The term "cue bid" in bridge is spelled using the phonetic transcription /kjuː bɪd/. In this transcription, the letters "c" and "u" represent the sound /kjuː/, which is similar to the word "cue". The letter "b" represents the voiced bilabial plosive /b/, while the letter "i" represents the sound /ɪ/, which is similar to the word "bid". When spoken together, the word "cue bid" is pronounced as "kyoo bid", with the stress on the first syllable.
A cue bid is a term used in the game of bridge, a popular card game played with partners. It refers to a bid made with the intention of showing a specific holding in the bid suit or a desire to investigate a certain suit or suits in the partner's hand.
In bridge, a bid is an announcement made by a player to indicate the number of tricks their partnership expects to win in a particular suit or at least predict how many tricks it can win overall. A cue bid, however, is not made with the intention to convey the bid suit as a genuine contract. Instead, it is used to indicate to the partner that the bidder holds some particular strengths or values that would be helpful in a certain situation.
The cue bid is typically employed when the bidding partnership wants to communicate or gather information about a certain suit. It often occurs after an opponent's bid indicates weakness or after the opponents' suit has been doubled. By using a cue bid, the bidding player suggests that their partner should bid in that suit or respond with more detailed information about their hand.
This type of bid is a valuable tool in bridge as it transmits important information between partners and allows them to work together strategically, take control over the bidding process, and ultimately reach the most favorable contract.
The word "cue bid" in the context of contract bridge originates from combining two separate terms: "cue" and "bid".
The term "cue" in bridge comes from the game of billiards, where it refers to hitting the ball exactly where the player intends to to make a specific shot. In bridge, a cue is a bid made to convey information about the location and strength of certain cards held by the bidder. It is used to guide their partner in declaring an optimal contract.
The term "bid" simply refers to an offer made during the bidding phase of a bridge game to indicate the number of tricks the bidder believes their partnership can win with a particular suit as trumps.
Therefore, the etymology of "cue bid" combines these two terms, indicating a bid that conveys specific information about a particular suit or card.