David Halasi's Bridge Tips

Another convention that you may have heard of is the Michaels Cue Bid. For today, we'll focus the discussion on a simple example of this convention when your RHO has opened the bidding at the one level, and you make a direct cuebid of their opening suit; if they open one of a minor, you are promising at least 5 cards in each major. If they open a major, your cuebid promises at least 5 cards in the other major, as well as a 5 card minor. Here, a 2D bid shows at least 5 cards in both spades and hearts. That is the simple part. As is the case with many conventions, knowing when and with which hand types to use this convention is key to its success. Notice in the above hand the vulnerability and suit quality. Before you use the convention, imagine that your partner has the mirror hand of yours, 5-5 in both minors. Would you feel comfortable with them declaring your suit at the 2 (or potentially 3 level!) with a small doubleton opposite your worst quality suit... Anothe...

One of the first parts of learning Stayman is that using the convention promises at least 8 HCP. The concept is that you will be either inviting or forcing to game opposite partner's 1NT (15-17) opening bid. There is one occasion where we can throw that provision out the window! If your partner opens 1NT, and you have the hand below, what would you do? Or how about this hand: If you pass, your partner will be playing 1NT, where the opponents have a majority of the strength, and effectively playing the hand without an easy way to get to dummy to even try to take finesses. The answer is that you CAN use Stayman with less than 8 HCP in response to partner's 1NT opening...provided that: You have shortness in clubs (singleton or void) Support for all 3 suits (ideally 4441 or 4450 distribution) No 5 card major (you can transfer with this hand) Very weak (<5 HCP). If you have 5-7 HCP, it is likely best to stick it out in 1NT because our side is not outgunned, t...

Today I thought we could discuss some non-traditional hands that are best opened 1NT. These are hands that are difficult to describe otherwise; also, opening 1NT has a preemptive effect. Lastly, there are extensive system options available after a 1NT opener that are not available over a suit opening. Let's take this hand as an example: 16 HCP, but 2-2-4-5 distribution. We could open 1 of a minor (my preference is 1D), and then try to bid the other minor and hope that partner has enough to invite to game. It is unfortunate that we are 2-2 in the majors, but at least there are high honors in both suits. Notice that this hand is also very positional; we would probably benefit from having the opening lead come around to our hand. With this hand, opening 1C or 1D will allow your left hand opponent a very easy overcall at the 1 level in a major. By opening 1NT, it forces either opponent to have to introduce their hand at the 2 level; they might not be willing to risk a light ove...