Sunday, October 19, 2003 8:11 PM

Exposing Psyches

PITBULLS:

One of the more common “tactical” psyches is players responding 2NT over a weak two with no values . The Polish Club players also psyche over their 2♣ bid and some players will psyche a major over a pre-empt at the 3 level. How do you let partner in on the fact that they psyched ? I think it comes down to playing the vulnerability again which determines how you bid .

The first bid to their forcing bid is always a pass though. If the opponents are vul and you are not , you would double 2NT with a minimum hand and a 4-4-4-1 hoping to setup a sacrifice or make life more difficult for them . With equal vulnerability , you would need a better hand and 4-4-4-1 to double 2NT . O.K. they have psyched the 2NT vul and you have a huge hand with their suit . 2NT is a forcing bid so you should pass one round . You do this to prevent partner from rescuing them inadvertently.

Kiz had a flat 20 HCP with AJ9 of hearts and the vulnerable opponents opened 2♥. Responder psyched 2NT and Kiz passed . The weak 2♥ bidder made her systemic call and the psycher bid 3♥ which Kiz now doubled . 3♥x goes for 1100 with best defense. Why not double 2NT immediately with the 20 HCP ? When opponents psyche forcing bids you will always get another chance to double them. The trouble with the initial double is that if the 2♥ bidder passes over the double, partner will rescue them by bidding and nobody knows whats going on . Any points partner may have will be mentally placed in the 2NT bidders hand !! This is because the psyche is not clearly exposed. The points could be 6 by the weak 2 , 14 for responder and you have the remaining 20 . I had 8 points on this auction so if Kiz doubled and I bid 3♣ , should she take me for 8 or zero HCP’s ? Pass first to expose the psyche and then double . I have no trouble passing 3♥ X with my 8 HCP’s and the psycher gets clobbered.

It is an axiom when exposing psyches , do not double forcing bids as the double normally has a different meaning . The double is takeout and if you have a flat defensive “moose” pass and then start doubling. This is not a balancing auction if the 2NT is legitimate . They made a game try and signed off so balancing with a double is reckless at best . Therefore a belated double has to be interpreted as exposing a psyche. Its an impossible bid otherwise . Always double the 2NT response originally for takeout – not to expose a psyche. If you bid their suit directly , Tom & I play that as bid 3NT with a stopper . We jump in our minors to show the Michaels hands. Do not let a 2NT psyche change your system.

This is the same action as exposing any psyche . Pass and let them get into trouble with their forcing bids and start doubling or bidding later in the auction . The worst liability to a psycher is there own partner . Remember that ! If the auction sounds a little strange, suspect a psyche their way . Especially the common situation for psyches i.e. 2NT over a weak two , a bid over a 3 level preempt or responding over a takeout double. Pass is the weapon to expose psyches . Passing and backing in and bidding their suit is natural if they have returned to their partners pre-empt suit.