THE GAME OF BRIDGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11, 11 September 1912, Page 12

THE GAME OF BRIDGE.

THE C ALL FOR TRI MPS. It does not seem sound to maintatft that, because at Bridge a player has the privilege of doubling, therefore it is unnecessary to afford him any facilities for calling for trumps. The privilege of doubling has to be exercised before any card has been seen; besides which, one may not care to double the value of the suit declared. Then, again, when one doubles, one may be redoubled, which may be the last thing one wishes to happen. Lastly, ohe very often holds a hand which though it is not strong enough to double wit It. may possibly, after the lead, and after one has seen the exposed hand, achieve excellent results if a trump were led. Therefore, so long as players arc supplied with a means of calling for trumps, which does not clash with the call for a ruff, it must be an improvement. Advanced players in Sydney and Molbourne arp always glad to welcome any developments that may tend to add to the charm of an intellectual game, provided that these strengthen their general grasp; and the more conventions that can lie introduced, with a view to assisting the Bridge player in some measure to equalise the advantages possessed by the dealer, cannot but succeed in meeting with approval. This being undisputed, a system bus been devised, and given a. fair trial.

which enables a player to call for trumps in positions where such a course appears desirable.

A number of players in London, Sydney, and Melbourne have adopted this plan (which, without interfering with the primary signification of the call, permits of an extension of it) for communicating to one’s partner the information that a trump lead is deemed desirable. This plan has already passed out of the experimental stage, and is recommended whenever the occasion for its use may arise. There are three ways in which a player may call for trumps: — (1) By playing to the first and se ond rounds of a suit led by one’s partner higher cards than on the third. (2) By playing a higher card to the first round, and a lower to the second, of a suit led by the dealer's side. (3) By discarding a higher, and then a lower card, to two winning cards led by one’s partner, when unable to follow suit. The working of these methods can best be illustrated by an example, as given by “Hellespont” in “Bridge”: —

A deals and leaves it; I? declares spades; Y leads the king and queen of diamonds; Z plays the six and seven. Y next leads the king of hearts. Z plays the four, A wins and leads a small club; Z wins it, and returns the five of hearts. Y wins with the knave, ami continues avith the queen, to which Z plays the three of hearts, and completes his call for trumps. Y leads a trump, and YZ make the remaining tricks. The same result would l>c achieved if Z doulrfed; but his hand is hardly strong enough to double on.