I’ve never had the courage to ‘psyche’ at the bridge table, but I grudgingly admire those who do. Sally Brock and I were well and truly kippered at the recent European women’s pairs championships when, neither side vulnerable, I opened 1♣ holding AK43, K986, J4, 854. Our innocent-looking young Dutch opponent found the gutsy overcall of 1♥, holding QJ52, 42, Q1085, Q97. Sally held 87, AQJ1073, AK, A106 — and felt, quite reasonably, that she had no option but to pass. So the Dutch woman played in 1♥ undoubled, five down — a great result, given that we were making 4♥ plus one.
One of the most famous psychers of all time was Adam ‘Plum’ Meredith, the brilliant and eccentric Irish player who won the world championships in 1955. As one of his partners said: ‘For Plum, a three-card suit is not only biddable, it is rebiddable.
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