Notes on Illustrative Hand No. 12

Tricks 1 and 2.—A leads high, hoping in three leads to drop all the diamonds.

Trick 3.—B discards a spade, plainly indicating the suit he wishes A to lead.

If the discard of a heart is made, indicating weakness, A is compelled to choose between the clubs and spades, and as he cannot afford to lead from the king of spades once protected will undoubtedly lead the jack of clubs.

ILLUSTRATIVE HAND NO. 12

The Discard of Strength versus Weakness.

The score is 24 to 0 against the dealer on the rubber game. The dealer, Z, makes it no-trump, and A leads for the first trick.

BRIDGE FOR THREE PLAYERS

When the game is played by three persons the cards are cut to decide which shall have the dummy; the one cutting the lowest card has the deal and a permanent dummy during the game or the rubber, as the case may be. It is then customary for each player to have dummy in turn, during one game or rubber.

In playing rubbers, 100 points are added to the score of the winning side.

In playing games, 50 points are added to score of the winning side.

If the make is passed to dummy, four aces or three aces constitute a compulsory "no-trump" declaration; otherwise, dummy must declare the longest suit.

When there are two suits of equal length, dummy must select the suit which counts most by spots, the ace counting eleven and the other honours ten each. If the suits are still equal, dummy declares the one having the higher trick valuation.

Only one adversary, the leader, can double.

If the dealer has seen the two hands, he is not allowed to re-double.

The dummy hand is not exposed until the doubling has been settled and a card led.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

Bridge, when first introduced, was played almost entirely for a stake; but, in the last few years, many players have taken up the game—per se—on account of its interesting possibilities and the intellectual pleasure it gives. Duplicate and Progressive Bridge have, therefore, become very popular.

The object of Duplicate Bridge is to eliminate, as nearly as is possible, the element of luck, and to make the game not so much a question of holding good cards as a comparative test of skill between players. A perfect test cannot be made by a single trial, as an unusual distribution of the cards might defeat two strong players, but in a series of duplicate games, good makes and good plays will undoubtedly mark the better Bridge players.

As Duplicate Bridge is played for points, not games or rubbers, the honour score requires as much attention as the trick score.

It you make it red with but one honour, your adversaries will probably secure the honour score.

If you declare "no-trump" with but one ace the honours will probably be even; but you may find three aces against you.

Remember that four honours in clubs count as much as the average deal is worth.

PROGRESSIVE BRIDGE

Progressive Bridge may be played in much the same manner as Progressive Euchre. While to win at this game is very largely a matter of holding good cards, it forms an interesting social amusement; and, to players who are unaccustomed to the arrangement of the cards in Duplicate Bridge, is much less confusing.

In Progressive Bridge the players are usually numbered, 1, 2, 3, 4 playing at Table 1, and 5, 6, 7, 8 at Table 2, etc.

At each table the cards are cut in the usual manner for partners and for the deal; and a stated number of hands played for points, tricks and honours included, without regard to games or rubbers.

An individual score is kept of the points lost and won during the entire game; the points lost being deducted from those won, and the player making the best net score being declared the winner.

The laws of Bridge published in this edition have been prepared by the author, who has used as a foundation the codes accepted by the principal clubs of the world. The author does not favour the exaction of a penalty for the dealer's lead out of turn. The American opinion on this point is divided, but the English practice is to exact no penalty. Otherwise the various club codes show but minor differences.

THE RUBBER

1. The partners first winning two games win the rubber. If the first two games be won by the same partners, the third game is not played.

SCORING

2. A game consists of thirty points obtained by tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for honours, chicane or slam.

3. Every hand is played out, and any points in excess of thirty points necessary for the game are counted.

5. Honours are ace, king, queen, knave and ten of the trump suit; or the aces when no trump is declared.

6. Honours are credited to the original holders and are valued as follows:

7. If a player and his partner make thirteen tricks, independently of any tricks gained by the revoke penalty, they score Grand Slam and add forty points to their honour count.

8. Little slam is twelve tricks similarly scored, and adds twenty points to the honour count.

10. The value of honours, slam, little slam, or chicane, is in nowise affected by doubling or redoubling.

11. At the conclusion of a rubber the scores for tricks, honours, Chicane, and Slam, obtained by each side are added, and one hundred points are added to the score of the winners of the rubber. The difference between the completed scores is the number of points won or lost by the winners of the rubber.

13. If an erroneous score affecting honours, chicane or slam be proven, such mistake may be corrected at any time before the score of the rubber has been made up and agreed upon.

CUTTING

14. The ace is the lowest card.

15. In all cases every player must cut from the same pack.

16. Should a player expose more than one card, he must cut again.

FORMING TABLES

17. The prior right of playing is with those first in the room. If there are more than four candidates for seats at a table, the privilege of playing is decided by cutting. The four who cut the lowest cards play first.

19. Should the two players who cut lowest, secure cards of equal value, they shall re-cut to determine which of the two shall deal, and the lower on the re-cut deals.

20. Should three players cut cards of equal value, they cut again; if the fourth card be the highest, the two lowest of the new cut are partners and the lower of the two the dealer; if, however, the fourth card be the lowest, the two highest on the re-cut are partners and the original lowest the dealer.

21. Six players constitute a full table, and no player shall have a right to cut into a game which is complete.

22. When there are more than six candidates, 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.

CUTTING OUT

RIGHTS OF ENTRY

24. A candidate desiring to enter a table must declare such wish before any player at the table cuts a card, either for the purpose of beginning a new rubber or of cutting out.

25. In the formation of new tables, those candidates who have neither belonged to nor played at any other table have the prior right of entry. Those who have already played decide their right of admission by cutting.

26. A player who cuts into one table while belonging to another, shall forfeit his prior right of re-entry into the latter, unless by doing so he enables three candidates to form a fresh table. In this event he may signify his intention of returning to his original table, and his place at the new one can be filled.

28. If anyone break up a table, the remaining players have a prior right to play at other tables.

SHUFFLING

29. The pack must neither be shuffled below the table nor so the face of any card be seen.

30. The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal and he has the first right to shuffle the cards. Each player has the right to shuffle subsequently. The dealer has the right to shuffle last, but should a card or cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst giving the pack to be cut, he must re-shuffle.

31. Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards properly collected and face downward to the left of the player next to deal.

THE DEAL

32. Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing goes to the left.

34. When the player whose duty it is to cut has once separated the pack he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut the cards.

35. Should the dealer shuffle the cards, after the pack is cut, the pack must be cut again.

36. The fifty-two cards shall be dealt face downward. The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt face downward.

37. There is No Misdeal.

A NEW DEAL

38. 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 of a hand, the pack be proven incorrect or imperfect.

c If any card be faced in the pack.

d If any player have dealt to him a greater number of cards than thirteen.

e If the dealer deal two cards at once and then deal a third before correcting the error.

f If the dealer omit to have the pack cut and the adversaries call attention to the fact prior to the conclusion of the deal and before looking at their cards.

39. There may be a new deal—

a If the dealer or his partner expose a card. The eldest hand may claim a new deal.

b If either adversary expose a card. The dealer or his partner may claim a new deal.

c If, before fifty-one cards are dealt, the dealer should look at any card. His adversaries have the right to see it, and the eldest hand 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 is completed before there is reasonable time for the eldest hand to decide as to a new deal. But in all other cases such penalties must be claimed prior to the completion of the deal.

40. 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 a new deal does not take place, the card exposed during the deal cannot be called.

42. If during the play of a deal a pack be proven incorrect or imperfect, such proof renders only the current deal void, and does not affect any prior score. The dealer must deal again (Law 38, b).

43. Anyone dealing with the adversaries' cards must be corrected before the play of the first card, otherwise the deal stands good. If anyone deals when it is the turn of an adversary, such error must be corrected before the cards are dealt for the following deal.

44. A player can neither shuffle, cut nor deal for his partner without the permission of his adversaries.

DECLARING TRUMPS

45. The trump is declared. No card is turned.

a The dealer may either make the trump or pass the declaration to his partner.

b If the declaration be passed to partner, he must make the trump.

46. Should the dealer's partner make the trump without receiving permission from the dealer, the eldest hand may demand,

But if any declaration as to doubling, or not doubling, shall have been made, or if a new deal be not claimed, the declaration wrongly made shall stand. The eldest hand is the player on the left of the dealer.

47. Should the dealer's partner pass the declaration to the dealer it shall be the right of the eldest hand to claim a new deal or to compel the offending player to declare the trump; provided, that no declaration as to doubling has been made.

48. If either of the dealer's adversaries make or pass the declaration, the dealer may, after looking at his hand, either claim a new deal or proceed as if no declaration had been made.

49. A declaration once made cannot be altered.

DOUBLING, RE-DOUBLING, ETC.

50. The effect of doubling, re-doubling, and so on, is that the value of each trick above six is doubled, quadrupled, and so on.

52. If either of their adversaries elect to double, the dealer and his partner have the right to re-double. The player who has declared the trump shall have the first right. He may say, "I re-double" or "Satisfied." Should he say the latter, his partner may re-double.

53. If the dealer or his partner elect to re-double, their adversaries shall have the right to again double. The original doubler has the first right.

54. If the right-hand adversary of the dealer double before his partner has asked "May I lead?" the declarer of the trump shall have the right to say whether or not the double shall stand. If he decide that the double shall stand, the process of re-doubling may continue as described in paragraphs 52, 53, 55.

56. If the eldest hand lead before the doubling be completed, his partner may re-double only with the consent of the adversary who last doubled; but such lead shall not affect the right of either adversary to double.

59. Should the right-hand adversary of the dealer ask permission to lead, the eldest hand does not thereby lose his right to double. Should the right-hand adversary of the dealer double before his partner has asked "May I lead?" the maker of the trump shall have the right to say whether or not the double shall stand. If he decide that the double shall stand, the process of re-doubling may continue as described in Laws 52, 53, 55.

60. If the right-hand adversary of the dealer lead out of turn, the maker of the trump may call a suit from the eldest hand, who may only double if the maker of the trump consent.

A declaration as to doubling or re-doubling once made cannot be altered.

DUMMY

61. As soon as the eldest had has led, the dealer'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 dealer, unassisted by his partner.

a To ask the dealer whether he has none of the suit in which he may have renounced.

b To ask the dealer when called upon to play his highest or lowest card whether he has conformed to the penalty.

c To call the dealer's attention to the fact that a trick has not been completed.

d To correct the claim of either adversary to a penalty to which the latter is not entitled.

e To call attention to the fact that a trick has been erroneously taken by either side.

f To participate in the discussion of any disputed question of fact which may arise between the dealer and either adversary.

g To correct an erroneous score.

63. Should the dealer's partner call attention to any other incident of the play, in consequence of which any penalty might be exacted, the fact of his so doing precludes the dealer exacting such penalty.

64. If the dealer's partner, by touching a card or otherwise, suggest the play of a card from dummy, either of the adversaries may, but without consultation, call upon the dealer to play or not to play the card suggested.

66. A card from the dealer's hand is not played until actually quitted; but should the dealer name or touch a card from the dummy hand, such card is considered as played, unless the dealer in touching the card or cards says, "I arrange," or words to that effect.

CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY

67. If, after the deal has been completed and before the trump declaration has been made, either the dealer or his partner expose a card from his hand, the eldest hand may, without consulting with his partner, claim a new deal.

CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY

69. All cards exposed by the dealer's adversaries are liable to be called, and such cards must be left face upward on the table.

70. The following are exposed cards:

71. A card dropped on the floor or elsewhere below the table is not an exposed card.

72. If two or more cards be played at once, by either of the dealer's adversaries, the dealer shall have the right to call which one be pleases to the current trick, and the other card or cards shall remain face upward on the table and may be called at any time.

74. If either or both of the dealer'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. If, however, the dealer should say, "I have the rest," or any other words indicating that the remaining tricks are his, the adversaries of the dealer are not liable to have any of their cards called should they expose them, believing the dealer's claim to be true, should it subsequently prove false.

LEADS OUT OF TURN

76. If either of the dealer's adversaries lead out of turn, the dealer may call the card erroneously led, or may call a suit when it is the turn of either adversary to lead.

77. If the dealer lead out of turn, either from his own hand or 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 him, the trick 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 anyone except the original offender, who, if he be one of the dealer's adversaries, may be penalised as provided in Laws 60 and 76.

79. In no case can a player he compelled to play a card which would oblige him to revoke.

80. The call of an exposed card may be repeated at every trick until such card has been played.

CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR

82. Should the third hand not have played and the fourth play before his partner, the latter (not being dummy or dealer) may be called upon to play his highest or lowest card of the suit played, or to win or lose the trick.

83. If anyone, not being dummy, omit playing to a former trick and such error be not corrected until he has played to the next, the adversaries may claim a new deal; should they decide that the deal stands good, the surplus card at the end of the hand is considered to have been played to the imperfect trick, but does not constitute a revoke therein.

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. The penalty for a revoke takes precedence of all other counts.

86. A revoke is established if the trick in which it occurs be turned and quitted, i.e., the hand removed from the trick after it has been gathered and placed face downward on the table; or if either the revoking player or his partner, whether in his right turn or otherwise, have led or played to the following trick.

87. The penalty for a revoke is three tricks taken from the revoking player and added to those of the adversaries.

88. The penalty is applicable only to the score of the game in which it occurs.

89. Under no circumstances can the revoking side score game in that hand. Whatever their previous score may have been, the side revoking cannot attain a higher score toward game than twenty-eight.

91. If a player correct his mistake in time to save a revoke, any player or players who have followed him may withdraw their cards and substitute others, and the cards so withdrawn are not exposed cards. If the player in fault be one of the dealer's adversaries, the card played in error is an exposed card, and the dealer can call it whenever he pleases; or he may require the offender to play his highest or lowest card or the suit to the trick in which he has renounced.

93. 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 proved if possible; but no proof is necessary, and the revoke is established if, after it has been claimed, the accused player or his partner mix the cards before they have been sufficiently examined by the adversaries.

94. A revoke must be claimed before the cards have been cut for the following deal.

95. Should the players on both sides subject themselves to the revoke penalty neither can win the game by that hand.

96. The revoke penalty may be claimed for as many revokes as occur during a hand; but the accumulated penalty shall in no event exceed thirteen tricks. (See Law 7.)

GENERAL RULES

97. There should not be any consultation between partners as to the enforcement of penalties. If they do so consult, the penalty is paid.

99. 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 together, may demand that the cards be placed before their respective players.

100. If either of the dealer's adversaries, prior to his partner's playing, should call attention to the trick, either by saying it is his, or, without being requested so to do, by naming his card or drawing it toward him, the dealer may require that opponent's partner to play his highest or lowest card of the suit led, or to win or lose the trick.

101. Either of the dealer's adversaries may call his partner's attention to the fact that he is about to lead out of turn, but if he make any unauthorised reference to any incident of the play the dealer may call a suit from the adversary whose turn it is next to lead.

102. 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.

NEW CARDS

104. Unless a pack be imperfect, no player shall have the right to call for one new pack. If fresh cards are demanded, two packs must be furnished and paid for by the player who has demanded them. If they are furnished during a rubber, the adversaries shall have their choice of new cards. If it is 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.

105. A card or cards torn or marked must be replaced by agreement or new cards furnished.

BYSTANDERS

SPADE CONVENTION

I.—Where players agree "not to play spades" the rule is, that if the spade make is not doubled, the hand shall be played where either side is 20 or over.

II.—If the third hand player ask, "Shall I play?" or should he lead out of turn, or should the eldest hand lead without asking permission to play, the spade maker may take two on the score or may call a lead and require the hand to be played out.

ETIQUETTE

It has been truthfully said that there is no game in which slight intimations can convey so much information as that of Bridge. In justice to those who, by their manner, give information, it may be stated that most of the apparent unfairness at the Bridge table is unintentional. Hesitation and mannerisms, however, cannot be too carefully avoided; such a breach of etiquette is an offence for which the adversaries have no redress except perhaps a refusal to continue the play.

It is obviously a greater fault to take advantage of information thus given. A play in your judgment may be perfectly sound, but you leave yourself open to criticism if it is in any way contingent on information obtained from your partner's manner.

Cultivate uniformity in your style of play; let there be no remarkable haste or hesitation in making or passing; try always to use the same formula of words, and do not call attention to the score after the cards have been dealt.

Emphasise no play of your own and show no pleasure or displeasure at any other play.

Do not ask to have the cards placed unless it is solely for your own information.

It is an offence either to revoke purposely or to make a second revoke in order to conceal the first.

The dealer's partner should not call attention to the score nor to any card or cards that he or the other players hold, and neither should he leave his seat for the purpose of watching his partner's play.

When there is an unusual distribution of the cards, no remarks of any kind should be allowed.

After a hand has been played, it may be discussed to the common benefit; but the bore who is continually blowing up his partner to show his superior knowledge, together with the player who interrupts the game to discuss the play, should be ostracised from the card-room. Superiority of skill is shown by the play of the cards, not by mannerisms.

Do not make a dig at the adversaries by confiding to your partner that your success was due to an ill-judged play of the opponent.

It is not good form to complain of poor cards, as you imply that the adversaries profit by your weak hands and not by their skill.

The better players rarely criticise unless asked to do so; it is usually the inexperienced player who offers an astonishing amount of gratuitous and unsought-for advice.

Book.—The first six tricks won by the same partners.

By-cards.—The number of tricks won, more than six, or over the "book," is the number "by-cards." For instance, eight tricks are equal to two by-cards.

Card of Re-entry.—A winning card which will bring into play another suit. Sometimes the re-entry is in the suit itself, but when a suit with a re-entry is spoken of it means that the re-entry is in another suit.

Command.—The best card or cards of a suit. The ability to stop the suit at any time.

Covering.—Putting a higher card on the trick when not the last player.

Discarding.—When unable to follow suit, throwing away some card of another suit which is not trumps.

Doubling.—Increasing the value of the trick points.

Doubtful Card.—Cards which may or may not win the trick. The king is led, and you do not know who holds the ace; the king is therefore a doubtful card.

Dummy.—The player whose cards are exposed on the table. The dealer's partner.

Duplicate.—A modification in which each hand is played more than once, usually in tournaments.

Echo.—Playing a higher card before a lower, when no attempt is made to win the trick.

Eldest Hand.—The player on the dealer's left.

Exposed Card.—Any card which is shown, but is not played to the trick, such as two cards played at once, one of which is an exposed card.

False Cards.—Playing the ace, holding the king, or any similar attempt to conceal the cards held.

Finesse.—Any attempt to win a trick with a card which is not the best in the hand, nor in sequence with it.

Forcing.—Making a player trump a suit which he does not want to trump. See Ruffing.

Fourchette.—The cards above and below another card. A Q are fourchette over the K.

Fourth-best.—Counting from the highest card in the suit.

Going Over.—Doubling the value of the trick points.

Guarded Suits.—A high card so protected by smaller cards that it cannot be caught by the adversaries leading higher cards.

Holding Up.—Refusing to play the best card of a suit.

Honours.—In trumps, the A K Q J 10 of the suit. At no-trump, the four aces.

Leader.—The first player in any trick.

Leading Up To.—Playing a suit with a view to what the fourth hand holds in it.

Leading Through.—Leading a suit with a view to what the second hand holds in it.

Little Slam.—Twelve tricks won out of thirteen.

Losing Card.—Any card which cannot possibly take a trick.

Love-all.—The state of the score before either side has made a point.

Odd Trick.—The first trick over the book of six.

Original Lead.—The opening of the hand or suit.

Re-entry.—See Card of Re-entry.

Revoke.—Renouncing, while still holding cards of the suit led.

Ruffing.—Trumping a trick willingly. See Forcing.

Slam.—Winning all thirteen tricks.

Tenace.—The best and third best of a suit. A and Q are tenace.

Third Hand.—The leader's partner.

Unblocking.—Getting rid of any card which might stop the run of a long suit.

Weakness.—Inability to stop a suit.