Inverted Psycho Suction

The concept behind the conventional method designated inverted psycho suction is the development of Mr. Thomas Andrews. Following the original concept of psycho suction it was evident from the original version that the player would be able to minimize the number of times of being forced to pass instead of competing. The feature to solve this problem was to invert his version of psycho suction. Source.

Information to Concept and Allowability

Note: The concept of the suction conventional method is not permitted in events and tournaments governed by the ACBL General convention chart, except as a defense to artificial opening bids (such as Precision, strong 2 openings, Flannery, and similar opening bids.)

Note: This guideline also includes any and all variations of the suction conventional method.

Note: As a strong recommendation to all partnerships, who would prefer to employ the suction conventional method in ACBL sanctioned tournaments, it behooves the partnership to inquire in advance as to whether or not such this conventional method is permitted.

Note: Reference is provided for all partnerships to the Current ACBL Restrictions, authored by Mr. John Vega and Mr. Marty Lavine, for any supplementary information in this regard. Such information can also be found on the ACBL website.

Original Version of the Suction Conventional Method

In order to understand the modification of the original suction conventional convention it is important to know the original version. Once an opponent has opened the auction with 1 No Trump, which shows generally the accepted range of 15-17 points, then the following overcall scheme, called suction, can be employed to show certain distributional holdings.

The suction overcall shows either the next higher-ranking suit or the two suits above the next higher-ranking suit.

Opponent		Overcall		Meaning
1 No Trump		2		Suction: shows either Diamonds or both Major suits.
		2		Suction: shows either Hearts or both black suits, Spades and Clubs.
		2		Suction: shows either Clubs or both red suits, Hearts and Diamonds.
		2		Suction: shows either Clubs and Hearts, or Diamonds and Spades.

Note: The advancer, partner of the overcaller, generally puppets to the next higher-ranking suit. Then, if the overcaller has a two-suited holding, then the overcaller corrects.

Mr. Thomas Andrews discovered that the suction conventional method offered the opponents the opportunity to construct and formulate a better prepared defense. When the opponent employs the suction conventional method, then the responder, or partner of the No Trump bidder, can employ the double of the suction overcall as a means of communicating descriptive information that he has values and would prefer to defend as opposed to competing.

Inverted Psycho Suction Variation

Following the development of his first variation designated as psycho suction, which was a step forward in diminishing the frequency rate of competing opponents, Mr. Thomas Andrews realized that an inverted style of psycho suction could minimize the number of times the advancer a player would have to pass with his psycho suction variation. This is designated as inverted psycho suction, which is so designated mainly, according to the author, just because it sounds pretty threatening.

Opponent		Overcall		Meaning
1 No Trump		2		Inverted Psycho Suction: shows either both Minor suits, or Hearts.
		2		Inverted Psycho Suction: shows either both red suits, Hearts and Diamonds, or Spades.
		2		Inverted Psycho Suction: shows either both Major suits. (Author: or Clubs. How different from 3?)
		2		Inverted Psycho Suction: shows either both black suits, (Author: or Diamonds?)
		2 NT		Inverted Psycho Suction: shows either non-touching suits (pairs), Clubs and Hearts or Diamonds and Spades.

 

 

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.