The origin of this defense method is unknown. The concept is also referred to and known as Andersen's Cuebid, and is assumed to be a reference to Mr. Ronald (Ron) E. Andersen and his various publications, one of which is titled Killing Their No Trump.
Principle of the Concept
The concept or conventional defense method consists of two parts. First there is the Non-Jump Cuebid Overcall, which informs partner, who becomes the advancer, of a holding containing a single suit headed by either the Ace-King-Queen or at worst the Ace-King-Jack, and no outside strength, meaning no stoppers in either the unbid suits or the suit bid by the opponent.
Examples
It is an easy task for the advancer to recognize quickly the suit of the intervenor since it is the suit, in which the advancer does not have an Ace, a King, or the Queen plus the Jack. The opener and partner are also able to determine the single suit of the intervenor. The following examples, using the a Minor suit as the opening suit of the opponent, should clarify the basic requirements for a Non-Jump Cuebid Overcall:
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
1 
|
2
|
|
|
A Non-Jump Cuebid Overcall showing at least a 7-card suit and a solid to semi-solid suit. |
In the case that the advancer, North in this example, has a stopper (preferably stoppers) in the other three suits, then the advancer bids 3 No Trump as with the following example. North knows immediately that the suit of partner is Spades since North holds no honor in this suit.
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
| 1
|
2
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pass |
3 NT |
North can suffer a 4-0 split in Spades, which happens quite infrequently. |
In the case that the advancer is missing a stopper in any of the three other suits, then the advancer will relay, bidding the next cheapest, higher-ranking suit so that the intervenor can either pass or correct.
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
1 
|
2
|
|
|
A Non-Jump Cuebid Overcall. |
| |
|
Pass |
2 |
Shows a lack of stoppers in all of the other three suits. North also knows that the suit of partner is most likely Diamonds or Hearts. |
| Pass |
? |
|
|
The intervenor, South, will pass and not correct if the suit is Diamonds. If the suit were Hearts, then the intervenor would correct to Hearts. |
Jump Cuebid Overcall
The second part of this conventional defense method is the jump cuebid overcall, which promises at least a solid 7-card plus suit headed generally by Ace-King-Queen-Jack and less frequently by Ace-King-Jack-Ten. The requirements for such a bid follow:
| 1. |
The intervenor may not have passed previously. |
| 2. |
The partner of the intervenor may not have called or bid previously. |
| 3. |
The holding of the intervenor must contain at least 8.5 plus playing tricks and outside strength in at least one of the other two suits. |
Note: In the original version the general idea is that if the intervenor holds a solid suit in either of the Minor suits, then the intervenor is hoping for a final contract of game in No Trump as opposed to a final game contract in the Minor suit.
Note: Holding a stopper, or stoppers, in the suit of the opponent, it is better and preferred that the intervenor simply bid 3 No Trump immediately.
Note: If the intervenor holds more than a singleton in the suit of the opponent, then it is better and preferred that the intervenor double for Takeout.
Note: If the intervenor holds a singleton, or is actually void, in the suit of the opponent, and the suit is a Major suit, then the intervenor will employ a double jump cuebid to show a solid 8-card plus suit and a singleton or void in the suit of the opponent. It also promises 1.5 to 2 defensive tricks. This is a slam try and advancer will judge the practicality and either attempt slam or, with weak values, relay so that the intervenor can either pass or correct on the four level in a game contract.
Example 1
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
| 1
|
2
|
|
|
A Jump Cuebid Overcall. |
| |
|
Pass |
3 NT |
North knows that the suit of partner is Clubs since partner should have at least four of the top five honors in that suit. With stoppers in the other three suits North bids 3 No Trump. |
Example 2
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
| 1
|
1 NT |
|
|
Instead of a Jump Cuebid Overcall, it is better and preferred that the intervenor simply bid 3 No Trump immediately holding a stopper, or stoppers, in the suit of the opponent. The holding must still contain at least 8.5 playing tricks. |
Example 3
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
| 1 |
Double |
|
|
Instead of a Jump Cuebid Overcall, it is better and preferred that the intervenor double for Takeout: |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1. |
If the single solid suit is a Major suit. |
| |
2. |
If the intervenor holds more than a singleton in the suit of the opponent. |
| |
3. |
If the intervenor holds no stopper in the suit of the opponent. |
|
Example 4
| East |
South |
West |
North |
Meaning |
| 1 |
4 |
|
|
Instead of a Jump Cuebid Overcall, it is better and preferred that the intervenor Double Jump Cuebid with this holding because it does not fit the shape, pattern, or number of playing tricks for any other overcall: |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1. |
If the single solid (also semi-solid with AKJ10) suit is a Major suit and contains at least 8 cards. |
| |
2. |
If the intervenor holds either a singleton or void in the suit of the opponent. |
| |
3. |
If the intervenor holds 1.5 to 2 defensive tricks. |
| |
4. |
If the above requirements are not met, then the preference and recommendation is that the intervenor jump-overcall in his suit. |
|
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.
