A standard version presented by - Mike Savage

When you have a two-suited (5-5, 6-5 or 6-6) hand and your right-hand opponent opens the bidding, Michaels is the bid of choice. With it you can show a weak hand with two suits or a very strong hand with two suits. With intermediate two-suited hands, it is usually best to just plan to bid both of your suits, the higher one first. (Some partnerships bid and respond to Michaels differently). An example of a weak two-suiter is: Q J 10 x x K J 10 x x x x x; an example of an intermediate two-suiter is: x x x A K J x x K Q J x x; two examples of strong 2-suited hands are #1: A K J 10 9 A K J 10 x x x x and #2: A Q J x x K Q J 10 x x K x void.

Over a minor suit opening, a direct cue-bid (1C-2C; 1D-2D) shows both majors, presumably with a weak hand (if the Michaels bidder bids again, then he shows the strong two-suited hand). Over a major opening, a direct cue-bid (1H-2H or 1S-2S) shows the other major and a minor. Since you don’t know which minor he has, if you have support for both, you can ask your partner to show which minor he has by bidding 2NT (or 3NT if there is some interference). Then he will bid his minor. If, after he shows his minor, you bid three of his major, this sequence is invitational to game in the major. After 1-of-a-major, Michaels cue-bid, pass; a 3C or 3D bid by the cue-bidder’s partner, shows his own long, good suit with no interest in your suits. Vulnerability should be a strong factor in deciding whether you should use Michaels, or not.

Responses by partner of the Michaels 2C/2D bid, after a pass:

2H/2S = Shows a preference for the major suit bid and no game interest.

3H/3S = Shows strong sized cue bid, just needs a little something.

4H/4S = Shows strong sized cue-bid and doesn’t need anything.

2NT = Natural and invitational, denies primary support for either major.

3 of the unbid minor = Rarely bid. Shows a very good suit and is to play.

3NT = Natural, to play and denies 3-card or better support for either major.

Responses by partner of the Michaels 2H/2S bid, after a pass:

2S (over 2H) = Shows spade tolerance (perhaps only two) and a poor hand.

If only two spades, usually doesn’t have a fit in both minors.

2NT (over 2H or 2S) = Asks partner to bid his minor. Usually will pass next.

3C/3D = Shows cue-bidder’s minor and confirms having a weak hand.

3H (over 2S) = Shows an invitational hand with a heart fit.

3C/3D Shows an independent good suit, usually 6-cards long and is to play.

3H (over 2S) = Prefers hearts over either minor with no game interest.

3S (over 2H) = Invitational to game in spades opposite a presumed weak hand.

3NT = Rarely bid. It is to play without a primary fit in partner’s major.

4 of partner’s major = Bid to make opposite a weak hand or extends preempt.

If there is interference over Michaels and your partner doesn’t bid, bidding again shows the strong Michaels (with strong example #1 at the top: reopen with Dbl, with #2: bid hearts).