The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-14

Trick 1.-The lead Of a small card as
call through tho honor turned was first
recommended in "Whist Openings" (page
39) Before that the only signal used foi
this purpose was the original lead OF high
or supporting card from a short suit, or an
irregular lead from a long suit. Thisprac-
tice, still followed by many players, but
recommended by few experts, Is illogical,
because il frequently necessitates weak
opening from strong hand. Under our
system wo open the best suit, at once Civ
ing the desired information to partner and
treating the leaders, hand according TO It's
deserts A purely arbitrary use Of the con-
vention, such as leading deuce from the
deuce and one other l do not favor, al
though it 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, tho q beins
turned, and absolutely no strength In
plain suits. He led a from a suit OF
and 4. When got in, led through the
honor. Partner played the 10 third hand
and returned the X 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 Ii. In plain suits we
took only one trick-that on which 1 got
in the lead to give him the trump. We
were pleased by the result, because-l
frankly admit-the game Of "catch the
honor" is very rarely successful. 1t is not
successful even in tho present instance, ne
we shall gee. The small opening is better
than the original lead of the trump, be
cause It enables South to ruff with one OF
his two little trumps, but 1t does not
bring about the capture Of the Q turned
Trick 2 2--West's return of the spade is
questionable Its danger is just what hap
pened-tho 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, long
suiter or he would never have opened the
clubs here The only winner he has in the
suit Is the ace, and ho ought TO hold that
until he can kill high card with him.
The II 10 is the right card to lead now.
Trick 4.--North Is net sure that partner
can ruff the spade, but this Is the bost
chance He still hopes, too, to get the
lead through the honor.
Trick 5.-Whether or not South is justi-
fed in disregarding tho leaders, desire fol
| the trump lead 10 not clear. His play IL
fortunate anyway II he had led the
trump, NOrtD NOuiu nave cauEnb tne non
| 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 q costs nothing, for II h'
wins this trscl; 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 ].
| peculiarly important ] cannot here go In
| To the subject In detail, but tho genera
| principle is that second hand should covel
| the supporting o, 10, j or q led II III
| has the card next above or next but ont
| above, regardless of number, unless he ha
| tenace over the card led, in which cas-
he should either play low or go in with th
| highest His rule OF play was first an
nounced in tho second edition of "Whis
oponings' (page 200). The Q put in a
second band here probably saves a trick.
Trick T. NORTH is obliged now to clea
tho trumps in defense of his winning
hearts.
Without further comment append tn
overpay of the deal. the North and Sout
players being routine long suffers this tim
and their ndyersarics "short."