The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-15
Sc Diedrich's'' Interesting Observa-
lions About the Game.
ADVICE FOR NEW PLAYERS AND OLD.
The Immediate Point of Each Play
Is Not the Taking of Tricks, but the
Utilization of Eacn Card to Its Best
Advantage. Authorities ON theGame


eigners who insist upon accepting Buffalo
Bill and Barnum as typical Americans
have characterized poker, with its essential
elements of NERVE and ''blQR,' - as our
national card game. Poker, however.
stands in the Same relation to the intelloc-
tual game of whist that the scout and tho
Snowman do to such men as Emerson and
Edison, types of our philosophers and in
ventors.
The game Of whist is one of free condi-
tions, and therefore appeals to the inde-
pendent American spirit. It is straight
cards. There is, therefore, a simplicity of
laws which leaves the way open for a free
and scientific development of play depend
ent entirely upon the principles of Undue
ton. Every convention which is adopted
has accordingly a logical basis and is in
troduced for the purpose of guidance in
play rather than as an obstruction placed
there in order to call forth skill in sur
mounting it. The American spirit which
delights in beating timo on the race track
by every device, pneumatic tires, perfect
track and tandem settlers of the pace, rath-
or than in the steeplechase the Hinder
Mss Rennen'' of the foreigners, reveals it
self in its development of tho game of
whist by its helpful conventions known as
tho American leads.'
The German games of penuchle and skat,
where skill in play is conditioned upon
the obstacles in the game arising from
the complexity of arbitrary rules, cultivate
at best only the qualities of shrewdness
and adroitness, which are too near to
trickery to be of either intellectual or eth
ical advantage to the player. Whist can
be played in this manner, but the individ
ualistic game, the playing for ones own
hand instead of for partners also, this
leads Of singletons, or SO called ''sneaks,'
and false cards, in order to mystify the op-
ponents, are denominations to the lovers of
tho game and desolation to the mental
habit of the player. Neither the routine
game of leading out all the high cards in
the hand, known as domestic whist, -
nor the cunning game of INSTRUMENTATION
known as "bumble puppy should be
permitted for moment even under the
plea of the persons indulging therein that
''they play only for amusement" There
should be an earnest attempt at scientific
that is, logical-play from the very
start. The novice should never make &
play for which he does not understand tho
reason. He should enter into the study
of the game with the right spirit, and
then all will be plain sailing for him.
In the first place, he should bear in
mind that while he is a novice he should
never misinforn his partner. Let him
forego seemingly sure opportunities to
make tricks until the practice of giving
right information upon every opportunity
has grown to be second nature with him.
After all, the taking of tricks is not the
immediate point of each play. This is
rather the utilization of each card to its
best advantage. The tricks will take care
of themselves sooner or later.
There is conservation of energy in whist
as we'll as in every other realm of science.
Tho voluntary sacrifice of a moderately
high card to draw higher cards from tho
opponents, when the play of the COM
manding one would certainly have taken
tho suit with the opponents, is duty
which will be certainly rewarded 1t is
the act of Arnold Winkelried, gathering
into his single breast as many spears of
the enemy as he could grasp, and SO lead
ing the way to ultimate victory.
AS to the general rule for giving infor-
nation to your partner, it is agreed that
it IL best to inform to numerical
strength rather than control of suits.
Therefore in leading lead from your lon
gest suit, even though this is one of four
cards headed by the five spot and a suit
of three is in the hand composed of ace,
king and queen.
Another general rule for the novice to
follow is persistence in the course of play
adopted by his side. This is imperative
when the course has been originated by
the partner. This rule is really corollary
of that regarding the giving of informa-
ton. 1t is impossible to deviate from
course of play thus laid down by the part
ner without misinforming him. Accord
ingly return the lead of trumps. For
similar reasons continue with old suits,
oven though the lead of them has proved
disastrous, rather than, by the lead of new
ones of which you have no information,
rush into greater disaster.
In general therefore, the novice should
cultivate the admirable qualities of verac-
! ity, self sacrifice, consistency, courage and
To T., -,Ia1v IL
manner of play should be systematic and
! deliberate The hand should be carefully
arranged by suits, alternating in colors,
| and the cards of each arranged according
| to numerical value. Even the most evil
| dent play should not he made too hastily.
Tho logical habit should be cultivated by
| arriving at a judgment upon every play.
| When there is a choice of two plays,
| equally appealing to the Judgment, play
| one without hesitation or thought of pos
| sibility of after regret. Never take chance
| into any consideration, which is based
| upon superstition. The problem of chances
is scientific one and fully provided for
| in the rules of whist play.
Remember that whist is a modern sci
ence, and the textbooks upon it, like those
upon physics and astronomy, should be Of
very late date. Pay no attention to old
mnenonic rules in rhyme, to old phrases,
like sending hoy to mill'' and ''when
in doubt trump They may or may not
be correct advice. Prove all things by
your own common sense, and as you adj
vance in play by your own experience, for,
after all, despite the caution of authorities,
| it is only by our experience that we ac-
| quire the knowledge which lasts.
Every player is bound sooner or later,
owing to what Poe called the Esprit of the
perverse'' in human nature, to commit
! such mistake the lead of a singleton.
The loss of two Or three tricks thereby will
he the most efficient and ls>tjng lesson
possible. Accordingly the novice should
| play with experts in the game, even more