Leaping Michaels

In the game of bridge, Leaping Michaels is a conventional overcall in 4 or 4 made in defense to opposing 2-level or 3-level preemptive openings. A variant of the Michaels cuebid, Leaping Michaels shows a strong two-suited hand (5-5 or longer) that is less suitable for a takeout double and is game forcing. Described as an overcall by some[1] [2] of a weak two-bid of a major, others[3] [4] expand its application to all weak preempts at the 2 or 3-level in both the majors and minors.

Holding such two-suited hands and using Leaping Michaels, opponent's opening preempts between 2 and 3 inclusive are overcalled in accordance with the following table:

Opener's
preempt
Overcaller's use of Leaping Michaels
BidMeaning: overcaller is two-suited in...
2 or 34Clubs and an undisclosed major
2 or 34Majors
2 or 34Clubs and spades
2 or 34Diamonds and spades
2 or 34Clubs and hearts
2 or 34Diamonds and hearts
34Majors
34Diamonds and an undisclosed major

After (3) 4, a bid of 4 asks for the major. The bids 4 and 4 are to play.

Following (3) 4 the bid of 4 is played as pass-or-correct.

Some partnerships prefer to interchange the meanings of the 4 and 4 bids following a 3 preempt so that 4 denotes diamonds and an undisclosed major. This has the advantage that the 4 becomes available to ask for the major suit. The 4/4 responses can then be played as natural (to play).

Leaping Michaels can be utilised after natural two-level preempts, but also after conventional preempts such as Muiderberg. Even after a Multi 2 diamonds preempt, Leaping Michaels can be utilised to good effect:

(2) 4 : Clubs and an undisclosed major (4 asks for the major)
(2) 4 : Diamonds and an undisclosed major (4 is pass-or-correct)

References

  1. Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, Dorthy A., eds. (2001). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (6th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 266. ISBN 0-943855-44-6. OCLC 49606900.
  2. Kearse, Amalya (1990). Bridge Conventions Complete (Revised and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Devyn Press Inc. ISBN 0-910791-76-7.
  3. Leaping Michaels at the BridgeHands website
  4. Simon's Convention List website
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