Part 21

+------------------------------------------- Number of tricks bid by | Number actually taken by him. player. +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+--- | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 ------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+--- Five | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 Six | | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 Seven | | | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 Eight | | | | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 31 Nine | | | | | 32 | 34 | 36 | 39 | 41 Ten | | | | | | 42 | 45 | 48 | 52 Eleven | | | | | | | 63 | 68 | 72 Twelve | | | | | | | |106 |114 Thirteen | | | | | | | | |166 ------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---

The American system is not to pay the successful bidder for any over-tricks. This is to make him bid up his hand, and to save time; as hands need not be played out when the bidder has made or can show the number of tricks bid.

Tricks bid | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | ------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+-----+-----+ Amount. | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 35 | 45 | 65 | 105 | 170 |

If the caller fails in his undertaking, he must pay each adversary according to the number of tricks by which he failed to reach his bid. For instance: A player bidding eight, and taking only seven, is said to be “_=put in for=_” one trick, and he would have to pay each adversary 23 white counters. These payments are shown in this table:--

+--------------------------------------------------- Tricks bid | Number of tricks by which the player falls short by the | of his declaration. player. +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--- | 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13 -----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--- Five | 11| 21| 31| 41| 50| | | | | | | | Six | 15| 24| 35| 45| 55| 66| | | | | | | Seven | 19| 29| 40| 50| 60| 72| 82| | | | | | Eight | 23| 34| 46| 56| 67| 78| 89|110| | | | | Nine | 33| 44| 57| 68| 82| 92|103|115|127| | | | Ten | 44| 56| 70| 82| 94|107|119|132|145|157| | | Eleven | 67| 80| 95|109|123|138|151|165|180|194|208| | Twelve |113|130|148|165|182|200|217|234|252|270|286|304| Thirteen |177|198|222|241|262|284|305|326|348|369|390|412|433 -----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---

We give the same table reduced to the American decimal system, in which form it is commonly found in the clubs. It may be remarked in passing that the table is very illogical and inconsistent, the payments bearing no relation to the probabilities of the events. Some of them provide for impossibilities, unless the player has miscalled the trump suit, and is held to it, but we have no authority to change them.

+---------------------------------------------------- | Number of tricks bidder is “put in for.” Tricks +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---- bid. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13 --------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---- Five | 10| 20| 30| 40| 50| | | | | | | | Six | 15| 25| 35| 45| 55| 65| | | | | | | Seven | 20| 30| 40| 50| 60| 70| 80| | | | | | Eight | 25| 35| 45| 55| 70| 85|100|115| | | | | Nine | 35| 45| 55| 65| 80| 95|110|125|140| | | | Ten | 45| 55| 70| 80| 95|110|125|140|155|170| | | Eleven | 70| 80| 95|110|125|140|155|170|185|200|220| | Twelve |120|130|145|160|180|200|220|240|260|280|300|320| Thirteen|180|200|220|240|260|280|300|320|340|360|390|420|450 --------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----

If a misère is bid, the caller wins from, or loses to each adversary according to the following table, there being no over-tricks:--

Little Misère, 20 white counters. Grand Misère, 40 white counters. Little Spread, 80 white counters. Grand Spread, 160 white counters.

It may be observed that each of these is twice the amount of the next lower.

When misère partout is played, the person winning the largest number of tricks is the only loser, and he must pay each of the other players the difference between the number of his tricks and theirs in red counters. The number of red counters lost will always be found to be three times the number of tricks taken, minus the number of tricks not taken. For instance: A wins 4 tricks, three times which is 12; from which he deducts 9, the number he did not take, and finds his loss to be 3 red counters. Again; A wins 7 tricks; three times which is 21; minus 6 tricks not taken, a net loss of 15. No matter in what proportion the other tricks may be divided between the three other players, this total payment will always be found correct. For instance: A wins 6 tricks; Y 2; B 5; and Z none. A loses 6 x 3 = 18-7 = 11, of which he gives 4 to Y; 1 to B; and 6 to Z.

If two players tie for the greatest number of tricks taken, they calculate their losses in the same manner; but each pays only half the total. For instance: A and Y each take 5 tricks; B taking 1, and Z 2. The 7 red counters lost by A and Y being divided, shows a loss of 35 white counters for each of them. If three players take four tricks apiece, they each pay the fourth man a red counter.

_=WINNING THE POOL.=_ Besides the white counters won and lost by the players individually, the successful caller takes the pool, provided he has made a bid of seven tricks or better, which is called _=a pool bid=_. Any lower bid does not entitle him to the pool, unless the other players compel him to play the hand out. In order to save the pool, it is usual for the adversaries, before playing to the second trick, to say: “_=I pay.=_” If all agree to pay, the bidder must accept the amount of his bid without any over-tricks, and the pool is not touched. If a player has made a pool bid, and the adversaries, before playing to the second trick, agree to pay, they cannot prevent the caller from taking the pool; but they save possible over-tricks. The agreement of the adversaries to pay must be unanimous.

Misère Partout does not touch the pool.

If the hand is played out, and the caller fails, he must double the pool, whether he has made a pool bid or not. If there is more than one pool, he must double the first one, which will of course contain the limit. This will simply have the effect of forming an additional pool to be played for.

When there are several pools on the table, a successful caller takes any of those that contain the limit. When there is only one pool on the table, he must be satisfied with its contents, however small.

At the end of the game, after the twelfth hand has been settled for, it is usual to divide the pool or pools equally among the players. But sometimes a grand is played without trumps, making a thirteenth hand, and the pool is given to the player winning the last trick.

_=METHODS OF CHEATING.=_ There being no shuffling at Boston, and each player having the right to cut the pack, the greek must be very skilful who can secure himself any advantage by having the last cut, unless he has the courage to use wedges. But Boston is usually played for such high stakes that it naturally attracts those possessing a high degree of skill, and the system adopted is usually that of counting down. The greek will watch for a hand in which there is little changing of suits, and will note the manner of taking up the cards. The next hand does not interest him, as he is busy studying the location of the cards in the still pack. When this comes into play on the next deal, he will follow every cut, and finally cut for himself so that the desired distribution of the suits shall come about. Even if he fails to secure an invincible hand for bidding on himself, he knows so nearly the contents of the other hands that he can bid them up, and afterwards play against them to great advantage.

It is unnecessary to say that if a greek can mark the cards, the game becomes a walkover, even if he can recollect only the hand on his left.

_=SUGGESTIONS FOR GOOD PLAY.=_ Boston so closely resembles Solo Whist in such matters as bidding, and playing single-handed against three others, that the reader may be referred to that game for the outlines of the principles that should guide him in estimating the probable value of his hand, playing for tricks or for misères, and combining forces with his partners for the purpose of defeating the single player.

For laws, see Whist Family Laws.

BOSTON DE FONTAINEBLEAU.

This game is sometimes, but incorrectly, called French Boston. The latter will be described in its proper place.

_=CARDS.=_ Boston de Fontainebleau is played with a full pack of fifty-two cards. Two packs are generally used. The cards rank as at Whist, both for cutting and playing.

_=MARKERS=_ are not used, counters taking their place. These are usually of the colours and values, and are distributed among the players as already described in Boston.

_=STAKES.=_ As a guide in settling upon the unit value, it may be noted that the largest amount possible to win or lose on a single hand is 2,400 white counters; the smallest amount being 30. The average is about 300.

_=THE POOL.=_ In addition to the counters won or lost on each hand, a pool is formed by each dealer in his turn placing five counters in a small tray provided for the purpose. This pool may be increased by penalties, etc., and the whole amount may be won under certain conditions, as at Boston. There is no limit to the amount of a single pool.

_=PLAYERS.=_ The number of players, methods of _=Cutting=_, _Dealing_, etc., are the same as those already described in connection with Boston, except that no trump is turned for first preference, the suits always having a determined rank; diamonds being first, hearts next, then clubs, and last spades. No-trump, or “grand,” outranks diamonds.

Twelve deals is a game; after which the players cut out if there are more than four belonging to the table, or if other candidates are waiting to play.

_=PENALTIES=_, for playing with more or less than the proper number of cards, etc., are the same as at Boston.

_=OBJECTS OF THE GAME.=_ These are identical with Boston, but instead of doubling the pool, the player who is unsuccessful in his undertaking pays into the pool the same amount that he loses to each of the other players.

_=ANNOUNCEMENTS.=_ The bids rank in the order following; beginning with the lowest. The full-faced type show the words used by the players in calling their bids. It will be noticed that the order is not the same as in Boston, and that an additional bid is introduced, called Piccolissimo.

To win 5 tricks, _=Boston=_.

To win _=Six Tricks=_.

To lose 12 tricks, after having discarded a card which is not to be shown; _=Little Misère=_.

To win _=Seven Tricks=_.

To win one trick, neither more nor less, after having discarded a card which is not to be shown, there being no trump suit; _=Piccolissimo=_.

To win _=Eight Tricks=_.

To lose every trick, no trump suit, _=Grand Misère=_.

To win _=Nine Tricks=_.

To lose 12 tricks, after having discarded a card which is not to be shown; the single player’s remaining twelve cards being exposed face up on the table, but not liable to be called; _=Little Spread=_.

To win _=Ten Tricks=_.

To lose every trick, no trump suit, the single player’s cards being exposed on the table, but not liable to be called; _=Grand Spread=_.

To win _=Eleven Tricks=_.

To win _=Twelve Tricks=_.

To win 13 tricks; _=Slam=_.

To win 13 tricks, the single player’s cards exposed face up on the table, but not liable to be called; _=Spread Slam=_.

The object of the bidder, if successful in securing the privilege of playing, is to win or lose the proposed number of tricks, against the combined efforts of his adversaries. Having once made a bid, he must play it unless he is over-called.

_=METHOD OF BIDDING.=_ The eldest hand has the first say, and after examining his hand, and deciding on the bid most appropriate to it, if any, he makes his announcement. If his proposal is to win a certain number of tricks with a certain suit for trumps, he must name the suit, saying, “Eight Spades,” or “Seven Diamonds,” as the case may be. If he proposes to play without any trump suit, he announces, “Seven Grand,” or whatever the number may be. Such a bid over-calls one of the same number in diamonds. If the eldest hand has no proposal to make, he says, “I pass,” and the others in turn have an opportunity to bid. The bids outrank one another according to their order in the foregoing table, and the rank of the suits in which they are made. The players bid against one another, until all but one declare to pass, he then becomes the single player against the three others.

A player having once passed cannot come into the bidding again, even to call a misère. In this respect the game differs from Boston. A player is not compelled to bid the full value of his hand, but it is to his interest to do so, and he should make the full announcement the first time he bids, because if he has had a good hand for ten tricks, and begins with a bid of seven, he cannot increase his proposal unless some player bids over him.

_=PARTNERS.=_ Before playing, the successful bidder may call for a partner if he chooses to do so. The player accepting him undertakes that the two together shall win three tricks more than the number bid. For instance: A has successfully bid seven in diamonds, and asks for a partner. If Y accepts him they make no change in their positions at the table, but play into each other’s hands, just as at Solo Whist, B and Z being partners against them. A and Y together must win ten tricks, with diamonds for trumps.

If no one makes a proposal of any sort, _=Misère Partout=_ is played; there being no trump suit. The player or players taking the least number of tricks win or divide the pool. There are no other losses or gains in Misère Partout.

_=HONOURS.=_ In any call in which there is a trump suit, the A K Q and J of trumps are honours, and may be counted by the successful bidder if he carries out his proposal. If the single player, or a caller and his partner have all four honours dealt them, they score as for four over-tricks; if three, as for two over-tricks. Honours do not count for the adversaries under any circumstances.

In bidding on a hand, it must be remembered that although honours will count as over-tricks in payments, they cannot be bid on. If a player has nine tricks and two by honours in his hand, he cannot bid eleven. If he bids nine and fails to make so many, he cannot count the honours at all. It is growing less and less the custom to count honours in America.

A player making a bid can be compelled to play it; but it is usual to allow him to pay instead of playing, if he proposes to do so, either because he has overbid his hand or for any other reason.

_=METHOD OF PLAYING.=_ No matter who is the successful bidder, the eldest hand always leads for the first trick, and the others must follow suit if they can, the play proceeding exactly as in Whist. Tricks should be carefully stacked, there being the same penalties as in Boston for calling attention to the score. The methods of playing misères and spreads have already been described in connection with Boston. When piccolissimo is played, the moment the single player takes more than one trick the hands are thrown up, and the stakes paid.

_=REVOKES.=_ The rules governing these and cards played in error, are the same as at Boston. In piccolissimo, the penalties are the same as in misère.

_=PAYMENTS.=_ If the caller succeeds in winning the proposed number of tricks, he is paid by each of his adversaries according to the value of his bid, as shown in Table No. 1. Over-tricks if any, and honours, if played, are always paid at the uniform rate of five white counters each. If the caller fails, he must pay each adversary the amount he would have won if successful, with the addition of five white counters for every trick that he falls short of his proposal. For instance: He bids nine hearts, and wins six tricks only. He must pay each adversary 115 white counters.

TABLE No. 1.

+--------+-----------------+---------+ | | The trump being | | | No +-----+-----+-----+ Extra | | trump. | ♣♠ | ♡ | ♢ | tricks. | ----------------------+--------+-----+-----+-----+---------+ Boston, five tricks | | 10 | 20 | 30 | 5 | Six tricks | | 30 | 40 | 50 | 5 | Little misère | 75 | | | | | Seven tricks | | 50 | 60 | 70 | 5 | Piccolissimo | 100 | | | | | Eight tricks | | 70 | 80 | 90 | 5 | Grand misère | 150 | | | | | Nine tricks | | 90 | 100 | 110 | 5 | Little spread | 200 | | | | | Ten tricks | | 110 | 120 | 130 | 5 | Grand spread | 250 | | | | | Eleven tricks | | 130 | 140 | 150 | 5 | Twelve tricks | | 150 | 160 | 170 | 5 | Slam, thirteen tricks | | 400 | 450 | 500 | | Spread slam | | 600 | 700 | 800 | |

TABLE No. 2.

In America, the last two items are usually reduced, and are given as follows:--

| | ♣♠ | ♡ | ♢ | | Slam, thirteen tricks | | 250 | 300 | 350 | | Spread slam | | 350 | 400 | 450 | | ----------------------+--------+-----+-----+-----+---------+

Why a player should be paid more for spreads than for eleven or twelve tricks while the trick bid outranks the spreads, is difficult to understand; but we have no authority to change the tables.

Misère Partout wins nothing but the pool.

If partners play, it is usual for the losers to pay the adversaries on their right; or, if partners sit together, to pay the adversary sitting next.

_=THE POOL.=_ Besides the white counters won and lost by the players individually, the successful player takes the pool. Successful partners divide it equally, regardless of the number of tricks bid or taken by each. If the partners fail, they must contribute to the pool an amount equal to that which they pay to one adversary. For instance: A calls seven diamonds, and asks for a partner. Y accepts him, and the pair win only nine tricks. Each pays 135 counters to the adversary sitting next him, and then they make up 135 more between them for the pool.

Asking for a partner is not a popular variation of the game, and is seldom resorted to unless the successful bid is very low, or has been made on a black suit.

If the adversaries of the caller declare to pay, before playing to the second trick, they can save nothing but possible over-tricks. The pool goes with every successful play.

If the single player is unsuccessful, he does not double the pool, as in Boston, but pays into it the same amount that he loses to each adversary, over-tricks and all; so that he really loses four times the amount shown in the table.

At the end of the game, or on the twelfth hand, if the caller does not succeed, he pays the pool as usual, and his adversaries then divide it amongst themselves.

The _=Suggestions for Good Play=_, etc., are given in connection with Solo Whist and need no further amplification for Boston de Fontainbleau.

The _=Laws=_ vary so little from those used in the regular game of Boston that it is not necessary to give an additional code, either for Fontainbleau or for French Boston, which follows.

FRENCH BOSTON.

_=CARDS.=_ French Boston is played with a full pack of fifty-two cards, which rank as at Whist, both for cutting and playing; except that the diamond Jack is always the best trump unless diamonds are turned up, in which case the heart Jack becomes the best trump, and the diamond Jack ranks next below the diamond Queen.

_=COUNTERS=_ are used as in Boston, their value being a matter of agreement before play begins.

_=THE POOL=_ is made up by the dealer’s contributing ten counters for the first eight rounds, and twenty for the last two. It is increased from time to time by penalties, and is won or lost by the players, just as in Boston. There is no limit to the pool. If any player objects to dividing it at the end of the game, it must be played for until some player wins it.

_=PLAYERS.=_ The number of players, their arrangement at the table, etc., is precisely the same as at Boston.

_=CUTTING.=_ Instead of cutting for the first deal, any one of the players takes a pack of cards, and gives thirteen to each player in succession, face up. The player to whom he gives the diamond Jack deals the first hand, and has the choice of seats and cards. The others sit as they please.

_=DEALING.=_ The cards are shuffled before every deal. The player on the left of the dealer cuts, and cards are given first to the player on the dealer’s right, dealing from right to left. The cards may be dealt one at a time, or three at a time, or four at a time, always dealing the last round singly, and turning up the last card. A misdeal loses the deal. Other irregularities are governed by the same laws as in Boston.

The deal passes to the right, and the next dealer is indicated by the position of the tray containing the pool, which the dealer always passes to the player on his right, after putting in his ten or twenty counters.

Forty deals is a game; the first thirty-two of which are called “simples,” and the last eight “doubles.” In the doubles, all stakes and contributions to the pool are doubled. If anything remains in the pool at the end, it is divided equally, unless a player demands that it shall be played for until won. Such extra deals are simples.

_=RANK OF THE SUITS.=_ The suit turned on the first deal is called “belle” for that game. The suit turned on each succeeding deal is called “petite.” If belle turns up again, there is no petite for that deal. The suits are not first and second preference, as in Boston, but are used only to determine the value of the payments, and to settle which suits partners must name for trumps. The rank of the suits is permanent, as in Boston de Fontainbleau, but the order is, hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades; hearts being highest. In France, the suits rank in this order in Boston de Fontainbleau, but in America diamonds outrank hearts.

_=OBJECTS OF THE GAME.=_ Each player in turn has an opportunity to announce that he is willing to undertake to win a certain number of tricks, if allowed the privilege of naming the trump suit; or to lose a certain number, there being no trump suit. If he proposes to play alone, he may select any suit for trumps; but if he takes a partner the trump suit must be belle or petite. The announcements outrank each other in certain order, and the player making the highest must be allowed to play. If he succeeds in his undertaking, he wins the pool, and is also paid a certain number of counters by each of his adversaries. If he fails, he must double the pool, and pay each of his adversaries. The table of payments will be given later.