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[hv=d=n&v=n&n=st7hqj9874dt95c65&w=saqj8642hdkcqjt73&e=sk93haktda643c982&s=s5h6532dqj872cak4]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

West North East South

 

 -     2    Pass  2

 Pass  3    Pass  4

 4    Pass  Pass  Pass

 

 

I am curious, about this psyche, 2 spades, I thought psyches only applied to opening hands or this another hole in my bridge knowledge.

 

I would also like opinions as to whether this is a good psyche or not

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A psyche is any bid which grossly (and deliberately) mis-states your hand. So it can happen at any stage of the auction. For instance, one sort of well-known psyche is a psychic cue-bid designed to discourage that lead against a slam.

 

The example you give is also a very well-known psyching postion. South knows that EW almost certainly have a game, and possibly a slam, in so he bids their suit knowing that he can run back to if he is doubled. Note that if 2 is allowed to play undoubled, South won't even mind if goes 8 off (-400 instead of -420).

 

The psyche works even better if the bid is NF, because West will have to act immediately on this sort of hand. Personally, I think he should have anyway, and East was rather reticent in his bidding too. Although 5 happens to go down on a club ruff on this hand, it doesn't take a major change for slam to be lay-down.

 

Eric

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It's a standard psych, yes. I've also made these, with success. My only psych in competition (don't want to lose teammates so I don't psych as often there :) ) was similar, and it gained a full 2 imps (they played 5= instead of 4+2).

 

There are even other psychs. You can classify them in several cathegories:

- mini-psych (most common, bidding strong with nothing, not even the suit)

- maxi-psych (underbidding very strong hands and play opps Doubled for a few down)

- control psychs (showing a control in a suit you don't control, like bidding NT after 4th suit GF with a small doubleton)

- fake-lead-directing psychs (example: making a Lightner Dbl with a singleton and hope opps go to an unplayable 6NT while their contract is laydown)

- other psychs, like Doubling yourself so partner won't make a Lighter Dbl :)

 

I'm a regular psycher, and I've used the first 3 sorts now and then.

- mini-psychs most of all, like bidding 1NT with 4HCP

- maxi-psychs against opps I knew. I once passed a 16HCP hand after partner opened 1NT (11-14). I knew opps usually bid over 1NT, they did, I doubled and they received a -1100 B)

- bidding 3NT without a control in the suit, opps didn't lead it and I made an unmakeble 3NT.

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I once passed a 16HCP hand after partner opened 1NT (11-14). I knew opps usually bid over 1NT, they did, I doubled and they received a -1100 ;)

:lol: If you want to collect a complete zero, that's the thing to do !

 

Do you really think they are favorite to reopen when you have at least 27 HCP ! :P

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I once passed a 16HCP hand after partner opened 1NT (11-14).  I knew opps usually bid over 1NT, they did, I doubled and they received a -1100  ;)

:lol: If you want to collect a complete zero, that's the thing to do !

 

Do you really think they are favorite to reopen when you have at least 27 HCP ! :P

As I said, I knew my opponents and their style, so YES I really think they were favorite to reopen. If you look at the end of the story, you'll see I know my opponents quite well, since they actually DID reopen...

 

Don't get me wrong, I know it's quite a poor strategy to do this opposite any opponent, it won't help you win if you do it systematic, but that one time is one to remember. Extra bonus: they don't intervene as much over our NT in 4th seat anymore, now they know me as well :)

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