[straube]

After the auction 1C-1H, 2H-3N partner leads the D6

..........Dummy
..........983
..........K86
..........KJ
..........AQT93
........................Q64
........................Q953
........................82
........................J876

Declarer plays the DK. Do you...

encourage? "I don't want partner to switch to anything when he gets in"
discourage? "I don't have the queen and don't want partner to underlead his ace"

[helene_t]

Discourage. The most likely switch is spades and I am happy with that.

[straube]

helene_t, on 2016-January-29, 09:57, said:

Discourage. The most likely switch is spades and I am happy with that.

Does your signal show attitude about the suit lead (i.e. possession of the Q in this instance) or does it convey whether you desire a switch?

[helene_t]

straube, on 2016-January-29, 10:03, said:

Does your signal show attitude about the suit lead (i.e. possession of the Q in this instance) or does it convey whether you desire a switch?

In my opinion it primarily says that I don't have much in diamonds. I might encourage with a weak suit if I thought that it split badly for them and that the contract would go down on passive defense, but in general I don't see attitude signals as a command to partner. I just tell him if I have or do not have something in diamonds, and he can then use his judgment.

[PhantomSac]

Discourage

[neilkaz]

I have no help in ♦ so I discourage and hope PD can then get it right.

[gszes]

Discourage

Most opening leads are a probabilistic stab in the dark. Discouraging diamonds allows p to far more accurately assess where the best chance for success lies. P will be counting hcp in declarer's hand and trying to figure out where your (much more limited) HCP are. Accurately placing the dia Q (if p is not already looking at it) will help p create a clearer picture on what to do next.

[Phil]

Discourage with the 8, but if the J was played, I'd play the 2 to show an even #.

[foobar]

Phil, on 2016-January-30, 11:52, said:

Discourage with the 8, but if the J was played, I'd play the 2 to show an even #.

Sorry if this doesn't belong to this forum.

Can you please elaborate on the full agreements? My guess is that if third hand can't beat dummy (or deliberately ducks), give attitude if dummy plays Q or higher, or count on J or lower from dummy, right? In the event of a deliberate duck on the play of a small card, does the subsequent Smith echo clarify the attitude towards the opening lead, or does count specifically apply to the J winning scenario?

[Phil]

Some play if dummy wins Q or higher and some play J. The most critical case seems like:

Qx
KTxxx. J9x
Axx