The term Cue Bid is used in two different contexts.
- Cue bid before a FIT shows support to partner suit.
- 2nd round control bids are used for slam investigation. Follow this link for explanation.
This article will cover only Cue bids showing support to partner after opponents overcall.
- E.g. W N E S
1H 1S 2S
In the above example, Partner has opened 1H, you have 10+ HCP and 3+ cards in the heart suit. The Cue Bid now comes to your rescue. Simply bid 2S which is 1 level up of the overcalled suit. It shows 3+ heasrt support to opener with 10+ points.
- E.g. W N E S
1H 1S P 2H
In the above example, opponent has opened 1H and your partner has overcalled 1S, you have 10+ HCP and 3+ cards in the Spades. You now Cue Bid 2H.
BBO Robots use 2NT over 1NT as Cuebid. As shown in the following board.

Cue bid over Michael’s Cuebid

In the above example, North has Cue bid opening of west. The overcaller is using Michael’s Cue bid which means his hand has 5+ of the both Majors.
The 2!h response is a Cue bid artificially confirming to opener 4+ card support and 10+ points invitational hand.
In this case you first decipher opponent’s Michael’s Cue bid to conclude that 5+ cards of !h is being shown by the opponent. You now cue bid Hearts by jumping a level.
Support to a Minor is 4+ cards. Support to a Major is 3+ cards via Cuebids.
Cue bid with a jump shows weak hand but extra length

- E.g. W N E S
1H DBL P 2H
In the above example, opponent has opened 1H and your partner has overcalled a Double, 2H bid here by advancer is a Cue bid. Stating invitational hand with 10+ HCP.