[Califdude]

Don't know if this query rates Advanced level, but will ask here anyway.

Looking at my copy of the SAYC, I see that in the Simple Overcall box, a cue bid is a one-round force. That implies to me that a (direct?) cue bid can be used as a generic one-round force to hear more from partner, with no inference about my hand. But..in the Direct Cue Bid box a direct cue bid is Michaels. These two could be interpreted as conflicting, but I'm more inclined to think that I'm missing something. Can some kind soul help me out here?

Secondly, in the Direct Cue Bid box, I see that a direct cue bid is "natural in either suit" if the opponents have bid two suits. I don't understand what is meant by "natural" in this context. (To me, there is nothing natural about a cue bid) Can someone explain what is meant here?

Thanks for your replies.

[matmat]

i think the difference is between a cuebid of opps suit when p has opened and a cuebid when p has not made a bid.

[Stephen Tu]

3 different situations:

1. "Simple overcall box".
(1♣)-1♠-(p)-2♣
one-round force

2. "Direct cue bid"
(1♣)-2♣
Michaels

3. "After two suits bid"
(1♣)-p-(1♥)-2♥
natural