The origin of this version is unknown. When the concept of Michael Cuebids was devised and developed by Mr. Michael Michaels, (aka Mike Michaels), of Miami Beach, Florida, United States, variations and modifications were suggested in the following years. One Italian version of the Michaels Cuebid conventional method deals only with the opening bid of 1 Club by the opposing side.
This version is described, illustrated, and explained below with appropriate examples. The original version of Mr. Michael Michaels is that any immediate overcall of a 1 Club opening bid shows both Major suits, preferably with a distribution of 5-5, but which can be reduced to a distribution of 5-4 by favorable vulnerability.
The Italian version of the Michaels Cuebid is only employed when the responder holds only a 5-4 distribution in both Major suits. The state of vulnerability remains a factor in the decision to make the overcall. By equal or favorable vulnerability, then the recommended agreement is that the suit quality of the holding should equal that of a weak to normal opening bid. If the state of vulnerability is unfavorable, then the expectation is that the holding should be stronger either in values or distribution. For example, the cuebidding of a distributional pattern of 4-5-2-2 is less strong than a distributional pattern of 4-5 3-1 or 4-5-4-0.
Note: The distribution pattern of 4-5-4-0 falls under the same guidelines as that of the original Michaels Cuebid, and that guideline does not allow for the holding to contain any void in a Minor suit. However, such agreements are subject to partnership approval.
Example 1
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South |
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West |
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North |
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Meaning |
1  |
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Promises opening values. |
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2 |
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Promises exactly a 5-4 distribution in both Major suits and either sufficient strength to compete. |
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Pass |
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Communicates either insufficient values to compete on the two level or a desire not to compete following the overcall. |
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2  |
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This is the inquiry bid asking partner to show which Major suit is longer. Continuances are based on the rebid of South based on the holding of the advancer. |
Note: If the advancer holds a 4-4 distribution in both Major suits, then the advancer selects the stronger Major suit and bids accordingly on the appropriate level.
Example 2
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South |
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Meaning |
| 1 |
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Promises opening values. |
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2 |
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In the Italian Michaels Cuebid version this overcall shows an exact distribution of 5-5 in both Major suits. |
Any continuances by the advancer is based on the holding of the advancer. In those auctions, in which the partner of the opener competes, then the overcaller and advancer should agree upon any parameters, upon which any decision as to whether to continue to compete or defend is based.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.