Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-09
BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
EDITED BY w. R. WHARTON

clared trump it is either fourth best OF
the top of short suit
In previous articles those combina-
lions which demand the opening of a
card other than fourth best have been
given. Readers who, being interested
in this subject, desire to have the full
benefits therefrom, are advised to pre-
pare a list of these combinations In a
form convenient for ready reference.
In very short time, however, it will
be found that they become so familiar
as to require no reference. The salts
faction both to the player and his part
ner of using a system whereby proper
differences may be drawn will furnish
ample compensation. 1t is impossible
for even the tyro to play the game
without drawing differences. Often this
is done unconsciously, but nevertheless
it is done. There is no better measure
of the skill of a player than the degree
of correctness with which he draws in
ferences. There is no greater satisfac-
ton to a player than that which fol-
lows correct analysis. There is no
greater humiliation than to realize that
mistakes and failures have been due
to your not using ordinary intelligence
Even If your partner is SO generous as
not to call attention to your error
sooner or later you must realize II
yourself.
Take a plain instance If hearts be
trumps, and after dummy is exposed
your partner leads a small card up to
ace, queen, jack in the dummy hand.
What is the inference to be drawn?
1t seems so plain that no one could
fail to see it that it must be single
ton. Often, however, you will hear a
player ask after the hand is finished,
''Why did you not permit me to
trump" and the reply, ut never oc-
Cured to me that YOU held no more of
the suit"
In other words, the partner thought
lessly assumes that an apparently
atrocious play has been made without
seeking any reason therefor. No card
should be played without reason, and
every player at the table should mem
tally inquire the reason for the play of
every card, and the more unusual the
play the greater reason for considera-
ton of the possible inducements for
the play. Almost all the improvements
ir the game are due to the fact that If
any card be played in an unnatural
manner it indicates that the player is
endeavoring to deceive an adversary
or to convey information to his part
ner. For instance, holding the 2, and
of a suit, it is natural to play the 2
If an ace is lead Therefore, if the 3
be first played and afterwards the 2,
the play is unnatural. In straight
whist this is used To- snow your part
ner that you desire trumps lead. At
bridge, owing to the fact that prepon-
derance of trump strength is almost
always with the dealer, it is used for
a different purpose. In other words,
unless it can be generally applied, a
convention is seldom used, as it I'M
necessarily burdens the mind, which
should as far as possible be free to
exercise the powers of analysis.
Those conventions, however, which
admit of general application are very
beneficial in drawing differences. as will
appear in the consideration of this sub
ject.
The problem which appears in this
issue affords opportunity for many
correct differences, and readers are
earnestly requested to forward replies,
as ii will enable the writer to judge
the extent to which they are interested,
as well as enable them to Judge their
own skill,
In conclusion, the following instance
is offered for consideration. At no
trump your partner opens the king of
a suit, which holds the trick, and fol-
lows with fourth best in another suit.
The queen of the first suit is neither in
your hand or that of dummy. Should
YOU win the second trick, which suit
would you return?
Under the same circumstances at de-
clared trump, which would you return?
-
Eat at the Angelus grill.