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In bridge, a Cooper echo is a facetious high-low play by declarer to tell partner that the contract will succeed. Once declarer ascertains that the contract makes, he plays high-low in one of dummy's suits.

The purpose of the Cooper echo is merely to provide dummy some relief about the fate of the contract.

Example:

Dummy
AK5
743
953
AT64

Declarer
842
HA65
DAKQJT
C95


West leads the H2 (fourth-best) against 3NT. Declarer can count 9 top tricks, so he plays the H7 or H4 from dummy. This immediately assures partner that the contract will make.

Note that the Cooper echo is off if declarer needs to unblock the suit, as with an honor doubleton.


Origins

The Cooper echo was invented by Peter Cooper of Vancouver, B.C.

See also