Leaping and Non-Leaping Michaels - BridgeWebs

1 FURTHER TOmy article developingmodern ideas on the use of Lebensohlcontinuations when defending againstWeak Two bids and the Multi 2t(April 2013 issue, pages 22-23),Ithought we would look at Leap -ing Michaels as a defence to two-level openings (Weak Twos and the Multi)and also consider non- Leaping Michaelsagainst three-level pre-emptive MichaelsThese are terrific bids to have in yourarmoury. They are highly descriptive, veryeffective but, just as importantly, enormousfun to play!The basic idea is to play as follows:Over a weak 2topener:3t=Asks for a stopperfor no-trumps3 /3 = Natural and strong(six cards, 16-18 HCP)4 =Clubs + major (at least 5-5)4t=Both majors (at least 5-5)Over a weak 2 opener:3 =Asks for a stopper3 =Natural and strong4 =Clubs + spades(at least 5-5)4t=Diamonds + spades(at least 5-5)Over a weak 2 opener:3 =Asks for a stopper4 =Clubs + hearts (at least 5-5)4t=Diamonds + hearts(at least 5-5)Over a Multi 2topener:3 /3t=Natural3 /3 =Natural and strong,at least six cards4 =Clubs + major (at least 5-5)4t=Diamonds + major (at least 5-5)The principle is that you can leap to aMichaels-style bid at the four level.

2 Thesebids guaranteeat least 5-5 in the two suitsshown. Since they commit the partnershipto the four level by deliberate choice, a goodhand is needed, typically four or five losersat most. The current trend is to play the bidsas almostforcing (95% or so, anyway).As with normal Michaels cue-bids, Irecommend that youdo not usethe bidwhen holding a strongsix-card major, as itmakes reaching the best contract so muchmore A is a typical example (absoluteminimum in my opinion):Over 2 (weak) youcan bid 4tto showthe two suits imme -diately. This wouldreserve the cue-bidto ask for a stopper,so with Hand B: You could bid 3 over the opponent sopening 2 bid toask for a heartstopper with no fearthat partner wouldinterpret it as aMichaels to Leaping MichaelsTypically what you do is to choose to playin either of partner s known two rarely you might decide to pass andI must stress the very in very rarely !

3 Given that the Leaping Michaels bidshows a really good hand, the partner ofthe leaper can sometimes make an imme -diate slam try either via a cue-bid of theopponent s suit or Roman Key-CardBlackwood etc. In order to avoid ambi -guity, I would play that RKCB agrees thesuit just bid by the leaper , in thefollowing auction:West NorthEastSouth2 4t1 Pass 4NT21 Diamonds and spades2 Roman Key-Card BlackwoodRKCB is for diamonds rather than MichaelsIf you do start playing these methods, it isvery rewarding not to mention quitelogical to play non- Leaping Michaels aswell. These bids apply when the oppo -nents have opened at the three level. Thus:Over 3 :4 = Both majors4t= Diamonds + majorOver 3t:4 = Clubs + major4t= Both majorsOver 3 :4 = Clubs + spades4t= Diamonds + spadesOver 3 :4 = Clubs + hearts4t= Diamonds + heartsSince you are not jumping, I suggest theneed for such a good hand (as was the casefor Leaping Michaels , discussed earlier) isnot so strong.

4 For example, with Hand C:This hand mightwell chance 4tovera 3 bid from theopposition. The bidis now not remotelyclose to non- Leaping Michaels to yourrepertoire does not impact significantlyon your traditional approach to dealingwith pre-empts. Thus doubles, overcalls at20 English Bridge August Neil Rosen Stage 2 ConventionsLeaping and Non- Leaping MichaelsHand A A K J 10 5 3tK Q J 8 2 4 3 Hand B A 5 3 2tA 8 A K Q 7 6 4 2 Hand C 5 K Q J 3 2tA Q 8 7 4 4 2 clicklinkthe three level and bidding no-trumps, allremain the same it is just the four-levelovercalls that are , an issue remains with handswhich might previously have wanted toovercall naturally at the four level in aminor, with a hand such as Hand D:Over 3 be careful!You cannot now bid4 as it shows clubsand spades. Youroptions thereforeare to pass, jump to5 , or occasionallyhave a bash at 3NT(you will need a stopper in the opponent ssuit, of course!)

5 Further TreatmentsJust for completeness, I recommend thefollowing:Over 3 /t:4 /4 = NaturalOver 3 :4 = Game-forcing two-suiter(spades + minor)4 = Natural4NT= Minor two-suiterOver 3 :4 = Huge two-suiter(hearts + minor)4NT= Minor two-suiterSo there you have it. Try these methodsout, and let me know whether you 2013 English D A 5 2tK 7 4 A Q J 7 5 4 2 BRIDGE AND GOLFGIFTS DIRECTLIMITEDL arge selection ofbridge and golf gifts,and bridge accessories available online (020 8954 8006 (07853 066 582 Fax: 020 420 7006E-mail: BridgeArchivesby Elena JeronimidisREACTIONS TO the online version ofthe June English Bridgehave ranged from Wonderful at last. I LOVE it! to I doNOT want an online English to me whatsoever. Luckily therewere rather more comments like theformer than the latter, so thank you allwho gave us feedback especially thosewho said something nice!))

6 On discovering that not only is thecurrent magazine online, but that the lastsix issues can also be accessed from theMembers Area of the EBU website, oneper son commented: I ve been hopingthat the EBU would do that I don t needto worry about keeping my old copies! That is indeed the case, and it gets betterbecause now all past issues since 2007 areonline too (except the last six, which are members only ) in the public area Why only since 2007?Because in August 2007, when I becamethe maga zine editor, I also took over thetype setting, so having all those issues onmy com puter I could provide the files insuit able format to Matt Betts at Ayles -bury, and he has since con verted them foruploading on the has done a great job, and has putin links to advertisers websites for yourconvenience. As from this issue, he willalso add links to articles in this orpast issues, as marked by the little Link logo featured here.

7 Matt will continue to enlarge ourarchive to include, eventu ally, all backissues of the magazine. But it will be aslower process, as issues prior to August2007 need to be lovingly scanned page bypage, so please don t expect the job to becom pleted at the speed of light. How ever,there is a gift for you when you visit ourarchives: the very first, his toric issue ofEnglish Bridgeis already there, so you willbe able to judge how much the magazinehas devel oped over the hope the archives will solve the prob -lem of wanting to read again a particulararticle or series, and maybe print it out foryour partner, so you can both benefitfrom our experts advice. Although this isthe most common reason for wanting tolook through back issues, I hope you willfind that perusing them online is areward ing activity. I know I m biased, butI enjoyed re visiting the issues I haveedited, and would like to take this oppor -tunity to say thank you to all con tri bu -tors, past and present, for pro vidingquality writing and illus tra tions (one ofmy favourites is below, a Celia Webercartoon from the August 2007 issue).

8 Andfinally, a big thank you to those memberswho have contributed to the Letters pages and County News, or have pro -vided feedback. Without you all, thiswould be a very different and muchpoorer magazine. THE MAN WHO FORGOT TO SWITCH OFFHIS MOBILE PHONE AT A BRIDGE TOURNAMENT clicklink