Leaping Michaels

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This article concerns contract bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.

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