ATTITUDE SIGNALS (Part 2)
So, now that we know how to give an attitude signal, it would be a good idea to know when to signal positive and when to signal negative. An example might be useful.
| East | |||
| ♠ | 6 4 3 | ||
| ♥ | J 9 5 | ||
| ♦ | K 9 | ||
| ♣ | A K 10 6 4 | ||
| You | |||
| ♠ | Q 7 2 | ||
| ♥ | 7 6 2 | ||
| ♦ | A Q 5 4 | ||
| ♣ | 9 8 7 | ||
You are defending against a contract of 4♥ in the West. Partner leads the ♠A, promising the King. When dummy plays low, your play to this trick will be an attitude signal. So what’s it going to be? The seven will be positive, the deuce will be negative. Many players in this situation make the basic mistake of signaling positive attitude (showing the queen). That’s OK if you want spades led again, but do you? Remember, your job at this stage is to guide partner to the proper defense:
- Unless the opponents are a half a bubble off plumb, your partner can’t have more than seven points—and you already know which seven he holds.
- You know that, given an opportunity, declarer can set up the club suit—if your partner doesn’t hold the ♣Q, guess who does.
- You need four tricks to set this contract.
- Your best chance for four tricks is two diamonds and two spades.
If you encourage spades, your partner may play the ace and another spade (thinking you are now void). If declarer started with a doubleton spade he will ruff and gain control of the hand.
A much better plan is to discourage the spade continuation. When partner switches to diamonds you will take two diamond tricks and then lead a spade to partner’s ace. If declarer has another spade you will set the contract. If declarer doesn’t, you will have done your best.
Granted, you have not told your partner which suit you would like him to switch to. If he switches to clubs I can only suggest that you enroll him in a course on defense. In situations like this it is up to him to use a little logic and/or common sense. Looking at dummy (from his point of view):
- If you have club tricks coming, you will get them no matter what he leads—dummy has so many that declarer can never pitch enough to make a difference.
- Rather than your side getting club tricks, it is much more likely that declarer will be able to set up the club suit and use it to discard some losers (like diamonds).
- Leading through strength is one thing. Volunteering to head a charge into the Valley of the Shadow of Death is something else entirely.
- Since you did not encourage in spades, you must have an alternate plan—after all, you are a trustworthy partner . . . aren’t you?
[VIEW ATTITUDE SIGNALS PART 3]
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