Leaping Michaels
The concept is attributed to Mr. Mark Feldman, a bidding theorist responsible for inventing numerous conventions in popular use, but this is unsubstantiated. This is a method whereby the player makes a jump to four of a Minor suit over an opposing Major suit Weak Two bid, and sometimes preempts on the three level, to show a two-suiter, generally a 5-5 distribution, in the suit bid and the unbid Major suit and/or one still unknown and unspecified Major suit, depending on whether the Weak Two bid and/or Preempt is a Minor or Major suit. However, if the two suits are different in length, then the assumed longer suit is the Minor suit as in a 5-6 distribution. The so-called leap is not forcing so one would expect opening bid strength, but rather distributional features. Not to be confused with Super Michaels.
Over a weak 2
/2
- A 4
jump overcall shows clubs and the unbid major. - A 4
jump overcall shows diamonds and the unbid major.
Additionally, Leaping Michaels can be used over minor-suit preempts:
- After an enemy 2, a 4 jump overcall shows clubs and an unspecified major.
- After an enemy 3, a 4 jump overcall shows diamonds and an unspecified major.
The 4 Jump Overcall
4 shows clubs and the unbid major after the opponents open a major suit weak 2.
AKT98 void A10 KQJ1052
| Pass | Pass | 2 |
4* |
*Leaping Michaels, showing clubs and spades (the other major)
Here's an example of Leaping Michaels over a 2 preempt. Partner can bid 4 to ask for the major suit, if desired.
void AK1098 A10 KQJ1052
| Pass | Pass | 2 |
4* |
| Pass | 4** |
Pass | 4 |
* Leaping Michaels, showing clubs and a major
** What's your major?
The 4 Jump Overcall
4 shows diamonds and the unbid major after the opponents open a major suit weak 2.
A10 AQJ53 AJ1085 7
| 2 |
Pass | Pass | 4* |
*Leaping Michaels, showing diamonds and hearts (the other major)
Over a weak 3 preempt.
Here's an example of Leaping Michaels over a 3 preempt. Partner is allowed to pass (or raise) 4 if he has diamond tolerance. Alternatively, partner may bid 4 if he has support for both majors. This asks over-caller to pass or correct to spades.
AKJ85 A QJT10762 7
| Pass | Pass | 3 |
4* |
| Pass | 4** |
Pass | 4 |
*(Leaping Michaels, showing diamonds and an unspecified major)
**(Pass or correct)
An example from the Bermuda Bowl 2000.
| KQ1096 |
||
| 542 |
||
| Q1086 |
||
| A |
||
| 7532 |
J4 |
|
| QJ83 |
6 |
|
| K |
975 |
|
| 10643 |
KQJ9872 |
|
| A8 |
||
| AK1097 |
||
| AJ432 |
||
| 5 |
East, Mr. Wilkosz, opens the auction with 3. Mrs. Sandy Low overcalls with 4 explained as showing at least a 5-card Diamond suit and an unspecified Major suit, also of 5-card length. Leaping Michaels. West passes and North raises to 6. The result was down one, but review showed that had Mr. Sandy Low played for the singleton King of Diamonds, she would have taken all thirteen tricks.
Other Considerations:
Playing Leaping Michaels, a 3 or 3 cuebid (over 2 or 2, respectively) shows a strong balanced hand. It asks partner to bid a 3NT with a stopper in the enemy suit.