Defense Michaels

There is a conventional defense against the Michaels Cuebid. After an enemy cuebid that shows a two-suited hand, responder's conventional bids are:

Double: 

Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in either of their suits.

Raising partner's suit :

A raise to the 3-level is a constructive raise (7-10 points) .
Shows 3-card support for a major, or 4-card support for a minor.
Non-forcing. A jump raise to the 4-level is weak and preemptive,
showing 4+ card support. Non-forcing.


Cuebidding theopponents' "known" suit:

If the opponents only promise one suit, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show

spades and a minor, then cuebidding their specific suit (spades) is
a limit raise or better. Forcing.


Cuebidding the opponents' "higher" suit:   

If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts
and spades, then a cuebid of the higher-ranking suit (spade) shows
10+ points and 5+ cards in the "fourth" suit. Forcing.

Cuebidding the opponents' "lower" suit:

If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts
and spades, then cuebidding the lower-ranking suit (heart) is
a limit raise or better. Forcing.



Bidding the "fourth" suit:   

If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts and
spades, then bidding the "fourth" suit is natural, 7-10 points, with at
least a 5-card suit. Non-forcing.

Responder's priority is to show major-suit support, either via a direct raise or cuebid. Below are all the responses in greater detail.

The Double

Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in either of their suits. Shows about 7+ points, and typically a balanced hand. Denies 3-card support if partner opened 1/. Note that this gives up the ability to play negative doubles in this situation.

			Opener			Responder
			84			AJT2
			AKJ96			T8
			A752			J43
			T8			KJT9
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder Double (2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and an unspecified minor.
2. Double shows an interest in penalizing the opponents in spades or one of the minors.

Raising Partner's Suit

A 3-level raise is natural, showing 7-10 points. A 4-level raise is preemptive. Both bids are non-forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			K84			J6
			AQT92			K87
			A72			J3
			T8			K97652
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 3(2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and an unspecified minor.
2. 3+ hearts, 7-10 points. Non-forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			K842			5
			5			K872
			AK72			Q9854
			AJT2			865
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 4(2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and an unspecified minor.
2. 4+ diamonds (frequently 5+), preemptive. Non-forcing.

Cuebidding the opponents' "known" suit

			Opener			Responder
			AQT92			KJ64
			432			J6
			A7			K984
			K87			A96
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and an unspecified minor
2. A limit raise or better in spades. Responder's strength is unlimited. Forcing.

Cuebidding the opponents' "higher" suit

			Opener			Responder
			QJT			65
			432			AQ
			A7			KQJT
			AQT92			KJ876
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 2 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. A limit raise or better in clubs. Responder's strength is unlimited. Forcing.

Cuebidding the opponents' "lower" suit

			Opener			Responder
			QJT			53
			432			A9
			A7			KQJT62
			AQT92			K64
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 2 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. 10+ points (game-invitational values) with 5+ cards in the "fourth" suit, i.e. diamonds. Forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			QJT			53
			432			K9
			AQT92			843
			A6			KQT987
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. Natural, 5+ cards, 7-10 points. Non-forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			AQT92			53
			432			K9
			QJT			843
			A6			KQT987
		Opponent 1 Pass	Opener 1		Opponent 2 2 (1)	Responder 3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and an unknown minor.
2. Natural, 5+ cards, 7-10 points, non-forcing. When the enemy's minor suit is unknown, then 3 and 3 are both natural, not cuebids.

Opener's Rebids

Opener's rebids are generally natural. However, a cuebid of either enemy suit typically asks for a stopper in that suit. Partner is asked to bid 3NT with a stopper.