Specified Michaels
The origin of this variation on the concept behind Michaels Cuebids is unknown. This conventional method is employed after the opponents have opened the auction with one of a Major suit. The rank of the Major suit is not relevant with the application of Specified Michaels.
Major Suit Overcall
| Opener |
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Overcaller |
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Meaning |
1  |
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2 |
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Promises Spades and Clubs. |
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1  |
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2 |
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Promises Hearts and Clubs. |
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| 1 / 1 |
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2 NT |
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Promises both Minor suits. |
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| 1 |
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3  |
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Promises Diamonds and the other Major suit. |
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| 1 |
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3 |
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Promises Diamonds and the other Major suit. |
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Minor Suit Overcall
If the opening bid has been one of a Minor suit, the rank again being irrelevant, the overcaller can, with the proper values, distribution and strength, make the following overcalls, providing the advancer, the partner, with the following information:
| Opener |
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Overcaller |
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Meaning |
| 1 |
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2 |
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Cuebidding the opening Minor suit of the opponents promises a good 6-card plus suit in Clubs. The cuebid also promises values close to an opening bid. Some partnerships have agreed that a cuebid promises opening values and no tolerance for a Major suit. |
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1  |
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2 |
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Cuebidding the opening Minor suit of the opponents promises a good 6-card plus suit in Diamonds. The cuebid also promises values close to an opening bid. Some partnerships have agreed that a cuebid promises opening values and no tolerance for a Major suit. |
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| 1 |
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2 NT |
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Promises Hearts and the other Minor suit. Over 1 Club the overcaller promises the Minor suit of Diamonds. This overcall promises a distributional holding of 4-5, 5-5 or more depending on the state of the vulnerability. This shows a highly distributional holding with working values in the specified two suits. The Losing Trick count should be a maximum of six losing tricks. |
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| 1 |
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2 NT |
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Promises Hearts and the other Minor suit. Over 1 Diamond the overcaller promises the Minor suit of Clubs. This overcall promises a distributional holding of 4-5, 5-5 or more depending on the state of the vulnerability. This shows a highly distributional holding with working values in the specified two suits. The Losing Trick count should be a maximum of six losing tricks. |
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| 1 |
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3 |
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This cuebid promises Spades and the other Minor suit of Diamonds. |
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| 1 |
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3 |
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This cuebid promises Spades and the other Minor suit of Clubs. This intervening overcall of 3 Clubs is the same for both Minor suits. |
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Continuances
All continuances are per partnership agreement. The partnership must agree as to how the auction should proceed since there is a definite distinction between an overcall of a Major suit as opposed to an overcall of a Minor suit.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
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