Michaels Cuebid - Requirements

Requirements

Point count requirements vary and are a matter of partnership agreement. It is commonly agreed that a Michaels cuebid is constructive and should be made on hands that hold the prospect of winning the auction; hand emphasis is on trick-taking capability suggesting for suits containing most of the HCP and having good texture, particularly at unfavourable vulnerability.

With less than 8 points, Michaels is not recommended - the chances of winning the auction are small and gives the opponents too much information. Bidders expecting to make or sacrifice can use basic Michaels at all point ranges with 8 or more. In a common variant, known as Mini-Maxi Michaels, candidate hands are classed into three ranges and Michaels is applied more selectively:

• Weak - 8 to 12 points: use Michaels
• Intermediate - 13 to 15 points: do not use Michaels, bid the higher suit followed by the lower
• Strong - 16 or more points: use Michaels