The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-24
FOR LOVERS OF WHIST
gpiedrich's" Interesting obser-
vations About the Game.
ADvICEFOR NEWPLAYERs AND OLD

The Immediate Point OF Each Play Is Not
the Taking of Tricks, but the Utilization
of Each Card to Its Best Advantage.
/ Authorities ON tho Game.
The hold that tho game Of whist has re-
quired upon tho American public is duo to
tho fact that 1t is especially adapted to the
American temperament. Tho Same for
eigners who Insist upon accepting Buffalo
Bill and Barnum as typical Americans
have characterized poker, with its essential
elements Of "norvo" and "bluff," as our
national card game. Poker, however,
stands in tho Same relation to the intelleo.
tual game of whist that tho scout md tho
Snowman do to such mon rs Emerson and
Edison, types of our philosophers and in
ventors.
Tho game of whist is ono of FREQ condi-
tions, and therefore appeals to the indo-
pendent American spirit. 1t Is straight
cards There Is, therefore, simplicity of
laws which leaves the way open for q free
and scientific development Of play depend
ent entirely upon the principles of Undue
ton. Every convention which is adopted
has accordingly 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. Tho American spirit which
delights in beating timo on the race track
by every dovice, pneumatic tires, perfect
track and tandem settlers of thopa rath-
or than in the steeplechaso, tho Hinder
Mss Rennen" of tho foreigners, reveals it.
self in its development of tho gamo OF
|, whist by its helpful conventions known as
tho American leads"
The German games of penuchlo and skat,
where skill in play is conditioned upon
tho obstacles in the gamo arising from
tho completely of arbitrary rules cultivate
at best only tho qualities Of shrowGness
and adroitness, which arc too near to
trickery to DO of either intellectual or eth
ical advantage to the player Whist can
be played in this manner, but tho indiyid-
ualistic game, tho playing for ones own
hand instead of for partners also, the
leads of singletons, or so called 'sneaks,"
and false cards, in order to mystify the OPP
ponents, are denominations to tho lovers of
tho game and desolation to tho mental
habit of the player. Neither the routine
gamo of leading out all the high cards in
the hand, known as domestic whist"
nor tho cunning game of transformation
known as humble puppy should be
permitted for q moment, even under the
plea of the persons indulging therein that
they play ongy for amusement. There
should be az earnest attempt at scientific
that is, logical-play from the very
start. Tho novice should never mako q
play for which ho does not understand the
reason. He should enter into tho study
of tho gamo with tho right spirit, and
then all will be plain sailing for him.
In tho first place. he should bear in
tr,1 hat L.
never misinform his partner. Let him
forego seemingly sure opportunities to
mako tricks until tho practice of giving
right information upon every opportunity
has grown to be second nature with him
After all, tho taking of tricks is not the
immediate point of each play. This is
rather tho 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
rs well as in every other realm of science
The voluntary sacrifice of moderately
high card to draw higher cards from the
opponents, when tho play of the com
manding one would certainly have taken
the trick, leaving, however the control OF
tho suit with tho opponents, is duty
which will be certainly rewarded. 1t is
the act of Arnold Winkelried, gathering
the enemy as he could grasp, aid So lead.
ing the way to ultimate victory.
AS to the general rulo for giving infor-
nation to your partner, it is agreed that
1T is best to inform as 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 tho five spot and a suit
or three is In the hand composed of acc,
king and queen.
Another general rule for the novice to
follow is persistence in tho course of play
adopted by his side. This is imperative
when the course has been originated by
tho partner This rule is really corollary
OF that regarding the giving Of informa-
ton. 1t is impossible to deviato from a
course of play thus laid down by tho part
nor without misinforming him. Accord
ingly return tho lead of trumps For
similar reasons continue with old suits
even though tho lead of them has proved
disastrous, rather than, by tho lead of new
ones OF which you havo no information,
rush into greater disaster.
In general, therefore, tho novice should
cultivate tho admirable qualities of verac-
ity, self sacrifice, consistency, courage and
persistency. 10 this end his physical
manner of play should DO systematic and
deliberate. The hand should DO carefully
arranged by suits, alternating in colors,
and tho cards of each arranged according
to numerical value Even tho most owl
dent play should not DO made too hastily.
Tho logical habit should DO cultivated by
arriving at judgment upon every play.
When thero is choice of two plays,
equally appealing. to the Judgment, play
one without hesitation or thought of pos
sibility Of after regret. Never take chaiica
into any consideration which is based
upon superstition. Tho problem of chances
ts n scientific ono and fully provided for