To continue our discussion of defensive signals, I would like to present to you the BIG PICTURE of signals.  There are three signals: Attitude, Count and Suit Preference.  These signals are given in order of priority: ACS.  In general, when partner leads a suit, your signal is Attitude.  When Declarer leads a suit, your signal is Count.  Having said that, when you are trying to figure out which signal partner thinks he is sending to you, ask yourself, “Is Attitude known?”  If no, then partner’s signal is attitude.  If yes, then partner’s signal is either count or suit preference.  BTW:  Bidding the suit does not mean you like the suit on defense!  An example of when Attitude is known is when declarer leads the suit.  It is assumed that declarer “likes” the suit since he is leading the suit.  We don’t need to play a card to say, “really, partner, I don’t like the suit that declarer is leading!”

There are always exceptions to the Attitude signal…and we will look at those once we get through all three types of signals.

Stay tuned…