[blml] Psychs and "surprises"

[Alain Gottcheiner]

At 17:02 27/02/2007 -0500, John R. Mayne wrote:


>And some psychs are not considered by some people; all white, IMPS, if 
>partner opens 3H-X to me, and I hold x -- J953 QJT98654, I'm going to bid 
>4H - catches the lead, and muddles the opponents bidding. Someone else 
>might not even think of that.

But that's not a psyche. That's a lead-directing bid. You said it yourself. 
Related to the suit, in a sense.
I recently tried  1C - 2NT (minors) - double - 3C on a club void and long 
diamonds. No psyche. Showing interest in a club lead.

>So, every psych and every partnership has some element of item (a) on 
>Eric's list, I think.

Yes Sir. and that's what the line "psyches" on the CC is for.


>In that case, 2H-X-2S as a psych is illegal for all competent players. 
>Does anyone take 2S seriously? (I've never pulled this, myself, because I 
>prefer other mischief, but it's wildly common.)

If you want to renew it, try passing 2D-p-2S-p with hearts ;-)


Best regards

   alain