The record-union., 1894-08-29
LOVERS CT WHIST.
They Will Appreciate a New
Card System.
The Strategic Points-By This Differ
ent Arrangement They Are Greatly
Increased-A Fifth suit and Three
Odd Cards ntroduced-Increased
Value Of Trumps-The Rules.

Lovers of whist will particularly ap-
preciate new game. or rather an ampil-
fication of the present game that has just
been introduced. 1t satisfies the wide
spread demand from experts for more ad-
vanced and scientific playing, with lnno-
vations that conspicuously raise the
standard of the game without being coz
fusing. The cards with which the game
is PLAYED comprise theoretically new
system. This system includes, however,
the one now in vogue In such detail that
the player is only conscious OF an ad-
vancement to higher plane to which he
can apply all the knowledge he has ac-
quired of whist with new attributes that
add to its scientific character.
The new system of cards is called phi
letis," taking its name from the whist
of the ancients." declares the Chicago
Times. Expressed in the most simple
form, it comprises the cards now IN use,
with the four suits-clubs, spades, hearts
and misunderstanding consecutiyely
from ace TO six, the six being the lowest
card in each suit. To these are added
new suit called pyramid suit, the SYM
bol being pyramid and expressed IN the
same way as the symbols on the ordinary
playing cards, and being red in color.
This suit is one innovation, aud the other
aud the most striking consists OF three
cards called the "Pleades." The plelades
are black IN color, and are alike in APP
pearance an value i'll all games IN which
they are used. They really comprise the
only novel feature, as they new suit-the
pyramid-conforms to the rules tnat per-
tain to all other suits, and Is only new IN
being an addition of the same nature and
value as the old suits.
With the ''Philetis" cards the game of
whist is played exactly as is the ordinary
game. There are five suits, consisting of
nine cards each, instead of the four OF
thirteen each, with the addition OF the
three pleiades The function of the plel-
AIDES is peculiar. W hen pleiades card is
led it calls for trumps. Ali who have
trumps must play trumps. Having no
trumps but holding pleiades card, 1t
must be played; having no trump or
pleiades card, then the player can dis
card as i'll ordinary whist. The plelades
card, however, cannot take a trick eX-
cept when it is led and there are no
trumps left in any other hand. In every
case The peiades card is the absolutely
low card, from which it gets the name OF
the "eyhaust" card. 1t enables the
player who holds it to draw trumps
particularly valuable to the player who
wants trumps out but does not hold the
leading trumps.
The stragetic possibilities contained in
these pleiades cards, coupled with the adj
dition OF the fifth suit, indicate how
greatly the game of whist is strength
ened. The number of cards used in the
game is twelve instead OF thirteen for
each player--practicaliy the same as the
old game, even with all below the six
card suit not in use. The diminished size
OF the suits also calls for greater general
ship i'll handling them and lends greater
value 10 trumps. 1t is possible, more
over, for a hand to result in tie, making
it more difficult to count.
1t Will be seen at a glance that with the
number of cards in each suit reduced to
nine the manner OF play i. is entirely
changed from that now in vogue. This
applies only, of course, to the player of
skill. 1t is necessary 10 construct a
comparatively new set of leads, with new
conclusions, TO be formed from the vari-
Gus plays. 1t is not the purpose of the
writer to define what these may be. They
will necessarily be formulated by the ex-
perience and observation of experts after
they have put the new game into prac-
tice, The great fundamental change will,
however, appear in the relation between
long suits and trumpS, and 1t will not
be an easy task to determine any general
rule that it viii be easy to follow. In
this respect the game is ampllfled to an
unbounded extent, as it produces q
greater variety OF hands, each requiring
It's own special treatment.
sPhiletis, the whist OF the ancientS," is
practically new game which the Phfle-
It's cards introduce. The name was
chosen after that of the Palestinian arch
itect, Philetis, and the cards conform in
theory to his master work, the great pyr-
amids of Egypt. The number OF suits is
taken from the pyramid number. five,
illustrative of The work, the mind, the
implements of construction, the finish
ana the capstone. In the same analogy
the symbols are slightly changed from
those now in use to conform TO the same
pyramid principles.
The rules Of "Philetis' best explain
the nature OF the game. They are as fol-
lows:
Deal one to each person until each of
the four players holds eleven cards. The
fifth, tenth, fifteenth and twentieth cards
are dealt to the center, and are called the
"mite.o
The first person on the left of the dealer
has the option. He can play or pass: to
''pass" means all rights go to the next
person on the left, etc. ITO play the
suit means that the player will play the
pyramid suit against the other three play
ers, and the player can take up and use
the mite" discarding four such cards as
are not wanted.
Any one OF the other three has the
privilege of playing a coup" and, no
one objecting, he has right to take the
''mite,n place his counters upon it, a right
| to count the mite" after the play, to-
gether with the tricks taken; but no right
to look at the "mite'' until the count alter
the play has been made. Should any
player desire to coup the suit'' such ex-
preston of his desire is final, and the
player will play the pyramid suit against
the other three players. counting the
mite after the play, but having no right
to look at it until after the play.
When player says he will play
''coupn ali the other players must pass,
or coup the suit The player who
offers to play coup need not say what
the trump shall be until all the players
have signified their intention, when the
player has the privilege of making any of
the suits trump. To pass once is to waive
all further say.
The technical rules are as follows:
Follow suit If you have it.
All must trump who do not have the
suit led.
When some suit than trumps is led and
you have none of the suit led. nor trumps,
then is your opportunity to throw count
TO your partners.
When pleiades card is led it calls for
trumps; all who have trumps must play
trumps; having no trumps, but holdinga
! pleiades card, play it; having neither