Bailey cue bids were ➢ Over 1♣, a direct shows In order to fit the loser purportedly invented by Evan spades and either diamonds or requirements with 4-4 shape, you Bailey Bailey and Ed Barlow and have hearts (reds) generally need full opening values, achieved considerable popularity in ➢ Over 1♦, a direct cue bid shows usually with values concentrated in Cue Bids some areas of . spades and either clubs or the two 4-card suits. The The approach neatly solves the hearts (rounds) advantage of using BUNT with spades-and-another two-suited ➢ Over 1♥ or 1♠, a direct cue bid such 4-4 hands is that your best with problem. is Michaels. alternative, a , is A few years ago, I explained ➢ A jump to 2NT (or 1NT by a likely to be followed by a jump bid them in an internet discussion passed hand) shows the two in the suit you don’t have to a level Unusual group and, since then, most of the lowest unbid suits. that gives you trouble in correcting. discussions of advances and rebids Here is the quick summary: I am not advocating use of of Bailey cue bids have been taken Auction Shows BUNT with most 4-4 shapes – Only No- from that post (whether they were (1♣)-2♣ ♠ and either ♦ or ♥ those where you were 3-suited and attributed to me or not). (1♣)-2NT ♦ and ♥ Opener bid one of them and when your alternative is a flawed takeout Two-suited Bids (1♦)-2♦ ♠ and either ♣ or ♥ (“BUNT”) double with a singleton or a in Michaels cue bids with Unusual (1♦)-2NT ♣and ♥ one of the unbid suits. No-Trump cover most of the two- (1♥)-2♥ ♠ and either ♣ or ♦ A 4-4-3-2 shape is balanced, suited possibilities, but (1♥)-2NT ♣ and ♦ not two-suited. If you don’t have the cannot show spades and the other (1♠)-2♠ ♥ and either ♣ or ♦ proper values for a no trump minor when opponents open 1♣ or (1♠)-2NT ♣ and ♦ overcall and opener has bid your 1♦. With this holding, Overcaller By Shape Requirements three-card suit, you must lie in wait. must bid spades (sometimes with Hopefully, your partner will make a only 4 cards) and then hope to bid Some partnerships require 5-5 protection double or, with good the minor later. in order to show a 2-suiter. Most Michael Angelo luck, bid one of your 4-card suits. Sadly, this plan fails when, as is require at least 5-4. A few are Ravera usually the case, Overcaller is short adventurous enough to allow 4-4 Strength Requirements in Opener’s suit and in hearts. It is (which was Michaels’s original Some authorities advocate extremely likely Responder requirement). I recommend you showing two-suited hands (Opener’s partner) will make a require at least 5-4 unless you hold conventionally only with either a simple 2♦ raise, or make a 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 shape with 4 or 5 weak hand or with a very strong preemptive 3♣ or 3♦ raise or bid cards in Opener’s suit. 5-4 hands hand. I believe this approach is, at 2♥, especially if opponents play show up about ten times as often best, misguided. The way I count, if non-forcing free bids. If any of that as 5-5s. Opener has around 12-17 HCP and happens, Overcaller’s bid of the Regardless of your shape, you you have 13-17 HCP, it is hardly other minor must come at the 3- should not have more that 7 losers outside of the realm of possibility level or even at 4♣. This requires when vulnerable nor more than 8 your 1♠ overcall will end the Advancer (Overcaller’s partner) to when not vulnerable. With 5-5, 6-5, auction. Yes, you might make 1♠ in correct to 3♠ (or even 4♠) without and 6-6 or even 7-6 shapes, you your 5-2 spade fit, but wouldn’t you values and only a preference. can actually have very few high rather have played a makable Bailey Cue Bids with Unusual cards. In fact, in order to fit the game in your 4-5 heart fit? No-Trump (BUNT) neatly solve the loser rule, you need no high cards Also, while it is fairly common Copyright © 2014 problem as follows: at all with 6-6 or 7-6 shape for Opener to be able to show his regardless of vulnerability, nor 6-5 two-suiter naturally and separately, All Rights Reserved when not vulnerable. it is extremely rare for Overcaller ➢ First and foremost, this gives If Responder raises, Double After (1♠)-2♠-(P) ever to have the chance. Either the Opener, the opponent who is substitutes nicely for the Cue Bid, 2NT ♠Stop INV+ auction dies or the Opening side known to (or at least claims to) Pass substitutes nicely for the 3♣ 6+♣ or Fits ♣+♦/♥ NF (P/C) gets the auction, whether by hold opening strength two Desperation bid and other bids 3♦ 6+♦ or Fits ♦+♥ NF (P/C) preemptive bid or fit showing jump, chances to double (or (while made a little more robust 3♥ ♥ NF (Desperation) to a level where it is uncomfortable cooperate in doubling) the final because Pass is available) retain 3♠ Likely 2+fits FG (or almost) for overcaller to introduce a second contract. their meanings. Overcaller's Second Call suit (especially holding 4 cards). It is very reasonable for a Over an Unusual 2NT overcall, Most rebids by Overcaller are My position is if any sort of double of a 2NT to there is always a “free”suit. This bid corrective, but 2NT, when available, hand should be excluded from a mean “You hit ‘em high and I’ll can, of course, be used to show and Cue Bids are not. When conventional 2-suit showing bid, it hit ‘em low” or vice-versa. In Advancer has an Agenda in the Advancer makes the Desperation should be the very strong hands, fact, it gives Opener two bites at Free suit, but is more useful as bid), Overcaller’s bid shows his not the intermediate ones. With a the apple. It can give Opener a showing a good hand with stops in unknown suit and a strong hand. very strong or very shapely 2-suited chance to say “don’t bid over both the Free suit and Opener’s When Advancer makes a hand, Overcaller will feel free to bid Opener’s rebid, but double, if suit with partial support for the suits correctable bid, I advocate a 2NT his second suit comfortably at he names your short (or long) shown by the Unusual No Trump rebid by Overcaller shows almost any level. In fact, the more suit.” bid. A direct Advance of 3NT is Advancer bid the right suit and shapely hands with few losers but It removes 2NT, which may be a almost always an offer to play. ➢ Overcaller has a strong hand, while also few high cards are better for Here is a summary of advances perfectly playable contract, from a second cue bid shows Advancer this because Overcaller can not after a Bailey Cue Bid: consideration. bid the wrong suit and Overcaller is only disregard the level of the ➢ It gives Advancer no real way to After (1♣)-2♣-(P) strong. bidding, but also most of the high show strength with a likely 2♦ 6+♦ or ♦+♥/♠ NF (Pass or Correct) cards shown by opponents. misfit. 2♥ 6+♥ or♥+♠ NF (P/C) With 19-21 HCP, it would hardly ➢ While not as true with Michaels, 2♠ ♠ NF(Desperation) be surprising both Responder and but certainly true with BUNT, 2NT ♣Stop INV+ Advancer are broke and Opener after (1♣)-2♣-(P) and (1♦)-2♦- 3♣ Likely 2+fits INV+ has already overbid his hand, so a (P), 2NT unnecessarily commits 3♦ 7+♦ or Good fits ♦+♥/♠ (P/C) second bid may not be available. the auction to the 3-level. 3♥ 7+♥ or Good fits ♥+♠ (P/C) The way to avoid this would be to ➢ It gives Overcaller no good way 3♠ Good ♠ Fit make an off shape takeout double. to clarify his strength. After (1♦)-2♦-(P) So, I advocate the following So, how do you advance when 2♥ 6+♥ or♥+♠ NF maxim: When you have a 2-suited Overcaller might have a variety of 2♠ ♠ NF (Desperation) hand, make a 2-suited bid, subject, hand strengths? I recommend the 2NT ♦Stop INV+ of course, to holding sufficient following guidelines: 3♣ 6+♣ or Fits ♣+♥/♠ NF (P/C) offensive strength to avoid a ➢ A bid of an unknown suit are 3♦ Likely 2+fits INV+ massacre. pass or correct. 3♥ 7+♥ or Good fits ♥+♠ (P/C) Advancing the Cue Bid ➢ A bid of Overcaller’s known suit 3♠ Good ♠ Fit The 2NT advance of a Michaels is a desperation bid. After (1♥)-2♥-(P) Cue Bid is used usually employed ➢ Cue bids by Advancer show an 2♠ ♠ NF (Desperation) to get Overcaller to rebid his invitational or better hand (say 2NT ♥Stop INV+ second suit. There are several 13+HCP) and a probable fit. 3♣ 6+♣ or Fits ♣+♦/♠ NF (P/C) 3♦ 6+♦ or Fits ♦+♠ NF (P/C) distinct disadvantages of this ➢ 2NT shows an invitational or practice: better hand, a stop in Opener’s 3♥ Likely 2+fits INV+ suit, and a probable misfit. 3♠ Good ♠ Fit