Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-11
BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
EDITED BY w. R. WHARTON

elusive evidence Inat tne uedleT uocs
not hold the ace. He may hold the ace
and lack, and by playing small makes
sure of two tricks in the suit If the
leader follows with another diamond.
1t is apparent that if players adhere
to no standard of declaration or play
that the differences which may be
drawn with any degree of certainty
are restricted to small number and 1t
is equally apparent that If players al
ways have a reason for what they do
that by the exercise of analysis 10 is.
always possible to in some degree,
varying with the individual player, de-
termine the situation of the cards not
in sight by those which have been
played or are in sight.
In order to avoid lengthy and labor
ious explanations in each instance it is
assumed that the opening lead is made
in accord with standard authorities;
that the declaration is sound and one
not forced either by the score or by
temperamental exigencieS; and that all
players use the method advocated in
these columns of giving encouragement
by playing high and then low and con-
versely of showing weakness or the
desirability of switching by playing tho
lowest card held in the suit.
Inferences-No Trump
Assuming that it is the first hand;
that the dealer has passed the make
and dummy has declared no trump and
the leader has asked permission to
play and been answered in the affirm
alive, what differences can each player
draw before a card has been played?
All the players know that the dealer
did not hold three aces nor six cards
in either red suit with one honor nor
five cards in either ned suit with two
honors one of which was the ace and
l. .x~I1 .sw-..I H.
queens as otherwise he would have
named the trump himself. All the
players know that the leader does not
hold seven sure tricks and that the
dealers partner does not hold either
the ace of hearts and six sure tricks
in other suits or six sure tricks and
probably seven if hearts be opened. as
otherwise the declaration would have
been doubled.
All the players know that the dummy
does not hold such strength in hearts
or diamonds as to feel sure of win
ming the game with either declaration
unless he also holds four aces; that the
dummy does not hold four honors in
hearts unless he also holds four aces;
that he does hold either two aces with
good protection in third suit or one
ace with fair protection in all the other
suits or one suit headed by ace, king,
queen, with sure re-entry in one of
the red suits.
All of the differences heretofore men
toned may be regarded as fully justi-
fed, In addition to which there are
some others which may be drawn, but
are subject to correction as the play
proceeds, and which may for purposes
of convenience be styled temporary in
ferences.
These are in one form or another
based upon the assumption that the
strength possessed by the dealer is
probably in black; that the dummy
nolds at least stopper in hearts; that
the pone does not hold five or moro
hearts to three honors and a re-entry
and that the leader does not hold six
sure tricks.
1t will be frequently found that tho
principal strength of the dealer and his
partner are in the red suits, but so
divided that neither was justified in a
red make. Therefore players should
be ready to revise these temporary in
ferences promptly if warranted by the
cards.
1t is believed that this subject will
be more interesting and instructive If
treated in detail by means of illustra-
tive hands in which the reader will
first be given an opportunity of draw
ing such differences as he deems war
ranted and afterward at the end of the
article the author will in turn draw
his differences from the same situa-
ton. Doubtless in many instances
there will be difference of opinion as
to the proper differences to be drawn,
and it is hoped that this will lead TO
discussion which should prove bene-
fetal not only to the parties con-
cerned, but may demonstrate the adj
visibility of certain lines of play to
the ultimate benefit of all interested in
the game. AS far as possible these il
Illustrations will be taken from actual
play. and the writer will welcome ex-
amples of situations which have puz-
zled readers 1t will be found that the
average player In order to participate
intelligently in this section should lay
out the cards on the table, as an actual
sight of the cards is of material as
sistance This involves some time and
trouble, but if the reader is sincere in
his desire for improvement he will be
richly rewarded and amply compensat-
ed by the results of even a few hands.
In the next article this plan will be in
augurated. and readers are urged to
take part in the discussions which may
arise.
'ENhat's the pl1rDOSe of that freak