"The Bridge Technique Series: Defensive Signaling" by David Bird, Marc Smith

This book covers standard signaling methods on defense: attitude, count, suit preference, trump suit signals and Smith Echo. It also recommends adoption of a system of honor-card leads that allows a defender to ask his partner specifically to signal either attitude or count, depending on what the opening leader feels will provide more important information.


Short and full of practical examples, each book takes the reader through the most important aspects of card-play technique at bridge. Where appropriate, play is examined from the point of view both of declarer and defenders. Full of quizzes and chapter reviews, these award-winning books will also reinforce the bridge concepts you learn. At this price, what bridge player could stand not to have all twelve?

Intended for intermediate players, these books will eventually form a twelve-book series that takes the reader through the most important aspects of card-play technique at bridge. Each book is short and full of practical examples, and end-of-chapter quizzes reinforce the concepts. The series will appeal to beginners who are anxious to improve in stages, and to more experienced players who want to improve their knowledge of a specific aspect of card play.

CONTENTS
Introduction
The attitude signal
The count signal
Which method is better?
Chapter 1 Attitude Signals
How do you know when to encourage?
Which spot cards count as a high signal?
The limitations of attitude signals
Chapter 2 Count Signals
Signaling count when declarer leads a suit
Do not save declarer a guess
Signaling count when our side lead a suit
Does partner hold four cards or two?
Signaling from an honor sequence
Signaling count when returning partner’s suit
The limitations of count signals
Chapter 3 Combining Count and Attitude Signals
Asking for count when leading a long suit
Asking for attitude when leading a short suit
Leading from A-K-x-x
Signaling attitude on an ace
Unblocking after a king lead at notrump
Signaling count when you attitude is obvious
Chapter 4 Suit-Preference Signals
Suit-preference signals when following suit
Suit-preference signals at Trick 1
Chapter 5 Discarding
The limitations of attitude discards
The limitations of suit-preference discards
Throw losers, keep winners
Chapter 6 Other Types of Signal
Signals in the trump suit
The Smith Echo