Leaping Michaels

 ( Bridge Conventions ) 

In the game of Contract bridge, Leaping Michaels is a conventional overcall in 4 or 4 made in defense to opposing 2-level or 3-level preempt openings. A variant of the Michaels cuebid, Leaping Michaels shows a strong two suiter (5-5 or longer) that is less suitable for a takeout double and is game forcing bid. Described as an overcall by some

Amalya Kearse (1990). 9780910791762, Devyn Press Inc. ISBN 9780910791762

of a weak two-bid of a major, others Leaping Michaels at the BridgeHands website Simon's Convention List website expand its application to all weak preempts at the 2 or 3-level in both the majors and minors.

Holding such two-suited hands and using Leaping Michaels, opponent's opening preempts between 2 and 3 inclusive are overcalled in accordance with the following table:

Clubs and an undisclosed major

Majors

Clubs and spades

Diamonds and spades

Clubs and hearts

Diamonds and hearts

Majors

Diamonds and an undisclosed major

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)

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