes away one level of bidding from the opener and you just might hit on a good offensive contract. To find out more details about using Michaels and other conventions, go to ACBL.org and in “search” type “Commonly Used Conventions” or visit jerryhelms.com Jerry Helm’s web site.
So remember when you play bridge over the Christmas holidays, look for chances to bid two suits for the price of one. But, not only is this a Christmas special, it’s a special that is on all year round.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesdays, 1pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. The Winter Season Jan-Feb-Mar afternoon schedule of 1pm begins Tuesday, Jan 3, our next game. For partners and information call Susan Marshall 705 787-5454 or email [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: Every Tuesday for the rest of the winter, the game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, you also may enter from the door on Main Street.
REMINDER: The game is cancelled Dec 27 and the Winter Season Jan-Feb-Mar afternoon schedule of 1pm starts Tuesday, Jan 3. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Dec 20 with 6 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 2/3. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2/3. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 4. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 5. Bev Howard and Gail Lederer; 6. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox.
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time.
PLEASE NOTE: Games are cancelled Dec 19 and Dec 26 but resume Jan 2.
The following winners are from Monday, Dec 12 with 9 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Bev Parlett and Deanna Foell; 4. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 5. Jane Insley and Mary Martyn; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Art Insley and Don Evans; 3. Joanne Garvey and Kelly Andresen; 4. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 5. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes.
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