Improvements in Markers for Scoring the Card Game of Whist or like Games.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Apr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Markers for Scoring the Card Game of Whist
or like Games.
I, JOHN HAYTON, of 2, Drury Lane, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Ship Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a marker for scoring at the game of
whist, more particularly where the number of tricks won and counting towards
game, the games won, and the total number of tricks or extra tricks won, are to be
scored.
According to this invention there is provided a means for scoring, in the game of
whist or like games, the total number of tricks or extra tricks won in a game or a
rubber, in addition to a means for scoring the number of tricks won and ranking
to count towards each game, and means for scoring the number and value of games
won..
For example, a whist marker provided with the improvements according to this
invention, may be constructed as follows:-A sheet of card-board, plate of metal,
china, or other suitable material, enamelled or otherwise, in the form of a case or
holder, is provided with a dial of cardboard or other suitable material, for scoring
the number of tricks won and ranking to count towards each game, and a dial for
scoring the number and value of games won. In addition to these two features,
which are common to whist markers, there is provided in the case or holder a dial
for scoring the total number of tricks or extra tricks won in each game or rubber.
For example, in a game of whist where five tricks count game and the players on
one side, say, count four tricks towards game, and the next hand they score, say,
four tricks namely three tricks over and above the amount required to make up
game, the tricks, or the extra tricks, can be scored on the trick dial, so that at the
end of the game or rubber the total number of tricks won by each side, or the total
extra tricks won, is scored, in addition to the games won. The dials may consist of
discs marked with numerals and free to revolve in the case or holder, and arranged
to exhibit the numerals through apertures or windows in the case or holder; or
the dials may be provided on the face of the case or holder, and be provided with
pointers, free to revolve, to mark the score on each dial; or other known form of
dials may be used.
1
АТ 1
1000
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Markers for Scoring the Card Game of Whist
or like Games.
I, JOHN HAYTON, of 2, Drury Lane, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Ship Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a marker for scoring the game of
whist, more particularly where the total number of tricks, or extra tricks, won, are
to be scored in addition to the ordinary rubber points.
According to this invention there is provided a means for scoring, in the game of
whist or like games, the total number of tricks or extra tricks won in a game or a

page_text: rubber, in addition to a means for scoring the number of tricks won and ranking
to count towards each game, and means for scoring the value of games won.
For example, a whist marker provided with the improvements according to this
invention, may be constructed as follows:-A sheet of card-board, plate of metal,
china, or other suitable material, enamelled or otherwise, in the form of a case or
holder, is provided with a dial of cardboard or other suitable material, for scoring
the number of tricks won and ranking to count towards each game, and a dial for
scoring the value of games won. In addition to these two features, which are
common to whist markers, there is provided in the case or holder a dial for scoring
the total number of tricks or extra tricks won in each game or rubber. For
example, in a game of whist where five points count game and the players on one
side, say, count four tricks towards game, and the next hand they score, say, four
tricks namely three tricks over and above the amount required to make up game,
the number of tricks, can be scored on the trick dial, so that at the end of the
game or rubber the total number of tricks won by each side, or the total number
of extra tricks won, is scored, in addition to the ordinary rubber points won.
dials may consist of discs marked with numerals and free to revolve in the case or
holder, and arranged to exhibit the numerals through apertures or windows in the
case or holder; or the dials may be provided on the face of the case or holder,
and be provided with pointers free to revolve, to mark the score on each dial; or
other known form of dials may be used.
The
Having thus generally described the object and nature of my invention I will
now proceed to describe it with reference to the annexed sheet of drawings which
illustrate a whist marker provided with the improvements according to my invention
and which are marked with letters and figures corresponding with those used in the
following explanation.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a whist marker provided with my improvements;
and
Figure 2 is a sectional end elevation of the same taken at the line X.X. Figure1.
Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the method of scoring.
With reference to the drawings, a designates the case or holder, which, as before
stated, may be of any suitable material. In the example shewn it consists of a
front portion and a back portion between which the dials are placed. 6 is the dial
for scoring the number in game; c is the dial for scoring the value of the games
won; and d is the dial for scoring the total number of tricks or extra tricks won
in each rubber. These dials are mounted on spindles e, h, i respectively, between
the front and back portions of the case a and are free to turn on the said spindles,
their outer edges projecting slightly beyond the edge of the case a to provide for
their being moved by the finger and thumb of the user. The dial is marked with
numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, representing the number in the game.
The dial c is marked
with numbers I II III representing the value of game won, namely single, double
or treble, and the dial d is marked with numbers 1 to 22 inclusive, representing the
greatest number of tricks than can be won in a rubber.
The front portion of the case a is provided with three windows, namely, a
window k to exhibit the numbers of the dial b, a window to exhibit the numbers
of the dial c, and a window m to exhibit the numbers of the dial d and by turning
the dials their successive numbers are exhibited through the respective windows.
The following instructions shew the manner in which the game of whist is scored
by my improved marker.
с
The disc or dial b is to record the number in game. The disc c the game won.
(I. Single, II. Double, III. Treble); and the disc d is to record "Tricks up," or
the balance of tricks won in excess of the opposing players.
"
The points are reckoned and scored according to the ordinary Rules of Short
Whist, excepting that at the end of the rubber the "Tricks up" become "points
of the same value as rubber points, thus:-
=
Reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.
1st. Hand-A. B. winning 3 tricks would mark 3 tricks up, and 3 in game.

page_text: 2nd. Hand-Y. Z. winning 6 tricks would mark 3 tricks up and single game
won.
A. B.'s score would then be nil, the tricks up and number in game being
cancelled.
3rd. Hand-A. B. winning 4 tricks would mark 1 trick up and 4 in game
whilst Y. Z. take down their score of 3 tricks up.
4th. Hand-A. B. winning 7 tricks would mark 8 tricks up and treble
game Y. Z.'s score remaining single game won.
5th. Hand-Y. Z. winning 2 tricks would mark 2 in game and single game
won whilst A. B. takes 2 tricks down, and score 6 tricks up and treble game
won.
6th. Hand-Y. Z. winning 7 tricks, which make the game (single) and rubber,
mark 1 trick up, the score being :
:-
Treble, single, and rubber
Lose A B½ trable come
6 points
4th. Hand-7 tricks, would mark 22 tricks up, two trebles, and rubber:
say, 22 points + 8 points, or 30 points in all, which is
the highest possible score.
The advantages of marking as above set forth are:-
1st. All hands are played out to the end, and every trick scored-instead of
throwing up the cards when "game" has been made.
2nd. When honours are counted, the players who make tricks against their
opponents' honours have the satisfaction of scoring for merit against chance, thus :-
say, 1st. Hand
A. B. score 1 Y. Z. love.
A. B. hold 4 honours
2nd. Hand
.
Y. Z. make 3 tricks.
66
Ordinarily A. B. would score a single game or 1 point against Y. Z. nil; whilst,
according to the "improved" method, A. B. would score single
"
game won or
1 point, and Y. Z. would score 2 "tricks up," i.e. instead of losing 1 point on the
two hands, they gain 1 point,--and deservedly so, for it is more meritorious to
win 3 tricks than to make 1 trick and hold 4 honours.
In the foregoing Specification I have described a convenient construction of
marker provided with my improvements, but I wish it to be understood that the
precise form thereof may be modified without departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A marker for scoring the card game of whist or like games, constructed and
operating substantially as described, that is to say, a marker comprising a number
in game dial, a dial to shew the value of games won, and a dial to shew the number
of tricks won in a rubber, said dials being adapted to exhibit or mark the score as
the games and rubber progress, as set forth.
2. The improved whist marker herein described and shewn in the drawings, con-
sisting of the case a having windows k, l, m and provided with dials b, c, d adapted

page_text: to be turned round and exhibit their numerals and score the number in game, value
of games, and the tricks won in the rubber, as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.