shows a strong two suiter. To distinguish the weak and strong holdings, many partnerships agree not to use the unusual notrump for intermediate hands (about 12 to 14 points); they would simply overcall with one of their suits and show the other later if the bidding offers a chance. However, for two-suiters, many players apply losing trick count (LTC) instead of point count, as it more accurately depicts the offensive trick-taking potential of the hand. With LTC in effect, the required strength is about 4.5–7 losers, the latter only in favorable vulnerability. Similarly, a 4NT overcall shows an extreme two suiter (usually at least 6-5, often 6-6 or 7-6) and enough trick-taking potential so that a 5-level contract can be made, or a sacrifice will likely be profitable. It shows the same two suits as 2NT would show. Note that 4NT is "unusual" only when the opponents open the bidding; otherwise, 4NT is normally played as the Blackwood convention or a quantitative invitation to 6NT. The Michaels cuebid is a similar convention which is used to show a two suiter with one or both major suits. To counteract the unusual notrump, the opening side may employ unusual vs. unusual. Modifications Recently, the Unusual 2NT has been used in opening seat showing a 5-5 minor suited hand and 7-11 HCP. The preemptive value of the two suited hand puts pressure on the opponents to find their fits, games and slams at the three level. Defense When the opponents open or overcall with an Unusual 2NT, defense uses a bidding scheme which incorporates two features: the 'double' becomes available as an additional call the concept of a major-minor pairing is adopted whereby diamonds are associated with spades and clubs with hearts. A cuebid of the paired minor shows a good holding in the corresponding major while a bid of a major shows a weaker holding. After an Unusual 2NT overcall of a major: After an Unusual 2NT opening: Drawbacks Use of the convention with insufficient strength or lengths (such as 5-4 in the minors) may lead to: Opponents doubling and collecting more penalty points than the contract points they would otherwise have scored. Opponents outbidding to obtain a major suit contract. Opponents making a contract owing to the additional information gained about the strength and distribution of the hand of the unusual notrump bidder. See also Ghestem References Bridge conventions