Psycho Suction Convention
The following is a description of the Psycho Suction conventional defense method devised and developed by Mr. Thomas Andrews. Psycho Suction by the author can be found by clicking on the link and the bridge student should refer to this website.
The following is a copy of this web page and is only archived and preserved on this site as a reference in the future.
What is Suction?
Suction is a system of interference over 1NT and other strong openings. The basic idea is that when the partnership bids over 1NT, they are showing either the next higher suit, or the two suits after that. Such overcalls are designated as transfer overcalls.
2
:
Shows diamonds or the majors. 2
:
Shows hearts or the black suits. 2
:
Shows spades or the minors. 2
:
Shows clubs or the red suits. 2 NT:
Either clubs and hearts, or diamonds and spades.
Bidder's partner normally treats this bid as a puppet to the next higher suit. If bidder then had the two-suited hand, he corrects.
Why does it suck?
The problem with Suction is that it is easy for a prepared partnership to defend against it. After all, the bidder never has the suit he has bid. Therefore, it is relatively safe to use a double of the Suction bid as generically value-showing with some desire of defending.
The natural auction:
is much more troubling to the notrump opener, because partner might have the values to compete but not have had a penalty double or a hand with a clear competitive bid. The problem that is presented to the opener and responder is "how do you decide whether to double this contract?" If responder passes zero information, opener cannot (often) safely double for penalty on his own, but the only two calls responder has which allow him to defend are "pass" and "double."
But if 2 is artificial, responder can double to show values, opener can later double when she has a stack in the suit the opponents have bid.
Psycho Suction
I invented something I called "Psycho Suction" which didn't have this drawback. In Psycho Suction, you either have the suit bid or the next two suits.
So:
2
Clubs or red suits. 2
Diamonds or majors. 2
Hearts or black suits. 2
Spades or the minors. 2 NT:
Non-touching pairs (
It also has the advantage that you get out at the two level more often, and have to make fewer bids.
The partner of the Psycho Suction bidder has to guess base on his hand shape whether he thinks partner has the one-suiter or two-suiter, and is allowed to pass the call. For example, say you hold:
And the auction has proceeded (1NT)-2-(P). It is your call. In this situation, it makes sense to pass, because it is far more likely that partner will have clubs than that he will have diamonds and hearts.
It's certainly dangerous - it might go (1N) 2 All Pass, and partner ends up playing in a 2-1 fit, which can be embarrassing, particularly at unfavorable vulnerability. In fact, these non-fit situations are precisely why the word "psycho" is in the convention name.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
 |
 |
 |
| Claus and Raymond | Conventions | Bridge Sites |
 |
 |
|
| Home Page I | Glossary | Home Page II |
|
||
| NT Defense Methods |