The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-07

leads attracted attention, and we re-
ferred 1t to a number of leading au-
thorities and players, whose opinions
will be found amusing and interesting,
owing to the differences of opinion
shown.
We confess that we are somewhat
disappointed at not receiving at least
thirteen different opinions. At one
time our hopes were quite inflated. II
we could only have secured an opin-
ion ITO run with the club ace" the
collection would surely be complete.
THE HAND.
Hearts declared trumps.
Clubs-Ace.
Hearts-Ace, king, g.
Spades-Ace, 8, 2.
Diamonds-Ace, jack s, 5, 2.
81 would lead the five of diamonds y
n. b. Trist ('American Leads'O, New Or
leans.
at is close call between the diamond
ace or and hearts 4, think l would
lead the diamond-five." &C. ID. p. H1mil-
ton, Easton.
"Above is a peculiar hand and r'aS be
found in several ways according TO tho
fancy of the leader With such length in
diamonds and strength in trumps |
should probably open with hearts-four
anu IL partner WOll, COilllnut INV u tbip
lead, and then start the diamond-ive
But with such hand almost "anv old
| Lead might prove more successful -
Fisher Ames Newton.
This Is an unusual deal, and some one
would no doubt like to get in Ettlc
| trump on the diamond suit. There is
re- entry in every suit, | would there
| fore open with hearts-four. The develop
mert will indicate how to continue.'-
| Charles Il. Coffin C'Gist of WhistD, In
| dianapolis.
The trumps, beginning with the king
ard ace, and following with another, IT
| both adVersaries had any left."-Fostcr.
"The above hand demands a low trump
| lead. The control of two suits or rather
| two re-entry cards in the side suits, and
| a diamond suit of five cards that shoull
| generally not be difficult of establish
mcnt. together with four trumps to the
ace. king, is hand demanding trump
| lead before the re-entry cards are
| play yed."-T. e. Otis.
| Il should say this hand presented q
| very close choice between the diamond
| FIVE and heart-four. the former being
| moro conservative M. c. WORK, Phil
| Gdclrhia.
| 10 think that II I held the hand, 7
| should have opened the heart-four, run
| ming little risk for the sake Of :, big
| EGlii. | have submitted the question TO
| the person whom | consider one of the
1est whist players in Providence. and far
| my superior in judgment in this kind OF
matters, and he argues in favor of the
| didmond-fiVe, saying that the suit is by
no means established, and may need a
| small trump from partner to assist in
| bringing ii in. You can stop further pro-
| gTess in any direction and have a better
chance of success. / have no doubt that
this argument is correct."-W. II. Bar
ney, Providence, (president of American
Whist league).
| WHIST LEAGUE OFFICIALS.
"The four of hearts."-B. D. Kribben,
ST. Louis Tecording secretary American
| Whist league).
"I should lead the diamond-five, and
| then trumps when / next got the lead"
r.. II. Weems, Brooklyn Corresponding
| secretary American Whist league).
81 should lead the king of hearts and
then follow with the five of diamonds" ="
Theodore Schwarz, Chicago (ex-presi-
dent American Whist league).
81 should lead the four of hearts. 1t
is a strong hand and with some assist
ance from your partner, you stand a first
class chance to make some diamonds. -
| George l.. Bum, St. Paul.
"a first casual glance would lead one
to select the trump for the opening, max
ing the lead of the lowest. But further
study reveals better way to my think
trumps and then lead diamond-five De-
cidedly / consider this the correct and
| trick winning opening. 1t is important
to find out right away whether partner
can assist in the diamond suit. If he
wins the trick he returns trumps (prob-
ably) unless he holds only one diamond
left and one or two weak trumps, when
you will try him for ruff on the third
round and establish your suit. If he
loses the trick, having played a high
card, your suit Is well nigh established
ana if he loses II to a low card you will
know you are not to play to bring in
that suit; and you have both your low
trumps to ruff clubs with If necessary.
Not leading trumps at all is altogether
too backward; and leading diamond-ace
is weak. tlmid and ambitionless. VIII
liam S. Fenollosa, Salem.
81 would develope the diamond suit,
and l am one of those who advocate the
lead of the fourth best from such a hold
ing, consequently my lead would be the
diamond-five. ."-P. ]. Tormey, San Fran
cisco.
"The lead in this hand is undoubtedly
the four of hearts 1t would depend upon
the development of the trump suit as
to whether the ace or fourth best dia-
mond would be led subsequently. j. II
Mitchell Chicago.
.I think the correct opening of the
hand is four Of hearts. George A. La
Vie, Brooklyn.
RESIST TEMPTATION.
.In my mind there is onlp one safe
and conservative lead. the five of d.a-
monds. With ace, jack, as the highest
| cards of your long suit there are toe
many chances of failing to establish II
on one round to warrant the trump open
ing, tempting though 1t may appear" -
H. MN Wheelock fergus Falls.
] .a1,l, Of t9 '-Gaorgp n ROp.
ers, Plainfield.
"I should lead the diamond-five. 1t is
evident that the suits are punched and
any lead might prove winner or loser
| would find out where the strength In
clubs and spades were before leading
trumps."-E. Leroy Smith, Albany.
"The four of hearts."-C. A Henriques
| New York.
my own view is that the hand should
be opened with the diamond-five. That
| is the most conservative, and more liable
to be the best trick winning. To open O
| trump would be a good deal of a gam
BILE 1t depends a good deal on whether
your partner Is strong or at any rat,
whether the trumps are evenly dealt. Il
you eXaust your own trumps without
getting out all the adversaries, you ruI
too much risk of encountering their Ions
suits in your short ones. The diamond
five led would i'm most cases tell tn,
story. / wish TO say, however, that
| have consulted with Mr.. IL. G.. Fletcher
of Newton. who was on the old Newtor
club whist team with me, and he dis
agrees with me. He thinks he would
open with the four of hearts l will
not give his line of reasoning, nor pur
sue mine further. l think indeed, tina
when one declares his opening, his linz