Multimeaning bidding

Multimeaning bids are increasingly popular these days, as players become more adventurous with bidding.

One such convention, which has been around longer than most, is the Michaels cue bid. After an opponent has opened at one level, the Michaels cue bidder calls the same suit at the two level. Typically, this shows at least five/five in two other suits. And most players will use the unusual two no trump to show five/five in the minors after a majorsuit opener.

There is a range of responses to a Michaels, including ‘‘pass or correct’’. This is all about looking to find a fit. The overcaller passes if partner has responded by bidding one of her two suits and/or corrects to the next lowest suit.

Confused? Hopefully, today’s hand from a recent teams’ event at the Otago Bridge Club might help.

North’s two clubs was Michaels. If East had passed, then South might have called two diamonds, which North would pass, because diamonds was one of his suits.

If South wanted to be more obstructive, she might try two spades: now (without spades) North corrects to three diamonds.

However, East got the diamond suit in first. This was not part of North’s plan and he could see trouble ahead.

North was very tempted to drop South’s two spades and hope for the best. This would have been shortsighted, for South would expect partner to hold spades and bid on in competition. If West doubled, then North would have to show his true colours at the four level. What a mess.

North bravely took his medicine with the threediamond call. South’s hand was better than it could have been, but the hand did not play well and North went for minus 500.

North/South had hoped their teammates would save their bacon by bidding and making the thin vulnerable three no trump on offer. They bid it, but didn’t make; dropping the singleton king of clubs offside was just too tough.