=_ When we come to handle large numbers, the changes of position become too complicated, and the simplest plan is to arrange them at as many tables as they will fill, and to place on each table an equal number of trays. At the Knickerbocker Whist Club, New York, which is still famous for its compass games, they play a minimum of 24 trays, or get as near that number as possible. If there are 14 tables, they play two deals at each. If there are only 10 tables, they play 30 trays. All the N & S players sit still, and at the end of each round, two or three deals as the case may be, all the E & W players move up one table, 2 going to 1, 3 to 2, etc. Each pair keeps its own score card, on which is put down the number of the tray, the number of the pair played against, which is always the number of the table at which they started; one of the pairs remaining there being No. 3 N & S, the other moving away, being No. 3 E & W. Each pair adds up its score card at the end, and puts down the total number of tricks they have won. The names of the players having been previously written on the blackboard, their scores are put down opposite their names, each side, N & S and E & W, is then added up in order to find the average, and all scores above average are plus, while all below average are minus.
The following games may be abandoned as _=drawn=_:-- King and Bishop against a King. King and Knight against a King. King and two Knights against a King. King and Queen against two Rooks. King and Queen against King and two Bishops. King and Rook against King, Rook and Pawn. King and Rook against King and Bishop. King and Rook against King and Knight. King and Rook against King, Rook and Bishop. The following games can be _=won=_:-- King and Queen, or King and Rook, against a King.
), M. Dreyfous, Edit. Académie des Jeux, (Fr.), by Van Tenac. Académie des Jeux, (Fr.), by Richard. Short Whist, by Major A. (Écarté Laws in appendix.) POOL ÉCARTÉ. Pool Écarté is played by three persons, each of whom contributes an agreed sum, which is called a _=stake=_, to form a pool.
_=THE DECLARER’S PLAY.=_ The chief difference between the play of the Dummy and partner, and that of their adversaries, is that there is no occasion for the former to play on the probability of partner’s holding certain cards, because a glance will show whether he holds them or not. There is no hoping that he may have certain cards of re-entry, or strength in trumps, or that he will be able to stop an adverse suit, or anything of that sort, for the facts are exposed from the first. Instead of adapting his play to the slowly ascertained conditions of partner’s hand, the declarer should have it mapped out and determined upon before he plays a card. He may see two courses open to him; to draw the trumps and make a long suit, or to secure such discards as will give him a good cross-ruff. A rapid estimate of the probable results of each line of play, a glance at the score, and his mind should be made up. Several examples of this foresight will be found in the example hands. Another point of difference is, that the declarer should play false cards whenever possible. He has not a partner who, if he plays the King, might jump to the conclusion that he can trump a suit, or has not the Queen. The more thoroughly the adversaries are confused, the greater the advantage to the declarer, especially in the end game.
In Calabrasella the 3 and 2 are honours, and in Impérial the lowest card is an honour. Horse and Horse, each player having one game to his credit when they are playing best two out of three. Hustling, inveigling persons into skin games. Impair, the odd numbers at Roulette. Impasse, F., to finesse. Imperfect Fourchette, two cards, one immediately above the one led, and the other one remove below it; such as K 10 second hand on a Q led. Imperfect Pack, one in which there are duplicate cards, missing cards, or cards so marked that they can be identified by the backs. Indifferent Cards, cards of the same value, so far as trick taking is concerned, such as Q and J. Inside Straights, sequences which are broken in the middle.
=_ When taking, if either player removes one of his own pieces, _=he=_ cannot replace it; but his _=opponent=_ can either play or insist on the man being replaced. _=19.=_ A Draw is when neither of the players can force a Win. When one of the sides appears stronger than the other, the stronger is required to complete the Win, or to show a decided advantage over his opponent within forty of his own moves--to be counted from the point at which _=notice=_ was given,--failing which, the game must be abandoned at Drawn. _=20.=_ Anything which may annoy or distract the attention of the player is strictly forbidden; such as making signs or sounds, pointing or hovering over the board, unnecessarily delaying to move a piece touched, or smoking. Any _=principal=_ so acting, after having been warned of the consequence and requested to desist, shall forfeit the game. _=21.=_ While a game is pending, neither player is permitted to leave the room without giving a sufficient reason, or receiving the other’s consent or company. _=22.
=_ _=Y=_ plays King second hand, hoping it will be taken by the Ace, so that he may become third or fourth player, and perhaps save his Ten. _=B=_, with the minor tenace in trumps, plays to avoid the lead as long as possible. _=Trick 2.=_ _=Y=_ gets rid of another winning card; _=B=_ keeping a small card to avoid the lead. _=Trick 3.=_ _=A=_ returns the Club, reading _=B=_ for the Q or no more. _=B=_ still avoids the lead, and _=Z=_ is marked as not having the trump Ten, or he would have saved it. _=Trick 4.=_ _=Z=_ plays to win what cards he can. _=Trick 5.