The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-05
the GANG !. played.

1-How the Game Is Played.
In this series OF articles my aim Will
be TO take the reader by tie hand and
gently lead him through the Highways
and byways of bridge. hope to help
him over the stony places. We shall
commence our journey at the very
beginning. Indeed. the series will be
chiefly dedicated to the beginner. who
is usually hopelessIy bewildered by tile
quantity OF literature devoted to the
subject of bridge, most OF which is
utterly beyond his comprehension.
The laws OF game are generally
very dry and lengthy. 80 that in the
present paper I will endeavor. to give
the main points is as condensed and
simplified form as possible. In Sub
hequent articles more attractive sub
jects will be duly dealt with.
A rubber Of bridge Is the best Of
three. games.
Four players take part In the game,
end these players cut for partners, the
two highest playing against the two
lowest, the partners facing each other
at the table. Should player expose
more than one card he must cut again.
Two players cutting cards of equal
value. unless such cards are the two
highest, cut again: should they be tile
two lowest fresh cut Is necessary to
decide which OF the two deal. For the
purpose OF cutting the ace is the low
est card.
j Each player after shutting must
place the cards properly collected anu
| face downwards, to the left of the
player whose next deal it is. the dealer
always having the right to shuttle tho
cards last of all. The dealers partner
must collect the cards for the ensuing
deal. and he has the first right to
shuttle that pack.
Prcllminarics.
After the pack has been shuffled,
and then cut by the player sitting en-
the dealers right hand. the player
1 who has cut the lowest card Of MI
deals. Each player deals in turn, tho
order of dealing passing from right
Ito left.
The cards are dealt face downwards
Into four packs Of thirteen, but II.
whilst dealing, a card be exposed by
! either OF the dealers adversaries. the
dealer or his partner may claim
Lfresh deal. A card similarly exposed ny
i the dealer or his partner gives The
4 same claim to each adversary. Inc
4 claim. however, may not be mace ~
a player who has looked at any OF 7 ms :
I cards. There is no misdeal.
I Anv one dealing out Of turn. or Wl WIZ
the adyersaries' cards, may be stopper
1 hefore the last card is dealt, other
] wise the deal stands good.
4 once tho deal is completed the play
, ers may look at their cards, When the
!, dealer has tho option Of declaring what
. suit shall be trunps, or whether tne
I hand shall be played without trumps
. IT he exercises tho option, ne snhn ~
50 nv naming the suit or by declaring
no trumps. Otherwise he may leave the
a cali 70 his partner by saying. II leave
- toEyou. partner" His partner must
. thereupon make the declaration.
5If the Dealers partner make the
declaration without receiving permls.
sion from the dealer. the eldest hanc
4 fthe# player on tho dealers left) may
demand that the declaration SO maze
shall stand or that there shall 20 {
new deal, But If any declarat1 Ion as e
doubling or not doubling shall hav'
been made, or II q new deal "a no
! claimed, the declaration wronsly NAV
:, shall stand.
: Should the Dealers partner pass tn
declaration to the dealer, the eldes
hand may demand that there shall b
i a new deal or that the dealer'ss partne
! himself make the declaration.
If either Of the dealers adversarie
. make the declaration, the dealer may
+ after looking at his hand either CLAIM
, "a fresh deal. or proceed as though NJ
Q such declaration had been made,
Y Important. Details. @
. "a After the declaration Is made tn
!. adyersariez have the option OF doubling