The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-08
By R. F. FOSTER.

The English auction players are busy
with a discussion of the merits OF the
American idea of the game, which DIFF
fers from theirs. especially with regard
10 denying the partners suits. 1t turns
out that many of their best players
have realized the importance OF warn
ing the partner without adopting any
definite scheme for doing 1t.
THE SUN has lately received a num-
her OF letters from England on this
subject, chiefly from military men. The
following specimen is from one of the
most successful bridge players in Eng
land. who has long enjoyed an enviable
reputation among his fellow club men,
bers for his all around ability. His let
ter brings up a point that both begin
ners and experts might ponder with
profit.
ITO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir:
After having carefully read the ex-
PLANTATION printed In THE SUN OF the
American methods of bidding at auction
Il occurs to me that my experience
might be of interest. as illustrating the
chief point, the bidding and play of
the weak. or losing, hands
IT suppose that l have had at least
q thousand persons as partners or oppo-
nents In various parts of the world and
have kept a careful record of results
at whist, bridge and auction since 1891.
During this time I find myself some
100000 points to the good. having been
ahead at the end of every year SO far.
Most Players Optimistic.
The object in any game. take 1t. Is
q to win-not necessarily money. but
points. or whatever may be at stake,
according to the rules. i find that about
90 per cent OF the men have met can
play a winning hand more or less well.
but tho larger proportion do not know
how to bid or play losing hand. While
any ordinary player can make n slam
~ he has the cards. quite number
cannot get the one trick that swings
the result OF the game, or rubber.
II have looked through n number of
text books on auction and find they give
copious directions for bidding obviously
winning cards. The negative depart
ment Is not so full. The result IL that
most men are optimists, and treat every
hand as a winning hand, or with such
possibilities.
what is wanted Is a series OF lessons
in how to treat hands that are good for
only six tricks or less. instead OF hands
that are good for seven tricks or more
II the cards run equally, every alternate
hand will take six tricks or less on the
average. therefore the treatment OF these
losing hands Is certainly quite as Inn
portant as that of the winning ones.
II attribute my success entirely to
getting more tricks or points out Of
these bad hands than the average player
i also find that others can be forced into
overcailing more easily than I can, espe-
2 ciaily when they hold the winning hands
] have heard all about the best player
I. IN such and such town, and have met
lutte a number Of him: but have never
had any reason to be afraid of him, even
IL he was the better player. II he was
weak on calling and playing these losing
4 hands.
rArss c'...ss q Auction.
II rate auction players In three
glasses: The mechanical, Of which there
.fre plenty the good. optimistic player.
6f which there Ii q majority. and the
I players who can design their calls SO as