Rnnk .6sg GofpghtN? COPVTRIGKT DEPOSn^ OTHER BOOKS BY WALTER CAMP AUCTION BRIDGE DONTS NET 50 CENTS "It is Auction Bridge in a nutshell, and will appeal to any player." — San Francisco Chronicle. " Mr. Camp is an unquestioned authority, and this little book is planned to meet the requirements of the busy man." — Baltimore American. BRIDGE DONTS NET 50 CENTS A condensation of the salient features of Bridge arranged for ready reference by the practical player. AUCTION UP-TO-DATE INCLUDING NULLOS SYSTEMS FOR THE PRACTICAL PLAYER BYd-o^^^^*^ View l^orft THE PLATT & PECK CO. •Cas Copyright, 19 13, by THE PLATT & PECK COMPANY DEC 27 1913 ^a3i.A361329 To M. C. S. A Good NuUo Partner PREFACE Since the publication of " Bridge Don'ts " and " Auction Bridge Don'ts " so many requests have been received for a similar condensation of the best methods of up-to-date bid- ding and playing of Auction hands that the publication of this volume has naturally followed. In it will be found a larger range of the most im- proved systems, including Nullo bids, in, however, a form that enables the reader to acquire at a glance the salient points. CONTENTS PAGE General Brief Synopsis 9 Preliminary Cautions 15 Nullos 19 Standard Declarations Dealer's Declarations 32 Second Hand Declarations 39 Third Hand Declarations 44 Fourth Hand Declarations. 48 Advantageous Score Points 51 Doubling 53 Leads 56 Play and Finesse 60 Other Methods of Declaration Transfer Bids 63 One Trick Bid 67 Black Suits Stopped 69 Two Suits Stopped 69 General Cautions and Suggestions 70 Rules and Penalties 75 Glossary 81 Table of Penalties 86 Table of Honors and Trick Values 89 GENERAL BRIEF SYNOPSIS The general rules of Bridge gov- ern. The dealer has first declaration. He declares the number he guaran- tees to win in odd tricks, that is tricks over his book of six, naming his trump or no trump. In nullos he de- clares the number of odd tricks he will force his opponents to take. The other three hands, passing to the left, are privileged to over bid. *The bids count according to their value : * For honor counts see table at end of book. 10 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE No Trumps 10 Nullos 10 Royal Spades or Lilies 9 Hearts 8 Diamonds 7 Clubs 6 Spades 2 A bid of a lower suit totaling in value the same as the higher suit has the preference ; that is, 4 spades will beat 1 heart; 4 clubs will beat 3 hearts. A bid of nullos is beaten by an equal value call in any other suit or no trumps. If the player other than the dealer does not care to make a higher dec- laration he passes. A player may over bid his opponent's declaration and may also over bid his partner's dec- laration, but he cannot over bid his GENERAL BRIEF SYNOPSIS 11 own declaration which has been passed by the three other players. When the last declaration has been passed by the three other players the player who has first made such dec- laration shall play the combined hands of himself and partner, the latter becoming dummy. When the declarer wins at least as many odd tricks as he promises, or in nullos when he has forced his adversaries to take as many odd tricks as his bid called for, he scores the full value of these tricks and for any in excess. When he fails, his ad- versaries score in the honor column 50 points for each trick short of the declared number; if the declaration has been doubled or redoubled 100 12 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE or 200 respectively for each trick. In case of failure to take the re- quired number of tricks, or in nuUos to force the adversaries to take the required number, neither the de- clarer nor his opponents score any- thing below the line. The loss on the declaration of 1 spade, however, is limited to 100 points whether doubled or not, but if redoubled there is no limit. If a player declares out of turn either adversary may demand a new deal or allow the declaration to stand. If a player declares an in- sufficient number of tricks to over bid he is considered to have declared the requisite number of tricks pro- vided either adversary calls atten- tion to the insufficiency. GENERAL BRIEF SYNOPSIS 13 Any declaration may be doubled once but no more; nor can a player double his partner's declaration nor redouble his partner's double. He may, however, redouble a declara- tion of his partner which has been doubled by an adversary. Doubling or redoubling reopens the bidding. When a declaration has been doubled, if the declarer makes good he scores a bonus of 50 points for taking the number of tricks declared, or in nullos for forcing his adversary to take the tricks, and SO points for each additional trick he may win. If redoubled the bonus is doubled. When a declarer revokes his ad- versaries take ISO in the honor col- umn in addition to any penalty the 14 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE declarer may have incurred for fail- ure to make good his declaration. If either of the adversaries revoke the declarer has his choice of adding 150 points to his honor score or tak- ing three tricks from his opponents, or in nullos of adding three of his tricks to those of his opponents. Such tricks may assist him to make good his declaration, but not to score any bonus in the honor column if the declaration has been doubled or re- doubled. When more than one revoke is made during the play of a hand the penalty for each revoke after the first is 100 in the honor score. A revok- ing side cannot score except for honors or chicane. PRELIMINARY CAUTIONS A good auction player will always bear in mind the fact that there are certain things which detract from the pleasure of the players. Among these are delaying on declaration, adding explanations and finding fault with the cards. It may not be possible for everyone to play good auction, but it is possible for anyone to play auction in good form. While the hand is being dealt, note the score and remember that your bid is dependent upon this score as to whether you desire to win the game, save the game, or defeat the contract of the opponents. 15 16 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE A few Other preliminary cautions are worth consideration, namely that more games are lost by bad makes than by poor play, and only one hand in twenty-five can take the odd un- assisted, and it does not pay to take big chances when a game in, and one of the most common mistakes of auc- tion is to take an undue risk when cards have been running against you simply because your hand looks better than those you have been holding. Good form demands that you should observe the following eti- quette of the game: Cut toward the dealer, but do not complete the cut. Don't ask the score after the hands are dealt. PRELIMINARY CAUTIONS 17 Keep the score sheet where all can see it. It is the duty of the dealer's part- ner to collect the cards from the pre- ceding deal and shufHe them first. Each player has the right to shuffle consecutively and the dealer has the right to shuffle last. When you have shuffled, place the cards, face-down, at the left of the player whose deal comes next. Make up your book correctly — that is, when playing against the de- clarer, close the book when it is nec- essary for him to take all the re- maining tricks. If you have any special or unusual methods of declaration or conven- tions with your partner, state them openly before the game begins. 18 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Place dummy's trumps on the right and alternate the red and black suits. Don't demand the placing of the cards in order to call your partner's attention to any card or play. Avoid all mannerisms like snap- ping the cards down. Never play a card with such em- phasis as to draw attention to it. Don't take one card from your hand and then play another. Don't incur a penalty intentionally or make a second revoke to conceal the first. Avoid discussions. Don't, as dummy, leave your seat to watch your partner play. Don't look at any of your cards until the deal is completed. NULLOS The latest development in Auction Bridge is an extra bid called " Nul- los." Nullo is the reverse of No Trumps — that is, there is no trump suit, and the object is to take as few- tricks as possible instead of as many as possible. A player who bids one Nullo contends that his adversaries will have to take the odd trick. If he bids two Nullos, he states that he will make them take two odd tricks, and so on. At first, like every inno- vation, notably the introduction of Royals, and the change in count, Nullos were objected to very strong- ly. It has come to be an admitted fact, 20 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE however, that the addition of the Nullo bid renders the skill and mem- ory of the expert more effective and leaves somewhat less to chance. Everyone knows, as the saying is, that " the cards cannot be beaten; " that is, a run of luck may go so strong- ly one way as to result in the victory of poor players, time after time. The introduction of Nullos does not pre- vent this, but it certainly does in- crease the skill of the game and of- fers a premium to the best player. One other excellent thing about the bid of Nullos is that its introduction prevents the chronic complainer, with whom all auction players are familiar, from making such constant statements about " nothing in his hand." It tends to take away his last NULLOS 21 prop, for although a poor hand may not by any means be a Nullo hand, low hands have an opportunity of bidding. One other point before taking up the science of bidding in Nullos, and that is that it is not ad- visable for people who have busy, strenuous days to look forward to two or three rubbers of auction in the evening as a rest and relaxation, if Nullos are played, unless they are naturally expert card players. The average ordinary auction player, who has a night or two a week, unless he is naturally a good card player, will find that the tax mentally in re- membering the cards and placing the leads in Nullos is considerably great- er than in the old auction. The science of bidding in Nullos 22 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE has not been nearly as much devel- oped as in the other bids. This is only natural on account of the new- ness of its introduction. A bidder should bear in mind in NuUos that the cards of value are the 2's, 3's and 4's — that is, the cards below the 6's — and the dangerous cards are the ones from the 7 up. A hand may not be a bad Nullo hand even though it holds 4 Aces, if it has 2's and 3's, for in Nullos it is often advisable to take the lead ; but it is equally, if not more advisable, to be able to play under. The hands with Jack, 10, 9 and 8 in a suit, or cards of that character, are the bad hands to hold at Auction when Nullos are being bid, because they are not good enough to be ef- NULLOS 23 fective in suit or no trump, and they are terribly dangerous in a Nullo bid. In looking over a hand at Nullos, the first consideration is what they are to count, for they have been played at 6, 8 and 10, and no final authority has yet been given to any one of these counts. In all cases, however, while they count the same number, as, for instance, clubs, hearts and no trumps, they do not over bid these calls, but these calls over bid them. It is easily seen and readily appreciated that when Nullos count 10 a trick they are much more for- midable than at the lower counts be- cause it takes only 3 to go game. At 6 a trick they do not receive anything like the same consideration. The 24 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE generally accepted count at this writ- ing is 10 and we assume this will be finally adopted, although 8 is also used and aces counted for hand not holding them. Probably the best principle of bid- ding or inviting a NuUo bid is worked out from the system of bids in ordinary Auction showing length and weakness. If a player, for in- stance, holds a suit which is long and weak enough to be a good part of a NuUo, he bids 2 tricks in it. This has also been expanded, and well ex- panded, among expert players to a bid of 3 tricks when the player has 2 long and weak suits instead of 1. His bid of 3 is then made on the weaker suit. Thus, when one hears the partner open with 3 diamonds. NULLOS 25 he knows that he has 2 long, weak suits in the hand, one of which is diamonds and the other is a suit higher than diamonds. This is a pretty good indication of how the bid should go, and if the third hand has an impossible hand at Nullos, he will take advantage of the knowl- edge of what the dealer's bid has told him relating to his hand and bid ac- cordingly. As already stated, Nullos, as an addition to Auction, are in their in- fancy as yet, and while systems may be developing, it is the part of wis- dom for those who are beginning to play to go slowly and study hard on each hand that is played, either by themselves or by their opponents on this bid. It is, however, possible to 26 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE give certain suggestions which may aid the beginners in this line. The first is as to an original bid of a Nullo by the dealer. When he looks over his hand and finds that it is a hand that would necessitate a spade bid in the game when Nullos were not enforced, he should not im- mediately conclude from that that this is his opportunity to bid a Nullo. In fact an original bid by dealer of a Nullo should be undertaken with ex- treme caution. Many a hand can be laid down which is distinctly a spade bid, but which would, by no means, be a valuable hand at Nullos. The prime thing to remember at the start, and always, is that Nullos is a game of deuces and treys. A long suit, however, provided that it has two or NULLOS 27 three small cards in it, is far from being a disadvantage at Nullos. A 4-card suit of, we will say, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, is a bad handicap under Nullos, and, if it happens to become an exposed hand, is a very serious feature; whereas an Ace, 4, 3, 2 suit is a very comfortable thing for the Nullo player to see. It should be borne in mind that the third hand has the most advantageous position for a Nullo bid, especially if his partner has started with a spade. Another position that often invites a Nullo is where the partner is long in the suit bid, but has the small cards of it, for the combined length of the suit means shortage in other suits where discards can be made and the lead ducked with the low cards. 28 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Another point to be borne in mind is the play of what are called " inte- rior cards " — that is, holding a Queen, 9, 2, the 9 is an interior card. Many references will be found in the further development of Nullos to the play or lead of what are called inte- rior cards. The play or lead of the 9 will enable the one holding the Queen and 2 spot to probably take or lose the next lead of that suit at will. Altogether, with the suggestion made earlier in this chapter relative to two and three trick bids, the amount of information given by one partner to another is dependent, at any rate at this stage in the play, more upon inference and intuition than upon the conveying of definite information, such as has already NULLOS 29 been worked out in the suit and No Trump bids. Perhaps the easiest way for a play- er, who is inexperienced at Nullos, to straighten out his ideas upon it, is to fix firmly in his mind the fact that to bid Nullos does not necessarily mean that the top cards are not in the hand but to reverse his ideas so that when he is looking through his hand as to the possibility of a Nullo, he re- gards the " good " cards as the 2 spots, 3^s, 4's and S's and that he re- gards the poor cards the honors, and that he regards as intermediate, but somewhat dangerous, the cards from the 6 to the 10 spot. Now the best Nullo hand is one in which the suits are guarded by the above mentioned low cards ; that is, all the suits, or at 30 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE least all but one suit. Singletons are great help to Nullos and, of course, none of a suit is still greater help be- cause it offers a possibility of discard- ing the high cards of other suits. The worst possible combination in a hand for a Nullo bid is anything like a solid section of a suit even though it may be only the Jack, 10, 9, 8, which has not two or three low cards with them. This is particu- larly true when the hand goes down as a dummy, for it continually invites the lead of the opponents to certain tricks for the holder. Probably the hardest proposition that concerns the player of Nullos is to have the part- ner bid a Nullo and have in the hand two or three suits of this nature, be- cause it gives no opportunity of tak- NULLOS 31 ing a partner out and yet is a terrible handicap when the hand goes down. One caution, however, should be of- fered to the partner of the Nullo bid- der, and that is, " Don't take too reckless a chance in taking a partner out of a Nullo." Remember it may even increase the loss. There is al- ways a hope that the opponents may take him out, and even if left in, un- less the probable dummy has a chance to make an odd trick and something else, it is better to let the bid stand rather than carry up to 2, doubling the penalty and even quad- rupling it in case the bid is doubled. The early tendencies of those who take up NuUos are distinctly towards over-bidding the hands, and this should be constantly fought against. STANDARD DECLARATIONS DEALER'S DECLARATIONS First Considerations Keep the advantage which always rests with the dealer if the hand con- tains any make other than a spade. This advantage passes to second hand if you make a spade. No trump is the most advantage- ous bid because: Anyone else who wishes to bid after that must bid two tricks. It takes but three tricks to win game. It shuts out one no trump or one nullo by opponents. DEALER'S DECLARATIONS 33 The advantage is with the hand that plays dummy. It forces opponents to bid of two tricks even to show their suit. It is rarely doubled. If it fails the loss is no greater than on any other one call make. The best bid after no trumps is to suggest no trump. The next best is long suit or nullo sufficient to declare with strength enough to win game on the ordinary assistance from partner. After that a suit worth showing to help partner as far as possible to no trump or a bid inviting nullos. Always ask yourself " Is the hand strong enough in one or more suits to justify a bid indicative of no trump assistance?" Then, ^' Is it a good aid to a nullo? " 34 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE No Trump Declare one no trump if you have: A hand slightly better than aver- age; A solid 5-card club or diamond suit and an outside ace; Three king suits or three suits stopped and one outside ace; Four suits stopped. (The suit is stopped so far as the declarer is concerned if he holds the ace, the king and 2 others, the queen and 3 others, the queen, knave and 1 other, the knave and 4 others, or the knave, 10 and 2.) Declare Two No Trumps When absolutely essential to shut out other bids. DEALER'S DECLARATIONS 35 (Bear in mind, however, that it is likely to effectually prevent your partner from taking you out or giv- ing you any information.) Also remember that it takes only one more to go game in royals or in hearts than in no trumps. Nullo Declare one nullo on a hand that cannot well assist partner even though it has a few high cards in it, provided it has also a sprinkling of two and three spots. Declare two of a suit if long and weak in it and hand would be good aid to a nullo. Holding two such suits with the low cards of them de- clare three of the weaker suit. It is doubtful policy to do this on the high suits. Best on clubs. 36 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Suit Bids Bid: 1st. Royal or hearts if willing to play them. 2nd. Clubs or diamonds to indi- cate strength and no trump assist- ance. 3rd. Suit to indicate partner's lead against no trumps. Don't bid a suit other than spades without length. Avoid royals unless hand holds five tricks (or looks unusually good with four tricks), as it rather dis- courages partner's no trump. The same is true of hearts. In fact, hearts and royals are to be regarded prac- tically alike in this chapter. Don't bid royals with less than four sure tricks, but declare them DEALER'S DECLARATIONS 37 with length alone if you have high card strength outside or long side suit. Bid two royals to indicate the hand is useless unless played at royals. A diamond bid must have length as well as strength. (Hand should be worth at least five tricks. It is an invitation to no trumps.) Bid a club only with strength and as assistance to no trumps. A bid of one spade is always proper on a weak hand unless it has deuces and treys enough to warrant a nullo. You may declare suit if five in the suit and the hand contains two high card tricks, one of them in the suit named. Declare with four in suit, three 38 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE good honors and another ace or king and queen. Bid three in a suit only as a shut- out measure, except as a nullo con- vention. (See chapter on nullos.) If using the high spade bids they mean the following to partner: One spade is equivalent to pass and also suggests not in itself partic- ularly fitted to a nullo, else would de- clare nullo. Two spade bids invite royal or no trump and says hand has strength (3 sure tricks, 1 of them in spades) for royals, but not the length. Three spades says length and weakness in the heart suit. Usually some outside support. Four spades says length and weak- SECOND HAND DECLARATIONS 39 ness in the spade suit. Usually some outside support. Five spades says willing to play the hand at either royals or hearts, but not at no trumps. Six spades says willing to play at hearts or no trumps, but not at royals. Seven spades says willing to play at royals or no trumps, but not at hearts. SECOND HAND DECLARATIONS Forced Bids Bid seldom unless there is some probability of carrying out the con- tract, and remember the bid no longer indicates the top cards, as would an original declaration. Show your suit after a two-spade bid if it is necessary that your part- ner should lead it to you. Now is the 40 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE time to bid it, as third hand is proba- bly going to no 'trumps. Speak up, if justified, after a three- spade bid. Knowing that third hand will probably declare royal, you must do it on the first round or there- after you will have to bid two. Never bid (except to the score) a no trump against a declared suit un- less that suit is safely stopped and there are six sure tricks in your hand. Bid if possible against a no trump declaration when the adverse score is 20 or more, and there is danger in allowing adversaries to play the hand. The worst danger of second hand bids when forced is that the partner may carry the bid up ; hence usually pass. SECOND HAND DECLARATIONS 41 Double only when prepared to double any two-trick bid. Bid two no trumps when the op- ponents are 20 or more on the rub- ber game, or when both sides are 10 on the rubber game, if you have a hand that gives you fair justification. Over-call no trumps only when you: Have a fair chance to defeat an increased call, or. Are reasonably sure to fulfill the contract, or, Are willing to sacriiSce a limited number of points to save the game. It gives third hand a good chance to set you and also your bid may let opponents shift to a game make in some suit. 42 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Indicate spade strength at every opportunity, and usually indicate club or diamond strength on the first round rather than wait, as the bid will be too high for you if it comes around again. If the dealer has made a bid which is fairly sure to invite the third hand to make no trump, be sure to show your strong suit if essential to have it led to you. When Bid Is Not Forced If dealer has said one spade, the second hand has a fair assumption that he will get another chance at the make if he passes, while if the dealer declares anything else, the second hand will probably have to show his strength the first time around or lose his chance. SECOND HAND DECLARATIONS 43 As second hand bid only: If you have a chance for the game ; If you need to show partner what to lead to a no trump by third hand; If you have an original fair no trump. Do not bid when weak in any suit. Double a spade bid with short high honors and one outside trick, or with the ace of spades and two out- side tricks. A double shows you have not four spades, but have the above. Bid two spades if you have four spades and the same above honors and outside tricks, but not three suits stopped. If you have the above and three suits stopped, bid no trump. If you have the above cards and 44 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE more than four spades, bid a royal. With- five or more without the ace and usually without the king, but with side strength, bid three spades. THIRD HAND DECLARATIONS See Chapter on Nullos for Invitation Bids If dealer has bid one club or one diamond, over bid it in order to go game. If there is a chance to go game, in the suit already called, best bid it up, going to two or even three. Don't change a heart or a royal unless really necessary. If the dealer has bid two royals, he says in loud tones, " Let this alone." If dealer has bid no trumps, over THIRD HAND DECLARATIONS 45 bid it only if game is better assured with your suit call. Over bid no trumps by dealer if you have a long weak suit and abso- lutely no strength. Here the call is two, but with strength the call is three, and then the dealer himself may decide whether to go back to his no trump or not. Over bid dealer's no trump with two no trumps if your hand is strong enough to carry him up to two no trumps in case his one is over-called. When the second hand has over bid no trump by dealer don't carry him up unless you have the suit stopped and one outside trick. If the dealer's call of no trump has been over-called by second hand and you have not the suit bid by 46 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE second hand stopped, but have a solid club suit, bid three clubs. When the dealer has declared one spade and second hand has made such a declaration that the third knows the fourth is likely to go no trumps, declare suit for partner to lead if essential to stop game. If dealer has declared one club, indicate strong heart or spade suit. Go one trump on any well protected hand. Bid one no trump to dealer's call of one diamond if strong in clubs and in either spades or hearts. If weak in diamonds and strong in clubs, over bid with two clubs. If dealer declares royal or hearts, don't take him out without special reason. THIRD HAND DECLARATIONS 47 There is a difference between the second hand and the third hand on a spade declaration that has been passed. The second hand knows the dealer is weak and hence his partner has a little better chance to be strong. The third hand knows just the op- posite of this. Hence the third hand, to bid no trumps under this condi- tion, must have a stronger hand than usual. It is better usually to select a suit. Bid this suit if there is a chance to go game or essential to tell partner what to lead against no trumps by fourth hand. After a declaration by dealer and the second hand having passed, don't take partner out of a heart or royal except to show great weakness in the 48 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE suit named and great length and honors in the suit substituted. When two spades have been de- clared by partner, and your hand is without a trick, bid one royal. If the hand has considerable spade strength it is well to bid two royals. When three spades have been de- clared by your partner, if your hand be without a trick, bid one nullo. If the hand has some strength in other suits, one royal. With great weakness in spades and great strength in some other suit, over bid the three spades with that suit. Otherwise not. FOURTH HAND DECLARATIONS Do not bid : 1st. If the dealer has made a dec- FOURTH HAND DECLARATIONS 49 laration, and opponents cannot go game, unless you can go game your- self. 2nd. On dealer's declaration of one spade that has come around to you, unless you have a fair chance of going game. 3rd. If second hand has declared clubs or diamonds, and your hand is so weak that no other declaration is reasonable. If your partner makes a two-spade or a three-spade declaration, do not let it stand. Failing any make of your own, call royals or nullos. Avoid bidding to declaration by third hand, others having passed, un- less you are pretty sure you can go game. When both the dealer and the 50 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE third hand make declarations, take care; you are bidding with consid- erable risk. ADVANTAGEOUS SCORE POINTS At requires only 3 in no trumps or nullos. At 4 requires only 3 in royals. At 6 requires only 3 in hearts. At 9 requires only 3 in diamonds. At 10 requires only 2 in no trumps or nullos. At 12 requires only 2 in royals. At 14 requires only 2 in hearts. At 16 requires only 2 in diamonds. At 18 requires only 2 in clubs. At 20 requires only 1 in no trumps or nullos. At 21 requires only 1 in royals. At 22 requires only 1 in hearts. 52 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE At 23 requires only 1 in diamonds. At 24 requires only 1 in clubs. At 28 requires only 1 in no trumps as well as anything else. DOUBLING A double in Auction is unlike a double in Bridge. In Auction it merely means a denial of the declar- er's ability to fulfill his contract. Don't double a one trick declara- tion (unless it is spades) except for information to partner. Avoid a risky double that will help opponents to go game — but take a chance when it is a free double; that is, would go game anyway with- out the double. Never double a high bid — three or more — without aces and kings. In nullos not without some low cards — twos or threes. 53 54 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Don't double if likely to let your opponents escape into a safer bid. Remember that a double locates the strong hand for your opponents. Doubling is always dependent upon the score. Don't double just to show your sand. Avoid doubling on right of maker unless very strong. Don't redouble unless odd in your hand. Never double on intuition. On partner's double in no trump lead your highest spade, i. e., failing any other information, unless you have a very strong suit of your own. Make regular Bridge leads on low bids without other information. On higher bids take your tricks at once — lead your aces and kings. DOUBLING 55 Against no trump — failing other information — do not lead your red suits — start the black. Lead your own suit to partner's declaration, if it is good enough to open with an honor — if not open partner's suit with command or highest of two honors in sequence or highest of three or less; lowest of four or more. LEADS Without special information rate your leads as follows : 1 — Ace King alone or with others. 2 — King Queen alone or with others. 3 — Singleton. 4 — Queen Knave alone or with others. 5 — Ace with three or more small, but not with Queen or Jack. 6 — Knave Ten alone or with others. 7 — Doubleton except King and one low or Ace Queen. 8 — And (except No. 1) always lead the highest. With Ace King and others lead King; LEADS 57 with Ace King alone, the Ace. Also lead Ace from Ace King and four others in no trumps. Avoid leading short suits with single high card. Never lead away from Ace in de- clared trump unless nothing better and not more than two others. In latter case, if you have to lead suit holding four or more of it, always lead Ace. Avoid leading suit with three or more and no honors. In opening lead against no trump, don't lead Ace of an Ace Queen Jack long suit unless you have re-entry. Send the Queen. Never clear your opponent's suit for him. 58 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Lead your own suit, rather than through dummy, unless dummy holds a suit with King and others. Queen and others. Ace Queen alone or with others. King Jack alone or with others. Ace Jack alone or with others. Lead trumps to stop an indicated ruff. Send Jack from your Ace Jack or King Jack suit through a dummy Queen. Avoid leading a suit for partner to trump knowing he will be over- trumped. Remember your partner's lead. Don't return suit partner has led through dummy's weakness if you wish him to do it again. LEADS 59 Avoid leading suit where your highest is over dummy's highest. Lead through strength or up to weakness. You need not return partner's lead in declared trump if there is a good chance to lead up to dummy's weak- ness. Return your highest to partner's suit in no trump if you hold less than four. Never stop leading your suit be- cause opponents hold the high card, provided you have re-entry. PLAY AND FINESSE Decide quickly, play promptly, don't delay the game. Avoid deceiving your partner or enlightening your opponents. Unblock for your partner. Never keep a high card of your partner's suit in your hand in no trumps after the first round, unless it is guarded by three. Never finesse your partner's lead except holding Ace and Jack while King or Queen lies guarded in dummy. Never finesse in no trumps when no score and you find you are sure only of five or sure only of seven or PLAY AND FINESSE 61 sure only of nine. Take that fifth, seventh, or ninth trick first before you try your finesse. Never finesse in no trump any suit holding Ace King if your two hands show nine or more. Avoid a finesse that may lose to the established hand. Reserve your Ace in opponent's suit in no trumps when holding no other possible trick in that suit until his partner can no longer return it. In no trumps third hand plays sec- ond best when making no attempt to take trick. Watch opponent's discard. Keep count of trumps. Remember a touched card in dummy is regarded as played. 62 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Insist upon paying every penalty you incur. Don't talk and don't explain. It is unnecessary. OTHER METHODS OF DECLARATION NOTE The standard declarations already described should be followed except on understanding both with partner and opponents. The ones described in the following pages, especially in " one trick bid," are, however, well worth knowing, and if tested out will prove effective. In fact, the stand- ard declarations already show the in- fluence of this method. Transfer Bids The following poem proved the first reaching out for something that should enable a hand not to abandon 64 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE its make without a certain string tied to it and at the same time give the partner an opportunity to judge or to give information back that should be essentially valuable : AN AUCTION MAID'S PROMISE. {The Declarer) " Make me," she said, " A two Spade bid, If your Heart be sound and rare! Tell me the same with Diamond make ' Without ' or a ' Lily ' fair! " Lacking all these, whisper to me The suit where you have one sure — I'll take command and name the bid, Or follow the enemy's lure. *' If not a trick is in your hand, Skulk close 'neath a single Spade ; And save me from ridiculous risk. And traps by opponents laid." TRANSFER BIDS 65 (Third Hand) " And in return for these wise hints, When I hear two Spades will tell The suit with Ace, or King and Queen — On a ' Bust ' three Spades as well ! " When luck's against your two Spade bid From having no trick that's pat. But a six card set of suit that's red, I'll reply with two in that. " Now if you'll do just that for me, I will promise this to you, We'll partners be for now and aye, And bid in Life's Auction, too ! " The development along this line has recently been rapid. Whether it is wise or not is another question, but that a season of play may develop. The theory of these transfer bids is purely one of convention, as they are arbitrary, and unless the opponents 66 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE know them they are, of course, mis- leading and unfair, but the opponents should be told before the rubber commences in case they are not in the way of playing in circles where these transfer bids are used. The Spade suit is the one made use of for this vehicle on account, nat- urally, of its low value. The whole system, as it is now worked out, is described in the accompanying table. 1 Spade — Not 2 sure tricks in hand. Little use to a No Trumper. 2 Spades — 3 sure tricks, one at least in the Spade suit. Enough to support a Royal or No Trump. Not long enough for original Royal. ONE TRICK BIDS 67 3 Spades — Length and weakness in the Heart suit. 4 Spades — Length and weakness in the Spade suit. 5 Spades — Willing to play at either Royals or Hearts, but not No Trumps. 6 Spades — Willing to play at Hearts or No Trumps, but not at Royals. 7 Spades — Willing to play at Royals or No Trumps, but not Hearts. One Trick Bid System DECLARATION— DEALER Declare two spades with original good no trumper, royal or sound red make. Declare one spade with a "busted" hand. 68 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE When holding neither good no trump, royal nor sound red make, but having a quick sure trick (Ace or both King and Queen) with fair out- side support, bid one in that suit. If it be a spade Ace or a spade King and Queen declare one royal. HAS PASSED Take the dealer out of two spades by calling the suit with one sure quick trick in it. If there is abso- lutely nothing in the hand then call three spades. If the sure trick is in spades bid one royal. If you have nothing in the hand, but six or seven inferior cards in dia- monds or hearts and no sure winning cards in any suit; in other words, a TWO SUITS STOPPED BIDS 69 heart or a diamond " bust," then take the dealer out with a bid of two in the red suit. Black Suits Stopped System BLACK SUITS " NO TRUMP " CALL Another method is that in which the dealer, if strong in the two black suits, bids " no trumps " regardless of the red suits. His partner takes him out with a call of " two " in a red suit if he be long and weak in that suit. Two Suits Stopped Another method is to bid one club originally if you have both black suits stopped, one diamond if you have both red suits stopped. GENERAL CAUTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS Don't "keep the flag flying" at too great a risk. If you stop the opponents by over bidding your hand so that you are set much over 200, you run the chance of having no balance even with your 250 for the rubber. You are no nearer the rubber after this than before. Don't make the other mistake of letting them play the hand on a low bid and make the rubber when your hand justifies forcing them up to the danger point. GENERAL CAUTIONS 71 Never waste a sure chance to set your opponents 200 or 300. Remem- ber you have a chance for the rubber in addition. On the other hand, never let a rea- sonable chance for the rubber game go by for the sake of setting op- ponents 50 or even 100. It does not pay to secure the play- ing of any hand that will not give you game, unless it be to stop op- ponents going game. Remember that aces and kings keep their value in all the shifting changes of bid. Never get so occupied in studying your own bid as not to get all possi- ble information from your oppon- ent's bid. Never be flustered by a double into 72 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE shifting from what may be a sure thing into something unknown. It is better to err on side of con- servatism in advancing partner's bid. Don't risk over bidding your hand except on rubber game. Don't double recklessly. It is a little easier and safer to double a no trump than a suit call. It is better to take your rubber on the rubber game unless double is worth joOy while on a single game you can double for a 200 gain. The following information may be gleaned from the bids: Original one spade denies strong suit. Original one club shows strength in clubs and assistance to no trumps. Original two spades, clubs or dia- GENERAL CAUTIONS 73 monds shows strong help for no trumps. A call of no trumps after an ad- verse bid of two, shows absolute pro- tection in the suit named. Second hand passing one spade indicates no strong long suit. When a player passes first and then -bids red or royal it shows length, not strength. A trick bid over a partner's no trump declaration shows worthless hand or safer chance to win at the score. A bid of no trumps over partner's heart or royal shows weak in the suit named, but protected in the three others. Refusal to support partner's bid usually indicates weakness. (Some- 74 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE times, however, that he is pleased with the opponent's declaration.) A poor hand is always shown by player's refusal to bid no trumps on his partner's two spade or two club invitation. A no trump call over partner's one spade shows strong and well pro- tected hand. When both adversaries are bid- ding and partner has passed, it is dangerous to continue. When all four players are bidding or supporting it is an indication that the strength is divided. RULES AND PENALTIES A revoking side may not score " slam " or " little slam." An error in the honor score may be cor- rected at any time before the score of the rub- ber has been settled, but an error in a trick score may only be corrected prior to the con- clusion of the game in which it occurred, that conclusion being reached when a declaration has been made in the following game, or, if this be the final game, when the score has been made up and agreed upon. The Ace of Hearts is low in the cut, fol- lowed by diamond, club and spade. There must be a new deal if any card is faced; if the pack proves incorrect or imper- fect; if the dealer deals two cards at once and then deals a third before correcting the error; if the pack is not cut and either adversary calls attention to this before the completion of the 75 76 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE deal and before either adversary has looked at any card. Dealing out of turn must be corrected be- fore the last card is played ; otherwise the deal must stand. If a player make a declaration, or pass out of turn, either adversary may demand a new deal or allow the declaration to stand. If a player fail to declare a number of tricks sufficient to over bid the declaration he must make it the requisite number, provided either adversary call attention to the bid, but if either adversary passes, doubles or makes a higher declaration the offense is condoned. An insufficient declaration corrected to the requisite number prevents the partner of the erroneous declarer from making any further declaration unless his adversaries go higher or double. After a final declaration has been made a player may not give his partner any notion as to any previous declaration, but a player may inquire at any time what was the final dec- laration. RULES AND PENALTIES 11 If a player double out of turn either ad- versary may demand a new deal. The Dummy, until his cards are exposed, has all the rights of a player, but after may take no part whatever except to ask the declarer whether he have any of a suit which he may have refused ; to call the declarer's at- tention to the fact that too many or too few cards have been played to a trick; to correct the claim of either adversary to a penalty; to call attention to the fact that a trick has been erroneously taken by the opponents; to par- ticipate in the discussion of any question of fact after it has arisen ; to correct an erroneous score. Should Dummy call attention to any other point in consequence through which a penalty might have been exacted, the declarer's privi- lege to exact the penalty is forfeited. If Dummy by touching a card, or otherwise suggest the play, either adversary may call upon the declarer to play or not play the card. Dummy is not liable for a revoke. If the error be not discovered until the trick is 78 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE turned and quitted, the trick must stand. A card from the declarer's hand is not played until actually quitted, but if he only touch a card in dummy, such card is considered as played unless he says " I arrange." If any player exposes a card from his own hand before the declaration is finally deter- mined, the adversaries may demand a new deal. If the play be allowed to stand, how- ever, the card is not an exposed card. If any player lead before the final declara- tion, his partner may not make any further bid, and the declarer may call the lead from the adversary whose turn it is to lead. If after the final declaration the third hand exposes a card the declarer may, instead of calling the card, require the leader not to lead that suit. Any card mentioned by either adversary as being held by him or his partner becomes an exposed card. A card dropped on the floor or so held that an adversary, but not the partner, sees it is not an exposed card. RULES AND PENALTIES 79 If a declarer lead out of turn either from his own hand or dummy he incurs no penalty, but may not rectify the error after the second hand is played. If a player be called on to lead a suit, hold- ing none of it, the penalty is paid. If any one except dummy play two or more cards to the same trick he is answerable for any subsequent revokes he may have made. If the declarer revokes, his adversaries add 150 points in their honor column. If either adversary revokes, the declarer has the choice of adding 150 points to his honor score or taking three tricks from his opponents. Such tricks may aid in making good his dec- laration, but not the score in bonus in the honor column in the case of a double or re- double. When more than one revoke is made during the hand each revoke after the first counts 100 in the honor column. The revoking side may not score except for honors in trumps or chicane. Partners may not consult as to enforcement 80 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE of penalties. If they do consult the penalty is paid. No trick must be looked at after turned and quitted. Any player before the cards are touched to gather them together may demand the placing of the cards. If either of the adversaries before his part- ner has played calls attention to the trick, either by saying what it is, or without request by naming his card, the declarer may require partner to play his highest or lowest to win or lose the trick. When the declarer or his partner has in- curred a penalty the proper form is for one of the adversaries to say, " Partner, will you exact the penalty or shall I ? " But whether this is said or not, if either adversary name the penalty, that decision is final. If the wrong penalty be demanded none can be enforced. Unless a pack be imperfect no player may call for one new pack. There must always be two, and new cards must be called for before the pack be cut for the new deal. GLOSSARY Average Hand — One containing equivalent of Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten. Block — ^To hold a card that prevents the continuance of the lead of that suit. Bust or Busted Hand— Having no taking cards. Card of Re-entry — ^A winning card which will regain the lead. Called Lead — Opponent demanding suit be led as penalty. Chicane — ^A hand to which no trump has been dealt. Clear — ^To establish a suit.*- — ^ Command — Holding the best card or cards of a suit. Cross Ruff — Partners trumping different suits. Declaration — Naming the trump. Discard— Not to follow suit or trump. 81 82 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE DouBLETON — ^Two cards only of a suit. Ducking — Refusing to win a particular trick. Echo — Playing a higher card and then a lower one. Eldest Hand — ^The player at the Dealer's left. Eleven Rule — Deducting spots on card led from 1 1 the remainder shows number out higher than card led, not in leader's hand. Establish — To force out any high cards which obstruct the suit. Exposed Card — ^Any card which is shown, but not played. Exposed Hand — ^The hand of the Dummy. False Card — To play an unnecessarily high card with an intent to deceive. Finesse — ^An attempt to take with a card which is neither the best, nor in sequence with the best. Flag-Flyinc3 — Over bidding a hand to pre- vent the opponents from playing it. Force — ^To lead a card which will win the trick, or compel the opponent to play a trump. GLOSSARY 83 Force Discards — ^To lead a suit which com- pels one or more players to discard. FouRCHETTE — ^The.cards directly above and below another card. Fourth Best — ^The fourth best card of a suit counting from the top. Grand Slam — ^All the thirteen tricks won by one side. Hold Up — ^To refuse to play the best card of a suit. Interior Card — Having a higher and a lower in the suit. Lead Through Strength — To lead a suit of which the player at your left holds high cards. Lead Up to Weakness — To lead a suit of which the fourth player has no high card. Little Slam — ^Twelve of the thirteen tricks won by one side. Long Suit — ^A suit of four or more cards. Odd Trick — ^The first trick over the book of six. Original Make — ^A declaration of make by the Dealer. 84 AUCTION UP-TO-DATE Original Lead — ^The card first led by the player at the left of the final maker. Plain Suit — ^Any one of the three suits not trumps. Pone — The partner of the eldest hand. Protected Suit — ^Any suit in which you can take a trick. Quitting — Removing fingers from trick after it has been turned down. Re-double — ^To double again after an ad- versary has doubled. It is sometimes spoken of as " going back." Rubber — The play of two out of three games. Ruff — To trump a trick. Reverse Discard — ^To change the original meaning of the discard by an echo in the suit discarded. Revoke — ^To play a card of another suit when you hold a card of the suit led. Secondary Lead — ^The lead by the original leader, directly after he has won the first trick. Sequence — ^Three or more cards in consecu- tive order. GLOSSARY 85 Short Suit — ^A suit of three cards or fewer. Singleton — ^The only card of a suit dealt to a hand. Strong Hand — Usually the maker of the trump. Ten ACE — A combination of two or more cards of one suit from which an inter- mediate card is missing. The best and third best card of a suit is the major tenace, the second and fourth best the minor. Third Hand — In making the Dealer's part- ner. Unblock — To rid a hand of any card which may interrupt the continuation of the partner's suit. Weak Hand — ^The partner of the player who makes the trump. Weak Suits — ^Those in which you hold no tricks, or a very improbable trick. 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'5 •a to bD .2 3 i ^ "^ < o S ;? fc^ I .5 o So o u >. ir- AUCTION BRIDGE— NEW COUNT Honors IN TWO Hands Honors IN one Hand 4^ * ♦ V 1 §, 3 3 ■ 4 12 14 16 18 1 30 4 8 24 28 32 36 1 40 5 10 30 35 40 45 1 1 4 16 48 56 64 72 |100 1 4 Fifth in Partner's 18 54 63 72 81 1 1 5 20 60 70 80 90 1 LITTLE SLAM. . . . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 GRAND SLAM 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 CHICANE 4 12 14 16 18 - . , = A. 6 7 _8^ 9 10 10