In the game of bridge, Leaping Michaels is a conventional overcall made in defense to an opposing 2-level or 3-level preempt. Leaping Michaels is played by many pairs as it provides a means to show strong two-suited hands (5-5 or longer) that are less suitable for a takeout double.
To do so, Leaping Michaels, utilises the 4♣ and 4♦ bids. Similar to Michaels cuebid, in case this minor suit overcall is in the opposing suit, both major suits are implied. In case the overcall is not a cuebid, the suit bid plus a major suit is indicated. So, on preempts of the opponents (indicated between brackets), the following applies when playing Leaping Michaels :
- (2/3♥) - 4♣ : Clubs and spades
- (2/3♥) - 4♦ : Diamonds and spades
- (2/3♠) - 4♣ : Clubs and hearts
- (2/3♠) - 4♦ : Diamonds and hearts
- (3♣) - 4♣ : Majors
- (3♣) - 4♦ : Diamonds and an undisclosed major
- (3♦) - 4♣ : Clubs and an undisclosed major
- (3♦) - 4♦ : Majors
After (3♦) - 4♣, a bid of 4♦ asks for the major. The bids 4♥ and 4♠ are to play.
Following (3♣) - 4♦ the bid of 4♥ is played as pass-or-correct.
Some partnerships prefer to interchange the meanings of the 4♣ and 4♦ bids following a 3♣ preempt so that 4♣ denotes diamonds and an undisclosed major. This has the advantage that the 4♦ becomes available to ask for the major suit. The 4♥/4♠ responses can then be played as natural (to play).
Leaping Michaels can be utilised after natural two-level preempts, but also after conventional preempts such as Muiderberg. Even after a Multi 2 diamonds preempt, Leaping Michaels can be utilised to good effect:
- (2♦) - 4♣ : Clubs and an undisclosed major (4♦ asks for the major)
- (2♦) - 4♦ : Diamonds and an undisclosed major (4♥ is pass-or-correct)
See also : Michaels cuebid