The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

East has-some valuable information. South
must be weak in trumps and has no stronger
suit of his own. When he returns hearts ne
expects one of his adversaries to trump. East
must know that the trump strength is with
West and North, with balance OF power in
favor of North, tor West not calling. East
mig hit take "hyer" or 100 to / shot and
lead a trump, with forlorn hope OF making
the diamond suit, but we think a more con-
sorvative line of play. although very dan
gerous thing to do, is 10 lead the jack of dia-
monds, then switch according to develop
ment.
WHAT IS THE BEST LEAD?
SCRANTON, Pa, May IL, 1897.
Whist Editor Cali: held the following hand
lately, and am anxious to know your opinion to
best lead. Will you kindly oblige me?
j. w. DUsENBURY.
The hands are as follows:
Spades-Ace, 5, 2
Hearts-Ace, king. 8. 4
Clubs-Ace.
Diamonds-Ace, Jack, 8. s., 2.
Hearts declared trumps.
We are now and have been for several years
advocating the lead of the fourth best from a
suit OF ace and four others. We don't think
there is any question about leading from the
diamond suit; the question is which card. Our
answer would be the 5. When the suit is es-
tablished lead a trump; not before.
Tormey's Rotary Discard Used in
Baltimore.
Mr. Beverly w. Smith of Baltimore writes
for the News of that city very interes ting
article on the subject of the discard After
giving general description OF the usual sys.
tenn of describing he calls his readers atten-
ton to the above-named discard in the follow
ing words:
Another form or discard which is now receiving
much attention, particularly from local players,
Is that termed the rotary discard For the pur-
pose OF N Aking this discard the suits are arranged
in the following relative order, viz. Spades
hearts, clubs and diamonds. After diamonds would
come spades again, aud then hearts and then
clubs and SO This arrangement which gives
name to the discard should always be borne in
mind and the payer wishing to designate his suit
by his original discard throws card from the suit
Immediately preceding the suit intended to be in
dictated, the trump suit being always eimna ted
In the calculation. Thus, hearts being trumps
the discard of q club would show diamonds the
disorders best suit the discard of diamond
would indicate spades, and Of spade clubs the
min suit hearts, being disreg arded because
1t IS the trump
This system OF discard though IL affords the
quickest and most precise information OF any ever
suggested Is also open to grave objections the
least of which is that hands will occur where the
necessity Of following its exact and literal de-
mands may cause the sacrifice Of valuable card
guard 10 an honor, or, worse still, honor itself
This rigidity will probably prevent the genera
adop. ion Of the rotary system OF discard by whist
ers of the hrst class, although in many hands il
would be the very best thai could be devised.
In the opinion Of the writer the old system Of
discard Strength or weakness according
dor rod .
the discarder (and his partner) with the modifica
ton that when partner is the original leader, and
opens bis hand by leading trumps, the rotary dis
card is substituted for weakness, in view Of the