Leaping Michaels

In the game of bridge, Leaping Michaels is a conventional overcall in 4♣ or 4♦ made in defense to opposing 2-level or 3-level preemptive openings. A variant of the Michaels cuebid, Leaping Michaels shows a strong two-suited hand (5-5 or longer) that is less suitable for a takeout double and is game forcing. Described as an overcall by some[1] [2] of a weak two-bid of a major, others[3] [4] 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:

Opener's
preempt		Overcaller's use of Leaping Michaels
BidMeaning: overcaller is two-suited in...
2♦ or 3♦4♣Clubs and an undisclosed major
2♦ or 3♦4♦Majors
2♥ or 3♥4♣Clubs and spades
2♥ or 3♥4♦Diamonds and spades
2♠ or 3♠4♣Clubs and hearts
2♠ or 3♠4♦Diamonds and hearts
3♣4♣Majors
3♣4♦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)

References
  1. Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, eds. (2001). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (6th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 266. ISBN 0-943855-44-6. OCLC 49606900.
  2. Kearse, Amalya (1990). Bridge Conventions Complete (Revised and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Devyn Press Inc. ISBN 0-910791-76-7.
  3. Leaping Michaels at the BridgeHands website
  4. Simon's Convention List website
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