October 2012 - 41

Dear Jerry,
My new partner insists we play
odd/even discards. I am not sure
what they are, but do you recommend them?
Willing but unable?
Dear WBU,
Odd-Even Signals and Discards
from the Official Encyclopedia of
Bridge: "A signaling method that assigns different meanings to odd- and
even-numbered spot cards. An oddcard discard or signal encourages
in that suit; an even-card discard or
signal discourages and often doubles
as a suit preference signal."
In simpler terms, if your first discard is a 3, 5, 7 or 9, you are making a
positive signal about strength in that
suit, with the size of this card being irrelevant. If your first discard is a 2, 4,
6, 8 or 10, you are making a discouraging signal about strength in that suit.
The size of an even-numbered discard
becomes suit preference. With spades
as trump, if your first discard is a low,
even-numbered heart, you are showing interest in the lower ranking of
the other two suits, i.e., clubs. If you
discard a high even-numbered heart,
you are showing interest in the higher
of the two suits, diamonds.
As with most issues, there are good
things and there are bad things, and
occasionally there are ethical considerations.
The good: When you have a clear
preference to express to your partner,
and your spot cards are appropriate,
it is easy to send an unmistakable sig-

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nal. This is especially useful playing
with a less experienced partner. You
can direct their defense with the appropriate discard, and when they tell
you what they think, you can factor
in all the relevant information and try
to do what is right rather than robotically following their directive.
The bad: Your first discard, playing odd/even means something. What
happens when you have no preference to express? Remember, if you
discard any odd card, you like that
suit; if you discard any even card,
you dislike that suit, but you are
providing suit preference. Yes, I have
heard people say that the 6 becomes
a neutral signal. Unfortunately, there
are only four of those in the deck,
and sometimes you don't have one.
In addition, what happens when you
are dealt inappropriate spots for your
signal system? For example, spades
are trump, and on the third spade, you
must choose a discard, holding:
 - A K 8 4 2

7 5 3

7 5 3.

Either minor-suit discard shows
encouragement, and a heart discard
shows discouragement with preference toward one of your 7-5-3 holdings. In standard, you have an easy
discard of the 8; playing upsidedown, you have an equally easy
discard of the 2.
Another example: Hearts are trump,
and on the third round, it's time to

Jerry Helms
www.jerryhelms.com

choose a discard:
8 5 3  - K 5 4 2 K 5 4 2
With absolutely zero preference between clubs and diamonds, what discard do you make? In standard, you
could simply discourage in spades by
discarding 3. Playing upside-down
signals, discourage in spades with
8. Perhaps partner could work out
you don't like spades and have no
clear preference between the minor
suits.
Ethical considerations: A fast odd
discard is clearly encouraging, but
how do you read a slow, thoughtful,
odd discard? Even the most ethical
players would have difficulty choosing the appropriate card to play from
the two examples immediately above.
When you make the slow odd discard,
is your partner supposed to ignore
the implications of your agreements
based on the pace of your play? I
think not. Actually, I know not. Experienced partnerships can overcome
this obstacle more easily than less
experienced players or partnerships.
Bottom line: I don't recommend
odd/even discards.
r
October 2012 Bridge Bulletin

http://www.jerryhelms.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2012