Signal Modulation

[Phil]

Its matchpoints.

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sq972hk974dj76c73&e=sahaqt52dq3ct9642&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1dp1hp1sp2c(4SF)p3nppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Partner leads the ♠3 and dummy wins the A. Dummy is on the right (can't we fix these diagrams, so the felt is in the middle?).

 

You play UDCA and Reverse Smith, so lo-high = I like it. Partner's lead of a low card promises an honor (T or higher).

 

Whatever you play at T1, declarer will play a club to the J and Q, both cards winning.

 

See poll choices.

[Siegmund]

I voted "other": encouraging spade spot on the first trick, then count, since Smith attitude applies only when an attitude signal hasn't already been given in spades (I would assume, without discussion otherwise -- in general, we don't give the same signal twice in a row, whatever our system.) What I wouldn't know without discussion is whether that means I am giving count in clubs - smith completely off - or count in spades - smith on and I'm now giving my 2nd spade signal.

 

The latter is one reason why I never agree to anything of the smith or odd/even variety in a casual partnership.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Right now the only thing I can agree on is " desiring the ( green ) FELT to be in the middle " .

[wyman]

I tend to play Smith signals even after attitude. One needs to decide with partner whether attitude (and subsequently Smith) means "yes, please continue the suit from your side; it is safe" or "we have a future in this suit." Without Smith, you're stuck playing both roughly the same. With Smith, you can send a mixed message, as here, where you might want to say "we have a future in this suit, but I have a holding that is vulnerable."

 

Here, if partner holds 10xxx, you probably don't want him leading spades again.

[JLOGIC]

I would encourage. I don't play smith so it's hard to comment (I would play high low in clubs suggesting I have better hearts than diamonds, that should be enough for partner to work out the hand). I imagine I would encourage again, since I might have encouraged trick one with J9xx or something. I am strongly influenced by thinking partner would lead 2nd from Txxx or worse, I do not know if that is non standard and I should not assume that, it is standard where I am from though.

[Phil]

In one partnership, we decided to lead 2nd from a holding as 'good' as Q7xx, but only if the hand wanted to entertain a shift to another suit. The idea was that you could Smith to say, 'yeah I really did like it in spite of the 7' if the play developed early and it looked like partner had strength.

 

Everyone else I have asked either online or IRL says that the the T is considered the breakpoint for 2nd versus low.

 

I still like the idea of leading higher with stronger holdings than 9xxx.

[nige1]

Changed my mind

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I think it is obvious to Encourage on the opening lead... showing a K or Q .

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Edit ( addition ): As far as the Smith ( Rev ) signal, I would "discourage",

implying that I have something elsewhere ( in case partner needs to get to me to push a ♠ thru ) .

He should figure out that it must be ♥ and not ♦.

 

If I had the ♠ K and not the Q, I should make a ( Rev ) Smith "encouragement".

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What Rev-Smith signal has the Opening leader( your partner ) made on the ♣?

Edited April 23, 2012 by TWO4BRIDGE

[TWO4BRIDGE]

 

The latter is one reason why I never agree to anything of the smith or odd/even variety in a casual partnership.

Here is a hand where our Odd/Even signals helped us to a killing defense:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sqt42hk62dq5ckq83&w=sak963hqj5dat63ct&n=s7hat74dj98caj964&e=sj85h983dk742c752&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1sdp1npp2spp3cp3nppp]399|300|Opening lead: Sp 6 ( 4th best )[/hv]

 

T1 : ♠ 6 7 J Q

T2 thru T6 : Declarer ran five ♣

.... on which West made an ODD ♦ 1st discard

.... and East made an ODD ♦ 1st discard.

 

This allowed West to discard his ♦ Ace.

After winning 8 tricks Declarer led a ♦ from the board; East hopped up w/K and a ♠ thru Declarer sealed his fate.

 

[ Declarer did not find the end play of throwing West in w/ a 3rd round of ♥ ] .

[Phil]

I think I've come down to:

 

1. Encourage on opening lead to show a spade honor - K/Q.

2. Smith on the clubs shows two honors.

 

Which I do not have.

 

We do not need club count here, do we?

[lalldonn]

Dummy is on the right (can't we fix these diagrams, so the felt is in the middle?).

(Threadjack)

I much prefer it this way. I would think the bidding would be on the table, not sitting on the floor between two players. And I never thought of the green part as felt, just as empty space. When the bidding diagram is the other way I sometimes get confused.

(Ok sorry please proceed)

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I think I've come down to:

 

1. Encourage on opening lead to show a spade honor - K/Q.

2. Smith on the clubs shows two honors.

 

Which I do not have.

 

We do not need club count here, do we?

After 1st Encouraging on the opening lead, you can:

2) use Smith on the clubs to either :

... a ) show a 2nd ♠ honor or

... b ) deny a 2nd ♠ honor.