Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-03-25
Bridge for the Games Sake.


less. remarked recently that women
cannot play an honest game of cards,
provided there are prizes offered or mon
ey as Il stake.
Naturally. the statement aroused no
little diSsension, and the question. pro
and con. has been violently discussed
ever since among his hearers. The writ
or has interviewed a number of well
known bridge players in New York, with
il result not altogether tiattering to WON
en- players II can only tell YOU" said
one prominent hostess whose bridge par
ties are a feature of the season, that
make it point 70 invite Il sufficient mum
Der of guests to till my tables, excluding
my daughter and myself. since | have
found that invariably one or more of the
ladies will leave in Il temper or from fit
of hySteria. and my daughter or myself
will inevitably be called upon to fill the
vacant place
DO they cheat?' exclaimed another.
II cannot say they ali do, but there
are cases. Last week | was playing
with Mrs. y. as my partner. As you
know she is considered an authority on
bridge. So | had not the temerity to
demonstrate when | fancied detected
her leading twice from the dummy.
am only a beginner myself. and | could
not believe my eyes However. when
the hand was nearly played, she found
herself with three cards in her hand. and
but two in the dummy. Dear me- she
exclaimed, what is wrong? / must have
made a nlisdeal-weIl have another
gathering the cards together as she
spoke. by that time my startled nerves
were under control. Pardon me- ! ven
tured feebly. hut | think it is the fault
OF your having led at the wrong time
from the dummy. No. indeed. my dear,
she returned in most dignihed tone.
l have played bridge for some years.
Then, ! pursued, hopefully. is there no
penalty! DO YOU not forfeit Il trick or
perhaps the dealT My only answer was
q glance Of hauteur. while the scornful
lady dealt the cards won the game. and
retired III triumph with the afternoons
prize clasped closely to her bosom
have been compelled to change the
position OF the mirrors in my drawing
room, remarked another woman. Il
round thai when the stake happened "a
be high my bridge guests were MOI
above taking advantage of reflections
anything else. Unfortunately the WON
an l. not born who can keep control Of
her emotions where money or prizes are
concerned, and if she gives herself rein
the results are sensational. Why, | have
seen two elderly, prominent. and really
benevolent dowagcrS destroying each 9th
ef : Marcel-wayed hair in drawing
room where such conduct wonld have
seemed impossible. Bridge is fever-l
nave II myself and alas, / know of 40
ac0hlte Tor cards. One beautiful Young
matron has such suspicious luck n;
bridge that she has won a reputation
that will stay with her longer than her
other winniDgs~her husbands good for
tune IS not free from question. and. en-
tertaining as they both are. one hardly
dares to invite them to ones table
The solution of the problem was Of
Tered by a wei known expert who never
plays any stake on the ground thar il
warped her Judgment and allowed her
pleasure IN the game for the game,
sake mike poker she says, "bridge
needs no jeopardy to make il interesting
1t is of its own nature full Of the ~.
citement of true sport
II Is not 50 conventional as duplicate
whist, but has much more variety and
opportunity for delightful individual
play. The pittng Of ones wits in the
management Of the twenty-Six cards
against the combined intelligence of the
opponents; the drawing of proper infer
ences from the fall Of the cards. and the
placing OF the leads in such manner as to
cause the superior cards held by the
enemy to lose much or even all of their
value, have a charm that j. Simplv alb
Sofblng. Wien there Is stake either
money or prize more or less valuable.
and frequently warps the Judgment. 10
open poor hand gives N once Il sense
of disappointment. while the sfupid
hands that play themselves and cannot
help winning. no matter how they are
played. are eagerly welcomed because
they are adding To the score II ii is
eA&sperating 10 meet players. lucky In
holding cards. but who have 40 idea Of
the true principles of the game nor even
enough intelligence To recognize the fine
management Of an almost hopeless hand.
and yet invariably walk off victorious.
how much more irritating must il be
wn"'i money is IN question. Without
stake. however. there is n delightful
sense Of freedom in the coming battle.
unhampered by the fear of a possible
loss 70 ones partner.
To make dangerous finnsse with
success. and often WIN as inferior hand
by clever well-thought play. 20 wreSt an
unexpected trick from the adversaries,
in other words. to play rhe cards for
their cwn sakeS. and for all they are
worth. with due attention TO the rules
and principles Of the game. and yet with
spirit aud individuality all ones own. is
"a have an amOunt Of enjoyment and
satisfaction that is quite inca ziiblp.
"T.et us by all means have bridge aud
without other reward than the pleasure
of the contest, sit Down for quiet even