[inquiry]

While kibitzing at one table, I think maybe Joe Grue was playing there or Hamson Greco, fellow bbo yellow called me to the other Cavendish table that was having quite a bit of excitement, with the words "Evil Fantoni".

On this hand, Fantoni's partner (not his normal one) had passed and a precision 2C was opened on his right. I wonder if he thought it was a forcing 2C. Anyway, he held some normalish looking hand like

xxx Kxxxx Kx Jxx

And he overcalled 2S!!!!! Wow. His opponents were laydown for 6S in a five-four fit as I recall and they climbed all the way to 3NT. I left before the excitement was over, but I know the director was involved, and I heard later that the result stood.

First, why would a director be called? I could't find a rule against pscyhing. This just has to fall under the category of a psyche that worked out great. The vul was right for it.

Second, did anyone think Fantoni mistook 2C precison for 2C strong? Surely 2C was alerted, as is required by the rules.

[jillybean]

This was the hand

P (2♣) 2♠ (3nt)

---

I don't know if 2♣ was alerted; after the hand Fantoni confirmed 2♠ was a psyche; I don't know why the TD was called, shock perhaps and the TD's response: (vugraphe3) Director explaining that contrary to any other evidence North was in receipt of all correct information The Laws extend the right to Fantoni to make the bid he did

One very successful psyche.

[jocdelevat]

TD was called because opps complain Edi didn't lead pard suit(spades)

[pbleighton]

Quote

TD was called because opps complain Edi didn't lead pard suit(spades)

Since 3NT was bid by lefty, not an unsual play.

Peter

[Gerben42]

I am always surprised when I see a psyche work. I've tried it sometimes and my results with it are well, terrible.

When I would bid like this partner would have raised to 3♠, doubled by South.

How do you know when you are going to make a psyche like this???

P.S. if you hold AKQJx in the suit partner bids you usually react in a certain way before bidding 3NT. I guess from South's reaction Eidi made up that Fantoni's ♠ were not very solid so he tried his own suit.

P.P.S. It is correct to always call the director after a psyche to record it but do so in a non-denigrating way.

[cnszsun]

Jlall, on May 15 2007, 03:39 PM, said:

who would psyche on vugraph

If my memory is correct, there is such a hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

You opened 1NT at 3rd seat, Right?

[Gerben42]

That wasn't Justin, it was his evil twin brother

[Walddk]

If my memory serves me correctly, there was a psyche in our other room too on this particular deal. I can't remember who NS were, but North opened a natural 1♣, Hanlon overcalled 1♥, double by South (apparently 1♠ would have shown something else), and now McGann bid 1♠!

Eventually, NS ended up in 4♠.

Roland

[rbforster]

Jlall, on May 15 2007, 04:42 AM, said:

libel! I would never do such a thing with 10 points...  I need 11

Or just reversed majors right? With 3♠ and 2♥ you can happily pass partner's likely 2♦ transfer .

[FrancesHinden]

Jlall, on May 15 2007, 10:42 AM, said:

cnszsun, on May 15 2007, 03:26 AM, said:

Jlall, on May 15 2007, 03:39 PM, said:

who would psyche on vugraph

If my memory is correct, there is such a hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

You opened 1NT at 3rd seat, Right?

libel! I would never do such a thing with 10 points...

Spoiler

I need 11

That's why the optimal defence against a 3rd seat NV strong NT is double for penalties. It's one of the most popular psyches around.

[joshs]

cnszsun, on May 15 2007, 03:26 AM, said:

Jlall, on May 15 2007, 03:39 PM, said:

who would psyche on vugraph

If my memory is correct, there is such a hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

You opened 1NT at 3rd seat, Right?

Actually that was me, Justin was my teammate at the other table.

[nige1]

inquiry, on May 14 2007, 03:15 PM, said:

[snip] ... why would a director be called? I could't find a rule against pscyhing. This just has to fall under the category of a psyche that worked out great. The vul was right for it.

IMO After the psych, the director should be called for two reasons

• Psychs should be recorded, especially when dangerous and highly successful. to facilitate detection of any pattern that might hint at a concealed partnership understanding (CPU) or the receipt of unauthorized information (UI).
  
• In this case, we are told, partner did not lead the suit of the psychers's overcall. In some contexts, this could be regarded as evidence of a fielded psych and requires investigation.

None of this implies any wrong-doing by Fantoni. IMO It's just correct routine.