WESTERN CUE BID

In a constructive auction where an opponent has overcalled, and with an interest in a final NT contract, opener or responder can show a stopper in the opponent's suit by bidding NT. But without a stopper, one can ask partner for a stopper by employing the Western Cuebid.

(remembering of course, that an immediate cue of opponent's suit is just showing a strong hand).

Responder's first duty is to bid NT with a stopper. Without a stopper, some other descriptive call must be made.

Partial or Full Stopper?

Three agreements are possible:

(1) Cuebid promises a partial stopper

and asks for partial stopper or better; or

(2) Cuebid denies partial stopper

and asks for full stopper; or

(3) Cuebidder may or may not have partial stopper

and asks for partial stopper or better

Option (3) is used in the Examples:

Examples

 ♠ KQx

 ♥ AQxxx

 ♦ xx

 ♣ Axx

you are Opener:

1♥ -- (2♦) –- 3♣ -- (pass) 

 ?

cuebid 3♦, asking partner for diamond stopper.

♠ Qxx

♥ Kx

♦ AQxxx

♣ KJx

you are Responder:

1♥  -- (1♠ ) -- 2♦-- (pass)

3♦ - (pass) ---?

cuebid 3♠ , asking partner for spade stopper.

Partial or Full Stopper? You'll get greater flexibility and use of Western Cuebid if you agree that cuebidder may have no partial stop, and that a NT response may promise only a partial stopper. You'll also go set at 3NT a little more often! Good idea to discuss this with partner.