COPYRIGHT DEPOSm AUCTION BRIDGE This book is written in ac- cordance with the Laws of Auction Bridge agreed upon and accepted by a joint Com- mittee of the Portland and Bath Clubs of England, and which have been adopted as the standard Laws of the Bridge Clubs of America. AUCTION BRIDGE INCLUDING A SYNOPSIS OF BRIDGE Br H. P. CLARK cAuthor of "Condensed Bridge" ** Auction Bridge Condensed" NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1912 Copyright, 1912, by DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY Published January, 1912 )CI.A303940 CONTENTS AUCTION BRIDGE Introduction , . . PAGE 9 Description of the Game General Principles . and It 5 . 14 Rubber ... , , 21 Score , •■ 22 Rules for Bidding . ,■ :.i ► 23 Opening Bid for Dealer ... 26 No-trump Bid >i 26 " One Heart " Bid . '•■ 27 " Two Heart " Bid . ^•; 28 " One Diamond " Bid -.1 29 " Two Diamond " Bid :•-■ 29 " One Club " Bid . ■,-; 30 "Two Club" Bid . • . 30 " One Spade " Bid . :.; :i 31 " Two Spade " Bid . ■»-. , 31 Second Player's Bid 5 ■'• ■' 31 6 CONTENTS* PAGE Third Player's Bid ... 34 Fourth Player's Bid ... 38 Bidding After the First Round 41 Doubling and Re-doubling . . 44 Opening Lead 47 No-trump 48 Best Leads for a Doubled " No- trump" 51 Best Lead for a Doubled De- clared Trump . . , . 51 Echo . 52 Spade Convention . , , . 52 Discards .53 The Revoke ..... 53 Resume ...... 54 Laws of the Game .... 59 Three-Handed Auction Bridge . 98 Etiquette of Auction Bridge . 103 CONTENTS BRIDGE PAGE Playing to the Score . . .109 Bridge 112 Honors 112 Original Makes . . . .113 "No-trump" 113 Hearts 113 Diamonds 114. Clubs and Spades . . . . 115 Passed Makes 115 Original Leads with Trump Declared 117 Singleton Leads . . . .119 Original Leads at "No-trump" 119 Echo 122 Rule of Eleven . . . .122 Playing Dummy at " No-trump " 123 Playing Dummy with Trumps . 123 7 8 CONTENTS PAGE Second Hand Play .... 124 Third Hand Play .... 125 PouBLiNG 125 What to Lead When Your Part- ner Doubles .... 127 Heart Convention . . . .128 Unblocking 128 General Rules .... 130 Discards 131 Short Suits 132 The Revoke . . . . . i33 Suggestions 133 Glossary . . . • .7 > i35 INTRODUCTION In combining these two subjects, Bridge and Auction Bridge, I have endeavoured to give a necessary out- line of the older game, for the bene- fit of those who are not familiar with its rules and finesse, and who will find their Auction game much improved by a more thorough knowledge of the parent game. While there is a slight variance in some of the leads, as strength not length counts at Auction, and while the trump is bid for by each player in turn, instead of remaining the sole privilege of the dealer or his partner, still the salient points of the two games are the same. 10 AUCTION BRIDGE Auction has many exciting phases of play that do not occur at Bridge, and to many devotees of the game it undoubtedly owes its popular prece- dence over Bridge to its more excit- ing possibilities in the matter of play- ing for stakes — Auction, while retain- ing all the science that Bridge calls for, also requires a keener sense of values. The score plays an all-important part in the bidding, and it requires clever strategy and good judgment to know when to force the opponent's bid to an unattainable contract and when to take the bid away from him, espe- cially when the score Is a game each, and a fulfilled contract may give him rubber. If the bid fails, you can only lose In the Honor column, and you still have a chance for a more suc- cessful bid on the next deal. AUCTION BRIDGE ir The loss at Auction differs from Bridge in this: the declarant loses only to his adversary in the Honor column, while at Bridge the adver- sary scores against him in the trick column, which frequently gives him game or rubber. When doubled at Auction, the game, if successful, counts an addi- tional benefit over Bridge, for you score, not only for the doubled tricks in the trick score, the same as at Bridge, but you also receive a bonus in the Honor column, which does not occur at Bridge. Good hands are not wasted at Auction. The privilege of bidding for the trump gives each player a chance to name his own suit, and, if he is not strong enough to over-call his oppo- nent, at least he has given valuable in- formation to his partner, and directs 12 AUCTION BRIDGE his lead In case he has no top cards of his own. A declaration at Bridge is final, while at Auction It is fre- quently no more than an indication of strength. Before Bridge became so generally known, it was not uncommon to meet with players who boasted of their Independence of rules. They were quite content to rely on their " card sense," as they expressed It, and it never seemed to occur to them what a blind game they were playing. There may be novices at Auction who are likewise self-sufficient, but just as Bridge grew upon the casual player more and more, until he was not sat- isfied to play a mediocre game him- self, nor to join in a game with those who did, so it will be with Auction, and In a much shorter time. The losses to the player who boasts of his AUCTION BRIDGE 13 Independence of rules at Auction will soon demonstrate to him that a thorough knowledge of the different phases of the game is essential to a satisfactory score, and as an acceptable partner. DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME AND ITS GENERAL PRINCIPLES If a player is able to make a decla- ration other than spades, he should do so. It gives information to his partner and possibly discourages the adversary from bidding a suit in which he has no protection. Black bids are generally eliminated by a higher trump call, and should only be made when the hand can offer nothing better. The aim of every player should be the " no-trump " or red suit bid. Such contracts, if successful, score not only higher in the trick score, but if unsuccessful the loss is no more AUCTION BRIDGE 15 at " no-trump *' than It is at spades — 50 points for each under trick. A declaration of one trick is hardly ever doubled. The double shows too plainly where strength lies, and the opponents will hasten to change the suit if they possibly can. To double a declaration of two or three tricks is a different matter, so large a con- tract is generally too high for any further bidding. Bear in mind that when the score reaches 14 and 18 it only takes *' two Hearts " or '' two Diamonds " to go game. When there is no chance that the opponents can win game at their dec- laration, do not jeopardise the score by an unsound bid, nor by a double which may put them out, but when their contract, If successful, will give them game, then, a double is war- i6 AUCTION BRIDGE ranted, or the bid may be raised even to a doubtful point, if the rubber is at stake. The one '* no-trump " bid is the player's best opening, when he is gen- erally guarded, and has some decided strength in the black suits. — It pre- vents opponents from indicating strength in Spades or Clubs and forces them to a two red suit bid. Should a partner hold protection in the red suit named, he will bid ** two no-trumps.'' — His pass shows lack of protection. In bidding " one no-trump," if the adversary raises the bid to a " two Heart " declaration, and the player has protection in that suit, he can then go " two no-trump " with reason- able safety. If the adversary then bids *' three Hearts " with no assistance offered AUCTION BRIDGE 17 from his partner, it is often advisable to double the " three Heart " bid, as it takes but five tricks to overcome the adversary's contract, with the chance of winning TOO in the Honor column for each over-trick, and 200 if re- doubled. When the player holds a very* strong hand in three suits, including Aces and Kings, but is decidedly weak in the remaining suit, he should bid '' two no-trumps," the high call shut- ting out the informatory bidding of the adversary. With such a hand, if he starts with a '' one no-trump " bid, the opponent may get in a two red call. With the red suit placed, it is doubtful if a raise to a " two no- trump " would then go through, as the adversary would immediately lead the red suit, which would probably prove disastrous. i8 AUCTION BRIDGE Always try to shut out opposing bids, when it is the rubber game. Don^t let adversaries communicate too cheaply. A player may bid " two Hearts " when holding six, headed by the Queen and Knave, and no other tricks; he should, however, bid but '' one Heart " when the hand is more general. Dummy should go slow when the partner has bid " one Spade,'' unless willing to depend on his own hand. The bid in a Diamond or Club suit indicates a willingness to play the hand, and that the declarant holds some " no-trump " assistance. Nu- merical strength is important in as- sisting the partner's call, but for an original declaration it is not essential. It is high-card strength which counts at an original declaration: for exam- AUCTION BRIDGE 19 pie, it Is dangerous to declare a red suit with five or six, if it includes but one Honor, and lacks side strength. With five trumps and two Honors, a "red suit" may be declared, but the Honors should consist of Ace-KIng, King-Queen, or Ace-Queen; with less value In the Honors the declaration must be backed by suit strength, otherwise it is better to declare " one Spade." After hearing the other bids, a player may find himself In a position to make a justifiable red bid, or possibly be of great assistance to his partner should he have declared " no- trump." When making a declaration, weigh the probable result and try to judge how the opponents are likely to re- spond. The dealer occasionally finds him- 20 AUCTION BRIDGE self in a position to choose between a strong red make with the probability of scoring one or two tricks In the trick score, or of bidding *' One Spade " with the chance that the third player will bid " no-trump," In which case his double and lead of his long suit w^ould score 200 or possibly 300 in the Honor column. When the score is " love all," or your red bid could not possibly give you game, it is advisable to make the spade bid. Should either adversary declare in the opposing red suit, the dealer can bid two In his own suit, and Is In exactly the same position as he would have been had he started with the red bid. AUCTION BRIDGE BRIDGE SCORE ♦ «♦¥ N.T. Each Trick over Six 2 4 6 8 12 Three Honors 4 8 12 16 30 Four Honors 8 16 24 32 40 lO 20 30 40 Four Honors in One Hand i6 32 48 64 xoo Five Honors-^ J n one hand m partner's i8 36 54 72 Five Honors in One Hand 20 40 60 80 Chicane . . . 4 8 12 16 Little Slam . . 20 20 20 20 20 Grand Slam . . 40 40 40 40 40 ___ RUBBER The rubber is the best of three games; if the first two games be won by the same players, the third game is not played. 22 AUCTION BRIDGE SCORE A game consists of 30 points ob- tained by tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for Honors, Chi- cane, Slam, Bonus, or Undertricks. Game, Honors, Slams, and Chicane count at Auction the same as at Bridge, except winners of rubber score 250 points. At the conclusion of a rubber the trick and Honor scores of each side are added, and the difference between the two scores is the number of points won or lost. Only the declarant scores in the trick score. If he fails to fulfil his contract, neither side can score a trick toward game, but the adversary gets 50 points in the Honor column for each lacking trick. Thus, if the de- clarant has bid for eight tricks and wins but six, he has lost two tricks. AUCTION BRIDGE 23 Doubling and re-doubling re-open the bidding. When doubled the loss is 100 for each trick, and 200 if re-doubled. When the declarant fulfils his con- tract, he scores the same as at Bridge : if doubled he receives 50 points for making what he bid, and 50 for each additional trick, and 100 if re-dou- bled, besides scoring the extra tricks made at double their value in the trick column. A ^' one Spade " bid is lim- ited to 100 points, whether doubled or not. RULES FOR BIDDING Cutting and dealing are the same as at Bridge. The Ace of Hearts is low, next the Diamond, next the Club, and highest the Spade. The main di- 24 AUCTION BRIDGE vergence from Bridge Is the declara- tion. The dealer cannot pass; he must make an opening bid of some kind. Each player starting at the dealer's left has the right to pass, double, re- double, or change the suit. To change the suit, the bid must be for a greater number of tricks, or for a higher value In points: for ex- ample, contracting to take two tricks of a suit will outbid one trick of an- other suit of the same value; thus, *' two Clubs " is a higher declaration than " one Heart," and '' two Dia- monds " takes precedence over *' one no-trump." No player can raise his own bid after the other players have passed. A player may over-bid a pre- vious declaration, even if It be his partner's. The highest bidder becomes the de- AUCTION BRIDGE 25 clarant, and he plays the combined hands, his partner being dummy, un- less he has raised the suit his partner first named; In that case, the original bidder plays the dummy. The player should specify both the suit and the number of tricks which he wishes to bid, saying, " One no- trump," "Two Hearts," etc.; If he wishes to pass, he should say, " No," " No more," or " I pass." Should a player In bidding fall to call a sufficient number of tricks to outbid a previous declaration, the bid stands as If the right number had been named, and his partner cannot make any further declaration, unless one of the adversaries has subse- quently made a higher bid. 26 AUCTION BRIDGE OPENING BID FOR DEALER The first object of the bid is to give the partner information. NO TRUMP BID A " no-trump '* declaration is the best opening bid, if you have ordinary strength, especially in the black suits. If the opponent has strength in the light suits, he will over-bid the " no- trump " declaration, thus displaying his strength, and giving your partner the chance to bid *' two no-trumps," if he is strong enough in the light suits previously indicated, and has some protection in other suits. His pass gives equal information that he has no red strength; if neither adversary bids red, it should indicate that the strength in those suits is divided, and AUCTION BRIDGE 27 that your partner holds some protec- tion in them. When you hold a very strong hand in three suits, including Aces and Kings, but are decidedly weak in the remaining suit, you should bid " two no-trumps," the high call shutting out the informatory bidding of the adversary. With such a hand, if the player starts with a " one no- trump " bid, the opponent may get in a two red call. With the red suit placed, it is doubtful if a raise to a " two no-trump " would then go through, as the adversary would im- mediately lead the red suit, which would probably prove disastrous. " ONE HEART BID " A " one Heart " bid indicates both strength and length; unsafe to bid un- less holding five sure tricks. 28 AUCTION BRIDGE It Is not advisable to declare Hearts with five or six, Including but one Honor, and lacking side strength. With five Hearts and two top Hon- ors, such as Ace-KIng, or King- Queen, Hearts may be declared with- out other support. " TWO HEART BID *' A " two Heart " bid Implies length and strength, and shows your partner you can give no other assistance, and that your suit Is so strong you wish to play It, and cut out the " one no- trump " bid. A "two Heart'' bid should indicate six Hearts, with three top Honors, or seven Hearts, with two top Honors. AUCTION BRIDGE 29 '' ONE DIAMOND BID " A " one Diamond " bid Indicates both strength and length in that suit, with Httle else of value in the hand. " TWO DIAMOND BID " A " two Diamond " bid indicates not only great strength, but also " no- trump " assistance. The suggestions offered for the " one " and " two Heart " bid apply equally to the ** one " and '' two Diamond " bid, with the exception that the *' two Heart " bid denies '' no-trump " as- sistance, while the " two Diamond " bid implies it. 30 AUCTION BRIDGE " ONE CLUB BID '* A "one Club" bid Indicates strength in that suit, and some as- sistance at " no-trump." Holding Ace-King, and one other, or King- Queen, and two others with outside strength, is a uniform " one Club " bid — it promises your partner three tricks, if he wishes to bid " no- trump." "TWO CLUB BID" A " two Club " bid indicates a thoroughly established suit, strong "no-trump" assistance — ^willing to have the bid stand. A " two Club " bid shuts out the partner from a " one red " bid; remembering this, you must be sure of your strength. AUCTION BRIDGE 31 " ONE SPADE BID " A '* one Spade *' bid indicates weakness and denies that the hand contains more than two sure tricl^s. " TWO SPADE BID " A ''two Spade'* bid indicates strength in Spades, including the top cards of that suit, and shows " no- trump " assistance. SECOND PLAYER'S BID The second player's say depends greatly upon the dealer's opening bid, excluding the following exceptions: You should pass, unless the hand is strong. If strength is in the " Spade " suit, and you are not strong enough to 32 AUCTION BRIDGE declare " no-trump," you should dou- ble the ''one Spade" bid; this is to show your partner you can stop suit named, and can assist at '' no-trump." It is a mistake to declare " two Spades," over a " one Spade " call, — the double indicates the same things — Spade strength — but does not leave you with a possible chance of being called upon to play it. If you are very strong In Spades, — holding, for example, six or seven, headed by Ace, King, and Queen, — you should then declare " three Spades," even though you have not a single trick in the other suits. This marks you with entire command of the " Spade " suit. It is a declara- tion you are not likely to be left with, but it gives information to your part- ner. Rules for second player's bid- ding on original " one " and " two AUCTION BRIDGE 33 Club " bids should be on the same lines as those for " Spades.'' With a strong red suit, over-call the dealer's black announcement. When the dealer declares '' two Spades," the second player must change the suit, if possible, as the third player will very likely bid " no- trumps " ; it assists your partner's lead in case he is unable to make a bid of his own. When you have a very strong red suit, declare two tricks, not one, so as to shut out the " one no- trump " call by the third player; but, with only average strength in a red suit, bid one — it gives your partner a chance to over-bid a " one no-trump " if he has a good hand, and is only lacking in the suit you have named. Bid " no-trump " with an average hand and a protected Honor in the suit first declared, but, with red 34 AUCTION BRIDGE Strength, over-call the " one no- trump " with a " two red '* bid. THIRD PLAYER'S BID When you are third player, you have already received considerable in- formation. The dealer and the sec- ond player having had their say, you are in a position to size up the situa- tion, with a certain amount of acumen. The dealer's " one Spade " bid in- dicates general weakness, especially in the black suits, otherwise he would have called '' two Spades," or " one Club." He may hold useful support in the red suits, but, on the other hand, he may hold a Yarborough, consequently your declaration should be one at which you can win with lit- tle or no assistance, therefore do not AUCTION BRIDGE 35 raise your partner's bid, unless you have a very strong hand. When the second player has passed the dealer's " one Spade " bid, make any higher call which your hand may warrant, endeavour to take him out of a " one Spade " bid by naming a red suit if you are reasonably strong. Bearing in mind your partner's " one Spade " bid, and the second player's pass, you should realise that the fourth player's hand is marked with considerable strength, and that in all probabihty he will bid " no- trump." Unless you have a decided " no- trump " make yourself, you should be content with suggesting your stron- gest suit to your partner, thus direct- ing his lead against the ** no-trump " call. To make it " no-trump " on your partner's " one Spade " bid is gener- 36 AUCTION BRIDGE ally disastrous, unless the hand is ex- ceptionally strong. When your partner has declared " one no-trump/' and the second player has passed, there are two courses open to you. With a gener- ally assisting hand, allow the declara- tion to stand; however, if you have considerable strength in one of the red suits, with no outside tricks, do not hesitate to over-call your partner with a " two Heart " or a " two Dia- mond " bid. This gives him valuable information, and places him in a po- sition to judge between the two makes. If his " no-trump " call was a light one, he will be glad to allow your bid to stand ; if, on the other hand, he was only weak in the red suit you have named, he will increase the contract to two " no-trumps " — ^you must then be content to let that bid stand. The AUCTION BRIDGE 37 same tactics apply when the dealer has made an original suit declaration. When you can give some assistance, pass the bid; but when you have only one or two small trumps, and decided strength in some other suit, over-call your partner. With protection in three suits, out- side of the suit your partner has al- ready named, the *' no-trump " bid should be your first aim, otherwise a " two Club " call, including six or seven cards with three top Honors, or a Diamond or Heart announcement of equal strength, is permissible. It is wrong to over-call with any less strength. The dealer can always make a higher bid, if he feels his hand warrants it, but he does so with a per- fect understanding of his partner's hand. When the second player has over- 38 AUCTION BRIDGE called the dealer's bid, you should raise your partner's declaration, if you have at least two positive tricks, — meaning Aces, and Kings, especially if the adversaries are likely to win game at their make, or when your own dec- laration, or your partner's, will put you out. FOURTH PLAYER'S BID Most of the suggestions made for the guidance of the second and third players apply to the fourth hand. Be- ing fourth player, the information given by the other hands puts you in a position to judge what is best to do. Do not over-bid your partner, un- less your hand is very strong, and do not take your adversary out of a black declaration when your partner has passed, unless you have a good chance AUCTION BRIDGE 39 to go game. The most you can lose Is a few points, which are of no value; whereas, on the other hand, should the adversary fail to make his con- tract, he stands to lose 50 or 100 points. Aside from this, an an- nouncement by the fourth player gives the opponents a chance to re-open the bidding. If your hand is strong enough to go game, you will welcome this op- portunity to either push your adver- sary up to an unattainable contract or else to increase your own. When you have the slightest doubt in the matter, it is always safer to double your adversary's two or three trick bid and be satisfied with what you may get above the line, than to jeop- ardise any advantage you may already have toward game or rubber. When the dealer's " one Spade " 40 AUCTION BRIDGE bid has been over-called by your part- ner, and passed by the third player, allow his raise to stand, if you can give him some assistance; if, on the other hand, you have decided strength in another suit, do not hesitate to over-call. When the dealer has opened with one " no-trump,'^ or " one Heart," and your partner has over-called with, say, " two Diamonds," and the third player has bid two " no-trump," you should hardly ever raise your part- ner's bid to a three trick declaration, which calls for nine tricks out of the 13, and is a very large contract to attain. The principles governing the fourth player's bid are almost iden- tical with those that influence the pre- vious bidders. Try to distinguish forced bids from voluntary bids, — by AUCTION BRIDGE 41 SO doing you will give your partner's hand its proper estimate and not make the mistake of over-bidding your own. BIDDING AFTER THE FIRST ROUND At the conclusion of the first round of bidding, a certain degree of in- formation has been Imparted by the various declarations. Make use of any information your partner has given you, to work it in with your own strength, and if pos- sible make a '' no-trump " call. Do not over-estimate trump length ; it is high card strength which counts at Auction. With two sure tricks, and a possible third, in your own hand, raise your partner's " one trick " bid when he has been over- called. If his " two trick " bid has 42 AUCTION BRIDGE been raised, it Is generally safe to ven- ture a " three trick " call, providing you hold three or four sure tricks. Avoid a contract of " nine tricks," and leave your adversaries In when they bid over eight, — such a contract is frequently beaten, and your gain in the Honor column may be consider- able. It has been estimated that a bid of ** three Hearts " over a bid of " two no-trumps " Is defeated on an aver- age of eight times out of ten. It stands to reason that a " two no- trump " bid Includes not only general strength, but protection In the red suit you, or your partner, have indicated. A bid of '' four Diamonds " over " two no-trumps " Is also inadvisable, unless the player is willing to accept a loss to keep the opponents from win^ ning rubber. AUCTION BRIDGE 43 There will be occasions when you ought to declare above the value of your hand (termed Flag Flying) : for example, when the opponent's bid is likely to give them game, or when you can push them up to an unattain- able contract. It is impossible to give a text for each case. Players will have to be guided by the score, by circumstances, and by their own experience, which should teach them when and how to dis- criminate. There is no limit to the number of bids made, providing a declaration is over-called by an adversary. No player can raise his own bid after the other players have passed, but he has the privilege of over-call- ing his partner, even though there has been no intermediate bid. 44 AUCTION BRIDGE DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING Doubling and re-doubling re-open the bidding. Any declaration can be doubled and re-doubled once, but not more. The effect of doubling is that the value of each trick over the book (the first six tricks) Is doubled or quadrupled, but it does not alter the bidding value of the declaration: for example, a declaration of " two Dia- monds " is higher than " one no- trump," although the "no-trump" call has been doubled. When a player whose declaration has been doubled makes good his con- tract by winning the declared number of tricks, he scores a bonus of 50 points in the Honor column for mak- ing what he bid, and 50 for each ad- AUCTION BRIDGE 45 ditional trick over, and lOO if re- doubled, besides scoring the extra tricks made at double their value in the trick column. If he fails to fulfil his contract, he loses loo for each lacking trick, and 200 if re- doubled. Partners cannot re-double each other, unless first doubled by an ad- versary; then a re-double is in order, if the hand warrants it. Doubling depends mainly upon the state of the score ; go slow on the first game; but, when it is the rubber and you are behind, double freely, espe- cially if the declarant^s fulfilled con- tract would win the rubber. Doubling locates high cards and trump strength, and frequently con- fers more benefit on the adversary than it does on your partner, and un- less you are doubling a " two trick " 46 AUCTION BRIDGE call, the declaration is apt to be changed to another suit. To double the adversary's *' one no-trump" bid, when you have the odd in your own hand, is not good judgment; it calls attention to your strength, and if the adversary's part- ner has poor general support, he is apt to change the suit to a two red bid. For informatory purposes, to show partner you have protection in the suit named, it is permissible to double a *' one trick " call, but it is a useless procedure with no other object. Let the bid stand, and you are much more likely to score in the Honor column, than if you had shown your strength. A player may double an adversary, or change the suit, if he names more trick value, thus re-opening the bid- ding. Doubling does not mean you ex- AUCTION BRIDGE 47 pect to win the odd, you are merely contracting to defeat the adversary's contract. In re-doubling, best position when playing after the maker. If a player doubles out of turn, the adversary at his left may demand a new deal; do not endanger game by contracting for more tricks than the hand really warrants. OPENING LEAD The important part to remember is, to try to defeat the adversary's contract. A lead from an Ace-King suit, or an Ace from a long suit, gives the player a chance to look at dummy; this, with the partner's previous declaration, should guide your sub- sequent play. 48 AUCTION BRIDGE In playing to your partner's suit, lead the highest of two or more cards in sequence, or fourth best if you have four. When your partner has made no announcement, and you have two suits of equal length, lead the black, since he would have indicated any red strength. A singleton opening is often ad- visable if you have no top cards, and have two or three small trumps. NO TRUMP Establish your long suit as quickly as possible, so as to delay the op- ponents from bringing in theirs. The opening lead at " no-trump " depends upon whether there has been any preliminary bidding; or whether the original " no-trump " declaration AUCTION BRIDGE 49 has been over-called. When the original bid stands, lead from your longest suit numerically, the same as at Bridge, leading your fourth best card, unless the hand contains a sequence of two or three top cards. With a poor hand, and without having received any information from your partner, lead the highest of a black suit, in preference to a red one; — which is customary at Bridge. If he had red strength, he would have declared it. When your partner has made a previous declaration to your own, it is generally advisable to open it, but if you have a good suit with top cards, you may open your suit first, and lead his afterwards. In playing to a suit, lead precisely the same as you would from your own 50 AUCTION BRIDGE hand — top cards in sequence, or fourth best. When the declaration is for three or more tricks in trumps, it is essen- tial to make good the high cards in your hand at once. A three or four trick contract is easily broken, and you must make your Aces and Kings be- fore the declarant has a chance to get in a discard. With such a high bid he is apt to be short in at least one suit. Avoid a tenace opening, such as an Ace-Queen, or King-Knave suit. A player is more likely to make both cards good, if he waits for the suit to be led to him. AUCTION BRIDGE 51 THE BEST LEADS FOR A DOU- BLED "NO-TRUMP'^ If you have Indicated your own suit, previous to your partner's double, lead it. If partner has Indicated his suit, previous to his double, lead it. BEST LEADS FOR A DOUBLED DECLARED TRUMP When your partner has doubled a suit declaration, it does not neces- sarily signify that he wishes it led to him; In fact, it is not advisable, for the reason that it Is up to the strength in the declarant's hand. An Ace-King, or King-Queen lead, is your best opening; failing these, lead a singleton, or fourth best from your longest suit. 52 AUCTION BRIDGE ECHO The Echo is one of the conventions at Bridge which has been introduced into Auction. The play of a high card, followed by a lower, indicates you have no more, and can trump the third round of the suit, or that you hold the re- maining high card. Seldom echo above an Honor, so high a card is too valuable to throw away; besides it attracts the adver- sary's attention, and might enable him to make a successful finesse. SPADE CONVENTION Lead your highest Spade when your partner has doubled an original " no- trump " declaration, without any in- tervening bids. AUCTION BRIDGE 53 DISCARDS The discard at Auction is from weakness. It is not necessary to show strength, as the previous bids have already sup- plied that information. When you are obliged to protect a weak suit, and are forced to discard from a long suit, play a seven, or higher. The discard of a high card fol- lowed by a lower one shows strength in that suit. THE REVOKE A revoke occurs, when a player holding cards of the suit led, fails to follow suit, the penalty being 150 points taken from the side revoking, and added to the adversaries' Honor score, and 100 points for each revoke 54 AUCTION BRIDGE thereafter. The declarant has the privilege of taking three tricks from his opponents, and adding them to his trick score, if it is advantageous to his contract, or will help him to go game. In that case he cannot claim the 150 in the Honor column. If doubled, he cannot claim any bonus in the Honor column for the three tricks gained by the revoke. Should the declarant revoke, he cannot score a single trick toward game. RESUME The bid at Auction simplifies the play to a great extent. It locates high cards and suit strength, which Is of great advantage to the player, especially if he has a fair " no-trump " make, and is only AUCTION BRIDGE 55 lacking In the suit indicated by his partner. If it is the first game, a player should never make a doubtful double, when the adversary's contract would not otherwise score game. An uncertain double on the rubber game is most unsound when the ad- versary's fulfilled contract cannot win game, as the double would put him out, but, when the opponent's fulfilled contract will give him game, or rub- ber, then a double is warranted, if he feels he has a fair chance to defeat the contract. If the double Is de- feated, the loss would not be serious, and should the declarant fail to make good, the gain In the Honor column is worth trying for. The declarant should be familiar with the adversaries' bids, and thus be able to locate the suits against him, 56 AUCTION BRIDGE and to so arrange the leads that he shall play through strength, and up to weakness. It is much easier to estab- lish a suit by leading up to it, than by leading away from it. As Auction is manifestly a game of Aces and Kings, the fourth best play has little part in the game, except where there are no top cards in se- quence in the hand; then a knowledge of the rule of eleven, which applies to the fourth best play, is necessary. ( Deducting the number of spots on the card led from eleven shows how many cards higher than the card led are against your partner's suit.) Do not endanger a contract by try- ing for extra tricks when you cannot go game; on the other hand, when game, or rubber, is at stake, a finesse may be taken, when there is an even chance of winning the rubber, or of AUCTION BRIDGE 57 only losing the contract by a trick. The loss Is small, if defeated, while the bonus for winning the rubber is 250 points. When leading from a sequence, play the top card. When a cult Is led to you, and you hold a sequence of two or more cards, play the lowest. Do not forget to watch your part- ner's first discard, if he has failed to make a bid. Watch the Honor score, as well as the trick score, and do not bid reck- lessly, when there is a big Honor score against you. THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE THE RUBBER I . — ^The partners first winning two games win the rubber. If the first two games decide the rubber, the third IS not played. SCORING 2. — ^A game consists of 30 points obtained by tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for Honors, Chicane, Slam, Little Slam, Bonus, or Undertricks. 3. — Every deal is played out, and any points in excess of the 30 neces- sary for the game are counted. 4. — When the declarant wins the number of tricks bid, each one above 62 AUCTION BRIDGE six counts toward the game; two points when Spades are trumps, four at Clubs, six at Diamonds, eight at Hearts, and 12 at no-trumps. 5. — Honors are Ace, King, Queen, Knave, and Ten of the trump suit; or the Aces when " no-trump '' is de- clared. 6. — Honors are credited In the Honor column to the original holders. 7. — ^A Grand Slam is made when seven tricks are scored independently of tricks taken as penalty for the re- voke; It adds 40 points to the Honor count. 8. — Little Slam Is made when six tricks are similarly scored; it adds 20 points to the Honor count. 9. — Chicane (one hand void of trumps) is equal In value to simple Honors, I.e., if the partners, one of whom has Chicane, score Honors, It AUCTION BRIDGE 63 adds the value of three Honors to their Honor score; If the adversaries score Honors it deducts that value from their Honor count. Double Chicane (both hands void of trumps) is equal in value to four Honors, and that amount must be deducted from the Honor score of the adversaries. 10. — The value of Honors, Slam, Little Slam, or Chicane is not affected by a double or a re-double. 1 1 . — At the conclusion of a rubber, the trick and Honor scores of each side are added; and an extra 250 points are given to the winners. The difference between the completed scores Is the number of points of the rubber. 12. — A proven error In the Honor score may be corrected at any time be- fore the score of the rubber has been made up and agreed upon. 64 AUCTION BRIDGE 13. — ^A proven error in the trick score may be corrected prior to the conclusion of the game in which it oc- curred. Such game shall not be con- sidered concluded until a declaration has been made in the following game, or, if it be the final game of the rub- ber, until the score has been made up and agreed upon. CUTTING 14. — In cutting, the Ace is the low- est card; as between cards of other- wise equal value, the lowest is the Heart, next the Diamond, next the Club, and highest the Spade. 15. — Every player must cut from the same pack. 16. — Should a player expose more than one card, the highest is his cut. AUCTION BRIDGE 65 FORMING TABLES 17. — ^The prior right to play is with those first in the room. If there be more than four candidates, the privilege of playing is decided by cut- ting. The four who cut the lowest cards play the first rubber. 18. — After the table is formed the players cut to decide upon partners, the lower two playing against the higher two. The lowest is the dealer, who has the choice of cards and seats, and who, having made his selection, must abide by it. 19. — Six players constitute a com- plete table. 20. — The right to succeed any player who may retire is acquired by announcing the desire to do so, and such announcement shall constitute a prior right to the first vacancy. 66 AUCTION BRIDGE CUTTING OUT 21. — If, at the end of a rubber, ad- mission be claimed by one or two can- didates, the player or players having played the greatest number of con- secutive rubbers shall withdraw; but when all have played the same num- ber, they must cut to decide upon the outgoers — the highest are out. RIGHTS OF ENTRY 22. — A candidate desiring to enter a table must declare such wish before any player at the table cuts a card, for the purpose of either beginning a new rubber or of cutting out. 23. — In the formation of new tables, those candidates who have not played at any other table have the prior right of entry. Those who have AUCTION BRIDGE 67 already played decide their right to admission by cutting. 24. — When one or more players be- longing to another table aid in making up a new one, the new players at such table shall be the first to go out. 25. — ^A player who cuts into one table, while belonging to another, shall forfeit his prior right of re-entry into the latter, unless he has helped to form a new table. In this event, he may signify his intention of return- ing to his original table when his place at the new one can be filled. 26. — Should any player quit the table during the progress of a rubber, he may, with the consent of the other three, appoint a substitute to play dur- ing his absence ; but such appointment shall become void at the conclusion of that rubber, and shall not in any way affect the substitute's rights. 68 AUCTION BRIDGE 27. — If any one break up a table, the remaining players have a prior right at dther tables. SHUFFLING 28. — ^The pack must not be shuffled below the table nor so that the face of any card may be seen. 29. — The dealer's partner must collect the cards from the preceding deal, and has the first right to shuffle the cards. Each player has the right to subsequently shuffle. The dealer has the right to shuffle last; but, should a card or cards be seen during the shuffling, or while giving the pack to be cut, he must re-shuffle. 30. — ^After shuffling, the cards, properly collected, must be placed face downward to the left of the next dealer. AUCTION BRIDGE 69 THE DEAL 31. — Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing is to the left. 32. — The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and in dividing it he must leave not fewer than four cards in each packet; if in cutting or in replacing one of the two packets a card be exposed, or if there be any con- fusion or a doubt as to the exact place in which the pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut. 33. — When the player whose duty it is to cut has once separated the pack, he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut, ex- cept as provided in Law 32. 34. — Should the dealer shuffle the cards after the cut, the pack must be re-cut. 35. — The fifty-two cards shall be 70 AUCTION BRIDGE dealt face downward. The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt. 36. — There is no penalty for a mis- deal. The cards must be re-dealt. A NEW DEAL 37. — There must be a new deal: A. — If the cards be not dealt into four packets, one at a time and in regular rotation, beginning at the dealer's left. B. — If, during a deal or during the play, the pack be proven incorrect or imperfect. C. — If any card be faced in the pack. ID. — If any player have dealt to him a greater number of cards than thirteen, whether discov- ered before or during the play. E. — If the dealer deal two cards AUCTION BRIDGE 71 at once, and then deal a third before correcting the error. F. — If the dealer omit to have the pack cut, and either ad- versary calls attention to the fact prior to the completion of the deal, and before either adversary has looked at any of his cards. G. — If the last card does not come in its regular order to the dealer. 38. — There may be a new deal: A. — If the dealer or his partner expose a card before the deal has been completed. Either adversary may claim a new deal. B. — ^^If either adversary expose a card before the deal has been completed. The dealer or his partner may claim a new deal. C. — If before fifty-one cards are 72 AUCTION BRIDGE dealt, the dealer look at any card, his adversaries have the right to see it, and either may exact a new deal. D. — If, in dealing, one of the last cards be exposed by the dealer or his partner and the deal be completed before there is a reasonable time for either adversary to decide as to a new deal. In all other cases such penalties must be claimed prior to the comple- tion of the deal. 39. — The claim for a new deal by reason of a card exposed during the deal may not be made by a player who has looked at any of his cards. If the deal stand, a card so exposed cannot be called. 40. — Should three players have their right number of cards, the fourth, less than thirteen, and not dis- AUCTION BRIDGE 73 cover such deficiency until he has played, the deal stands; he, not being dummy, is answerable for any estab- lished revoke he may have made, as if the missing card or cards had been in his hand. Any player may search the other pack for it or them. 41. — If, during the play, a pack be proven incorrect or imperfect, such proof renders the current deal void, but does not affect any prior score. (See Law 37b.) If, during or at the conclusion of the play, one player be found to hold more than the proper number of cards and another have an equal number less, the hand is void. 42. — ^A player dealing out of turn or with the adversaries' cards, may be corrected before the last card is dealt ; otherwise the deal must stand and the game proceed as if the deal had been correct. 74 AUCTION BRIDGE 43. — A player can neither cut, shuffle, nor deal for his partner with- out the permission of his adversaries. DECLARING TRUMPS 44. — The dealer, having examined his hand, must declare to win at least one odd trick, either with a trump suit or at '' no-trumps." 45. — ^After the dealer has made his declaration, each player in turn, com- mencing with the player on the deal- er's left, has the right to pass, to make a higher declaration, to double the last declaration made, or to re-double a declaration which has been doubled, subject to the provisions of Law ^5. 46. — A declaration of a greater number of tricks in a suit of lower value, which equals the last declara- tion in value of points, shall be con- AUCTION BRIDGE 75 sidered a higher declaration, e.g., a declaration of *' two Spades " is a higher declaration than '' one Club,'^ and " two Diamonds " is higher than *' one no-trump." 47. — A player in his turn may over- bid the previous declaration any num- ber of times, and he may also over-bid his partner, but he cannot over-bid his own declaration which has been passed by the other three players. 48. — When the final declaration has been made, i.e., when the last declaration has been passed by the other three players — the player who has made such declaration (or, in the case where both partners have made declarations in the same suit or of *' no-trumps," the player who first made such declaration) shall play the combined hands of himself and of his partner, the latter becoming dummy. 76 AUCTION BRIDGE 49. — When the player of the two hands (hereinafter termed the " de- clarant") wins at least as many tricks as he declared to do, he scores the full value of the tricks won (see Laws 4 and 6). When he fails, his adversaries score in the Honor column 50 points for each undertrick, i.e., each trick short of the number de- clared ; or, if the declaration have been doubled or re-doubled, 100 or 200, respectively, for each such trick, neither the declarant nor his ad- versaries score anything toward game. 50. — The loss on the declaration of *' one Spade " shall be limited to 100 points in respect of undertricks, whether doubled or not, unless re- doubled. 51. — If a player make a declara- tion (other than passing) out of turn, AUCTION BRIDGE 77 the adversary on his left may demand a new deal, or may allow the declara- tion so made to stand, when the bid- ding shall continue as if the declara- tion had been in orden 52. — If a player, in bidding, fail to declare a sufficient number of tricks to over-bid the previous declaration, he shall be considered to have declared the requisite number of tricks in the bid which he has made, unless either of his adversaries make a higher declaration, double, or pass the in- sufficient declaration. When the insufficient declaration is corrected to the requisite number of tricks in the bid, or, if the correction be impossible, the partner of the declarant shall be debarred from making any further declaration, unless either of his adver- saries make a higher declaration or double. 78 AUCTION BRIDGE 53. — ^After the final declaration has been made, a player is not entitled to give his partner any information as to a previous declaration, whether made by himself or by an adversary, but a player is entitled to inquire, at any time during the play of the hand, what was the final declaration. DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING 54. — The effect of doubling and re- doubling is that the value of each trick over six is doubled or quadrupled, as provided in Law 4; but it does not alter the value of a declaration, e.g., a declaration of " two Diamonds '' is higher than " one no-trump '' although the no-trump declaration has been doubled. ^^. — A player cannot double his partner's declaration nor re-double his AUCTION BRIDGE 79 partner^s double, but he may re-double a declaration of his partner which has been doubled by an adversary. ^6. — The act of doubling, or re- doubling, re-opens the bidding. When a declaration has been doubled or re- doubled, any player, including the declarant or his partner, can, in his proper turn, make a further declara- tion of higher value. 57. — When a player, whose decla- ration has been doubled, makes good his declaration by winning at least the declared number of tricks, he scores a bonus which consists of 50 points in the Honor column for winning the number of tricks declared, and a fur- ther 50 points for each additional trick he may win. If he or his part- ner have re-doubled, the bonus is doubled. 58. — If a player double out of 8o AUCTION BRIDGE turn, the adversary at his left may de- mand a new deal. 59. — ^When the final declaration has been made the play shall begin, and the player on the left of the declarant shall lead. 60. — A declaration once made can- not be altered, unless it has been dou- bled or a higher declaration made. DUMMY 6 1 . — As soon as the eldest hand has led, the declarant's partner shall place his cards face upward on the table, and the duty of playing the cards from that hand shall devolve upon the declarant. 62. — Before placing his cards upon the table the declarant's partner has all the rights of a player, but after AUCTION BRIDGE . 8i SO doing takes no part whatever in the play except that he has the right : A. — To ask the declarant whether he has any of a suit which he may have re- nounced ; B. — To call the declarant's at- tention to the fact that too many or too few cards have been played to a trick; C. — To correct the claim of either adversary to a penalty to which he is not entitled ; D. — To call attention to the fact that a trick has been erroneously taken by either side ; E. — To participate in the dis- cussion of any disputed ques- tion of fact after it has arisen between the declarant and either adversary; F. — ^To correct an erroneous score. 82 . AUCTION BRIDGE 63. — Should the declarant's partner call attention to any other Incident of the play In consequence of which any penalty might have been exacted, the declarant Is precluded from exact- ing such penalty. 64. — If the declarant's partner, by touching a card or otherwise, suggest the play of a card from dummy, either adversary may, without consultation, call upon the declarant to play or not to play the card suggested. 6^. — 'Dummy Is not liable to the penalty for a revoke; if he revoke and the error be not discovered until the trick Is turned and quitted, the trick must stand. 66. — A card from the declarant's own hand is not played until actually quitted; but should he name or touch a card in the dummy, such card Is considered as played unless he, in AUCTION BRIDGE 83 touching the card, say, *' I arrange," or words to that effect. If he simul- taneously touch two or more such' cards, he may elect which one to play. CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY 67. — If, after the cards have been dealt, and before the trump declara- tion has been finally determined, any player expose a card from his hand, either adversary may demand a new deal. If the deal be allowed to stand, the exposed card may be picked up, and cannot be called. 68. — If, after the final declaration has been accepted and before a card is led, the partner of the player who has to lead to the first trick expose a card from his hand, the declarant may, instead of calling the card, require the leader not to open that suit. 84 AUCTION BRIDGE CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY 69. — All cards exposed after the original lead are liable to be called, and such cards must be left face up- ward on the table. 70. — The following are exposed cards : First. — Two or more cards played at once. Second.^Any card dropped with its face upward on the table, even though snatched up so quickly that it cannot be named. Third. — Any card so held by a player that his partner sees any portion of its face. Fourth. — ^Any card mentioned by either adversary as being held by him or his partner. 71. — ^A card dropped on the floor or elsewhere below the table, or so AUCTION BRIDGE 85 held that an adversary, but not the partner, sees it. Is not an exposed card. 72. — If two or more cards be played at once by either of the declar- ant's adversaries, the declarant shall have the right to call any one of such cards to the current trick, and the other card or cards exposed. 73. — If, without waiting for his partner to play, either of the declar- ant's adversaries play on the table the best card or lead one which is a win- ning card, as against the declarant and dummy, and continue (without waiting for his partner to play) to lead several such cards, the declar- ant may demand that the partner of the player In fault win, if he can, the first or any other of these tricks, and the other cards thus Im- properly played are exposed cards. 74. — If either or both of the 86 AUCTION BRIDGE declarant's adversaries throw his or their cards on the table face upward, such cards are exposed and are liable to be called; but if either adversary retain his hand he cannot be forced to abandon it. Cards exposed by the declarant are not liable to be called. If the declarant say, " I have the rest," or any other words indicating that the remaining tricks or any num- ber thereof are his, he may be re- quired to place his cards face upward on the table. His adversaries are not liable to have any of their cards called should they thereupon expose them. 75. — If a player who has rendered himself liable to have the highest or lowest of a suit called (Laws 82, 88, and 95) fail to play as directed, or if, when called on to lead one suit he lead another, having in his hand one or more cards of the suit demanded AUCTION BRIDGE 87 (Laws 76 and 96), or if called upon to win or lose a trick, he fail to do so when he can (Laws 73, 82, and 95), he is liable to the penalty for revoke, unless such play be corrected before the trick is turned and quitted. LEADS OUT OF TURN 76. — If either of the declarant's ad- versaries lead out of turn, the declar- ant may either treat the card so led as an exposed card, or may call a suit as soon as it is the turn of either ad- versary to lead. 77. — If the declarant lead out of turn, either from his own hand or from dummy, he incurs no penalty; but he may not rectify the error after the second hand has played. 78. — If any player lead out of turn and the other three follow, the trick 88 AUCTION BRIDGE IS complete and the error cannot be rectified; but if only the second, or second and third play to the false lead, their cards may be taken back; there is no penalty against any ex- cept the original offender, who, if he be one of the declarant's adversaries, may be penalised as provided in Law 76. 79. — ^A player cannot be compelled to play a card which would oblige him to revoke. 80. — The call of an exposed card may be repeated until such card has been played. 81. — If a player called on to lead a suit have none of it, the penalty is paid. AUCTION BRIDGE 89 CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR 82. — Should the fourth hand, not being dummy or declarant, play be- fore the second, the latter may be called upon to play his highest or lowest card of the suit played or to win or lose the trick. 83. — If any one, not being dummy, omit playing to a trick and such error be not corrected until he has played to the next, the adversaries or either of them may claim a new deal; should they decide that the deal is to stand, the surplus card at the end of the hand is considered to have been played to the imperfect trick, but does not con- stitute a revoke therein. 84. — If any one, except dummy, play two or more cards to the same trick and the mistake be not corrected. 90 AUCTION BRIDGE he Is answerable for any consequent re- vokes he may have made. If during the play the error be detected, the tricks may be counted face downward, to see if any contain more than four cards; should this be the case, the trick which contains a surplus card or cards may be examined and the card or cards restored to the original holder, who (not being dummy) shall be liable for any revoke he may mean- while have made. THE REVOKE 85. — ^A revoke occurs when a player, other than dummy, holding one or more cards of the suit led, plays a card of a different suit. It be- comes an established revoke If the trick in which it occurs be turned and quitted (i.e., the hand removed from AUCTION BRIDGE 91 the trick after It has been turned face downward on the table) ; or if either the revoking player or his partner, whether in turn or otherwise, lead or play to the following trick. 86. — The penalty for each estab- lished revoke shall be : A. — ^When the declarant re- vokes, his adversaries add 150 points to their score in the Honor column In addition to any penalty which he may have incurred for not making good his declaration. B. — If either of the adversaries revoke, the declarant may either add 150 points to his score in the Honor column or may take three tricks from his opponents and add them to his own. Such tricks may assist the declarant to make good his contract, but shall not entitle him to score any 92 AUCTION BRIDGE bonus In the Honor column, in the case of the declaration having been doubled or re- doubled. C. — ^W^'hen more than one re- voke Is made during the play of the hand, the penalty for each revoke after the first shall be lOO points In the Honor column. A revoking side cannot score, except Honors and Chicane. 87. — ^A player may ask his partner if he have a card of a suit which he has renounced; should the question be asked before the trick is turned and quitted, subsequent turning and quit- ting does not establish a revoke; and the error may be corrected unless the question be answered In the negative, or unless the revoking player or his partner has led or played to the fol- lowing trick. AUCTION BRIDGE 93 88. — If a player correct his mistake in time to save a revoke, any player who has followed him may withdraw his card and substitute another and the cards so withdrawn are not liable to be called. If the player in fault be one of the declarant's adversaries, the card played in error is exposed, and the declarant may call it whenever he pleases or he may require the offend- er to play his highest or lowest card of the suit to the trick. 89. — If the player in fault be the declarant, the eldest hand may require him to play the highest or lowest card of the suit in which he has renounced, provided both of the adversaries have played to the current trick; but this penalty cannot be exacted from the declarant when he is fourth in hand, nor can it ever be enforced from dummy. 94 AUCTION BRIDGE 90. — At the end of a hand the claimants of a revoke may search all the tricks. If the cards have been mixed, the claim may be urged and if possible proven ; but no proof is neces- sary and the claim is established if, after it has been made, the accused player or his partner mix the cards be- fore they have been sufficiently ex- amined by the adversaries. 9 1 . — A revoke must be claimed be- fore the cards have been cut for the following deal. 92. — Should both sides revoke, the only score permitted shall be for Hon- ors or Chicane. If one side revoke more than once, the penalty of 100 points for each extra revoke shall then be scored by the other side. AUCTION BRIDGE 95 GENERAL RULES 93. — There must not be any con- sultation between partners as to the enforcement of penalties. If they do so consult, the penalty is paido 94. — Once a trick is complete, turned, and quitted, it must not be looked at (except under Law 84) un- til the end of the hand. 95. — Any player during the play of a trick or after the four cards are played, and before they are touched for the purpose of gathering them to- gether, may demand that the cards be placed before their respective players. 96. — If either of the declarant's ad- versaries, prior to his partner's play- ing, call attention to the trick, either by saying it is his, or by naming his card or drawing it toward him with- 96 AUCTION BRIDGE out being requested so to do, the de- clarant may require such partner to play his highest or lowest card of the suit led, or to win or lose the trick. 97. — ^Either of the declarant's ad- versaries may call his partner's atten- tion to the fact that he is about to play or lead out of turn ; but if, during the play of a hand, he make any un- authorized reference to any incident of the play, or to any bid previously made, the declarant may call a suit from the adversary whose turn it is next to lead. 98. — In all cases where a penalty has been incurred, the offender is bound to give reasonable time for the decision of his adversaries; but if a wrong penalty be demanded none can be enforced. 99. — ^Where the declarant or his partner has incurred a penalty, one of AUCTION BRIDGE 97 his adversaries may say, " Partner, will you exact the penalty or shall I ? '* but whether this is said or not, if either adversary name the penalty, his decision is final. NEW CARDS 100. — Unless a pack be imperfect, no player shall have the right to call for one new pack. If fresh cards be demanded, two packs must be fur- nished. If they be produced during a rubber, the adversaries shall have the choice of the new cards. If it be the beginning of a new rubber, the dealer, whether he or one of his adversaries be the party calling for the new cards, shall have the choice. New cards must be called for before the pack is cut for a new deal. loi. — ^A card or cards torn or 98 AUCTION BRIDGE marked must be replaced by agree- ment or new cards furnished. BY-STANDERS 102. — ^Whlle a by-stander, by agreement among the players, may decide any question, he must on no ac- count say anything unless appealed to ; and if he make any remark which calls attention to an oversight affecting the score, or to the exaction of a penalty, he is liable to be called upon by the players to pay the stakes (not extras) lost. THREE-HANDED AUCTION BRIDGE The laws are the same as those of Auction Bridge, except as varied by the following: I. — The game is played by three AUCTION BRIDGE 99 players, each against each; the table being complete with four players. 2. — The player who cuts the lowest card has the first deal ; the player cut- ting the next lowest card sits on the dealer's left, and the remaining player on the dealer's right. The cards are dealt as at Auction Bridge, but the cards dealt to dummy are not taken up until after the final declaration has been made. If, whilst dealing, a card be exposed, there must be a new deal. 3. — The dealer makes his declara- tion, and the bidding continues as at Auction Bridge, except that the play- ers sitting opposite each other are not partners, and their declarations are on their own account. There shall be no new deal on account of a player making a declaration out of turn, but the players so offending shall forfeit 50 points to each of the players; the loo AUCTION BRIDGE right to declare remaining with the player whose turn it was to make a declaration. The player making the final declaration (i.e., the declaration that has been passed by the other two players) plays his own hand and that of dummy against the other two play- ers, who then, and for that particular hand, become partners. If one of the players happen to be sitting opposite the declarant, he must move Into the vacant seat at the table, thereby facing the player who becomes his partner for that hand. 4. — If, after the deal has been completed and before a card is led, any player expose a card from his hand, he shall forfeit 100 points to each of the other players; and the declarant — If he be not the offender — may call upon the eldest hand not to lead from the suit of the exposed AUCTION BRIDGE loi card. If he does not exercise this right, the card must be left on the table as an exposed card. If the card be exposed by the declarant after the final declaration has been made, there is no penalty. 5. — If a player double out of turn, he forfeits 100 points to each of his adversaries, and the player whose declaration has been so doubled shall have the right to say whether or not the double shall stand. The bidding is then resumed; but if the double has been disallowed, the said declaration cannot be doubled by the player on the right of the offender. 6. — The rubber consists of four games ; but when two games have been won by the same player, the other or others are not played. 7. — ^When the declarant makes good his declaration, he scores as at 102 AUCTION BRIDGE Auction Bridge; when he fails to do so, he loses to each of his adversaries. 8. — The scoring is the same as at Auction Bridge, except with regard to Honors, which are scored by each player severally, i.e., each player who has one Honor in Spades scores two; each player having two Honors in Spades scores four; a player holding three Honors in Spades scores six; a player holding four Honors in Spades scores i6; and a player holding five Honors in Spades scores 20, and simi- larly for the other suits. In a " no- trump " declaration. Aces count 10 each ; and if all four be held by one player, 100. 9. — One hundred points are scored by each player for every game he wins, and the winner of the rubber adds a further 250 points to his score. 10. — At the conclusion of the rub- AUCTION BRIDGE 103 ber, the total scores obtained by each player are added up separately, and each player wins from, or loses to, each other player the difference be- tween his score and that of the said other player. ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION BRIDGE I. — Declarations should be made in a simple manner, thus: " One Heart," one " No-trump," or " I pass," or '' I double," and must be made orally and not by gesture. 2. — Aside from his legitimate declaration, a player should not give any indication by word or gesture as to the nature of his hand, or as to his pleasure or displeasure at a play, a bid or a double. 3. — If a player demand that the 104 AUCTION BRIDGE cards be placed, he should do so for his own Information and not to call his partner's attention to any card or play. 4. — No player, other than the de- clarant, should lead until the preceding trick is turned and quitted: nor, after having led a winning card, should he draw another from his hand before his partner has played to the current trick. 5. — ^A player should not play a card with such emphasis as to draw atten- tion to it. Nor should he detach one card from his hand and subsequently play another. 6. — A player should not purposely Incur a penalty because he is willing to pay it, nor should he make a second revoke to conceal a first. 7. — Players should avoid discus- sion and refrain from talking during AUCTION BRIDGE 105 the play, as it may be annoying to players at the table or to those at other tables in the room. 8. — The dummy should not leave his seat for the purpose of watching his partner's play; neither should he call attention to the score nor to any card or cards that he or the other players hold, nor to any bid previously made. 9. — If the declarant say, " I have the rest," or any words indicating the remaining tricks are his, and one or both of the other players should ex- pose his or their cards, or request the declarant to play out the hand, he should not allow any information so obtained to influence his play nor take any finesse not announced by him at the time of making such claim, unless it had been previously proven to be a winner. 10. — If a player concede in error io6 AUCTION BRIDGE one or more tricks, the concession should stand. 1 1 . — ^A player having been cut out of one table should not seek admission Into another unless willing to cut for the privilege of entry. 12. — "No player should look at any of his cards until the deal be com- pleted. BRIDGE PLAYING TO THE SCORE The declaration depends mainly upon the state of the score, and each player should inquire how he stands before naming a suit. When game or rubber Is In sight, take no chances on a doubtful play, but secure the required number of points first. When game Is In doubt and you already have the odd trick, then a finesse should be taken with the hope of scoring game; If the finesse fails, you at least have your odd, and the loss of one possible trick on the finesse is not serious. With a game to the good. It is fool- ish to risk a poor make, and run the 109 110 BRIDGE chance of losing the advantage you have already gained. When you are a game behind, a risky declaration is justifiable, espe- cially if the adversaries are a game in, and as much as i8 or 20 toward the rubber. The Honors should also be taken into consideration. A make which in- cludes three top Honors and two small trumps, should be given preference over one which includes but two Hon- ors with four small trumps. A good Honor score is a very ma- terial help toward lessening your losses, when the adversary has won the rubber. So much information is given by the bidding at Auction, that many times a hand may almost be said to play itself. At Bridge it is quite the reverse. The leads and discards are your only source of information, and BRIDGE III it IS essential to a scientific play of the hand that you bear these in mind. Generally speaking, a strong make is important at Bridge, as the declara- tion is final. When dealer you should pass, un- less you can see five tricks in your hand. The pass indicates that you have no great strength in the red suits, and while you may hold some protec- tion in them, you also may be de- cidedly short. When holding a ** Yarborough," an original Spade declaration is com- pulsory, unless the adversaries are a game ahead, and you are willing to take a chance on what your partner's hand may hold. Ordinarily the deal- er's pass indicates that you can count on at least one positive trick in his hand. Suit length has its full value at 112 BRIDGE Bridge; small trumps and under cards may often be finessed, on the chance of success, which could not be risked at Auction, on account of its method of scoring. BRIDGE A game consists of 30 points ob- tained by tricks alone. The partners first winning two games win Rubber. HONORS The ^ve top cards running from Ten to Ace in a trump suit. The person holding the majority — three or more — add them to their Honor score. • In " no-trump " the Aces are counted as Honors. BRIDGE 113 The Honor score is added to the trick score at the end of the rubber. The rubber gives you an additional 100. ORIGINAL MAKES "No -Trumps" Count 12 Four Aces. Three Aces and some protection. Two Aces and protection in one other suit. One Ace and protection in three other suits. Good gambling make if you are be- hind: one long black suit and another Ace. HEARTS Count 8 Six including one Honor. Five including two Honors and two outside tricks. 114 BRIDGE Four including three top Honors and two or three outside tricks. Do not make it Hearts with four or five unless you see four sure tricks in your hand. DIAMONDS Count 6 Six Including one Honor. Five including two Honors, and two or three outside tricks. As an original Diamond make pre- cludes two declarations of higher value — "No-trump," and "Hearts" — it is often advisable to pass, unless you feel you can go game. A passed make of Diamonds Is a different matter, and is often made on a hand that would not be strong enough for an original declaration. Do not make it Diamonds on the BRIDGE 115 second game if you have lost the first, unless the suit is exceptionally strong. CLUBS AND SPADES Do not make It Clubs originally unless you have four or five Honors in Clubs In one hand, or can win out, or are a game to the good with eight or more points on the second game. Do not make it original Spades, un- less you have a '' Bust " or '' Yar- borough " — meaning you have not a trick In your hand — or the score is 24 and you feel you can win the game. Spades are not played unless the dealer is 24, or they are doubled. PASSED MAKES Passed makes must be stronger, not weaker. An original make has the advantage ii6 BRIDGE of showing the adversaries that the hand holds strength, while a pass is a confesson of weakness; therefore, the make from dummy's hand should contain pronounced strength in what- ever suit he elects, especially as his hand is exposed. The strength of an original decla- ration is problematical to the adver- sary, also the assistance which may be contained in dummy's hand, and for that reason, he may fear to double. But when it is a passed make, the acknowledged weakness of the dealer may tempt him to double when he has a good hand, especially if the score is against him. Taking these chances into consid- eration, the passed make should be strong, unless you are behind, and are willing to take a chance. More rubbers are lost by bad makes BRIDGE 117 than by bad plays. When you are dummy, if it is a choice of " no- trump," or a red suit, your partner is more likely to give you general assist- ance at '' no-trump " than he would at a suit declaration. ORIGINAL LEADS WITH TRUMP DECLARED A. K. Qu. Lead K., then Qu. A. K. and others Lead K., then A. K. Qu. Kn. Lead K. K. Qu. Lead K. Qu. Kn. 10 Lead Qu. K. Kn. 10 Lead Kn. If you have no combination of high cards lead fourth best. It is not necessary to return your partner's lead, until after you have made good the high cards in your own ii8 BRIDGE hand. If your partner's suit has only been led once, then you may return it, otherwise lead up to the weakness in dummy, which may enable him to win a trick with a low card. It some- times happens that a short suit open- ing is the best your hand offers. With a generally poor hand, or a hand which contains nothing better than a tenace opening, such as an Ace-Queen suit, it is often advisable to lead the short suit, when you hold two or three small trumps. With a hand containing an Ace- King suit, lead the King, and take a look at dummy first; the advisability of then leading from your short suit will be more clear to you. I BRIDGE 119 SINGLETON LEADS Qu.-Kn.-io-9 may be led if only one trump is held and the hand con- tains no ace opening. If your long suit is headed by an Ace (without King) , lead Ace, other- wise it might be trumped. Ace and no other, lead Ace if the hand contains no other trick, possibly saving a Slam. A. K. only, lead Ace. ORIGINAL LEADS AT "NO- TRUMP " The lead of an Ace, King, Queen, indicates three Honors alone, or six cards or more. BRIDGE LEAD ACE From Ace, Queen, Knave, and others, with a re-entry card, other- wise lead the Queen; if your partner has the King, he will unblock by over- taking your Queen, and return your suit at once, unless he thinks it more advantageous to establish his own first. From Ace, and at least six others, with a re-entry card, lead Ace. LEAD KING From Ace, King, Queen, and others. From Ace, King, Knave, and others. From Ace, King, and five others or more. BRIDGE 121 From King, Queen, Knave, and others. From King, Queen, and five others, or more. From King, Queen, lo, and others. LEAD QUEEN From Queen, Knave, lo, and others. From Ace, Queen, Knave, and others, with no re-entry cards. Should your first play be from the Ace, and the King not fall, the adver- sary must hold that card, and with- out a re-entry your suit would be blocked. LEAD KNAVE From Knave, lo, 9. From King, Knave, 10, and others lead Knave. 122 BRIDGE From other combinations lead fourth best from your longest suit; if the high cards are against you, some of them must fall, and with an Ace, or King, in your hand of another suit as re-entry, you should eventu- ally establish your suit. ECHO The play of first a high card and then a lower card, indicating you have no more, and can trump the third round of the suit. Seldom echo above an Honor; so high a card is too valu- able to part with. RULE OF ELEVEN Deducting the number of spots on the card led from eleven, shows how many cards higher than the card led are against your partner's suit. BRIDGE 123 . PLAYING DUMMY AT " NO- TRUMP '' Keep command of adversary's suit at " No-trump." Play for the suit you have the most of in the two hands; if the cards are equally divided, play up to one with majority of Honors. To avoid blocking, get rid of the high cards from the short hand. PLAYING DUMMY WITH TRUMPS Unless the weak hand in trumps can ruff, usually lead trumps holding seven or more in the two hands. Do not weaken your strong trump hand by forcing it to ruff, unless you can establish a cross ruff. Forcing 124 BRIDGE your strong hand Is your adversary's best play. Lead up to your high cards and not away from them when the other hand IS weak. Play to deceive your adversaries. Know how many tricks you need to win the game, and play to get them. Try to get rid of your losing cards by discarding them. SECOND HAND PLAY Beat the dummy. Cover an Honor with an Honor, unless you have three of the suit. With any two Honors touching, play one of the Honors (the lower). When the dummy can take any card you play, play small and do not hesi- tate. BRIDGE 125 THIRD HAND PLAY Holding two or more cards In se- quence, play the lowest. Holding Ace, Knave, 10, with King or Queen In the dummy, and your partner leading the suit, finesse the Knave. If on partner's lead of King, then Ace, you can take third round of that suit — either trumping or holding best card; play high, then low. DOUBLING You can double Spades if you have four tricks, with a possible fifth, even though weak in trumps. To double "Hearts," "Dia- monds," or " Clubs," you should have five tricks, with a possible sixth, and strength In trumps. 126 BRIDGE To double " No-trump," you should have six tricks, with a possible seventh. A long, strong suit and an- other Ace. Do not re-double unless you hold the odd trick In your own hand. If you are strong In " Hearts," double a " no-trump " when it Is your partner's lead. See " Heart Conven- tion." Doubling on rubber game Is dan- gerous. The Increased value of tricks may enable adversary to win the rubber on that hand, when otherwise you might go out on the next deal. Best position, when playing after the maker. Danger of doubling shows where strength lies. BRIDGE Z27 WHAT TO LEAD WHEN YOUR PARTNER DOUBLES Do not lead trumps when your partner doubles " Spades/' unless you hold four or more trumps, or a strong suit hand. Do not lead trumps when your partner doubles " Hearts," " Dia- monds," or *' Clubs," if you have a short suit or can take a look at the dummy first. Seldom lead trumps up to the • maker. When you do, lead your high- est; such a play locates the dealer's trumps for your partner. If you have a short suit, or singleton, and have one or two small trumps, lead it. Your hand cannot be expected to hold very strong cards, when two players have already declared their strength. 128 BRIDGE HEART CONVENTION When your partner has doubled a " no-trump " make, you should lead your highest Heart. It does not fol- low that he has any great strength in that suit, but he must hold the Ace as an entry card to the suit he wishes to establish. UNBLOCKING At "No-Trumps'* Holding K. x. partner's lead of A., play K. Holding A. X. partner's lead of K., play A. Holding K. X. partner's lead of Q., play K. Holding Q. x. X. partner's lead of K. A., play Queen on Ace. BRIDGE 129 Avoid blocking your partner's suit when he leads a high card; it denotes great strength, and unless you hold as many as four or five, you should al- ways throw in your top cards. If your partner leads low, and yoit can take the trick, do so, and return your highest card if you hold but one Honor, or lead the highest of two Honors in sequence. It is not likely you can outlast youif partner in his chosen suit, but if you should hold as many as four or five, play next to your lowest card, and then play up to his high card lead, saving your lowest card until the last round. '' Only unblock at ** no-trump." 130 BRIDGE GENERAL RULES Return your partner*s lead at " no- trumps," unless blocked by dummy, or own suit seems more advantageous. Return your highest card, unless you hold five or more. When dummy is on your right, lead up to the weakness ; when on left, lead through strength. Force the strong hand to trump. With trumps declared, make your Aces and Kings. In making the trump, when it is a question of '' Hearts " and " no- trumps," make it ** Hearts," unless the game is decidedly against you. Watch your partner's first discard. Put "Hearts" at right in "no- trump," when you are dummy; also put the declared trump at right. BRIDGE Z31 DISCARDS As the original leader, you indicate your suit by your first play, there- fore any subsequent discard merely signifies the suit you can best spare. The discard (as a signal) only ap- plies to your partner, providing he has not had an opportunity to get the lead before he is obliged to discard. With trumps declared, discard from your strongest suit ; this does not necessarily mean length, it merely in- dicates the suit in which you hold the highest cards. At " no-trump," the popular dis- card is from weakness; the safest dis- card is from strength. If three suits have been led, it is unnecessary to discard from strength. A discard from the adversary's estab- 132 BRIDGE llshed suit, or from the suit led origi- nally by your partner, should not con- fuse him, and he should infer that your strength lies in the remaining suit. Watch the dealer's discard, and it is equally necessary that the dealer watches yours. SHORT SUITS A short suit is a suit of less than four cards. Holding no face card, lead highest of a short suit. To detect a short suit, apply the ** rule of eleven." To lead a " Singleton " or from a two-card suit is usually good play when you hold three small trumps or six. BRIDGE X33 REVOKE A revoke occurs when a player holding cards of the suit led fails to follow suit; the penalty is three tricks taken from the side revoking, and added to the adversaries^ trick score. The adversary can go out if game is made, but the person revoking can- not score over 28. If a player corrects his mistake be- fore the trick is turned, a revoke is not established. SUGGESTIONS Never lead a black short suit up to the dealer if the make has been passed. Never lead a short suit holding four trumps unless your trumps are very weak. J34 BRIDGE Never lead low from an Ace; the dealer may win the first trick and dis- card before your Ace is played. Never block your partner's suit at *' no-trump." GLOSSARY Above the Line — ^The Honor Column. Below the Line — The Trick Column. Bonus — Reward in Honor Column. Book — The first six tricks won by the same partners. Bring-in — To make the cards of a suit. By-Cards — The number of tricks won over the book. Cards of Re-entry — A winning card which will bring into play another suit. Chicane — A hand without a trump. Command — The best card of a suit. Cross Ruff — When two suits are being trumped by partners. 135 136 GLOSSARY Declarant — The highest bidder. Discarding — Not following suit. Doubling— lncrQd,smg the value of the trick points. Ducking — Refusing to play the commanding cards of a suit. Dummy — The declarant's partner — the one whose cards are exposed on the table. Echo^Disc2ird of a high card, fol- lowed by a lower one. Eldest Hand — The player on the dealer's left. Exposed Card — Any card which is shown, but is not played. False Cards — Playing the Ace, holding the King, or any attempt to conceal the cards held. Finesse — Trying to win a trick with a card which is not the best in the hand. Flag Flying — Over-bidding the ad- GLOSSARY 137 versaries' contract when they are likely to go game, at the risk of a loss to yourself in the Honor column. Forced Bid — Making a higher bid than the hand warrants. Fourth Best — Counting from the highest card in the suit. Free or Voluntary Bid — Bidding the true value of the hand. Grand Slam — ^Winning all tricks. Guarded Suit — ^A high card pro- tected by smaller cards in the same suit. Honors — The ^vt top cards rang- ing from 10 to Ace in a trump suit. At no-trump the four Aces. Little Slam — ^Winning all tricks but one. Odd Trick — ^The first trick over the book. Over-Bid— A higher bid in the same suit. 138 GLOSSARY Over-Call — ^A higher bid in an- other suit. Over Trick — The first trick over the book. Revoke — Not following suit when able to do so. Rubber — ^Two out of three games. Ruffing — ^Trumping a trick. Sequence — Cards immediately fol- lowing each other in order of their value. Singleton — ^A suit of which you hold but one card. Tenace — ^The best and third best of a suit — ^Ace and Queen are Tenace over the King and Knave. Third Hand — ^At Bridge the deal- er's partner; at Auction, the declar- ant's partner. Unblocking — Getting rid of a card that may block your partner's suit. GLOSSARY i3g Without — Meaning a no-trump declaration. Yarborough — A hand without a face card. Younger Hand — ^The partner of the original dealer. JAN 24 1912 One copy del. to Cat. Div. JAN 24 1912 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 020 237 435 9