The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-02

II HE real origin of bridge is some
(d what shrouded in mystery. The
game is said to have originated
in Russia, but there is no satisfactory
proof of this statement. 1t was first
known under the title of "biritch or Rus
sian whist" and this, no doubt gave
rise to the idea that 1t was of Russian
origin, although. as a matter of fact the
word "biritch" Is not to be found In any
Russian dictionary. The game, as we play
IT. is far more likely TO have been of
Levantine origin. 1t was certainly played
very much In It's present form, some
forty years ago, in eastern Europe, nota-
bly, in Constantinoule and in Greece, and
IL there were any necessity to assign to
1t a. definite nationality we should not
hesitate to award the honor to Greece.
The prevalent idea that bridge was UNI
known in England up to the time OF It's
introduction at the Portland club in 1894,
is an entirely mistaken one. 1t was quite
unknown in clubland, but there Is indis-
putable evidence of its having been known
and regularly played in private circles
for many years prior to that date.
It Is stated In the supplement to the
ninth edition of the Encyclopedia Britain
MICA that the game Of bridge was frst
introduced into England in the year 1851
but no information is given as to who
furnished this statement, or as to what
authority, If any, there is for 1t.
We have received letter from an Eng
lish gentleman of Greek extraction now
resident in London, in which we are as
sured that the writer can remember the
game of bridge very much in its present
form. being regularly played among a
colony of Greeks settled In Manchester,
of whom his own father was one, as far
back as the '70s of the last century. The
only important point of difference De-
tween the game as 1t was then played
and as it is played now was that the
value of no trumps was ten points per
trick instead of twelve, and that the four
aces in one hand counted eighty above
the line instead of 100 as at present. Also,
the lead of a heart in answer to double
of no trumps by the leaders partner,
which is commonly supposed to nave
originated in America, was the general
custom. The short suit convention had
not then been heard of. That was prob
ably a. purely English convention of later
days.
In the year 1886 a small pamphlet was
printed In London entitled "Biritch, or
Russian Whist" There is said to be only
one copy of this pamphlet in existence
and that is In the library of the British
Museum. It gives very attenuated de-
scription of the game, with the method
| of scoring and few laws as to declaring
passing the declaration ETC.; but again
| we are without available information as
to who framed these laws, or by whose
authority they were published. As the
game is there described, the most valu-
able declaration, corresponding TO our
nrasent call of mo trumps,' was bi-
ritch - or playing without trumps. and the
| va,,,s OF this call was again ten points in
stead of twelve and also four aces in
ono hand counted so, not 100. The win
ners of the rubber added forty points to
their scores instead OF 100 points, as in
our nresent game. and this extra score
was called consolation
T-here can be no doubt that the score
for no trumps ought to be ten points
nor trick and not twelve as that Is fol-
leaving the regular upward sequence of
suit declarations 2, 4, 6, s, TO- and also.
| ~ the value of the tricks at no trumps
| Is to be twelve points, why should the
| honor score for aces not be also twelve
| points instead of tent When or why, or
how or by whom the change was made
| is quite unknown. When the game was
| hrst introduced at the Portland club we
] were certainly told that the value Of