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 of a weak two-bid of a major, othersLeaping Michaels at the BridgeHands websiteSimon'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: Opener'spreemptOvercaller's use of Leaping MichaelsBidMeaning: overcaller is two-suited in...2 or 34Clubs and an undisclosed major2 or 34Majors2 or 34Clubs and spades2 or 34Diamonds and spades2 or 34Clubs and hearts2 or 34Diamonds and hearts34Majors34Diamonds 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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