These Precision Cuebids have been developed by Mr. Greg Earnest together with wife and partner Meaghin Burke. The first letters of their first names constitute the initials of this bidding approach, with Meaghin Burke getting first billing. The concept and employment of these particular cuebids lie in the fact that they may only be initiated when the circumstances and the situation allow.

Permission Personally Provided

This information is presented with the express permission of Meaghin Burke and Mr. Greg Earnest. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.

Illustrative Example of the MG Cuebids

The following illustration should clarify these particular circumstances, under which such MG Cuebids can be employed:

	North AQ9542 KQ7 Q75 J
West 107 J9863 1083 K94		East J 10542 962 AQ632
	South K863 A AKJ4 10875

West		North		East		South		Meaning
		1						Standard, normal 5-card plus Major suit opening bid.
				Pass		3		This jump shift constitutes the triggering of the MG Cuebid and it shows:
								1. Game values
								2. 4-card plus support for partner's suit
								3. Promises also the first-round control in Hearts (or the suit bid)
								4. Shows slam interest
Continuances
Bid	Meaning
3	Shows minimum values and no interest in slam. This rebid allows the responder to decide upon a possible end contract in No Trump for a possible better end score, and also allows the responder to attempt a slam try with additional values.
4	Shows mutual slam interest and first-round control in Clubs.
4	Shows mutual slam interest and first-round control in Diamonds. Denies a first-round control in Clubs.
4	Shows mutual slam interest and second-round control in Hearts. Denies a first-round control in Clubs and denies a first-round control in Diamonds.
4	Shows moderate values and only mild interest in slam. This rebid does not allow the responder to consider an end contract in No Trump.

In the above example, the continuances for the proper bidding sequence after the initiation of the MG Cuebid are as follows:

West		North		East		South		Meaning
		1						Standard, normal 5-card plus Major suit opening bid.
				Pass		3		This jump shift constitutes the triggering of the MG Cuebid.
Pass		4		Pass				Shows moderate values and only mild interest in slam. This rebid does not allow the responder to consider an end contract in No Trump.
						4 NT		Any Ace-asking or Keycard Asking form of Blackwood.

After North shows one Ace or Keycard, then South will set the final contract at 6.

Opening Bid is 1 Spade

The MG Cuebids are generally initiated after a Major suit fit has been established and agreed upon as the trump suit. There is a difference in the continuances between the two Major suits. If the agreed trump suit is 1 Spade, then the continuances are:

North		East		South		Meaning
1						Standard, normal 5-card plus Major suit opening bid.
		Pass		3 //		These jump shifts constitute the triggering of the MG Cuebid and each shows:
						1. Game values
						2. 4-card plus support for partner's suit
						3. Promises also the first-round control in the suit bid
						4. Shows slam interest

Opening Bid is 1 Heart

However if the opening bid is 1 Heart, then the continuances are different as shown below:

North		East		South		Meaning
1						Standard, normal 5-card plus Major suit opening bid.
		Pass		2 /3 /		These jump shifts constitute the triggering of the MG Cuebid and each shows:
						1. Game values
						2. 4-card plus support for partner's suit
						3. Promises also the first-round control in the suit bid
						4. Shows slam interest

Possible Ambiguity

The partnership must individually agree as to whether the following bidding sequence is an MG Cuebid:

West		North		East		South		Meaning
		1		Pass				Standard, normal opening bid.
						1		Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit.
Pass		3 /						MG Cuebid? Partnership agreement. The same is valid with a 1 opening bid.

The perhaps most important question for the partnership is whether a jump shift (or jump reverse rebid) in this bidding sequence actually shows a distribution of 5-4 if a jump shift rebid or 4-5 if a jump reverse rebid, or whether it constitutes a Splinter bid or an MG Cuebid. The second question is whether the partnership agreement can contain both the Splinter conventional method and, at the same time, also the MG Cuebid by such bidding sequences.

Continuances Following Interference

The partnership must also agree upon the manner of continuances in the case of immediate competition. The question must be answered as to whether systems are played on or off once there is an immediate and direct overcall, and also whether the call of a double should be included in this understanding. For example:

West		North		East		South		Meaning
		1						Standard, normal 5-card plus Major suit opening bid.
				1				Promises at least a 4-card plus Spade suit, generally a 5-card Spade suit.
						?		System on or off. Partnership agreement.
						2 / 3 / 3		MG Cuebid? Partnership agreement.
						3 / 3		Or would / could only these two responses constitute an MG Cuebid?

 

 

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.