Smith Echo
Steve Robinson, in his excellent Washington Standard, says that if readers of his book learn only two conventions
it will be worth the price of the book. Which conventions - Jacoby 2NT? RKC Blackwood? Reverse Drury? --- Wrong,
wrong, wrong. The 2 conventions are Support Doubles and the Smith Echo. Most, probably all, of you play support
doubles. I'll bet none of you play the Smith Echo.
The Smith Echo is used against NoTrump contracts to determine whether the suit led by the opening leader should
be continued when the defenders get the lead back. The signal is used by either defender, and it is given by the
discard on the first suit led by declarer (Count can be given later). A high discard says to continue the opening
leader's suit and a low discard says that continuing the suit is dangerous. The signal by third hand usually indicates
whether he has any remaining strength in opener's suit, and by the opening leader to indicate whether or not he
wants the suit continued. Obviously, it is critically important (and perhaps difficult) to make that determination
- but who says that defense is easy?
For a clear treatment of this convention, read Root's discussion in "How to Defend a Bridge Hand". For
a more expert treatment, read Robinson's discussion in "Washington Standard". The example hands in both
books show why this convention is necessary.
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