[kenrexford]

Weird move I've never seen before. My partner pulled it off, claiming it was intentional, and all evidence seems to confirm.

1♠-2♥-2♠-3♣
3♠-P-P-4♣
P-4♥-all pass.

Partner had overcalled 2♥ and then pulled 4♣ to 4♥ with Qxxx in support of clubs and AJ109x in hearts. The reason?

"If I pass 4♣, I know that they will have club shortness, like that, and bid 4♠. However, if I bid 4♥, they will think I am panicking with a void in hearts, will have defense against hearts, and will opt to defend. So, I decided to bid as if I was panicking."

It worked. 4♠ in fact make 10 tricks on a weird layout, and the opponents opted to defend this insane 4♥ contract for a mere two-trick set.

[mtvesuvius]

...and we think you are crazy...

[helene_t]

Alternatively, try dancing on the bridge table, singing "coocoolycoo". Opps will think you are drunk and will double you in all your cold contracts.

[Phil]

I believe it. I hope he bid in tempo.

The rest of the hand would help, since there may be more bridge reasons to bid 4♥ - as in he might think both 4♣ and 4♥ are making.

[kenrexford]

Phil, on May 15 2009, 09:58 AM, said:

I believe it. I hope he bid in tempo.

The rest of the hand would help, since there may be more bridge reasons to bid 4♥ - as in he might think both 4♣ and 4♥ are making.

First, he was drinking a beer. So, although no "coocoolicoo" was uttered, Helene's plan was actually in place.

However, his complete hand was something like ♠Jx ♥AJ109x ♦xx ♣Qxxx. A bit light for 2♥, but...

Actually, the more I think, he might have had ♥AQ109x or even ♥AQJ9x. I was following the club suit with shock and may have missed the exact holding and play in hearts. I think he may have hooked hearts successfully, suggesting that he held the A-Q, and then lost to the King and 10. Maybe he actually had ♥AQJ9x. Hook then Queen, play the Ace, try the smother of the 10? Yes -- that's what happened.

So, I suppose his hearts WERE better. ♠Jx ♥AQJ9x ♦xx ♣Qxxx was his hand.