Frisky System

[GSLACK-SMITH]

word document attached

[bluejak]

It is not a six playing trick hand: it is a psyche.

But there is another problem: the description 6, 7 or 8 playing trick hand is worrying, because it sounds strong.  I think it is important to find out exactly what this pair is playing.  If they are playing that it really can be weak then they must say so specifically.  More likely, it shows a strong - or strongish - hand, in which case it is very clearly a psyche, but it still must be better described.

There is nothing wrong with a frisky approach to bidding, especially in Australia which tends to be more tolerant of what may be played than most other jurisdictions.  But it is very important to disclose fully your methods, especially if the methods are somewhat unusual.

[GSLACK-SMITH]

Thanks David, I certainly recognised it as a psyche. A hand no player would anticipate being opened with 2H Vulnerable in first seat.
Interrogation of the partner of the psycher did not suggest a concealed partnership agreement she stated that her expectation was of a six playing trick hand was a "normal" or old text book weak 2.
I also was concerned that linking these bids with a 2C 22-23 HCP option could give a misleading impression that 6,7 or 8 loser hands are of a robust style rather than weak.
I have concerns with a system that could allow a weak 6 or 7 card major suit to be bid either via a 2C opening or  through 2H and 2S.
Without clear explanation of hand shapes using the different approaches it seems ideal framework for concealed understandings to develop with experience.


On day 2 this pair drew another director call. NS complaining about misinformation in not bidding game in Hearts.

Dealer West Vulnerable Opened 2C alerted.
 W Hand is S Q3 H 95 D AQ854 C 852  Partner held  S 10962  H 862 D K  C Q743
 N Hand S75 H AKQ10 D 102 C AKJ10    South hand s AKJ84 H J43  D J976 C 9

 Score stands.   Directors considered no infringement by EW.  (NS could work on defensive bidding.)
EW had modified their system card to show they played Brown Sticker Conventions ie. Could be weak and suit is not known.

[bluejak]

So long as they now say that it can be weak, so long as playing it this way is legal in Australia, so long as they alert it and describe it adequately if asked, and so long as the description on the system card is adequate, then the opponents have no case.

[Paul Sherman]

I would abbreviate your reply, David, to just two words: "So long....."

As far as I know, psyching a 2C opening (or 2D=game force) is illegal in Australia. But I have been out of the game for some years and I could be wrong. I would like to hear Matthew's opinion, he is currently quite active at the national level.

[bluejak]

Not based on S-S's last post.  According to that they now play the 2C opening as may be weak with an unspecified suit.  So when they open it with a weak hand and a suit it is not a psyche any longer, it is part of their announced system.