Arguments against some popular errors at whist, with some notes on the game and a glossary of whist terms

Front matter

ARGUMENTS

AGAINST

POPULAR ERRORS

Preface

The history of whist, the theory of whist, the laws of whist, the gist of whist, American leads, all may be easily obtained from the various treatises already existing on the game; and hands suitable to illustrate the principles of the game, and fix them on the memory, are to be found in the text books; notably in "American Whist Illustrated" by G. W. P.; ''The Laws and Principles of Whist" by Cavendish, and ''The Theory of the Modern Scientific Game of Whist" by Pole. It is not, therefore, intended in this book to go fully through such theory, laws, and leads; neither does the author pretend to be producing anything very original (the two, books last above mentioned have been freely borrowed from in compiling this book), but it is hoped that the clearing away of some of the wrongful reasoning, that causes a lot of errors in the game to be "popular," may be helpful to beginners and others and make less popular "Errors at Whist.''

With the sentiments and ahnost in the words of "Cavendish" I wonld ask the whist stndent reader not to expect absohtte :natheniatic proof that given plays are the right ones, bnt to be satisfied by general reasonings, which are confirmed by the accnmnlated experience of practiced players; — that is, be satisfied if the reasons given, or occurring to yon, for the "play" (called "correct'") appi.-ar weighty* in themselves, and none weightier can be given on the other side. And, be satisfied with the assnrance that the method of play recommended herein is for the most part that which, having stood the test of time, is generally adopted.

And this 1 wonld the more strotigly nrge in face of the tact that some American "Eastern"' writers and players have recently been recommending the nse of "the high card game," "the ruffing game," "s/ior/ sin'f (?/>^v////j,o%" and the like; their theory as e.rploited by "Howell" being '"that the original leadet should consider only the possibility of his OiUn haudV' and their excuse, or reason, for hunting up. or inventing, new whist theories being, ''because the long suit game appeared no good at all for its ostensible purpose" — a statement so broad that it is easy to emphatically deny its truth. The italics are mine to emphasize the assurance of some of these "latter-day" writers. I candidly own it is beyond my mental power to conceive — to grasp the idea of — any leader of forces, with another leader of forces on his side, (of perhaps slightly less (?) rank or prowess), and with the use of this other leader's forces (which may be of greater or less strength than those of the original leader, but may be estimated by him), *'co}isiderhi^^ only the possibility of his oivn hand." It seems to me that such a person shonhl not be "a leader!'''

The arrangement of this little book, which, by the way, does not pretend to deal with ever}^ point of whist play, may by some be considered as rather a haphazard introduction to careful whist. Much of it is not written as applying to finished (or even moderate) players; but rather for those who hope to attain nearer to that end, and may as yet, although understanding the game fairly well, through ignorance of reasons and system, be careless. It has therefore been thought best to follow the arrangement pursued. The "Glossary" will be found to contain much information under alphabetical headings; the "Notes," though not exhaustive, are such prominent ones as appeared to the writer likely to be useful, as likewise are the "Hints for Beginners," and "Whist Maxims and Hints," while the "Errors" have been arranged in such sort of a consecutive form that the "Table of Contents" will easily direct anyone to the information they may want contained therein.

With "the "above apology for its appearance and defense of its form, I beg to offer this book for the kindly reception of the Whist Playing Public.

Stringer O. Hii^ton.

Capitola,

Santa Cruz County,

California. 30th November, 1897.