ETIQUETTE OF WHIST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4438, 10 June 1875, Page 3

ETIQUETTE OF WHIST.

Catting: In cutting, whether for partners or deal, or in cutting out, it is generally allowed to draw a card instead of cutting. If you draw, do not take the top or bottom card (I often see it done). For this reason : the bottom card may have been seen, the top card may have a mark on it. It is better not to take, even innocently, a card which might possibly be known. In cutting to the dealer, the cut should be cleanly and quickly made, without pressing on the pack, or dwelling on it. Formation of tables: A fresh candidate has a right to cut into a fresh table before players who have already played at another table. Therefore, if you have played at one table, and four fresh candidates form a second table, do not offer to cut in at it, as selfish players often do. At a club there would be no hesitation in telling the old player that he had no right of entry ; but in private these forms are not so rigidly enforced ; hence the more reason for abstaining from pushing yourself in. Shuffling: Do not shuffle the dormant pack during the play of the hand. There is a rule against it, and it is unpleasant to players, who are paying more attention to the game than you. The dealer after shuffling presents the pack to be cut. When cutting it, cut towards the dealer,i.e.,place the portion lifted nearer the dealer than the portion left on the table. This is only common courtesy, but I have often seen the pack cut otherwise. After shuffling, be sure to place the pack to the left of the player who has to deal next—another act of courtesy, often neglected. Some players, before commencing a fresh rubber, ask their adversaries if they wish to shuffle. There is no objection to this, but it is rather an affectation of extreme civility. Dealing: The dealer must not count the cards dealt, or those remaining in hand, to ascertain if he has misdealt. If he does, it is ipso facto a misdeal. Substitutes: A player may not shuffle, cut, or deal for his partner without the card, nor who dealt. If you demand any of these privileges, it should be for your own information only, and not to invite the attention of your partner. You must not tell your partner, unless he asksyou, which your card is, nor whose trick it is, nor draw the trick towards you before he has played. If you do, the adversaries can call on him to win or not to win the trick. Revoking: The adversaries have a ri"ht, at the end of the hand, to examine all the tricks ; therefore, if a revoke is claimed, do not mix the tricks. If you do, you incur the revoke penalty. It is not fair to revoke on purpose. Having revoked once, you are not justified in making a second revoke in order to conceal the first. Exposed cards: If you accidentally expose a card, do not retake it into your hand, but leave it (as you are bound in law to do) face upwards on the table to be called. Reasonable time: If you incur a penalty, you are bound to allow a reasonable time for its exaction. If the adversaries have the choice of two penalties, do not offer to play until they have decided which they will exact. Disputes : If a dispute arises, agree to refer it to the best judge (disinterested) in the room, and at once submit to his decision without grumbling, even if you think it is wrong. Playing: Do not play any card with emphasis, espeecially not a winning card Give no intimations by word or gesture as to the state of your hand or of the game. This is especially important, as there iSj.no penalty for intimations, however gross. Having the lead and several winning cards to play, do not draw out a second card before your partner has played to the first. Scoring: Score to your right hand. Keep tho counters not in use to your left hand. Talking: Never talk while the hand is in progress. Never lecture (or " blow up") your partner. _ Throwing down the cards is a bad practico indulged in by impatient players. Aproposal to abandon the game, or a statement that you can win it, not accompanied by throwing down the cards, is not punishable; it is an intimation, and against intimations, as before stated, there is no penalty. But it is irregular, and should be avoided. Clean cards: Give your friends clean cards to play with, and provide large counters to score with. Cards are cheap enough, and for the sake of saving a shilling do not compel people to play with dirty packs. Bystanders

should make no remarks, nor in any way attract the attention of the players, nor intimate the state of the game. I often hear outsiders ask what trumps are; this is most improper. Bystanders - should not walk round the table to look at the different hands, nor look over the hand of a person against whom they are betting. Before looking over the hand of a stranger ask him if he has any objection.—" Cavendish," in the Queen.