The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-11-25
Card Parties

People who do not know how, to
play cards in these days must make
haste to learn if they would keep up
with a popular diversion. In fact,
those who are ignorant of the games
hesitate to accept invitations to card
parties, fearing to spoil the pleasure
of others, besides being tax on the
hostess. Players should be rather
equally matched and while it may not
be necessary to be scientific player,
except in bridge, it is old-fashioned
and objectionable for a guest at a
card party not to understand the
game. A hostess who proposes to
give a card party should be reason
ably sure that her guests have some
knowledge of the games to be played.
Bridge and five hundred are the pop
ular games at present-clubs are
rapidly organizing to perfect the art.
Seven or eight handed euchre admits
of asking any convenient number of
people. The hostess does not always
play, but if she prefers to play and
should win prize she gives it to a
guest.
To club and private card parties,
friends are invited by informal notes
or formal invitations in the third
person, or the cards of the hostess
may do duty with the words Bridge
at o'clock" or 'Euchre at o'clock
written on the card, with the date
and r. S. V. p. Guests are expected
to reply by note, without delay and
definitely, to an invitation to a card
party, so that a hostess may know
how many to expect or may fill the
places of those who are unable to
come. Tables and chairs in suffici-
ent number to accommodate guests
are arranged in the rooms. A dress
ing room, where women may leave
their wraps, should be provided. Hats
are not removed at an afternoon
party. Gloves are removed when
playing cards.
The hostess usually decides where
guests are to be seated at tables and,
after greeting them, directs them to
their places. Tables are usually filled
as guests arrive and late-comers must
be content to be assigned quickly. A
more formal way is to have lists OF
names and assign guests to certain
tables. Name cards may be used as
at dinner. Then, too, guests are giver
the honor of drawing tally cards or
which are indicated the table number
and partner.
The usual limit of time for playing
is two hours, and when that time is
approaching the hostess announces
the fact.
Score cards and gifts can be pur-
chased very reasonably and are quite
necessary to carry out the program
of a card party. The winners of the
prizes are expected to express to the
hostess pleasure in receiving the gift.
A consolation" or "booby" prize is
usually given the maker of the low
est score. This prize is never an ex-
pensive article. The best taste is in
not displaying extravaganza in the
selection of prizes.
A card party is an easy form of en-
tertainment, for the reason that
guests amuse themselves. There is
plenty of fun and laughter and the
friendly rivalry in prize winning adds
to the zest of the occasion. Hard
losers should not accept invitations
to social card games. In case you
have to play with some one who is
not an expert do not lose your tenn
per!
A hostess may include many guests
in one afternoon by sending invita-
tions for a card party for o'clock
for those who would like to play
cards, and by sending cards for tea
at 5 to others who are averse to card
playing and who do not know the
game but who may be glad to come
in later informally.