RULES FOR PLAYING WHIST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1935, 7 May 1880, Page 3

RULES FOR PLAYING WHIST.

In an article on " Whist as a Business," in " London Society " the following clever verses appear : Thk Game of Whist. If you the modern game of whiat would know, From this great principle its precepts flow : Treat your own hand as to your partner's joined, And play not one alone, but both combined. Tour first lead makes your partner understand What is the chief component of your hand ; And hence there is necessity the strongest That jonrjirst lead be from your suit that's longest.

In this with ace and king, lead king, then ace; With king and queen, king also has first place; With ace, queen, knave, lead ace, and then the queen ; With ace, four small ones, ace should first be seen ; With queen, knave, tea, you let the queen precede; In otner cases you the lowest lead.

Ere yon return'yonr friend's, your own suit play; But trumps you must return without delay. When you return your partner's lead, take pains To lead him back the best your hand contains, If your receive not more than, three at first; If you had more, you may return the worst

But if you hold the master card, you're bound In most cases to play it second, round.

Whene'er you want a l«ad, 'tis seldom wrong To lead up to the weak, or through the strong. If second hand, your loivest should be played, Unless you mean "trump Eignal" to be made ; Or if you've king and queen, or ace and king. Then one of these will be the proper thing. Mind well the rules for trumps, you'll often need them : When you hold five, 'tis always right to lead them ; Or if the lead won't come in time to you, Then signal to your partner so to do.

Watch also for your partner's trump request, To which, wit7i, less than four, play out your best.

To lead through honours turned up is bad play, Unless you want the trump suit cleared away.

When, second band, a doubtful risk you Bee, Don't trump it, if yoa hold more trumps than three, But having three or less, trump fearlessly When weak in trumps yourself, don't force your friend, But always force the adverse strong trump hand.

For sequences, stern custom has decreed The lowest you must play, if you don't lead.

When you discard, weak suit you ought to choose, For strong ones are too valuable to lose,'