Cuebids

Cuebids of the opponents' suit come in Three different types:

      (1)   Natural – A natural and non-forcing cuebid is identified by one of three different instances:

LHO Pard RHO You 1 Pass 1NT Pass Pass 2

LHO Pard RHO You 1 3

LHO Pard RHO You 1 Pass 1 2, or 2

      1.  A Pass (where a double would be takeout) followed by a bid of their suit. ⇒
      2.  A Jump in the opponent's short Minor suit opening bid.  e.g., 1♦-3♦.
      3.  When the opponents have bid TWO suits.  e.g., 1♣-Pass-1♦-2♣ (or 2♦).

      Notice that in all three instances the bidder had the chance to show the unbid suits (usually via a takeout double) without cuebidding. 

      (2)   Conventional – An immediate cuebid of their 1-level or 2-level opening is Michaels, showing 8+ HCPs and a 5-5 two-suiter, including 5 cards in any unbid major. 

1	2	– MAJORS.
1	2	– Spades and a MINOR.

      Thus, a cuebid of a Minor suit opening shows both majors, while a cuebid of a Major suit shows the unbid major and an unspecified MINOR. 

      Orthodoxy states that Michaels should be reserved for 5-5 two-suiters.  Aggressive bidders will occasionally cuebid an opponent's Minor opening with only four Spades and 5 or 6 Hearts, though.  This is an extreme example of LOTUS. 
      When making any 2-suited overcall (Michaels or an Unusual 2NT overcall) the lower ranked suit should be at least as long and strong as the higher ranked one. 

Over 1♣ or 1♦, overcall 1♠ (bidding your suits in natural order).  Do NOT use Michaels.  If you do not get another chance to bid, at least partner will not have to guess which (major) suit you want led !    Now make a Michaels cuebid over 1♣ or 1♦, since a 1♥ overcall would make it very difficult to show Spades later without bypassing these fine Hearts.  Any 2-suited overcall, then, suggests that the Lower Of the Two is Usually Stronger (hence, "LOTUS"). 

      Opposite partner's Michaels cuebid of a Major 1-level suit opening (i.e., 1♥-2♥-Pass or 1♠-2♠-Pass), 2NT asks for the promised MINOR. 

      Similarly, opposite a Michaels cuebid of Opener's weak 2♥ or 2♠ opening (i.e., 2♥-3♥-Pass or 2♠-3♠-Pass) a bid of 4NT asks for minor suit.  It is NOT Blackwood !  

      (3)   Strength-Showing Cuebids – Cuebids later on in the auction are used by the partnership to show general strength.

      This usually implies good support for partner's suit (if one has been shown) in a strongly invitational (or better) hand, but may be simply a ploy to keep the auction alive with any game-forcing auction.

LHO	Pard	RHO	You
1	1	Pass	2	– Inviting game in Spades or Forcing any game.

LHO	Pard	RHO	You
1	1	2		– Inviting game in Diamonds or 3NT, or Forcing any game.

In the latter case, Responder tends to DENY 4 Hearts (since Responder could have made a Negative Double here), 5+ Hearts (since 2♥ would show 5+ Hearts and be forcing) or 5+Clubs (since 2♣ would show 5+Clubs and would also be forcing). 

      Opposite partner's Strength-Showing Cuebid, one can usually show a Minimum hand by returning to the previous bid suit (i.e., 2♠ in the first example, 3♦ in the second). 
      Generally, though, partner of the cuebidder will strain to bid NoTrump, if s/he holds a guard in the Opponent suit. 
      After you have made a Strength-Showing Cuebid, you can force game by either cuebidding Again or by bidding a new suit. 

LHO	Pard	RHO	You
1	1	Pass	2	– Strength-Showing.
Pass	2	Pass	??

Here, 3♠ invites game, while 3♣, 3♦ & 3♥ Force game. 

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