The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23

Do expert whist players make = good income
by their sknl2 The compiler OF this book eI-
presses much skcpticism on the point. He adj
mita that he. like everybody else, has been told
from time TO time that such or such q player has
played with 40 much skill that for a series OF
years he has made q steady and considerable In
come out of whist. This ought to be true, butt IL
submitted that years there must have beLn when
such players, In spite of their skill, not only had
not won. but had lost largely. Portland" be-
lieves that, II these losses should be deducted
from the previous gains, together with the ex-
penses OF the cards, we should find that there is
no such steady winning arising from skill alone
as IL generally imagined. Skill and luck may
carry the day. but skill alone. except on the
assumption Of equal cards ian equality which
seldom occurs) will not give a profit. Cam"
"Cavendish," and u. c." have each been cred
tied with winning for a series Of years. But tho
author Of this book feels sure that each Of these
has had years in which he has lost many more
points than he has won. Portland says he could
point out q player as inferior to those named as
chalk is tn cheese. who for ten years or moro
was invariably a winner. but II was luck alone
that carried him through. Strangely enough, 1t
is the men who habitually win that arc tho most
positive that such q thing as luck does not exist,
and they laugh at the idea OF any one believing
TO the contrary.
One OF the most useful chapters in this book
deals with tho etiquette OF the whist table. We
reproduce some examples OF the acts which are
distinctly counter to etiquette. 1t is, of course,
neither etiquette nor honest to claim the game
when you have II not, or honors under llke,cit-
cumstances, or a trick more than you have. or
TO dispute the scores Of your adversaries who
have properly scored. 1t Is not etiquette, either
by looks. smiles, frowns. or gestures, to convey
any Information, good or bad, about your hand.
1t is not etiquette to ask what are trumps TO in
duce your partner to lead them. 1t Is not ETH
quette to hesitate In the play OF your card to
imply that yon could have played differently.
1t is not etiquette to frown or look savage when
your partner plays a suit you do not want.
1t is not etiquette to ask to see the last trick
for the purpose of impressing on your partner
the necessity Of recollecting something about
that suit; neither IL 1t etiquette to ask to have
the cards placed will the like object. 1t Is not
etiquette to say which was your card played to
the trick, after the cards have been touched for
the purpose OF being gathered, even though the
question should be put to you. Having led a
winning card, It is not etiquette for you to draw
out another ready TO play. because you thereby
intimate to your partner that the card led is the
best. 1t is not etiquette to scold your partner,
to chuckle at your adversaries' bad play.
or to deride your partner when he pos
sesses less knowledge OF the game than
yourself. II in dealing you expose an
ace and your adversaries elect to let
the deal stand, 1t is not etiquette to misdeal.
In dealing 1t is not etiquette to count the cards
on the table or in the hands. and then declare
you have not done so to avoid a misdeal. Having
revoked once. 1t is not etiquette to revoke again
to cover your blunder. II is not etiquette TO
bet with an outsider without first offering the
chance TO your adversary. The breach of this
law causes Lore anger than almost any other.
1t is not etiquette to wrangle with your opponent
on any disputed point when there is a bystander
to whom you can refer. Such b~ystaRder having
decided. although you may think him wrong. 1t
is not etiquette further to argue the point. In
general, the excitable and laxative players will
do we'll to that at whist nothing
should DO said during the play Of the hand.