Deviation or Psyche Where's the dividing line?
#1
Posted 2014-November-20, 16:07
For example, suppose you have agreed to play a 12-14 1NT opener.
Presumably opening 1NT with a an average 11-count or an average 15-count would be classed as a deviation, whilst opening 1NT with an average 2-count or an average 24-count would be classed as a psyche, But where would you draw the line?
(By "average" I mean a hand not worthy of either an upgrade or a downgrade in terms of hand evaluation.)
#2
Posted 2014-November-20, 16:22
#3
Posted 2014-November-20, 16:36
My judgement on a given hand is not it's point count, or where the honors are located, or what my stated agreements are, or who my opps are, or what their methods are, or the state of the match and or event, or the way qualification is determined, or the fortitude of my partner, etc... but it's all these things and more. So, each affects whether or not I consider it a psyche or just good judgement when I open on whatever, bid whatever, or heck, even pass with whatever.
#4
Posted 2014-November-20, 16:42
#5
Posted 2014-November-20, 17:20
The example I'm thinking of works better with a strong NT range, so let's assume 15-17. If someone decides to open a 12 count with a good 6 card suit, there is a fair argument that they genuinely intended to evaluate their hand as strong and balanced. That looks like a deviation to me. However, if they open a featureless 13 count then I would treat that as a psyche (assuming they haven't forgotten their NT range).
#6
Posted 2014-November-20, 18:41
Quote
However, frequent deviations may indicate that the pair has an undisclosed implied agreement acquired through experience. This situation should be dealt with firmly.
#7
Posted 2014-November-20, 19:30
jallerton, on 2014-November-20, 16:07, said:
For example, suppose you have agreed to play a 12-14 1NT opener. Presumably opening 1NT with a an average 11-count or an average 15-count would be classed as a deviation, whilst opening 1NT with an average 2-count or an average 24-count would be classed as a psyche, But where would you draw the line? (By "average" I mean a hand not worthy of either an upgrade or a downgrade in terms of hand evaluation.)
FWIW, IMO, a deviation should be at most 1 card or 1 HCP and not both.
#8
Posted 2014-November-20, 20:13
As for tv, screw it. You aren't missing anything. -- Ken Berg
I have come to realise it is futile to expect or hope a regular club game will be run in accordance with the laws. -- Jillybean
#9
Posted 2014-November-21, 00:33
blackshoe, on 2014-November-20, 20:13, said:
That may be so, but I find his definition of a deviation pretty reasonable.
For me the definition would focus around intent, rather than HCPs. For me when a person deviates, he is trying to make the best descriptive call he has available. He may be plugging a system hole and not have an other call available, or the call that the system actually would dictate has some drawbacks for the particular auction that developed.
In practice, there is no real grey area. People psyche because they deliberately want to paint a false picture of their hand. Then they do not pick a call that is a mere queen off painting a correct picture of their hand.
Rik
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the new discoveries, is not “Eureka!” (I found it!), but “That’s funny…” – Isaac Asimov
The only reason God did not put "Thou shalt mind thine own business" in the Ten Commandments was that He thought that it was too obvious to need stating. - Kenberg
#10
Posted 2014-November-21, 00:42
nige1, on 2014-November-20, 19:30, said:
I'm surprised that you think it matters. Although the Laws do define a psych, the distinction between a psych and a deviation is irrelevant as far as the Laws are concerned. They are treated identically for the purposes of establishing implicit understandings, disclosure of those understandings, and rectification for damage caused by non-disclosure.
There are only two differences in law between a psych and a deviation:
(1) The footnote to 17D, relating to psyching after bidding a hand from the wrong board, and
(2) 40B2d The Regulating Authority may restrict the use of psychic artificial calls.
But this is irrelevant, because the Laws also say
40B2a The Regulating Authority is empowered without restriction to allow, disallow, or allow conditionally, any special partnership understanding.
#11
Posted 2014-November-21, 01:50
helene_t, on 2014-November-20, 16:22, said:
Yes, that sort of thing. Some Laws and regulations refer to both terms. On the EBU 'report of hand form' , TDs are asked to classify an action between psyche, misbid, deviation and other.
#12
Posted 2014-November-21, 01:56
#13
Posted 2014-November-21, 03:43
nige1, on 2014-November-20, 19:30, said:
At most? How can it be less? You seem to use a rather different definition of gross than most of us.
#14
Posted 2014-November-21, 03:57
#15
Posted 2014-November-21, 04:25
#16
Posted 2014-November-21, 04:28
However opening one of a suit has more subjective upgrade criteria, so a two-point difference tends to be justified by its protagonists. I feel I'm straying into nige1 territory but I wonder whether these are deviations or just misinformation. For example, if a pair says that one heart is 11-15 HCP with at least five hearts, when they always open 1♥ holding x KQxxxx Axxx xx this is not a deviation or psych, they are misdescribing their opening bid philosophy.
So whereas I'm happy to give everyone 1 HCP to deviate in their no-trump range, I think it is more difficult to provide the same quantifiable metric for opening suit bids.
#17
Posted 2014-November-21, 05:56
I don't think that was a deviation...
Rik
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the new discoveries, is not “Eureka!” (I found it!), but “That’s funny…” – Isaac Asimov
The only reason God did not put "Thou shalt mind thine own business" in the Ten Commandments was that He thought that it was too obvious to need stating. - Kenberg
#18
Posted 2014-November-21, 06:11
Start by considering why a player might announce a NT range like 15-17 HCP, but then choose to open 1NT on a 14 count.
Being in a "glass half full" sort of mood, let's assume that player's NT description is intended to provide the opponent's with the best practical description of their partnership agreement. While there may be some inconsistencies between theory and practice, the NT description is still "optimal".
As a practical example, consider the case in which a zonal authority mandates the use of HCPs for disclosure, while the partnership agreement is based on some very different metric. You're going to have edge cases where the disclosure can NOT match the agreement.
The concept of a deviation is intended to handle these sorts of issues.
#19
Posted 2014-November-21, 06:57
But there are many regulations that forbid a psyche to a strong opening such as 2♣. And I constantly see bids I would call plain psyches from weak players. The day I had a 22 count and saw my RHO open 2♣ I wasn't very happy, but there was nothing I could do.
#20
Posted 2014-November-21, 07:07
Fluffy, on 2014-November-21, 06:57, said:
I really hope that this is a joke...