UDCA – Upside-Down Count and Attitude

This designation applies to a carding and/or discarding method, which communicates certain information to a bridge partner. The origin is unknown, but this particular method has gained popularity with the bridge community. The name of this carding method is also referred to sometimes as Reverse Signals, although there can be minor differences according to the bridge expert. As can be presumed from the designation, a card can inform the partner of several things perhaps important to the defense and maintaining communication.

This presentation includes first the general guidelines of the more Standard method of carding. These are presented below:

Partner Leads a Suit

If partner leads a small card to a non-tabled dummy, then the normal procedure is to play third hand high. However, if after the tabling of the dummy, the partner discovers that no card is held, which can win the trick or force the declarer to play a high honor to promote a possible winner, then the partner should show attitude.

If partner leads a top honor, such as an Ace, to a non-tabled dummy, then the normal procedure for the partner is to show attitude with the first played card. This holds true also if the partner, during play, wins a trick and switches to a new suit and plays a top honor. The first card should show attitude.

1. When following to a suit, the guideline is to signal attitude with the first card.

•  a low card signals encouragement.
• When West leads the King,then
• a high card signals discouragement.

2. When following to a suit, the guideline is to signal suit preference with the second card.

Declarer Leads a Suit

1. When following to a suit, the guideline is to signal count with the first card.

2. When following to a suit, the guideline is to signal suit preference with the second card.

Discarding in an Unled Suit

When the opportunity arises to discard in a suit, the guideline is:

1. signal attitude with the first card.

• a low card signals encouragement.
• a high card signals discouragement.

2. signal present count with the second card