Part 15
The least dangerous form in which the twelfth card can be played is when it is the better of the two, and when the thirteenth is in the hand of the adversary on the right. The most dangerous, except when placing the lead for a specific purpose, is when the twelfth card is the lower of the two, and the best is held by the left-hand adversary. When the right adversary holds the better card, to play the losing card affords the left-hand adversary the opportunity of discarding a worthless card. A trick {219} is frequently lost by the eagerness of an inexperienced player to play his losing twelfth card in order to allow his partner to make a trump. Before playing this twelfth card, winning cards should be played in order to prevent the second player getting rid of a loser and then trumping the winning card. For example, two rounds of hearts have been played, ace and king being out. A holds the queen of hearts and a losing twelfth card. Left-hand adversary holds small heart and small trump. When the losing twelfth card is played, he discards his heart, and is thus enabled to trump the queen. If the queen of hearts had been played first, an extra trick would have been won.
The play of a thirteenth card means one of two things. It is either a demand on your partner to trump with his best trump, or it is an attempt to place the lead. It is for the partner to use his judgment as to which of these proceedings should be adopted. To lead a thirteenth card merely because, as some persons assert, they "did not know what else to do," is an exhibition of feebleness of intelligence.
MAXIMS.
Those persons who desire to become whist-players, and not mere players at Whist, should bear in mind that Whist is a combination of well-established rules, which should be obeyed; of observation, which is usually misnamed memory, and of reason, which is one of the most essential items towards becoming a whist-player. In order to put as little strain as possible on the reasoning powers, it is advisable to {220} become acquainted with certain maxims which can be committed to memory like proverbs, and can then be acted on during the game. The following will be found useful:--
1. Note whether you hold a sufficient number of winning cards in your hand to make certain of saving the game. If you do, you may run risks in order to win it.
2. Be very careful that you do not make a mistake and imagine that the game cannot be lost, when, by some unusual combination of cards, it _may_ be lost.
3. Immediately your partner leads a card, examine the cards of the suit in your own hand, and form a preliminary opinion of the strength of the suit from which he led. For example, your partner leads the six of spades; you hold ace, queen, and five. The second hand plays the two, you play the queen, fourth hand plays the seven. You thus find the three and four have not been played. Where are they? If the fourth player hold either, he is calling for trumps. You return the ace of spades, the then second player plays the ten, your partner plays the three, and the last player plays the eight. You ought now to know just as well as if you had seen it, that your partner led from king, knave, nine, six, four, and three, and started with the fourth best card. To take a third round of this suit would be childish, as one adversary would make a small trump, the other get rid of a worthless card, and thus show his partner his weak suit.
4. If very strong in two suits, and your partner lead from the third suit, in which you are weak, lead him a trump immediately you gain the lead, although you hold only one or two small trumps. {221}
5. Never hesitate to give your partner the _chance_ of a ruff, unless he has led trumps, or has "called." To refuse to give him this chance merely because you are weak in trumps, is to play a losing game.
6. At the end of a hand, consider the importance of placing the lead. For example, you hold the losing, your partner the winning, trump (clubs), and you hold ace, queen, ten of diamonds. Right-hand adversary leads a small diamond, you play your ten, and it wins the trick; there are other diamonds in your partner's hand, the value of which you do not know. Lead your losing trump, and your partner wins this and returns a diamond, and you win all four tricks. If the king of diamonds be to your right, you would lose a trick by playing ace then queen of diamonds. Feeble players, however, would be certain to lead the ace of diamonds, hoping that their partner would trump the queen, and that thus the trumps would make separately. They give up a certainty for a chance, and consider it safe play to do so.
7. Do your best to help your partner, not to play in opposition to him. Thus, if your partner call for trumps, lead him your best if you have less than four, your lowest if you hold four, and your fourth best if you hold more than four--the exception being when you hold the ace, which always lead to your partner's call. Do not refuse to lead a trump to your partner's call merely because there is a chance of your ruffing a suit. This is selfish play, and usually results in a loss, the suit you wish to trump not unusually being your partner's strong suit.
When your partner, by his discard (or otherwise), has declared strength in one suit and weakness in another, lead the best card of the suit in which he {222} has declared strength. It is a criminal act to lead his weak suit, unless you hold all the winning cards of that suit.
It is towards the end of a hand that bad players display the greatest ingenuity in selecting cards, which, when led or played, can alone lose the game. Also revokes are more commonly committed by a player who holds only two or three cards, than they are when he has in his hand seven or eight cards. Never dash out a card, after you have won a trick, without examining the card that both you and your partner have just previously played.
When you have the game in your hand, play as calmly as though you had a difficult hand to play. Time is rarely, if ever, saved by throwing down your cards. The adversaries examine these deliberately as their only chance, and too often it is found that, had the player played in the usual manner, he must have won the game, but, in consequence of his cards being called, he has just missed winning it.
BOOKS ON WHIST.
If the reader is ambitious to become a genuine whist-player, the following should be studied--not glanced at and forgotten, but thoroughly mastered--and their principles systematically practised:
A TREATISE ON SHORT WHIST. By James Clay.
CAVENDISH ON WHIST.
THE ART OF PRACTICAL WHIST. By Major-General Drayson.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF WHIST. By Dr. W. Pole.
WHIST: (The Club Series). By Dr. W. Pole.
THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF WHIST. By Ernest Bergholt and Leonard Leigh (Philadelphia).
* * * * *
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BRIDGE.
This is a recent development of the grand old game of Whist. Though differing widely in many particulars from its prototype, it is still essentially Whist, the innovations, while introducing a new speculative element, affording even larger opportunities for the exercise of the judgment and skill which Whist proper demands; and the best proof of its merit lies in the fact that even by the "old stagers" of the London clubs it is now generally played in preference to the classic game.
The main elements of novelty in Bridge, as distinguished from Whist, may be classed under the following heads:--
1. The manner of deciding the trump suit.
2. Different values of tricks and honours according to the suit made trumps.
3. Licence to each party in turn to double and re-double the normal value of tricks.
4. The dealer playing two hands, his partner becoming a "dummy."
Before proceeding to the Laws in detail, it should be premised that Bridge, like ordinary Whist, is played by four persons, two against two, with the full pack of fifty-two cards (two such packs being {224} used alternately). The players cut for partners and for deal; the cards are shuffled, cut, and dealt in the usual way, thirteen to each player; but no card is turned up, the trump suit being named by the dealer, or by his partner, as hereafter explained.
Before perusing the following general remarks, the reader should study the Club code of Laws, which will be found at the end of this chapter, and which contains full particulars as to naming the trump suit, doubling and re-doubling, revoke penalty, mode of reckoning up points, &c.
THE SCORE IN ACTUAL PRACTICE.
This is usually kept upon a scoring block, ruled as shown upon the following page. Each column is intended to receive the score of one rubber. It will be observed that the column is divided midway by a horizontal line. The portion below this is for recording the value of the tricks won; the portion above for the scoring of honours and the other subsidiary elements affecting the ultimate value of the rubber.
A practical example will best illustrate the working of the plan. A and B, we will suppose, are playing against C and D. Diamonds have been declared to be trumps, and A and B have won in the first deal nine tricks. The value of each trick, when diamonds are trumps, being 6 points, A and B score in their own column, immediately below the central line, 18. They have also together held four honours, value in diamonds, 24. They accordingly mark 24 above the line.
{225}
BRIDGE SCORING BLOCK.
+------------+------------+------------+------------+ | | | | | | A. B. | C. D. | | | +------------+------------+------------+------------+ | | HON|OURS | | | -- | 8 | | | | -- | 100 | | | | 16 | -- | | | | | | | | +------------+------------+------------+------------+ | -- | 16 | | | | -- | 30 | | | | 24 | -- | | | | | | | | +============+============+============+============+ | | TRI|CKS | | | 18 | -- | | | | -- | 24 | | | | 16 | -- | | | +------------+------------+ | | | 4 | -- | | | | 24 | -- | | | | 2 | -- | | | +------------+------------+ | | | 104 | 178 | | | | 100 | | | | +------------+ | | | | 204 | | | | | 178 | | | | +------------+ | | | | 26 | | | | +------------+------------+------------+------------+
NOTE.--Scoring Blocks of this pattern, but usually of larger size, are issued by all card-making stationers at low prices.
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The next deal is played _sans atout_. C and D are the winners by two tricks, and between them hold three aces. The value of the two tricks is 24, which is scored below the line, and the value of the three aces 30, which is scored above the line.
In the third deal, hearts are trumps. A and B win two tricks, value 16 points. This, added to their previous 18, makes them 32, and therefore gives them the game. But C and D hold three honours, value in hearts 16: these they score above their previous 30. The points are not yet added up, but a pencil line is drawn above and below the scores of both parties, to indicate that they represent a completed game.
In the next deal, clubs are trumps. A and B win the odd trick, value 4 points. They have also four honours (divided), value in clubs 16.
The next hand is played _sans atout_. A and B win two tricks, value 24, but D holds four aces, value 100.
In the next hand, spades are trumps, and A and B make the odd trick, value 2 points. This makes them game, giving them the rubber as well, but C and D hold between them four honours, value in spades 8, which number is accordingly placed to their credit.
We are now in a position to assess the value of the rubber. Each column is added up. The total of A and B's score is 104, while that of C and D is 178. But the 100 points for the rubber have yet to be taken into consideration. These are accordingly added to the score of A and B, bringing it up to 204. From this total is deducted the 178 standing to the credit of C and D, and the difference, {227} 26, is the number of points by which A and B are the gainers.
As the points at Bridge frequently run into high figures, it is as well to keep their individual value small, or a loser may find himself let in for an amount which he had not intended risking.
HINTS FOR PLAY.
So far as the science of the game is concerned, the main point, in so far as it differs from Whist, is to be able to judge correctly what suit should be made trumps; whether to play without trumps; or, lastly, whether to pass the option to one's partner. Hands are, of course, capable of almost infinite variety, and it is difficult to lay down rules which shall govern all cases. The novice may, however, safely take to heart the following maxims:--
1. Holding four aces, the dealer plays _sans atout_, inasmuch as he thereby secures four certain tricks, besides one hundred for his aces.
2. Holding three aces, he should do likewise, unless he has a strong red suit, giving assurance of a high score without risk, while the No-trump call involves dangerous weakness in one suit. In this case, the strong red suit should be declared.
3. Early in the game, if he cannot safely declare No-trumps or a red suit, and is not exceptionally strong in clubs, he should pass the option to his partner.
4. When the score of the dealer and his partner is approaching game, if the dealer can make game a certainty by declaring a black suit trumps, he should usually do so. {228}
For more detailed advice as to Bridge tactics, the reader may be referred to two handy little works by W. Dalton, entitled _Bridge at a Glance_ and _Bridge Abridged_, published by Messrs. De la Rue & Co. By the courtesy of these gentlemen, we are enabled to reprint the authoritative Laws of the game, as revised by a joint committee of the Portland and Turf Clubs. It will be observed that they follow very closely the Laws of Whist; but the special features of Bridge have been minutely considered and provided for, and a careful study of the Laws will form the best possible introduction to a knowledge of the game.
THE LAWS OF BRIDGE (1904).
(Reprinted, by permission, _verbatim_ from the Club Code.)
THE RUBBER.
1. The Rubber is the best of three games. If the first two games be won by the same players, the third game is not played.
SCORING.
2. A game consists of thirty points obtained by tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for Honours, Chicane, Or Slam.
3. Every hand is played out, and any points in excess of the thirty points necessary for the game are counted.
4. Each trick above six counts two points when spades are trumps, four points when clubs are trumps, six points when diamonds are trumps, eight points when hearts are trumps, and twelve points when there are no trumps. {229}
5. Honours consist of ace, king, queen, knave, and ten of the trump suit. When there are no trumps they consist of the four aces.
6. Honours in trumps are thus reckoned:
If a player and his partner conjointly hold--
I. The five honours of the trump suit, they score for honours five times the value of the trump suit trick.
II. Any four honours of the trump suit, they score for honours four times the value of the trump suit trick.
III. Any three honours of the trump suit, they score for honours twice the value of the trump suit trick.
If a player in his own hand holds--
I. The five honours of the trump suit, he and his partner score for honours ten times the value of the trump suit trick.
II. Any four honours of the trump suit, they score for honours eight times the value of the trump suit trick. In this last case, if the player's partner holds the fifth honour, they also score for honours the single value of the trump suit trick.
The value of the trump suit trick referred to in this Law is its original value, _e.g._ two points in spades and six points in diamonds; and the value of honours is in no way affected by any doubling or re-doubling that may take place under Laws 53 to 56.
7. HONOURS, when there are no trumps, are thus reckoned:
If a player and his partner conjointly hold--
I. The four aces, they score for honours forty points.
II. Any three aces, they score for honours thirty points.
If a player in his own hand holds--
The four aces, he and his partner score for honours one hundred points.
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8. CHICANE is thus reckoned:
If a player holds no trump, he and his partner score for Chicane twice the value of the trump suit trick. The value of Chicane is in no way affected by any doubling or re-doubling that may take place under Laws 53 to 56.
9. SLAM is thus reckoned:
If a player and his partner make, independently of any tricks taken for the revoke penalty--
I. All thirteen tricks, they score for Grand Slam forty points.
II. Twelve tricks, they score for Little Slam twenty points.
10. Honours, Chicane, and Slam are reckoned in the score at the end of the rubber.
11. At the end of the rubber, the total scores for tricks, honours, Chicane and Slam obtained by each player and his partner are added up; one hundred points are added to the score of the winners of the rubber, and the difference between the two scores is the number of points won, or lost, by the winners of the rubber.
12. If an erroneous score affecting tricks be proved, such mistake may be corrected prior to the conclusion of the game in which it occurred, and such game is not concluded until the last card of the following deal has been dealt, or, in the case of the last game of the rubber, until the score has been made up and agreed.
13. If an erroneous score affecting honours, Chicane, or Slam be proved, such mistake may be corrected at any time before the score of the rubber has been made up and agreed. {231}
CUTTING.
14. The ace is the lowest card.
15. In all cases, every player must cut from the same pack.
16. Should a player expose more than one card, he must cut again.
FORMATION OF TABLE.
17. If there are more than four candidates, the players are selected by cutting, those first in the room having the preference. The four who cut the lowest cards play first, and again cut to decide on partners; the two lowest play against the two highest; the lowest is the dealer, who has choice of cards and seats, and, having once made his selection, must abide by it.
18. When there are more than six candidates, those who cut the two next lowest cards belong to the table, which is complete with six players; on the retirement of one of those six players, the candidate who cut the next lowest card has a prior right to any after-comer to enter the table.
19. Two players cutting cards of equal value, unless such cards are the two highest, cut again; should they be the two lowest, a fresh cut is necessary to decide which of those two deals.
20. Three players cutting cards of equal value cut again; should the fourth (or remaining) card be the highest, the two lowest of the new cut are partners, the lower of those two the dealer; should the fourth card be the lowest, the two highest are partners, the original lowest the dealer. {232}
CUTTING OUT.
21. At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed by any one, or by two candidates, he who has, or they who have, placed a greater number of consecutive rubbers than the others is, or are, out; but when all have played the same number, they must cut to decide upon the out-goers; the highest are out.
ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY.
22. A candidate, whether he has played or not, can join a table which is not complete by declaring in at any time prior to any of the players having cut a card, either for the purpose of commencing a fresh rubber or of cutting out.
23. In the formation of fresh tables, those candidates who have neither belonged to nor played at any other table have the prior right of entry; the others decide their right of admission by cutting.
24. Any one quitting a table prior to the conclusion of a rubber may, with consent of the other three players, appoint a substitute in his absence during that rubber.
25. A player joining one table, whilst belonging to another, loses his right of re-entry into the latter, and takes his chance of cutting in, as if he were a fresh candidate.
26. If any one break up a table, the remaining players have the prior right to him of entry into any other; and should there not be sufficient vacancies at such other table to admit all those candidates, they settle their precedence by cutting. {233}
SHUFFLING.
27. The pack must neither be shuffled below the table, nor so that the face of any card be seen.
28. The pack must not be shuffled during the play of the hand.
29. A pack, having been played with, must neither be shuffled by dealing it into packets, nor across the table.
30. Each player has a right to shuffle once only (except as provided by Law 33) prior to a deal, after a false cut, or when a new deal has occurred.
31. The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal, and has the first right to shuffle that pack.
32. Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards, properly collected and face downwards, to the left of the player about to deal.
33. The dealer has always the right to shuffle last; but should a card or cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst giving the pack to be cut, he may be compelled to re-shuffle.
THE DEAL.
34. Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing goes to the left.
35. The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and, in dividing it, must not leave fewer than four cards in either packet; if in cutting, or in replacing one of the two packets on the other, a card be exposed, or if there be any confusion of the cards, or a doubt as to the exact place in which the pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut. {234}
36. When a player, whose duty it is to cut, has once separated the pack, he cannot alter his intention; he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut the cards.
37. When the pack is cut, should the dealer shuffle the cards, the pack must be cut again.
38. The fifty-two cards shall be dealt face downwards. The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt face downwards. There is no misdeal.
A NEW DEAL.
39. There must be a new deal--
I. If, during a deal, or during the play of a hand, the pack be proved to be incorrect or imperfect.
II. If any card be faced in the pack.
III. Unless the cards are dealt into four packets, one at a time and in regular rotation, beginning at the player to the dealer's left.
IV. Should the last card not come in its regular order to the dealer.
V. Should a player have more than thirteen cards, and any one or more of the others less than thirteen cards.
VI. Should the dealer deal two cards at once, or two cards to the same hand, and then deal a third; but if, prior to dealing that card, the dealer can, by altering the position of one card only, rectify such error, he may do so.