The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-09
FOR LOVERS OF WHIST.
"Diedrich's" Interesting Obser-
! vations About the Game.
The Immediate Point Of Each Play Is Not
the Taking OF Tricks. but the Utilization
of Each Card to It's Best Advantage.
Authorities ON the Game.

Tho hold that the game of whist has sc
quired upon tho American public is due to
the fact that 1t Is especially adapted to the
American temperament. The same for
eigners who Insist upon accepting Buffalo
Bill and Barnum as typical Americans
have characterized poker, with its essential
element of "nerve" and "bluff," as our
national card game. Poker, however,
stands In the same relation to the intellec.
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 ono Of free condi-
p tions, and therefore appeals to the indie
pendent American spirit It Is straight
cards. There is, therefore, n simplicity of
laws which leaves the way open for a free
and scientific development OF play depend
ent entirely upon the principles of induc-
tion. 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 IL. The American spirit which
delights In beating time on the race track
by every device, pneumatic tires, perfect
track and tandem settlers of the pace, rath-
ar than In tho steoplechase, the Hinder
Miss Rennen" OF the foreigners reveals 1T
self In Its development OF Che game Of
whist by Its helpful conventions known as
the American leads"
The German games OF penuchle md skat
where skill in play IL conditioned upon
tho obstacles in the game arising from
the complexity OF arbitrary rules, cultivate
mt best only the qualities of shrewdness
and adroitness, which are too near to
trickery to be Of either intellectual or eth
ical advantage 60 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, the
leads OF singletons, or so called "sneaks,"
and false cards, In order 20 mystify the op-
ponents, arc abominations 10 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 misinformation
known as "bumble puppy" should DO
permitted for moment, even under tho
plea Of the persons indulging therein that
"they play only for amusement" There
should be an earnest attempt mt scientific
that Is, loglcal-play from the very
start. The novice should never make q
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 novice he should
never mislnform his partner. Let him
forego seemingly sure opportunities TO
make tricks until tho practice of giving
right Information upon every opportunity
has grown 20 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 tako care
Of themselves sooner or later.
There is conservation OF energy In whist
as we'll as in every other realm OF science.
The voluntary sacrifice of moderately
high card to draw higher cards from the
opponents, when the play Of the COM
mandiHg eHe- -we,lla- certainly have taken
the trick, leaving, however, tho control OF
the suit with the opponents, Is n duty
which will bo certainly rewarded 1t is
the act of Arnold Winkolried, 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 Is best TO inform as TO numerical
strength rather than control of suits.
Therefore in leading lead from your Ion
Rest suit, even though this Is one of four
cards headed by the flvo spot and suit
OF three Is In the hand composed of ace,
king and queen.
Another general rule for the novice TO
follow Ia persistence In the course II play
adopted by his side. This IL imperative
when the course has been originated by
the partner. This rule Is really a corollary
of that regarding the giving of informa-
tion. 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,
even 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
y In general, therefore, the novice should
cultivate the admirable qualities OF verac-
ity, self sacrifice, consistency, courage and
persistenoy. To this end his physical
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
10 nUIllerlChl Nuluo. Even tne fnOsb owl
dent play should not be made too hastily.
The logical habit should be cultivated by
arriving at judgment upon every play.
When there Is choice of two plays,
equally appealing 10 the Judgment, play
one without hesitation or thought Of pos
sbility OF after regret. Never take chance
Into any consideration, which is based
upon superstition. Thorroblom of chances
Is scientific ono and fully provided for
In the rules of whist play.
Remember that whist Is modern sci
ence, and the textbooks upon IL, like those
upon physics and astronomy, should he OF
very late date. Pay no attention to old
mnomonic RUSS in rhyme 90 old phrases,
Ike sending n boy 20 mlll' and when
In doubt trump" They may or may not
be correct advice Prove all things by
sour own common sense, and as you adj
vance In play by your own experience, for,
nfter all, despite the caution Of authorities,
It is only by our experience that wo 40