Cuebid Raises: Show Strong Support After Opponent Overcalls

Partner opens 1♠. Your RHO overcalls 2♥. You hold four spades and 11 points - a clear limit raise in an uncontested auction. But now there’s competition. If you jump to 3♠, you’re at the 3-level already and you haven’t shown whether you’re weak and preemptive or strong and invitational.

Solution: bid 3♥.

Wait, you don’t have hearts. You’re not supporting their suit. You’re making a cuebid raise - bidding the opponent’s suit to show limit raise or better values with support for partner. It’s artificial, forcing, and one of the most useful tools in competitive auctions.

What Is a Cuebid Raise?

A cuebid raise is when you bid the suit the opponents overcalled to show strong support for partner’s opening. It’s artificial - you’re using their suit conventionally to say “Partner, I have good support and real values.”

Opener    Opponent    You    
1♠        2♥          3♥

You’re not showing hearts. You’re showing spades - at least three-card support (usually four) and limit raise or better values (10+ points). It’s forcing for one round.

Why Cuebid Instead of Jumping?

In uncontested auctions, you’d jump to 3♠ for a limit raise. But when opponents overcall, you need that jump for preemption. Cuebidding solves the problem:

The division:

• 2♠ = Simple raise, 6-9 points, 3+ support
• 3♠ = Weak raise, 5-8 points, 4+ support, preemptive
• 3♥ (cuebid) = Limit raise or better, 10+ points, 3+ support

This lets you preempt when weak and show real values when strong.

Point Range and Support Requirements

The cuebid raise shows limit raise or better values: 10+ points with support for partner’s suit.

Support needed: Most pairs require at least 3-card support, preferably 4 cards. With only 3-card support, you should have honor strength (like Kxx or Qxx minimum) or a side suit worth mentioning.

Upper limit: The cuebid is unlimited. You could have 10 points or you could have 16 points. That’s why it’s forcing - opener needs to bid again so you can clarify your strength.

Breaking Down the Ranges

10-12 points (limit raise): You’re invitational. If opener has a minimum, you’ll settle for a partscore. If opener has extras, you want to reach game.

13+ points (game-forcing): You’re insisting on game. The cuebid gets you there while leaving room to explore.

16+ points (slam interest): You might have slam. The cuebid starts the conversation without jumping past 3NT.

Example hands for a cuebid after 1♠ - (2♥) - ?:

Limit raise values (10-12 HCP):

♠ K 9 6 4
♥ 7 5
♦ A Q 8 3
♣ 10 6 2

Bid 3♥. You have 11 HCP with four-card spade support. Perfect cuebid raise.

Game-forcing values (13+ HCP):

♠ A J 8 3
♥ 9 4
♦ K Q 10 5
♣ A 7 6

Bid 3♥. You have 14 HCP. You’ll clarify your strength on the next round by jumping to game or making another forcing bid.

Slam interest (16+ HCP):

♠ K Q 8 4
♥ 8
♦ A K J 6
♣ A 10 5 3

Bid 3♥. You have 17 HCP with excellent controls. Start with the cuebid and continue bidding to show slam interest.

Cuebid Raise vs. Other Responses

When opponents overcall, you have several ways to show support. Understanding the differences is critical.

Simple Raise (1♠ - 2♥ - 2♠)

Shows 6-9 support points with 3+ spades. Constructive but not invitational. Opener can compete further but usually doesn’t expect game.

Jump Raise (1♠ - 2♥ - 3♠)

Most pairs play this as weak and preemptive: 5-8 points, 4+ trumps, trying to make life difficult for opponents. You’re not inviting game - you’re bidding tactically.

Some pairs play “mixed raises” where 3♠ shows a constructive raise (8-9 points) and other sequences handle the weak hands. Discuss with your partner.

Cuebid (1♠ - 2♥ - 3♥)

Shows 10+ points with 3+ support. This is your power bid - everything from limit raise to slam interest. Forcing for one round.

Negative Double (1♠ - 2♥ - Dbl)

Shows values but typically denies 4-card spade support (some pairs allow 3 cards). You’re showing points and the unbid suits. If you had 4+ spades and 10+ points, you’d cuebid instead.

The Chart

Opener’s Rebids After a Cuebid Raise

When partner cuebids to show a limit raise or better, you’re in charge. Partner has shown support and values - now you decide the level.

With a Minimum Opening (12-14 HCP)

Bid your suit at the cheapest level: If partner cuebid 3♥ after you opened 1♠, bid 3♠. This shows a minimum and isn’t forcing. Partner can pass with a limit raise (10-12) or bid on with game-forcing values.

Example:

You: 1♠     Opp: 2♥     Partner: 3♥     You: 3♠
♠ A Q 8 6 4
♥ K 3
♦ J 9 5
♣ Q 10 2

You have 12 HCP, a minimum. Bid 3♠. If partner has 10-11, they’ll pass. If they have 13+, they’ll bid game.

With a Medium Hand (15-17 HCP)

Jump to game: You have 25-27 combined points minimum. Bid 4♠ (or 5♣/5♦ if partner supported a minor).

Example:

You: 1♠     Opp: 2♥     Partner: 3♥     You: 4♠
♠ K J 10 7 4
♥ A 9
♦ A Q 8
♣ K 6 3

You have 16 HCP. Partner has at least 10. That’s 26 minimum. Bid the game.

With a Maximum or Distributional Hand (18+ HCP or great shape)

Make a slam try or bid a new suit: Show a control in a new suit, or make another forcing bid. You’re exploring slam.

Example:

You: 1♠     Opp: 2♥     Partner: 3♥     You: 4♣
♠ A K J 8 4
♥ 7
♦ A Q 9 5
♣ K 10 8

You have 17 HCP, a singleton heart (perfect), and good controls. Bid 4♣ to show the club control and slam interest. If partner has a suitable limit raise (10-12 with right cards), slam might be there.

With Competitive Pressure

If opponents compete further, use your judgment. Partner has shown 10+ with support - that’s real values. But if they bid game and you’re minimum, consider defending. Your cuebid raise gives you room to make intelligent decisions.

Example Auctions

Let’s see cuebid raises in real competitive situations.

Example 1: Classic Limit Raise

West        North       East        South
1♠          2♥          3♥          3♠
Pass        Pass        Pass

East’s hand:

♠ Q 10 7 3
♥ 8 6
♦ K J 9 4
♣ A 10 5

East has 11 HCP with four spades. Cuebid 3♥ to show limit raise values. West has a minimum opening and signs off at 3♠. Everyone passes. 3♠ should make - good competitive result.

Example 2: Accepting with Extras

West        North       East        South
1♠          2♥          3♥          4♠
Pass        Pass        Pass

West’s hand:

♠ A K 9 6 4
♥ 10 3
♦ A Q 8
♣ J 7 2

West has 14 HCP with a fifth spade. East’s cuebid shows 10+. Combined that’s 24+ minimum with a 9-card fit. West accepts the game try by jumping to 4♠.

East’s hand:

♠ Q J 8 3
♥ 9 4
♦ K 10 5
♣ A Q 6 3

East has 11 HCP. Together 25 HCP with nine spades. 4♠ is excellent.

Example 3: Slam Exploration

West        North       East        South
1♠          2♥          3♥          4♣
4♦          4NT         5♣          6♠
Pass        Pass        Pass

West’s hand:

♠ A Q J 10 5
♥ 8
♦ A K 9 4
♣ K 10 3

East’s hand:

♠ K 9 7 4
♥ 9 6 3
♦ Q J 5
♣ A Q 6

East cuebids 3♥ with 12 HCP and four spades. West has 17 HCP, slam interest, and a singleton heart. West cuebids 4♣, East cuebids 4♦, and West uses Blackwood to check for aces. They reach 6♠, which makes on the nose. The cuebid raise gave them room to explore without jumping past 3NT.

Example 5: Competing After Cuebid

West        North       East        South
1♠          2♥          3♥          4♥
4♠          Pass        Pass        Pass

East cuebids with 10 HCP and spade support. North jumps to 4♥ preemptively. West competes to 4♠ knowing partner has real values. Good competitive decision.

When Opponents Cuebid After Partner Opens

When opponents use Michaels Cuebid (1♠ - 2♠ showing hearts + a minor), they’re showing two suits, not raising. Your bids change:

• 3♠ = Limit raise for spades (direct raise available since they cuebid)
• Dbl = Penalty interest or general strength
• 2NT/3NT = Natural, showing stoppers

This is different from cuebid raises after natural overcalls.

Related Conventions: Mixed Raises

Some partnerships use “mixed raises” for added precision:

After 1♠ - (2♥):

• 2♠ = 5-7 points, 3+ trumps
• 3♠ = 8-9 points, 4+ trumps (mixed raise)
• 3♥ = 10+ points, 3+ trumps (limit raise or better)
• 4♠ = 5-7 points, 5+ trumps (pure preempt)

This separates the 8-9 point “tweener” hands. Most partnerships stick with simpler three-way division.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Cuebidding Without Support

You have 12 HCP but only two spades. Don’t cuebid. Make a negative double or bid a new suit. The cuebid promises support - at least three cards, preferably four.

Mistake 2: Jumping Directly with Limit Raise Values

Partner opens 1♠, RHO overcalls 2♥. You have 11 points and four spades. You jump to 3♠.

Wrong (in most partnerships). That jump is weak and preemptive, not invitational. Cuebid 3♥ instead to show your strength.

Mistake 3: Forgetting Cuebid Is Forcing

You cuebid 3♥, opener bids 3♠, and you pass with 13 HCP.

Mistake. When you cuebid and opener signs off at minimum, you must bid again with game-forcing values. The cuebid says “10 or more” - if you have 13+, clarify by bidding game.

Mistake 4: Passing Opener’s Minimum Rebid with Game Values

You         Partner
3♥          3♠
Pass

You had 14 HCP when you cuebid. Partner signed off at 3♠ showing minimum. You pass.

Wrong. Bid 4♠. You have game-forcing values. The cuebid just started the conversation - now complete it by bidding game.

Mistake 5: Opener Jumping to Game Too Freely

You open 1♠ with 13 HCP. Partner cuebids 3♥. You jump to 4♠.

Be careful. Partner might have exactly 10 HCP. That’s only 23 combined. With a flat minimum, sign off at 3♠ and let partner decide. Jump to game with 15+ or good distribution.

Partnership Discussion Points

Before using cuebid raises with a new partner, align on:

Jump raise meaning: Weak/preemptive or mixed raise (8-9)?
Support requirements: Three cards minimum or four only?
Upper limit: Unlimited (10+) or capped at 12-13?
After 1NT overcall: Does 2NT cuebid show limit raise?
Minor openings: Same structure after 1♣/1♦?
Competitive follow-ups: Penalty or competitive doubles?

Why Cuebid Raises Matter

Competitive auctions are messy. Without cuebid raises, you can’t both preempt with weak hands and invite with strong ones using the same jump bid.

Cuebid raises solve this by giving you a forcing, unlimited bid that shows real values. You can separate weak from strong raises, compete intelligently knowing partner’s range, explore slam, and pressure opponents. Without cuebid raises, you’re guessing. With them, you’re bidding precisely even under pressure.

Putting It All Together

The cuebid raise is your power tool in competitive auctions. When partner opens and RHO overcalls, you have clear-cut actions:

• 6-9 points, 3+ support: Simple raise (2♠)
• 5-8 points, 4+ support: Preemptive jump (3♠)
• 10+ points, 3+ support: Cuebid raise (3♥)

The cuebid keeps you unlimited and forcing, letting you sort out your exact strength on the next round. Opener rebids based on their strength, and you reach the right contract.

Master this tool and competitive auctions become clearer. You’ll reach games you belong in, stay out of games you don’t, and occasionally explore slams that other pairs miss because they couldn’t describe their hands precisely.

Just remember: when you cuebid their suit, you’re not supporting them. You’re showing partner that you have their back, competitive pressure or not.