Practice on Cuebids
Practice auctions where the opponents preempt and you need to judge two-suited actions, doubles, and natural overcalls.
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Systems
Last updated
2026-07-31
What is Leaping Michaels?
Leaping Michaels is a jump overcall after an opponent’s preempt, showing a strong two-suited hand. Over a weak two in a major, a leap to 4 or 4 shows that minor plus the unbid major.
The bid consumes space, so it should be reserved for hands with real playing strength and at least 5-5 shape. The base method taught here is game-forcing; pairs that allow the shown minor to be passed are using a different treatment.
A side benefit: because the leaps carry the strong two-suiters, many pairs free the direct cue bid of the preempted major (3 over 2, 3 over 2) to ask partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in their suit.
Clubs and the unbid major
- After an opponent’s weak 2, 4 shows clubs and spades.
- Partner can choose between the two suits or raise with a fit.
Diamonds and the unbid major
- After an opponent’s weak 2, 4 shows diamonds and hearts.
- The hand should have enough strength to compete at the four level.
Over minor preempts
Some partnerships also play a common Leaping Michaels extension over minor-suit preempts. A leap in the other minor shows that minor plus an unspecified major, while a cue bid of the preemptive minor shows both majors.
Over 2 or 3, 4 shows clubs plus an unspecified major and 4 shows both majors. Over 3, 4 shows diamonds plus an unspecified major and 4 shows both majors. Variants exist, so write down exactly which preempts the convention applies over and what each call means.
- Over 2 or 3: 4 = clubs plus an unspecified major; 4 = both majors.
- Over 3: 4 = diamonds plus an unspecified major; 4 = both majors.
Clubs plus an unspecified major
- In this common extension, 4 shows clubs plus hearts or spades.
- Advancer can support clubs or use the agreed pass-or-correct major continuation.
Both majors over a club preempt
- The cue bid of the preemptive minor shows both majors in this structure.
- Advancer chooses hearts or spades.
Over three-level major preempts
Many tournament pairs keep the same structure when the preempt is 3 or 3: 4 and 4 still show that minor plus the other major. Strictly speaking these calls are no longer jumps, so this extension is often called Non-Leaping Michaels.
Some pairs also extend the family to conventional preempts such as Multi 2, but every added sequence needs explicit discussion before it comes up.
Diamonds and spades over 3
- In this extension, 4 shows diamonds and spades.
- Without the agreement, 4 would simply be natural.
Partner continuations
Advancer usually chooses the best strain quickly. In the game-forcing base method, advancer raises a preferred minor to game rather than passing below game. In the passable-minor treatment, advancer may instead pass the original leap with a suitable fit.
After an unspecified-major version, bidding 4 is commonly pass-or-correct: overcaller passes with hearts and corrects to 4 with spades. By agreement, some pairs instead use the cheapest available bid, such as 4 over the club leap, as an ask for the major. After a both-majors cue bid, advancer simply chooses a major.
Because the partnership is already at the four level, forcing-pass and double agreements also matter if the opponents keep bidding.
Pass-or-correct after the unspecified major
- 4 showed diamonds plus an unspecified major.
- Advancer’s 4 is pass-or-correct: overcaller passes with hearts or bids 4 with spades.
Asking for the major
- 4 showed clubs plus an unspecified major.
- By agreement, advancer’s 4 asks overcaller to bid the major; pairs without this agreement rely on pass-or-correct instead.
Hand requirements
Leaping Michaels should show strong playing strength, not just shape. The bid often commits the partnership to game-level contracts, so the suits should be good enough to take tricks opposite limited help.
- At least 5-5 shape is normal.
- Suit quality matters more than high-card count alone.
- Shortness in the opponent’s suit is valuable.
- Vulnerability can turn a good shape into a bad risk.
Hand examples
The best hands have two long suits and enough controls to survive at the four level.
Clubs and spades over 2
- After an opponent opens 2, 4 shows clubs and spades.
- The hand has strong suits and a heart void.
Diamonds and hearts over 2
- After an opponent opens 2, 4 shows diamonds and hearts.
- The bid is descriptive and game-forcing in the base method used here.
Diamonds and spades over 3
- After an opponent opens 3, 4 shows diamonds and spades in the three-level extension.
- With 5-6 shape and strong suits, the hand has the playing strength to insist on game.
Common mistakes
- Using Leaping Michaels with weak suits.
- Forgetting which minor-plus-major combination each jump shows.
- Applying the convention over preempts where the partnership has not agreed it applies.
- Failing to discuss doubles and forcing-pass situations after the opponents compete.
FAQ
Is Leaping Michaels the same as Michaels Cuebid?
It is related, but Leaping Michaels is a jump overcall over preempts and usually shows a stronger two-suited hand.
How much shape is required?
At least 5-5 shape is normal, with good suit quality and enough playing strength for the four level.