The sun., 1915-06-06

The slight decrease noted In the origi-
nal no trumper and the large decrease
In the number Of passes would seem to
Indicate that the royal had taken the
place Of what was one nothing but
spade bid and had also changed some or
the old style no trumpers into safer suit
bids.
The increase In the number OF d's-
monds and clubs Ii probably due to the
modern fashion OF bidding those suits
from strength alone without regard to
length. whereas the old style waA to bid
them as trumps Just A. We now bid the
major suits. Many Of the modern club
and diamond bids would have been
spades two years ago.
The peculiar part OF this tabulat!on.
even II II covers only 500 deals. Is the
small number OF original no trumpers.
One would naturally expect that under
the modern system of calling no trumps
originally without any intention OF play
ing the hand at that declaration and
simply as an encouragement to tho part
ner to bid up anything he has there
would be q large increase in the num-
ber OF these declarations, as compared
to the style OF two or three years ago.
A similar record OF original declara-
tions In the Eastern clubs should be in
teresting.
The second OF the fundamental prin-
ciples OF bidding which were referred
to In these articles as belonging to the
essential trinity Is refusing TO bid a
suit against a no trunrper when you
have the lead, unless there 10 a fair
chance to 20 game with only average
assistance from the partner
Any chance for game against a no
trumper presupposes one Of two things
A weak no trump bid or a two suiter
in the hand Of the second bidder. The
argument against the bid Is that II the
no trumper Is genuine the bid simply
warns the declarer that there is one
suit massed against him and that 4
will be led.
It Is quite possible that tho SECOND
bidder may be strong enough to mako
his contract against a no trumper Of
average strength; but the question is
Can he 90 game? II he cannot reach
the game but can make his contract
to win eight tricks. those eight tricks
would be worth a good deal more to him
at 30 apiece than at or .. Should
ne fail TO reach his contract he has
presented the dealer with so or 100
points for nothing.
II player will consistently school
himself never TO bid a suit second
hand against a no trumper unless he
has a fair chance for game. counting
on his partner for not more than two
probable tricks. he will save more points
by the practice than he can pick up
In any other depa rtment OF the game.
He will miss an opportunity for game
now and then, OF course. owing to the
extreme weakness of the no trumper,
but In the long run the balance will
be all in his favor.
The modern player who bids no trump
as dealer, with the score normal. may
do 30 on very average hands, expect
ing to be taken out. lie hopes, Of
course. to be taken out by his partner.
but II the second bidder Is good enough
to step In and do It the dealer is
relieved OF what might have been a
dangerous contract and the third
player Is free to pass or double.
These second hand bids give the
dealer and his partner all the best OF
II, as they then have the choice OF
two lines OF procedure: To double the
suit bid. as an announcement to go
on with the no trumper. or to let the
suit bid stand and beat II, or at least
stop II from going game. In addition
to this. OF course, there Ia tho oppor-
tunity for the dealer or his partner TO
shift to a suit bid and then all chance
for the defeat OF no trumper dis
appears
During the winter that has Just
passed a large number OF deals were
collected and recorded from the various
duplicate matches In New York and its
vicinity and as far as possible the
variations In the bidding and its re-
suits were ascertaned. Many Of these
games were largely attended. especially
those at the Knckerbocker. where they
are looking forward to having At least
100 players al every session during
the coming season. Then the club will
be In its nav quarters at 8 West For
tieth street. where visitors are always
welcome ON duplicate nights.
II 10 astonishing how many examples
OF second hands bidding . suit against