Intermediate Michaels

[shevek]

[hv=d=s&v=b&w=sj76hakt76dcak765&e=st52hdajt875cqj83]266|100|Scoring: IMP

South opens 1♠[/hv]

 

When I started, Michaels was either weak or strong. You were either 7-11 or 16+. With say 12-15 you were supposed to overcall.

These days, is there a trend to ignore strength and use Michaels on a hand like this?

 

Anyway, partner overcalled 2♥, which I passed for -200. It was some relief to see that 5♣ also fails. Perhaps you would bid over 2♥. 3♦ -- usually played as forcing -- seems a bit rich.

An alternative for East is 2♠ as an "English" style unassuming cue bid, like a takeout double. I like that but most seem to play that as a heart raise.

[vang]

iirc, either marshall miles or danny kleinman (or both) advocates this "continuous range michaels" in their books

[helene_t]

I like to play it as sound, this hand is a minimum.

[effervesce]

I remember this hand. You have the auction slightly wrong- north was dealer, and EW vul NS NV. This changes things considerably. Given that east had originally passed, playing weak/strong michaels is (in my opinion-especially at unfavorable vul and in this seat) a not-so good idea. Having a weak option after partner is a passed hand is just simply advertising your distribution for the opponents who will almost certainly declare the hand. At unfav vul I think that michaels should be quite good-especially since a 2S michaels bid forces to the three level. Opening hand+ strength would seem typical.

 

So despite me and partner technically playing 'weak/strong' michaels, this is a clearcut michaels bid in my opinion-you will pass partner's probable 3C/3H bid.

[gwnn]

I like it as intermediate+, W's is quite far from minimum

 

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KJ9xx

AJTxx

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would be a subminimum f me.

[hotShot]

I don't see a trend yet, but I'm sure it will come.

 

There is a trend to use up bidding space, e.g. weak LOTT raises from responder. You can no longer expect to bid your second suit with intermediate hands.

 

There is a trend to value shape over HCP strength, e.g. Zar-points.

 

The logical consequence of these existing trends is to use a continuous range Michaels.

[shevek]

I remember this hand. You have the auction slightly wrong- north was dealer, and EW vul NS NV. This changes things considerably. Given that east had originally passed, playing weak/strong michaels is (in my opinion-especially at unfavorable vul and in this seat) a not-so good idea. Having a weak option after partner is a passed hand is just simply advertising your distribution for the opponents who will almost certainly declare the hand. At unfav vul I think that michaels should be quite good-especially since a 2S michaels bid forces to the three level. Opening hand+ strength would seem typical.

 

So despite me and partner technically playing 'weak/strong' michaels, this is a clearcut michaels bid in my opinion-you will pass partner's probable 3C/3H bid.

well i changed it intentionally, so that east being a passed hand would not be an issue, and weak/strong would still be a playable method.

[y66]

I learned to play 5-5, any strength from Mike Lawrence. I like it.

 

Bridge World Standard is 5-5, weak or strong.

 

Steve Robinson and others discuss this topic here.

[keylime]

I used to be one of the weak/strong advocates. Now, I think showing your shape is more important.

[ASkolnick]

I do advocate weak/strong but people who claim this is not a strong hand is beyond me.

 

LTC: 5 losers. That is a big hand.

Zar Points: 36 ZP. Essentially a 1C opener.

HCP (6-4-2-1): 21 HCP

Goren Count: 14 HCP+Void for 3 Pts

 

I may get overboard, but this is not an intermediate hand. This would be an intermediate hand.

 

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