Smith signal
The Smith signal (also known as Smith echo or Smith Peter) is an attitude carding signal[1] in contract bridge showing additional values (or lack thereof) in the first suit led by the defence, while the signal itself is given in the first suit played by declarer.
Example
| ♠ 7 3 | ||
| ♠ A 10 9 5 4 | W N↑ S↓ E | ♠ Q J 2 |
| ♠ K 8 6 |
Against a 3NT contract, West leads the spade five to East's jack and declarer's king. Declarer then attacks diamonds to establish the suit and West wins the ace on the second round. Playing the Smith Peter signal, East plays high-low[2] to show the queen of spades; if East had not held the queen, he would have played low-high in diamonds.
There are several variations, depending on partnerships agreement, as to exactly when this signal applies. It can be played either against notrump contracts only, or against all contracts. It can be used by both players, or used only by the opener, or used only by his partner. Alternatively, it can be played "upside-down" -- i.e. low-high shows values in the opening-lead suit, while high-low denies it.
Notes
- Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, eds. (2001). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (6th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 431, SMITH SIGNAL. ISBN 0-943855-44-6. OCLC 49606900.
- At trick two, declarer leads a diamond and East plays a card higher in rank than the card he subsequently plays at trick three when declarer leads a diamond a second time. Low-high has the converse meaning.