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A count signal indicates the number of cards that a defender holds in a given suit. Playing high-low in a suit indicates an even number of cards in that suit, while playing low-high indicates an odd number. Count signals may be used when either partner or declarer leads the suit.

Of the three types of defensive signals, count signals have the second-highest priority:

  1. Attitude
  2. Count
  3. Suit-preference

By default, a signal is for attitude unless it's clear that a count signal (or suit-preference signal) is necessary.


Example: Following Declarer's Lead

Count signals are most commonly used when declarer leads a suit and it's important for the defenders to show count.

For example, suppose partner leads the Q against South's 3NT contract:

Dummy
85
J43
963You
KQJT9AJ92
8752
872
84


You follow suit with the 2 (discouraging) and declarer wins the A. Declarer now leads a club to dummy's K. You should play high-low in clubs to indicate an even number of clubs. This is not an attitude situation because of dummy's obvious club strength. If partner has the A, it's important to help him determine when to take it.

The full deal:

Dummy
85
J43
Partner963You
QT4KQJT9AJ92
QT68752
QJT5Declarer872
A76SK76384
HAK9
DAK4
C532


When declarer leads to dummy's K, you play the 8. When declarer continues with dummy's Q, you complete your signal by playing the 4. Partner knows that you must have started with a club doubleton, so he holds up his A for a second time. Declarer only gets two club tricks, and is fated to go down.

If instead partner won his A at trick two, declarer could later lead his third club to dummy and collect four club tricks in total. The high-low signal in clubs makes all the difference.


Example: Following Partner's Lead at No-Trumps

Count signals should also be used by third hand when the following conditions are present:

  • Partner makes an opening lead against a no-trump contract
  • Dummy covers partner's lead with a higher card
  • Third hand does not have a higher card than dummy

Against South's no-trumps contract, partner leads the 7:

Dummy
AK876
Q43
93You
A32JT9
J652
8762
64


When declarer plays dummy's Q you should follow suit with the 6. This can't be an encouraging attitude signal since you'd cover the Q with an honor if you had one. Partner should read you for an even number of hearts.

See also

  • Attitude Signals
    Signals used to encourage or discourage the lead of a suit.

  • Bechgaard Signals
    A delayed count signal that's used on defense.

  • Foster Echo
    A conventional count signal used by third hand against no-trump contracts.

  • Present Count
    A type of discard that's used as a count signal.

  • Suit-Preference Signals
    Signals used to suggest the lead of another specific suit.

  • Trump Echo
    Playing high-low or low-high in the trump suit to show an even or odd number of trumps, respectively.

  • Vinje signals
    A high-low signal in the trump suit to describe one's hand pattern.