[blml] Is this apsyche?

[Jeff Easterson]

Ciao blmlers!  It seems to me that it simply depends on what you are 
playing and what the 2NT bid means in the partnership.  (If this is so 
then we have really wasted a lot of time and words on this.)  An 
example: although I usually don't play 2diam. multi we do have a few 
other similar opening bids which can have more than one meaning.  We use 
the lowest relay to enquire, ask for a description of the opening.  The 
relay is not forcing, is generally weak and the reply of partner can be 
passed.  We use 2NT (when unpassed) as a forcing bid, promising at least 
opening count, forcing for at least one round.  If I were to bid 2NT in 
such a sequence with a weak hand it would be a psyche as far as I 
understand the term.  My partner will have alerted my bid and described 
it (if asked) as forcing, at least an opening, at least invitational to 
game (depending on the further description of opener's hand).  Is there 
anyone out there who doesn't believe it would be a psyche if I made the 
bid with a weak hand, intending to pass anything partner replied, to 
keep the opponents out of game?
If, on the other hand, the 2NT bid doesn't promise anything and merely 
asks the partner to further describe his holding, and is so described; 
then it is hard to see how it could be a psyche.
Returning to the starting point (the original question): we could have 
saved a lot of time and words had we simply asked the originator of this 
just exactly what he played and how the bid was described in his system. 
  (But then, in retrospect, I doubt that it is in the interest of many 
of the active blmlersout there to save time and words.)  Ciao, JE