Friday, May 14, 2004 1:51
AM
Hand Evaluation - Signals ( Pseudo Squeezes )
PITBULLS:
The art of signaling . It is called an art because there are
no hard and fast rules.
Signaling is very much a “depending on
context” tool. Partner must read between the
lines with both partners being aware of the situation. This is
because signals can vary from attitude
to count to suit
preference depending on the contract level, type of contract , trumps
involved or a myriad of other factors. The meaning of the word attitude changes
depending on the level of the contract.
In a partial or game , attitude means that you should
continue your suit or make an obvious switch.
In a game , there can be some suit preferences built
in when there is a “known count “ situation. In 6NT or slams generally
, there is only one meaning for attitude. This is the suit I am going to
protect for pseudo squeeze
situations.
The best players have an
understanding that when partner
leads a suit , attitude
takes precedence in partials & games. The 2nd round it is presentl count
and even third round the signal could be suit preference. If declarer leads any suit count is given first ,
suit preference second round as attitude is meaningless. However
, even these understanding vary depending on context. Here is an example . The contract is 1NT , I
lead the spade queen and small from the board is played. We play upside down
count and attitude . Partner plays the deuce saying he
likes my lead ( count when playing Smith Echos ) . I get in again ,
continue spades all well and good. I lead the spade queen against 3NT , partner plays the deuce . I get in again so continue
spades. We beat 3NT. In 6 NT , I lead the queen of
spades and partner plays the deuce. This does not mean he likes the suit that
is ridiculous - he is
giving count. Why ? because
6NT is quite often a matter of defending against squeezes real and imaginary.
It is far more important to give count then attitude when partner leads a suit
at that rarified atmosphere. I lead the spade
queen once in a 6NT
contract , partner gave me attitude saying he did not like spades. I got the
wrong count of the hand so declarer made it as I discarded wrong. I get an
entire count of the hand , if partner just gave me the
correct count
in spades at trick one . Only a 17 IMP swing.
In a game contract, when it is obvious that the declarer
is rectifying the count for a squeeze ,
a discard changes its meaning. Instead of attitude ( whether odd /even or a
different method ) saying switch to this suit
its saying this is the suit I am guarding , you better take care of the other one. The
opponents were in 4♠ tonight so declarer setup a threat in diamonds on
the board . This meant I had to hold on to my 4th
diamond. There was AKx of clubs on the board and I
held Jxxxx. I had to know whether I need needed to
protect clubs or not . This could be done by a count situation . I knew how many diamonds declarer had as he ruffed the 3rd round. I knew he had 6 trump so he is 6-2 and a count would fill in the blanks.
However, it is
sometimes too difficult to discard showing count. You might waste a high spot
needed to keep the suit intact. It is easier to show by discarding thereby
signaling that this is the suit I am guarding ( attitude ) so you better hold on the other. Partner plays
an odd heart so I know I must
keep 3 clubs . No pseudo squeeze & if there is a
real squeeze then your partners better play it just as well. Squeeze defense is attitude rather than count when it comes
to discards.
In a 6 NT contract
, showing count by discarding is too difficult. Attitude again has one meaning &
message in a slam . This is the suit I am guarding in
squeeze situations. If
you can get away with it , count applies second round of the original suit lead. A high card shows a presentl
odd number and a low card a present even number. If declarer leads a
suit in 6NT or many other contracts , the first signal
is count and the second round is suit
preference saying that is the suit I am going to guard. No not get carried away
with odd/even discards in slam contracts. A high odd card discard could be just
giving count . Again “depending on
context”.
There are other tricks of the trade with reverse Smith echos. Declarer in 6NT
is running a solid suit where count needs not
to be shown . Count will be shown when you show out ! The order in which you follow suit shows
the suit you going to keep in a pseudo
squeeze situation. Following with the middle one first means you
have nothing to say . Following with a high one first
with an eventual low
card ( 3rd round ) means that
I am keeping the lower ranking of the two suits. High then low followed by
middle says I am guarding the higher ranking of the two remaining suits.
Reverse Smith echos were designed to say I like you
lead partner. However , in a slam the meaning changes.
All that is important in 6NT contracts in particular is not giving the declarer the contract on a
pseudo squeeze. Telling partner by the order of following suit is a handy way of avoiding pseudo squeezes. Fatal discards just hand contracts
to declarer quite often.
Watch for 2Nd round
signals, when declarer plays a suit you lead . Partner
will attempt to show you presentl count in a game contract. This could get you
off a pseudo squeeze. Following suit in slams is always count and discards are
mainly attitude meaning that that’s the suit I am keeping for squeeze
situations. However when it cannot be attitude , it is count. Defending slams
takes skill.