■^ // ■'/■''' m m^ <_ « erplexity that can arise in the mind of a playei*, during the course of a hand. If he will forni the ha])it of fixing in his mind the doubtful situation, and of looking it up after- ward at an early opportunity; — say, during the next deal, or later, — he will in a short time greatly improve his play. Moreover, it is believed that these tables are so sug- gestive of the theory of whist, that any person studying them, will find his play rapidly becoming a matter of judgment rather than of memory. The relief thus af- forded, will enable a player the more easily to keep his attention fixed on the fall of the cards, and the more ac- curately to infer the position of the cards unplayed. INTKODrCTION. O As a fitting- eoncliision to tliis introduction the coni- l)iler would disc-laini all credit for originality, except for tlie design and ;irrangeinent of the matter herein pre- sented. The authorities on whist are such '- household words,' and their works so connnonly in the possession of players, that it has been deemed entirely umiecessnry to make references to them for the support of eacli in- dividual statement. THE PLAN OF THIS BOOK. The choice of suifs from wliich to lead, is first con- sidered. The best, or strongest play is given at the out- set. The remaining leads follow in the order of their preference. Eight directions, applicable solely to the opening- player, are lii'st separately presented. After these, comes a more general series of twen- ty-six directions, for the guidance of any succeeding leader. The latter series applies also to instances in which the lead is obtained the second and third time in the hand. The first series is included in the second. Next, of this series of t^venty-six leads, those which are general in their character, tire separately discussed, in order to set forth in detail what particular ccwd of the suit chosen, should be selected for leading. Two synoptical tables, one for trumps, (table i.), an- other for plain suits, (table iil), have been constructed. 6 PLAX. These furnish, as it were, a bird's-eye view of the rela- tion which exists between the strength in a suit, and the card which should be led from it. Two other tables present in a graphic manner the points of difterence in leading from trumps and from plain suits. One of these, (TxVBLE iv.), refers to suits of five or more; the other, (table A^), to suits of four. Table ii. exhibits the many radical differences, as well as numerous similarities, in leading trumps from suits of four, in the two following circumstances. 1st, when led originally. 2d, when led in return of partner's lead, etc. The play of the second, third, and fourth hand is then separately discussed : and finally the discard. Even the most perfect familiarity with all these general or minute directions, and the readiest application of them in play will not be sufficient to constitute a person, a player of the highest rank. Whist is such a rare and perfect game, that there will still be left an almost boundless, and ever varying field for ingenious infer- ences and strategical lines of play. THE OPE^ING LEAD. THE LEAD. I. OF THE OPENING PLAYEK. In the opening play the leader has mainly to consid- er his own hand. In the lead of trumps, however, the turn up card, if it be ten or nine, may atfect the lead. Thus — A. Ten turned up at right. 1. From K.f Kv., 9, etc. Lead Kv., Instead of lowest. 2. " Q., Kv., 9, etc. Lead Q., B. Nine lurued up at right. 3. From Kv., 10, H, etc. Lead Kv., instead of lowest. In one instance given by Cavendish, the opening lead en- tirely depends on the partner. The leader holds — A.. K.. Q.. 3, of diamonds; whicli are trumps. 9, 8, 6, 4, 3, of hearts. A., K., Q., of spades. 8, of clubs. Score : Love-all. His conclusion is that with ninety -nine partners out of a hundred, a heart would be the right lead. But with an •* angel" for a partner, one round of trump^" (the Queen) as a feeler would be right, and then a lead ot hearts. By the change of Suits the partner should understand that he is not to return the trurhp lead unless he is very strong in them. DIRECTIONS FOR THE OPENING LEAD, I. FIRST CHOICE. Lead Trumps from five or more. — With the requisite number of trumps in hand, this lead is general- ly considered imperative. And yet when the leader has but five trumps, there are exceptions. 1. When only the odd trick is needed to win or save the game. 2. When the leader is especially weak in plain suits, and is at a disadvantageous score. II. NEXT CHOICE. From four trumps, and either commanding or well protected cards in the three plain suits, lead trumps. 8 THE OPENING LEAD. So, also, from commaiidinir strength, with tliree trumps. iiieliuling Ace and King. Discontinue,. liowever, tlio triinip lead if partner tarns out very weak in them, and your go(H\ cards in plain suits are only •' well protected." Til. NEXT CHOICE. Holding four trumps with Ace at the head, a strong- head sequence, (sa.y. A., K., Q., etc.,) in one plain suit; and a probable trick, (say, K., guarded,) in another suit, — lead triiiiips. Do not, however, part with Ace of trumps until the third round of the suit. IV. NEXT CHOICE. • Lead from your strongest plain suit of five or more. V. NEXT CHC^ICE. Lead fioni your strongest jjlahi suit of four. If headed only by an eight or nine, it would be bet- 3r to lead fron VI. NEXT CHOICE. Lead truiiii>s from good suit of four, if jonv only other recourse would be to lead from a disadyantageous siut of three. VII. NEXT CHOICE. Open your most advantag'eous weak suit. The term ' advantageous' as here applied to weak suits, is fully explained in- the detailed discussion of this Direction. Vm. EAST RESORT. With a poor hand, and the score being desperate, lead trumps. DIR?:OTION.S FOR LEADING. 9 II. COMPLETK DIRECTIONS FOR LEADING. We shall geiieiallzft still further, and hitroduee in their proper order, the leads for succeeding players, de- pendent somewhat on the score, on the fall of the cards, on the previous play or lead of the partner, and on the inferences drawn from the adversaries' leads or play. Discards are also valuable '' pointers" in de- termining the lead. Broadly stated, THE PLAYEK SHOULD EITHEK LEAD TRUMPS OPt OPEX HIS STPtOXGEST SUIT. We cannot overlook the necessity of stating that the authori- ties uniformly and einpliaticallj- cf)nflenin the lead from a si n- ghi-card plain suit, in the liope of utilizing low trumps in the suc- ceeding rounds of thfit suit. The chances are that nothing will be gsiined thereljy; and much rnaj- be lost, by uefkuhing other and Ijctter leads to this metliod of making a trick or two early in the hand. The directions already given for tlie leads of an opening player will he repeated; for the purpose of numbering all together in a seiies. We would impress upon the reader that these leads are arranged in the order of their pi'eference. Evidently but one direction can be followed at a time. That one should be chosen, coming earliest in the series, which is applicable to the leaders hand, to the state of the game, and especially to the partners knowledge of the game. It would certainly, then, be useless to attempt any fine ]>lav, wherein the possible advantage to be derived, would be neutralized by the confusion caused in the mind of the partner. Better also for any one to play a simple game, that is thoroughly understood, than to at- 10 DIKECTIONS FOK LEADING. tempt to follow a direction, though iiiven early in the sto- ries, wliieli is rather heyond his experience in the game. Therefore, as soon as yon iiet tlie lead. — I. Lead trumps from five or more. — i^vo exceptions have been stated, and others will be noted, in which a lead of trumps from jice onh/^ without other strength, would not be the best play. 1. As original leader. a. Wlien you need onh^ the odd trick to win or save the game. b. AVhen the live trumps are small, and you are especially weak in plain suits, and at a disadvantageous scoie. c. The following is an exception to Direction 1., and also to the ordinary lead from the long suit. r 1). (5. 4, a, 2, of trumps, ^^^•^'^" ] Ace. \ in plain suits. [ A.,^. (5. 3, 2, ) 8eore : Leaiier, 3; < pixnienls, 2. F. H. LeAvis led the three' of the long plain suit.— bee Proctor's Whist, page 159. 2. ^Vhen not the original leader, and the play shows that your partner has no good suit, while your own hand is weak outside of trumps. Moreover, note the i>rinoiple that at the seon» of toui-all (five beiuir the game) it is exceedingly hazardous to lead trumps. AVith six trumps, or live trumps and an established suit. > ou should trump a certain winning card of au adversjiry, and then lead 1 rumps. But from live trumps, of which you have usetl one to get the leail, a trump lead cannot be ventured from the remaining four, unless you have a strong hand (see Direction III.); or unless you can infer strength in your partner's hand. And certainly not DIRBCTIOXS FOE LEAMXG- 11 :frilber»dTeffauT9hov3 9lFai^tknitnnB]i». OMipKre ml9o the pSay of Uie second, tkird mmd fiowth bands, i n. Force ymir pamn^-r ^ ~ > : j ^ - ::: ~^'^. h ^i^ niii«^canl. — 1. If you are .strongr in tnunps. a- Holding five or more. b. ** four tnimp^ nro beii^ honcirs. c With even four weak tramp?, if yoor part- ner has shown weakness in tramps, or the adversaries, strength m them : or if yoa and yoar partner are evidently weak in plain soits. ±. When weak in tramps, as follows : A. Wben the rartner not havn^ indicated strengtli, asks for a foree. b. When rbe pos^ition ^>ows a cmssc-mfr. c. Whe** the akdverfoirierss have s|«i:ttaLler very sue of making the trick any other way. Except as tbn^ st:ite-i. Do not force your partner, if you are WEAK in trumps. Occasions for leading siiit^ are only well protected. 12 DIRECTIONS FOK LEADING. The rule is here liiviiled so as to iiickide the lead of an opening player. But a succeeding" player, with commanding' cards in the three plain suits, may lead trumps even from three, if he can infer strength in trumps in his partners hand, or adversaries' weakness in them ; as for instance : — If one adversary lias led a plain suit, and the other has not signaled. Further, with a long suit perfectly established, and winning cards in the two other plain suits, a trump may be led even from two. IV. Holding four trumps with Ace at the head, a strong head sequence, (say. A., K., Q., etc.,) in one plain suit; and a probable trick, (say, K., guarded,) in another suit, — lead trumps. Do not, however^ part with Ace of trumps until the third round of the suit. V. FTolding but one trump, but having strong cards in the three plain suits, lead tJie trump siiig"letoii, if your partner dealt. VI. Lead trumps :— 1. In return of partner's lead of trumps. " Sudden illness or default in trumps" are said to be the only excuses for failure in this regard. But this must'be taken cum grano salis. 2. In answer to partner's call for trumps. 3. If he has refused to trump an adversary's certain winning card. 4. If he has refused to overtrump. 5. If he has discarded an honor. DIRECTIONS FOR LEADING. 13 YII. If the adversaries have developed a cross-rulf a<^aiiist you; i. e., each trumping- a different suit, lead triiiiips;. and get out two rounds if possible. VllL You holding the best trump, and the adversaries but one other, lead the best trump to bring down that one, — 1. When you have an established suit. 2. When your partner has an established suit, and you can put the lead into his hand. 3. If the adversary who holds the last trump, has also an established suit. Thereupon, lead your established suit, or give your partner the lead. Do not lead the best trump to extract the last trump from an adversary, if he holds a card in his part- ner's established suit, by which he might throw the lead into that partner's hand; and if you are without an estab- lished suit. IX. When yoii or your partner have led trumps, and your left hand adversary renounces, discontinue the trump lead, and adopt the next best lead in this series. Sometimes it is well to continue your trump lead through a left hand adveri^ary after his partner has re- nounced them. On the same principle, when the adversaries are leading- trumps; if you, as fourth player, have won the first round with a ten-spot, or cheaper, and still hold Ace, Kv., etc., lead a low one. 14 DIRECTrONS FOR LEADING. X. Lead the winning- card of a plain suit which has been ah-eady led once. Follow this direction, especially if you. can thereby force the strong trutnp hand of an adrersary. But do not follow it, if it gives the adversary with the strong trumps a chance to discartl, and the other a ch-ance to trump. Holding Ace and Queen only, of a plain suit led by your partner ; if you win with the Queen, follow the di- rection above stated, and lead Ace at once. If the suit was led by an adversary, hold the Ace. But see C. 8, under Play of the Second Hand in Plain Suits. Bv winuing the first round with the Ace, or other best card, and then leading a card which would have taken the trick, you may signify that you hold all the Intermediate sequence. xr. Two rounds of partner's suit being out, — (1) if it is es- tablished, or (2) if partner has shown weakness in trumps (say, by not forcing \m)u, or otherwise), — lead trumps from even weak suit of four, if you hold good cards in the other two suits. xir. Tf the adversaries have le 1 trumps, and your partner has renounced, it is often right to endeavor to weaken the adversaries by continuing their trump lead. xiir. Suppose adversaries have led trumps, and your game is desperate, lead from your weakest suit. Your partner should tinesse deeply in it, and should lead his weakest suit. Compare note on page 9. XIV. Lead from your strongest plain suit of five or more. DIRECTIONS FOR LEADING. 15 XV. Lead from your strongest plain suit of four, headed at least b}^ an honor. Compare XXI. XVI. Your lon^ suit being- established, if neither adversary has led or called for trumps, leatl trumps from suit of four. XVIT. Return partner's lead in a plain suit.— This is ordinarily a matter of course, if you hold the best card in it (compare Direction X.) ; or if you hold only one more and are short in trumps, and especially if you have not a good long suit. But if partner evidently led from a weak suit, and you have no strength in it, do not return the lead. So, also, if you have won his lead chenply, the leturn of the lead will hardly be advisable. Direction XV III., or XXIII., would be preferable. As a general principle, if jon have any strength, — trumps, or a long suit, — lead from it, and thus infoi-m your i^artner, before returning his lead in a plain suit. xvin. Lead up to a weak fouith hand; or lead through a strong second hand; i. e., strong or weak as regards only the suit you are about to lead. The fii-st alternative is preferable to the second, and is often a good lead when you, fourth hand, have won vejy cheaply a trick in your adversary's suit. — See Direc- tion IX. XIX. Lead a '^ thirteener,'- if you have good trumps, but not the command in them. 16 DIRECTIONS FOR LEADING. XX. Suppose 3^011 have all the remaining- trumps : your partner's suit is established, but you have none of them to lead. If obliged to open a fresh suit headed by King, Queen, or Knave, lead the liig'liest irrespective of the number you hold in the suit. This is called Deschapellk's Cour. It may be defeated if an adversary, liolding Ace, reserves it until the second round of the suit. XXI. Lead from a suit of four, not containlnj^ an honor. XXII. Lead trumps from a good suit of four, if your onlj^ other recourse would be to lead from a rather disadvan- tageous suit of three, or an especially weak suit of four. XXIII. Open your most advantai^eous weak suit. XX [Y. With a very poor hand, and the score being desperate, lead trumps. XXY. Tow\ard the end of a hand, — holding a long suit not yet led, headed by a Queen or Knave, which can only go around twice on account of trumps still out, — treat it as a short suit, and lead the highest. XXVI. Where a suit can go around but once, and you have not the winning card, lead your lowest. LASTLY. Use your best judgment, and do not try to follow these directions too literally. THE CAKD TO LEAD. 17 THE CARD TO LEAD. V DIRECTION I. IN DETAIL. (See pp. 7 and 10.) The niaiiag'einent of trumps is, perhaps, the most difficult — certainly the most important — of all points at whist. The skill of a player is shown more in the selection of ^' the proper moment when trumps should be led, or the enemy's strength in trumps reduced by forcing", or their lead of trumps delayed by properly placing the lead, than by any other parts of whist strategy." Evidently, the primary object in leading trumps is to exhaust the adversaries ; and, secondarily, to make tricks, either with or \yithout the partner's assistance. Tlie ultimate object of the lead is to defeat the adversa- ries' high cards, or long suits, by trumping; and by thus getting the lead, to make good your own or partner's high cards and long suits. The defence of the ireaU side consists in cleliij'ing the tinimp lead by chanj^ing snits; by stopping tbe lesitl tit any risk; by forcing; by ruffing fi'eely; and by retaining the command as long as possible in the adversaries' suits. If you are leading trumps and }- our partner renounces, it is generally advisable to continue. If an adversary renounces, it is generally best to discontinue, and to try and make your and your partner's trumps fall separ- ately. Sometimes, however, when one adversary 18 THE LEAD OF TRUMPS. renounces, a trump lead, through the other adversary who still holds trumps, may be advantageous. So, also, when an adversary is leading trumps, and his partner renounces, or plays a low card third hand, — a trump lead, particularly from the weak trump hand, through the adversary who originally led trumps, may be advantageous (see Directions IX. and XII.). But not if the w^eak trump hand has a fair chance to make his short trumps by ruliing; nor if he can lead winning cards to force the strong trump hand of the adversary. In trumps, it will be noticed that a more backward game is pla3^ed than in plain suits. The best card is re- tained as long as possible, in order to avoid losing the command of the trump suit. — See C, page 20, for nota- ble exam]3les of this principle. Trump lead from five or more. — The various com])inations of the live or more trumps can be arranged in three classes, according as the suit is headed — 1. By a single card. 2. '" two cards in sequence. 3. '' three cards in sequence. The proper card to lead depends on the strength you hold in the suit. This relation, or dependence of the lead upon the strength of the suit, may be best studied from a synoptical table. It is veiy clearh^ shown by the regular gradation of the hands in the third column of Table I. ; also for plain suits, in Table III., p. 24. In the first and second columns of the table, the reg- ular gradation is interrupted on account of the modi- fying force of a second principle; namely, the neces- sity of taking no risks of losing the command in the trump suit. THE CARD TO LEAD. 19 TABLE I. TRUMP LEAD FROM FIVE. 1. SINGLE CARD AT HEAD. •2. SEQUENCE OF TWO. 3. SEQUENCK OF THKEE. Lead lowest of the sequence. A. A , K., Jvv., etc. , K., and five low ones. A.,K.,Q.,etc. K.,Q.,Kv.,etc. A.,Q.,Kv., etc. A., Q., 10, 9, etc. A.,Kv.,10, 9, etc. K., Kv.,10, etc. -©a^ Lead lowest of the under sequence. ^^^ Ace and six low ones. K. K. Q. Q., 10, etc. Q., and live low ones. Kv., 9, and three low ones. Q., Kv., 10, etc. Kv., 10, 9, etc. 10, 9, 8, etc. Lead highest of the sequence (or highest). A., Q., 10, etc., without the 9. A., Q., etc., below 10. A., Kv., 10, etc., without the 9. A., Kv., etc., below 10. A., etc., below Kv. K., Kv., etc., below 10. K., etc., below Kv. Q., etc. Kv., etc. 10, etc. Etc , etc. m 9, 8, 7, etc. 8. 7, C, etc. Etc., etc. A., K., and less than live low ones. K., Q., and less than five heiow 10. Q , Kv , 9, and less tliai three low ones. Q . Kv., and low ones. Kv . 10, etc. 10, 9, etc. 9, 8, etc. Etc., etc. Lead lowest. For a comparison of the lends from suits of five or more in trumps, and in plain suits, see Table IV. The above facts will now be presented in the some- what clearer form of (^'eneral directions. 20 THE CARD TO LEAD. TRUMP LEAD FROM FIVE OR MORE. A. With strong head sequence; or with high card at head, supported by an under sequence. From — 1. A.,K., Q.,etc., 1 2. K.,Q.,Kv.,etc., 3. A.,Q.,Kv.,etc., [ , .. ^ x ^.^ .. 4 A Q 10 9 etc '' \eSLd fowest Of the (head or .5: a:; Kv., 10V9, etk, I "^"^^^'^ sequence. 6. K., Kv., 10, etc., J B. With a lower sequence at the head of the suit. 1. Q.,Kv., 10, etc., >; 2. Kv., 10, 9, etc., I 3. 10,9,8. etc., \. lead highest of 4. K, Q , 10, eto., I sequence. 5. Q., Kv., 9, and three otbers, j C. With a strong, and very long suit. 1. A. and six low ones, ^ 2. A., K., and five low 'y lead high ones, then lowe&t. ones, j 3. K.,Q., and five j low ones, j lead K. then low if K. wins. D. From A., K., Kv., etc., lead K. Then clian^e suit to finesse on the next rouTid, nil less Q. was turned np at the left; 01 unless you want to , etc. Lead A., then Kv., instead of lowest of sequence. 2. Knave turned np at left. From A.f Q,, 10, 9, etc. Lead Q,, Instead of. lowest of sequence. 3. Ten turned up at right. From K,f Kv., 9, etc. Lead Kv., instead of low^est. '' Q.,Kv.,9,etc. '• Q., «' " " 4. Nine turned up at right. From Kv., 10, 8, etc. Lead Kv., instead of lowest. DIRPXTION III. IN DETAIL. (See pp. 7 and 11.) Trump lead from four. — Follow the same direc- tions, in detail, as are given under Direction I., for lead- ing from five or more. This lead should be carefully distinguished from the leads included under A., in Direc- tion yi. Direction IV. is a lead from four trumps,— explained ahove in detail. Direction V. is the lead of a trump singleton. DIRECTION Vr. IN DETAIL. (See p. 12.) The lead of trumps— in return of partner's lead ; in answer to his call ; if he has refused to trump a win- ning card, or to overtrump ; or if he has discarded an honor. A. Holding four or more trumps. 1. From any three honors, ^ oi from \ lead highest. Q., Kv.,10, etc., j 2. From any other four trumps, lead lOWeSt. B. Holding less than four. Lead highest; and if it wins, the next. 22 RETURN OF TRUMP LEAD. These directions are based on the principle of furnishing to the partner as much assistance as possible; while in Direction III. tlie object is to retain the command, and to get as much as- sistai»ce as possible from the partner. Wherein these purposes result in the same, or in different leads, will be shown in tlie table. TABLE II. COMPARISON OF TRUMP LEADS. LEAD AS l^IRECTED IN III. LEAD AS IJIRECTED IN VI, 4-> §?1 A.,K.,Q.. etc. K., Q.. Kv., etc. Q.,Kv.,10, etc. Kv.,10, 9, etc. Lowest of Sequence. Highest. Highest. Highest, Highest. Tsorvest. r- ^ C3 4-''"' O 10, 9, 8, etc. 9, 8, 7, etc. 8,7, 6, etc. Etc., etc. Lowest. Lowest. A.,K.,K\ ., etc. K., and change suit. IlighesU o A., K., and two low Lowest. Lowest. ^ 4j K.,Q.,]0, etc. Highest. T'owest. O cu K, Q , and two low ones. Lowest. Lowest. ^ Q.,Kv., ^ or lower seq. two. and two ' low ones. j Lowest. Lowest. c3 O d CD fc£ r^ A.,Q.,Kv., etc. A., and three low ones. K.. Kv., 10, etc. Other suits of four. Lowest of Sequence" Lowest. Lowest of Sequence. Lowest. Highest of the suit. Lowest. Loirest, Lowest. THE LEAD IN LONG PLAIN SUITS. 23 DIKECTION VII. IN DETAIL. (See p. 13.) Lead of trumps to stop a cross-ruff— getting out two rounds if possible. 1. Holding highest trump, lead it. 2. Holding four or more, follow the directiou in detail under I. and III. 3. Holdiug three, follow Dh-eetion XXHI. 4. Holding two, lead highest. Directions VIII., IX., X., XL, XIF., are either specific in their nature, or may he referred to those already given in detail. Direction XIII. is a lead f I'om ' the weakest suit.— See XXIII. DIRECTION XIV. IN DETAIL. (See pp. Sand 14.) Lead from a plain suit of five or more.— The princii)le of broadest application is to lead the lOAvest but one — in order to retain the eoniniand, and to receive partner's assistance, with the ultimate object of estab- lishing the suit, and of making tricks with the long cards in it. Frequently", however, this latter purpose has to be given up, and a defensive game plaj^ed (see p. 17). This happens when the adversaries show numerical superiority in trumj)s, or a strong hand. Compare the lead of loivest from a plain suit of four. When the snit is headed by sufficient strength, an op- posite principle obtains; i. e., of leading the hig'hest (or a high card). The following table presents these principles dis- tinctly, and shows the limits of their application. 24 THE LEAD IX LONG PLAIN SUITS. TABLE III. PLAIN SUIT LEADS FROM FIVE OR MORE. 1. 2. 3. SINGLE CAKD TWO IN THREE IN AT HEAD. SEQUENCE. SEQUENCE. A. and four or more others. K., Kv., 10, etc. A., K., etc. K.,Q.,etc. Q., Kv., 9, and three others. A., K., Q., etc. K., Q., Kv. etc. Q., Kv., 10, etc. Kv., 10, 9, etc. In the above, lead the highest (or a high car J). - K., Kv., etc., below the 10. Q., Kv , 9, and less than three others. 10, 9, 8, etc. 9, 8, 7, etc. K., etc., below Kv. Q., Kv., etc., below 9. Etc., etc. Q., etc., 10, 9, etc. Kv., etc. Etc., etc. 10, etc. Etc., etc. Lead lowest but one. The directions embodied in the table, will now he pre- sented in another form, with particulars as to the second Jead in the suit. A. With sequence of three at the head of the suit. 1. From A., K., Q., etc., lead K., then Q. 2. " K., Q., Kv., etc., lead lowest of the sequence, to force out the Ace.— See 3d Hand I., 2 and 8. 3. B^rom Q., Kv., 10, etc., ^ (see also 7) j> lead the highest. 4. '' Kv.,IO, 9, etc., J B. With sequence of two at head of the suit. 5. From A., K., etc., lead K., then A.; with Kv., also, lead low (third round) if Queen does not fall. 6. " K.,Q.,etc., ^ 7. " Q.,Kv.,9,andthree > lead the highest; , then, in C, the lowest : in 7, the Kv. low ones. J . , . . Till-: LEAD IN LONG PLAIN SUITS. 25 C. Variations of 1 and 5. a. If the leader lias pi-eviously trumped a suit, lie should lead Ace, then King, instead of vice versa. 1). From A., K., with Kv., etc., sometimes the suit is changed after leading the King (compare I), page 20). With good trumps, it is better to continue the suit. I). Aee (alone) at the head, supported by other strength in the suit. 8. From A , Q., Kv., etc., 1 9. '« A., Q., 10, 9, etc., ). ]ead Ace, then lowest of seq. 10. *' A.,Kv.,10,9,etc., J From A., Kv., 10, 9, etc., some lead A., then Kv. 11. From A., with four others: 1 even \ lead Ace, then lowest. 12. *' A., Q., and 3 low ones. J E. King (alone) at the head, supported by other strength in tlie suit. 13. From K., Kv., 10, etc., lead 10, or lowest of sequence. F. In all other cases lead lowest but one.— This will Include : 1. Xo cases of more 1 and } than two honors. 2. All cases of less J Except Kv., lO, 9, etc. 8. With two honors in sequence, only — Q., Kv., etc.; but not Q., Kv., 10, etc. nor Q., Kv., 9, and three low ones. 4. With two honors not in sequence, the following: a. A-ce, Q., etc., but not wnth 10, 9, also. b. Ace, Kv., etc., c. K., Kv., etc., but not with 10, also. In suits of live or more, the lowest but one (the penul- timate) is led; from suits of four, the lowest. This important convention should not be neglected. It 26 DIliECTION XIV. IN DETAIL. enables your partner to infer exactly how many you hold, and, after two or three rounds nre out, the probable position of the remaining cards in the suit. This infor- mation may easily be worth one or more tricks late in the hand, although it may make no difference whatever in the trick in which the low card is played. TABLE IV. COMPARISON OF LEADS FROM SUITS OF FIVE IN TRUMPS AND PLAIN SUITS. A.,K.,Q., etc. A., K., Kv., etc. A., K. , and less than five others. A., Q., Kv., etc. A., Q., 10,9, etc. Same, with Kv. at left. A., Q., and low ones. A.,Kv.,10, 9, etc. Same, with Q. at left. A., with less than six low ones. K., Q., and less than five others. K.,Kv„9, etc. Same, with 10 at right, Q., Kv., 9, and less than three otlieis. Same, with 10 at right. Kv., 10, 8, etc, Same, >vith9 at right, 10, 9, 8, etc. THE LEAD IN TRUMPS. THE LEAD IX PLAIN SUITS. Lowest of seq. K., and change suit. Lowest butTone. Lowest of seq. Queen. Lowest but one. Lowest of seq. A., theuKv. Lowest but one. Lowest but one. Lowest but one. Knave. Lowest but one. Queen. Lowest but one. Knave. Highest. K., then Q. K., then A. (but see p. 25.) K., then A. A., then lowest of sequence. A., then lowest of sequence. A., then lowest. A., followed by lowest of seq. A., tlien lowest. K., then low, if it wins. Lowest but one. Lowest but one. Lowest but one. Lowest but one. THE LEAD FKOM PLAIN SLITS OF FOUR. 27 The differences in leading from trumps and from plain suits, as exhibited in the preceding table, may be ex- plained under three heads. L The certainty of making tricks with high trumps. 2. The necessity of making tricks early with high cards in plain suits, and of not losing them to adversaries^ trumps. 3. The necessitj^ of keeping the commnnd in trumps, after two or three rounds, even thougn one adversary should be found strong in them. DIRECTION XV. IN DETAIL. (See pp. 8, 15, and 16.) The lead from a plain suit of four.— In general the lead is the same as from a plain suit of five or more, and depends on the same principles (see p. 23) . In lead- ing a low card, the lowest is led instead of the lowest hut one. See under F, p. 25. Besides this general vai-iation, there are a f (nv special differences, which are exhibited below, and with which are compared the leads from corresponding cases of five or more. 1. From A., Q., Kv , and one other, lead Ace; then Queen; then low, if both win. With more low ones lead Ace; then lowest of the sequence. 2. From A., Q., and tivo low ones, lead lowest. With more low ones, lead Ace; then lowest. 3. From A., Q., 10, 9, or A., Kv., 10, 9, lead 9. With other low ones, lead Ace; then lowest of the sequence. 4. From Ace, and three low ones, but not Kv., 10, 9, lead lowest. With other low ones lead Ace, then lowest. 5. From K., Q., Kv., and one other, lead K. ; then Q. ; then low, if both win. With other low ones, lead Kv. (or lowest of sequence). 28 DIUECTIOX XV. IX DETAIL. TABLE Y. COMPARISON OF LEADS FKOM SUITS OF FOLK IN TRLMPS AND PLAIN SUITS. FROM THE LKAI) IN TRUMrS. THE LEAD IN PLAIN SUITS. A.,K.,Q.,etc. Lowest of seq. K., then Q. A., K.,Kv., etc. K., and change suit. K., then A. (but seep. 2,5). A., K., etc., below Kv. Lowest. K.,then A. A., Q.,Kv., etc. Lowest of seq. A., then Q. A., Q., 10,9. 9. 9, i. e. the, same. Same, with Kv. at left. Q. A;,Kv.,10, 9. 9. 9 (or A., then Kv.). Same, with Q. at left. A.,thenKv. K., Q.,Kv., etc. Kv. K. ; then Q. ; then low, if both win. K., Q., etc., below 10. Lowest. K.; then lowest. K.,Kv.,9. etc. " Lowest, i. e., yame. Same, witli 10 at right. Kv. Q., Kv., 9, etc. Lowest. Lowest, i. e., same. Same with 10 at right. Q- Kv., 10, 8, etc. Lowest. Lowest, 1. e., same. Same, with 9 at right. Kv. in, 9, 8, etc. Highest. Lowest. DIRECTION XV IL IN DETAIL. (See p. I.).) lieturii of partner's lead in a plain suit. — It is essential to note the qiialifi'v*ations already stated (p. 15), before adopting this lead. 1. Holding' the best card, return it at onee. 2. Holding the second and third best, return the highest. Otherwise — KETUKN OF rAKTNER-S LEAD IN A PLAIN SUIT 2!) 3. With three or more of the suit, yet remaining in your hand, return the loAvest. It matters not how many cards you may have previously discarded from tlie suit. 4. \V ith less thjin three, return the hig-hest. DIRECTION XVIII. IN DETAIL. (See p. 15.) The lead up to a weak fourth hand ; or through a strong second hand.— rhe first alterna- tive is preferable to the second; but the leader should be wary of inferring a weak fourth hand merely from his discard. 1. Holding best card, lead it. 2. ^' second best guarded, lead low^ one. 3. '-'- *' and third best, lead highest. 4. Ill all other cases lead the lowest. Directions XIX., XX., XX[., XXII. (see p. 16), are eitlier specific in their nature, or may be referred to those already given in tletail. DIRECTION XX III. IN DETAIL. (See p. 16.) The lead from a weak suit. — This being one of the last resorts of the leader, the object should be to do as little harm as possible. The best suits to open are about as follows, — the most advantageous ones being given first. 1. From Q., Kv., 10., lead Q. ^ Q.,KY.,etc., " Q. } _ .^ . ,. ' If It wins, then the next 3. - Kv.,10,9, - Kv. I highest. 4. '' Kv., 10, etc., '' Kv. so DIRECTION XXIII. IN DETAIL. A lead from any one of the above fonr weak suits wonld he better than a lead from a four-card i)lain suit headed hy an eight or nine. 5. From A., K., Q., lead K., then Q. 6. ** A., K., etc., '« K., " A. 7. '' K.,Q.,Kv. 8. *• K., Q., etc.; lead K., then Q. 9. " A., Q., Kv., lead A., then Q. At about this point of division, it would be better to lead from four good trumps than to open one of the fol- lowing weak suits of three. 10. From A., Kv., etc. ^ 11. " K., Kv., etc. 12. • A., Q., etc. 13. " A., etc. 14. ** K., etc. 15. *' Q.,etc. 16. ** Kv., etc.. 17. ** Etc., etc., V In general, lead lowest. But if there are probable indica- tions of strength in the suit in partner's hand, lead highest. lead Kv. ** highest. A suit of two cards is very disa lvanta«:eous to lead from. The play could be justified oidy as a forced lead. Concerning the lead from a single card in a i^lain suit, see page 9. But compare XIII., p. 14. DIRECTION XXiy. IN DETAIL, (See p. 16.) The lead of trumps from a very poor hand, when the score is desperate. Lead as explained in IV., i. e., to assist your partner. If he does not happen to hold a good hand, the game is certainly lost. Directions XXV. and XXVI. are fully stated in their place in the series on page 16. THE FLAY OF THE SECOND HAND. 31 THE SECOND HAND. I. IX PLAIN SUITS. The play of the second hand, in general, depends on the strength (in the suit led) which the player holds in his liand. Next to this, the value of the card led, whether high or low, determines the play. Other causes of va- riation may be mentioned. 1. A special desire to obtain tlie lead. 2. Weakness in trumps. See play from A., Q., and three low ' ones (p. 32, C, 6). 3. When a suit is opened toward the end of a hand. A. When an honor is led. — 'i'he general rule is to <;ovER AN iiONOU LED. The only instances in which this should not be done, are — 1. When the second hand holds K., or Q., with three or more low ones. With Ace and three others, and live trumps, the Queen might be passed. Even in these cases, with a fourchette, that is, the next lower and the next higher card than the one led, the player should follow the rule, and cover. So, like- wise, towards the end of a hand, cover the honor led. N. B. With A., Q., etc., play A., on Kv. led. The play ofQ. on Kv. led, could only he ventured at the end of a hand. (Query : perhaps, also, if you hold Ace and Queen only, of the suit). Note, also, that it is sel- dom good play to refuse to ])ut A. on K. led, except as below stated (see Kemark 2). .->2 THE PLAY OF THE SECOND HAND. 2. Toward tho end of a baud. a. Do not pltiy A. on Kv., Q., or even K., of a freshly opened suit, led by an adversary who lias all the re- maining trumps. — See Deschapklle's Coup, p. 16. 1). With Ace and four small ones of a suit uot yet led, and holding the last trump, do not put Ace on adversary's K. or Q., even if they are led separately. 8. With Queen and one other, throw the Queen to Khig led, if you want trumps led. j B. Tlie lead of ten or nine calls for the same play from the second hand, as a low card led. Two slight variations only : — 1. From Q. and one lo\v one, play Q. on 10 (perhaps on 9) led. 2. " two honors with the 10, play 10 on 9 led. c. When a low card is led, the general rule is to PLAY SECOND HAND Lo^v. The causes, above enumer- ated, determine the variations. 1. With any head sequence of three, containing an honor, 2. With a head sequence of two, containing A. orK., 3. With other head "j sequence of two, > with one down to 10, 9, J °'"«'' 4. From the strong tenaces A., Q.^ Kv., etc., K.,Kv.,10,etc., .1. From A., Q., 10, etc. ; also 6. " A., Q., and tliree low ones, if weak in trumps, 1 play lowest of the sequence. (Even from A., K., Kv. , etc). play Queen. WHEN A LOW CARD tS LED. 33 7. From Ace and four or more small ones, play Ace if the game he, critical, and you are weak in trumps. 8. With one honor, singly guarded, play the honor, if you specially w^ant the lead. From A., Q., only, in the suit led; also fromK., Kv. ; j)laij the highest honor, if you want the lead. 9. At the tenth trick, when, in trumps, you hold best and third hestf or second best, fjuarded, over your right hand adversary, always play your highest card of a plain suit led by him. Throw King to Ace led, even when jo\x have another low one. 10. Toward the end of a hand, if a suit led can go round but once, play the Ace second hand. Til all other cases, when a low card is led, the second ' hand, should play low, f olloAving the general rule. This will include: 1. No cases of more 1 and \ than two honors. 2. All cases of less j Except Kv., 10; or 10, 9; with one other. But see, under C above, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 3. With two honors, the following : a. A., Q., with less than three low ones. b. *' *' " three or more low ones and strength in trumps. c. A., Kv., etc. d. K , Kv., etc., ^ ^ ,f "° .„ , I below 10. e. Q.,Kv., with two ( or more low ones J The si|?nal for trumps.— When the player, second hand, passes a high card led, or plays low to a low card led, he should ordinarily play his lowest. 34 THE PLAY OF THP^ SECOND HAND. But when the player has such strength in trumps and in plain suits, either combined or separate, as to be able to play a forward game, even without his partner's sup- port, if only the partner can bring in trumps, — in such case, he should sig-iial for tramps, i. e., he should play an unnecessarily high card ; which, being followed in a later round by a lower card, will enable the partner to infer his strength. To trump a trick and thereafter to lead or play a lower trump, is a form of the signal : it indicates at least five in the hand. It is very important that the partner should not con- found the regular play of the second hand, from Q., Kv., and one other, Kv., 10, " '^ 10, 9, '' ♦' with the signal for trumps. When the low card falls on the second round, it is not a signal for trumps unless the partner can infer that the second hand has not the next higher than the card first played. To signal for trumps the higher card of the sequence should be played in the first round. To warrant a signal for trumps, the player re- quires greater strength than to lead trumps originally, and especially so if the adversaries' score is low. He should hold at least, four trumps, two being honors ; or five trumps, one being an honor. When the player's score is desperate, somewhat less strength will warrant the signal. I. IN TLAIN SUITS. 35 AVheii only one, or two, tricks are needed to win or save the game, a signal for trumps is especially hazar- dous, except from commanding strength. But a player (generally third hand) might signal on less strength, if his partner*s lead evidently shows a strong plain suit. The Echo. — Exactly the same convention, as the signal for trumps, i e., an unnecessarily high card plaj^ed to a trick, followed by a lower card in a later round, constitutes the echo, if adopted after partner lias led (or begun to lead) trunips, or has sig^naled. Four trumps, however small, are sufficient to warrant the echo. It enables the partner with the long trumps to infer with almost certaintj^, the position of every trump out after the second round. THE PLAY OF THE SECOND HAND AFTER THE FIRST ROUND. As a general rule, play the best card of a suit, if you hold it. ■ With great strength in trnmps, yon might pass the trick and give your partner a cliance to take it. Especially may yon hold np the best card, when the second lead of your long suit comes liom an adversary after trumps are out. In such a case, play the third best if you hold it. With second best, singly guarded, play the higher card, if the adversaries are showing a strong hand. At the tenth trick (as in C 9, p. 33), when, in trumps, you hold best and third best, or second, best, (juat'ded, over your right hand adversary, always play your highest card of a plain suit led 36 THE SECOND HAND.— IX PLAIN SUITS. bybim. Throw King to Ace led, even when you have another low one. THE PLAY OF THE SECOND HAND RENOUNCING. The second hand, renounchig, hag ^ choice — often difficult — between two plaj^s ; whether to discard, or to trump the trick. Several things affect the clioice, (1) the card led, whether the best in the suit or a low one; (2) the strength or weakness of the plaj^er's hand in trumps ; (3) the strength of the player's hand, and some- times of his partner's hand, in plain suits. Wlien a winning' card is led, and especially when the adversar}^ leading has coiuplete command in the suit, it is generally right to trump the trick. 1. \Vith six trumps, or with five trumps and an established suit, the second hand should trump In, and then lead trumps. So, also, with live trumps and commanding cards in plain suits. In this case, the phiyer should trump with tlie lowest but one, so that tlie partner may infer his strength when the signal is completed. 2. When a player and his partner are weak in plain suits, and can only play a defensive game, either should truui}:) then from four, and even five trumps, but should not there- after lead trumps. 3. With four trumps, as a rule, pass a winnhig card ledy unless partner has signaled. Especially pass the trick when you have a good suit hand, or one very strong suit, or an established suit, and your partner has not shown strength in trumps. 4. W^ith three trumps, or less, trump freely. If the third hand can also trump the trick, but partner still holds out in the suit, play a high trump, the Ace, if necessaiy. THE SECOND HAND.— IN PLAIN SUITS. 37 When a lo^^ card is led, and it is uncertain whether your partner can win the trick, the general rule is, Witli fair strength in plain suits, do not trump A DOUBTFUL CARD UNLESS YOU ARE WEAK IN TRUMPS. Without such strenffth in plain suits, an fl especially if part- ner is also weak in them, only a defensive game can be played, and you may trump freely even from four or live. When As^eak in trumps, and in two suits not likely to get the lead, but with a splendid suit which is not likely to be led, the second player should trump to get the lead even if he knows his partner can take the trick, especially if his part- ner's high card is probably sure of a trick in a later round. Also, fvom great strenf/th in trunijys, six in all; or with five good trumps and an established suit; or, perhaps, with com- manding cards if the adversaries have not signaled; the second player may trump a doubtful trick and then lead trumps. N. B. Do not play the last trump on the second round of an adversary's suit. The principles governing* the appropriate discard, when the second player, renouncing, adopts this choice instead of trumping, will be found on page 44. II. IN TRUMPS. THE PLAY OF THE SECOND HAND. On this point, the authorities are not so explicit as might he desired. One rule, how^ever, is of prime impor- tance, TO RETAIN THE COMMAND IN TRUMPS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, either in your own or in your partner's hand. For this reason it is often right to leave the chance of the first trick to your partner. But if j^ou are weak, and your partner evidently so, stop the lead, at considerable hazard, especially if you have strong suits. 88 THE SECOXD irAXl). — IX TKUMPS. A. AVhen an honor is led, the general rule is to COVER THEHOXOR LED: but the seeoud player ma}' pass it (except to stop the lead of trumps) in the following eases. 1. Witli Ace and one other, pjiss the K., led from strength. On the K., led in answer to a call, play the Ace, and lead the low if you have a good suit hand. 2. With Ace and tliree low ones,. ..pass the Queen led. 3. " " " two low ones, one being the ten, pass the Queen led. 4. \^'ith K. and two or more others, pass the Queen led from strength. 5. With one honor, and two or more others, pass the Kv. 6. With K, and Q., with ** " '* ♦* ♦* " " N. B. With Ace, Queen, etc., play the Ace on the Knave led. B. AYlien a Ioav card is led, the general rule is to PLAY SECOXD HA>:i) LOW, uulcss it is essential to stop the lead of trumps. But — 1. With three honors. Play lowest of the sequence. But or sequence of play Ace, if King is turned up at three at head, — the left. 2. With two honors and the ten, play the ten. 3. WithK.,Q., and one other, cover. " Q.,Kv., «' " " Kv., 10, '* " « 10, 9, '' «♦ " " With A.,K., and one low one; also from K., Q., and two more low ones, play low^ n THE SECOND HAND .—IN TRUMPS. 31) 4. With either A., K.,orQ., and one low one, play high if you wi«h to stop the Jead of trumps. But with Q. and another, play hnv if A., or K., be turned up to partner. 5. With Q., singlj^ guarded, play the Qr, on ten led, 6. With K., or Q., singly guarded. Play high; hut with the and superior honor at the honor at the left, play right, low. 7. With K., or Q., turned up, singly guarded, Play the honor. THE GRAND COUP. If you have five trumps, be on the lookout for an opportunity of playing the grand coup; especially if a trump is led at your right. This consists in getting rid of a useless trump, (1.) By trumping a partner's trick, or — (2.) By under-trumping a trick already trumped by partner. The object of the Coup is to place the lead in your partner's hand at the eleventh trick; as for instance, when you will then remain with a inajor tenacef or second best guarded, in trumps, over your right hand adversary. Another form of the Girmd Coup consists in playing a low trump on a trick already trumped by an adversary, instead of discarding a winning'card of a plain suit which must ultimat C C C • ' ^fe^C ^ : ■ Cj c c 'Cc ■ ^. ■ c^c- CC «^ci:' c< ■ C C c c C<: ' c: c c c cf crc CC :: ^<^"f' V <€. ■