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Odd – Even Roman Discard System

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Odd Even Discards often known as Roman Discards are a signal to your partner about attitude towards a particular suit and suit preferences you may have.


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When To Use Roman Discards

A discard system is a system where any card that you follow suit with which will not win the trick is known as a discard.

The method or order in which you discard these cards signals to your partner what you like or dislike in a suit (attitude)
This value of the card, whether it is an odd or even card either encourages or discourages that suit.

Examples

Odd Numbered Discard Cards

A card which is an odd number  for example 9, 7, 5, 3 is a signal that you wish partner to lead that suit if they have the opportunity, it is an encouraging signal.

Even Numbered Discard Cards

If you discard a high card  (usually 6 or greater for a high card) when following suit  and this card also has an even number – this asks partner not to lead this suit so it is a discouraging signal for the suit which is being played at the moment. This discard is also asking for partner to lead the higher side suit of the unplayed suits if partner gets the lead at any point.
Discarding a low card is a signal intended to discourage the suit being led at that moment and in addition asks partner if they get a chance to lead could they lead the lower ranked side suit if they have a chance to lead.

Example: The opposition are leading a heart suit; on the first discard, your partner discards to show suit preference:

Partners DiscardEncouraging
Discouraging
Suit
Preference
5SEncouraging SpadesDiamonds
3DEncouraging DiamondsDiamonds
7CEncouraging ClubsClubs
4DDiscouraging Diamonds Clubs
8SDiscouraging Spades Clubs
2CDiscouraging Clubs Spades
2HDiscouraging HeartsDiamonds
8HDiscouraging HeartsSpades
Any card which is a 6No suit PreferenceCannot say
Any Card which is an honor cardCannot SayNo Preference
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