[blml] Is this a psych?

[Alain Gottcheiner]

At 07:09 14/04/2007 +0900, Robert Geller wrote:
>We've been having a bit of discussion about the following
>hand in  Japan.   South is nv vs vul at imps, and holds
>        J7  754  Q762  KQ95
>North is dealer and opens 2D (multi) = a weak 2 in either major
>or a strong balanced hand.
>
>South bid 2NT, asking for North's hand type (strength/suit of
>weak 2 or strong 2nt).   Obviously this is a tactical bid and one
>would normally expect South to have more strength for his bid,
>but the question is, should this be considered  a "psych of
>an artificial conventional bid"?

Nope. 2NT is an asking bid ; it doesn't tell anything ; the fact that it 
should usually be strong is common brige knowledge, not convention. 
Contrast with transfers, which show a suit.
If I want to ask partner his strength on a hand where I don't care (e.g. 
via checkback Stayman), nobody may disallow it.

Of course, if this happens more than once, the fact that 2NT isn't 
necessarily strong should be disclosed, as it is unusual (in the same way 
as non-major-oriented Stayman should).

Best regards

    Alain