Learning Curve
GS Jade Barrett
 
The number of the spot is not what makes the signal valuable, it is what the spot represents. The order in which cards are played is the signal. Sometimes we have to wait to see what partner is saying.
 
Partner leads the club 5 against a notrump contract. Dummy puts down the T8 doubleton. Holding the K42 of clubs, and utilizing the rule of eleven you are able to determine that Partner has lead 4th best, but just how many clubs did partner start with? Declarer captures your King with the Ace and loses a trick to your partner. The 3 of clubs is placed on the table and you now know that Partner began the defense with 5 clubs. Now how does Partner know how many clubs you have? When playing standard carding, you can now signal hi-low to indicate how many clubs you still have. This is called "current count". This allows partner a very good chance to determine the number of clubs between you and the Declarer.
 
You are defending another 3N contract (they seem to be getting all the cards this week), and this time you hold A65 of hearts behind Dummy's KQJT3. Declarer leads the 4 and partner follows with the 2. You may now ascertain that the Declarer started with only 2 hearts.
 
If Partner played the 7 the first time, you now have to wait and see what Partner's second heart is. Only then will you know if it is right to win the Ace on the second or the third round. If Partner's second heart is smaller than the 7, Partner has an even number of hearts (Hi-Low equals even). If Partner's second heart is larger than the 7, Partner has an odd number (Low-Hi equals odd).
 
Watching for Partner's cards is the first step. Remember, you cannot read what you did not see.