Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-15
MANAGEMENT OF TRuMPs.
Some Pointers in Regard to Strategy
I'm Whist.


The proper management Of trumps is the
hest indication of a strong whist player.
not OVERLOAD or too timid. With equal
strength the player making the attack IS
always at disadvantage. 1t Is better to
chance a force with only four trumps, in
Guiding one honor on the weak hand,
thereby losing a trick. than to lose two,
or three on. The premature play Of the
trump attack. The time to hold up the ace
of trumps is when you have an estab-
lished suit and four trumps. Take the
THIRD r0unti. with your ace; unless you are
so fortunate as to lay fourth hand with a
ten-ace. Then you can exhaust trumps,
being In, on the third round, with only one
trump against you. You have an immense
advantage, and can make a great game.
Always sbear in mind that to be in the lead
equals ..re-entry card, often equals a
trump, and do not part with the lead I'M
less it is necessary to establish your suit.
1t Is only the expert player who can risk
throwing the lead and Sparring for posi-
ton. You can safely conclude he has no
suit to make, nor has his partner shown
any. and he is strong enough to part with
the lead without detriment to his or his
partners hand.
Some of the most beautiful positions in
whist occur when two hands hold four
! trumps each, and the one that discovers
the situation first has the advantage over
the adversary. That is why the trump
showing leads are a two-edged sword-you
are informing two enemies. and it is just
two chances to one that four trumps will
be held by one of the sdversaries.
Holding UP tie ace in the side suits, is a
trick-losing game as your object is two
fold: First. to invite a trump lead from
the enemy; second. TO keep command of
the adversaries' suit, preventing its estab-
lishment
Another result. is often observed.
You win the second trick cheaply, and
still have the master card in the suit,
but to offset this is tine length of the
original suit opening, which is usually
five or more and the suit will not live.
two. The card usually held with the ace,
when II is held back, is the jack (vice ten
ace), and the Play ds often justified. IL you
suspect trump signal by the adversary,
who is allowed to complete It,, leaving you
In. the lead ard IL YOU have two suits of
three 10 the queen. and would like little
more development before going on with the
game. Like all other strategic plays, 1t Is
only for the advanced player.
There ara many positions constantly aris-
ing in whist where 1t is of the utmost inn
pcrtance to hold up, the ace. of your adj
versaries' suit. The most important is,
when the enemy has started a trump signal
on your suit. and. on account of the fall
of the cards on the first trick, he wishes
to suppress the signal, as he finds his
partner can trump one or two of his losing
cards. Then you can deceive him to adj
vantage. OF course. you must guard
AGAINST the chances Of cross run.
erxith 81, partner, he is emboldened to go
ON With the trumps. Many otherwise good.
players are often tempted, when the adj
%ersaf opers the game with the lead of
rtafmbs.d and he wins the trick cheaply.
|funrf lsfhand, to lead the trump through,
thinking he is giving his partner the ad-
vahtaKe., when. in truth. he is developing
the Eanh OF his adversary, as they have
more treason to continue trumps, after find
Ing his partner weak and as soon as either
takes trick he win go on with the trumps,
and you have an opportunity to go on with
your game. Many timid players lose tricks
on account of the adversary showing
trump, strength. either by the lead of a
skeleton or running" with their winning
cards. 49, - 49,
It is usually ace or king time when both
adversaries signal A judicious force or
two will stop many trump leads. and when
the adversary finds he cannot go on with
trumps to advantage and stops leading
them, then Is the time to lead through
trump strength.
Good nlustra ton.
| A good illustration Is given below In a
hand played In a practice match at the
Baltimore Club last Wednesday night:
EIGHT of cluha furuod nv Smith Taadar Wet