DEFENSIVE LEADS
AND SIGNALS
SSS by Danny Kleinman

SAYC. High encourages, low discourages when signaling. From sequences not headed by the ace, the highest honor must be led. Otherwise partners must make agreements concerning:
(1) Frequent count signals?
(2) Lead ace or king from AKx?
(3) Lead from three, four or five small?
(4) Fourth-highest leads, or something else?
(5) Top of internal sequence, or third-highest?

SSS. High encourages or shows even number of cards, low discourages or shows odd number of cards when signaling. Priorities in signaling:
(1) Preserve potential tricks and stoppers.
(2) Show attitude.
(3) Show holding in the suit (of which count is only part).
(4) Give suit preference when partner needs to know the location of your entry for cashing tricks or giving ruffs, or if signals are clearly unnecessary for any other purpose. Opening leads (and shifts): King from AKx(xx); ace from AK doubleton. Queen from AKQ(xx). Otherwise, highest honor from sequence or internal sequence. Fourth-highest from four or more in a suit you'd like partner to return (usually because you have one or more honors in it). Highest spot-card you can spare in a suit you wouldn't like partner to return.