Clear Signals
Baby sign language seems like a great idea. You can watch YouTube videos of babies asking for milk, food, a toy, etc, before they can speak.
Our baby likes the motions of baby sign language, but doesn't really understand the meaning. Our typical exchange goes: "Still eating?" A vigorous sideways shaking of the head. The plate is taken away and then the screaming starts until more food appears.
Mixed messages are a bad thing in bridge as well. Signals are a key part of defense, but if you aren't signalling properly, your partner will be as confused as two sleep-deprived parents.
Take this East hand:
4
765
AKJ98
9876The auction:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| Pass | 2 | Pass | 2NT |
| Pass | 4 | All Pass |
Partner leads the Q and we see dummy.
| Vul:None Dlr: S | DUMMY
| |
LEAD Q | YOU
|
On partner's lead of the Q, dummy plays the A, you play the 5, which is your lowest card to discourage (playing standard signals) and declarer plays the 2.
Dummy starts playing trumps leading the K, all following (partner with the two). Another spade and you? You could try the 6 or the 6, but why make it unclear? We should play the 9 (not the 8 thinking it looks highish). If you make it easy for partner, look at what happens:
| Vul:None Dlr: S |  K109 A43 Q103 KJ102 | |
| A532 QJ1098 76 53 | 4 765 AKJ98 9876 | |
| QJ876 K2 542 AQ4 |
Partner wins the A eventually and knows to switch to diamonds because of your very clear signal. You'll take your three diamond tricks before declarer can discard a diamond on the club suit.
Imagine we switch things up slightly:
| Vul:None Dlr: S | K109 A43 Q103 KJ102 | |
| A532 QJ1098 76 53 | 4 765 J9842 AQ64 | |
| QJ876 K2AK5 987 |
The play starts the same with a heart and two rounds of spades. Your signal must change, though. We need to find the clearest signal. The 6 is not the easiest thing for partner to interpret. It's much better to play the 2 to say "I don't want this one." Note that partner has the same exact hand and same dummy to face. In this second deal, East knows to keep playing clubs since West can't have any more than the seven points they've already shown. West did well not to win the first spade trick to get a signal. If East's signal isn't clear, it's possible West should hold up another time.
East should be able to figure out the correct defense (Q, A, and another club for West to ruff). East knows West has the A and QJ from the first few tricks. Given the opening bid, West is not going to have much else and the best hope is to give West a ruff.
It's easy to know what your signal of a 5 or 6 means if you look at your own hand, but you need to consider partner's perspective. It's always good to make life easier for partner if you can.