A few weeks ago, we looked at the Michaels Cue-Bid. It is the last of my conventions that should be in (almost) all pairs’ repertoires.

When the opening bid is one of a minor, if the next player bids two of that suit, it shows at least 5-5 in the major suits. When the opening bid is one of a major, if the next player bids two of that suit, it promises at least 5-5 in the unbid major and either minor. It is a great convention when the employers win the auction, but when they end up on defense, they have given declarer an accurate map of the deal – as in today’s example.

West’s two-spade cue-bid showed hearts and a minor. North doubled to indicate a good hand. Then, when South did not double three hearts for penalty, North took a shot at four spades.

How should South play after West leads the heart king? (It is rarely right to lead a singleton with only one trump.)

This contract needs careful timing. South should win the second heart trick with his ace and draw two rounds of trumps, getting the expected bad news. Undaunted, declarer takes dummy’s top clubs, happy to see West discard. South ruffs a club in his hand, ruffs a heart in the dummy, ruffs a club, plays a diamond to dummy’s ace, and ruffs dummy’s last club. South’s 10 tricks are two spades, one heart, one diamond, two clubs, three club ruffs in hand, and one heart ruff in the dummy. Both opponents win the last two tricks, West with his red-suit tops and East with his high trumps.

We say that South eloped with his trumps.