Structure 7G77 Main |
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In the late 1970s a convention called unusual over unusual was developed (not sure by whom) to cope with an opponents unusual 2 NT overcall. While reasonable, its specific application to one kind of two-suited overcall was shortsighted. Therefore, I generalized it for all two-suited overcalls and added some wrinkles. The basic agreement is that the cheapest bid in a suit shown by the opponent shows support for opener, with values better than a single raise.
The name had to be changed. Unusual over unusual sounds pretty stupid when the enemy bid is Michaels, so invisible cue-bids were born the implication being that the cue-bid suit was never actually bid. I introduced the name in Modern Bridge Conventions (1981 book co-authored with Bill Root) but even to this day, many players still use the inane moniker.
After our opening bid of 1 of a suit, these structures apply if an opponent makes an overcall that shows two suits, at least one of which is known. Michaels and unusual 2 NT are the most common, but many others exist.
1 ![]() | 2 ![]() | ? | 1. both majors |
Dbl 2 ![]() 2 ![]() 2 ![]() 2 NT 3 ![]() 3 ![]() ![]() 3 ![]() ![]() 3 NT | | 10+ HCP, creates force 7-10, 6+ diamonds (rare 5), NF 11+, club raise 11+, 5+ diamonds 9-11, based on fit, I 7-10, 4+ clubs, NF weak, natural, NF 13+, splinter raise 12-14, based on fit, NF |
1 ![]() | 2 ![]() | ? | 1. both majors |
2 ![]() 2 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() Other | | 11+, diamond raise 11+, 5+ clubs 7-10, 6+ clubs, NF 7-10, 4+ diamonds, NF same as above |
1 ![]() | 2 ![]() | ? | 1. spades + minor |
Dbl 2 ![]() 2 NT 3 ![]() ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() ![]() ![]() | | 10+ HCP, creates force 11+, heart raise 9-11, based on fit, I 7-10, 6+ cards, NF 7-10, 3+ hearts 13+, splinter raise 12-14, based on fit, NF weak, natural, NF |
1 ![]() | 2 ![]() | ? | 1. hearts + minor |
3 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() 4 ![]() ![]() ![]() Other | 11+, spade raise 7-10, 3+ spades 13+, splinter raise weak, natural, NF same as above |
1 ![]() | 2 NT1 | ? | 1. both minors |
Dbl 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT 4 ![]() ![]() 4 ![]() ![]() | | 10+ HCP, creates force 11+, heart raise 11+, 5+ spades 7-10, 3+ hearts, NF 7-10, 6+ spades (rare 5), NF 10-14, based on fit, NF 13+, splinter raise weak, natural, NF |
1 ![]() | 2 NT1 | ? | 1. both minors |
3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() Other | | 11+, spade raise 11+, 5+ hearts 7-10, 6+ hearts (rare 5), NF 7-10, 3+ spades, NF same as above |
Note that cheaper cue is always a raise of opener, and higher cue (if both suits known) shows the fourth suit.
After the higher cue, if opener rebids in notrump or his original suit, this confirms a minimum and is NF. A raise of responders indicated suit is forcing below game.
After doubling, if responder next bids a new suit or a suit shown by the enemy, it is natural and forcing below game.
If responder passes the two-suited overcall and later bids a suit shown by the enemy, it is natural and NF.
Structure 7G77 Main | ![]() | Top Invisible Cue-Bids |
© 2019 Richard Pavlicek