defense signals

[patroklos]

Hi,

 

I think it' s about time I learnt some standard defense signals. I've been trying to read things about this online, and ask members of my university bridge club, but there's lots of conflicting and disorganised information that does not yet make a coherent system for me. I would like to solidly learn some basic, standard stuff, and I would like to know some of the main terminology, so that when I play with new partners (which frequently happens in our club), quick convention convergence can occur.

 

For instance, I've been told of a discard convention like this: the first time that one is out of the suit that's led, playing a low card in a second suit signals a preference for the lower-ranking of the remaining two suits, and a high card a preference for the higher-ranking one. A low card would typically be a 2-5, and a high 6-9. Is this standard, and does it have a nice short name?

 

In terms of suits that one follows, if I'm not playing an honour, then I'm told to typically use "count" on declarer's play and "attitude" on partner's play (unless partner leads a king, in which case use "count"). I think I understand the idea behind these two systems, but I easily get confused during actual play because much of the time, one of course does play honours or whatnot. Is signalling then deferred to subsequent tricks in that suit, or abandoned all together, or what? I guess this will depend on the partnership, as well as the situation, but are there some well-accepted rules of thumb? For example, say I have a Q963 in clubs, and on the first club trick, I play my Q for whatever reason. If declarer then or later played further club tricks, would I then play the 9 on the next trick, and then the 3 on the one after that, and this would still count as high-low?

 

I guess by now my main question might be self-evident: clearly one doesn't signal using these conventions all the time, but what are some examples of situations in which it's critical to do so?

 

Direct answers or pointers to good online explanations would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jillybean]

Hi & welcome to the forum :P

 

have a look at this thread, it may answer some of your questions.

 

http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=575

 

jb

[awm]

I highly recommend Eddie Kantar's books on defense if you're looking for detailed information.

 

For the specifics you mentioned, the discards you describe are called "lavinthal discards." Basically they are a suit preference signal. The general rules with count signals are: (1) never play a card that could cost a trick just in order to signal and (2) normally give present count which is count of the number of cards you have remaining in the suit, at your first opportunity to give count in a suit.

[Stephen Tu]

I think it' s about time I learnt some standard defense signals. I've been trying to read things about this online, and ask members of my university bridge club, but there's lots of conflicting and disorganised information that does not yet make a coherent system for me.

 

The best approach IMO is to get some good solid introductory book(s) on defense. My favorites are either Bill Root's How to Defend a Bridge Hand and/or Eddie Kantar's Kantar Teaches Modern Bridge Defense & Kantar Teaches Advanced Bridge Defense. The latter two are also available in CD-ROM format from BridgeBase, albeit the cost is substantially higher than in book form. Either of these sources will give a coherent set of signal meanings & good explanation of the reasoning behind them, & these authors are/were expert players & writers of the highest caliber; you can be assured of accurate information. Learning from random online sources or partners is fraught with possibilities of:

- inconsistencies/incompatibilities between lead agreements & signalling strategies

- just plain incorrect info from someone who is confused

 

Note these two authors are American & write with std American carding assumptions, but once you learn the basic principles you should be able to adapt to local region common practices.

 

For instance, I've been told of a discard convention like this: the first time that one is out of the suit that's led, playing a low card in a second suit signals a preference for the lower-ranking of the remaining two suits, and a high card a preference for the higher-ranking one. A low card would typically be a 2-5, and a high 6-9. Is this standard, and does it have a nice short name?

This is not "standard". This scheme is called "Lavinthal".

 

In terms of suits that one follows, if I'm not playing an honour, then I'm told to typically use "count" on declarer's play and "attitude" on partner's play (unless partner leads a king, in which case use "count").

This has regional variations. Giving count on a K lead is considered non-std in America but may be common in other locales.

 

I think I understand the idea behind these two systems, but I easily get confused during actual play because much of the time, one of course does play honours or whatnot. Is signalling then deferred to subsequent tricks in that suit, or abandoned all together, or what?

 

The need to play a particular card for trick maximization purposes always overrides signalling. Signalling is reserved for when you have a choice of cards to play that doesn't directly affect the # of tricks you can take. You sometimes will signal later in that suit, but what you signal or if you signal is highly situational, read the books I recommend for better understanding.

 

I guess this will depend on the partnership, as well as the situation, but are there some well-accepted rules of thumb? For example, say I have a Q963 in clubs, and on the first club trick, I play my Q for whatever reason. If declarer then or later played further club tricks, would I then play the 9 on the next trick, and then the 3 on the one after that, and this would still count as high-low?

 

Normally one gives a "present count" signal here, you would play the 3 first (low from odd remaining cds, you have 963 remaining). With Q93 to start with you'd play the 9 from 93 remaining. This of course goes out the window if the 9 is needed for trick taking purposes. Count not attitude takes precedence here because usually your honor holding in the suit can be inferred from the play of the Q & declarer's play. You aren't supposed to have the J, for example, if you played Q as 3rd hand.