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Signals

Attitude Signals

In suit contract, we play high for encourage.
In NT contract, we play low for encourage.

Count Signals

Normally we play high-low for even number.
But in trump, we play the reverse, low-high is for even number.

Suit Preference Signals

Discarding

In suit contract we use the direct signal: High card = encourage, and low card = discourage
In NT contract we use lavinthal: a high card is suit-preference for the higher of the two remaining suits, whereas a low card is suit-preference for the lower-ranking suit.

Smith echo

A delayed attitude signal against NT contracts. It is used after the opening lead and declarer gains the lead. When following suit to declarer's lead, a high card shows encouragement for the suit partner led, whereas a low card is discouraging. Both of the defenders can give Smith echo. Some situations when Smith echo is not available (then it's count signal):
(1) For whom has already given the attitude signal;
(2) When the lead suit apparently has no hope;
(3) When there is strong need to duck some tricks to cut off the opponents' connections.
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