Cuebidding in Competitive Auctions
There are many types of cuebids and the meaning of the
cuebid changes according to the auction and the situation
you find yourself facing.
Today we are going to be speaking about cuebids bid in
competitive auctions. This type of Cuebid shows limit raise
(10+ HCP) or better hands in support of partner’s suit.
You may cuebid to show a limit raise or better in support of
minor suits or major suits. This lecture is concentrating on
cuebidding in support of major suits.
The phrase ‘in support of partner’s suit’ is key. This
indicates that you know that you and partner have a fit and
it allows you to use distributional and high card point
values in determining the strength of your hand.
Patty Tucker ©I/N Lecture December 2020
Patty Tucker ©I/N Lecture December 2020
Let’s see WHY you should adopt Cuebidding in
Competitive Auctions.
The bidding has gone 1♠ by North, East Overcalls 2♣.
WITHOUT CUEBIDDING what would you bid on each of the
hands below?
♠ A 74 ♥ K 8 3 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 9 8 7
♠ K J 7 ♥ A 9 7 4 ♦ A Q 7 3 2 ♣ 7
♠ A K 7 4 ♥ K J 7 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 9 8 7
♠ K Q 8 7 ♥ A 9 7 ♦ K 9 7 2 ♣ A 7
♠ K 7 5 4 3 ♥ 7 5 4 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 7
♠ Q 7 6 2 ♥ 7 5 4 ♦ J 7 5 3 2 ♣ 7
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
A Cuebid in Competition:
Is always made by responder – whether that be responder to the opening bidder or responder to an overcaller who is called ‘advancer’. This is the designation used in this text.
Is created by bidding the suit bid by an opponent. Is bid at the lowest level possible. Can be bid in support of a major or minor suit (but
remember, we're concentrating on major suits today).
Always shows a limit raise or better in support of partner’s suit.
An example of cuebidding the opponent's suit:
North East South West 1♥ 2♣ 3♣
or
or
Patty Tucker ©I/N Lecture December 2020
You are South.
The bidding has gone 1♠ by North, East Overcalls 2♣.
WITH CUEBIDDING what would you bid on each of the
hands below?
♠ A 74 ♥ K 8 3 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 9 8 7
♠ K J 7 ♥ A 9 7 4 ♦ A Q 7 3 2 ♣ 7
♠ A K 7 4 ♥ K J 7 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 9 8 7
♠ K Q 8 7 ♥ A 9 7 ♦ K 9 7 2 ♣ A 7
♠ K 7 5 4 3 ♥ 7 5 4 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 7
♠ Q 7 6 2 ♥ 7 5 4 ♦ J 7 5 3 2 ♣ 7
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Opener/Overcaller’s Bid after a Cuebid in Competition
1) Bid game with the values for game (the equivalent of
15+ points in either high cards, tricks or distribution);
2) Return to the suit opened/overcalled at the lowest level
with a hand that does not want to be in game opposite a
limit raise (the equivalent of 12 points or less in either
high cards, tricks or distribution); or
3) Bid a new suit, a Help Suit Game Try, with a marginal hand asking partner to bid game if they have help in the suit bid (the equivalent of 13-14 points in high cards, tricks or distribution).
Responder/Advancer’s Rebid
Responder’s Strength
Action by Opener Action by Responder
10-12 points #1 or 2 Above Pass - Honor Partner’s Decision #3 Above Return to the trump suit at the
lowest level, bid a new suit with a concentration of value or bid Game if you have help.
13-15 points #2 Above Bid one more time if partner was an overcaller. Bid game if partner was opener.
#3 Above Bid Game #1 Above Pass
Patty Tucker is from Atlanta, Georgia. Having learned to play at 11, she has extensive experience in playing and teaching bridge. She and her husband are the 2000 North American Open Pairs Champions.
She is also a Grand Life Master and American Bridge Teacher Association Master Teacher, as well as both an ACBL Best Practices Accredited Teacher and Trainer.
She has been recognized by ACBL for her work with youth bridge and as a volunteer at both the local and national level. She was the ACBL Honorary Member in 2016, ACBL Goodwill Member of the Year in 2011 and inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame in 2019.
Her love for the game of bridge and the people she meets is apparent as she teaches this fascinating game.
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Patty Tucker is from Atlanta, Georgia. Having learned to play bridge at age eleven, Patty has extensive experience in playing and teaching bridge.
@bridgewithpatty