This conventional defense method was developed by Mr. Gene Hendricks. The defense method consists of a cuebid, generally an immediate cuebid of the opening suit bid by the opposing side, which can be employed both according to the principles of both the Michaels Cuebid and the Unusual No Trump overcall, both of which are defense methods.

Note: Any contribution of information as to the person of Mr. Gene Hendricks would be greatly appreciated. The source of the information on this page has been lost to history and can no longer be substantiated. Any assistance would be a valueable contribution.

Note: The conceptual information, as presented below, has also been altered and varied at other sources. As presented it is believed that the following is as close to the original as possible, although this must remain unconfirmed.

Note: Although several elements are similar to Top and Bottom Cuebids, they are not identical.

The parameters and principles, upon which Michaels Cuebids and Unusual No Trump defense methods are base, hold also true for Top and Another Cuebid. By either equal or unfavorable vulnerability the overcaller should hold a 5-5 distribution with the working values mainly in the two suits. By favorable vulnerability the partnership agreement may include the stipulation that the distribution be shortened to a 5-4 shape. The evaluation method, either point count, or losing trick count, or a combination of both, is a matter of partnership understanding.

Overview of Direct Cuebids

Opener		Overcaller		Meaning
1		2		Promises Spades and a red suit, either Hearts or Diamonds.
1		2		Promises Spades and a round suit, either Clubs and Hearts.
1		2		Promises Spades and a Minor suit, either Clubs and Diamonds.
1		2		Promises Hearts and a Minor suit, either Clubs and Diamonds.

Since the principle behind Top and Another Cuebid is also combined with the basic concept of the Unusual No Trump defense method, Mr. Gene Hendrick outlined the parameters for showing, via an overcall of 2 No Trump, a two-suited holding containing either both red suits, or both round suits, or both Minor suits.

Overview of No Trump Overcalls

Opener		Overcaller		Meaning
1		2 NT		Promises both red suits, Diamonds and Hearts.
1		2 NT		Promises both round suits, Clubs and Hearts.
1		2 NT		Promises both Minor suits, Clubs and Diamonds.
1		2 NT		Promises both Minor suits, Clubs and Diamonds. (Note: identical to the overcall of Hearts.)

Continuances by Advancer

The responses to the Top and Another cuebidder must be carefully made, of course, when requesting information about the other suit. At times a 2 No Trump first response will suffice, which asks the overcaller to specify the second suit. But in other situations, the responder will bid one of the other suits to show preference for that suit if the cuebidder has it and with the top suit being of secondary preference. The advantages of these coupled conventions are that all two suited holdings can be expressed and shown. The general guideline is for the player to bid in this manner when the holding is weak with less than 11 high card points or very strong hands with more than 17 high card points.

On the bridge-blog of Linda Lee, co-owner of Master Point Press, date June 9, 2009, she presents a holding, whereby Mr. Chris Hasney explains that the cuebid is a perfect Top and Another Cuebid in the Advanced American system. Mr. Chris Hasney is also a bridge blogger with Master Point Press and operates his own website. This particular deal is duplicated below.

	North (D) 1083 AQ10642 Q9 AK
West A9764 J7 5 QJ1097		East KQ52 K9 A10842 84
	South J 853 KJ63 6532

North		East		Meaning
1				Promises opening values and a 5-card Heart suit.
		2		Top and Another cuebid promising Spades and a Minor suit, either Clubs and Diamonds.

Although East has a distribution of only 5-4 the working values in both suits equal an adequate evaluation of the holding and underscores the necessity to compete. The holding contains 12 points, which are strategically located. Apllying the losing trick count method the holding contains only 6 losing tricks, which satisfy the requirements of the principles of Top and Another Cuebids conventional defense method.

 

 

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.