Friday, December 22, 2006 1:26 AM

Obvious Switch Principle

PITBULLS:

I believe we should think out our attitude signals a little more carefully. Gone are the days when attitude just meant I like your lead or do not like your lead. This concept is too simple minded for expert players. An encouraging signal should mean more than I like your lead , it should also mean I can not stand the obvious switch. A negative attitude signal should demand a switch to the obvious suit.

Gartaganis signals when applicable are better than the obvious switch principle as the card tells you what switch to make. In cases where Gartaganis signals do not apply , the obvious switch principle should apply. The opponents were in 5♣X tonight after we bid our vul 4♥ game. The board was ♠xx ♥xx ♦AJxxx ♣Jxxx and I led the ace of spades. Partner has the heart Ace which is the obvious switch looking at this board. Even if he had good spades , he should discourage in spades as he wants the obvious switch. You can also argue since partner bid spades , Gartaganis signals come into play. Middle will encourage and high & low suit preference.

When you have two signal schemes like the “obvious switch principle” & Gartaganis signals which should have priority ? I feel the obvious switch principle should have priority. A discouraging signals says switch partner and that is a command. I held AKJ of spades and if I switch to a diamond , we lose a heart trick as declarer had Qxxx of spades and my spades ruff out. If I take partners low card meaning to switch to diamonds , we lose a trick. If I continue spades , we lose a trick. The obvious switch principle should be built into your attitude signals it is as simple as that. You want a heart switch so discourage in spades.

In a previous article , we went on at length how to define an “obvious switch” . In this case , it was simple. A discouraging spade should say lets grab our two heart tricks. If you can not stand a heart switch , have partner continue spades. Very simple.