Reverse Smith Echo

(Courtesy of Bob Crosby)

If we make an un-encouraging REVERSE SMITH Echo (high-low), then we are emphatically telling partner to switch when he gets in. Suit preference is built into this. Playing the remaining cards out of order shows the rank of the suit we want.

If we make an encouraging REVERSE SMITH Echo (low-high), then either we want partner to continue or we do not know what is right. Encouraging may just mean we do not have a suit preference for a switch and not that we like partners lead. Very important.

With Reverse Smith Echoes, opening leads are now a two step process.

Step 1 you make your 4th best lead from Axxxx.

Step 2 you see the results of your lead by watching partner's first card when declarer runs or attacks his suits. If you see a low spot card from partner, your lead was appreciated. Partner had QJx when he played the jack at trick one and declarer is not false carding. You must train yourself that 2 steps are involved with opening leads and partner must help you out. You do not give count when declarer initially attacks or runs his suit. These cards are for Smith Echoes.

You make a lead against 3NT and declarer wins the trick and immediately attacks his long suit in which you have the Ace. There are many entries to the board or declarer's hand so there is no technical reason to hold up. Or is there? Playing Smith Echoes (reverse) you must hold up to the 2nd round to see what cards partner has played. He is giving you information on whether he liked your lead or not. Before Smith Echoes, a common technique was to hold up until partner shows out so he can signal you by discarding. With Smith Echoes you know if he likes your lead by the 2nd round of declarers suit. If he plays the deuce or 3 of declarer's suit, you know he likes your lead by the first round! This prevents declarer stealing his contract if he has enough tricks due to you ducking until the 3rd round.

In a 3NT contract, declarer always seems to lead or attack his suit after winning your lead. Do not forget your obligation with a Smith Echo. It is very handy. Also do not forget that you can Smith Echo on your behalf (your lead). If you struck out with your opening lead, inform partner of that fact with a Smith Echo. You hold xxxxx x AQJ10 97x and lead your 4th best spade against 3NT. Declarer wins the spade and you realize there is no future in spades. Do not forget that a discouraging Smith Echo is an automatic suit preference. Declarer starts running his clubs so you play your club 9. This is a signal to partner that you do not like your own lead. You now play the 2 of clubs and when he plays another club you play your 7. Why are you playing your clubs in that order? This is the suit preference element of Smith Echoes. You are telling partner that you have diamonds the lower ranking of the two unplayed suits. The 9 of clubs followed by the 7 is asking for a heart switch.

What if your lead hits declarer's suit? Of course suit preference comes into play immediately. An encouraging signal low just means partner has no suit preference. A high card means that a suit preference is coming with the next card. Suit preference and discouraging Smith Echoes go hand in hand. You have 973 of the suit. The 9 first means that a suit preference is coming. 7 next means the higher ranking suit and the deuce the lower ranking suit.

Stan Cabay came up with another example of a reverse Smith Echo signal in defending 3NT. His hand was:

Q10 Jxxxx Qx AQ9x and he lead 4th best heart. The dummy hit with xxx Kx J1098xxx x and Lisa held xxx xxxx A J1087x

Stan leads 4th best heart and declarer wins the heart king and plays the heart queen under it. Declarer leads a diamond and Lisa wins the diamond Ace and Stan throws the queen under it. Do they have a 7-4 diamond fit or is Stan applying a Smith Echo signal? The diamond queen should mean one thing at that is the diamonds are ready to roll. Counting tricks this means 6 diamonds for declarer, 2 hearts and just one spade would bring the contract home. The diamond queen if interpreted as a reverse Smith Echo should mean that a desperate switch is required to beat the contract. Accordingly the club jack is played and +200 instead of -690!

Smith Echoes are legalized cheating! They need practice to get the hang of it though and of course partner must be awake enough to watch the spot cards. Stan Cabay says he does not know how he ever defended correctly before Smith Echoes!