K from 
KQ you hold 
JT9x play the 
JEncouraging Signals
The defensive play of a card designed to encourage partner to lead or continue a suit. Normally a high card in a suit is an encouraging card, unless playing UDCA (Upside Down Count & Attitude), in which case a low card is an encouraging signal.
To encourage we play the highest card we can afford in the suit. For example:
Partner leads K from KQ you hold JT9x play the J
The play of an honor here promises the honors below the one played and denies the one above it. So in this case it promises the 
10 and denies the 
Queen. When playing 2nd hand however, we play the lower of touching honors. For example:
Dummy leads the 
2 and you hold 
QJTx play the 
10. It denies
possession of the 
9 and may show the 
J .
If all that seems confusing think of it this way:
The play of an honor card lower than one already played to the trick, or as a discard, promises the honor below it.
The play of an honor card which is currently the highest one played to the trick promises the honor above it.
Lower shows lower, higher shows higher - got it ?
Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005