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Lavinthal discards are used at a defender's first opportunity to make a discard. A high spot card is suit-preference for the higher of the two remaining suits, whereas a low spot card is suit-preference for the lower-ranking suit.

For example, imagine that declarer is playing on diamonds and you must make a discard for the first time:

  • A club discard discourages clubs. There are two "remaining" suits: spades and hearts. Therefore, a high club is suit-preference for spades (the higher of the two remaining suits), while a low club is suit-preference for hearts.

  • A heart discard discourages hearts. A high heart is suit-preference for spades, while a low heart is suit-preference for clubs.

  • A spade discard discourages spades. A high spade is suit-preference for hearts, while a low spade is suit-preference for clubs.

Lavinthal discards are very similar to Revolving Discards. The difference lies in which suits are encouraged by a high or low discard.

Playing Lavinthal, for example, a low club discard is suit-preference for the lowest of the two remaining suits. Playing revolving discards, a low club is normally suit-preference for spades, the next "lower" suit - hence the "revolving" nature of the signals.

See also

  • Odd-Even Discards
    A conventional method of discarding odd and even spot cards to show attitude and suit preference.

  • Revolving Discards
    A conventional method of discarding to show suit preference.