[mike777]

What is your preferred method of defense to Michaels? Please explain in detail.

Is there a general common defense?

[Walddk]

I don't know if there is a common defence. My guess is that there are many different defences. One way of doing it is:

1♣ (2♣) ?
Dbl = Card showing, usually interested in penalising at least one of the majors.
2♦ = Natural, forcing.
2♥ = Stopper in hearts, not in spades, at least invitational.
2♠ = Stopper in spades, not in hearts, at least invitational.
2N = Natural, both majors stopped. No wish to penalise opps at the 2-level.
3♣ = Natural, NF.
3♦ = Splinter for clubs.
3M = Splinter for clubs.
3N = Natural, both majors stopped.

.....

1♦ (2♦) ?
Dbl = Card showing, usually interested in penalising at least one of the majors.
2♥ = Stopper in hearts, not in spades, at least invitational.
2♠ = Stopper in spades, not in hearts, at least invitational.
2N = Natural, both majors stopped. No wish to penalise opps at the 2-level.
3♣ = Natural, forcing.
3♦ = Natural, NF.
3M = Splinter for diamonds.
3N = Natural, both majors stopped.

.....

1♥ (2♥) ?
P = No bid, or a penalty of 2♠ (maybe also RHO's minor).
Dbl = Constructive heart raise to the 2-level.
2♠ = Constructive heart raise to the 3-level.
2N = GF with heart support.
3m = Natural, forcing.
3♥ = Pre-emptive.
3♠ = Splinter for hearts.
3N = Natural, usually no heart fit.

.....

1♠ (2♠) ?
P = No bid, or penalty of 3♥ (maybe also RHO's minor).
Dbl = Constructive spade raise to the 2-level.
2N = GF with spade support.
3m = Natural, forcing.
3♥ = Constructive spade raise to the 3-level.
3♠ = Pre-emptive.
3N = Natural, usually no spade fit.

.....

Too much to remember? Perhaps, but you have most of the hands covered here.

Roland

[SoTired]

i play a version of unusual vs unusual. works for both michaels and other 2-suiters where at least one suit is known.

If both suits are known:
- Dbl = interest in penalize at least one of their suits
- free bid in one of our suits (including raise) = natural, non-forcing
- q-bid in the lower ranking of their suits = game invite+ in lower ranking of our suits
- q-bid in the upper ranking of their suits = game invite+ in upper ranking of our suits

if only one of their suits is known:
- Dbl = penalize their known suit, an unknown suit, or game invite+ strength
- free bid in an unknown suit = natural, non-forcing
- q-bid in their known suit = limit raise+ in opener's suit

[pclayton]

You can play u/u or Rolands suggestion (which is just known as Michaels Defense).

I believe more of the enlightened play Rolands. It is a sensible tradeoff to immediately show stoppers instead of have a way to bail out in the 4th suit.

[Double !]

hmm
I used to play u/u, but I think I like Roland's methods. Have to think about this.

BTW: a number of years ago I read a 2-part article about a method of handling Michael's cue bids that had the name "Martel" associated with it. If someone is familiar with this approach, I would appreciate if that person might present/ explain the convention (hint-hint).

TIA,

DHL