Defense to Michaels

There is a conventional defense against the Michaels Cuebid. After an enemy cuebid that shows a two-suited hand, responder's conventional bids are:

Responder's Bid	Meaning
Double	Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in either of their suits.
Raising partner's suit	A raise to the 3-level is a constructive raise (7-10 points). Larry Cohen recommends that this shows 3-card support for a major, or 4-card support for a minor.1 Non-forcing. A jump raise to the 4-level is weak and preemptive, showing 4+ card support. Non-forcing.
Cuebidding the opponents' "known" suit	If the opponents only promise one suit, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show spades and a minor, then cuebidding their specific suit (spades) is a limit raise or better. Forcing.
Cuebidding the opponents' "higher" suit	If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts and spades, then cuebidding the higher-ranking suit (spades) is a limit raise or better. Forcing.
Cuebidding the opponents' "lower" suit	If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts and spades, then a cuebid of the lower-ranking suit (hearts) shows 10+ points and 5+ cards in the "fourth" suit. Forcing.
Bidding the "fourth" suit	If the opponents show both suits, e.g. a 2 cuebid to show hearts and spades, then bidding the "fourth" suit is natural, 7-10 points, with at least a 5-card suit. Non-forcing.

Responder's priority is to show major-suit support, either via a direct raise or cuebid. Below are all the responses in greater detail.

Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in either of their suits. Shows about 7+ points, and typically a balanced hand. Denies 3-card support if partner opened 1/. Note that this gives up the ability to play negative doubles in this situation.

		North			South
		84			AJT2
		AKJ96			85
		A752			J43
		T8			KJ96
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     Dbl (2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and an unspecified minor.
2. Double shows an interest in penalizing the opponents in spades or one of the minors.

A 3-level raise is natural, showing 7-10 points. A 4-level raise is preemptive. Both bids are non-forcing.

		North			South
		K84			J6
		AQT92			K87
		A72			J3
		T8			K97652
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and an unspecified minor.
2. 3+ hearts, 7-10 points. Non-forcing.

		North			South
		K842			5
		5			K872
		AK72			Q9854
		AJT2			865
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     4 (2)

1. Michaels, showing spades and hearts.
2. 4+ diamonds (frequently 5+), preemptive. Non-forcing.

		North			South
		AQT92			KJ64
		432			J6
		A7			K984
		K87			A96
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and an unspecified minor.
2. A limit raise or better in spades. Responder's strength is unlimited. Forcing.

		North			South
		QJT			65
		432			AQ
		A7			KQJT
		AQT92			KJ876
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     2 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. A limit raise or better in clubs. Responder's strength is unlimited. Forcing.

		Opener			Responder
		QJT			53
		432			A9
		A7			KQJT62
		AQT92			K64
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     2 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. 10+ points (game-invitational values) with 5+ cards in the "fourth" suit, i.e. diamonds. Forcing.

		North			South
		QJT			53
		432			K9
		AQT92			843
		A6			KQT987
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and spades.
2. Natural, 5+ cards, 7-10 points. Non-forcing.

		North			South
		AQT92			53
		432			K9
		QJT			843
		A6			KQT987
	West     Pass	North     1		East     2 (1)	South     3 (2)

1. Michaels, showing hearts and an unspecified minor.
2. Natural, 5+ cards, 7-10 points, non-forcing. When the enemy's minor suit is unknown, then 3 and 3 are both natural, not cuebids.

Opener's rebids are generally natural. However, a cuebid of either enemy suit typically asks for a stopper in that suit. Partner is asked to bid 3NT with a stopper.