The evolution of whist

Front matter

8K8$ RSfS EflH

mm m

KHSSS lift

Preface

It is with some diffidence that I have complied with a request, from several quarters, that I would write further about Whist. The latest progress in the game has taken the form of very elaborate detail in the practical Rules ; and I have always preferred to leave this branch of the subject in the hands of more experienced players, confining my own province to considerations of a wider range and more general character.

I have, however, been glad to know that this latter course has not been without utility ; and I venture to think that, in the complicated maze of practical instruction now offered to students, it may be salutary to interpose some more comprehensive views. And I believe that such an object may be most usefully attained by a careful scientific study of the whole history of the game; not as a mere curious collection of dry facts and dates, but for the purpose of tracing out the principles and motives which have determined and guided its progressive changes.

Vlll PREFACE

The influence of a philosophical study of History on the judgment of current events is now well established in literature, and there seems no reason why it should not be applicable here. The progress of Whist proves to be a clear case of gradual Evolution, which has never yet been thoroughly examined, and this is a want I have endeavoured to supply.

It is impossible to write on historical matters without copious references, and I have to make many grateful acknowledgments of help in this direction. In the first place I have to thank Mr. Murray for liberally allowing me to incorporate in these pages, so far as I desired, the article written by me for the Quarterly Review of January, 1871, the object of that article being somewhat akin to my present one, though on a more limited scale. Messrs. De la Rue, also, have been good enough to give me free permission to make extracts from the excellent works published by them.

Then I have to make a special acknowledgment to the Whist authorities in the United States of America. The position which modern Whist has taken there is so remarkable, that I have thought it right to devote a large space to its description and consideration, and in doing this I have had the kindest

PREFACE IX

aid from the Officers of the American Whist League. And further, the Editor and the proprietors of their official organ, the Milwaukee Whist Journal, have liberally sanctioned my making free use of any matter therein contained, without which, indeed, my work would have been impossible.

And lastly, I must express my special indebtedness to my old friend " Cavendish," not only for the references to his valuable works, which will be found throughout this volume, but for personal assistance in its preparation, to an extent which I cannot attempt to specify.

W. P.

London, January, 1895.

Introduction

PAGE

The love of gaming appears a natural instinct in man ; but he has impressed upon it the stamp of his great mental powers, i

Whist is a remarkable example of this ennobling influence, and hence its great intellectual attractiveness, 2

It is become both a Science and an Art, and each of

these requires special study, 3

The immense variety which has been developed in it,

out of the most simple means 3

Even to such an extent as to give rise to different kinds of game, all based on one elementary skeleton form, 4

These varieties have been brought about in regular

sequence, by a gradual process of evolution, . 5

It is possible to trace distinct stages of progress, approximately identified with particular varieties of game, 6

But the later forms, though generally more advanced in their character, have not superseded the earlier ones, and need not do so, 7

Parallel cases in the biological world, 7

The object of this book is to trace the gradual Evolution of Whist, and to discuss the aspects which it has presented in the different stages of its progress, 8

Xll CONTENTS

PAGE

This progress may be approximately divided into four Eras. As is generally the case, they overlap, or run to a certain extent into each other ; but they may each be broadly characterized by a particular form of game, 9

These four Eras, and their corresponding varieties of game, will occupy the Four Parts into which the present work is divided, 10

Chapter I. Early History

Whist is of English origin, 13

The game of " Triumph," quoted by Latimer, ... 14

" Gammer Gurton's Needle," 15

Shakespeare, 16

" Ruff and Honours," 17

44 Whisk." Taylor, 18

41 Whist." Cotton, Pope, Johnson, 19

" Swabbers," 22

Tricks of Sharpers, 23

Low Character of the Game, 24

Thomson's 44 Seasons," 25

Ombre and Quadrille, 26

Chapter II. The Primitive Game

Whist was then played by the lower class of people, . 27 The kind of game may be identified by wide-spread

traditions still extant, 27

CONTENTS Xlll

PAGE

Description of the essence or skeleton of Whist, which

runs unchanged through all forms, 28

Object of the play, 29

The means by which this object was attained in the

Primitive Game, 29

Tricks made by high or master cards ; or by trumping, 29

Some slight consideration given to the partner ; returning his lead, 30

Avoidance of leading trumps, 31

Opportunities for skill, 31

This game still largely played, 32

Chapter III

History. Hoyle, Payne, and Matthews.

The Crown Coffee-house Whist Party, 35

Edmond Hoyle, 36

His antecedents and education, 36

His long study of the game, 36

He resolves to teach it professionally, 37

Records of this ; the Rambler ; the Gentleman 's

Magazziie, 37

Notes given to his pupils, 37

Afterwards published in a book, 38

Its great success. Remarkable effect produced on

Society, 39

The Humours of Whist, a satire, 39

A remarkable " coup," 40

XIV CONTENTS

TAGE

Whist admitted at Court, and acknowledged as one of

the Royal amusements 42

Whist at the Universities, 42

Death of Hoyle 43

Late discoveries of contemporary references to Hoyle

and his work, 43

Byron and Homer, 44

Hoyle's successors, 44

Payne and his Maxims, 44

Whist at Bath, 45

Matthews's Advice to the Young Whist Player, . . 46 Alexander Thomson's Epic Poem, " Whist," in twelve

Cantos. Its pretensions to scholarship, ... 47 Whist in France. Louis XV., Josephine, and Marie

Louise. The " thinking game," 48

Talleyrand and his mot, 48

Deschapelles and his Traite die Whiste, 48

Whist in Austria. Metternich, 49

Whist in the London Clubs, 49

Introduction of " Short Whist." Its true explanation

and object. Playing to the score, . ' . . . . 49

Honour Scores 50

Chapter IV. The Hoyle Game

Improved modes of considering the Game. New Rules given out by the Crown Coffee-house party, 52

New and more intellectual views of the objects, and

the modes of attaining them, 53

Different treatment of master cards, 53

More attention to the relative positions of the cards in

the four hands, 53

CONTENTS XV

PAGE

The long-suit system, 54

New ideas about the use of trumps, and the process

of trumping, 54

Hoyle's probable mode of illustrating his views, . . 54 Inferences as to the hands from the " fall of the

cards," 55

Hoyle's manner of teaching, by personal instruction

and examples of play, 56

Notes or memoranda given to his pupils, which have

been preserved in his published book, . . » . 56 Description of the book and its chief contents ; its

merits and defects, 57

Modern editions of it, 61

Payne's Maxims. Their laudable object ; their improved arrangement and great utility, .... 62

Some examples of them, 62

Matthews 's Treatise. Its general arrangement, and

improved views, 63

His classification of the processes in the play, ... 64 His acute perception of the qualities necessary to

make a good player, 65

Examples of his teaching, 66

Attention given by Hoyle and Matthews to the calculation of probabilities as affecting Whist play, . 66

Hoyle's separate book on the subject, 67

Resulting nature of the Game of Whist as left by

these three authorities, 67

Its great merits, as compared with the Primitive

Game, in an intellectual point of view, .... 68

Importance attached to personal skill, 68

Reasons why, in spite of all subsequent improvements, the game of Hoyle must always exist, and remain to a certain extent popular, 68

XVI CONTENTS

Chapter V

History. Cavendish and Clay.

PAGE

General nature of this stage of the Evolution, ... 73 Higher interest in the game, produced by the introduction of Short Whist, 74

Whist in the London Clubs. Gradual improvements, . , 74

The " Little Whist School " formed at Cambridge and

continued in London, 75

Their earnest, scientific, and practical study of the

game, 75

The " Portland " Club. James Clay, 75

Accidental inducement to the publication of some of the results of the studies of the Little School, by

one of their members, yy

" Cavendish " on Whist, 78

" Treatise on Short Whist " by James Clay, . ... 78 Great importance of the improvements described in these two works, as the result of years of earnest

study, by powerful minds, 79

Further step in the Evolution made by the consolidation of these improvements into a general System, 80

The main feature of this being the combination of the

hands of the two partners, 80

" The Theory of W 7 hist," 80

Attention revived to the calculation of Probabilities, as an important element in the structure of the improved Game, Si

CONTENTS XVll

PAGE

Embodiment of this in " The Philosophy of Whist," . Si The principle of the combination of the hands not

new, having been treated of previously, .... 82

In France by the General Baron de Vautre, .... 82 And in Austria by the Ritter Ludwig von Coeckel-

bergle-Diitzele, 83

Notices of these two works, 83

Reasons why the idea did not spread, 86

Whist in high literature : Frasers Magazine and the

Quarterly Review, 8j

Amendment and consolidation of the Laws of Whist,

under the direction of Mr. J. L. Baldwin, . . . 87

The American Laws, 89

Chapter VI. The Philosophical Game

This is based on the Game of Hoyle, but has the advantage of systematic consolidation and reduction to Philosophical principles, 90

Fundamental Principles, and General View of their Application.

Its great feature consists in the more perfect cultivation of the relations between the two partners, . 91

This was brought about by the London Club players

and the Little Whist School, 92

With a view to its application each partner must adopt

the same general treatment of his hand, ... 92

The long-suit system, 92

Management of trumps. Leading them. Ruffing and forcing, 93

Play of plain suits, 95

XV111 CONTENTS

PAGE

The consideration of Probabilities. Their calculation ; its necessity and utility. Early attention to this subject by Hoyle and Matthews. More efficient

modern cultivation, 95

The first plain suit lead. Which suit and which card, 97 Duty of your partner. Return of your suit, .... 99

Play of second and third hands, 100

The discard, 100

Communication between the Partners.

Great importance of this subject, 100

Ethical principles ; " Paley's Moral Philosophy," . .101 Great improvements effected in this stage of the Evolution, 102

The chief source of information is by inferences from the cards played, as determined by the established rules of expediency adopted in playing them, . .103

Examples, 103

Inferences from the play of useless or indifferent cards.

Caution required in playing them, 104

The play of Sequences. Its great importance from their frequent recurrence. Their imperfect treatment in former times. Hoyle, Payne, and Matthews, . .105 Establishment, in this form of game, of more perfect

rules. " Caelebs " and " Cavendish," . . . .106

Return of the partner's lead, 108

Erratic play, 108

The Philosophical Game in its Educational Aspects.

Facility with which it lends itself to instruction, . .109 Difficulties of teaching and learning the simple Hoyle

game, no

Contrast with the Philosophical Game, on account of

its svstematic form, in

CONTENTS XIX

PAGE

Enormous increase in the cultivation of Whist since

the Philosophical form has been established, . . 1 1 1

Plan of teaching : postponing complicated details and beginning with the most simple elementary rules. Example, 112

Further progress then becomes easy, 114

Chapter VII

Modern Signalling. The Germ.

Although the Philosophical Game may be considered generally as the most perfect Structural form of Whist, the principle of Evolution has still been at work on the minor details, 117

And the changes consequent thereon have attracted

much attention, particularly in America, . . .117

They have had reference chiefly to the further improvement of the Communications between the Partners, 118

And although they have only lately assumed great prominence, the Germ of them has existed for many years, 118

During the Evolution of the Philosophical Game, there was introduced a contrivance called the " Signal for Trumps," 119

Description of it by Clay, and history of its introduction, 119

Its mention by Calebs, 120

Its original name of the " Blue Peter," alluding to its

new character as a Signal, 121

XX CONTENTS

PAGE

It gave rise to some objections and to much discussion. But it has now been almost universally accepted and has become an integral part of the English Modern Game, 122

But as bearing on the Evolution of Whist it is desirable to examine its theoretical nature more closely, 123

Explanations by Clay and " Cavendish," 124

It is made clear by them that the signal consists in a novel and conventional extension of an old and natural mode of play to new circumstances, . .126

And this small element of novelty has served as a germ, from the development of which the latter-day stage of progress has largely sprung, . . .127

The Signal for Trumps is perfectly fair, involving only a slight extension of the ethical conditions, which is universally agreed to, 128

And, although some players in an early period thought it a disadvantage, it has many features which appear advantageous in the large extension of the game now prevailing, 129

Chapter VIII. Developments

The first important modern " Whist Development " was the " Penultimate " lead from a suit of five cards, 132

History of its introduction, 132

Its origin in the protective play of intermediate sequences ; and its extension to five cards generally 132

This was followed by a proposal from General Drayson to lead the antepenultimate from six cards, . 133

CONTEXTS XXI

PAGE

The next step in the progress came from America, . 133 Previous spread of Whist in the United States, . . .134 Mr. Nicholas Browse Trist of New Orleans. His communications to the Field and with " Cavendish " on Whist matters, 135

His proposal to number the card led from the top of the hand, instead of from the bottom ; so leading the "fourth best " in all cases where a small card

is required, .' 135

The real import of this apparently only nominal change, 1 36 This lead given the name of the " American Lead," . 137 Further developments suggested by Mr. Trist, . . . 1 37 By taking advantage of possible variations in the lead

of " indifferent cards," 137

Such variations were already in use for trick-making purposes in certain cases, and it was proposed to extend the plan to other cases for the purpose of

giving information, 138

Reasonings in this sense — Consultations with " Cavendish," and final establishment of the complete system of " American Leads," 138

Publication of Cavendish's work on " Whist Developments," ' 139

The three maxims of American Leads, 140

Further developments by the same author, . . . .140 The Echo of the Trump Call ; and the Sn b-ec ho, . .141 Arrangements for " unblocking," to allow of the free

14 bringing in " of a long suit, 141

Revisions and alterations of the old formulas for leading high cards, for the purpose of communicating information. Suits headed by honours in sequence, etc., etc., 143

Consequent large increase of the conventional rules

for leads, 143

XX11 CONTENTS

TAGE

General aspects of Cavendish's work on these developments, 144

His views in regard to the " Conversation of the

Influence of these developments on the general details of Whist play, 148

The results arrived at are not yet final, for the progress of Evolution is still going on, 149

Chapter IX. Whist in America

The improvements referred to in this stage of Evolution have been received with remarkable earnestness and enthusiasm in the United States of America, where indeed they have modelled the standard form of game, 150

Whist Customs, Scoring, etc.

Forms of scoring differ from those in England, . .151 Honours are not usually counted at all ; the score is

made by tricks only, 153

Practice in social Clubs, single games of 5 points, . .153 Practice in Whist Clubs, games of 7 points. Straight

Whist, 154

In the Whist Club it is not usual to play for money stakes, the play being for the love of the game alone, 154

Duplicate Whist.

This is the most usual form of game in Whist matches,

trials of skill, etc., 155

It is a revival, with extensions and improvements, of a plan originated by the Little Whist School, in

CONTENTS XX111

PAGE

which the comparative skill of the players may be tested, by systematic duplication of the play,

with reversals of the hands, 155

Description of the various modifications of the system, 157 Opinion of " Cavendish" on the American forms of

play, 160

The American Whist League.

Proposal for a Whist Tournament in 1890, which led

to the formation of the body having this name, . 161

Constitution and duties of the League, 161

Establishment of a revised Code of Laws, .... 162

Annual Congresses, 163

Arrangements for Whist Matches and Tournaments.

The " Hamilton Whist Trophy," 165

Professional Teaching of Whist.

Revival of this, which had been neglected since the

days of Hoyle, 166

The principal teachers are ladies : Miss Kate Wheel-

ock, Mrs. Jenks, and many others, 167

Good lady Whist-players abound in the United States,

and hold their place in the public matches, . .167

American Whist Literature.

Establishment of a monthly journal called " Whist," as the official organ of the Whist League, and as a periodical exclusively devoted to the interests of

the Game, 168

Its success, usefulness, and popularity, 169

Publication of works on Whist, chiefly devoted to the explanation of the latest improvements in the game, 169 xxiv CONTENTS

PAGE

Foster's " Whist Manual " and " Self-playing Cards ; ■"

44 Duplicate Whist and Whist Strategy," . . .169 Fisher Ames, 44 Practical Guide to Whist," .... 169

C. E. Coffin, " The Gist of Whist," 170

C. D. P. Hamilton, " Modern Scientific Whist," a very elaborate work, profusely illustrated with diagrams, etc. Extracts therefrom, 172

Popularity of Whist in America.

Evidences of this are abundant, showing not only the wide extent of Whist play, but the earnestness and enthusiasm manifested about it, and the general prevalence of high skill in the players, . . .171

Difficulties and Disputes.

But the American experience with the Latter-Day

Whist has not been altogether smooth, . . . .175

Difficulties and disputes have arisen as to the extended use of signals of an arbitrary character between the partners, 176

There has been a tendency to increase the number of such signals, with less consideration and caution than have been bestowed on them by the accepted authorities, 176

And, what is more serious, a right has been asserted, in contriving new signals, to keep them secret between the partners, and concealed from the table generally, 177

This subject was brought before the public in a letter to the " Whist" Journal in July, 1891, and gave rise to long discussions therein, which extended to May, 1894, and in which many eminent Whist authorities and Whist players both in America and in England joined, 177

COxVTENTS XXV

PAGE

Extracts from this correspondence, showing the nature of the most important opinions brought forward, 1 80

Remarks on the dispute and on the question generally, 184

The ethical view of the proposals made, 185

The probable effect they would have on the game, . 192 Doubts as to the advisability of an indefinite and indiscriminate multiplication of arbitrary signals, . 193 Discrimination between the different kinds of signals

used, 193

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

Restatement of the general views as to the Evolution of Whist, and as to the nature of its different stages, 199

Permanence of the different kinds of game, .... 200

The Primitive Game — Reasons why it will always

find votaries and players, 200

But it is not to be recommended for earnest study, . 201

The Hoyle Game— Reasons which make this form of game acceptable to many able players, to the exclusion of other forms, 201

But as this game is really embodied in the following stage, which is so much more teachable, it ought not to be chosen for the commencement of Whist study, 203

The Philosophical Game, — This is the form of game to which the attention of students should be most prominently directed, 204

Study of principles first, and then of published examples, introductory to your own practice, which will enable you in time to pass for a sound player, 205

XXVI CONTENTS

PAGE

Beyond this will come the exercise of your own personal skill and mental powers, manifested in observation, inference, memory, promptness of action, soundness in judgment, and possibly brilliancy of invention, by which you may become 2ifi?ie player, 206

Errors are unavoidable ; classification and judgment

of them, 210

When high skill cannot be commanded, a good knowledge of systematic principles may always be attained, and will always be useful, 211

The Latter-Day I?nfirovements — Although this latest and most elaborate phase of Whist Evolution has been taken up so enthusiastically in America, it has not yet become fully popular in England, .212

But there is abundant evidence that its development has been watched with much interest and with some favour, many of its earlier elements having passed into common use, 213

Speculative reasons for the hesitation ; the national

conservative feeling, 213

The difficulty of acquirement of the elaborate new

rules, 214

The way in which the increased preponderance of skill

may affect the present system of money stakes, . 214

The deterrent effect of the difficulties that have lately

arisen in America ; and so on, 215

Suggestions for the more general cultivation of the new introductions, 215

CONTENTS XXV11

APENDICES.

A.

Some Model Whist Hands of Early Date,

PAGE

1743. From the " Humours of Whist," containing

a coup, by Hoyle, 219

1755. From " The Connoisseur," 224

1 79 1. From "Whist," an Epic Poem in twelve Cantos, 229

-

B.

Constitution of the American Whist League, . . .226

C.

The America7i Laws of Whist, 246

D.

1. Description of the Match for the Hamilton Whist

Trophy ; by Duplicate Whist, 257

2. Personal Match, by Duplicate Whist, between nine

ladies and nine gentlemen, 263

INTRODUCTION

" It has been found hard," said Dr. Johnson, " to describe man by an adequate definition. " The term " reasoning animal," is objected to because so many of his race do not reason, while so many of his " poor earthborn companions " do. In default of more refined psychological distinctions, reference has been made to certain habits which appear to have spontaneously developed themselves in his nature. Thus he has been called a cooking animal ; a laughing animal ; a clothes-wearing animal ; a tool-making animal ; and, more recently, a gambling animal.

There is nothing very striking in these definitions, and many more might be discovered with a little ingenuity ; but it is remarkable how man has contrived to impress upon all such innate habits the stamp of his high intellectual powers. Cooking, for example, has been exalted by the " Physiologie du Gout " and " The Original " into an aesthetic study ; merriment and wisdom are proverbially connected ; the " Sartor Resartus " will illustrate the philosophy of clothes; the powers of intellect devoted to tools during the last century have revolutionized the world ; and in regard to the last and least promising of our list, even the gambling propensity has been elevated by the invention and general adoption of games combining chance and skill, in which the excitement of hazard is tempered by the more wholesome interest of the intellectual exercise. Such games have varied much from time to time, and, as civilization has advanced, have gradually improved in character and attractiveness, till they have culminated in the noble game of Whist, which, as now practised, after nearly three centuries of elaboration, stands unrivalled at the head of all in-door recreations.

It has now become a favourite amusement in all ranks of society, and especially with persons of great intelligence and ability. It is differentiated from all other card games by the demands it makes on the intellectual powers, and the opportunity it gives for high mental skill ; indeed a great man once said that in choosing a Prime Minister, his Whist playing would offer a sufficient test of his competency. But Whist is not exclusively a study for great minds ;

INTRODUCTION 3

it is so catholic in its nature that ordinary intellects can find pleasure in its practice. In social circles it is becoming constantly better known, and its value better appreciated, although the general style of play is not always so intellectual as it might be.

Whist is both a Science and an Art. It is a Science, because its foundations are laid on truly scientific principles ; on the mathematical laws of probabilities, and on strictly scientific reasoning directing their application. It is an Art, because it requires education, practice, judgment, and skill, in the actual conduct of the play. In this, as in many other intellectual pursuits, it is only by a combination of the two that eminence can be obtained. Hence, both must be learned : the science, to enable the student to understand the principles on which he has to proceed ; and the art, to direct him how to carry these principles into effect to the best advantage.

The most astonishing feature of Whist is the immense variety that may arise out of a very simple elementary structure. It is really one of the simplest card games known, consisting merely in " making tricks " according to certain conditions which a child may learn in a few minutes. And yet how to do this in the most advantageous way is a problem that has occupied the most powerful minds for centuries. And it is not only that the mode of procedure is subject to almost infinite variations of individual volition, but there have been, from time to time, while still adhering to the same elementary skeleton of game, remarkable varieties, not only in the details but in the general forms. Different modes of procedure have been laid down, and different sets of rules have been recommended for the guidance of players, all varying so much as to constitute what may be described as different phases of the game, each having peculiarities of its own, worthy of attention and stud}\

This great variety of complex structures, built on one underlying skeleton, cannot fail to remind us of similar productions in the world of nature, where we may often find some great general fundamental feature, such, for example, as the vertebrate principle, extending through a multitude of animate forms all largely differing from each other. And when this idea is once entertained it suggests further analogies. Cannot we also see, in the history of Whist, traces of that wonderful element, Evolution, which modern discoverers have proved to be the

INTRODUCTION 5

great source of progressive change in all organic nature?

We certainly can, for it is impossible to study carefully the history of the game without perceiving that its varieties have, for the most part, not been arbitrary changes. They have clearly, in conformity with this universal law, resulted from a gradual progress, or development, in the intellectual character of the game, and in the complexity of its varying forms. In the earliest stage it was a very simple matter, easily understood and easily practised ; then, as its capabilities began to be discovered, more advanced varieties came in, and these became more and more complex, adapted to more and more intellectual skill, until at last they have culminated in the present elaborate development, which is one of the most striking features of the time, if only on account of the enthusiasm with which it is cultivated by the highest class of players.

Now this view of the gradual development of Whist, from its earliest inception to its present elaborate form, deserves more careful attention than it has yet received. Its true interest consists, not merely in lists of dry facts and dates, but rather in the consideration of the nature and import of the changes that have taken place ; and this point has received but little study or description. The reason for this neglect is the general assumption that any advance or improvement justifies the oblivion of what has gone before. Any proficient who has made himself master of an improved style of game is accustomed to despise as useless and uninteresting the earlier forms. Charles Lamb, for example, playing the Hoyle game of Mrs. Battle, characterized the more primitive practice as " sick Whist," and a little later we find the " modern scientific " experts despising the antiquated game of Charles Lamb. And such has been the progress of Whist Evolution in the last two decades that a member of the present American League would look down even on the fine playing of Deschapelles or Clay.