Leaping Michaels

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

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