A classic example of the Smith Echo looks something like this:
Dummy | ||||
T876 | ||||
53 | ||||
West | AK74 | East | ||
95 | QJ7 | QJ432 | ||
AT872 | QJ4 | |||
QT2 | Declarer | 963 | ||
K63 | AK | 42 | ||
K96 | ||||
J85 | ||||
AT985 |
South arrives in 3NT and West leads the
South now leads a diamond to dummy's
Compare this to the following layout in which the hands are changed ever so slightly:
Dummy | ||||
T876 | ||||
53 | ||||
West | AK74 | East | ||
95 | QJ7 | KQ432 | ||
AT872 | J94 | |||
QT2 | Declarer | 963 | ||
K63 | AJ | 42 | ||
KQ6 | ||||
J85 | ||||
AT985 |
Again West leads the
South now leads a diamond to dummy's
Some players choose to invert the meanings of the high and low cards so that a high card is discouraging, while a low card is encouraging.
The Smith Echo is recommended for experienced partnerships only. When playing Smith, a defender sometimes lacks the correct spot card to signal properly. This may cause a hesitation that gets declarer calling for the director.
At other times, a count signal is more useful instead of a Smith Echo. Partnerships should discuss these situations in advance.
The Smith Echo was created by British player I.G. Smith.
2024 © Jeff Tang. All Rights Reserved.