749
Suit Preference Signal
Signalling your partner is only used when you are on defence - You can only signal using the
cards you play whether following suit or discarding cards. Any other form of signal is illegal and you will be
penalised for it.
There is an important, but often overlooked, defensive area of bridge. Suit preference signals can occur
at almost anytime during the play of the hand, and sometimes even on the opening lead. We will be
dealing with Suit Preference (SP) “shift” signals in this lesson (as opposed to discard signalling systems)
2.) In your opening lead
3.) During “mid game” with yours or partners defensive leads
4.) During declarer’s trump suit play.
b.) Discourage the lead if a shift to a side suit appears to be urgent
c.) A discouraging signal does not indicate a “suit” preference - it merely indicates a “shift” preference.
d.) The opening leader will deem partner’s card played to be an Suit Preference signal when a continuation of the lead suit will be fruitless.
2.) the lowest ranking suit, of the remaining suits, by playing the most discouraging card in the suit led. Remember that a trump suit is excluded from being a 'shift suit'.
Whereas a higher suit preference signal can be made anytime (with an unusually high card), a low suit preference is sometimes interpreted and may be easily misunderstood
There are Four Situations in which Suit Preference Signals can occur
1.) Partner’s play to the opening lead2.) In your opening lead
3.) During “mid game” with yours or partners defensive leads
4.) During declarer’s trump suit play.
Partner’s play to the opening lead
This is where a great deal of confusion often occurs. One of the partners is thinking “suit preference”, while the other one is thinking “continue” or “stop”. Even more confusing is when either situation could be right. As a rule, the first consideration should be “attitude”, conveying to partner that you either want a continuation of the suit, or you don’t.The Rules
When you've raised partners suit, with or without the Queen in their suit, and partner has led the A from AK
a.) Encourage the lead if a shift to any side suit holdings would be unhelpfulb.) Discourage the lead if a shift to a side suit appears to be urgent
c.) A discouraging signal does not indicate a “suit” preference - it merely indicates a “shift” preference.
d.) The opening leader will deem partner’s card played to be an Suit Preference signal when a continuation of the lead suit will be fruitless.
Suit Preference shifts are deemed to be a priority and request
1.) the highest ranking suit, of the remaining suits, by playing an unusually high card in the suit led,2.) the lowest ranking suit, of the remaining suits, by playing the most discouraging card in the suit led. Remember that a trump suit is excluded from being a 'shift suit'.
Whereas a higher suit preference signal can be made anytime (with an unusually high card), a low suit preference is sometimes interpreted and may be easily misunderstood
Practice This Lesson
The 60SecondBridge Game Engine Does not recognise or Initiate Suit Preference Signals so this Game is Suit Preference Signal Free
PLAY