It's a standard psych, yes. I've also made these, with success. My only psych in competition (don't want to lose teammates so I don't psych as often there
) was similar, and it gained a full 2 imps (they played 5
♣= instead of 4
♠+2).
There are even other psychs. You can classify them in several cathegories:
- mini-psych (most common, bidding strong with nothing, not even the suit)
- maxi-psych (underbidding very strong hands and play opps Doubled for a few down)
- control psychs (showing a control in a suit you don't control, like bidding NT after 4th suit GF with a small doubleton)
- fake-lead-directing psychs (example: making a Lightner Dbl with a singleton and hope opps go to an unplayable 6NT while their contract is laydown)
- other psychs, like Doubling yourself so partner won't make a Lighter Dbl
I'm a regular psycher, and I've used the first 3 sorts now and then.
- mini-psychs most of all, like bidding 1NT with 4HCP
- maxi-psychs against opps I knew. I once passed a 16HCP hand after partner opened 1NT (11-14). I knew opps usually bid over 1NT, they did, I doubled and they received a -1100
- bidding 3NT without a control in the suit, opps didn't lead it and I made an unmakeble 3NT.
"It may be rude to leave to go to the bathroom, but it's downright stupid to sit there and piss yourself" - blackshoe