Houdini escape from 1NX

[1eyedjack]

Hi all

Came across a pair playing weak 1N who, when doubled for penalties, employed some escape mechanism that they called "Houdini". I was not impressed with the followup disclosure and am interested to know the full scheme, if anyone can advise, please? I had a look at David Stevenson's site which lists loads of such schemes but this one was not listed, at least not by name (it is probably there somewhere).

[bid_em_up]

A google search revealed a Bridge World article titled:

 

Houdini by Jules van Ogtrop

 

Sep 2001, page 7.

 

Thats all I found, and have no idea if its what you are referring to (but I suspect it probably is).

[Nadreck]

The Bridge World article from September 2001 is about deceptive card play, not escape mechanisims after 1NTX.

 

Need to look elsewhere for info

[Gerben42]

Maybe there is no such thing and it relates to opponents incorrectly not doubling you for penalty but bidding something themselves at some point in the auction.

[MarceldB]

according the inventor Peter Edwards:

 

1NT-X-P:        Opener must redouble

 

1NT-X-P-P

 

XX- P-2any      That suit and spades

 

1NT-X-XX        Clubs and a red suit

 

1NT-X-2suit:    Natural, unless oppo double and responder bids again

 

1NT-X-2suit-X

 

P - P-XX        The other 3 suits

 

1NT-X-2C-X

 

P - P-2D        The red suits

 

1NT-X-2C-X

 

P - P-2H        4 spades, 5 hearts

 

1NT-X-2D-X

 

P - P-2H        5 spades, 4 hearts

 

"We played 10-12 in first and second positions, non-vulnerable only.  The

 

philosophy was that we did not mind going 2, 3 or even 4 down in 50's in

 

a silly contract, because for every silly -200 we had half a dozen big

 

scores when oppo couldn't cope.

 

Incidentally, I have now grown older and wiser.  Nobody will persuade me

 

to play anything but 12-14 these days.  Houdini is not sensible when you

 

are vulnerable."

 

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source: rec. games.bridge

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regards,

Marcel