[Dean]

Hi

Talking to one of our youth players. Opposite a natural 2NT opener they play Stayman and 3S is a puppet to 3N (various meanings including a raise to 3NT) while 3N directly is minors.

He was suggesting opening 2N on a weak black 2 suiter. He can then pass 3C or 3S.

Does this count as a psyche control?

D./

[blackshoe]

Depends. If they explain their agreement as "either natural, balanced, x range or a weak black two suiter", then no although that's probably an illegal agreement. If they just do it, then it's a psych, and the 3C or 3S bid, IMO, acts as a psychic control. In top of that, if they do it often enough, it will become an implicit agreement, and we're back to the legality question.

[jdonn]

I don't think it's a control, it's just taking advantage of your system. It's no different than opening 1NT with clubs and hearts, because you can easily handle it if partner bids 2♣ or 2♥. Or opening a major in third seat with long clubs because you can pass drury. Of course these psychs all involve risk, but so does the situation you mentioned (partner can bid 3♦ transfer, 4♦ transfer, 4NT, etc.)

[helene_t]

What's a [sych control? A convention designed for controlling psychs (as opposed to a convention that just happens to control psychs as a side-effect)? Or a convention that is 100% effective in controlling the psych? Or must it have both characteristics?

[jdonn]

helene_t, on Jul 20 2009, 07:00 PM, said:

What's a [sych control? A convention designed for controlling psychs (as opposed to a convention that just happens to control psychs as a side-effect)? Or a convention that is 100% effective in controlling the psych? Or must it have both characteristics?

One possibility is a bid that specifically shows a psych. Like

1♠ p 3♣ (strong jump shift) p
3♠ (I psyched)

Another is a bid that makes it completely safe to psych (this is the possibility being discussed here). Like

2♣ p 2♦ (forced) would let opener psych very safely by opening 2♣ on weak hands with diamonds. I know some people play 2♣ is weak with diamonds or strong but I mean specifically if they only play it's a strong hand.

[Quantumcat]

Opening 2C with long diamonds isn't very useful, because the oponents still get to bid over 2C (for whatever reasons you would overcall a 2C opening - sac suggestion or lead directing) and the person passing out 2D would then do their very best to come back into the auction, with their partner knowing they don't have a hand suitable for overcalling a strong 2C. You would do more damage having opened 2D or 3D to start with. Not to mention your partner being pissed off then screwing up the next board.

If your partner always responds like you have a normal hand for your bid, and only fields the psyche when it is as obvious to the opponents as it is to him that you psyched, there shouldn't be a problem? Should only be a problem when your partner knows about the psyche but your opponents don't, then fields it.