Signals

There are 3 main kinds of signals:

Count Signal: When declarer leads (from his hand or dummy), you can play hi-lo to show an even number or low first to show an odd number of cards.

Suit Preference: Can be used in many instances, but mainly when you play a card for partner to ruff. A high card (like an 8,9, or 10) shows preference for the higher-ranking side suit while a low card shows preference for the lower-ranking side suit.

Attitude Signal: The most important (by far) signal is used when partner leads a suit or you discard. High means you like it, low means you don't.

The descriptions above assume "Standard" carding (in some parts of the world, the opposite is standard and many U.S. experts play "Upside Down.")  For more details click here. For Larry's video lesson, click here. 

  • Declarer has opened 2NT, raised to 3NT. You, West, lead the ♠Q to the 5, 2 and ace. Declarer plays the ♠4 and you play?

     

     

    		♠ 765
    ♥ 82
    ♦ KQJ108
    ♣ 543
    		 
    ♠ QJ109
    ♥ J875
    ♦ 93
    ♣ Q76
    		      N
      W     E
          S    		♠ 
    ♥ 
    ♦ 
    ♣ 
     ♠ 
    ♥ 
    ♦ 
    ♣ 
    		 
    Choose One:
    1. -

    ♠3

    2. -

    ♠9

    Answer: 2

    ♠9. Declarer led the suit and your hi-lo shows your partner an even number of cards in the suit (count).

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • Declarer has opened 2NT, raised to 3NT. Your partner leads the ♠Q, won by declarer's ♠A.  At trick two, it goes ♠4, ♠9, ♠K.

    Which card did you, East, play to trick 1, and what is your plan for the diamond suit?

     ♠ 765
    ♥ 82
    ♦ KQJ108
    ♣ 543
    		 
    ♠
    ♥
    ♦
    ♣
    		     N
     W     E
         S    		♠82
    ♥K1094
    ♦A65
    ♣J982
     ♠ 
    ♥ 
    ♦ 
    ♣ 
    		 

     

    Choose One:
    1. -

    ♠8 and win the first diamond

    2. -

    ♠8 and win the second diamond

    3. -

    ♠8 and win the third diamond

    4. -

    ♠2 and win the first diamond

    5. -

    ♠2 and win the second diamond

    6. -

    ♠2 and win the third diamond

    Answer: 6

    ♠2 and win the third diamond. Your signal on partner's lead is attitude. The ♠8 would tell partner you like spades (you don't).  From partner's ♠9, you know he has 2 diamonds (if the ♠9 is a singleton, nothing you do will matter). Since partner has 2 diamonds, declarer has 3. You must not win either of the first two diamond tricks. The full deal:

     ♠ 765
    ♥ 82
    ♦ KQJ108
    ♣ 543
    		 
    ♠QJ109
    ♥J875
    ♦93
    ♣Q76
    		 ♠82
    ♥K1094
    ♦A65
    ♣J982
     ♠AK43
    ♥AQ3
    ♦742
    ♣AK10
    		 
    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are defending against 4♠. Your partner has led the ♠J, won by declarer. Declarer starts running trumps from the top.

    You hold:

    ♠ 5 
    ♥ KQ1098  
    ♦ 543  
    ♣ QJ82.
     
    What is likely to be your first discard when declarer starts drawing/running trump?

     

     

    Choose One:
    1. -

    ♠K

    2. -

    ♠10

    3. -

    ♠8

    4. -

    Low ♠

    5. -

    ♠Q

    6. -

    ♠8

    7. -

    ♠2

    Answer: 2

    ♠10. You can spare (afford) a high heart discard and should tell partner where your strength is. A club discard is risky (and not even a suit you want to signal for anyway). Discarding a low diamond won't tell your partner about your great hearts.

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • Partner leads the ♠A after the opponents have bid 1♠-2♠-4♠.  Dummy has 875. You have J102. Which card to you play to trick one?

     

    Choose One:
    1. -

    ♠2

    2. -

    ♠10

    3. -

    ♠J

    Answer: 1

    ♠2. Partner presumably has led Ace from Ace-King. Your job in this situation is to signal attitude. The jack (or 10) would indicate a singleton or hi-lo from a doubleton. Because declarer could have ♠Qxx, you don't want partner to play more spades. Play low to say: "I don't like spades." If partner has AKQ, she will know what to do anyway.

    Your result so far:
    Next