Western Cue Bid

The Western Cue Bid is a 3-level cuebid that asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponents' suit. It is the opposite of an "Eastern" cuebid, which shows a stopper in the enemy suit.

		Opener			Responder
		AT			K8652
		JT2			A3
		AK3			J842
		AQT87			93
		Opener     1 3 (1)		Opp 1     1 Pass	Responder     1 3NT (2)	Opp 2     2

1. 3 is a Western Cue bid. Opener has a strong hand, but lacks spade support and wants to probe for 3NT. Partner's first priority is to bid 3NT with a heart stopper.
2. 3NT shows a heart stopper.

		Opener			Responder
		K4			AQ52
		942			T87
		AKT9872			J3
		K			AJ92
		Opener     1 3 4		Opp 1     Pass Pass All Pass	Responder     1 3 (1)	Opp 2     2 Pass

1. 3 is a Western Cue bid. 3NT is a logical contract if opener has a heart control.
2. 4 denies a heart stopper or spade support.

Rule #1: Western cuebids only occur at the 3-level.

		Opener			Responder
		96			A52
		KQ943			AT87
		A87			KJT3
		K92			83
		Opener     1		Opp 1     1	Responder     2 (1)	Opp 2

1. 2 is a limit raise or better in hearts.

Rule #2: Western cuebids don't replace limit raises.

As a corollary to the example above:

		Opener			Responder
		AK965			QJT7
		74			K95
		A87			KQT3
		K92			83
		Opener     1		Opp 1     2	Responder     3 (1)	Opp 2

1. 3 is a limit raise or better in spades, not a Western cuebid.

Rule #3: Western cuebids are not "jump" cuebids.

		Opener			Responder
		964			5
		KQ943			AT87
		A87			KJT3
		K9			AQJT
		Opener     1		Opp 1     1	Responder     3 (1)	Opp 2

1. 3 is a splinter in most experienced partnerships, showing a singleton/void in spades and slam interest. A jump cuebid is never a Western cuebid.

Rule #4: Western cuebids are "off" if you've agreed on a major suit fit.

		Opener			Responder
		AT			543
		KJT5432			A98
		AQ			KT932
		KJ			T2
		Opener     1 3(1)		Opp 1     1	Responder     2	Opp 2     2

1. 3 shows first-round spade control and slam interest. Hearts have already been agreed as trumps, so this is not a Western cuebid.

The Western cuebid can get extremely confusing. Partnerships should discuss the following scenarios.

• Is a cuebid of a Weak two a Western cuebid? What if you're playing Michaels?

• If the opponents have bid two different suits, is a cuebid of either suit a Western cuebid?

• After partner makes a takeout double, is a 3-level cuebid a Western cuebid? For example, if the opponents open 2 and partner doubles for takeout, is 3 a Western cuebid, or does it show 4-4 in the majors?