The Western Cuebid is used in a contested auction to ask partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponents' suit, for the purpose of playing that contract. Without a stopper, partner can make a nonforcing, natural suit bid. Western cues are usually used when an opening bidder and his partner are both bidding different suits in a contested auction but cannot locate a playable suit game contract. Examples of Western cue-bids:

1	1	1	2
3	Pass	3*

* Opener is being asked to bid 3NT with a heart stopper.

1	2	2	Pass
3	Pass	3*

* Opener is being asked for a diamond stopper.

Some examples of cue-bids that are not necessarily Western cues:

1 1 2*

* Usually used to show a limit raise or better in clubs.

1	1	1	2
2	3	3*

* Showing a heart stopper and asking partner to bid 3NT with a club stopper. When looking for 3NT after the opponents have bid two suits, a cue-bid of either one shows, rather than asks for, a stopper in that suit.