For those of you planning your vacation to that "clothing optional" resort, we want to be sure you are properly prepared. According to Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Director for the American Association of Nudist Resorts, there are many etiquette "rules" you need to know, such as: Shoes are encouraged. Carrying a towel to sit on is required. And be prepared to cover the camera on your phone with a "red dot." (Clothing Optional certainly makes packing easier, doesn't it?) There's a lot more to know, but this will get you started.
Now that you're prepared for your trip, let's prepare you to bid those two-suited hands. This week we'll tackle Michaels Cuebid and responses, and next week, the Unusual No-trump.
This is not going to be the final, definitive lesson on Michaels, but rather a review. We use Michaels for hands with 5-5 distribution. Not 5-4. Not 6-5. 5-5. Got that? Point count... we're going to go with the most common, which is Mini-Maxi. With a less-than-opening hand, or a FAT intermediate, we use Michaels. What if you've got 12-ish to 15/16-ish? Bid normally.
1♣-2♣ shows 5-5 in the majors. Ditto 1♦-2♦. 1♥-2♥, five Spades and five of an unnamed minor. 1♠-2♠, five Hearts and five of an unnamed minor. We'll tackle responses to Michaels Friday.
So, put your shoes on and let's go.