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But what makes a good psyche?


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You harm opps more than your partner.

You have some control over the auction.

You have a "save spot" to play.

 

Lets take a classic:

Opening strong 1NT with:

xxx xxx - KQTxxxx

 

You can handle almost any response partner can make:

pass over 2 Stayman

execute transfer and play the 5-3 major fit

and if partner passes or opps dbl you can run to 2/3.

If 3 is transfer to you can even handle that.

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The best psyches are one shot deals: Either it works immediately or it does not. If nobody looks at your hand, they may not know you psyched.

 

psyches risk 2 things: The obvious risk is the current hand. The less obvious risk is all future hands where partner may hesitate believing you when sometimes it seems you are playing with a pinocle deck.

 

No question psyches are fun when they work. B/I consider psyches cheating.

 

IMO, an expert psyching against a B/I is unethical.

 

This was not the stupidest psyche I have ever seen. Opening weak 2 in 3rd seat on Jxxx and out and then blaming partner when partner bid aggressively on 10 HCP and Kxxx support.

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Psyching a cue-bid in a suit you don't want led, usually against a slam, is one that is used quite often.

 

More risky but often effective is faking a suit on the way to 3NT to avert a lead in it.

 

Also effective can be faking a suit opposite a pre-empt when you have support to run if they start doubling. Opponents with good methods can nullify the effect of the psyche, but those without good agreements will have a lot more trouble.

 

In each of these situations, you know a lot about the hand already, and you have a specific objective you wish to accomplish, your pard will usually not go crazy, and you have a fall back if the psyche is revealed. That's what makes a good psyche.

 

Random openings with no clear objective, no safety net, and no expectation to gain are bad psyches.

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Didn't somebody write about this in his or her blog? Worth checking.

Justin's? I don't remember it being in anybody's blog....

I think this is what han is talking about.

Heh, can't believe it's been over 2 years since I wrote that. Anyways, agree with what I wrote then B)

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IMO, an expert psyching against a B/I is unethical.

Really disagree with this. I agree with the sentiment about not psyching against a B/I as an expert but I would never call someone who did that unethical.

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