First Lessons

General Advice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cue Bidding

Cue Bidding

Cue bidding is used to show controls (usually Aces or voids) as a slam suggestion and to help partner decide on the next step. 

For example, you hold:

  a.       b.    c.     d.
S  Kxxx   S  J10xx  S  KJxx S  Kxxx
H  KQx   H  QJx   H  x  H  Ax
D  Axx     D  Ax    D  Axxx D  xxx
 C  xxx  C  QJxx   C  Qxxx   C  Qxxx

 With hands a, c, or d  six spades is an easy make.  With hand b even five spades is only a 50% chance yet all three would give the same response to an Ace enquiry.

 How about this one:

S  AKQxxx  You open 2 spades, partner bids 2 NT you bid  3 diamonds he bids 3 spades.  You want to know if he has the heart Ace (club Ace is no use). You cue bid your void (4C). With no Ace partner will sign off in 4 spades and you bid 6 spades.  But, if partner can find a cue bid of 4 hearts showing the heart Ace you can bid 7 spades with some confidence. Asking for Aces and a response of 1 Ace doesn’t help as it may be the club Ace.  
H  Kx    
D  AKQxx 
C  --- 

Remember, you cannot pass a cue bid!!

How do I know it is a cue bid?  Once a major suit fit has been agreed that is the suit in which the contract will be played so any other suit bid must be either a game try or a slam try and must never be passed. 

 Cue bids of the opponents’ suit

 These are usually used to ask for a stop for no trumps.  It is sometimes difficult to bid 3 NT if the opponents have made an intervening bid.  If you have no stop but think you have the values for 3 NT otherwise, cue bid the opponents’ suit and partner will bid notrumps if he has a stop. 

For example:





S  Jx

 You open 1 Heart, the hand on your left bids 1 Spade and your partner bids 2 clubs.  You have the values for 3 no trumps but the opponents may be able to run 5 spade tricks so what do you do? Bid 2 spades. This asks partner to bid no trumps with a spade stop. Without a stop partner can give delayed support for hearts, rebid his own suit or bid another suit.

Remember, you are showing additional strength with this bid.

 
H  AQxxx
D  KQx
C  AQx

Unassuming Cue Bids

These are used when your partner has overcalled in a suit and you are interested in game if he has a decent overcall (as opposed to a weak one.)  A cue bid of the opponents’ suit asks partner if he is up to scratch.  If he is weak he signs off in his suit at the lowest available level.  If he has a good overcall (opening hand strength or better) he either bids another suit or jumps the bidding in his own suit – he knows that partner will have at least three card support. 

So what do you need to make an unassuming cue bid?  You need a hand which is around opening bid strength and with at least three card support for partner. If you don’t have support you can bid a suit of your own which should be at least 5 cards.  This is forcing – unless you passed previously.

 What do you bid if you don’t have many points but have good support for partner – raise his suit immediately.  This is pre-emptive (getting in opponents’ way.)  Partner will not expect too much as he knows you could have made an unassuming cue bid with a good hand.

Sample hand:You hold

 S  xx

The hand on your left opens 1 spade, your partner calls 2 hearts and the hand on your right passes.  You are too good to just bid 3 hearts and a raise to game would punish partner if he has been a bit ‘speculative.’   Cue bid 2 spades, the opponents’ suit.  Partner can sign off in 3 hearts or bid 4 hearts with a decent overcall. 

Remember, a bid of the opponents’ suit in situations described above can never be a genuine bid.  If you have their suit you pass or double them.  What is the point of playing in a suit in which the opponents have announced length?
H  Kxx
D  AQxx
C  Kxxx