February 2025 - 53

Newer Players
Ask Jerry
BY JERRY HELMS
askjerry@jerryhelms.com
jerryhelms.com
Dear Jerry,
My partner and I continue
to have problems with our
two-suited overcalls, specifically,
Michaels cuebid and the
Unusual 2NT. I think we have
a basic understanding, but we
seem at times to be operating
on different planets. Could you
offer some general advice?
Starry Eyed
Dear Starry,
For starters, two-suited actions like
these tend to be more offensive in nature
than defensive, often somewhat
preemptive. As with most bidding decisions,
there are multiple factors.
Position at the table: Any time
you can take a space-consuming
action before one of the opponents
has had an opportunity to speak, it is
good.
Vulnerability: The time to be the
most aggressive is when your side
is not vulnerable, and they are. The
neutral time is at equal vulnerability.
The time to be most cautious is when
we are vulnerable and they are not.
Partnership style: Consistency is
the key. It's very comforting when you
have a clue what partner's vul-vs-not
two-suited action actually looks like.
As hard as it is to believe, I have
strong opinions, some of which are
not necessarily endorsed by all good
players. Most importantly, when you
choose an action that shows shape
... have your shape! The unusual
notrump should guarantee at least
five cards in your suits. The Michaels
cuebid should show at least 5-5 with
rarely a six-card major included. For
me, this completely rules out any 5-4
Michaels or unusual notrump. Often
advancer must make decisions about
high-level actions, especially when
considering a save against an opponent's
game bid. If I have four cards
in one of partner's suits and plan to
act at the five level, I want to be 100%
sure that we have a nine-card fit.
1s 2NT
?
is often a more effective action than:
1h Pass
1s 2NT.
In the first, your action is before
the opponents can begin the
exchange of information. In the second,
both opponents have identified
a suit which somewhat negates the
impact of your intrusion. In both
cases, the intervener must have at
least five cards in both his respective
suits. Consider these two actions:
Dealer
1d
as opposed to:
1s
You
2d
2s
Both direct bids of the opponent's
suit should be Michaels. In the first
example, advancer may be able to
pick one of your suits at the two level.
In the second, the three level will be
forced if the dealer's partner chooses
to pass your intrusion. The higher the
level your partner may be forced to
act, the greater playing strength you
should provide. After a 1d opening
bid, at favorable or equal vulnerability,
I would choose 2d holding:
1 sK 10 7 5 3 hQ J 10 4 2 d7 4 c6
2 sA J 10 5 3 hK J 9 4 2 d7 c6 3
Two somewhat classic examples
of hands offering playing strength if
a fit is available, but with very little
to offer in the way of defense. What
should you do at adverse vulnerability?
Partnership style, or perhaps
better, your partner's sense of humor,
if you choose to act and then go for
a number! At any vulnerability, the
quality and texture of your two suits
is a major consideration. Holding:
sJ 8 6 3 2 hJ 7 6 5 2 d7 6 5 c-
I would pass a minor-suit opening
on my right! I have encountered opponents
who think the only requirement
for a two-suited bid is the suit
length promised.
When the auction forces your partner
to bid higher, as in (1s)-2s, I
think you should have two very good
suits, once again tempered by vulnerability.
Suits you might be expected
to hold:
3 s7 hA Q 10 7 5 dK Q 10 8 3 c6 3
4 s7 2 hK J 10 7 5 d4 cA J 10 6 3
Neither of these hands has a preponderance
of high-card points, but does
have suit quality and texture.
Having some expectations of what
the two-suited overcall will deliver
helps advancer to gauge the appropriate
level of competition.
I strongly prefer this approach:
You
1d Pass
1h 2d/2h
Both 2d and 2h are best defined
as natural, not Michaels! If you held
the other two suits, you could either
double or jump to 2NT.
Unfortunately, there is much more,
but we are out of space. I hope this
helps. 2
February 2025 | Bridge Bulletin |
53
http://www.jerryhelms.com
February 2025

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