Many times you have a hand with 5 cards in 2 Suits, one or both being Majors. When opponents open their bid, you can cue bid the opening suit as an overcall. Here, you up opponent’s suit a level. It is artificial as you may not have sufficient cards in this suit but are conveying a message to partner, about your hand configuration. This convention is called Michael’s Cue Bid and is one round forcing, partner cannot pass.

Based on opening opponent’s bid, the cue bid conveys a two suited overcall which states the following

• 2!C over 1!C or 2!D over 1!D shows 5 cards in both !H and !S
• 2!H over 1!H or 2!S over 1!S shows 5 cards in a Minor and 5 cards in the other Major

Notice above that at least one 5 card suit is a Major. So remember Michael’s Cue bid is for MAJORS.

Michael’s Cue bid can also be used over weak 2 preemptive openings. In this case, raise the cue bid to level 3 of opener’s level 2 suit. Unusual 2NT can’t be used in this case.

Both, Unusual 2NT and Michael’s Cue bid, can also be used after opponent’s partner has responded over opening suit.

E.g. opener bids 1!D, overcaller passes and responder bids 1NT. Advance can now use 2NT or 2!D conveying same meaning as discussed above. 2NT here will still be unusual 2NT.

There are no hard and fast guidelines for strength of the hand because many times these hands are weak pre-emptive types. You can bid Michael’s Cue Bid even with less than opening hand, but in standard overcalling ranges.

If your own hand is strong (17+ total points) and opener has bid a MAJOR, go for takeout double instead of Michael’s Cuebid.

Partner’s action on Michael’s cue bid is left to his wisdom. However, 2NT relay by partner states, please show your 5 card MINOR as I am unable to bid your Major without knowing your Minor.

Responder’s action in defence of 2 Suited Overcalls

As responder when you encounter Michael’s Cue bid as opponent’s overcall. You will Cue bid when an invitational hand is possible with FIT.

• With 10+ points invitational hand, responder should Cue Bid the known overcaller’s suit to show 3+ or 4+ card support to opener’s Major or Minor, respectively. Cue bid is forcing for one round.

• When responder can indicate FIT but has minimum strength, raise opening partner’s suit to next natural level. FIT is 3+/4+ of opener’s Major or Minor, respectively.