PSYCHO SUCTION

The following is the device of Mr. Thomas Andrews. The variation addresses the inherent disadvantage of the player defending against a No Trump opening by using the Suction convention, which can be, for presentation purposes, reviewed below. Following the original version of the Suction convention, Mr. Thomas Andrew offers his variation. See also his device called Inverted Psycho Suction.

2 :		shows Diamonds, or Spades and Hearts
2 :		shows Hearts, or Spades and Clubs
2 :		shows Spades, or Clubs and Diamonds
2 :		shows Clubs, or Diamonds and Hearts
2 NT:		shows Pointed - Diamonds and Spades or Rounded - Clubs and Hearts

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:

First Seat		Second Seat		Third Seat		Fourth Seat
1 NT		2		Pass		Pass

is much more troubling to the No Trump opener, because his 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 the responder passes zero information, the opener cannot (often) safely double for penalty on his own, but the only two calls responder has which allow him to defend are 1. Pass and 2. Double.

But if 2 is artificial, the responder can double to show values, and the opener can later double when he has a stack in the suit the opponents have bid.

Psycho Suction

I invented something I called Psycho Suction, which did not have this drawback. In Psycho Suction, you either have the suit bid or the next two suits. Therefore:

Opener		Overcaller		Meaning
1 NT		2		Shows either Clubs or the Red Suits
		2		Shows either Diamonds or both Major suits
		2		Shows either Hearts or both Black suits
		2		Shows either Spades or both Minor suits
		2 NT		Shows non-touching pairs: + or +

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 based 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:

	xx
	xxxxx
	xxxx
	xx

and the auction has proceeded:

First Seat		Second Seat		Third Seat		Fourth Seat
1 NT		2		Pass		?

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 is certainly dangerous. It might go:

First Seat		Second Seat		Third Seat		Fourth Seat
1 NT		2		Pass		Pass
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.