signals

SIGNALS

ATTITUDE

Pick a card with your hand,
not with your nose.

Attitude or Come-on Signal
Signals are used only on Defense. (No use to signal Dummy.) When partner leads a suit, and you wish partner to continue with that suit because:
w You have a high card in that suit.
w You have a doubleton and plan to ruff the third round.

Play a high card. (Preferably 6 or above) This tells partner to continue playing that suit.

let the small cards do the talking
__________________________
watch what card your partner plays, especially on the first trick

Note: There are times, even in Bridge, when you (or your partner) are forced to play a high card, even though you do not wish the suit to be continued. The other Defender should carefully observe the cards he sees in his hand and Dummy. Sometimes he can determine if partner's high card is really a high card. No signaling system is absolutely perfect.

EXAMPLE 1. Partner plays the A

and you hold the Q 8 3 Spades. Play the 8

to signal continuation. On partner’s K

you play the 3

. This play of the cards out-of-order, HIGH then LOW, also asks partner to continue the suit. (You also might have a doubleton and can ruff the third round).

1.	dummy 10 7 4
partner A		you Q 8 3

EXAMPLE 2. Partner plays the A

and you hold the 5

and 2

. Play the 5

then the 2

. This HIGH/LOW asks partner to continue the suit. You have a doubleton and you plan to ruff the next round.

2.	dummy 8 7 4
partner A		you 5 2

EXAMPLE 3. Partner plays A

and you hold the Q 8 2 of Hearts. Play the 2

. You do not have to signal with a high card in the suit led by partner. By not signaling, partner might lead another suit, like Clubs, which is what you really want.

3.	dummy 9 7 4 K 9 6
partner A		you Q 8 2 A Q J

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