[Hilver]

Here are four different situations. In which of these cases you think it´s
ok to play Ghestem or Michaels cuebid to show a two-suiter? And also: in
those situations where you think it´s fine to play Ghestem or Michaels, what
should these bids promise?

1. In the direct seat, for example:
1S - 2S


2. In the balancing seat, for example:
1S - pass - pass - 2S


3. In the direct seat with a passed hand, for example:
pass - pass - pass - 1S
2S


4. In the balancing seat with a passed hand
pass - 1S - pass - pass
2S


Thanks.

[TylerE]

all

[Rossoneri]

Point ranges would vary of course, though I have no idea what would be good, but as a passed hand, I would expect the hand to be reasonably offensive and distributional, ie at least 5-5.

If not playing Michaels, what would you want to play the cuebid as?

[rbforster]

In direct seat, it seems clear to play the cue bid as your favorite, Michaels or whatever. In either seat as a passed hand, it seems less likely you'd want to bid (you could have bid before), but I don't see any compelling reason to play anything else and you probably just show the weak Michaels hand.

In balancing seat, I know most people still play Michaels but I think some experts prefer to use the cuebid there as a strong distributional takeout, typically a hand that doesn't want partner to pass your takeout double because it's too offensive. Something like:

1♠-P-P-2♠

x
AQxx
AJx
AQJxx

give or take. Could be 0(436) shape too.

[pclayton]

They are all 2 suiters, but the ranges are different. What other use did you have in mind?

Not familiar with what a direct cue is in Ghestem (although I'm familiar with some of the jump overcalls).

[cherdano]

Rob F, on Oct 21 2008, 08:04 AM, said:

In direct seat, it seems clear to play the cue bid as your favorite, Michaels or whatever. In either seat as a passed hand, it seems less likely you'd want to bid (you could have bid before), but I don't see any compelling reason to play anything else and you probably just show the weak Michaels hand.

In balancing seat, I know most people still play Michaels but I think some experts prefer to use the cuebid there as a strong distributional takeout, typically a hand that doesn't want partner to pass your takeout double because it's too offensive. Something like:

1♠-P-P-2♠

x
AQxx
AJx
AQJxx

give or take. Could be 0(436) shape too.

I would jump out of my seat and start a dance if partner passed my takeout double here.