Michaels Cuebid - Modifications

Modifications

Several modifications and extensions exist, such as the Modified Michaels cuebid, Leaping Michaels and Super Michaels.

In the Netherlands, a particular modification is growing in popularity: over opponent's opening a cuebid shows a major and a minor unbid suit. The 2NT overcall is then used to show both majors (after a minor suit opening) or both minors (after a major suit opening). This approach allows all three two suiters in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to standard Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not introduce a two suiter in the majors at two-level. Also, the cuebid invariably leaves one of both suits unspecified.

A variant often referred to as upper cuebid is popular in Germany. In this treatment a cuebid shows the highest unbid suit and another unspecified suit. Together with the unusual notrump convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this approach allows all two suiters in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not in one single bid describe a two suiter in the majors.

Also, Michaels cuebid variants exist that remove any ambiguity on what is the second suit. An example is the hi-hi cuebid that over opponent's opening invariably shows the highest unbid suits. Together with the unusual notrump convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this hi-hi cuebid allows two out of the three possible two suiters in the unbid suits to be specified in one single bid. A drawback of this method is that the hi-hi cuebid does not cater for two-suiters in the highest and lowest unbid suits.