Count

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Do you ( most ) always give COUNT ( if possible ) when Declarer LEADS a suit ?

[ contract is in NT ... if it matters ].

 

For example:

............. Dummy ( North )

............. A K 4 2

 

You ( West )

J 6 5 3

 

Declarer leads the 8 ( early in the hand...) .

 

What would you normally play? ... Do you start a hi-lo to show EVEN ?

..... or do you feel that this might give more useful information to Declarer than to partner ?

Edited November 24, 2011 by TWO4BRIDGE

[JLOGIC]

It depends.

[aguahombre]

Interesting example. With the given spots, what we do is unlikely to matter for that suit.

 

In general, though, we only give count when we believe it will be helpful to partner; and those times are pretty much obvious (partner needs to know whether to duck). More often, signals in a suit being played by declarer are more useful if they show something about the opening lead (Smith/reverse Smith) or about some other suit (suit preference).

[pooltuna]

Interesting example. With the given spots, what we do is unlikely to matter for that suit.

 

In general, though, we only give count when we believe it will be helpful to partner; and those times are pretty much obvious (partner needs to know whether to duck). More often, signals in a suit being played by declarer are more useful if they show something about the opening lead (Smith/reverse Smith) or about some other suit (suit preference).

 

you might also give count if you think it will help partner count out declarer's hand otherwise I am inclined to play either low or deceptively as possible.

[Finch]

It depends. With AKxx in dummy I'm more likely to be giving suit preference, but there are positions where count is mandatory.

[CSGibson]

we give suit preference except when we feel count is obviously necessary.

[gnasher]

I don't think I would ever give count in the layout in the original post.

 

Such a style seems very exploitable. Taking the suit alone (assuming I'm under the dummy), it would cost if declarer had 1098, 10987, Q1098, Q987. It will also often cost by telling declarer that his long card isn't a winner.

[Phil]

I would tend to give suit preference here, or Smith if applicable. I don't think count really matters if declarer is good, and thinks you are good, since the card won't be believed anyway. Similarly partner will have doubts about the truthfulness of a count card, so the card should be random if not SP.

 

I see ints give count all the time in these situations, especially if they play udca. I believe them every time.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I think I posted this a bit confusing .

I meant Declarer is South ( Dummy , North ) and "YOU" are West : i.e. , you play BEFORE Dummy .

[aguahombre]

I think I posted this a bit confusing .

I meant Declarer is South ( Dummy , North ) and "YOU" are West : i.e. , you play BEFORE Dummy .

That was clear to me.