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1995-08-27
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TOP-AND-BOTTOM CUE BIDS
There are three ways to make a top-and-bottom cue bid:
1) Directly over a natural opening bid of one in a suit:
North East
1S 2S
A cue bid over a higher level opening may be based on a two-suited
hand, but is not a "top-and-bottom" cue bid. A cue bid over an
artificial opening is a natural bid.
2) After a single raise by RHO:
South West North East
1H Pass 2H 3H
3) After a 1NT response to a major suit opening by RHO:
South West North East
1S Pass 1NT 2S
When the opening bid is in a minor suit, however, the cue bid over
a 1NT response is a major suit takeout:
South West North East
1D Pass 1NT 2D - shows both majors
All of the above are two-way cue bids, either:
-- A super strong hand, the conventional cue bid meaning (see
chapter DIRECT CUE BID OVERCALLS), or
-- A top-and-bottom cue bid, showing a moderate hand with four
cards in the top unbid suit and six cards in the lowest unbid suit:
North East
1C 2C - six diamonds and four spades
1D 2D - six clubs and four spades
1H 2H - six clubs and four spades
1S 2S - six clubs and four hearts
The strength required for a top-and-bottom cue bid varies somewhat
with vulnerability and the level at which partner must bid. Two to
three defensive tricks are about right, but the cue bidder may play
it a little loose if partner has passed. A typical hand for a non-
vulnerable 2D cue bid over a natural opening bid of 1D: S-KQ43 H-Q4
D-4 C-AQ10872. A 2C overcall would be more advisable when vul-
nerable. A takeout double is unwise, because you would have to pass
a 2H response; the hand is not good enough to double and then bid
3C, which implies a hand that is too strong for a top-and-bottom
cue bid.
With a stronger hand, but not super strong, the overcaller must
choose from takeout double, simple overcall, and jump overcall.
Suppose RHO opens 1C and you hold S-AQ108 H-3 D-AQ10854 C-K3. This
hand is too strong for a top-and-bottom cue bid. A jump overcall
of 2D is better than a takeout double because of the singleton
heart. If the club/heart holding were reversed, a takeout double
would be acceptable, since you have enough to bid 3D after a 2H
response.
A club jump overcall (necessarily at the three level) implies solid
clubs. It may therefore be necessary to make a hefty 2C overcall
at times. Suppose you hold S-AKJ3 H-8 D-76 C-AQJ987 and RHO opens
1D. This hand is too good for a top-and-bottom cue bid, and is not
the sort of hand for a strong jump overcall in clubs. The best
course is to bid 2C, which will probably not be passed out, with
the hope of bidding spades later.
The suit requirements for a top-and-bottom cue bid may be stretched
on occasion. The top suit can be a weak five carder, and the bottom
suit a seven-carder. The top-and-bottom cue bidder can never bid
either suit himself, however (unless invited to do so), even if it
is longer than standard. He can only hope that partner bids the
non-standard suit. When the top suit is a strong five-carder, it
is better to start bidding the suits rather than cue bid.
Responses
How does the cue bidder's partner distinguish between a strong cue
bid and a top-and-bottom cue bid? First of all, he assumes that
partner has made a top-and-bottom cue bid until he learns other-
wise, and makes the appropriate response:
South West North East
1D 2D Pass 2H/2S/3C - weak sign-offs
3H/3S/4C - invitational
2NT - forcing
The heart responses require at least a six-card suit.
After a sign-off response, the top-and-bottom cue bidder must pass,
even if RHO makes a call. Any other action shows a strong cue bid.
After an invitational response, the top-and-bottom cue bidder can
only pass or raise the response one level. Any other action shows
a strong cue bid, and is game forcing in view of the invitational
response. In the last auction, the invitation in hearts will
generally be accepted with a doubleton heart, declined with a
singleton.
The 2NT response asks for clarification--"What kind of cue bid is
this?" In the auction above, West must bid 3C with a top-and-bottom
cue bid; any other call shows a strong cue bid and is forcing to
game (in view of the 2NT response). If the cue bidder shows a top-
and-bottom cue bid, the 2NT bidder's next call will place the
contract, except that a raise to 4C would of course be invita-
tional.
One reason for limiting the top-and-bottom cue bidder's strength
is that she may not reopen the bidding after making a cue bid:
South West North East
1D 2D 2H Pass
Pass 2S - forcing, strong cue bid hand
West must pass 2H with a top-and-bottom cue bid, even with S-108543
H-6 D-5 C-AKJ543, because she has already shown her hand.
After confirming a top-and-bottom cue bid, however, the cue bidder
may choose to reopen a dying auction:
South West North East
1C 2C Pass 2D
Pass Pass 3C Pass
Pass 3D
West, not vulnerable, is willing to chance 3D with S-KQJ10 H-6
D-AQJ1098 C-32. If this goes down one doubled, North-South probably
could have made 3C.
Top-and-Bottom is not used by a passed hand. A direct cue bid by
a passed hand is a Michaels Cue Bid. Also see chapters DIRECT CUE
BID OVERCALLS and REOPENING CUE BID OVERCALLS.