Evening star., 1909-01-24
HARD PROBLEM IN
WHIST STRATEGY
Leading Trumps After Being
Weakened by a
Force.

The management of trumps is conceded
to be one of the difficult points in the
game Of whist All writer's are agreed
upon this. and while formulating rules
that cover the ordinary features of trump
play take pains to impress upon the stu
dent the fact that these cannot always be
depended on to work satisfactorily. The
best that can be said of such rules is that
by risidly following them the gains and
losses will about counterbalance each
other in the long run. Now, while this
sort of advice is safe enough for the stu
dent to follow until his experience and
judgment are ripe enough to deal with
each critical case upon its merits, 1T is
hardly sufficient for the expert who
wishes to make the most of his opportuni-
ties in every deal. Moreover. situations
are constantly arising to which no rule
is exactly fitted. Take, for instance, the
question Of leading trumps from five, as
advised by nearly all the books. This Is
a perfectly safe rule to follow and viii
prove a winning play from many hands
In others it will result in loss, and bal
ance sheet OF a years play would prob
ably not present any material difference
between the debit and credit sides. Their
why not stick to the rule? Well, many
excellent players make a practice of do
ing SO, but quite as large-perhaps a
larger-number prefer to take the rest
Of the hand and its possibilities into con-
sideration before making a frontal at
tack" which in whist no less than in war
is disastrous when attempted in the face
Of a we'll intrenched and skillful enemy.
x-oIf To do Ia
scouting before joining battle, even
though your forces are strong enough, or
appear to be strong enough, to rush
things.
But If the question Of leading trumps
originally from a holding Of five is ac-
companied by some difficulty of choice,
how much more embarrassing is the sit
uation when you do not obtain the lead
until you have suffered force. You
may wish to lead trumps and would
have no hesitation in the matter If your
original strength was intact. but is it
now prudent to do so? There is no
hard-and-fast rule to appeal to, and you
are perforce obliged to use your judg-
ment. There are a number of things
to be thought OF. Have you any mate
rial gam III SlSHI IL Soui altdSh pioscS
successful? Has your partner shown a
strong suit, which you can assist him
to bring in? How strong are your re-
naming trumps? Can your partner pro-
tect YOU from another force, either by
ruffing or with the master-card of the
adverse suit? Is the adversary's suit
of formidable length. and Is it fully
establ shed? Whatever answer you may
find to the other questions. If this last
one must be answered In the affirmative
it is a time for caution. To lead trumpS,
except from full command. in the face
of an established suit and with the pros
pect of another force If the adversaries
obtain an early lead, is apt to result in
disaster. Without some compensating
gain clearly in sight it should rarely. IL
ever, be attempted. And, last of all. If
you finally decide that attack is war
ranted. beware of traps.
An excellent illustration in line with
these suggestions is to be seen in the
following deal, played at the Providence
Whist Club. Z dealt turning the 10 of
Clubs. and A led to the first trick.