Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-28
SECONDHAND PLAY
HAVING AN HONOR
Riqid Conventions a Hindrance
to Perception and
Skill.

A moot question at whist and one
that has always given rise to lively dls-
cussion is what to play second hand
holding an honor and one other card
The books have always taught that
while the chances of making or losing
the honor are about equal, that the
play of the high card may prove ex-
pensive in that it gives information to
the adversary regarding the weak state
of that suit, giving him an opportunity
to fnessc deeply on the second round
On the face of it this has always
seemed very sound reasoning. and the
conservative players have as rule fol-
lowed the book advice pretty closely.
But the many short-suit plays and sup
porting cards that are now in vogue
have changed the basis upon which this
rule was formed, so that today 1t has
become more and more the custom to
go in with the honor, sitting second
hand, on any card led.
A little thought will show that after
all the play is not such an expose OF
the hand as it seems a the first glance.
Are there not other times when 1T is
proper to play an honor second hand?
Holding king, queen and one other
small card. is not the queen the proper
play? And if the original leader should
in this instance chance a fnesSe he
would do so at the clear loss of a trick.
Even if the lower card is played on the
first round, the evil day when the pow
erty of the suit is known is only put
off for one round, and the fnesse, If
possible can be done with impunity
at that time.
1t has now become rule of play (al-
though one that is not to be found in
the books that holding short suit the
secondhand player shall play 1T as he
would lead it-that is to say, from the
top; or, having two equals. the lower
of the two. If you are short, play your
high cards freely, if long. hold back
and give your partner chance. one
of the reasons for playing high when
short is to try to save high card in
the partners hand If possible, and as
have not the command or the first and
second best, it is we'll to see what the
partner can do. or. at least. hold back
until the situation develops.
Some time ago Mr.. l.. nj. Bouve,
speaking of the crop Of modern con-
ventions for showing this. that and
the other thing, delivered himself as
follows:
unfortunately some of the most skill
full players in the country have devoted
their energies to devising and elaborat-
Ing methods which left little room for
the exercises of the players natural
ability The result has been to engraft
may be called '.despotic'' conventions of
most doubtful worth. Among these the
rotary discard stands first and foremost
as a pernicious device. No exception can
vention itself is concerned, provided OPP
ponents are informed of the fact that
it is to be employed and the particular
rotation of suits adopted is given. for
such conditions. AS hidebound method
of impartsng information its use is dep
recated. One might just as well follow
that brilliant scheme invented by some
the card led declared the number OF
trumps held-a deuce for two trumps.
trey for three. etc. 1t certainly is
pity, however, that players who have
general knowledge should place such
check upon their abilities. The use of
the rotary may show occasional gains,
but do these results reflect any credit
Rather is it not a reflection upon them
as showing q lack OF faith In their ca
pacity to read their partners wishes from
the development? Surely common sense
Of this nature"
In one OF his late articles Beverly
Smith speaks of a form Of underplay
unfamiliar to great majority Of whist
ers that may be termed the f1neSse of
the leader. Occasion for its use arises
where a player who has already opened
his long plain suit Is In the lead, holding
the master card and others Of his own
suit. no card of re-entry and no trump
to return to his partner. who has indi-
Gated willingness and the ability to
exhaust adverse trumps. To continue
with the master card of his plain suit
now would practically amount to de.
sertion of partner and of the scheme OF
game he has outlined, for the leaders
hand would thenceforth be a dead one
and all chances of bringing In that suit
out of the question. The leader must
then shape his course so as to kill two
birds with one stone. II possible. He
must get his partner in the lead to con-
tinue the exhaustion of trumps. and at
the same time complete the establish
ment of his own suit. retaining the mas
ter card thereof for re-entry on the third
round after his partner has drawn the
trumps. His only method of accomplish
ing both ends would be to lead another
low card from his own suit upon the
chance that his partner may win with the
third or fourth best thereof. the inter-
mediate cards between the master card
and the partners best lying in second
hand and being thus underplayed. The
play even II unsuccessful. can lose but
a single trick. while II the cards lie right
II may gain several.
a thorough understanding Of trump tao
tics is probably the most important thing
I'm whist strategy. They are the irregular
verbs of the language, and their greatest
difficulties are in the conditional mood.
Confidence in ones partners knowledge
of sound principles is one of the best
foundations Of successful play, and moth
ing gives one a better insight into a posi-
ton than an understanding of the trump
situation. AS an example of this, take the
following deal. Hearts were declared
trumps, A to lead:
0NL g 81
l...i4k LAC Lac lA7