Evening star., 1897-10-27
UNCONVENTIONAL LEADS.
"BOuvee" Discusses Departure Frol
Whist Book Rules.

rrom tne boston transcript.
Many cases might be cited where i'm
portant matches were lost practically
through violation of the book rule respect
Ing the original lead from hands containing
length regardless Of strength in nigh
cards. in trumps. The Robinson trophy Of
the New England Whist Association
changed hands last spring after a very
close match, in which the result was
largely determined by the loss Of three
tricks on the second deal played, due to a
refusal to open six trumps. A similar case
occurred in match between Newton and
Boston Duplicate for the American Whist
Club trophy. at the recent fall tournament
OF the New England Whist Association.
At two tables the Newton player. holding
five small trumps (hearts), two small
spades. three small diamonds and the
knave and two small clubs, chose the knave
Of clubs for his original lead. The play
case, the Boston Duplicate players Opening
the trump suit. The day following the
match Capt. Kingsbury naturally gave ex-
preston to his views on the lead and told
the members Of his team he hoped similar
lapse of judgment would not occur IN the
future.
A different phase Of the question are
the frequent viola tions Of the rules govern
Ing the proper lead from a particular num-
Der of trumps. or from certain stated CON-
binations. The reasons for the variations
in the lead from trump suits containing
certain high card combinations. COM
pared with the lead from similar cCmbina-
tions in plain suits, is easily understood as
explained by the text books. While the
best lead from ace, king and four small
trumps is still disputed, the lead of the
ace from seven in suit, AMI the lead of the
fourth best from ace, king and three small,
or king, queen and three or four small
has been universally accepted as sound.
Notwithstanding the fact that players are
perfectly familiar with these rules, the
losses occasioned by refusals to act upon
this knowledge are surprisingly frequent.
Holding an established suit, and no re-
entry outside of trumps. a player Is often
justified in his choice of a high card lead.
contrary to rule. Usually. however. 1t is
not under these conditions that one sees
individual judgment thus exercised. In the
match for the American Whist League
challenge trophy at the sixth congress one
of Chicago's most skillful players led the
queen of trumps from king, queen and
three small. finding his partner with the
knave alone, and lost trick. At the
American Whist Club on Saturday last
reliable player lost at least of the two
tricks by which he missed top" score by
leading the queen of trumps from king,
queen and four small. There was no es-
pecidl reason for his wishing the ace out
of the way at once. and he knew that the
correct lead was the fourth best trump.
A peculiar case of justifiable disregard for
the rule, which extremely surprised oppo-
match last spring. The original lead indi-
Gated trump strength, and fourth hand,
upon winning the trick. led a low trump
from ace king, knave and four small. He
found his partner with the lone queen, and
a result prevented the advocate Of
trump-showing leads from making trump,
although he held the ten and three small.
Original leader questioned the soundness
Of tine play and attributed the outcome to
luck, but fourth hand volunteered no ex-
PLANTATION. After realizing two or three
heavy losses from individual experiments
contrary to rule, players are usually well
satisfied to return to first principles.
Banks-Jones Bout Postponed.
The twenty-rouEd bout between Tony
Banks and Arthur Jones for feather-weight
championship of the District, which was
scheduled for last night, was postponed
account of the rain, until subsequent
date not yet selected.
Betonica's brilliant Achievement.
SANTA ANNA, Cal, October 27.-Be-
tonfca, three-year-old PAGER, went mile
against time, unpaced, in 2.OGA, beating
the record made by Searchlight last week
of 2.07. Betonica went to the half in 1.a5
The last half was made in the remarkable
time Of 1.O1A.
After Lieut.. Wise's Record.
Cycler Mcdonald Of Wilmington, Del,
will start from this city November 8, and
ride bicycle to New York. He will en-
deavor to beat the time lately made by
Lieutenant H. d. Wise of the army. Lieu
tenant Wise's time was for the 23912 miles
~ hours 80 minutes.
Worlds Triplet Record Beaten.
The worlds triplet record for a mile was
lowered from LA to 1.41 by McDuffie,
Church and Fowler. in the face of strong
wind at Willow Grove, Philadelphia, yes
terday. The previous record was made
by Johnson Martens and Kiser at De-
troit, but the event not under L.
A. w. sanction the new time will probably
not be recognized.