The Laws and Principles of Whist Stated and Explained, and its practice illustrated on an original system by means of hands played completely through. 18th edition

PART II.

Chapter 414,639 wordsPublic domain

HANDS.

The following hands are given in illustration of the general principles discussed in Part I. The plan adopted in the arrangement of the hands is to imitate closely the circumstances of actual play. Thus, at starting, one player's hand is known, together with the score and the turn-up card. Each player is then caused to play a card in his turn, and at the end of the trick, the one player whose hand is known makes observations, and draws inferences from the play, as though he were at the whist table.

A, Y, B, and Z, are the four players throughout. They are placed at the table in the above order, A and B being partners against Y and Z. A is the first leader, and Z the dealer. In "the play" the cards of each trick are placed in the order in which the players sit round the table, the card played by the person whose hand is under consideration being the one nearest to the reader. The capital letter by each card shows to which player it belongs.

All the players are supposed to follow the ordinary rules of play, as laid down in Part I. Thus, each player is credited with leading originally from his strongest suit, and with leading the card of it indicated in the Analysis of Leads (pp. 64-71); with playing the lowest of a sequence when not leading; with returning the highest of a numerically weak suit, the lowest of a strong suit, and so on.

It has been remarked by critics, that the players are often made to play badly. Most of the hands are taken from actual play; but, independently of this, illustrations of indifferent play, with comments, are obviously of value, as showing the kind of errors that are likely to be made, and how and why to avoid them.

HAND I.

Trump lead from four trumps on establishment of suit.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--A leads from his strongest suit (_see_ p. 56). Having no sequence, he leads the lowest card of the suit (_see_ p. 60).

The fall of the queen and ace in this round, leaves A with the winning diamonds and a small one. His suit is virtually established (_see_ p. 57).

REMARK.--A plays his lowest card second hand (_see_ p. 82).

B allowing the queen to win, may be presumed not to have the king.

REMARK.--It is unlucky that A is obliged to win his partner's queen. The king of hearts is most probably in B's hand, as it is not likely that B has only one heart, and with queen and small ones B would pass.

REMARK.--This is an instructive trump lead. A, at the first start, with but four trumps, and only one heart, would not have been justified in leading a trump. But, his strong suit being established, and his partner having (probably) the best heart, his game is now to lead trumps. Consider carefully the Management of Trumps (pp. 119-23), and apply the arguments there made use of to the present situation.

REMARK (Trick 5).--A finesses the ten (_see_ pp. 93-94).

REMARKS.--At Trick 9, A forces the best trump, and remains with the thirteenth to bring in the diamond. If Z refuses the force, A (Trick 10) leads nine of diamonds and (Trick 11) the losing trump.

At Trick 10, if A plays ace of clubs he will be left with a losing club. By passing, he gives B a chance of winning the trick, and cannot lose even if Y has king of clubs. It has been suggested that Z's best lead, at Trick 10, is king of clubs, on the chance of catching ace and knave; but Z's play is not under examination.

* * * * *

Tricks 11 to 13.--Whatever B leads, A makes the remaining tricks, and

AB win three by cards.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Ace, 6, 4 ♠|Kg, 7 ♠|Knv, 9, 8, 2 ♠ Knv, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2 ♡|Kg, Qn, 6, 5 ♡|10, 3 ♡ Qn ♣|Knv, 9, 4 ♣|Kg, 10, 8, 5, 2 ♣ 10, 6, 4 ♢|Qn, 8, 7, 5 ♢|Ace, 3 ♢

HAND II.

Trump lead from four moderate trumps.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 3).--B has four trumps, and defence in hearts and clubs, his partner's suit is established, and no adverse strength in trumps has been exhibited. B therefore leads trumps. (Consider carefully the arguments at pp. 122, 123, respecting leads from four trumps, and apply them to this case.) To judge when to lead from four moderate trumps is an important point in the game, which hands such as this are given to illustrate and explain.

TRICKS 9 to 13.--Z leads knave of hearts which B wins. B draws the two trumps (if he remembers down to the seven) and brings in the diamonds, and

AB win two by cards.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

At Trick 2, A leads his original fourth-best diamond (_see_ Appendix A). In this hand it is immaterial whether A makes the American lead or not.

HAND III.

A simple elementary hand, save in one point which demands strict attention to the rule respecting returned leads (_see_ pp. 79-81).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--A leads from his strongest suit (_see_ p. 66). Holding ace, queen, knave, ten, he leads out ace and ten (_see_ Analysis of Leads, p. 66).

REMARK.--A continues his suit (_see_ p. 74).

As the cards happen to lie A would have been able to make a successful finesse against the king of spades. But A, not having seen Z's hand, can only play on general principles.

REMARK (Trick 6).--A has now the command of his suit, and four trumps. The adversaries have not shown any particular strength in trumps, either by leading them or by calling for them, though they have had the opportunity of doing both, and A therefore assumes that the trumps are pretty evenly divided, and leads a trump (_see_ pp. 122, 123). A is not deterred from opening the trump suit because an honour was turned up (_see_ p. 122).

* * * * *

B's winning the trick with the queen shows that Z has not got the king.

REMARK (Trick 7).--B returns his partner's lead of trumps (_see_ p. 125).

* * * * *

This is the important trick of the hand. Note the card returned by B, the seven, and if in doubt as to the fall of the trumps, look at the previous trick (_see_ Law 91, p. 18). In that trick, the small clubs that fall are the three, six, and four, and in the present one, the seven, five, and ten. Nobody having played the two, A may place it by inference in B's hand, for the adversaries not winning the trick may be supposed to play their lowest cards. Assuming B to hold the two, it may be inferred that he has that card and no other left in the suit. For he returns the seven, a higher card than the two; and the rule is to return the higher of two remaining cards, the lowest if holding more than two (_see_ p. 80. Consider carefully the example given there, and apply it to the present situation).

The king and knave are therefore in the opponents' hands, and divided. Z has the knave (which he turned up), and he has not the king, as he could not win the queen in the previous trick. Y must consequently hold it.

It may be objected that this train of reasoning is too close and elaborate to serve the purpose of inexperienced players. It is, perhaps, a little difficult for an elementary hand; but the careful observance of the rule of play respecting returned leads is so important, that it has been deemed advisable to insist strongly upon it. Of course, when playing with those who do not attend to the conversation of the game, all pains bestowed on working out the position of the cards from such data as the preceding is so much trouble thrown away.

Assuming, then, that A's partner can be depended on to play according to rule, it is morally certain that the trumps are evenly divided, and that a third round will leave A with a long trump to bring in his spades. Accordingly, A leads the eight of clubs (_see_ Trick 8, above).

TRICKS 10 to 13.--B (Trick 10) leads a small diamond, though, as the cards happen to lie, his lead is immaterial. A trumps the diamond, and brings in the spades; and

AB win three by cards.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 9, 6, 5 ♠|8, 4 ♠|Kg, 7, 3 ♠ Kg, 10, 8, 4, 2 ♡|Ace, 7, 5, 3 ♡|Knv, 9 ♡ Kg, 10, 6 ♣|Qn, 7, 2 ♣|Knv, 5, 4 ♣ Ace, Kg ♢|Knv, 8, 5, 2 ♢|Qn, 10, 7, 6, 4 ♢

HAND IV.

An instructive hand, illustrative of playing to the score.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--A leads from his strongest suit (_see_ p. 56).

REMARK.--It may be inferred that hearts are Y's strongest suit.

REMARK (Trick 3).--A having found his partner weak in spades (_see_ Trick 1), does not continue his suit (_see_ p. 75).

REMARK.--Presuming the players are to be depended on for following the elementary rules of the game, it is clear from the fall of the cards that Y holds the remaining heart, the nine. B drops the ten, so he ought not to have the nine, the rule being to play the lowest card when not able to win the trick. Z ought not to have another heart, for he returned the six (_see_ Trick 4), and now plays the three. Having returned the higher card he can hold no more (_see_ p. 80).

REMARK.--It is evident that Z, dropping the ten, will trump the next round of diamonds. Nevertheless, A's game is to continue the diamond (Trick 7), to give Z the lead, and to make B last player.

REMARK (Trick 7).--Y, dropping the nine of diamonds, may be taken to have no more, as, not being able to win the trick, he is assumed to play his smallest. The remaining diamonds are therefore with B.

REMARK.--Z, with ace, queen, second hand (_see_ his hand below), follows the usual rule (_see_ p. 86). It is open to argument whether Z should depart from rule in this case. But Z's hand is not the one under examination.

REMARK.--The fall of the queen of spades from Y shows A that the two remaining spades are in Z's hand. Z's third card is the queen of clubs, which he turned up.

REMARK (Trick 12).--A's lead here is instructive. He knows his partner (B) has one diamond and no spade and no heart (_see_ Tricks 5, 7, and 10). B's other card must therefore be a club (trump). If it is the best trump, A wins two by cards by leading a trump. But if it is not the winning trump, a trump lead loses the odd trick. It is better to make certain of the odd trick than to risk losing it for the chance of winning two by cards; for the odd trick makes a difference of two to the score. A therefore properly ensures the odd trick by forcing his partner (_see_ p. 134).

Suppose the score to be AB three, and YZ one. Then A would be justified in leading the trump at Trick 12. For, if B has the ten, AB win two by cards and the game; and, if B has not the ten, AB lose the odd trick; the score remaining AB three, YZ two. It is better to run the risk of this score for the sake of the game, than to make certain of scoring only four and of leaving the adversaries at one.

AB win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Qn, Knv, 2 ♠|7 ♠|Ace, 10, 8, 6, 3 ♠ Qn, 9, 7, 5 ♡|10, 8, 2 ♡|Kg, 6, 3 ♡ 9, 8, 3 ♣|Knv, 10, 7, 5 ♣|Ace, Qn, 4 ♣ 9, 7, 6 ♢|Kg, 8, 5, 3, 2 ♢|Ace, 10 ♢

In the following hands the comments will be fewer, it being assumed that explanations of ordinary play are unnecessary.

HAND V.

Illustrative of the advantage of returning the highest of a short suit.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 2).--A's finesse here is justifiable, because he has strength in trumps (_see_ p. 94). With only three trumps, A's better play would be to secure the trick at once.

REMARK.--Note the advantage of the return of the strengthening card at Trick 2, in accordance with General Principle 5 (p. 79). The command is left with the presumably strong hand; and the queen is completely hemmed in. It is true the queen might have been in Y's hand. In that case the queen must make whatever card is returned. A similar position occurs at Trick 9.

REMARK.--A did not lead the trump at first; but now he does so for these reasons: he has the long card of his suit; trumps are his strongest suit (p. 119); and the adversaries have had the opportunity of calling for trumps (_see_ pp. 125, 126), and have not made use of it, which is negative evidence that there is no very great strength of trumps in one hand.

REMARK (Trick 7).--A being strong in trumps passes the doubtful card (_see_ p. 129).

TRICKS 10 to 13.--B leads the five of spades, which brings down all the outstanding trumps. A makes the thirteenth club and the trump; the adversary makes the king of diamonds (_see_ the hands below).

* * * * *

AB win two by cards.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

HAND VI.

Playing to the score.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 6).--The lead here is the point in the hand. Y has three tricks up; there is a whole suit (clubs) against him, and his adversary B has called for trumps (_see_ Tricks 3 and 4). It is, consequently, Y's duty to make five tricks (which save the game if Z has an honour) as quickly as possible. He therefore leads the ace of spades to make the fourth trick, and (Trick 7) forces his partner (though without any strength of trumps in his own hand, _see_ pp. 132, 133) to make the fifth.

TRICKS 9 to 13.--A leads a trump (the knave, _see_ his hand below), in obedience to the call, and

AB score two by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Qn, 4 ♠|Kg ♠|Knv, 10, 9, 7, 3, 2 ♠ 10, 8, 4, 3 ♡|7, 6, 5 ♡|Knv, 9 ♡ Kg, 9, 7, 2 ♣|Ace, 8, 6, 5, 3 ♣|10, 4 ♣ Knv, 5, 3 ♢|Ace, Kg, 10, 7 ♢|Qn, 9, 2 ♢

* * * * *

At Trick 2, B, with the club suit well nigh established (assuming his partner to have led from strength), and four trumps, two honours, should risk a trump lead. He cannot lose the game; and if his partner has an average hand, a trump lead will, in all probability, give AB a good score. As a matter of fact it would win the game, but that proves nothing.

HAND VII.

The lead of the fourth-best (_see_ Appendix A), and counting the hands (_see_ pp. 116-17).

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 2).--Z's better play would be to open the heart suit.

REMARK.--It is now clear that Y led from five hearts originally (_see_ his lead, Trick 3, and p. 116). Consequently, YZ have all the remaining hearts between them.

REMARK.--Z can count his partner's hand, viz., three more hearts (_see_ Remark, Trick 9) and one other card, either the deuce of diamonds (_see_ the fall of the diamonds, Tricks 4 and 5), or a trump. If Y has the diamond, it matters not what Z leads, as B must then hold four trumps. Z therefore assumes that his partner has another trump, and plays to force him.

But if Z could not tell that Y has three hearts, or rather could tell that he has only two, Z's proper lead at Trick 10 would be the ace of hearts. For then B must have a heart, and if Z leads a losing diamond, B discards his heart on it, and wins the game.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Kg, Knv, 8, 4, 3, 2 ♠|Ace, 5 ♠|9, 7, 6 ♠ Knv ♡|Kg, 10, 9, 7, 2 ♡|8, 3 ♡ Ace, Kg ♣|7, 6, 4, 3 ♣|Qn, Knv, 10, 5, 2 ♣ Qn, 9, 8, 7 ♢|Ace, 10 ♢|Kg, 4, 2 ♢

At Trick 6, B should play to force his partner in hearts instead of leading trumps.

HAND VIII.

Playing to the score and to the fall of the cards.

Game won in spite of partner's bad play.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--Drawing two for one.

REMARK.--Y must have knave.

REMARK (Trick 9).--Z manages to win the game, in spite of his partner, by putting on ace second hand and leading a club.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Z (Trick 11) leads a club; Y makes two more tricks in clubs, and

YZ win two by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Qn, Knv, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2 ♠|Ace ♠|Kg, 8, 4 ♠ Ace, Qn, Knv ♡|Kg, 7, 6, 5, 2 ♡|10, 9 ♡ 6 ♣|Knv, 10, 5, 4, 3 ♣|Ace, 9, 7 ♣ Kg, Qn ♢|7, 2 ♢|10, 9, 6, 4, 3 ♢

At Trick 3, Y plays badly to trump the doubtful spade (_see_ p. 129). At same trick, B plays well to get rid of the command of his partner's suit (_see_ p. 96), as A, from the lead, must have knave of spades, and Z, from the previous fall of the cards, must have the ten single.

At Trick 4, Y's continuing the trump is bad, after ruining his numerical strength. For he has no particular strength out of trumps (_see_ his hand), and his partner is evidently very weak in trumps.

As the cards happen to lie, if Z does not put on ace of diamonds second hand at Trick 9, A brings in the spades, and YZ lose the game instead of winning it.

HAND IX.

Counting the cards.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--B has led from a suit of at least five diamonds.

REMARK (Trick 8).--Well played by A. He can count B's hand. The ten of diamonds is marked in Y's hand, so B has two diamonds and three hearts. Therefore B must have had four hearts originally, and as it is not the game to put on knave, second hand, with four, holding less than three honours (_see_ Trick 3 and Analysis of Play of Second Hand, p. 85), B must hold both king and queen of hearts.

* * * * *

TRICKS 9 to 13.--B leads king, queen of hearts, to which A discards clubs. A makes his three trumps, and

AB score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

At Trick 7, Z does not lead his original fourth-best, as great strength in trumps is declared against him. (_See_ Appendix A.)

At Trick 8, Y's play is difficult. He might have noticed that his best chance of winning the game is for A to hold only winning hearts and a losing club; and this being so, Y should not lead a diamond.

HAND X.

Counting the hands. Simple instance of departure from rule.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 9).--The lead of ace, followed by knave, indicates a five card suit, headed by ace, queen, knave, and a desire that partner, if he holds the king, should put it on second round (_see_ p. 101). But in this case Y can count the hands, and therefore departs from rule, and does not put on the king. Z has a trump, and three diamonds, the ten guarded being in B's hand. If Y follows rule and puts on king of diamonds, he loses a trick in diamonds; by passing the knave, he ensures five by cards.

* * * * *

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Whatever Y leads, Z makes the remaining tricks, and

YZ win five by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, 2 ♠|Qn, 8, 3 ♠|Knv, 10, 6, 5 ♠ Knv, 9, 7, 4, 2 ♡|Kg, 10, 8 ♡|Ace ♡ Kg, Knv, 10, 5, 2 ♣|8, 7, 4 ♣|Qn, 9, 6 ♣ 4 ♢|10, 8, 7, 3 ♢|Ace, Qn, Knv, 6, 2 ♢

At Trick 2 Z's trump lead is rather forward, but justifiable with his hand at the score of love-all, especially as Y must hold the ace of clubs.

HAND XI.

Discarding, and playing to the score.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--Y has called for trumps.

TRICKS 9 to 13.--Y (Trick 9) leads a spade. He is directed to the spade suit by Z's _original discard_ of a club at Trick 6 (_see_ p. 104), notwithstanding that Z has since discarded two spades. Z plays properly to keep his queen of clubs guarded after his first discard, as he only wants at most two tricks besides the two trumps which he knows to be in Y's hand. Y, at Trick 8, leads a heart to show he has all the other hearts, as it is possible that the best heart may be held up by the adversary. Y thus tells Z not to finesse if he has one trick certain (_see_ score).

Z puts on the ace of spades, at Trick 9, as that card and the two trumps in Y's hand make the game. If Z finesses he only scores four, as will be seen by referring to the hands below. Z's play would not be right if he had only five tricks up, as he would then want one more trick to win the game. In that case he should finesse. This is a good illustration of playing to the score.

YZ score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Kg, 9, 8, 3 ♠|5 ♠|Knv, 10, 4, 2 ♠ Kg, 2 ♡|Ace, Knv, 8, 5, 3 ♡|10, 7, 4 ♡ Kg, 9, 5 ♣|Knv, 6 ♣|Ace, 10, 7, 3 ♣ Ace, Kg, 10, 4 ♢|Qn, 9, 8, 6, 5 ♢|Knv, 2 ♢

At Trick 3, A is justified in risking a force on his partner, though weak in trumps himself. Strength in trumps has been adversely declared by the call (_see_ pp. 132, 133), and there is nothing to show that B has not the queen of diamonds.

At Trick 4, it is doubtful whether A should cover the strengthening card led (_see_ p. 88).

HAND XII.

Discarding.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 3).--The knave of diamonds, and therefore the command of trumps, is marked in Y's hand.

REMARK (Trick 7).--Z properly concludes, as his partner has command of trumps (_see_ Remark, Trick 3), that his discard (Trick 6) was from his weakest suit, notwithstanding the adverse trump lead, and therefore Z leads clubs. If Z mistakes the character of his partner's discard, and leads a heart, he loses the game (_see_ pp. 105-6, and apply the rules of play there stated to the present situation).

* * * * *

TRICKS 9 to 13.--Y brings in the clubs (_see_ his hand below), and

YZ win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

At Trick 7, A is right to cover the queen of clubs (_see_ p. 88).

HAND XIII.

Getting rid of the command of partner's suit (_see_ p. 97).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--_See_ p. 97.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Z (Trick 11) leads deuce of diamonds. Y makes two tricks in diamonds (note the advantage to YZ of Z's having got rid of the command).

YZ win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Knv, 9 ♠|8, 7, 6 ♠|Ace, Qn, 4, 3, 2 ♠ Qn, 8 ♡|Knv, 10, 9, 4 ♡|Kg, 7, 3, 2 ♡ Qn, Knv, 10, 6, 5, 4, 2 ♣|Kg ♣|Ace, 7 ♣ 7, 4 ♢|Ace, Qn, Knv, 6, 5 ♢|Kg, 3 ♢

At Trick 2, Z plays the turn-up card (_see_ p. 114).

At Trick 3, B passes the nine of trumps. If the tenace is against him covering does no good; and there is a reasonable chance that the ace will fall.

At Trick 6, B, having found A weak in trumps, and the whole diamond suit being declared against him, alters his tactics, and does not continue trumps.

At Trick 7, Y plays properly in attempting to force the strong trump hand, keeping knave of hearts with which to trump clubs. If B refuses the first force he wins two or three by cards, as the cards happen to lie. But he cannot place the diamonds, and probably his best play is to trump.

HAND XIV.

Finessing.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 9).--A's finesse is unlucky. He has no indication as to the position of the queen. _The finesse must not be judged by the result._ It is generally right against one card if the success of the finesse wins the game.

* * * * *

TRICKS 10 to 13.--YZ make two tricks in diamonds (_see_ their hands below); and

YZ win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, Qn, Knv, 4 ♠|Ace, 9 ♠|10, 8, 5, 3 ♠ Qn, 5 ♡|Ace, 10 ♡|8, 3, 2 ♡ Ace, 4, 2 ♣|9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 3 ♣|Kg, Qn, 10 ♣ Kg, Knv, 8, 5 ♢|Qn, 9, 3 ♢|Ace, 4, 2 ♢

At Trick 6, Y's lead is not well judged. He knows his partner to hold king of clubs single, and his object should be to prevent the two trumps from being drawn together. Y's best lead appears to be queen of hearts; and if it wins, a diamond.

HAND XV.

Counting the hands, and refusing a finesse.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 1).--A has not both king and queen of diamonds, or he would have led one. B has not either king or queen of diamonds, or he would have played one of them instead of the ace. Therefore, Y must have one of those cards. Z draws this inference _at the time_. It will not be of any use to him until near the end of the hand.

REMARK.--B has led from exactly five clubs (_see_ Appendix A).

REMARK.--The ace would be an echo (_see_ p. 128).

REMARK (Trick 6).--The policy of this lead is doubtful. Players are apt to show their suits in this manner. But it is clear, the opponents having led diamonds and clubs, that if Z has strength in any suit it is in spades. The objections to showing a suit in this way are: 1, that it may be trumped the first round; 2, that partner may have only one card of it. In the latter case he cannot return the lead, and must open or continue another suit to a disadvantage.

REMARK.--Y has the long trump.

REMARK (Trick 9).--Z's play in not finessing is very good. He can count Y's hand, thus: Y has no more clubs (_see_ Remark, Trick 3), he has the last trump, and three other cards. These cards must either be queen, ten of spades, and a diamond, in which case Z's play does not matter; or the nine returned by Y must be his best spade, in which case he can only have one more, as he would return the higher of two remaining cards (_see_ p. 79), and his other cards must then be two diamonds. Therefore, assuming the case in which Z's play does matter (_i.e._, of Y's nine being his best spade), Y's diamond must be guarded.

Consequently, Z, by not finessing, makes sure of the game. He requires one more trick besides the ace of spades and his partner's trump, and this trick Y is certain to make in diamonds if Z leads through A's hand (_see_ Remark, Trick 1).

* * * * *

TRICKS 10 to 13.--Z (Trick 10) leads a diamond, and, however A plays,

YZ score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Qn, 8, 3 ♠|9, 5 ♠|10, 7, 6, 4 ♠ Knv, 7, 4 ♡|Qn, 10, 6, 5 ♡|9, 8, 3 ♡ 9, 8, 5 ♣|Kg, Qn, 7 ♣|Ace, Knv, 10, 3, 2 ♣ Kg, Knv, 7, 5 ♢|Qn, 10, 9, 6 ♢|Ace ♢

As the cards happen to lie, YZ only score four if Z finesses at Trick 9, and A plays properly. A, on winning this trick with the queen of spades, should see that his only chance of making two more tricks is to be led up to in diamonds. He should therefore (Trick 10) lead the seven of diamonds, which Y is compelled to take, and AB save the game.

HAND XVI.

Leading losing card to place the lead (_see_ pp. 147-151).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--Y has the king of spades.

REMARK.--It is probable that A is weak in trumps, as he refused to force his partner in diamonds. Nevertheless, B leads a trump, as he is well provided in spades, and has some defence in the club suit.

REMARK (Trick 6).--The queen of hearts must be in Z's hand, as A returned the four and now plays the two, and Y renounces.

REMARK (Trick 10).--B leads the losing club to throw the lead into Y's hand. Y will then be obliged to lead a spade, as he has no other suit. Z will have to follow suit, or will be forced with the queen of trumps, and B will make the ace of spades and the last trump.

* * * * *

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Y (Trick 11) leads a spade, B puts on the queen, and

AB score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 10, 9, 7 ♠|Kg, 8, 5, 4, 3 ♠|6, 2 ♠ Knv, 4, 2 ♡|6, 5 ♡|Qn, 10, 8, 7 ♡ Kg, 5 ♣|Ace, Qn, 9, 4 ♣|10, 7, 3 ♣ Ace, Kg, 6, 3, 2 ♢|Qn, 8 ♢|10, 9, 7, 4 ♢

At Trick 8, Y should underplay in clubs.

HAND XVII.

Leading losing card to place the lead (_see_ pp. 147-151).

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 11).--Y leads the losing spade to put the lead into A's hand (_see_ fall of the spades, Tricks 1, 4, and 10), and so compel A to lead hearts up to Z. At this score (YZ, one) this is the best chance of four by cards. If the score were YZ, love, Y should lead a heart, as leading the spade gives up all chance of five by cards.

TRICKS 12 and 13.--Z has ace, queen of hearts; and

YZ win four by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

At Trick 4, B, having a weak hand, plays his partner's game, in preference to planning an attack for himself by opening his own poor suit of four to the knave.

HAND XVIII.

Underplay.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 4).--Y has led from ace, queen, knave, ten; and B, the weak trump hand, has no more clubs.

REMARK (Trick 5).--Z underplays in trumps. To continue hearts, with queen, king marked against him (_see_ Trick 2), or to open diamonds, would be very disadvantageous, so a trump lead is forced, more especially as Y has command of clubs, and B is about to trump that suit. The lead of ace or king of trumps would leave the lead with Z, who would then still be in a difficulty as to his next lead. Further, it is of importance to endeavour to place the lead in Y's hand, that he may continue clubs. Also, if the underplay succeeds, it is not at all unlikely that YZ will win the game.

TRICKS 8 to 13.--Z makes ace, king of trumps, and

YZ win the game.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. Qn, 7, 5, 3, 2 ♠|Knv, 8 ♠|9, 4 ♠ Kg, 6 ♡|Ace, 2 ♡|Qn, 9, 8, 7 ♡ 8, 5, 4, 2 ♣|Ace, Qn, Knv, 10, 3 ♣|9, 6 ♣ Ace, Qn ♢|10, 5, 4, 3 ♢|Knv, 9 8, 7, 2 ♢

At Trick 5, if A puts on queen of spades, second hand, he saves the game. May be, a very shrewd player would have seen through the position, including the importance of preventing Y from getting the lead if possible; but A can hardly be blamed for passing, as it is unlikely that both ace and king of spades are in Z's hand.

HAND XIX.

Underplay, and playing to the score.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 3).--Y is justified in playing a forward game. He has four trumps (_see_ pp. 122, 123), ace of the opponent's suit, and a fine heart suit: and his partner has declared strength in diamonds by choosing that suit for his original lead.

REMARK (Trick 6).--Y is justified in playing a false card here, notwithstanding General Principle 12 (p. 108). The heart is a forced lead, and the card led (the ten) is obviously A's best. Y's scheme is to take another round of trumps, and then to underplay in hearts (_see_ p. 101); so he puts on the ace to deceive B as to the position of the king.

TRICKS 9 to 13.--Z leads the king of clubs, to which Y discards the two of diamonds. Z then leads the knave of hearts, on which Y puts the king; the queen falls (_see_ the hands below); Y brings in the hearts; and

YZ win five by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Ace, Kg, 5 ♠|9, 8, 6 ♠|Qn, 4, 2 ♠ 10, 2 ♡|Qn, 7, 4 ♡|Knv, 9, 3 ♡ Knv, 8, 7, 6, 5 ♣|10, 9, 2 ♣|Kg, Qn, 4 ♣ Ace, 8, 6 ♢|10, 9, 7, 3 ♢|Qn, Knv, 5, 4 ♢

A and B both play the hand badly. At Trick 6, A, in the face of an adverse trump lead and the command of his suit (clubs) against him, should lead the ace of diamonds to make the third trick and save the game. At Trick 8, B should put on his queen of hearts. He is fairly taken in by Y's dark play at Trick 6; but he ought not to have allowed himself to be so. He should have argued that Y, who has been playing a very strong game, would not be likely to put on ace second hand merely for the purpose of getting the lead or of making sure of a trick. Further, if A's lead was a forced one, from weakness (hearts being the only suit in which B can be strong), Z is sure to finesse if he has king, knave, or even king, nine. So B's best chance of making the queen is to put it on (_see_ p. 102).

HAND XX.

Defensive trump lead, and playing to the score.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 1).--A defensive trump lead, to avoid opening a three card suit.

REMARK (Trick 4).--A's finesse is unlucky. He is, however, clearly justified in not parting with the command of trumps, as, even if the finesse does not succeed, he remains with the last trump, will be led up to in one of his guarded suits, and will, in all probability, bring in his partner's diamonds.

TRICKS 9 to 13.--A leads the queen of diamonds, and finds his partner with the entire command of diamonds (_see_ B's hand below).

AB score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

It may be observed that Z loses the game by bad play at Trick 7. The fall of the cards in Tricks 5 and 6 shows that A has the queen of hearts, and Y the king. Z should therefore, at Trick 7, lead the ace of spades to make the fourth trick, and then the heart, making the fifth trick and saving the game.

At Trick 8, if Y leads a spade and Z does not finesse, the game may be saved. To finesse at that point would be very bad play, as the ace of spades makes the fifth trick. But Y's play at Trick 8, though unfortunate, is not wrong; for Y cannot tell that Z has the ace of spades; indeed, the presumption is that he has not, or he would have led it. Y properly plays to force the long trump, and to make his partner fourth player.

HAND XXI.

An ill-judged call for trumps, and a well-judged third round, notwithstanding the adverse strength.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--Z has called for trumps.

REMARK.--The fall of the spades (_see_ Tricks 3, 4, and 5) shows that the three is in Y's hand.

REMARK.--It is seldom right to continue trumps when led by the opponents; but this is an exceptional case. B plays well in drawing two trumps for one, as it is evident that if Y and Z make their trumps separately they must win the odd trick.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Whatever Z leads, B makes ace, queen of hearts; and

AB win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 6 ♠|Ace, 7, 3, 2 ♠|Qn, Knv, 10, 9, 8 ♠ 9, 6, 2 ♡|7, 5, 4 ♡|Kg, Knv, 3 ♡ Kg, Qn, Knv, 10, 9, 8 ♣|Ace ♣|7, 6, 4 ♣ Ace, 8, 7 ♢|Knv, 9, 5, 3, 2 ♢|Kg, 4 ♢

Z's call for trumps is ill-judged, especially at the score of four-all. The whole club suit is declared against him, as Y, putting on ace, second hand, can have no more. If Z does not call, he wins the game easily.

HAND XXII.

Returned lead, and refusing a force.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 2).--B has the five of spades, and Y the king. A, therefore, does not continue the trump, but leaves the small spade in his partner's hand.

REMARK (Trick 9).--A knows B has two more clubs (_see_ Tricks 7 and 8, and p. 106). A, therefore, desires to leave the lead with Y, that he may go on with another club, and so clear B's suit.

REMARK (Trick 11).--A leads his smallest heart, as he does not want to tempt B to finesse (_see_ p. 142). B has ace, queen of hearts (_see_ his hand below), but he does not finesse, as the ace of hearts, last club, and A's trump make every trick.

AB win four by cards.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, 8, 3 ♠|Qn, 7, 5 ♠|Knv, 6 ♠ 8, 5, 4 ♡|Ace, Qn ♡|Kg, Knv, 9, 7, 2 ♡ Ace, Kg, Qn ♣|10, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 ♣|Knv, 8, 7 ♣ Knv, 9, 6, 3 ♢|Kg, 10 ♢|5, 4, 2 ♢

Y should play queen of clubs at Trick 7, and ace of clubs at Trick 9, when A will not have sufficient materials for his _coup_, as he will be uncertain as to the position of the best club. Y gives his adversary too much information by playing book (_see_ p. 113). When the adversaries have command of trumps, it is often advisable, towards the end of a hand, to play so as not to enable them to count the cards.

HAND XXIII.

Refusing to overtrump.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 6).-A does not overtrump. This is the sort of _coup_ for which no rule can be laid down in a book, as it depends entirely on the state of the game and the previous fall of the cards. A sees, that his only chance of two by cards is for the remaining trumps to be divided, and for him to be able to get two rounds before he loses the command of hearts. If then his partner has ace, queen of spades, he may win the game against two by honours.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Z leads a heart which A wins. A leads a spade, and finds his partner with ace, queen; and

AB win two by cards (which score before honours).

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

HAND XXIV.

Refusing to overtrump.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 10).--Y's play in not overtrumping is very good. He counts the hand thus: to save the game Z must hold ace, queen, or ace, knave of spades; his third card is evidently the remaining diamond. A has the nine of clubs (_see_ fall of the club suit in Tricks 2, 7, and 9), and two trumps. B has two trumps, one being queen or knave (_see_ Trick 9), and king, knave of clubs. If the cards remaining in each hand are placed face upwards on the table, and the uncertain cards, viz., the nine, four, and three of trumps are given two to A, and one to B, it will be seen that, if Y overtrumps with the seven, he cannot make the requisite three tricks; but that, if he leaves the lead with A, YZ make the remaining tricks.

It may be added, that if, at Trick 10, A discards his club, and keeps his three little trumps together, leaving the trick to B, AB must win the odd trick if B leads a trump at Trick 11 after trumping. This A might have reckoned.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

HAND XXV.

_See_ Refusing to overtrump, pp. 146, 147.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 10).--B can count A's hand--viz., a spade and two diamonds. Therefore, if B overtrumps he cannot possibly win two more tricks.

TRICKS 12 and 13.--Z leads a trump (he has only trumps in hand), and B makes ace and eight.

AB win two by cards.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, Knv, 9, 8, 7 ♠|6, 5, 4 ♠|Ace, 10, 3 ♠ Kg, 9, 6 ♡|Qn, 10, 3 ♡|Knv, 7, 5, 4 ♡ 7 ♣|Ace, Qn, Knv, 2 ♣|Kg, 10, 6, 3 ♣ Qn, Knv, 9, 4 ♢|Ace, 10, 8 ♢|7, 5 ♢

The end play of this hand is difficult. At Trick 9, Y leads three of hearts in preference to the queen, as he can count an honour single in A's hand. At Trick 10, A's best lead is doubtful. At Trick 10, also, probably Y should trump with the queen (_see_ p. 147); but even then, B must place ten of hearts in Y's hand.

HAND XXVI.

Counting the hands, and consequent departure from rule.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 7).--This is strong illustration of a case for departing from rule. Y can count two more trumps, and three more spades in A's hand (_see_ A's leads, Tricks 3 and 6, and p. 116). It is clear that A can have at most two hearts; consequently, if Y leads his tierce major in hearts, he must lose the game, as the opponents have two by honours. But, if Y can give his partner the lead, and Z has four more clubs, or the winning club, and A makes the mistake of trumping it, YZ may make every trick, and win the game.

Y would be right to play as he does even if A had led from only four spades. With a strong trump hand declared against, and a long weak suit, it is doubtful whether A should not have led the deuce of spades at Trick 3 (_see_ Appendix A); but the hand is given as it was played.

* * * * *

TRICKS 9 to 13.--Z continues to lead clubs (_see_ his hand below), and whether A passes or trumps,

YZ score four by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Knv, 9, 5, 3, 2 ♠|Kg, Qn, 10, 8, 7 ♠|Ace, 6 ♠ 8, 7 ♡|Knv, 6, 5 ♡|9, 4, 3 ♡ Kg ♣|9, 4, 3 ♣|A, Qn, Knv, 10, 6, 5, 2 ♣ Ace, Qn, 9, 6, 4 ♢|Knv, 2 ♢|5 ♢

HAND XXVII.

_See_ Leading from weakest suit, p. 141.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--By the first discard Z shows his strong suit to be spades. In an ordinary hand, Z might afterwards throw a diamond. But here, Y must be strong in diamonds, in order to save the game; and it is important for Z to keep the power of leading that suit more than once.

REMARK.--B covers the honour, because the lead was from weakness. B plays badly; he should have passed the knave. For, A has shown four more trumps, and only one other trick is required. Hence, if A has ace or king of spades, the game is won to a moral certainty; if not, no good is got by covering.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--A, with the lead, remains with the last trump and king, knave of diamonds. He (Trick 11) leads the trump; but, whatever he plays,

YZ win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A plays well throughout, but he cannot prevent the result. His lead of the trump at Trick 3 to show his strength, and to tell his partner to make one trick certain if he has the chance, is unlucky, as it puts the adversaries on the only tack for saving the game.

HAND XXVIII.

_See_ Treating long suits like short ones, pp. 142, 143.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 9).--Deschapelles' Coup. B can count A's hand, three diamonds and two hearts, for the ten, nine of clubs are clearly with Y (_see_ Tricks 7 and 8). B therefore leads the king of hearts (_see_ p. 142). If he makes the usual lead of a small heart, he wins a trick less as the cards happen to lie.

TRICK 13.--A makes the king of diamonds; and

AB score two by cards and two by honours.

If Y, at Trick 4, discards a heart, he saves the game. Nevertheless, his proper discard is the club (_see_ pp. 104-5).

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, 7, 3 ♠|Knv, 5 ♠|9, 8, 6, 4 ♠ Qn, 7 ♡|Ace, 8, 6 ♡|Knv, 10, 9 ♡ 8, 7, 5 ♣|Ace, Knv, 10, 9, 2 ♣|Qn, 6, 4 ♣ Kg, 9, 5, 3, 2 ♢|Ace, 10, 7 ♢|8, 6, 4 ♢

HAND XXIX.

_See_ Refusing to win the second round of a suit, p. 143.

THE PLAY.

TRICKS 10 to 13.--Z brings in the diamonds; and

YZ win three by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. 10, 2 ♠|Ace, 8 ♠|Qn, Knv, 5, 3 ♠ Kg, Qn, Knv, 6, 5, 2 ♡|9, 8, 4 ♡|10, 7, 3 ♡ Kg, 7, 4, 3 ♣|10, 9, 8, 2 ♣|Qn, Knv, 5 ♣ Kg ♢|Ace, 8, 4, 2 ♢|Qn, 7, 5 ♢

At Trick 4, A having already shown his suit does not discard from it, as there is still a possibility of bringing it in (_see_ pp. 104-6), and his king of clubs is sufficiently protected even after the discard.

If Z parts with the last trump at Trick 6, and leads diamonds, A, on the second round of diamonds, will unguard his king of clubs, knowing his partner to have a heart to lead him (_see_ fall of the heart suit, Tricks 1, 4, and 5), will bring in all the hearts, and win the odd trick.

HAND XXX.

_See_ Refusing to win the second round of a suit, pp. 143, 144.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 6).--B has next to no chance of bringing in the diamonds. He therefore plays to protect his short suits (_see_ pp. 104-6).

REMARK (Trick 7).--B refuses to win this trick. The three of clubs is clearly in Z's hand (_see_ fall of the club suit, Tricks 5 and 7), and the two long trumps. The remaining clubs are evidently in Y's hand. If, therefore, B parts with the ace of clubs while Z has a club to lead, AB lose the game, unless A has the king of spades; and if A has that card, B loses nothing by passing this trick, as Z, having only one more club, must hold three spades.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--B (Trick 11) leads the last diamond, and forces Z. Z (Trick 12) has only spades to lead; B makes ace, queen of spades; and

YZ score two by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above).

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 10, 8, 7, 3 ♠|9, 5, 2 ♠|Kg, 6, 4 ♠ Knv, 9, 7 ♡|Kg, Qn ♡|Ace, 10, 6, 5, 3, 2 ♡ 10, 4 ♣|Qn, 9, 8, 6, 5 ♣|Kg, Knv, 3 ♣ Kg, 9, 7, 6 ♢|10, 8, 3 ♢|4 ♢

HAND XXXI.

_See_ Declining to draw the losing trump, pp. 144, 145.

Score: AB, love; YZ, three.

Ace of diamonds turned up.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--It is evident that Z's lead was from king, knave, ten, &c., and that B has no more hearts. Y returning the nine, and the two not falling, must have the two single, and the other hearts are with Z.

REMARK.--The case now arises contemplated at p. 145. A has the best trump and the lead; Y the losing trump. Y also has one card of his partner's established suit (_see_ Remark, Trick 5). A therefore (Trick 7) does not draw the trump.

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Y has nothing but clubs to lead. A wins the three tricks; and

YZ win the odd trick.

If, at Trick 7, A draws the trump, YZ win two by cards.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, 7 ♠|10, 8, 5, 2 ♠|Ace, 4 ♠ Ace, 9, 2 ♡|8, 6 ♡|Kg, Knv, 10, 4, 3 ♡ Kg, Qn, 4, 2 ♣|Knv, 9, 8, 6, 3 ♣|10, 7, 5 ♣ Kg, 7, 6, 4 ♢|10, 2 ♢|Ace, 5, 3 ♢

HAND XXXII.

_See_ Throwing high cards to place the lead, pp. 147-149.

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--B has no more spades.

REMARK (Trick 8).--Well played by A. He sees that if he obtains the lead on the second round of diamonds he must continue the spade suit, a course demonstrably fatal to him, unless his partner has the queen of diamonds together with the long hearts (_see_ fall of hearts, Trick 7). By throwing the king to the ace A avoids the lead, and saves the game if his partner has either queen or knave of diamonds (as may be seen by placing the cards), unless the adversaries continue the spade suit, when the game cannot be saved, by any course of play. This clever _coup_ occurred in actual play.

TRICKS 10 to 13.--B brings in the hearts, winning two more tricks; A makes his trump; and

YZ score the odd trick and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

At Trick 2, B does not cover (_see_ p. 88).

HAND XXXIII.

_See_ Throwing high cards to place the lead, pp. 147-149

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--Y has the knave of diamonds.

REMARK (Trick 10).--A plays very well in putting on the ace. He wants two more tricks besides his ace of hearts to save the game. The last trump and best diamond are against him. It is clear, therefore, if A has the lead after the second round of hearts (when he must lead a diamond), he loses the game. It is also clear that unless B has king, knave, and a small heart, the game is gone.

YZ score two by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Knv, 8, 7 ♠|10, 9, 6, 3 ♠|Kg, Qn, 5 ♠ 7, 6, 4 ♡|Kg, Knv, 5, 3, 2 ♡|10, 9, 8 ♡ Kg, 10, 5 ♣|Qn, 4 ♣|Ace, Knv, 9, 7, 6 ♣ Ace, Knv, 10, 5 ♢|9, 8 ♢|3, 2 ♢

At Trick 2, Y is in difficulties. His strong suit has been led by his right-hand adversary. Under these circumstances, he leads from his strongest weak suit.

At Trick 6, Y's play in continuing the trump is open to criticism. His better lead seems to be knave of diamonds. Z wins his partner's ten of trumps in order to draw all the trumps. It is very bad play, for if Z passes the ten, and Y leads the knave of diamonds, the game is certain. This is an example of the very common error of winning partner's trick. It should seldom be done, and only if a positive advantage can be well-nigh demonstrated from doing it.

At Trick 11, the advantage of winning partner's trick--when judiciously done--is shown. B, seeing A's anxiety to get rid of the lead, rightly conjectures that A has two more diamonds. He therefore takes the only course to save the game, by winning his partner's queen of hearts.

HAND XXXIV.

Echo of the Call (_see_ p. 128).

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 2).--Y has called for trumps. Z, having four trumps himself, commences to echo his partner's call.

REMARK.--Z completes the echo of the call.

REMARK (Trick 6).--Z having echoed, Y has no hesitation in leading trumps again after being forced a second time.

TRICKS 10 to 13.--A (Trick 10) leads queen of diamonds, which analysis shows is rather better than a club, though, as the cards happen to lie, his lead is immaterial. Y trumps the diamond, and

YZ score three by cards and two by honours.

* * * * *

But for the echo, the game might have been missed. If after being forced a second time, at Trick 5, Y deems it prudent not to continue trumps, and leads two rounds of diamonds, B makes a small trump, and the game is saved.

THE HANDS.

(Z's hand is given above.)

HAND XXXV.

Leading losing trump, to place the lead.

THE PLAY.

REMARKS (Tricks 3 and 4).--Y leads fourth-best; Z echoes; but as the cards lie, it so happens that the position of the hearts would be independently marked after Trick 5.

REMARK (Trick 10).--Well played by Y. He can count his partner's hand, viz., the eight of trumps (_see_ Remark, Trick 4, and the fall of the hearts, Tricks 3, 4, and 5), the last club, and a losing spade, as Z having put on the ace of spades (Trick 9), cannot have the king. Y therefore trumps with the nine, and (Trick 11) leads the seven of hearts to put the lead in Z's hand. Z (Trick 12) leads the club, to which Y discards the ten of spades; and

YZ win five by cards.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Qn ♠|Kg, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 ♠|Ace, 6 ♠ Qn, 10 ♡|Ace ♡|Kg, 8, 5, 4 ♡ Qn, 10, 4, 2 ♣|9, 5, 3 ♣|Ace, Kg, 8, 7, 6 ♣ A, Qn, Knv, 9, 8, 5 ♢|10, 4, 3 ♢|7, 6 ♢

At Trick 4, B should have led a spade. A having shown at least five diamonds by leading ace, then knave (_see_ p. 66), the diamond is sure to be trumped, and it may force the weak trump hand, or may allow one adversary to discard and the other to trump.

HAND XXXVI.

Echo after a force (_see_ p. 129).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--B has called.

REMARK.--A has echoed. He therefore had at least four trumps originally.

REMARK.--The remaining trump is in A's hand. But for the echo, it might be in Z's hand.

REMARK (Trick 9).--B can now lead ace of diamonds, without fear of its being trumped (_see_ Remark, Trick 8). If the position of the other trump were uncertain, the lead of the ace of diamonds would be wrong. For, by leading nine of trumps, B can make certain of saving the game (_see_ score); whereas, if Z has a trump, and trumps the ace of diamonds, B loses the game, as Y will then make a diamond.

* * * * *

TRICKS 11 to 13.--B makes his three trumps, and

AB win the game.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 8, 7, 5, 3 ♠|Knv, 10 ♠|Kg, 2 ♠ Qn, 10, 7, 6, 5 ♡|Ace, 4, 2 ♡|Kg, 9, 3 ♡ 3 ♣|Knv, 9, 4, 2 ♣|A, Kg, Qn, 10, 7, 5 ♣ 9, 5, 2 ♢|Knv, 10, 8, 6 ♢|Kg, 7 ♢

HAND XXXVII.

Coup of compelling a discard, same in principle as the Vienna Coup.

THE PLAY.

REMARK (Trick 9).--Well played by Y. He can count B's hand as follows: ten and two small diamonds; queen of spades (_see_ Trick 6--the lead of the king could only be from king, queen); and one other card, probably a small spade, for had B another heart he would most likely have continued his partner's original lead, instead of changing the suit. Y now leads a trump in hopes that B will discard the small spade, when Y will lead the seven of spades to throw the lead into B's hand, and B will be obliged to lead a diamond up to Y's tenace.

B, however, discards a diamond. Y continues his tactics (_see_ Trick 10), leading another trump. This compels another discard from B. If B discards the small spade, Y leads the losing spade; if B discards another diamond, Y establishes the diamonds, and in either case wins the game. This fine _coup_ occurred in actual play.

* * * * *

TRICKS 11 to 13.--Y (Trick 11) leads the spade. B is obliged (Trick 12) to lead a diamond; and

YZ score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(Y's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Knv, 9, 8, 4 ♠|Kg, Qn, 2 ♠|Ace, 10, 6, 5 ♠ Qn, 10, 9, 8, 2 ♡|Ace, Kg ♡|Knv, 7, 4, 3 ♡ 10, 8, 6 ♣|Qn, 9 ♣|Kg, 7, 4 ♣ 9 ♢|10, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 ♢|Knv, 2 ♢

At Trick 10, B should notice that he must lose the game if he retains the queen of spades. His only chance of saving the game here is to discard the queen of spades, in hopes of finding his partner with two tricks in spades, or with a trick in spades and hearts. If A has not these cards, the game is lost.

HAND XXXVIII.

Grand Coup (_see_ pp. 151-155).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--The fall of the king shows that the remaining clubs are in Y's hand.

REMARK.--Well played by B. All the hearts are out; the remaining diamonds are in Z's hand (_see_ fall of the diamonds, Tricks, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7), and all the clubs are in Y's hand. Y must therefore have three trumps and two spades. If B discards a spade to this trick, he cannot avoid leading trumps twice up to Y. In that case Y will make two tricks in trumps, saving the game, as will be apparent by so playing the cards. The result is otherwise if B trumps his partner's best heart. He can then lead out ace and king of spades, to which Y must follow suit; and by continuing with the five of clubs (the nine, eight, and three are in against him), B secures the tenace, and wins the game.

* * * * *

TRICKS 9 to 13.--B (Tricks 9 and 10) leads spades, and (Trick 11) the six of clubs. B makes the last two tricks, and

AB score three by cards and two by honours.

THE HANDS.

(B's hand is given above.)

A'S HAND. | Y'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. 9, 5, 4, 3, 2 ♠|Qn, 6 ♠|Knv, 10, 8, 7 ♠ Ace, Kg, Qn, 10, 2 ♡|Knv, 9, 8, 5, 3 ♡|7, 4 ♡ Kg ♣|9, 8, 3, 2 ♣|Ace, 10 ♣ 10, 6 ♢|Ace, 9 ♢|Qn, Knv, 8, 7, 2 ♢

At Trick 4, Z leads his lowest diamond, though holding five, because strength in trumps is declared against. (_See_ Appendix A).

HAND XXXIX.

Grand Coup (_see_ pp. 151-155).

THE PLAY.

REMARK.--B has called.

REMARK.--B has three of trumps.

REMARK.--A plays a masterly _coup_ in trumping with the four. He argues that B, having a weak hand, would not call for trumps with less than five trumps, two honours. If so, B has a trump too many, and Y must make a trick in trumps, unless B can play the _Grand Coup_ with the three of trumps (_see_ Remark, Trick 5).

B undertrumps his partner, the _Grand coup_.

and AB win the odd trick.

THE HANDS.

(A's hand is given above.)

Y'S HAND. | B'S HAND. | Z'S HAND. Kg, 9, 2 ♠|8, 7, 5 ♠|Ace, Qn, Knv, 10 ♠ Qn, Knv, 10 ♡|9, 4 ♡|Kg, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2 ♡ 8, 4, 3 ♣|Kg, 9, 5 ♣|Ace, Qn ♣ Kg, 9, 7, 5 ♢|Ace, Qn, 10, 8, 3 ♢|Knv ♢

At Trick 5 B can place all the remaining trumps; hence he undertrumps his partner at Trick 10. Though his play is very good, A's _coup_ in trumping with the four, so as to render B's _coup_ possible, is entitled to the palm. Hence, A's hand heads the example.

At Trick 9, Z ought to lead knave of spades, on which Y should discard eight of clubs, when YZ win the game.

APPENDIX A.

AMERICAN LEADS.

Since the appearance of the previous Edition of this work, American Leads have been the subject of much discussion.

American Leads propose a systematic course of play when opening and continuing the lead from the strong suit, as follows:--

LOW CARD LED.

_When you open a strong suit with a_ LOW CARD _lead your_ FOURTH-BEST.

When a four-card suit is opened with a low card, the _lowest_ is the card selected. Instead of calling this the lowest, call it the _fourth-best_.

When a five-card suit is opened with a low card, the _penultimate_ card is selected. Instead of calling this the penultimate, call it the _fourth-best_.

When a six-card suit is opened with a low card, lead the _ante-penultimate_. Instead of calling this the _ante-penultimate_, call it the _fourth-best_.

And so on for suits of more than six cards. Every suit of four or more cards, opened with a low card, is to be treated, on the first lead, as though there were no cards below the fourth-best in the leader's hand.

Example:--

|Lead| From Qn, 10, 8, | 7, | " Qn, 10, 8, | 7, | 6 " Qn, 10, 8, | 7, | 6, 4 " Qn, 10, 8, | 7, | &c., &c., &c.

By following this method, you show your partner, as regards a strong suit which you open with a low card, that you _invariably_ hold _exactly three_ cards higher than the one first led; and not infrequently what those cards are.

HIGH CARD LED FOLLOWED BY LOW CARD.

_When you open a strong suit with a_ HIGH CARD, _and next lead a_ LOW CARD, _lead your_ ORIGINAL FOURTH-BEST.

When ace is led from ace and four or more small cards, after leading the ace, lead the original fourth-best, _i.e._, the card you would have led if opening with a small card. Thus, in trumps, with ace, knave, nine, eight, seven, an advanced player would begin the eight. In plain suits, the ace would be first led. The second lead of an American Leader would be the eight, the original fourth-best, and not the seven.

By following this method, you inform your partner that you _invariably_ remain with _exactly two_ cards higher than the second card led, as shown by the following tabulated example:--

Lead| |Then| From Ace,| Knv, 9,| 8, | 7 " Ace,| Knv, 9,| 8, | 7, 5 " Ace,| Knv, 9,| 8, | 7, 5, 3 " Ace,| Knv, 9,| 8, | &c., &c., &c.

By leading in this way you not infrequently tell your partner what your remaining high cards are. Thus, with the above combination, if king, queen come out on the second round, and your partner holds the ten, he knows to a certainty that you command the suit, a fact about which he would have been in doubt had you continued with the lowest.

The same rule, when a high card is followed by a low card, applies to king led from king, queen, and small ones, when the king wins the trick; and to ten, led from king, knave, ten and one or more small ones, when the ten wins the trick. These are all the possible cases. With king, knave, ten, nine, if the nine wins the first trick, the leader goes on with a high card.

HIGH CARD LED FOLLOWED BY HIGH CARD.

_When you remain with_ TWO HIGH INDIFFERENT CARDS, _lead the_ HIGHER _if you opened a_ SUIT OF FOUR; THE LOWER _if you opened a_ SUIT OF FIVE _or more_. (_See_ Analysis of Leads in Detail, p. 64).

The typical example is the combination of ace, queen, knave, and one or more small cards. With four in suit, ace, then queen is led. But with more than four in suit, the knave is led after the ace, because then, if your partner remains with king and one small card, you are strong enough to invite him to win your trick in order to unblock your long suit.

In the same way, if queen is led from queen, knave, ten and small, you proceed with the knave, holding only ten and one small. But, with knave, ten and more than one small, you continue with the ten, the lower of two indifferent high cards, to induce your partner to win it, and so to unblock your suit, should he remain with ace and one small one, or with king and one small one.

Consequently, if your partner is an American Leader, and on the second round of your suit, you lead the higher of two high indifferent cards, he will count your strong suit to have consisted of _four cards_ exactly. On the other hand, when on the second round, you lead the lower of two high indifferent cards, he will count _at least three_ of your strong suit still in your hand. As it is advantageous to your partner to be able to count your hand in this way, whether he has blocking cards or not, you should always pursue the same system. Thus: you lead ten, from king, knave, ten, &c. The ten forces the queen. You obtain the lead again. Your king, knave are now high indifferent cards. If you lead the king, your partner knows you remain with knave and at most one small card of the suit. If you lead the knave, your partner knows you remain with king and at least two small ones.

Or, you lead knave, from king, queen, knave, and two or more small ones. On leading the suit again, if you continue with king, your partner counts queen, and exactly two small ones in your hand. If you continue with queen, your partner counts king and more than two small ones in your hand (_see_ p. 68).

Before deciding which of two or more high cards to lead, be sure whether they are _indifferent_ cards. This information you can obtain by consulting the Analysis of Leads (p. 64). When, in the Analysis, the second lead is given without any qualification, the high cards are not indifferent.

Three objections are urged against American Leads by players who oppose their adoption. The first is,

_That they complicate the game._

Even were this stricture true, it is no objection to an intellectual game that it exercises the minds of the players. But it has hardly any foundation in fact. All an American Leader asks his partner to observe is:--

That, when he originally leads a low card he holds three of the suit higher than the card led.

That, when he originally leads a high card and next a low one, he still holds two cards higher than the second card led. And,

That, when he originally leads a high card, and follows it with a high card, he indicates, in many cases, to any one who knows the Analysis of Leads (as every whist player ought), whether his strong suit consisted of four or of more than four cards.

The second objection is,

_That they seldom affect the result._

The answer is that American Leads add little which is new to the game. They only consolidate the received practice, and extend a law of uniformity to cases not previously provided for.

The third objection is,

_That the information afforded may be of more use to the opponents than to the leader's partner._

No doubt it may. But, under other whist conditions, experience tells us that it is advantageous, in the long run, to convey information of strength, notwithstanding its publication to the whole table. It is in the highest degree improbable that a player will be at a disadvantage by imparting too much information.

It should be borne in mind that American Leads, in their integrity, assume not merely _an_ original lead, but _the_ original lead of the hand,--the very first lead of all. When a player obtains the lead, for the first time, after one or more tricks have been played, he may open his strong suit in the same way as though he were _the_ original leader. On the other hand, he may deem it advisable to open a weak suit; or to lead through a strong one, or up to a weak one; or, if great strength in trumps has been declared against him, may wish to conceal the fact that his best suit is only a very long one of small cards (_see_ Hand IX, Tricks 6 and 7); or, if late in the hand, he may conclude that the time for precise exhibition of strength is past and gone (_see_ Hand XIII, Tricks 8 and 9, and Hand XXIV, Tricks 5 and 6). These, however, are matters of judgment, for which no hard and fast rule can be laid down.

[For demonstrations of the working of American Leads, and for Illustrative Hands, _see_ "Whist Developments," by "Cavendish." London: THOS. DE LA RUE and Co.]

APPENDIX B.

THE PLAIN-SUIT ECHO.

All whist players are aware that it is advisable to get rid of the command of their partner's long suit. But no general rules have been laid down to further this end. It has been left, for the most part, to the ingenuity of the individual to decide for himself, on the spur of the moment, how and when unblocking should be attempted.

Assuming an original lead of a high card from a plain suit of four or more cards, the third hand may think fit to win his partner's trick in order to free the suit. With regard to knave led, the play of the third hand, holding ace, &c., is well known. And there are other cases, such as the play of the third hand, holding ace, knave only, when king is led originally; but these are too elementary for discussion here.

If the third hand does not endeavour to win the first trick in his partner's suit, he is instructed to play his lowest card. This is, no doubt, sound, except where the third hand holds four cards exactly of his partner's suit, and he may block it should the lead have been from more than four cards. Then he should sometimes retain in his hand the lowest of his four cards, and play the next higher one. It is the object of the Plain-Suit Echo to determine the cases, in which this play is advisable.

The typical example is that of ace led originally by a strong suit player. The second hand follows suit. The third hand holds king, queen, knave, deuce of the suit. The lead was from at least five cards. If the third hand is not to block his partner's suit, he must play the knave to the ace. If the fourth hand follows suit, it is impossible to lose by playing as above proposed; and, even if the fourth hand renounces, it is only possible to lose when the lead was from five cards exactly, and the four cards accompanying the ace are all very small ones.

Again:--The original leader (a strong suit player), leads queen of a plain suit.

The third hand holds nine, eight, seven and a very small one. He may block the suit by playing the very small one; if the lead was from queen, knave, ten, he cannot possibly lose by playing the seven to the queen; and, if the lead was from more than four cards he may gain.

It would occupy too much space to detail all the cases in which it is advisable to follow the plan set forth in the examples, and to enter into all the possible consequences that may ensue.

[For a full examination of the working of the Plain-Suit Echo, and for Illustrative Hands, the advanced player is referred to "Whist Developments," by "Cavendish." London: THOS. DE LA RUE and Co.]

APPENDIX C.

ON THE ORIGINAL LEAD OF KING.

The Analysis of Leads, undertaken in order to ascertain the cases in which the third hand should unblock his partner's suit, showed that king led originally conveys less information to partner than the lead of any other high card. It is the only case in which the lead of a high card is made without at least five in suit, or without the accompaniment of at least two other high cards.

Hence the student was told[48] that when a king is led originally, he must not attempt to unblock the suit on the first round; and this recommendation is quite sound.

It seemed strange that when ace, queen, knave, or ten is led originally, the third hand, with four exactly in suit, should retain his lowest card for two rounds; but that, when king is led, he should abandon these tactics. The conclusion forced on the Author was, that king should never be led originally, when the leader desires to invite his partner to unblock.

The cases where the leader desires his partner to unblock, are those in which the original lead is from more than four cards, the third hand at the same time holding four of the suit exactly, as explained in Appendix B, p. 287.

Therefore, the argument on the previous pages being admitted, king should never be led originally from a suit of more than four cards; and it almost follows that king should always be led from a suit of four cards exactly, which contains an ace, king, or a king, queen combination.

_Ace, king, queen, knave, and one or more small._

Lead knave, in all suits.

Holding more than two small, follow knave with queen; holding two small, follow knave with king; holding one small, follow knave with ace.

_Ace, king, queen, knave, only._

Lead king, then knave, in all suits.

Ace, queen, exactly, are marked in the leader's hand.

_Ace, king, queen, and more than one small._

Lead queen, in all suits.

Holding more than two small, follow queen with king; holding two small, follow queen with ace.

_Ace, king, queen, and one small._

Lead king, then queen, in all suits.

Ace and at most one small, are marked.

_Ace, king, and more than two small._

Lead ace, then king, in plain suits.

In trumps the same, holding seven trumps; with less than seven trumps, lead fourth best.

_Ace, king, and two small._

Lead king in plain suits; the smallest in trumps.

_King, queen, knave, ten, and small (including the nine)._

Lead ten in all suits.

(_a_). If ten wins the trick:--

Holding more than two small, follow ten with knave; holding two small, follow ten with queen; holding one small, follow ten with king.

(_b_). If ten forces ace:--

Holding more than one small, follow ten with knave; holding one small, follow ten with queen.

In case _b_, ten cannot be followed with king, as then partner would be doubtful as to the position of the queen.

_King, queen, knave, ten, only._

Lead king, then ten, in all suits.

Queen, knave, exactly, are marked in the leader's hand.

Here the leader runs the risk, in plain suits, of being blocked if his partner holds ace, and one small one, originally. There is a conflict of advantages and disadvantages; in favour, the Author believes, of the lead of king, if the suit contains only four cards (_compare_ p. 67, bearing in mind that, when that was written, the lead of any card rather than a king, from suits of more than four cards, had not been the subject of consideration).

_King, queen, knave, more than one small._

Lead knave, in all suits.

Holding more than two small, follow knave with queen; holding two small, follow knave with king.

_King, queen, knave, one small._

Lead king, then knave, in all suits.

If king forces ace, or if partner holds ace, the leader, on the appearance of the knave, is marked with queen and one small. If ace is not forced, the presumption is that the leader remains with ace, queen, exactly (_see_ lead from ace, king, queen, knave).

_King, queen, ten, and more than one small, in trumps._

Lead queen.

If queen wins the trick, follow with fourth best _remaining in hand_. King is marked; so, exclude the king, and on second lead continue with the fourth best of the small cards.

Sooner or later, the leader will be marked with at least five trumps originally, including king, ten; or, if he has not the ten, with at least seven trumps originally.

If queen forces ace, on the appearance of the king, the leader is marked with at least five trumps originally (one being the ten); or, if he has not the ten, with at least seven trumps originally.

_King, queen, ten, and one small, in trumps._

Lead king.

Sooner or later, the leader will be marked with exactly four trumps originally, including queen, ten.

_King, queen, and more than two small._

Lead queen.

If queen wins the trick, follow with fourth best remaining in hand (_compare_, lead from king, queen, ten, and more than one small, in trumps).

If queen forces ace, on the appearance of the king, the leader is marked with more than four originally.

In trumps, the same, holding seven trumps; with less than seven trumps, lead fourth best.

_King, queen, two small._

Lead king, in plain suits.

On the appearance of the ace, the leader is marked with queen and at most two small.

In trumps, lead lowest.

* * * * *

Granted that the third player will not trump an honour led originally (and he will seldom lose by passing, even if weak in trumps), the foregoing leads are clearly advantageous, as they enable the third player to employ the unblocking system, and assist him in counting his partner's hand.

* * * * *

The mode of leading, here set forth, has been tried by a number of good players, and has been generally approved. It is, therefore, strongly recommended to the consideration of advanced players, assuming always that the leader's partner is himself an advanced player. Notwithstanding the strong opinion in its favour entertained by the Author, it is still retained in an Appendix, that it may be tested by further trial before being positively asserted as a substantive part of the game.

FOOTNOTES:

[48] "Whist Developments" by "Cavendish." London: THOS. DE LA RUE and Co.

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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Used a CLOCKWISE TOP SEMICIRCLE ARROW, ↷, to indicate the lead in the hand illustration comments.

Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.

Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.