[neilkaz]

I don't want to be rude, but this is such and easy decision.

Either your xx was runout..but with clearly with your hand it is not. So if xx is for business and PD can't X 3NT clearly he has psyched so PASS and be happy that your minus score won't be 4 digits.

[Phil]

jdonn, on Jan 22 2009, 10:47 PM, said:

Phil, on Jan 22 2009, 10:11 PM, said:

I would have doubled 3N. I think the opponents have had a serious train wreck. If I don't double here is there ever a hand that I would double on?

I wonder the opposite question. If you double on this, is there a (strength showing) redouble you WOULDN'T double on??

Sure, if I thought partner absolutely thought the xx was values (the OP is silent on this, but it can be inferred looking at all the hands obv), then doubling 3N is pretty stupid.

I guess it comes down to the chances of pard misinterpreting the xx versus pard making a very strange psyche. Both are remote, but I haven't seen a vulnerable psyche like this. Never. The upside of this psyche is so dubious, unless you are playing against total retards.

[inquiry]

i would let the result stand. But I would be very disappointed in you. Psyches against beginners, no matter how bright, seems unethical to me. I am certain others would consider it "sharp bridge"... sort of the Bridge World idea to do whatever is allowed by the rules of the game to increase your chance of winning. Now if you didn't have a clue about your oppnents skil level, then of course psyches are fine.

[Phil]

inquiry, on Jan 23 2009, 12:12 AM, said:

i would let the result stand. But I would be very disappointed in you. Psyches against beginners, no matter how bright, seems unethical to me. I am certain others would consider it "sharp bridge"... sort of the Bridge World idea to do whatever is allowed by the rules of the game to increase your chance of winning. Now if you didn't have a clue about your oppnents skil level, then of course psyches are fine.

If you psyche in my club against a beginner, you will be a pariah for awhile. It's just bad form.

Do it all you want against experienced players (by the way the experienced players around here still couldn't fish out a psyche if it climbed up their arm), and I won't say anything, except, "nice bid sir".

[JLOL]

Even if partner does not think XX showed values then Xing this is not too bright, I am repeating myself but the opps have bid 3N! They opened, they doubled 1N, and then they got to 3N. Why do you think they are doing this if they have 18 HCP? Even if they have just gone completely insane and forgotten that you would like more than half the deck to play 3N, you are already doing great anyways and aren't gaining much with a double. More likely the opps know what they have in their hands.

[Benoit35]

Phil said:

(...) but I haven't seen a vulnerable psyche like this. Never.

This was Love All.

Quote

i would let the result stand. But I would be very disappointed in you. Psyches against beginners, no matter how bright, seems unethical to me. I am certain others would consider it "sharp bridge"... sort of the Bridge World idea to do whatever is allowed by the rules of the game to increase your chance of winning. Now if you didn't have a clue about your oppnents skil level, then of course psyches are fine.

I didn't know the opponents' skill level beforehand. This was pick-up play and only the second time I ever psyched on BBO. I consider myself a good Intermediate at best so psyching is out of the question in serious play for me. You gotta try these things somewhere.

In the end I didn't learn much about what I did want to know - how could this psych have affected the scoreboard against capable opponents? I'm interested to know how a competent South would have handled the auction... Sitting in his seat, obviously knowing that East has psyched, I'm tempted to keep that secret to myself and pass partner's 2♦. Now West has to balance with 2♥ I presume - I double and he's likely to redouble. If partner pulls, we can always go for a slam but with the stronger opponent behind my three tenaces I like trying to punish East first.

I'll make a follow-up thread about it.