ChinaStory

Invisible Cue Bids

Used when your side opens the bidding with a suit and opponent overcalls a conventional cue bid showing a 2-suited hand.



Invisible Cue-Bids serve two purposes:

1.    Tells partner about your hand

2.    By bidding one of the opponents known suits you disrupt their bidding sequence.

  

Invisible Cue-Bids apply to all two-suited overcalls, the most common are:



Michaels



Colorful Cue-Bid (variation of Michaels)



Higher Suit Cue-Bid (variation of Michaels)



Top and Bottom Cue-Bid (variation of Michaels)



Unusual NT  (Note: The Unusual versus Unusual convention is identical to the Invisible Cue-Bids presented here).



Roman Jump



Astro.

  

Cheapest Cue-Bid Available

By making the cheapest cue-bid (not lower ranking) available of a known enemy suit you show a limit raise or better (10+ points) of opener’s suit.



You have: AQ4   9873   A762   T3

The bidding goes: [ 1H  (2NT)  3C*.....the enemy makes an Unusual NT bid showing clubs and diamonds. Cue-bidding the enemy's club suit shows support for hearts with limit raise values or better.



You have: KJ7   874   K8762   A8

The bidding goes: [ 1S  (2S)  3H*.....the enemy makes a Michaels bid showing hearts and a minor. Since hearts is the only known suit, your cue bid shows spade support with limit raise values or better.



You have: J95   A93   AQT7  843

The bidding goes: [ 1D  (2D)  2C*.....the enemy makes a Colorful Cue-Bid showing the black suits, your cue bid shows diamond support with limit raise values or better.



Non-Cheapest Cue-Bid Avaiable

By making the non-cheapest cue-bid (not higher ranking) when both enemy suits are known, shows at least 10 HCP and at least five cards in the “unbid” suit. Responder indicates a “forcing bid in the fourth suit”.



You have: A3   KJ9874   87   A73

The bidding goes: [ 1S  (2NT)  3D*.....the enemy makes an Unusual NT bid showing clubs and diamonds. Cue-bidding the enemy's diamond suit shows a “forcing 3H bid”.



You have: 7   654   AJT954   AJ3

The bidding goes: [ 1C  (2C)  2S*.....the enemy makes a Michaels bid showing the majors,  Cue-bidding the enemy's spade suit shows a “forcing diamond bid”. If you had bid 2H you would be showing a limit raise in clubs.



Double

Double shows at least 10 HCP and suggests defensive strength. This is analogous to a redouble of an enemy takeout double.



You have: KJ97   5   QT754   A97

The bidding goes: [ 1H  (2H)  Dbl.....the enemy make a Michaels bid showing spades and a minor. You alert partner that opponents may be in trouble.



You have: A87   KJ75   AQ3   987

The bidding goes: [ 1D  (2D)  Dbl.....the enemy makes a Top-And-Bottom cue-bid showing spades and clubs. The double is the correct action on strong balanced hands.



All Raises

Single raise of partner’s suit shows 3-card support and is constructive (6 – 9 points). Jump raises are preemptive.



New Suit Bid (A suit not promised by the enemy)

Bidding a new suit, one that is not promised by the enemy, shows a 5- or 6-card suit and a maximum of 9 HCP and is not forcing.

  

2NT or 3NT

Bidding 2NT or 3NT indicates a stopper in the suit (or suits) shown by the enemy and is not forcing. This suggest an offensive type of hand, often with a fit for opener’s minor suit, or a source of tricks of your own.



You have: QT7   K9   J73   AT875

The bidding goes: [ 1C  (2C)  2NT.....the enemy makes a Michaels bid showing the majors. Your 2NT is invitational to 3NT; the club fit makes it undesirable to try for a penalty.



Showing An Enemy Suit

Occasionally one of the enemy’s suits happens to be your own long suit. You must not bid that suit, either pass or double then clarify at your next turn to bid.



You have:  AJ9854   93   87   QT7

The bidding goes: [ 1D  (2D)  Pass.....the enemy makes a Michaels bid showing the majors. Don’t bid 2S now. Chances LHO will bid 2H, after which you can balance with 2S.



You have: AK4   KJT974   985   J

The bidding goes: [ 1C  (2NT)  Dbl.....the enemy makes an Unusual NT bid showing hearts and diamonds. You smell a rat, but be patient. On your next turn you can bid the hearts suit naturally.



Invisible Splinter Bids

Any jump cue-bid of a known enemy suit shows a game-force raise of partner’s suit with a splinter (singleton or void) in the suit bid.



You have:  KJ75   AK83   T652   3

The bidding goes: [ 1S  (2NT)  4C*.....the enemy makes an Unusual NT bid showing the minors. You are making a game-force raise in spades and show a splinter in clubs.



You have:  A97   void   AQ9843   9853

The bidding goes: [ 1D  (2D)  3H*.....the enemy make an Astro bid showing clubs and hearts. You are making a game-force raise in diamonds and show a splinter in hearts.



* = bid must be alerted

ChinaStory

Misc. Q bidding opps' O/Cs



1. To Show a Limit Raise in Partner's Suit in Competition

1.1 Partner Opens in a Major Suit – Opponent Overcalls (or doubles for takeout)



1S                  (2C)  3C.....this must be an immediate cue bid and shows a limit raise or better (10+ points and 3+ Spades)



1H                  (1S)     2S.....this must be an immediate cue bid and shows a limit raise or better (10+ points and 3+ Hearts)



1S      (Dbl)  2NT.....this is Jordan 2NT and shows limit raise or better with 4-card support (although some bid this with 3-card support holding two of the top three honors).



1.2 Partner Opens in a Minor Suit – Opponent Overcalls (or doubles for takeout)



1C                  (1S)     2S       .....this must be an immediate cue bid and shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 5+ Clubs, sometimes with 4 very good Clubs)



1D      (2C)    3C       .....this must be an immediate cue bid and shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 5+ Diamonds, sometimes with 4 very good Diamonds)



1C      (Dbl)    2NT.....this is Jordan 2NT and shows limit raise or better with 5+ Clubs, sometimes with 4 very good Clubs





2. To Show a Limit Raise to Partner's Overcall



(1H)    1S       (Pass) 2H or 3H        .....this must be an immediate cue bid and shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 3+ Spades)



(1H)    2D       (Pass)  2H.....This must be an immediate cue bid and shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 3+ Diamonds)



(1C)    1H       (1S)     2C or 2S



Cue bid of most-convenient opponent’s suit shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 3-card support) OR as an alternate shows a limit raise with shape.



Cue bid of least-convenient opponent’s suit shows limit raise or better (10+ points and 4+ cards) OR as an alternate shows a limit raise without shape.





Rosler Cue Bid used only if opponent opens and opponent's partner passes or makes a negative double



(X)  Y  (Pass or Negative Double)  Cue Bid X



Non-jump cue bid = limit raise+ and exactly 3 trumps.



Jump cue bid = limit raise+ and 4 or more trumps.







  

3. To Ask or Show Stopper in Opponent's Suit

3.1 Opponents Have Bid only One Suit – Asking for Stopper (Western Cue Bid)

[ 1H                (1S)     2C                   (Pass) ] : [ 3C                        (Pass) 3S..... this is asking partner to bid 3NT with a Spade stopper (at least Kx or Qxx)

3.2 Opponents Have Bid Two Suits or Show a Two-Suited Hand



Preferred – Refer to "Invisible Cue-Bids" convention.



Alternate (Not Preferred) – Show Stopper and Ask for Stopper



1C      (2C)   2H or 2S        .....opponents are showing two suits, Hearts and Spades (Michaels). Cue bid shows stopper in cue-bid suit, asking for stopper in in other suit



1H      (2NT) 2C or 2D        .....opponents are showing two suits, Clubs and Diamonds (Unusual NT) Cue bid shows stopper in cue-bid suit, asking for stopper in other suit.







4. Other Cue Bids of Opponent's Suit

4.1 Cue-Bidding Opponent’ Suit Under Game Level



1H                  (1S)     3S.....this is a splinter, same as:



1H  (Pass)     3S





4.2 Cue-Bidding Opponent’ Suit Above Game Level



[ 1H    (1S)    2C       (2S) ] : [ 3D    (Pass) 4S.....this shows 1st round control in Spades, same as:



[ 1H    (Pass)            2C       (Pass) ] : [ 3D            (Pass)            4S

ChinaStory

Point Count

The initial point count valuation is always just high-card points (HCP). Additional points may be added for length or shortness only after a notrump fit or suit fit has been located. HCP plus additional points are total points (TP).
When opening in 1st or 2nd seat use the Rule of 20:

1.     Add up all HCP

2.     Count the number of cards in the longest suit.

3.     Count the number of cards in the second-longest suit.

4.     Maybe subtract a point if no aces and poor spot cards (nines and tens; unsupported honors).

5.     If the total of these is 20 or greater, open the bidding.

6.     Pass if you are short of 20, or perhaps  make  a preemptive bid. Of course 3rd and 4th seat openers may be lighter. When deciding to open light in the 4th seat, use the Pierson Count (count HCP and one point for each spade in your hand, if this total isn’t equal to or greater than 15, don’t open unless you possess a full opener).



Until a Fit Has Been Found - Both opener and responder should use only HCP to determine choice of bids. If opponents bid, you may have to de-value some HCP as the bidding progresses. Exception: if the hand contains a long, solid suit ( or almost solid suit) of at least 6-cards, use total points (TP) by adding length to high-card ponts.



If the Fit is Found to be Notrump - Add length points for a long suit:



5-card suit = 1



6-card suit = 2



7-card suit = 3



If the Fit is Found to be a Trump Suit - Add shortness, or ruffing points (ignore length points):



Primary Support - If you have 4-card or better support, add:



Void = 6



Singleton = 4



Doubleton = 2





Secondary Support - If you have 3-card support for partner’s 5-card or longer suit, add:



Void = 5



Singleton = 3



Doubleton = 1





Doubleton Support - If you have 2-card support for partner’s 6-card or longer suit, add:



Void = 3



Singleton = 2



Doubleton = 1





If you have bid a suit and partner raised it, add:



Void = 5



Singleton = 3



Doubleton = 1





Super-fit Points – If the partnership has at least ten trumps you add 3 points for a singleton or void in addition to any ruffing points.



You hold:   K86432_7_ 43_ A762



Partner opens 1D, you bid 1S, partner bids 4S (19 points or more).



Your count is now: 7 HCP, 4 ruffing points ( 3 for the singleton and 1 for the doubleton) and 3 points for the “super-fit” for a total of 14 points. You have enough to explore for a slam in spades.

ChinaStory

How to make overcalls

Opening and overcalling are different. A hand with opening point count value is always opened. That same hand may not even come close to qualifying for an overcall.


“More points are lost at the bridge table through bad or pointless overcalls than other way.” ¾ Helen Sobel Smith



1. The Purpose of Overcalling

1.    Inform partner about a good, long suit.

2.    Serve to get your side into the auction

3.    Suggest a specific lead to partner

4.    Take away bidding space from the opposition

5.    Neither promises nor denies an opening bid

6.    HCP total is not the key factor.



2. Key Factors in Overcalling

2.1 Level

At the one-level, almost anything goes, especially if non-vulnerable. It is safe at this level; someone is likely to rescue you if you are in the wrong contract. The criteria for two-level overcalls are significantly different; still, points are not crucial. You need a better suit since you must be concerned about getting stuck in your bid, possibly even doubled.

2.2 Suit Quality



Overcalling at the One Level



With a 5-card suit.....have at least two honors or a strong hand.



With a 6-card suit.....suit can be very weak.





Overcalling at the Two Level



With a 5-card suit.....avoid mediocre five-card suits. The suit should be headed by at least three honors.



With a 6-card suit.....suit may be weak when nonvulnerable. Unless your hand is very strong, have at least two honors when vulnerable.



2.3 Vulnerability

Vulnerability is of minor importance at the one level, but better players are careful with their vulnerable overcalls at higher levels.

2.4 Your Holding of the Opponent’s Suit



Try to be aggressive when you have shortness in the opponent’s suit, but conservative with length. This is true regardless of whether RHO opens the at the one level or preempts.



An essential key of competitive bidding: The hand with shortness in the opponent’s suit must strive to take action.

2.5 Too Strong To Overcall

Some hands are too strong to overcall, but not as many as most players think. Use the “big double” (18+ playing points) only when you think you may miss game if your overcall is passed out, otherwise overcall.

2.6 Overcalling When Both Opponents Have Bid

Exercise great care when overcalling in the “sandwich” seat.

2.7 Overcalling With A Four-Card Suit

There are times when it is acceptable to overcall with a four-card suit. Caution -- partner is expecting a five-card suit and will support you with three small.

A four-card overcall:



Should contain three honors



If vulnerable, the hand should resemble an opening bid



Made only when you have no reasonable alternative.



3. Advancer Response to Partner’s Overcall

3.1 No Fit (Less Then 3 Trump) ¾ Advancer Will:



Bid a new suit at the one-level ¾ This is non-forcing and a shows a good suit without a fit in overcaller’s suit. A good suit is one that some good honor cards and some length, or one that has great length, like seven cards. Overcaller can either pass, support advancer or rebid his suit.



Bid a new suit at the two- or three-level ¾ This is non-forcing and shows even a better suit that at the one-level. Overcaller can either pass, support advancer or rebid his suit.



Bid Notrump ¾ This is non-forcing and shows a solid, balanced hand with a full stopper of opener’s suit and at least partial stoppers in the unbid suits.  Overcaller can either pass, bid notrump or rebid his suit.



Jump Bid a New Suit or Notrump ¾ Strongly invitational but not forcing. The suit shows a good six cards (three of the top 4 honors) and at least 10 HCP. Overcaller can either pass, bid notrump or rebid his suit.



Cuebid Opener’s Suit ¾ Normally this is a fit-showing bid (see below). Advancer may employ this bid on the way to showing a big hand. After advancer’s cuebid, the overcaller will assume a fit-bid and rebid accordingly, or the opponent’s may bid again. If advancer’s next bid is a new suit, he is announcing a very good suit and hand and is absolutely forcing for one round.

3.2 With A Fit (Three Or More Trump) ¾ Advancer Will:



Single-Raise Overcaller’s Suit ¾ Usually shows three trumps and 7 - 10 distributional points. Overcaller rebids accordingly.



Raise To The Three Level ¾ A weak jump raise showing four trumps and that’s about all (follows “The Law”). Overcaller rebids accordingly.



Raise To The Four Level ¾ Preemptive, but may be better than a raise to four opposite an opening bid (mainly follows “The Law”). Overcaller rebids accordingly.



Cuebid Opener’s Suit ¾ Shows a limit raise or better. Shows at least three trumps and at least 11 distributional points. Overcaller rebids accordingly.  When opponents bid two suits the cheapest cuebid shows a limit raise or better with exactly three trumps.; the non-cheapest cuebid shows a limit raise or better with at least four trumps.

ChinaStory

Minor Suit Bidding Principle

The basic approach in SAYC and 2/1 is to investigate for game with the following priorities:
1.    Look for “golden fit” for game in a major suit.

2.    If no “golden fit”, look for game in no trumps.

3.    If no “golden fit” or apparent no-trump stoppers, look for game in a minor suit.

  

When a minor suit fit has been found and enough points for at least a four-level contract, the goal of the partnership is to explore for a 3NT contract rather than playing at four or five of a minor. Of course if minor-suit slam possibilities are evident early-on, exploring for a no-trump contract may be bypassed.

  

Using “Stopper” Bids To Explore For 3NT

When a minor suit fit has been found, the partnership should explore for a 3NT contract rather than settling for a game or partial contract in the minor. The way to do this is to use “stopper” bids.

A stopper bid is used when the partnership has a minor-suit fit and point count for at least a:



Four-level minor suit contract, OR



3NT contract.

  

Making A Stopper-Showing Bid

[ 1H: 2C ] ; [ 3C: 3S.....With the club fit and enough points for at least a 4C contract, 3S is a bid showing a stopper in the spade suit. The critical suit is diamonds. (If responder had both spades and diamonds stopped he would not make a stopper bid but rather bid 3NT)



Bidding Principles After A Stopper-Showing Bid



If a partner has a stopper in the missing suit, partner is expected to bid 3NT unless strong enough to bid for slam.



Over 3NT, raising a minor suit to the four level in an unlimited auction is forcing to game in the minor suit (not an invitation) and requests partner to start cue-bidding or take control with 4NT (Blackwood, not quantitative).





A reversion to four of the agreed minor suit says: “I have no stopper in the critical suit and I have two or more losers in that suit”.



A jump to five of the agreed minor says: “I have no stopper in the critical suit but I do have a singleton there”.



A bid at the four level in the critical suit shows a void in that suit. This is essentially a cue-bid.



A five-level response in the agreed suit to this bid would be a sign-off.



Any other suit response to this bid would be a cue-bid showing 1st round control and slam interest.



4NT response to this bid would be Blackwood.



5NT response would be a “trump ask”.



  

Example:

[ 1H: 2C ] ; [ 3C: 3S ] ; [??……Clubs is the agreed minor suit, 3S is a “stopper bid” (spades are stopped) and diamonds is then identified as the “critical suit”. Opener’s possible rebids have the following meanings:

  

3NT =

At least one stopper in the “critical suit”, diamonds.

4C   =

No stopper in diamonds and no shortage (singleton or void) in diamonds.

5C   =

No stopper but a singleton in diamonds.

4D   =

Void in diamonds. This is essentially a cue-bid. Partner’s 5C rebid would be a      sign-off. Any other suit rebid by partner would be a cue-bid. 4NT rebid by partner would be     Blackwood. 5NT rebid by partner would be a “trump ask”.

4H   =

No stopper in diamonds but an excellent 5-card heart suit, prepared to play in 4H opposite a doubleton.

4S   =

A 3-card holding in spades, a singleton diamond and prepared to play in 4S on a 4-3 fit if responder wishes.

ChinaStory

Balancing Seat Bids



Basics



A player is in the balancing seat when his pass would end the auction. In contrast, a player is in the direct seat when his RHO took action.



In many low-level auctions, you must not allow the opponents to steal the bid. Also partner may have a good hand but didn’t have the shape to make a takeout double or overcall in the direct seat.



If balancing seat is short in opponent’s suit, he must really strain to protect partner’s probable good hand.

  

Requirements



1NT is 11 - 15 HCP in balancing seat.



[ (1D)  P  (P)  1NT ]…..this is not showing 15-17 HCP.





If holding a hand with 1NT opening values double then bid notrump your next turn.



[ (1D)  P  (P)  Dbl ]  :  [ (P)  1H  (P)  1NT ]…..this is showing  15-17 HCP.





Overcall with 5-card suit and not a lot of points is OK in the balancing seat.



Jump overcall is not preemptive in balancing seat. Shows a 6-card suit and a hand of intermediate strength (10-14 HCP) that would have opened in 1st or 2nd seat



Double jump overcall is not preemptive in balancing seat. Shows a 6-card suit and strong hand but not quite one for the “big double” (15 to a bad 17 HCP)..



2NT Natural (Unusual NT off in balancing seat). Shows 18 – 21 HCP and the hand may hold a singleton if it is an ace.



Takeout double can be lighter than in direct seat. Doesn’t necessarily show a major suit, but you want partner to bid his best suit.



Double, then bid your suit is still “the big double” (a good 17+ HCP) as in direct seat..



Pass with intermediate hand if you have good trumps and are short in the majors (especially spades).

ChinaStory

Western Cue-Bids

[size=-1]The Western Cuebid is used in a contested auction to ask partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponents' suit, for the purpose of playing that contract. Without a stopper, partner can make a nonforcing, natural suit bid. Western cues are usually used when an opening bidder and his partner are both bidding different suits in a contested auction but cannot locate a playable suit game contract. Examples of Western cue-bids:


1C 1H 1S 2H3C Pass 3H*

[size=-1]* Opener is being asked to bid 3NT with a heart stopper.

1S 2D 2H Pass3C Pass 3D*

[size=-1]* Opener is being asked for a diamond stopper.

Some examples of cue-bids that are not necessarily Western cues:

1C 1S 2S*

* Usually used to show a limit raise or better in clubs.

1D 1H 1S 2C2D 3C 3H* [size=-1]* Showing a heart stopper and asking partner to bid 3NT with a club stopper. When looking for 3NT after the opponents have bid two suits, a cue-bid of either one shows, rather than asks for, a stopper in that suit.

laoxi888

:frown:  :frown:  :frown:

i am so sorry to announce that madam ye has suffered disease of colon tumor and will be for a surgical operation on this friday.

madam ye is a big fan of bridge, she is an enthusiatic member of our big family.
i hope our family show our loving care for her, and wish her has all of good luck.

cheer up, madam ye!  i believe u  will win a grand slam  when ur defeating sickness.

welcome u back soon to our big family when u recovered ur health.

GOD BLESS YOU!

fmchen

Sorry to hear this. Yeye, I wish all will be ok for you and I am sure that the operation will be very successful. We are waiting for u to be back to our bidge Table.

Cheer up and take care!

ChinaStory

Take care, Madame Ye.