Long ago a cue bid of the opponent's suit in a competitive auction was used to show a stopper,
inviting partner to bid notrump. Today that style is referred to as an "Eastern Cuebid" as
opposed to a "Western cuebid" which denies a stopper.
This is an easy way to remember the Western Cuebid:
A Cuebid at the 3-level asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponents' suit.
First Example
West
East
K7
AJT43
JT3
K6
AKT
J852
AJT94
K8
West
1
3
North
1
East
1
3NT
South
2
West's bid of 3 is the Western Cuebid. Opener does not have spade support nor a heart
stopper, but would like to play in 3NT if responder has a heart stopper. East has a heart honor and bids 3NT
to show it.
Second Example
West
East
J7
AK82
62
T85
AKT972
J8
KJ4
AJ98
West
1
3
4
North
P
P
P
East
1
3
P
South
2
P
P
3 by East is the Western Cuebid. 3NT would be a good contract if opener can control
the heart suit. Note that opener's rebid of 4 denies both a heart stopper and also
denies support for responder's suit.
These two examples show you that the Western Cuebid can be used by either the opener or the responder.
Here are some generally accepted agreements and refinements you should consider...
Western Cuebids Are Only Used at the 3-Level
West
East
96
A52
KQ943
AT87
A87
KJT3
K92
83
West
1
North
1
East
2
South
In this auction the cuebid of 2 is at the 2-level and is used to show a limit raise or better in
opener's hearts.
Western Cuebids Are Not Used After a Major Suit Fit Has Been Found
West
East
A
853
KQT963
AJ8
AK
QJ972
KJT7
92
West
1
3
North
1
East
2
South
2
3 is not a Western Cuebid because hearts have already been agreed as trumps. In this
particular auction the cuebid shows first round control of spades and an interest in slam.
Other Agreements
Opponents Bid Two Suits
When the opponents have bid two suits, a cue bid is not the Western Cuebid, but instead shows a stopper
in the bid suit. Partner is asked to bid 3NT with a stopper in the other suit.
After a Takeout Double
After partner makes a takeout double of a minor suit, a cuebid at the 4-level shows at least 4-4 in the majors and
asks the doubler to choose the best one.
The Jump Cuebid
You will need to discuss this with your partner and reach an agreement, as there is no "standard" rule for it, but
here are threee possible methods:
Always Anytime you cuebid at the 3-level it is the Western Cuebid
Minor Opening A jump cuebid of an opponent's suit after partner has opened a minor
is the Western Cuebid
Major Opening A jump cueid of an opponent's suit after partner has opened a major
is a Splinter bid showing a singleton or void and good support for opener's suit with some
slam interest - not the Western Cuebid