A treatise on whist

Contents

Page

Preface vii

CHAPTER Y.— The Laws.

Section 1. — Of Preliminary Arrangements ... 1 3. — Of Irregularities in the Hands and

the Packs 9

6.— Of Exposed Cards ly

7- — Of Cards played out of turn, and

of the call for them 19

9. — Of Intimations between Partners,

and of their limits 25

10.— Of the General Rules 27

1 1 .—Of the Gallery (or Bystanders) ... 30

A 3 vi CONTENTS.

Page

Appendix 1 .—Of the Revoke (Insolidaire) .. . 32

2. — Of Dumbmy, or three-handed

Whist 34

CHAPTER VI.

The Principles of the Rules of Whist, WITH Remarks, &c.

Section 1 37

2 58

3 86

4 103

5 119

6 139

7 152

8 165

9 197

10 215

11 242

Appendix 1 273

2 276

3 281

Extracts from Chapter 10. — Of the Impasse

(Finessing) 288

13.— Of Short Whist 301 15._0f the Leader 307

Preface

This Volume contains the Rules of the Game of Whist ; it forms but one part of our Treatise on the game, and we publish it separately, in compliance with the earnest request of otir friends, and the wishes of the public. Though wholly uninfluenced by a desire either of fame or of profit, we may yet find a sufficiently powerful motive for action in the ambition of pleasing or being useful to others.

In order that a law be efficacious, it must be aided by two conditions : firstly, it must be understood, and secondly, it must be obeyed. The first of these conditions is attained by those definitions which point out its exact extent and

Viii PREFACE.

limits; and the second, by that reasoning, which, by confuting objections, and by distinctly explaining its principles, ensures the universal application of the law.

The old law of Whist, which united these two conditions in each of its articles, was extremely intricate and perplexed, and was in itself so defective, as to be totally inadequate to supply the wants of society.

We have found it necessary to divide our work into two chapters; one consisting of the rules to be observed, and the other containing our remarks upon the rules. The former of these chapters is the more essential. As it is continually required for reference in cases of dispute, it should be well studied, and almost committed to memory. The latter may be perused more leisurely, as its spirit only is necessary to be retained.

Thus, Chapter V. contains the text ; that is, the essential part, and Chapter VI. the commentaries. These two chapters are, however.

PREFACE. ix

inseparable from each other, and, together, form a complete work.

Chapter V. is the result of twenty years' observation and progressive improvements. Here, we are far from flattering ourselves that we have attained perfection. If we were to abstain from giving our work to the public, till we had made ourselves satisfied on that head, there would be no end to the delay. Something we have accomplished, by having laid down, in compliance with the wishes of amateurs, not an indigested and desultory production, but a rational, and almost complete code of rules ; and by having thus prepared the way for future emendations and improvements.

Chapter VI. is wholly explanatory, and merely a development of all the ideas contained in the former chapter ; it is a long conversation explaining a concise and peremptory law, which, without this illustration, would have frequently been unintelligible. For this latter chapter we claim the indulgence of our readers; it has

X PREFACE.

been hastily written, in order that no delayshould take place in the publication of the former chapter, to which it serves as a key. Here, from the nature of the subject, no elevation of style must be expected ; and, indeed, it has been found exceedingly difficult to avoid tedious repetitions in two hundred pages of commentary, where the thread of our explanations was continually broken by the change of article.

At the end of this Volume are introduced three extracts from the " Science of the Game." These extracts are unconnected with the laws, but they are too short to give offence, and we offer them as a specimen to those who may feel anxious to possess the remaining part of our work.

We shall here conclude our Preface, which serves as an introduction to the first part of our Treatise. We refer those who may wish for further observations, to the preliminary remarks introducing the various sections of Chapter VI.

PREFACE.

xi

We have to offer one more remark for the satisfaction of amateurs, and to prevent any reproach on the subject of the limits within which we have thought proper to confine ourselves.

We have drawn inferences, but have never invented.

Where practices have differed, we have consulted with others for a selection of the best.

To conclude — Proficients in the game are already acquainted with our rules.

ERRATA.

Page 118, line 5, /or Article 133, read Article \S5,

296, — 1, — left hand, right hand.

RULES OF WHIST.

RULES OF WHIST-

CHAPTER V.

SECTION I.

OF PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.

Article 1.

A COMPLETE Whist Table is composed of six persons.

The first four are chosen by lot, (see Article 6,) for the fijst rubber, and the two others take their turn for the succeeding ones.

If the table be not complete, new players take their turn in the order of their arrival ; and afterwards fill up, in their turn, whatever vacancies may occur» —(See Article 13.)

B

PRELIMIXARY AREAXGEMENTS.

If more than six persons present themselves to form a table, the four first players are chosen by lot. — (See Article 70

Every one is entitled to play two rubbers, after which he must quit the table, to make room for those whose turn it is to replace him ; the two players who are to leave at the expiration of the first, or opening rubber, are fixed on by lot.

^lien the rubber is finished, if there are parties waiting to play, a table is compelled to admit two of them, but never three.

The lot is decided by a single pack of cards, each party drawing one.

It may be necessary to draw lots twice, before a table is completely made up.

Firstly, to decide on the six persons of whom it is to be composed, and on the four who are to commence.

And, secondly, to determine the choice of partners. Article 8.

The person who draws the lowest card chooses his place, and the pack to deal with.

When once seated at the table, there can be no

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.

changing seats, nor can there be any change of cards when once cut.

Article 10.

The dealer s partner takes his seat opposite him, the adversaries may take their places as they please, without reference to the cards which they may have respectively drawn.

Article 11.

At the beginning of a rubber, the parties who are to complete it being absent, may take their seats if they arrive before the trump card of the first deal has been turned up.

Article 12.

If they do not arrive in time, (see Article 11,) they must take their turn at the bottom of the list. Article 13.

Persons who are in the habit of playing, are to be considered as inscribed for their turn at the table from the time they approach it.

Article 14.

The four persons composing the first rubber determine the price of the points, and other necessary conventions (according to the practices of the game). Article 15.

After drawing for partners, or in the course of the rubber, a party may withdraw, on paying for himself and his partner all that may have been lost.

PRELIMINARY ARRAKGEMEXTS.

Article 16.

A player compelled to leave the room for a short time, may, with the consent of the other three players, give his hand to another to hold for him.

If he be not returned at the expiration of the rubber, his place is to be taken by the next in order of succession, without favour. — (See Article 12.) Article 17.

A person playing at one table, loses his turn at all the others for which he may be inscribed.

Article 18.

In case a party be inscribed for several tables, he may make his choice in the event of another party desiring admission.

When the time arrives for a table to change, (see Chapter 13,) the parties composing it cannot seat themselves again, unless there are no other applicants to replace them.

Its condition changes immediately, at the will of any member of the society who may put his name down to take his turn. — (See Articles 2 and 13.)

Section II. Of The Deal

Article 20.

The dealer may shuffle the cards or not, at his option.

He must hand them to his right-hand adversary to cut.

Article 21.

In case of an irregular cut, or the dealer omitting to have the cards cut, the adversaries, on proving the fact, may demand a new deal. This right is however lost, if not demanded before the first card has been played.

Article 22.

If the cards are not cleanly cut, the dealer may instantly demand another cut, or a new deal. Article 23.

He has the same right, (Article 22,) if the cut contain less than four cards.

Article 24.

Each player is entitled to shuffle the cards once before they are cut.

THE DEAL.

Article 25.

If the turn-up or trump card is shown, either,

1. in cutting, or,

2. in taking up the cards,

the opposite party has a right to demand a new deal. Article 26.

If the dealer look at the turn-up card before it is turned, or show it before the cards are all dealt, it is a lost deal, and the cards pass to the next hand. Article 27.

If the dealer disarrange the cards, or drop one. the deal is lost.

Article 28.

The cards are to be dealt,

1. From left to right ;

2. Deliberately ;

3. Detached by the centre, and distributed one

at a time.

Article 29.

Each player has the right, before he has shown a card, (see Article 34,) to make observations on the deal. — (See Article 133.)

Article 30.

If (see Article 29,) the bystanders decide that the dealing ought to be more regular, the deal is lost. Article 31.

If the dealer, in distributing the cards,

1. Show more than one card, either through his own fault, or that of hia partner ;

THE DEAL.

2. Give more than two cards wrong ;

3. Touch the hand of one of the players to

count the cards ;

4. Or place the trump card on the other cards

without having turned it up ; the deal is lost.

During the deal, when a card is seen, owing to the fault of one of the players, (see Article 31,) the opposite party may have the card retained, or demand a new deal.

In case of a new deal, the deal is not lost. Article 33.

The partner of the dealer is to collect the cards for the following deal, and place them on his right.

If he neglect this duty before the tum-up card be seen, the deal is lost.

The dealer s adversary, who, during the time of his dealing, shall touch the cards dealt him, or the pack intended for the following deal, loses for himself, and causes his partner to lose the rights conferred by Articles 29 and 32.

Before the hand is commenced playing, (see Article 129,) should there occur any mixing of the cards ; if any mistake, or irregularity in the number of cards, arise from the fault of the dealer ; the deal is lost.

THE DEAL.

If these mistakes be occasioned by the adverse party, or by any other cause, there must be a new deal.

Article 36.

The fifty-two cards ha^'ing been regularly dealt out ; the last, which is the trump card, must remain turned up before the dealer. — (See Articles 80 and 115.)

Article 37.

If a card be faced in the pack, even if it be the last, there must be a new deal.

Article 38.

Should a player deal out of his turn, if it pass unnoticed until he has turned the trump card, the deal holds good.

Article 39.

No one has a right to change the cards, (except as provided in Article 38,) but each player may, at his own expense, take a fresh pack.

Section III. Of Irregularities In The Hands And The Packs

After the trump card has been turned, and before the lead, (see Article 35,) any irregularity in the hands will be rectified according to the provisions of Article 133.— (See Articles 43, 44, and 48.) Article 41.

If, after the lead, a player find that he has one less than his proper number of cards, and the missing card be found in his adversary's hand, the deal is lost.

Article 42.

If the missing card be found in his partner s hand, the adverse party has a right to claim the provisions of Article 127.

N.B. — This error is corrected by drawing indiscriminately from the upper part of the hand, one card to complete the hand which has one deficient.

B 5

OF lEREGULARITIES

Article 43.

If a hand be found short of its complement, and the missing cards be discovered on the ground or elsewhere, (except as specified in the Articles 41, 42, and 45,) the missing cards shall be placed on the table with the faces upwards. — (See Articles 127, and 131.)

Article 44.

If the missing cards cannot be found, they shall be searched for by some one not engaged in the game ; and, when found, laid on the table, except as provided in Article 45. — (See Article 131.) Article 45.

If the missing cards be found in the tricks which have been played,

It causes a revoke. — (See Article 47.)

Article 46, A hand having too many cards, except in cases specified in Articles 41 and 42, constitutes a revoke. —(See Article 47.)

Article 47.

The revoke (Articles 45 and 46,) is marked at the moment when claimed ; the other circumstances of the deal are annulled. — (See Articles 107, 127? and 131.

Article 48.

If the pack of cards be faulty, the deal in which it is discovered, is null, though the previous ones hold good.— (See Article 49.)

IN THE HANDS.

A pack of cards is faulty, when it contains more or less than fifty-two cards ; or when there is a duplicate card in the pack.

This is a circumstance which should not be passed over by those interested in the game, without strict inquiry.

Section IV. Of The Stakes, And Of The Score

The Riilher^ which is two out of three games, is reckoned at four Jlsh ; the party, who first win two games, gain the rubber.

The game consists of ten points ; when no points are marked by the losing partners, it is treble, and reckons three fish*; double, if one, two, or three points be marked ; and single, when more than four. Article 52.

When six tricks have been made, (le devoir^) each trick afterwards made, counts for one point. Article 53.

If the whole thirteen tricks are won by one side, it is called a slam^ and is equal to a full rubber (ten fish).

There is nothing marked for the game.

* This is called a lurch.

THE STAKES AND THE SCORE.

Article 54.

Four honours count four points ; three honours count two points only.

Article 55.

Tricks count before honours, except as specified in Article 68, and in cases where one party is entitled to the call.

Article 56.

The points gained by one side can only be marked by one of the players.

Article 57.

In the event of two partners marking the game, and their score not agreeing ; when the second trick has been turned, their adversaries, on noticing the error, may insist on which score they choose being retained.

Article 58.

Points neglected to be marked before the second trick has been turned, are lost.

Article 59.

If a player, by mistake, mark more points than he is entitled to, he has the right of correcting the error at any time before the termination of the game. —(See Article 135.)

Section V. Of The Honours

Article 60.

Honours are to be announced audibly ; those marking them, without signifying that they have them, and who do not rectify their error before the second trick is turned, must take them off tlieir score. — (See Article ] 33.)

Article 61.

If a player hold four honours, it must be announced, or rectified within the delay specified in Article 60, on pain of losing two points out of four which should have been marked. — (See Article 133.) Article 62.

Honours cannot count, unless they have been announced or marked before the trump card of the, following deal has been turned up.

Article 63.

Tliey cease to count when a party is in " the icell" that is to say, when at nine, and have only one point to win the game* (Except as provided in Article 68.)

THE HONOURS. 15

Article 64.

At the point of eight, the party who hold more than two honours in their hands, win the game on showing them. — (See Article 66.)

Article 65.

At the point of eight, he who has two honours in his hand, has the privilege of calling ; if his partner reply by showing one honour, the game is won.— (See Article 66.)

Article 66.

If the honours are shown, or called,

1 . At any other point of the game than at

eight ;

2. Or after a card has been played ;

they are not counted, and must be turned up on the table, and considered in the light of exj)osed cards. Article 67.

If a player call without having two honours in his hand, or reply without holding one, the adversaries will have the rights conferred by Article 127.

In case of correction, if cards are shown, they must be turned up on the table as exposed cards. Article 68.

If a player call without having two honours, and if it so happen that three or four honours are in the hands of his adversaries, the latter will become possessed of the rights conferred by Article 127.

And in case they avail themselves of them, all the honours will count before the tricks.

THE HONOURS.

Article 69.

The call must be made so as to be audible to all at the table ; a player endeavouring to call so as to be heard only by his partner, will be liable to the penalties laid down in Article 127.

Article 70.

At the point of eight, when the tnmip card has been once turned up, if a player tell his partner not to forget to call, he is subject to the regulations of Article 127.

Article 71.

When a player calls, and his partner refuses to answer, although he has the power, they cannot gain a slam. Honours take their usual place. — (See Article 55.)

If, when the round has commenced, (see Article 129,) a player discover who holds the honours, and make knowTi his observation, he will be liable to the pro\4sions of Article 127.

Section VI. Of Exposed Cards

Article 73.

Cards seen by your partner, and not played immediately, shall be turned up, and laid on the table. Article 74.

A card intentionally drawn out from the hand to more than half its extent, (see Article 133,) will come within the meaning of Article 73.

Article 75.

When a card is exposed, the adverse party have the right —

1. Of either demanding or refusing its being

played;

2. Or of demanding that the highest or lowest

card in the suit shall be played. — (See Article 76.)

Article 76.

An exposed card may be called for several times, and does not become free until it shall have satisfied either one or the other of the provisions of Article 75. —(See Article 85.)

18 exposed cards.

A player having a card exposed, if it be his turn to play, or to lead off the trick, (see Article 85,) may demand the card to be called for, but should wait until the trick which precedes it be put in its place, and the hand removed from it.

A player having a card exposed, if his right-hand adversary play without calling for the card, is at liberty to play what card he chooses. — (See Article 85.)

Article 79.

If a person play more than one card to a trick, his

adversaries may choose which of them shall remain on the table, (see Article 123,) and can cause the others to be placed as exposed cards.

Article 80.

The tumed-up, or trump card, should be left in view on the table until the first card of the second trick has been played. But if it be not taken up before that trick is finished, it must be considered as an exposed card. — (See Article 115.)

SECTION VIL

OF CARDS PLAYED OUT OF TURN, AND OF THE CALL FOR THEM.

A LEAD made out of turn holds good, when the party, whose proper turn it was to play, has led, or played to, the following trick. — (See Articles ] 19 and 120.)

Article 82.

If the player, whose turn it was to play, (Article 81.) claim his right in time, he will have the choice :

1 . Of approving of the card played ;

2. Of considering it as an exposed card ;

3. Or of calHng for a particular suit, either for

that or the following trick. — (See Article 119.)

Article 83.

A person playing his card out of turn, his partner having already played ; the adverse party may con suit upon taking or leaving it.

CARDS PLAYED OUT OF TURN.

Article 84.

If a person play his card out of his turn, and hefore his partner has played, the adverse party may demand of the latter his highest or lowest card in the suit played ; and, in default, trump or not trump. — (See Articles 85 and 88.)

Article 85.

If a card be played too precipitately before the call ; (see Articles 77, 78, and 84,) the card thus played shall be also considered as an exposed card, and subject to the call. — (See Article 119.)

Article 86.

In case of two parties leading simultaneously, Article 82 is applicable to the player who is in fault; (see Article 119;) if both be wrong, the one fault cancels the other.

Article 87.

A party having a suit called for, which he does not hold in his hand, may play as he chooses ; the fault in this case is atoned for. — (See Article 88.) Article 88.

A player called upon,

1. For his best or worst card, and consequently

trump or not trump ;

2. Or to play a particular suit ; must obey, and

in default, will be considered to have made a revoke. — (See Articles 107 and 109.)

Section VIII. Of The Revoke

Article 89.

A REVOKE is made, when a player, having in hie hand a card of the suit led, does not play it. — (See Article 107.)

Article 90.

The revoke is complete :

1. When the trick in which it has occurred

has been put in its place, and the hand removed from it ;

2. Or when the party who has revoked, having

the lead, has played a card for the next trick.— (See Article 118.) Article 91.

The demand of the partner, made in time, if replied to, annuls the revoke ; only as far as the fact is unperceived by the adverse party.

Article 92.

A player perceiving in time that he has made a revoke, may take up his card, and must play his best

THE REVOKE.

or worst card, at the option of the adverse party ; besides which, the card taken up is to be considered as an exposed card. — (See Articles 75 and 119.) Article 93.

The side which has made a revoke, loses three points for each revoke.

Article 94.

The adverse party profit by the revoke, in one of the three following ways : —

1 . By adding three points to their score ; or

2. By deducting three points from their adver-

saries' score, (or all their points, if they have less than three ;)

3. Or in taking from them three of their tricks.

—(See Article 104.) N.B. — They cannot, however, divide their advantages by, for instance, adding one and a half points to their own score, and deducting one and a half from that of their adversaries.

Article 95.

Those who claim a revoke, are bound to prove that it has occurred. — (See Article 117.)

Article 96.

The revoke is proved, by pointing out the trick in which it has occurred. — (See Article 1170 Article 97.

The revoke may be claimed the moment it is perceived to have been made, but cannot be established and marked for, until the expiration of the deal, except as provided in Article 107.

THE REVOKE.

Article 98.

Those who have made a revoke, on playing to the end of the deal, may gain enough points to save themselves a double or a treble.

Article 99.

Those who might gain by their own score, may take advantage of the revokes of their adversaries, to put back their score, and gain double or treble. Article 100.

Those who can claim several revokes, may make use of some to add to their own score ; and of others to diminish the score of their adversaries, but without dividing them. — (See Note on Article 94.)

Article 101, Should a revoke not have been claimed, (Article 97,) and the four hands are played out, the tricks may be thrown together, and the revoke is cancelled. Article 102.

Before a player loses his right, (Article 101,) by playing his last card, if he suspect a revoke has been made, he may put down his card, and require that the other players should do the same.

Article 103.

If any one (Article 102,) cause a confusion in the last trick, and afterwards be not able to draw his own card, he shall be considered to have revoked. Article 104.

The penalty for one or more revokes, cannot be

THE REVOKE.

inflicted until the deal is quite finished, or at least within one trick of it. — (See Article 94.)

Article 105.

The side making a revoke, can neither count a slam^ nor win the game in the deal in which the revoke is made ; they must remain at nine, " in the well" if they have made points enough to reach it or pass it.

Article 106.

Should revokes be made by both parties, even though the numbers of them be not equal on both sides, there must be a new deal.

Article 107.

In the event of revokes It/ assimilation^ (see Articles 45, 46, 88, and similar,) the provisions of this Section 8, are in all respects applicable, as far they may concern them, unless otherwise specially provided for.

Article 108.

At the end of the deal, a revoke cannot be claimed.— (See Articles 127 and 131.)

Section IX. Of Intimations Between Part- Ners, And Of Their Limits

Article 109.

The right of asking questions rests entirely with your partner, and may be used for avoiding or alleviating error.

Article 110.

" What are trumps ?" " Draw your card." " Can you not follow suit ?" " I think there is a revoke/* The above remarks, or those analagous, are the only ones allowed to be used, and they only by the person whose turn it is to play.

Article 111.

During the continuance of the deal, nothing beyond what is allowed by the rules of the game should be said or done, which may be detrimental to the interests of the adverse party. — (See Article 116.) Article 112.

A winning card can only be played as any other card. — (See Article 116.)

c

26 INTIMATIONS BETWEEN PARTNERS.

Article 113.

No player may draw his card for his partner, unless he require it. — (See Articles 110 and 116.) Article 114.

No player is allowed to look at the tricks taken up, except the last. — (See Article 116.)

Article 115.

After the second trick is turned, and the trump, or turn-up card has been taken up, it cannot be named or shown, — (See Articles 80 and 116.)

Article 116.

In case of any violation of the Articles 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115, the adverse party has the right of demanding a new deal.

Section X. Of The General Rules

Article 11 7.

In taking up the tricks, it is essentially necessary that they should be placed in distinct order, under pain of being condemned in case of dispute.

Article 118.

A player wholly detaching a card from his hand in order to play it, or intentionally throwing down his hand, is considered to have played. — (See Articles 74, 90, and 124.)

In case of cards being played precipitately^ or unintentionally ; —

From the party in fault, those which shall not be played for the trick shall be considered as exposed cards (see Article 82) ; if otherwise, they shall remain at the disposition of the party to whom they belong.

Article 120.

If one side take up a trick belonging to the adverse

GENERAL RULES.

party, the right of recovery holds good until the end of the deal.--(See Articles 81, 130, and 135.) Article 121.

A player who is able from the cards in his hand to make the rest of the tricks, may throw down his hand.— (See Article 124.)

Article 122.

Should a player, say " I can win the rest " I liave won the game f or make signs to that effect, his hand shall be thrown do^\'n. — (See Article 124.) Article 123.