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Bidding Conventions
 LESSON 37
Cuebid Raises

  1. Introduction
  2. Cuebid raises over RH Opponent's Overcall
  3. Bidding after a Cuebid raise
  4. Cuebid raises after Partner's Overcall
  5. Deals 205 - 212

    Facts sheet - Facts review

    Bidding Guide : supBG-20

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BR 37.1 - Introduction

After an Overcall over Partner's Opening bid of 1 in a suit Responder's choice of suit raises has been reduced considerably :

  1. Jacoby 2NT does no longer apply
    (NT responses revert to their normal meaning and show a stopper in the Enemy suit)

  2. Bergen Raises no longer apply
    (3♣ and 3♦ revert to their normal meaning)

  3. Inverted Minor raises no longer apply
    (2♦ response reverts to its normal meaning)

  4. The response of a new suit first, then raise Opener's suit to 3# has become undesirable
    (# = showing trump support and either 10-12 or 13+ points depending on the system you play)

As so often in Bridge the negative of Enemy interference can be converted into a positive, because it provides the possibility for an additional bid. In this case the Cuebid raise.

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BR 37.2 - Cuebid raises over RH Opponent's Overcall

Partner opens the bidding with 1♥ and your Right Hand (RH) Opponent overcalls with 2♣.
What do you do ?

1♥ - (2♣) - You ?

Using Cuebid raises (or "Cue raises" as the also are called) you have the following choices :

  1. 1♥ - (2♣) - 3♣ = 10+ HCP and 3+ trumps

  2. 1♥ - (2♣) - 2♥ = 6-9 HCP and 3 trumps

  3. 1♥ - (2♣) - 3♥ = 6-9 HCP and 4+ trumps, no singleton or void
    1♥ - (2♣) - 3♥ = or
    1♥ - (2♣) - 3♥ = 2-5 HCP and 4+ trumps, singleton or void

  4. 1♥ - (2♣) - 4♥ = 6-9 HCP and 4+ trumps, singleton or void

  5. 1♥ - (2♣) - 4♦ = 10+ HCP and 4+ trumps, singleton or void in the suit bid (Splinter !)

  6. 1♥ - (2♣) -  ?  = All new suit bids and NT responses retain their normal value

Here follow some examples.

Bidding Responder's Hand
1.   1♥ - (2♣) - 3♣     ♠ A 2     ♥ K 7 5     ♦ J 10 8 5     ♣ K 9 6 3
2.   1♥ - (2♣) - 2♥     ♠ 7 2     ♥ K 7 5     ♦ J 10 8 4     ♣ K 9 6 3
3.   1♥ - (2♣) - 3♥     ♠ 7 2     ♥ K 9 5 3     ♦ 10 8 5 4    ♣ K Q 6
4.   1♥ - (2♣) - 3♥     ♠ 2     ♥ Q 9 7 5     ♦ J 10 8 3     ♣ 9 8 6 3
5.   1♥ - (2♣) - 4♥     ♠ 2     ♥ K 9 7 5     ♦ J 10 8 3     ♣ K 9 6 3

Using the Cuebid raise has three enormous advantages :

  1. The Cuebid raise replaces all incapacitated bids listed in the previous Chapter.

  2. By covering all suite raise responses with 10+ HCPs within the Cuebid raise, it makes all direct suit raises available for weak pre-emptive purposes.

  3. The Cuebid raise greatly interferes with Opponents' subsequent bidding efforts.

Minor suit raises
Cuebid raises are also applicable as a response to Partner's minor suit opening bid, but in such case it also denies holding a 4-card major suit.

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BR 37.3 - Bidding after a Cuebid raise

After a Cuebid raise Opener replies as if Responder has made a limit raise bid (of 10-12 points).
For example :

  1. 1♥ - (2♣) - 3♣ - 3♥ = Minimum Opening 12-13 points
    Responder will bid on with 13+ points

  2. 1♥ - (2♣) - 3♣ - 4♥ = Minimum Opening 14-15 points
    Responder will bid on with 16+ points

  3. 1♥ - (2♣) - 3♣ - 3NT (RKCB) = Strong Opening 16+ points

Major suit trumpfits
When the level of the Cuebid raise allows Opener can use 2NT for Roman Keycard Blackwood, a new suit below the 3-level of the agreed minor trump suit as a Long Suit Trial bid, and a bid above it as a Multi Cue.
For example :

  1. 1♥ - (1♠) - 2♠ - 2NT = Roman Keycard Blackwood

  2. 1♥ - (1♠) - 2♠ - 3♦ = Long Suit Trial bid

  3. 1♥ - (1♠) - 2♠ - 4♣ = Multi Cue (or any other purpose)

Minor suit trumpfits
With trumpfits in a Minor suit all NT bids retain their natural meaning and any bid of a new suit shows stoppers.
The bid of 4 of the agreed trump suit can be used as a Roman Keycard Ask

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BR 37.4 - Cuebid raises after Partner's Overcall

Cuebid raises are also very effective after Partner entered the bidding with and Overcall over Opponent's Opening bid in a suit.
In this scenario the Cuebid raise retains its normal meaning : 10+ HCP with 3+ card trump support.
Responses are :

  1. (1♦) - 1♠ - (2♦) - 3♦ = 10+ HCP, 3+ spades (Cuebid raise)

  2. (1♦) - 1♠ - (2♦) - 2♠ = 6-9 HCP , 3 spades

  3. (1♦) - 1♠ - (2♦) - 3♠ = 6-9 HCP , 4+ spades, no singleton or void

  4. (1♦) - 1♠ - (2♦) - 4♠ = 6-9 HCP , 4+ spades, singleton or void

A 1-level Overcall can be as weak as 8 HCP. In such case, after Partner's Cuebid raise, the Overcaller (with 8-12 HCP, or 8+ losers) signs off at the lowest level rebid of his suit.
With a stronger hand the Overcaller either bids a new suit or raises to Game himself.

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BR 37.5 - Deal 205 - 212

Deals 205 - 212 are examples of bidding as outlined in this lesson.

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© 2012 Michael Furstner (Jazclass).