Western Cue Bid

Who's Got It? This bid is also known as Who's Got the Stopper?

Situation: in a competitive auction, all you need is a stopper in opponent's suit to bid 3NT. But, who's going to do it? The Western Cue is a cue bid of the opponent's suit, asking partner for a stopper. Holding one, he bids 3NT. Lacking one, he bails out to the partnership's suit.

2	Dbl	Pass	3*
Pass	3NT**

*The Western Cue. West says Bid 3NT if you have a Heart stopper.
** 3NT (East has a stopper)

1	Dbl	2	2
Pass	3*

* East asks West to bid 3NT with a Heart stopper.

Usage: Fairly common. Not alertable as opponent's are presumed to recognize calls in their own suits.

Strength: Situational, as it asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponent's suit. The hand should belong to the side of the partner using the Western Cue, often with a long, running minor for No Trump.

Eastern Cue:

A variation presumably used in the Eastern US, in which the cue bid shows a stopper, rather than denies one.

2

Dbl

Pass

3*

* West has a Heart stopper, so East can bid 3NT if he wants to

We feel the Western Cue works to our advantage because the lead then comes up to the hand with the stopper rather than through it.