The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-25
OBSERVATIONS ON WHIST.
Types of Whist Players to Be Net with in
the Course of Travel.


the Course of Travel.
The writer of a book on whist which has
but recently been published, and which
should be glad to give the name of to my
readers, as it is really an excellent book, wers
it not for the fact that [ do not desire any
fame as an advertising agent-ths writer @;
this book, let me observe, has taken occasion
to speak contemptuously OF RAILROAD whist,
and I must confess to a feeling u sympathy
with him in the evident sincerity of his dis
gust at the player you meet in the smoking
car.
Some years ago I took trip up the Mis-
sissippi river on a boat, and having ample
leisure the passengers organized whist table,
My partner was a gruH old Euglishman, who
had imbibed just enough Of the principles Of
''Caverdish" to make him, If anything, a
worse player than if he had resorted more to
his own natural intelligence. For two days
we played together, aud it was as much as
the old gentleman q could do to restrain him
self at what he considered my stupid play.
Near the close Of the second days play
made an unsuccessful finessa, playing the nine
third hand when | also held the knave, and
the ten was at my left. At this my partners
ire broke forth. He threw down his cards in
a violent fit of anger and stamping his feet,
he exclaimed: "By CAD, sir, you are the most
stupid player l ever saw. You ought TO
throw yourself overheard"
The most exasperating type Of whist player
to meet is the one who has read a few whist
books and thinks that he knows it all. was
recently introduced to a gentleman of this
kind. II have been told, ~ said he, that you
play the game, and should enjoy playing
with you, but, let me tell you, sir, that play
entirely by book, and l absolutely refuse to
play with careless player. I have made a
study of the game sir, and f&tter myself |
understand it." l thought l had struck a
prize, but, alas! l found that a few rules
learned by heart had SO clogged his under
ztanding and warped his reason that he was
worse than useless as a player Of the real
game He would f1nesse precisely at the
wrong time, and his knowledge of unlock
ing was SO uncertain that ne was sure to get
tangled up and fall helpless at the most criti-
cal period.
made sp nv mind that in whist, as in
life, "a little learning is a dangerous thing"
and my experience is that the man WHO
studies the game for it's own sake, trying to
find a reason for every play without refer
CICe " DOOhS, - u ItuCu DtJLSl pa IiiSt JLttu
he VINO depends entirely upon written rules.
In an experience of years of travel in va
rious sections Of the country have never yet
met whist player who united a systematic
reasoning with q thorough knowledge Of the
laws of the game. The great difficulty is that
people have not the time TO devote to the
study of the game.
They viii pass hour upon hour playing
euchre, casino, hearts, seven up and hks
games, and, indeed, they will play what is
termed railroad whist, but the idea of making
a study of the game is to them absurd ant
ridiculous, and yet, as one who has played all
games, have no hesitation in saying that for
an intellectual human being there is no game
which affords 50 much pleasure as whist
New situations are constantly crowdinS
themselves on the player, and 70 meet them
with a keen reason and an understanding
mind affords an enjoyment which is peculiar
to the whist player. Let those who would
learn the game study it in its entirety, and az
they grow older in it they will find that it
will become one Of the keeneSt intellectual
pleasures of their lives
TON LIysIsa