Michaels Cue Bid

Michaels is a cue-bid of an opponent's suit that promises a two-suited hand, with at least five cards in each suit. There is no point minimum for making a Michaels overcall, although obvious factors like vulnerability should be considered.

The Michaels overcall is a forcing bid. Partner is asked to bid one of the two suits advertised.

Michaels works well in conjunction with the Unusual 2NT, which is another convention for two-suited overcalls.

Michaels Cue Bids

A 2 overcall of 1

shows 5+ hearts and 5+ spades.

A 2 overcall of 1

shows 5+ hearts and 5+ spades.

A 2 overcall of 1

shows 5+ spades and an unspecified minor (5+ clubs OR diamonds)

A 2 overcall of 1

shows 5+ hearts and an unspecified minor (5+ clubs OR diamonds)

Responses to 2/

General Note: When responding to Michaels with equal length in both of the cue-bidder's suits, bid the cheapest suit first, especially when holding only two doubletons. If partner shows hearts and spades and you hold Kx xx, do not make the mistake of bidding spades, thinking that your king will make spades a better trump suit. If you get doubled in 3, there is no turning back, whereas if you bid 3, you can run to spades if necessary.

A 2 reply to 2 is natural, showing a very good diamond suit (usually 6+) since the Michaels cue-bidder usually has only 0-2 diamonds. Non-forcing.
2 is a non-forcing sign-off. May have 0 points, since the Michaels overcall is a forcing bid. Note that with equal support for both majors (e.g. xxx xxx), the cheaper suit (hearts) should be bid.
2 is also a non-forcing sign-off.
2NT is natural and invites partner to bid 3NT IF the partnership has agreed to a specific point range for the Michaels overcall.
A 3 reply to 2 is artificial, and shows game or slam interest in hearts or spades. Forcing.
A 3 reply to 2 is natural, showing a very good club suit (usually 6+) since the Michaels cue-bidder usually has only 0-2 clubs. Non-forcing.
3NT is a natural signoff. Shows a big balanced hand with no interest in major-suit game. This bid may occur IF the partnership has agreed to a specific point range for the Michaels overcall. Otherwise, it is quite rare since it is so unilateral.

Responses to 2/

A 2 reply to 2 is a non-forcing sign-off.
2NT asks the overcaller to bid his minor suit at the 3-level. 2NT may be bid on a variety of hands, but is most commonly used to try signing off in 3/. Holding xx xx Qxxx Jxxxx , bid 2NT to identify the minor suit fit.
3 is natural, showing a very good club suit (usually 6+) since the Michaels cue-bidder will usually hold 5+ diamonds, not clubs. Non-forcing.
3 is natural, showing a very good diamond suit (usually 6+) since the Michaels cue- bidder will usually hold 5+ clubs, not diamonds. Non-forcing.
A 3 reply to 2 is artificial, and shows game or slam interest in spades or a minor. Forcing.
3 reply to 2 is a natural sign-off. Non-forcing.
3NT is a natural signoff. Shows a big balanced hand with no interest in major-suit game. This bid may occur IF the partnership has agreed to a specific point range for the Michaels overcall. Otherwise, it is quite rare since it is so unilateral.

Overcaller's Rebids

If partner has raised the cue-bid, e.g. (1) 2 : 3 , the Michaels cue-bidder is expected to bid his cheapest suit at the cheapest level (in this case, 3) with a weak hand of around 0-10 points. All other bids show at least 10 points and are game forcing.
If partner has bid 2NT asking for overcaller's minor suit, e.g. (1) 2 : 2NT, the Michaels cue-bidder is expected to bid his minor. If he has clubs, he bids 3; if he has diamonds, he bids 3.

Other Considerations

When the opponents have bid TWO suits, a cue bid of opener's suit promises the other two suits, while a cue bid of responder's suit is natural, showing an extremely good suit and a decent hand.
Over an opening weak two bid, a cue bid promises two unspecified suits and a good hand, with at least five cards in each suit.
Some players only use Michaels on weak hands (around 0-10) and strong hands (around 16+). With the intermediate two-suiters of 11-15 points, they bid the higher-ranking suit first and hope they can rebid the other suit at their next turn. Other players simply use Michaels on hands of all point ranges, believing that it is more important to immediately show shape than to only show one suit first and then hope the auction allows them to show the other suit and their 11-15 point range. I agree with the latter.

Examples

Opponent
1

Overcaller
2

2 is Michaels, showing 5+ hearts and 5+ spades.

Opponent 1
1

Partner
Pass

Opponent 2
1NT

Overcaller
2

Again, 2 is Michaels, showing 5+ hearts and 5+ spades. Notrump responses do not affect the cue bid.

Opponent 1
1

Partner
Pass

Opponent 2
2NT

Overcaller
3

3 is Michaels, showing 5+ hearts and 5+ spades. Note that since partner is being forced to bid now at the three-level with a major suit fit not guaranteed, the cue-bidder should have a very good hand.

Opponent 1
1

Partner
Pass

Opponent 2
1

Overcaller
2

2 is Michaels, showing 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts. Note that a takeout double would show lesser distribution, e.g. 4 diamonds and 4 hearts.

Opponent 1
1

Partner
Pass

Opponent 2
2

Overcaller
2

2 is Michaels, showing 5+ hearts and 5+ spades.

Opponent
2

Overcaller
3

3 is Michaels, but since it is over a preempt it only promises a good hand with two suits other than diamonds. Partner is expected to bid 3 with heart tolerance. Hopefully the cue -bidder can clarify which two suits he holds at his next opportunity; if he has spades and clubs, for example, he can now bid 3.

Opponent 1
1

Partner
Pass

Opponent 2
1

Overcaller
2

2 is NOT Michaels. It shows a very good spade suit of at least six cards, and a good hand overall that is worth a two-level overcall.