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 |
Responder 1 3NT (2) |
Opp 2 2 |
- 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.
- 3NT shows a heart stopper.
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| K4 | AQ52 | ||||
| 942 | T87 | ||||
| AKT9872 | J3 | ||||
| K | AJ92 | ||||
Opener 1 3 4 |
Opp 1 Pass Pass Pass |
Responder 1 3 (1)Pass |
Opp 2 2 Pass Pass |
- 3 is a Western Cue bid. 3NT is a logical contract if opener has a heart control.
- 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 |
- 2 is a limit raise or better in hearts.
Rule #2: 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 |
- 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 #3: A major-suit fit hasn't been identified.
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| AT | 543 | ||||
| KJT5432 | AT8 | ||||
| AQ | KT932 | ||||
| KJ | T2 | ||||
Opener 1 3 (1)
|
Opp 1 1 |
Responder 2 |
Opp 2 2 |
- 3 shows first-round spade control and slam interest. Hearts have already been agreed as trumps, so this is not a Western cuebid.
Other Considerations
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, is3 a Western cuebid, or does it show 4-4 in the majors?