Duplicate Bridge tips: Useful conventions worth learning, part 102

More examples of when to make a Cuebid Raise

You are the opener. Today we look at more examples of when you or your partner might use the Cuebid Raise. With each of the following opening hands, which player might use a Cuebid Raise when partner and opponents bid as described?

Case 1:
Spades QJx
Hearts void
Diamonds AKxxx
Clubs AKJxx

Case 1: With 20 points including two length points in this unbalanced hand, you open One Diamond. Partner bids One Spade. You do not know whether partner has four or five Spades. Opposition makes it easy to find out when they bid Two Hearts. You make a Cuebid Raise of Three Hearts showing three things. You show support for partner’s Spades. You force partner to bid again and you interfere with the opposition bidding. You are the captain and you know you have the potential for a game score. You might end up in Spades, Diamonds, Clubs or No Trump.

Case 2:
Spades AKxxx
Hearts xx
Diamonds AQxxx
Clubs x

Case 2: With this 15 point hand, including two length points, you are not strong enough to Reverse. Therefore you open One Spade hoping to show your Diamonds on your second bid. Your left-hand opponent bids Two Hearts. Partner does a Cuebid Raise of Three Hearts. His bid does three things. It shows he has Spade support with at least 10 points. It forces you to bid again and it interferes with the opponents bidding. You would bid Four Spades. You know you have a potential Spade game in your partnership.

Case 3:
Spades xxx
Hearts AQxxx
Diamonds A
Clubs KQxx

Case 3: With 16 points including one length point, you open this unbalanced hand One Heart. Your left-hand opponent bids One Spade. Partner does a Cuebid Raise of Two Spades. He shows support for your Hearts with at least 10 points. He forces you to bid again and he interferes with the opponent’s bidding. You bid Four Hearts for the probable game score.

For more information, check out “Cuebid Raises” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, P. 95.

Next Week: What is a Texas Transfer?

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