Attitude signals are used by a defender to show interest in a suit. When partner leads a suit, the third hand play of a high card is encouraging, whereas a low card is discouraging. For example, if partner leads an ace and you hold KQ932, then the 9 is the proper encouraging signal. Conversely, if your holding is 742, then you’d discourage with the 2.
Not all standard forms of attitude signal are authorised
This is the standard method of attitude signals.
Now here’s the “upside down” method: a high card is discouraging, and a low card is encouraging.
What’s the point? Well, a big reason for upside-down attitude signals is to preserve a valuable high card.
If we revisit the first example of KQ932:
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Dummy JT84 |
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West A65 |
East KQ932 |
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Declarer 7 |
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West leads the ace, dummy plays low, and East squanders the 9. Suddenly dummy has a potential 4th round winner in the suit.
There’s another reason that I like upside-down attitude. My belief is that encouragement is more important than discouragement – not just in bridge, but in communication in general. If you asked my 5-year-old niece what she wants for dinner, which response would you rather hear?
Answer #1: “I don’t want chicken, but I don’t necessarily not want pizza.”
Answer #2: “I want pizza.”
Which response just cost you a couple extra gray cells to process? This is a lot like attitude signals in bridge. Answer #1 is like discouraging spades and hoping partner figures out a heart switch. Answer #2 is akin to simply encouraging partner in hearts.
If you’re willing entertain this philosophy, then a follow-up question is: Do high or low cards make better signals?
The wiley thumbs down is the new thumbs up!
So, to summarize my two cents:
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1. Encouraging signals are easier for partner to understand than discouraging signals.
2. Low cards are easier for partner to recognize than high cards.
The natural combination of these ideas, then, is upside-down attitude signals. Use the clearest available cards (low ones) for the most important kind of signalling (encouragement). Make defense as easy as possible for the big galoot across the table. He needs all the help he can get.
This post has been written by Jeff Tang of Bridgebum.com. He once appeared as ‘East’ in an ACBL bulletin deal. You can read more on his website about upside-down count and attitude.
I read Jeff’s “Reverse Attitude” article last week and played it twice since the reading. I’m impressed with how smoothly and easily it works. Highly recommend everyone give it a try. Low cards rule as attitude signals on defense.
I’ve wanted to try this for a while – primarly for the fact that you don’t waste a high card for encouragement. Jeff’s argument that a low card, such as a 2, can not be mistaken for anything else is quite good; though with a holding like KQ987 I think I’d be going the “I don’t like chicken” route, and hoping that partner can get the switch right.
@Mark, though I can guess what false carding means, I’m not really familiar with it. Could you provide an example please? Thanks
Using standard attitude playing high then low to your partner’s lead indicates that you want a third round led. Using upside down, does this signal become low-high?
Dave
er……why would you be leading the Ace from that holding? Silly lead at either no trumps or suit contract.
If you are leading it because partner bid the suit, then you might know it is a reasonable continuation.
My view of reverse attitude is that it is great. However, no-one I know plays it and after so many years of normal attitude, I would forget what I was playing.
To be fair Joe, when Jeff Tang wrote this he was not covering leads, but in his defence I would say the following:
I stand by a little ‘golden rule’ of mine which is ‘no matter how daft partner’s play may appear, always look for a reason why they might have done what they have done’… Always assume they know what they are doing.
With regard to this example,
1. I might lead the ace in a slam contract – Partner might want to encourage holding a king.
2. Alternatively, if I suspect opponent shortage in this suit, it may be the only opportunity to take the trick – Partner may encourage if dummy shows a doubleton rather than my suspected singleton.
3. It may be the best lead from a very difficult choice of leads…
@Joe: Your partner opens 1H and you’re eventually on lead with Qxx Axx Qxx Qxxx. I would lead the HA all day.