Now that we have examined a discouraging false-card signal, we can analyze another useful technique that is utilized for encouraging the opposition to continue a suit. The principle behind encouraging false-signals is quite simple since we have already explored the general concept of high-low deceptive plays.

This time, instead of making a long suit appear to be a doubleton holding by playing high-low, we will create a false image of a long holding by playing from low-to-high. Such ploys are used quite often in the similar game of Bridge, however they are not as successful as they are in Spades since the players can often deduce the correct distribution through observing the dummy and applying a principle known as the "Rule of 11". The blind partnership aspect of Spades allows a player to employ many false signals successfully.

The purpose of deceiving an opponent into thinking you have length in a suit is to induce them to continue that suit. For instance, consider the following hand:

North A K J 4 3 8 5 4 10 Q J 7 6 West 9 7 6 10 3 8 5 2 A K 10 5 3 East 10 5 A K J 9 2 Q 9 7 6 10 4 South Q 8 2 Q 7 6 A K J 4 3 9 2 The bidding: West North East South 2 4 2 3 West led the K

The bidding was fairly normal, and the battle was on. West decided to lead the seemingly obvious king of clubs while North followed low and East immediately laid down the 10. West's immediate reaction was that his partner wanted a continuation – which in fact he did! South, also wanting a continuation from West considered the best way to induce West to continue clubs.

South knew that West held the ace of clubs and figured that sending a deceptive club signal to his partner wouldn't do any harm. Thus, South laid down the deuce of clubs and West continued with two more rounds thinking that South held at least three clubs. When East was overtrumped by South on the third round, South immediately led spades allowing North to run the necessary three rounds. On North's diamond lead, South finessed the jack and allowed North two heart discards which kept East-West to three tricks – the AK and the K.

If South hadn't tried to deceive West, West would have likely switched to hearts, which would have enabled East to fulfill their contract.

Caveat

Now that we have covered two basic types of falsecards, I should warn the reader that such techniques are not to be employed very often. Just as mechanical plays will telegraph your punches and parries, a player that continuously false-cards becomes very easy to read for the opposition and a pain in the %$# for his partner. The proper balance is to keep the opposition off-guard while at the same time not inflicting harm on your partnership by making needless deceptive plays. This requires some spontaneity and imagination. Notice that in the above example, South knew that West held the club controls. If instead, North held the top clubs, South's deceptive play would have likely prevented a positive outcome on the hand and also inflicted long term damage to his partnership. Indeed, South would have been torn apart in the post mortem.

-- Dustin Stout