Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-08
"THE GENTLEMAN'S GAME"

Whist ana Its Boston DeVOCeeS-lnc
Club and Chess-A Problem for Players
to Solve.
Almost any afternoon, in elegant
apartments, seated at handsome little
tables, with cigars in hand, scores OF
the smartest business men in Boston
and the highest ''club fellows" knit
their brows over the game of whist.
The increasing popularity of the game
is surprising even its oldest devotees.
Though there are many. social
clubs in this city in which whist is
played, there is really but one that was
organized and now exists with whist as
it's chief, though not sole, item of
amusement, the Boston Whist Club.
This club was organized in 1877 in a
modest way, meeting first in private
parlors, and later securing rooms. Af-
ter several removals it now is estab-
lished in a richly-furnished club house
at 70 Boylston street, and now has
membership of one hundred and fifty
five. The original intent of the club
was to furnish facilities for it's members
to perfect themselves in and entertain
this idea is practically carried out now,
though the value of the club from
| social standpoint has been recognized,
also, and it's scope of purpose enlarged
accordingly.
A statement has been published re-
Gently to the effect that the member
ship list of this club is so full that cam
didates for membership are compelled
to wait some time for admission, and
limiting, also, that it is matter of some
considerable expense to be a member.
These statements, while not Intention
ally false, are certainly altogether mis-
taken. The list of members is very
heavy, but the limit of membership is
not reached; in fact, the club has facill-
ties for an Indefinite number of good
whist players, and gladly welcomes
such to its table.
Some idea of the playing done at the
club may be gained by glance at the
records. For the year ending April T.,
1884, the number of rubbers played
was 52,94O. From then till April 4,
1885, the record is: Number of rub
bers played, 70,260 Gan increase Of
II, ,320); number of players, SO; winning
scores, 80; losing scores, 54; largest
winning score in 2,517 rubbers, plus
1,O01 points; largest losing score ID
playing 2,570 rubbers, minus 873; larg-
est number of rubbers by one player,
1929; number of scores plus 100 OF
more, 20; number of scores minus 100
or more, 20. The number of rubbers
played in the year ending April z, 1882,
was only 39,864, and in the year ending
April 7, 1883, 1886.
That the popularity of whist in this
city is wonderfully on the increase is
also proved by the amount of attention
other clubs purely social are giving to
it. Naughty poker, tabooed by the
more select, finds its place readily taken
by whist; private circles sit for hours
J about the fascinating table, and the
clubs boast the exploits of their skilled
whist players. The latest work of its
advance that is of practical interest is
4 the fact that but short time ago sew
: eral gentlemen ranking among the best
: whist players in the city applied foa
0 membership in the Boston Chess Club
4 with the intention of securing the in
: PRODUCTION of whist as a recognized
a element of the club. Though no Official
i action has been taken, it is under
n stood that the club look favorably
). upon the proposed plan, as many
= of it's members are fine whist players
and this fact is important for the reason
= that till recently the club has playee
chess exclusively. For some time pas
[, whist playing in the rooms, though no
l. permitted by the laws of the club, ha
e been winked at, and the probablllt.
It now is that these gentlemen will b.
a acquitted and the privilege of playing
whist extended them and the member
# of the club, till eventually the bylaw!
n will be reconstructed and the organiza
n ton will declare itself chess ant
q whist club The organization of
v separate club of whist men who shall
+ hire a room of the chess club at 3;
d Pemberton Square also has been dis
@ cussed, but it seems doubtful if th'
(: chess club will vote that this shall b
= done, as they think the former plal
f. more conducive to harmony. The,
are ready to welcome whist, but vii
insist that their present ideas as t.
how it should be played must be carrie,
out.
Not only in Boston, but in ofhe
% cities is whist gaining a substantial
d foothold. In Portland, Me-, in tn
Cumberland Club, started about tw
4 years ago, is developing many fin
oe players. New Orleans has ''whist
y chess and checker club that is a.
% ideal in some respects. Californi;
It even is sending to Boston for informa
ton on whist, and all over the countr',
1. a decided interest in the game is show
n ing itself. In the Boston Whist Club
e the English club game of five point
with honors is played solely.-Bostol
= Globe.