The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-16

Trick 1.-The lead Of a small card as a
call through the honor turned was first
recommended in "Whist Openings" (page
39). Before that the only signal used for
this purpose was the original lead of high
or supporting card from short suit, or an
irregular lead from long suit This prae-
tice, still followed by many players, but
recommended by few experts, is illogical.
because 1t frequently necessitates a weak
opening from strong hand. Under our
system we open the beet suit, at once CIV
ing the desired information to partner and
treating the leaders hand according to It's
deserts. purely arbitrary use of the con-
vention, such as leading deuce from the
deuce and one other I do not favor, al
though 1t may very rarely be permissible
II the hand presents no other possibilities.
For instance, my partner In match once
had to open hand containing the A, X,
j, 10 and one other trump, the q being
turned, and absolutely no strength in
plain suits. He led from suit of s
and 4. When l got in, led through the
honor. Partner played the 10 third hand
and returned the * and A, catching the q
on the third round. We gained trick ON
the deal, this bit of tactics being the only
thing there was In it. In plain suits we
took only one trick-that OH which l got
in the lead to give him the trump. We
We're pleased by the result, because--I
frankly admit-the game of "catch the
honor" is very rarely successful. 1t Is not
successful even in the present instance, as
we shall see. The small opening Is better
than the original lead of the trump, be-
causo it enables South to ruff with one OF
his two little trumps, but it does not
bring about the capture Of the q turned.
Trick 2.-West's return of the spade Ia
questionable. It's danger is just what hap
pened-the ruff by the original third hand.
AS the cards lie, and probably theoretical
ly, Vests best lead is the g 10.
Trick 3.-East was, of course, a lon,
suiter or he would never have opened TIN,
clubs here. The only winner he has in tn
suit is the ace, and he ought to hold tha
until he can kill high card with him
The Fl 10 is the right card to lead now.
Trick 4.-North Is not sure that partner
can ruff the spade, but this Is the best
chance. He still hopes, too, to get the
lead through the honor,
Trick 5.-Whether or not South is iusti-
fed In disregarding the leaders desire for
the trump lead Is not clear. His play is
fortunate anyway. II he had led the
trump, North would have caught the hon.
or, but would then have had to lead away
from the hearts and would have lost trick
in both hearts and spades. North's refusal
to ruff the & q costs nothing, for il he
wins this trick and leads the last spade
East goes In with the ID 10 at second hand
and shuts South out.
Trick 6.-South's second hand play is
peculiarly important. 1 cannot here 90 in
to the subject In detail, but the general
principle Is that second hand should cover
uhe supporting" g. 10, or Q led II he
has the card next above or next but one
above, regardless of number unless he Ina
q tenace over the card led, in which cas-.
he should either play low or go in with the
highest. His rule of play was first an.
nounced In the second edition of "Whist
Openings" (page 20O). The . put in at
second hand here probably saves trick.
Trick 7.-North is obliged now to clear
the trumps in defense of his winning
hearts.
Without further comment append the
everyday OF the deal, the North and South
players being routine long suffers this time
and their adversaries "short"