[blml] Is this a psych?

[Eric Landau]

At 10:40 AM 4/14/07, Laszlo wrote:

>A pair plays basic system with 1N: 12-14.
>1N-2N in this system is 11-12 balanced of course.
>An other pair also plays 12-14 NT, but they define the 1N-2N bid simply:
>invitational to 3N. (Requires partner to pass with weak but raise with
>strong hand).
>
>Do you think they play tha same or different method? I'm sure those are
>the same, and both of them tells their opponents an absolutely correct
>explanation about this bid. I think the 2nd definition is better, but
>it's not important difference.
>
>In a compatition the South of these pairs should bid in the following
>situation:
>
>NV/NV
>
>1N pass ?
>
>32
>632
>T853
>7654
>
>Not so strong hand, pass is normal bid, but a player may bid 2N (!)
>Absolutely not bad idea. After 1N-pass-pass LHO's DBL is very likely and
>RHO's strength is enough for pass after the DBL is very likely, and our
>chance to find a good suit to escape is so poor. But after 1N-2N-p or
>1N-2N-3N-p opponents may cannot open.
>
>I can imagine, that both of these two Southes tries this 2N. Do they
>psyche. The first surely does (he don't have 11-12 HCPs), but what about
>the second. They tell you correctly: he wants partner to pass or raise
>depends on his strength. It's true, but it's the same psyche :)

Sometimes you have to ask the right question.  Laci is correct that it 
doesn't matter whether they describe the bid as telling or asking.  If 
you want to know whether or not this is a psych, you have to ask a 
different question, something like: suppose it goes 1NT-P-2NT- and 
fourth hand intervenes at the three-level; is opener's pass forcing?


Eric Landau                     ehaa at starpower.net
1107 Dale Drive                 (301) 608-0347
Silver Spring MD 20910-1607