[tkass]

---

we were silent
opps bidding: p-1sp-1nt-2cl-3nt

pard lead the he jack, i play the ace and lead the 2 of heart

what is the common expert meaning of the he 2:

we play udca

attitude : i welcome a heart return my opinion

or some kind of count: pard say residual count for he showing 1 or 3 hearts remaining

[whereagles]

Depends on which book you red

One of the most common meanings is that the 2 is the card that was originally 4th best. As in "win + return original 4th best".

[pclayton]

Its original 4th best.

[EricK]

It is ususally played as count.

But shouldn't you be returning the 9 anyway?

[paulg]

I play the ♥2 is original 4th best. This means that North should realise that South has either 2 or 4 hearts. As West is unlikely to have 5 hearts on this auction I think the situation is relatively clear.

Paul

[temp3600]

I think it is standard to play this as residual count, when there are no concerns about unblocking. Note that original 4th best matches residual count when third hand started with four or five cards.

Also, i don't think udca or standard considerations apply when leading to a trick. I would return the 2 playing either.

[mcphee]

Remainder count card is generally the universal understanding in this position. As stated, the 2 means you have either 2H to start or 4. It is evident you began with 4, although perhaps not 100% a sure thing.

Perhaps your partner should have led 4th best to start, although you have not included the other spot cards.

[Winstonm]

I have a couple of simple rules to handle this situation:

1) if I am returning my partner's suit, I play the card that I would lead from my current holding. In other words, after the ace has been played, what would I lead to give count from 932 and my answer is the 2.

2) if discarding later from this suit, I give count according to our agreements - UDCA I would discard the 9 to show 3 left.

[bid_em_up]

EricK, on Jul 1 2006, 02:14 AM, said:

It is ususally played as count.

But shouldn't you be returning the 9 anyway?

Yes.