How to Use Count Signals on Defense

A Count Signal is a defensive card play convention used to inform partner whether you hold an Even number (2 or 4 cards) or an Odd number (3 or 5 cards) in a suit.

• **High-Low (e.g., dropping an 8 then a 3):** Shows an **EVEN** number of cards.
• **Low-High (e.g., dropping a 3 then an 8):** Shows an **ODD** number of cards.

Count Signals are played primarily when declarer or dummy leads a suit.

Why Count Signals work on defense

Defenders need to know how many cards declarer holds in key suits to determine when to hold up stoppers.

For example, if dummy holds a long suit headed by the A-K-Q-J and no outside entries, defender holding the Ace must know exactly when declarer will run out of that suit. Partner's count signal tells defender the exact moment declarer's cards are exhausted, allowing defender to hold up their Ace until declarer has no cards left.

A worked example: Giving count on declarer's suit lead

Declarer leads the ♦A from dummy.

Dummy (North):

♦ A K Q 10 4

You (East - Defensive Partner):

♦ 8 3 *(2 cards - EVEN count)*

Play of the Trick:

Declarer leads dummy's ♦A. You play the ♦8 (High card). On the next trick, declarer plays dummy's ♦K. You play the ♦3 (Low card).

*Caption:* Playing High-Low (8 then 3) signals an EVEN number of cards (2 cards). Partner sees your High-Low signal, calculates that declarer started with 3 Diamonds, and holds up their ♦J until Trick 3 to dead-end dummy's suit.

Four common mistakes

• Giving Count Signals when Attitude Signals (encouraging/discouraging partner's lead) take priority.
• Playing cards of equal rank so partner cannot tell whether you played high-low or low-high.
• Forgetting to calculate declarer's remaining suit length based on partner's count signal.
• Giving count signals automatically when doing so helps declarer more than partner.

When the rule does not apply

Do not prioritize Count Signals on partner's opening lead; Attitude Signals (showing whether you hold an honour in partner's suit) take precedence on partner's leads. Count signals apply when declarer leads a suit.

Key takeaways

• High-Low = Even number of cards (2 or 4).
• Low-High = Odd number of cards (3 or 5).
• Played primarily when declarer or dummy leads a suit.
• Helps partner calculate hold-up timing accurately.