Suit Preference Signal

A defensive play designed to tell partner which suit you would prefer him to lead at the next opportunity.   The best know type is when giving a ruff:

                    KJ54

                    Q

                    QJT543

                    76

T72                                  6

AJ765                             KT32

6                                      A92

J843                                QT952

                  AQ983

                  984

                  K87

                  AK

Against South's 4 contract West leads the 6.  East wins the Ace and returns the 9 as a suit preference for the higher of the other 2 suits, in this case hearts.  West ruffs and, trusting his partner, under leads his Ace to East's King, and receives another diamond ruff.

Suit preference signals might be quite subtle as well.  Holding:

                   432

and following suit, one could play these in the order 2-4-3  or 3-4-2 to show a preference for a higher suit and give count.

Generally speaking, when a high card is played on defense that makes no sense to be Encouraging Signal or Count Signal, then it should be taken to be a suit preference signal.

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005