Complete cAuction Bridge for 1922 The Game The Play The Bidding The Laws Price 50 Cents Book__ '.- '^ COPYRIGHT DEPOSm FIVE ESSENTIAL CONVENTIONS J. An Initial One No Trump bid must be a hand a little better than the average in high cards with three suits guarded. 2. An Initial One Major Suit bid must have length and strength^ with four sure tricks for attack, or two sure tricks for defense or support. 3. An Initial One Minor Suit bid must have two quick tricks in the suit named. It is informative only, and the bidder does not desire to play it through. 4. Doubling an Initial One Major Suit bid tells the partner the Doubler is hopelessly weak in that suit, but other- wise has a good ISo Trump hand. 5. Doubling an Initial One No Trump bid tells the partner the Doubler has a Two No Trump, and leaves action to him. Complete ^Auction Bridge for 1922 ■ by S; S; CARVALHO -^ The Game The Bidding The Play , The Laws ■« CURRENT BOOK CO., Inc. 140 CEDAR STREET NEW YORK l,Ai^^. ^ Copyright, 1922 By Current Book Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America by The CAREY PRINTING CO. INC. New York ©CI.A659572 APR 12 1922 FOREWORD The writer has endeavored to make a clear presentation of Auction Bridge, comprehensible to beginners as well as to those experienced in the game. The conventions selected are gen- erally accepted by the large majority of good players. Where there exists any real difference of opinion, both sides are presented, with the writer's reasons for the view adopted. The purpose of this book is to standardize the game among average players, and its price has accordingly been made so as to put it within the reach of all. Some detail has been sacrificed to simplicity and clearness, but nothing really essen- tial has been omitted. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 J PART I THE GAME Auction Bridge is a variation of the game of Whist in which bidding decides whether the play shall be with or without a Trump, along with the privilege to the Dealer of playing both his own and his partner's hands. A full deck of cards is used, the deuce count- ing lowest and the other cards ascending in value to the ace, which is highest. The highest card takes any trick, except in the instance of its being trumped, trumps always winning over the other suits. There are four players who cut for partners, the lowest two playing against the highest two. If cards of equal value are drawn the players must cut again. Lowest deals. Ace is lowest in cutting. The Trump or No Trump is decided by decla- ration or bidding. The dealer has the first bid and is followed by the players to his left. When nobody bids there is a new deal. Bidding Optional It is optional with the players whether they bid Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, No Trump or pass. After any player makes a 8 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 declaration the other three players each has a say, and can overcall, double or pass. A player may not overbid his own declaration when it is passed up to him. When all players have finally passed the high- est declaration stands. The player, who started it, plays both his own and his partner's hand, the latter being placed face upward on the table. The exposed hand is called the Dummy. It is not laid down until the first card is led. The points made in the games played are recorded in a trick score and an honor score. No Trump tricks have the highest value and are followed by Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs in order named. One No Trump over- calls one in Spades or one of any suit of lower trick value. One in Spades overcalls one in Hearts or in any other suit, and so on. Two of any suit of lower trick value overcalls one in No Trump or any suit of higher trick value. For example: Two in Clubs is required to overcall one in No Trump, or Spades or Hearts or Dia- monds, and so on through the list. Thirty Points a Game Thirty or more points made by trick values constitute a game. The number of tricks neces- sary to make these thirty points, depends upon whether the winning declaration calls for No Trump or for one of the four suits. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 9 The first six tricks taken by the side having the declaration make a book. The seventh trick and those following are called the odd trick or odd tricks. The value of each trick above the book is, No Trump, 10; Spades, 9; Hearts, 8; Diamonds, 7; and Clubs, 6 points. To make game the Declarer must, as a mini- mum, take in addition to the book, 3 tricks in No Trump, 4 in Spades or Hearts and 5 in Dia- monds or Clubs. Spades and Hearts are called the major suits and Diamonds and Clubs the minor suits. Rubber is Best of Three Games The rubber is the best of three games. If the first two games are won by the same players, the third game is not played. The bonus for win- ning the two games of the rubber is 250 points. The Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten in the trump suit constitute the honors, which individ- ually are of equal point value. Their collective value is : 3 honors in one or both hands have the value of 2 tricks ; 4 honors in both hands have the value of 4 tricks; 4 honors in one hand have the value of 8 tricks ; 4 honors in one hand and one honor in the partner's hand have the value of 9 tricks; 5 honors in one hand have the value of 10 tricks. Three honors are called Simple Honors. To illustrate : 3 honors in Clubs count 2 tricks lO Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 or 12— the value of each Club trick being 6. 3 honors in Spades count 2 tricks or 18 — the value of each Spade trick being 9, and so on. In a No Trump game only Aces are counted. Three Aces held between partners count 30, 4 Aces held between partners count 40; 4 Aces in one hand count 100. Honors in Suit hands and Aces in No Trumps are always counted for the side having them, whether it is the Declarer's or not. Grand Slam and Small Slam When one side takes the whole 13 tricks it makes a Grand Slam, and a bonus of 100 is added to the honor score, in addition to the value of the seven tricks in the Trick score. When it takes 12 tricks, 50 points are added in the Honor score, in addition to the tricks in the Trick score. This is called a Small Slam. When a hand has been played through and the Declarer makes his contract or better, he gets for his Trick score the value of all the tricks made over and above the book. If he fails to make his contract, that is the number of tricks of his declaration, he gets nothing for the tricks he has made, while his adversaries get in the Honor score as penalties, 50 points for each trick less than the declaration. Or if the declaration was doubled by the adversary, then the penalty is 100 points for each trick short of the contract, and if Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 il redoubled 200 for each deficient trick. These penalties go in the score above the line along with the honors and bonuses. Doubling and Redoubling When an adversary of a Declarer believes the declaration can be beaten he ''Doubles." This means that if the Declarer loses, the penalty for each lost trick becomes 100 points instead of 50. If the Declarer makes his contract he gets double value for each trick called for by the contract and in addition a bonus of 50 for making his con- tract. Also, for every trick over his contract he gets an additional bonus of 50 points. Should the final Declarer after being doubled, have confidence enough in his hand, he can re- double. This means if he makes his contract he gets 100 bonus, and four times the value of each contracted trick, and for every trick he makes above his contract he gets 100. If he fails to make his contract, his adversary scores 200 points for every trick less than the number called for by the contract. A player may not double his partner's bid. When a declaration is doubled or redoubled it is optional with the Declarer whether he will accept or change his declaration to a higher one. In such instance each of the three other players has also another say. 12 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 The value of honors, grand slam or small slam are not affected by doubling or redoubling. Keeping the Score The score is kept on a card or sheet of paper with a line running from top to bottom forming two columns and a double line cutting these two columns across. The scores of the two com- peting sides are recorded separately in these col- umns. Below the double line are only written the values of the tricks taken. This is called the Trick score. The trick values only are used in counting game. Above the double line are recorded the points for honors, bonuses and penalties. This is called the Honor score. At the conclusion of a rubber all the points in both Trick and Honor scores for each set of partners are added up, and the difference goes to the side which has the greatest number of points. Each of the winning partners receives the full amount of the points won, which is paid by each of the losers. For example : A and B are partners, and their adversaries are Y and Z. A goes 3 No Trump and makes his contract. These three tricks, of 10 points value each, gives him 30 points or game, and 30 points are placed in his side's trick score below the line. He has three Aces which Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 13 give 30 points for honors, which go above the line in the honor score. If he had made only two odd tricks, they would not be counted and he would be penalized 50 for the lost trick. This fifty would go above the double line in his adversary's honor score. In the next deal, A declares 3 Spades and makes them. He gets 27 in his trick score and 18 for honors in his honor score. In the follow- ing hand his adversary Y, holding 5 honors, de- clares 4 Hearts and makes them. Y gets 32 in his trick score and 80 for honors in his honor score. A and Y each now has a game. In the fourth hand Y with 3 honors gets a declaration in Hearts and loses by one trick. A gets 50 points penalty which go in his honor score. Y gets 16 for his honors. In the next hand Y wins on a 4 Spades declara- tion with 3 honors, making game and rubber, which gives him 36 points in his trick score and 18 in the honor score, and the bonus of 250 for winning the two rubber games. These figures totaled give for the Rubber A and B 155 points and Y and Z 432 points. The difference is 277 which Y and Z win, A paying Y the value of 277 points and B paying Z the value of 277 points. 14 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 Score card with record of described rubber. PLAYERS PLAYERS AandB YandZ HONOR SCORE 5? i8 30 18 16 80 TRICK SCORE 30 27 36 155 432 277 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 15 PART II THE BIDDING FIVE ESSENTIAL BRIDGE CONVENTIONS "Convention" is a very comprehensive term used more by the English writers on Auction Bridge than by those in this country. As it will appear frequently throughout this book it may be well to define it. The Century dictionary says : "General agree- ment, tacit understanding, common sense as the foundation of a custom." Its definition as directly applied to bridge is thus expressed by an English writer: "Rules in bridge which have emerged by de- grees from the welter of all sorts of conflicting ideas, in the course of which the pros and cons of each of them have been anxiously considered and warmly debated by persons best qualified to judge their merits." There are comparatively few conventions for auction bridge bidding, but what there are should be carefully studied, and rigorously ob- served. In clubs or circles where the same in- dividuals convene for play they soon become habit. But in chance gatherings or in general 1 6 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 play there are often many who know nothing about them, which detracts from the pleasure of the occasion. It is considered within the bounds of Bridge Etiquette, to inform the table before a game be- gins, what conventions you use. Of course you cannot give them all, but there are five, the fail- ure to observe any one of which, may create con- fusion as well as cause loss in points. We refer to Initial Bid Conventions and In- formative Doubles, which are subjoined. If you copy them out and use them as occasion prompts, you will do much to standardize the game, and help along good playing: Five Essential Conventions An Initial One No Trump bid must be a hand a little better than the average in high cards with three suits guarded. An Initial One Major Suit bid must have length and strength, with four sure tricks for attack, or two sure tricks for defense or sup- port. An Initial One Minor Suit bid must have two quick tricks in the suit named. It is in- formative only, and the bidder does not desire to play it through. Doubling an Initial One Major Suit bid tells the partner the Doubler is hopelessly Complete Auction Bridge for IQZZ 17 weak in that suit, but otherwise has a good No Trump hand. Doubling an Initial One No Trump bid tells the partner the Doubler has a Two No Trump, and leaves action to him. With these five conventions observed, it is amazing how much better the game will pro- ceed. Do not forget that the whole structure rests on the Initial Bids. They give information that forms the plan of campaign. Never deceive your partner by violating the conventions gov- erning them. He is entitled to know the true strength of your hand. Never misinform him. 1 8 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 RELATIVE HANDS AND CARD VALUES A knowledge of the relation of hands to one another and the trick values of high cards is essen- tial to the playing of Auction Bridge. The first of these is readily acquired. The latter is more difficult. Cards have combination values as well as individual values. Both vary with conditions. There are, however, some card values fixed by averages and experience that have become stand- ard. For instance, an Ace may be reckoned as one sure trick. An Ace King of the same suit, two sure tricks. King Queen, one sure trick; because if the Ace takes one, the other remains highest. A King, guarded by one or two small cards, is counted as half a trick, because it stands to lose as many times as to win, depending on whether the adverse Ace is on the left or right. A Queen or Queen Jack guarded is of doubt- ful value, owing to the uncertainty of a suit going around three times untrumped. In No Trump hands they may be reckoned on. Here is the table of standard values of high cards: Ace, King, x =2 tricks Ace, Queen, Jack = 2 + ^' King, Queen, Jack =2 — '^ Ace, Queen, Ten == i>^ '' Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 19 King, Queen, Ten = i^ tricks ^ Ace, Jack, Ten = iy2 '' Ace, Queen, x I trick Ace, Jack, x — I ^^ King, Queen, x I " King, Jack, x = /2+" King, X X — V2 "■ Queen, Jack, x — V2—" The Value of Small Cards Small cards are more or less valuable, depend- ing upon conditions. When Trumps they are always valuable. The difference between Trumps and Plain Suits is illustrated this way: A Trump suit with Ace, King and five small is worth six tricks. A Trump suit with Ace, King and one small is worth two tricks. A plain suit with Ace, King and five small may be worth only one trick. A plain suit with Ace, King and one small is worth two tricks. The reason for the difference is that the high cards of a plain suit with many small are liable to be trumped. In a No Trump hand when a suit is estab- lished, the small cards in it become trick makers. The same plain suit conditions also exist in a Trump hand after the Trumps have been ex- hausted. A blank suit or Singleton with Trumps for ruffing is always counted on for one or more tricks in any hand but the Declarer's. 20 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 Combination Value of Uncertain Cards Uncertain cards in a player's hand, while weak by themselves, taken in combination with those of his partner, may become sure trick win- ners. For instance, a Declarer holds King, Jack and two small, the average value of which by themselves is less than one trick. His partner holds Ace, Queen. This lifts their collective value to four tricks. The position of the player also affects the values of his cards, as may be illustrated by a King with an adverse Ace on his right or on his left, making the King worth one trick or nothing at all. Values in an Assisting Hand It is more puzzling for the third player to cal- culate the trick value and assisting value of his hand, when the Declarer has been overcalled in a Trump declaration, and he is put in the posi- tion of raising or passing. The number of small trumps, blank suits, singletons, doubletons, as well as honors and side suit strength, have all got to be considered. The values of these are as follows : Blank suit with trumps for ruffing. . .2 tricks Singletons with trumps for ruffing. . . i trick Doubletons with trumps for ruffing. .>4 ^' Three small trumps ^ One honor and one small trump >4 " Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 21 One honor and 2 small trumps. . . . i J^ tricks Two honors and two small trumps . . 2 " Four or more small trumps without short suits to ruff i trick Except in No Trumps guarded Queens are not safe to reckon on, and five small trumps in the Dummy are of no greater value than four, as the excess fall to the Declarer's leads. Estimating the values in the hand of the De- clarer's partner in a No Trump is very different, and is explained further on. The Relation of Hands The player should also become familiar with the general run of hands as related to one another, which can be done quite simply and without outside assistance. Shuffle and cut a deck of cards in the usual way. Then deal around the table as if there were four persons really present. Pick up each hand by itself, beginning with the dealer, sort it and make declarations one after another, just as would be made in a regular game. This done, spread all the hands face upward on the table, when you will get a good ocular demonstration of the relations of the individual hands to one another, as well as a fair idea as to the wisdom of the declarations you have made. From time to time play the hands through. 22 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 BIDDING DEFINED AND CLASSIFIED In Auction Bridge the cards represent 60 per cent of the game, bidding 30 per cent and play 10 per cent. This means that correct bidding is three times as important as the play. If you bid more tricks than you can possibly take, the most brilliant play in the world will not win your contract. There are two general classifications of bids or declarations, namely. Free Bids and Forced Bids. A Free Bid is where the player makes a vol- untary declaration such as the Initial Bid of the dealer or the player on his left. (Initial Bids and Free Bids are used synonymously in this book.) Any bid that overcalls or assists a previous bid is a Forced Bid. There is also a variety of bid that has no par- ticular classification, namely, the first round bid made by the third or fourth player after the dealer and his left have passed. This bid is not governed by the Initial Bid conventions, for al- though voluntary, it is influenced by the indi- cated weakness of the preceding hands. Secondary Bids are Forced Bids made in the second round after a pass in the first. They are Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 23 generally strong Major suit declarations which do not come up to the regulation standard, and have been held back to avoid giving misinforma- tion. Free Bids are governed by conventions, that is, fixed rules. Forced Bids are not conven- tional. They show the number of tricks, which with the partner's assistance may win the decla- ration, but are otherwise not informative. 24 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 TRICK MAKEUP OF INITIAL BIDS As there are thirteen tricks in every hand, the average for each player should be 3^ tricks. Of course, this is not the case always, but if you try several hundred deals and tabulate the re- sults you will find it comes out about this way. For the sake of convenience the fraction is elim- inated and three tricks is the quota taken as the standard. This is the only guide that the Initial bidder has as to what support he may expect from his partner. He sees that his own hand has four sure tricks. This being somewhat better than the average, indicates that his partner's hand may have less than the average. Experience has demonstrated that the partner may be credited with two tricks. He may have fewer or more, but anyway two tricks estimated assistance is the standard. These two and the bidder's own four tricks total six. The privilege of playing one's own and the Dummy's hand is calculated as one trick, although often worth more. Here then are the seven tricks calculated on for an Initial Major suit bid of one. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 25 Tricks in Bidder's hand 4 Partner's tricks 2 Trick value of playing both hands i Total 7 With No Trump bids there is a difference. You have here three guarded suits which are roughly calculated as three tricks. This leaves an additional trick to be made up. But the ele- ment of loss of high cards by trumping is elim- inated, so the trick quota on account of playing both hands is increased to two, the greater pro- motion value of the combined high cards being also a factor. The seven tricks in a one No Trump are made up this way: Tricks in Bidder's hand 3 Partner's tricks 2 Trick value of playing both hands 2 Total 7 Initial One Minor suit declarations are merely informative indicating two sure tricks in the suit named. 26 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 THE THREE CLASSES OF INITIAL BIDS As already stated the dealer has the privilege of bidding first. If he passes, the call goes to the player on his left, and so on around. The first bids of the dealer and the player on his left are Initial or Free Bids, and the same conven- tions govern them. When both of these players pass and the say goes to the third or fourth player conditions have altered, and these latter bids, while seemingly voluntary, are really out- side of the category of Free Bids. Initial Bids are made with No Trump or in Major suits or Minor suits. There are writers who insist that the Initial Bids of Major and Minor suits should be treated alike, and as if they both were to be played even- tually as final declarations. Also that the same conventions should govern them. On the other hand, it is argued that the paramount idea in bridge is to make game, and as eleven tricks are necessary for game in a Free Minor suit bid, it is better to use the Minor suit initially as a guide to the Partner for a No Trump or a Major suit. Indeed, this is the view of the majority and is the standard adopted here. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 27 Minimum Initial Bids of One A minimum Initial one No Trump declara- tion represents about a Queen's strength better than the average hand with three guarded suits, and tells the partner he can depend on three tricks or better, either for defense or assistance. It says if the partner can help the Bidder would like to play out the declaration. A minimum one Major suit declaration in- forms the partner of four sure tricks if the suit is Trump, or two sure tricks for defense or sup- port. It also expresses the hope that the suit will go through as Trump. An Initial one Minor suit declaration offers assistance to the partner in case he can go to No Trump or some Major suit. It says, '^I have two sure tricks in the suit named. Take me out in any instance." Bids of Two or More There are Initial bids of two, three or more in all of the classes named except Minor Suit Declarations where there should be no bid of two or three. All Free Bids over two are pre- emptive, and indicate the Declarer expects to go game. Details of these and other Initial Declarations are gone into fully later on under their regular classifications. 28 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 FREE OR INITIAL MAJOR SUIT DECLARATIONS The Initial one Major suit declaration is the best average free bid, although the No Trump requires one trick less for a game score. There is always, however, a risk in a No Trump that equalizes the disadvantage of having to make the additional Trump trick. The Major suit bid should have both length and strength, and conform to the accepted con- vention. That is, an Initial Major Suit Bid of one must have four tricks for attack or two for defense or assistance. It says to the Partner: ^'I can make four tricks with my suit as Trump. If you shift or double you may count on me for two quick tricks." The minimum Major bid should have five cards headed by Ace King, with or without side suit strength. Or five cards topped by an Ace or a King and a Minor honor, along with one sure trick on the side. This sure trick must be an Ace, a King Queen of the same suit, or two Kings well guarded. Four Card Major Suit Bid Risky Some writers consider a suit of four cards headed by Ace, King, Queen with or without side suit strength, a sound One Major Suit Bid, Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 29 claiming that it fulfils the convention require- ments, namely four tricks for attack and two tricks for defense or assistance. While this interpretation is technically cor- rect, it is really unsound, because there is too much chance of one of the adversaries having more Trumps than the Declarer, w^hich is a tre- mendous advantage. Besides, if the Declarer is forced in Trumps he is entirely gone. Besides even if Dummy has a good plain suit there are not enough Trumps in the Declarer's hand for proper reentry, to say nothing of the adversaries' trumping possibilities. If the Declarer has four cards headed by Ace, King, Queen, w^ith side suit strength, then the play in all probability would be better at No Trump. Even while we consider a hand with five cards topped by Ace King, but without side suit strength, a sound One Major Suit Bid, we can- not deny that it is weak. However, it should always be called. This table gives the minimum strength for a One Major Suit declaration. Ace, King and three small. Ace, Queen, Jack and two small. King, Queen, Jack and two small. Ace and four small with one side quick trick. King, Queen and three small with one side quick trick. 30 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 As explained before, the side suit quick trick is an Ace, or King Queen of the same suit, .or two well guarded Kings. Bids of Two or More If without side suit strength the suit is six cards with two sure top tricks you may start with a bid of two, and so on, with one additional for every additional Trump. With side suit strength support it is better to start with a bid of one. The following is a table of suit lengths, headed by Ace King, Ace Queen Jack, or King Queen Jack without side strength. 5 cards — Initial Major suit bid of one. 6 cards — Initial Major suit bid of two. 7 cards — Initial Major suit bid of three. With eight or nine cards you have a freak hand and should preempt with a bid of 4 or 5 as judg- ment dictates. It is advisable, with a hand, the only strength of which is Trumps, to go the limit on the first bid. Bidding one at the start and then raising to two or three in the succeeding rounds is not good play. Suits Headed by a Queen Long Major suits headed by Queen Jack or Queen Ten with good side suit support, are often better trick makers than those recorded above. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 31 but they cannot be bid as Initial one suit decla- rations, because the partner would expect one or more Major honors in the declared suit and the usual proffer of No Trump assistance. Hands of this kind therefore come under the head of Major suit bids of two. Some authorities are violently against this, and advise holding back until the second round. The risk of losing the declaration, however, seems too great Suppose for instance you hold Queen Jack and four or five small Hearts, and you have on the side an Ace Queen in a Minor suit. You pass up the call for the second round. In the meanwhile an adverse bid of three Spades is made. Your partner knows nothing of your hand and passes. You, knowing nothing about his, cannot risk calling four Hearts. And your chance of game is lost. Major Suit Bids of One, Two or More An initial declaration of One indicates length with Major honors, and assistance for a No Trump. A declaration of Two indicates length with Major honors but no side suit strength, or length without Major honors with side suit strength. They do not invite a No Trump. Declarations of Three or more are preemp- tive and indicate long suits with Major honor strength. 32 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 It will be observed that the second of the above classifications covers the Initial two Major declaration of Ace King and four small with no side strength, as well as the long suit headed by Queen Jack, with side strength. Free bids with Jack Ten, Jack or Ten with five or six small and an Ace King of a side suit, although worth five tricks with the long suit as Trump, should be held for the second round. Here are some examples of one, two and three Initial One Suit Bids, the Trump being Spades: Spades — Ace King and three small. Hearts — Three small. Diamonds — Three small. Clubs — Two small. This is a minimum bid of one but is not very strong. Spades — Ace King and Three small. Hearts — King and Two small. Diamonds — Two small. Clubs — ^Three small. This is a good average bid of one. It is half a trick stronger than the minimum requirement. Spades — Ace, King and Four small. Hearts — Two small. Diamonds — Three small. Clubs — Two small. This represents five sure tricks and is an initial bid of two. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 33 Spades — Ace, King and Five small. Hearts — Two small. Diamonds — Three small. Clubs — One small. Bid Three Spades at once. With any other Trump and an adverse declaration, not more than one quick trick can be counted on. In all of the preceding examples Ace, King and small is practically of equal strength with Ace, Queen Jack and small, or King, Queen Jack and small. Spades — -Queen, Jack and four small. Hearts^ — Two small. Diamonds — Ace, King, one sm^all. Clubs — Two small. Start with Two Spades. 34 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 NO TRUMP DECLARATIONS MADE CLEAR Many players are at sea as to what really con- stitutes a sound Initial one No Trump declara- tion. They look over their cards, find no long Major suits, and bid No Trump, because they see several face cards and perhaps an Ace. It may be a sound No Trump and may be not. One is as likely as the other. A sound one No Trump hand must have a little more than average high card strength with three guarded suits. Experience shows that greater strength should equal the value of a Queen. There are two good methods of calculating No Trumpers. One is by the Robertson rule, which is universally accepted by the English Bridge writers and in London Clubs. The other method is based on the scale used in Auction Pitch, and which, although both sound and simple, is put forward by only one American writer. It is approved and used, however, by many good players. The Robertson rule makes Aces count 7 points, Kings 5, Queens 3 and Jacks i. Under it three guarded suits with 19 points is a sound one No Trump. The average hand should contain the equivalent of an Ace, King, Queen and Jack, Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 35 which would count up 16 points in all. An ad- ditional Queen value of 3 makes up the neces- sary 19 points. A Simple Rule for No Trumpers The rule based on the Auction Pitch scale mathematically figures out exactly the same as the Robertson rule. Since it is the easier of the two to remember we have adopted it here. Under it Aces count 4 points, Kings 3, Queens 2 and Jacks I. All the Aces and face cards in a deck total up to 40 points. The numbered cards are not considered. An average hand is one-fourth of forty, which is 10 points. The additional strength of a Queen being 2 points, a sound Ini- tial one No Trump under this rule is 12 points with three guarded suits. A guarded suit is an Ace, a King with one small card, a Queen with 2 small, or a Jack with 3 small. Some players consider that the Queen should have 3 small to be really protected, and that one of the 3 cards accompanying the Jack should be a Ten. This is not unreasonable, but if followed strictly would reduce the number of No Trump declarations without a corresponding advantage. In counting the points for your No Trump hand add up the value of every face card, whether it is or is not in the unguarded suit. As above stated 12 points with three guarded suits is a sound Initial one No Trump. Eleven 36 Complete Auction Bridge for I()22 points with two guarded suits is a weak No Trump. It is only a Jack value above the aver- age hand instead of a Queen value. For a two No Trump add the equivalent of an Ace or four points to your standard one No Trump making 16 points. That is, the equiva- lent of one additional sure trick. Unless you are an experienced player two suit No Trumps are too risky, as you must depend on your partner for both your weak suits. The odds are about four to one against his being strong in both. Incidentally, the weaker a player is, the more caution he should observe in his bidding. Examples of Sound One No Trump Here are several sound one No Trump decla- rations, based on three guarded suits with the face cards counting 12 points. Spades — Ace and two small. Hearts — Ace and three small. Diamonds — Three small. Clubs — Ace and three small. Each Ace counting 4, the 3 Aces make up the 12 points, with the 3 suits guarded. Spades — Ace and two small. Hearts — King and two small. Diamonds — Queen, Jack, and three small. Clubs — Queen and one small. Here the 12 points are made up of one Ace, 4; one King, 3; two Queens, 2 each; and one Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 37 Jack, I, with 3 suits guarded. Spades — King, Queen and one small. Hearts — King and two small. Diamonds — Queen, Jack and two small. Clubs — Jack and two small. There is no Ace in this hand, but it is still a sound one No Trump declaration. It seldom is advisable to make an Initial bid of more than one No Trump even if the points count enough for a higher declaration. It is better to wait. Major Suits Better Than No Trumps If you have a hand in which all four suits are guarded, a No Trump bid is better than a five card Major suit bid. If, however, your Major suit contains more than five cards, topped by Ace, King, then it might be better to bid the Major suit. Some writers maintain that it is always best to bid the No Trump first, as it shuts out all suit declarations of One, and deprives the adversa- ries of making one suit bids, which might be worked up into strong combination two or more suit bids. The player, in considering this, how- ever, should also weigh the advantage that a suit declaration in point of information gives his partner over a No Trump declaration, and the risk which always accompanies a No Trump. 38 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 MINOR SUIT FREE BIDS IN- FORMATIVE ONLY No good player should want to try for game with a Minor suit trump if there is any chance for a Major suit or a No Trump. To make eleven tricks is a large contract, and the penal- ties are the same for all sets. When you pick up your hand and it indicates one or two with a Minor suit play, it is best to wait till the Forced Bids begin and then base your call on strategy or as conditions warrant. The Conventions in Minor suit declarations differ from those of No Trump and Major suits, because the important thing in Bridge is to win games, and the percentage of games won with Minor suits is relatively small. Don't forget that if you win the rubber games there is large re- ward. The first, or second game when three are played, is worth 125 points, and the deciding game worth 250 points. The average value of an undoubled game, aside from any rubber bonus, is about 60 points. This makes the stake for each undeciding rubber game 185 points and for each deciding game 310 points. Initial Minor suit bids, therefore, should not be made with the idea of the suit becoming a final declaration. They are of value in inform- ing the partner he can depend on two sure tricks, Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 39 and that the suit called is fully protected should he want to go to No Trump. It also indicates a lead should the adversaries win the playing of the hand. Free Diamond or Club Bids A Free Bid of one Diamond or Club should indicate a suit of three or four headed by Ace King (side suit strength not essential) or Ace Queen Jack, or King Queen Jack with one addi- tional quick trick. If the suit is longer than four, say five or six, the winning value of the top cards, from an as- sistance standpoint, is not sound, because the chances are about one in three that the adver- saries may have a Singleton, which makes the two trick support uncertain. There should be no such thing as an Initial two or three Minor suit declaration, as these are firm bids for the Minor suit as Trump. Neither indicates that the Bidder expects the eleven tricks necessary for the Minor trump game, and at the same time they may drive the partner, who knows that less than five per cent of incomplete game scores win, into excessive Major suit or No Trump contracts. If you pick up a freak hand in Diamonds or Clubs with great length and strength and feel sure of going game, preempt it by bidding four or five on the jump. 40 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 With six points or over to the good in a game a player may make an Initial Bid in a Minor suit just as if it were a Major suit at love, because the tricks necessary for game are equalized. Minor Suits in Forced Bidding When the bidding becomes forced, and the fight is on, the Minor suits come to the front Anything may be better than letting your oppo- nents get the declaration. Minor suits are great also in other strategy. You can bluff with them more safely than with Major suits or No Trump, because your adversaries are always afraid about doubling a Minor suit bid. Realizing that a doubled three Clubs or Diamonds means game, they are often driven into contracts higher than they can make. You should only take your partner out of a No Trump declaration with a Minor suit as a rescue if your hand is practically a bust and you have not less than five Diamonds or Clubs. Or, when you feel sure that by changing to the Minor suit the combined hands can take eleven tricks; that is, make game. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 41 SECOND PLAYER'S FREE AND FORCED BIDS In the instance of the dealer not bidding, and the Initial declaration going on to the second player, the latter is bound by the same conven- tions as control the Dealer's bidding. Therefore, practically all that has been said regarding Ini- tial declarations of the Dealer applies equally to those of the second player. But when the Dealer has made a bid, condi- tions change. The second player is not then bound by the conventions controlling Initial dec- larations. His is a Forced bid governed by the number of tricks he can take. If the Dealer has bid one Heart, the second player should have four tricks for an overcall of one Spade. If he overbids with two Diamonds or two Clubs he should have five tricks. If he has a long suit game hand, there is no reason why he should not make a shut-out bid of three, four or five. '^•, !^| If the Dealer has called No Trump, and the second player has a solid Minor suit with a re- entry, he should pass with the hope of a set. With a solid Major suit and good side strength he should overcall. 42 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 Informative Doubles The Informative Doubles are the prerogative of the second player. For example : The Dealer goes one No Trump. The second player has also a good No Trump. This would indicate high card weakness in the hands of the third or fourth player. The second player, therefore, being un- certain as to his partner's support, instead of calling two No Trumps, doubles. This signals to the partner that he has a two No Trump hand, but fears to call it without hearing from him. If the partner has the necessary support he can bid two No Trump. Otherwise, he should make a rescue with his longest suit. Again, the Dealer bids one Spade. The second player has a No Trump hand with all the suits protected but Spades, of which he has only two or three small. He doubles the one Spade. This tells his partner he is hopelessly weak in Spades, and if the partner has Spades stopped twice, to go No Trump. If not, to bid his longest suit, even if it is only four cards. The second player when overcalling a one No Trump with a suit bid should have length as well as strength. Five cards should be the mini- mum length. When doubling a one No Trump he should have five tricks. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 43 THIRD PLAY AND THE DECLAR- ER'S PARTNER Should the privilege of the Initial declara- tion pass to the third player he has the advan- tage of knowing that his partner's hand is aver- age or less, and he should be guided accordingly. In declaring he must have a trick better for of- fense than he would if he were the dealer or second player. He is not bound, however, by the Initial Bid Conventions and his declaration is not regarded as informative. If the second player has made the Initial bid the third player may in this situation be guided by the instructions given under ''Second Play." The third player's position is hardest where the second hand has overcalled, and he is play- ing partner to the Initial bidder. The real and the assisting value of his hand are difficult to disentangle. He must consider Blank suits. Singletons, number and character of the Trumps, in addition to his high cards. Also the relationship of his hand to his partner's call and the overcall of the second player. Two Tricks Already Counted On The trouble with too many players is when it is up to them to assist or pass, they overlook the fact of their partner, in his bid, having al- X 44 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 ready counted on them for two tricks and possi- bilities, and they often raise the declaration on tricks already included in the original bid. As stated before, an Initial one Major suit bid means seven tricks, four in the Bidder's hand, two in the partner's hand and one through playing both hands. In a one No Trump the Bidder has three tricks, the partner credited with two and the play of combined hands two. In both instances two tricks and the advan- tages of playing the combined hands have been discounted. Therefore, the Declarer's part- ner should have at least three tricks in his hand before raising his partner's bid. In a Trump suit declaration the decision whether to assist or not is affected by the number and character of the Trumps. The partner has already been credited by the Declarer with an average Trump holding, that is, three small Trumps or two Trumps, one of which is an honor. If he has not these Trump values, even if he has side suit strength, it is always a question whether he should not shift the suit or pass. If he has no Trumps at all, or only one, even with other strength, he should certainly do so, as the probabilities are that the adversaries are the longer in Trumps. So if he names his own suit or goes No Trump, the combined hands may do better than assisting the Declarer. Besides, if Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 45 the Declarer's Trumps are long enough he can bid them in again on the second round. Deceptiveness of Five Small Trumps On the other hand, if he has four or five small Trumps and little or no side strength, he should not be led into raising on them, for in most in- stances some of them will fall to the Declarer's higher Trumps. For example take a hand where partner's Trump suit strength is average, that is, 3 small or an honor and one small. These Trumps are worth exactly one-half a trick, so the partner must have in addition an Ace and a side guarded King, which are counted one and one-half tricks, or three guarded Kings, which at one-half a trick each also counts up one and one-half tricks. However, here are only the two tricks that the Declarer has already reckoned on. To raise the bid one the partner must have in addition the value of one trick more. If he has a Blank suit or a Singleton with his three Trumps he may count on an additional one or two tricks. A Singleton Ace would mean two tricks. When the Dealer bids and the second hand passes, the third player must consider whether his hand comes up to the support his partner has calculated on, and whether he should assist or pass or shift the bid. If it is a Major suit decla- ration, the number and character of his Trump 46 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 is a deciding factor. Should he be shy of Trumps or have only one, if he can reasonably shift to another suit or No Trump, he should do so, as a preponderance of Trumps in an ad- verse hand is apt to be fatal. If he selects some other suit, the combined hands may prove better from a Trump standpoint, and the original suit become a big trick winner after the adverse Trumps have been pulled out. Assisting Hand Examples Here are several examples of Declarer's part- ner's hands. Declarer having bid one Heart and been overcalled with one Spade: Spades — Four small. Hearts — Three small=J^ trick. Diamonds — King and two small=>4 trick. Clubs — Ace and two small=i trick. This hand has only the two tricks already counted on. Pass. If the Declarer raises go from two to three, because this shows he has un- usual strength. Spades — Three small. Hearts — Three small=>^ trick. Diamonds — Ace, King and two small:=2 tricks. Clubs — King and two smail=:>4 trick. There are three tricks here, one over the esti- mate. Raise bid one. Spades — King and two small=>4 trick. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 47 Hearts — Queen and one small=^ trick. Diamonds — King, Queen and two small=i trick. Clubs — Ace and three small=i trick. The extra trick is here. Raise one. Spades — Two small. Hearts — Four or fi^t small=i trick. Diamonds — King and two small=^ trick. Clubs — Four small. Pass. The trick value is only a little more than iy2. Spades— None 1 _ . , Hearts— Four small J ~~ ^ ^^^^^^• Diamonds — King and three small=^ trick. Clubs — Queen and four small. Raise partner's bid one. Spades— One small 1 ^ ^ tricks Hearts — Four small f Diamonds — Ace and three small=i trick. Clubs — Four small. The extra trick is here. Raise one. For No Trump Assistance When the Declarer has bid one No Trump, and has been overcalled, the partner should not bid two No Trumps, unless he has the adverse Trump suit stopped twice and three side suit tricks besides. If the overcall is two Hearts and he has five Spades with a top honor he may bid 48 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 two Spades, leaving the say about a No Trump increase to the original Declarer. If the over- call is two Clubs or two Diamonds, under the same conditions, he may bid two Hearts. Should the overcall be two Spades, the partner should have one sure side trick in addition to his five Trump suit, to make a bid of three. Some good players say that the partner should not raise a No Trump unless he has a good aver- age hand with all four suits protected. In a one No Trump declaration, and no over- call, with a good average hand the partner should pass. Where the partner has little or no high card assistance, he should rescue his partner by bid- ding his longest suit regardless of strength, pro- vided it has ^Yt cards. With less than five cards he should pass, as otherwise his side would only have an additional trick to make good. With a Major suit of both length and strength, if the partner sees game, he should shift to this suit. Never take out a No Trump with a Minor suit unless your hand holds seven sure tricks, and even then consider whether you might not make more at No Trump. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 49 REGULATING FOURTH HAND BIDDING The bidding of the fourth hand is regulated by information gained through the bidding or passing of the three who have preceded him. He can make an Initial declaration on strength or length of Trumps without having two tricks for defense or support. If the Initial bid is made by the second hand (his partner) then he may be guided by the pre- ceding information given under ^'Third Play and Declarer's Partner." When the dealer, the second and third players have all passed, and the fourth player has a bor- der line bid of one, the chances are that he will not count much more than one. Therefore, with a love score it is best for him to save time by also passing, because only about five per cent of in- complete scores go game. 50 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 THE GREAT VALUE OF PREEMPTIVE BIDS When you have a long suit and feel, that with it as Trump, you have a real chance of going game, and at the same time want to shut out competi- tion, you can preempt a declaration by making an Initial bid of three or more. This tells your partner to let you alone unless he has a game hand in a higher valued declaration. Bids of this kind are called "preemptive" or "shut outs." They often win by preventing the adversaries working up to high declarations through knowledge of each other's strength. For example : The dealer starts with a call of four Hearts; the second player has a sound Spade bid of one or two, and his partner has as- sistance enough to lift to four Spades. The second player cannot bid four Spades and passes. His partner knowing nothing about his strength, and also unable to bid four Spades without as- sistance, also passes. The dealer consequently gets the declaration and goes game. If your hand is of a general character and you do not fear an adversary's call in a No Trump or a suit of high value, it is safer to bid one and avoid the risk of a set. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 51 DOUBLES— INFORMATIVE AND BUSINESS There are two kinds of Doubles — Informative and Business. The Informative Double always calls a one trick declaration, and differs from the Business Double, in that the doubler has no idea that it will stand, but wants to signal his hand to his partner. The Business Double is made to get increased penalties, the caller believing the adversaries contract can be defeated. It is for declarations of two or more. There is an Informative Double for No Trump and another for Major suit declarations. These are usually made by the second player after the dealer has declared. For example: The dealer calls one Spade and the player on his left doubles. This says to the doubler's partner, ^'I would have a good No Trump hand if my Spade suit were protected. If you can stop Spades twice, declare one No Trump. If you are also weak in Spades take me out by bidding your longest suit even if it is only four cards with no top strength.'* When the dealer bids No Trump and the second player doubles, it says to his partner, ''I also have a good No Trump hand and might go two No Trumps. I would rather wait, however, 52 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 and leave the declaration to you. If you have a good average hand bid two No Trumps, or pass for a set. If you have a good suit bid declare it. If you have a weak hand, bid in the longest suit you have." For the one No Trump double your hand should be a trick stronger than the conventional initial one No Trump declaration. The Informative Doubles were originated by Mr. Bryant McCampbell, and are among the most brilliant conceptions in Auction Bridge. They are well set forth in his excellent book ^'Auction Tactics." Business Doubles A Business Double is seldom made when the declaration is less than three, as it takes six tricks to set the two contract. The doubler should have three sure tricks and possibilities in his own hand for doubling a three declaration; two tricks and possibilities in doubling a declaration of four, and one trick and possibilities in doubling a declaration of five or over. He depends on his partner for the neces- sary additional tricks. There are other doubles, among them the Confusing Double and the Bluff Double, which Mr. McCampbell also ably describes in his ^'Auction Tactics." The Confusing Double is made to confuse the Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 53 Declarer as to the position of adverse high cards. The Bluff Double is made against a declara- tion which you cannot defeat, the purpose being to bring the adversaries into a declaration they had previously made, and which you believe you can defeat. When there is a question of trying for the rubber game or doubling your adversary, it is best to try for the rubber, unless you feel sure you will get more than 300 points through doubling. 54 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 SOME DECLARATION MAXIMS One of the popular fallacies in Auction Bridge is the belief of some players, that an Initial One Minor Suit bid arbitrarily invites a No Trump declaration by the partner. This is not so. It simply tells the partner that you have two sure tricks in the suit named with possible side strength, which he can either utilize for a No Trump or in any other way that may better suit his hand. The inexperienced player should be more cautious in bidding than those more familiar with the game. When in doubt he should promptly pass, waiting for further information, which is bound to be furnished as the bidding progresses. If you are strong in two suits bid that of the higher value first, even if it is slightly weaker. Afterwards bid two of the lower value suit, so that your partner can shift to your first declara- tion without raising the contract. Do not open the bidding with No Trumps unless your hand is such that you reasonably ex- pect to make the contract. The very light No Trump, so much in vogue, is a mistake. The most deceptive and dangerous bid is with a suit headed by King, Jack. With Ace Queen on the wrong side your adversary has the advan- tage. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 55 There should be no such thing as a two or three Minor suit Initial bid, as they are invita- tions to play the hand through, with no certainty of making the eleven tricks necessary for game. After the Initial bid work your Minor suits in your declarations for all they are worth, in order to encourage your partner and for forcing the opponents into contracts they cannot fulfill. Many players are condemned for overcalling but few for undercalling. One is as bad as the other. If your partner bids Diamonds or Clubs, always move to a Major suit or a No Trump, whether you have support or not in his call, but if he calls Spades, Hearts or No Trumps, never move if you have a good support, unless you feel you have practically certain game. Raise on your own hand, not on your partners. Raising on insufficient strength is as much a mistake as failing to raise with good assistance. Initial Bids are governed by arbitrary rules which state the minimum number of tricks the bidder can make and what he has for support and defense. It is only when you have equally sound bids in two suits that the matter of judg- ment enters. With rubber games tied a player is justified in taking extraordinary risks. ^6 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 Do not make a declaration where the risk of loss is great, and the prospect of game small. If your partner indicates that he has two suits in his hand, always shift him into the one in which you have the greatest number of cards. Do not overbid your partner with a Minor suit unless sure of making game. Never make an Initial bid of more than one in a Major Suit when strong in both Major suits. Having a solid holding of Diamonds or Clubs with a One No Trump declaration on the right, pass, because in the instance of the declaration going through, you can probably save the game or set the contract; whereas, if you bid the suit you are liable to drive your adversaries into a Major suit declaration. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 57 PART III THE PLAY The intricacies of the play in bridge are in- numerable, and in a book of instructions too much detail in their presentation does more harm than good. The purpose of this little work is clearness and simplicity, to give informa- tion that can be easily comprehended and read- ily applied. We shall, therefore, endeavor to eliminate everything not absolutely essential. To begin with, the Declarer has contracted to make a certain number of tricks with his own and his partner's cards. The business of the opposing players is to prevent this and set the contract. The Declarer should always have game as his goal, even if his contract calls for One only. With any reasonable possibility of game he should not hesitate to risk his contract. Conversely the opponents should direct their energies first to save the game and then to de- feat the contract. After the Dummy's hand is spread out the De- clarer should size up the situation and determine his plan of action, which differs in the case of Trumps or No Trump. 58 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 In a Trump suit hand the immediate decision is whether Trumps should be led at once or held for developments or ruffing. There is not much difference in the handling of the winning cards of the plain suits, whether the hand is Trumps or No Trump. The sure tricks are obvious. Good play consists in mak- ing tricks with cards not obviously winners. The two factors for this are, first, finessing; second, establishing a suit. Finessing is where with a broken sequence you attempt to win a trick with not your best card. It is taking a chance to make two tricks where only one is sure. Establishing a suit is by eliminating all the high cards in the partner's and adversaries' hands so that the smaller ones are trick win- ners, and at the same time holding reentry cards for leads to play them. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 59 DECLARER'S PLAY WITH TRUMPS AND NO TRUMPS With a Trump suit declaration, as stated before, the Declarer should make up his mind whether it is best to play Trumps as soon as he gets the lead, and pull out all of those held by his adversaries, or whether there is a chance of making more tricks by not playing Trumps through ruffing and cross ruffing. There is con- siderable danger in adopting the latter of these propositions through possibility of the adver- saries being able, also by ruffing, to make other- wise worthless Trumps. It is here that judg- ment and nerve are necessary. The Declarer should endeavor to turn Dum- my's small Trumps into tricks by ruffing, but should do nothing (except in unusual instances) to weaken his own Trump suit strength. He can rely on the adversaries forcing his Trumps whenever possible, and he should not help them. When an adversary starts forcing the Declarer on Trumps it is sometimes better when not over strong to let him take the trick or tricks and dis- card useless cards, which might prove disadvan- tageous when the Declarer again gets the lead. Often there are situations arising in the early part of the play which might be affected through Trumps being out. Therefore, the Declarer 6o Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 should not make the mistake of leading Trumps too soon. Declarer at No Trump The Declarer in a No Trump hand has to rely more on making uncertain cards. He should first count up the sure tricks in his own and the Dummy's hand, and calculate the number he must make through strategy, finessing, and the establishing of his long suit. At the same time he must not overlook his weak suit, lest his ad- versaries establish that against him and thereby set his contract. He must compare the finessing possibilities of his own hand and of the Dummy's and with this in view manipulate his leads so always to play from the weaker up to the stronger. In selecting a suit to establish he should take the one in which the number of cards is greatest in both his own and Dummy's hands. If he has tw^o suits of equal strength, select the one where the cards are not evenly divided. Get out the high cards of the shorter suit first, so that when the suit is established the lead will be in the longer hand. When the cards break even, it is not so good, but the same tactics must be fol- lowed. Avoid blocking the Declarer's hand with Dummy's high cards or vice versa. It is always best to keep a reentry in the hand holding the long suit, and if possible, one in the adversaries' suit. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 6 1 THE ADVERSARIES' LEADS AND PLAY With a Trump Declaration the adversaries rely on their high cards and make them with as little delay as possible. The idea is not to have them frozen up by waiting too long. Length of suit is often a disadvantage through the danger of the high cards being ruffed. For the opening lead (which is always made by the adversary to the left of the Declarer) where the partner has indicated his suit, there is a convention that the player shall lead the high- est of this suit, unless he has a plain side suit Ace King. In this instance, he shall begin by play- ing the King and then follow with the highest card in his partner's suit. This tells the partner where the ace is and that he can depend upon it for reentry. Without the outside Ace King, starting with the highest of the partner's suit is imperative. When the partner has not indicated a suit, lead from the strongest sequence. If there is none, then play the fourth highest card of the best suit. With a weak hand and three Trumps topped by a good honor a Singleton may be led, because otherwise if the Declarer starts Trumps the 62 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 chance of making anything by trumping is gone. As a rule, Initial leads of Singletons are un- sound. Any of the sequence leads in the accompany- ing "Trump Suit Game" table such as Ace King, King Queen, Queen Jack, etcetera, are conventional opening leads. If all of your plain suits are headed by Ten- aces or broken sequences, it may be better to lead Trumps. Tenaces are of great value when led up to, rarely so when played from, and the Trump play enables your partner to lead up to the weak suits in Dummy's hand. After the first trick the leads of the adver- saries are largely affected by the cards in Dum- my's hand, which is then exposed. Lead through strength and up to weakness is a good rule but is open to this modification. Do not lead through Dummy's high sequence suits like Ace King, King Queen, etcetera. Lead through his Tenaces and broken sequences or through single honors. Adversaries' Leads in a No Trumper In playing against a No Trump declaration the adversaries in the establishment of suits are governed by the same tactics as the Declarer, such as holding back reentry cards and avoiding blocking. Finessing need not be considered as the opponents of the Declarer do not finesse. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 63 Discrimination must be used in leading high cards. Haste is not necessary. Unlike the Trump game, length in suits is valuable. There being no Trumps to fear it is advantageous to keep back the high cards for reentry, in case you do establish a suit, or are left with the best small cards in the Declarer's suit. If the partner has bid, the leader should play the highest card he has in the partner's suit. If he has not bid, he should open with the fourth best card in his own long suit. If he has two long suits he should select the stronger, unless he has bid it, his partner refusing support. High cards are only led when there are three honors or six or more cards in the suit. In es- tablishing this long suit effort should be made to keep some high cards in the short suits for reentry. The following tables show the conventional opening leads against Trump suit declarations and No Trump declarations: Opening Leads in a Trump Suit Ace, King, Queen, Jack King, follow with Jack Ace, King, Queen King, follow with Queen Ace, King, Jack King, follow with Ace Ace, King, x x King, follow with Ace Ace, King, x King, follow with Ace Ace, King Ace, follow with King Ace, XX Ace, follow with small Ace, X Ace, follow with small 64 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 Ace, Queen, Jack Ace, follow with Queen Ace, Queen x x Ace, follow with lowest Ace, Jack, Ten, x Ace, follow with Ten King, Queen, Jack .King King, Queen, Ten King King, Queen King King, Jack, Ten, x Jack King, Jack, x x x Fourth best King, Jack, x Lowest King, Ten, Nine, x Ten King, xxxx Fourth best King, x x Lowest Queen, Jack, Ten, x Queen Queen, Jack, Nine, x Queen Queen, Jack, x Queen Jack, Ten, x x Jack Queen, Jack, x x Queen Jack, Ten Jack Ten, Nine Ten Ten, Nine, x x Ten Opening Leads in a^NO Trumper HAVING HAVING NO REENTRY REENTRY Ace, King, Queen, x x King King Ace, King, Jack, Ten King Jack Ace, King, Jack, x King 4th best Ace, King, xxxx . King 4th best Ace, King, x x x 4th best 4th best Ace, King, x x 4th best 4th best Ace, Queen, Jack, x Queen Queen Ace, Queen, Jack, x x Ace Queen Ace, Jack, Ten, x x Jack Jack Ace, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best King, Queen, Jack, Ten King King Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 65 King, Queen, Jack, x King King King, Queen, Ten, x King King King, Queen, x x x King 4th best King, Queen, x x 4th best 4th best King, Jack, Ten, x Jack Jack King, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best Queen, Jack, Ten, x Queen Queen Queen, Jack, x x 4th best 4th best Queen, Ten, Nine, x Ten Ten Jack, Ten, Nine, x Jack Jack Jack, Ten, x x 4th best 4th best Ten, Nine, Eigiit, x Ten Ten Deductions from Tables By studying these tables it will be observed whenever there is a sequence of Ace King or King Queen, the King is always led. If the sequence is Ace King Queen a follow with the Queen is' additional information for your partner. A lead of Ace followed by King indicates no more of the suit. Any other lead of an Ace de- nies having the King. Leading the Queen shows you have Queen Jack Ten, Queen Jack Nine or Queen Jack with one or more small. Leading the Jack indicates Jack Ten with or without small. Leading the Ten says you have the Nine with or without small. It will also be observed that a small card is never led from a three honor suit. 66 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 FINESSING, THE DISCARD AND "FOURTH-BEST" The best illustrations of finessing cards are the Ace Queen which is called the Major Tenace, and the King Jack, which is called Minor Ten- ace. The Declarer having small cards plays up to Dummy's Tenace, with the hope that by fines- sing with the Queen he can make the lower as well as the higher card. If the intermediate card is on the right of the Dummy the finesse wins, if it is on the left it loses. The chances, of course, are even. If you have an opportunity to win game by finessing, do so, even if, by losing, your contract will be set. If winning a finesse does not give you game, then it is not wise to take the chance if you jeopardize your contract. There are other finessing card combinations in addition to those mentioned. Also, as the game progresses there are opportunities to finesse with cards even as low as Eight or Nine. The handling of these situations is best learned by experience. The bidding by the adversaries is also a guide in finessing, as it indicates the position of the high cards. There are many situations where finessing is unwise. For example: with Ace Queen in a Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 67 Trump suit game and the adversaries having a short suit, it is better to take with the Ace and lead Trumps. Play the high card if the adver- sary has an established suit and needs a lead. Also play the high card when you are afraid of being led through. There is one finessing situation of frequent occurrence that if successful often brings big re- sults. The Declarer has three small. Adversary on the left has King Jack Nine. Dummy has Ace Queen Ten. Declarer leads. Adversary on left plays Nine. Dummy finesses with Ten, which wins the trick. Dummy throws the lead back to Declarer, who leads another small. Dummy takes with Queen and then plays the Ace on which the adversary's King drops. Here are made three tricks which without the finesse might only have been one. It makes no difference if the Declarer or Dummy has the finessing hand. The Discard The general rule is that the discard in both Trump suit hands and No Trumps should be from weakness. But there are exceptions to it. Under usual conditions your first discard indi- cates that you do not want your partner to lead you that suit. Your second, if you have one, shows your next weakest suit. This enables 68 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 your partner to conclude pretty closely what your best suit is. Occasions arise, however, especially in No Trumpers, where you must not discard from your weak suit. For example, in an adverse suit a Jack guarded with three small or with a couple of honors out you have a guarded Ten. These must, if possible, be left intact, and you may have to discard from your strongest suit. In such a case you signal the fact to your partner by first throwing a higher card and following it with a lower. Fourth-Best Card and Eleven Rule Playing the "fourth-best" card referred to so often in the foregoing tables, is one of the best signaling leads. It means that the player has no sequence in the suit but that he has in his hand three cards higher than the one led. From this lead comes the '^Eleven Rule", the significance of which most players understand, but which is generally regarded as a mysterious but arbitrary dictum. The Rule of Eleven is the subtraction of the "fourth-best" card from eleven, the remainder being the number of cards higher than the "fourth-best" that are in the three hands outside of the leader's. For instance, the leader plays a seven. Sub- tract seven from eleven. The four remainder Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 69 show that there are four cards higher than the seven in the three hands other than the leader's. With the Dummy's hand exposed, the partner of the leader, by adding the cards he has higher than seven of the Dummy, and subtracting the total from four, knows how many cards above seven the Declarer has. He knows, too, pretty nearly what their denominations are, because the leader would not have played the ^'fourth-best" from a suit headed by a sequence. For example: say the Seven is led. In Dum- my's hand is Jack, Three. The leader's partner has Queen, Ten and Four. Subtract seven from eleven and there remains four cards higher than seven to be accounted for. Dummy has one, leader's partner has two, which leaves one card above seven for the Declarer's hand. That card is logically an Ace or King, because there is no Ace or King in Dummy's or partner's hand, and the leader would not have played ^'fourth-best" with an Ace King sequence. The puzzling thing about the "Eleven Rule" is that if the number of the "fourth-best" card is subtracted from the whole number of cards in a suit (that is 13), which seems the natural thing to do, the result counts one less than the three higher cards in the leader's hand plus the dif- ference between the "fourth-best" card and eleven. This is owing to the Ace, or One, being 70 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 considered as the highest instead of the lowest of a suit, which would make the suit count from 2 to 14 instead of from i to 13. Deducting the "fourth-best" card from fourteen, leaves the cor- rect number of higher cards held by all four hands. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 Jl POINTS IN PLAYING Let your play give as much information to your partner as possible. In trying to deceive your adversaries you may deceive him also. Never finesse your partner's lead. Don't put adverse Dummy in a position to ruff. When he is out of a suit, play Trumps. Make any reasonable sacrifice to remove ad- verse Dummy's reentry where he has a long suit. The average No Trump contract always has game possibilities, unless the adversaries prompt- ly establish their suit. When your partner has bid two suits, lead from the one in which you are strongest. When the game is young count only an Ace or King as sure reentries. After several plays conditions are different. Avoid leading from a Tenace suit. If you play from an Ace King sequence and adverse Dummy has a guarded Queen do not follow the King with the Ace. Always calculate on average assistance from your partner. Force the strong hand but never the weak hand. Because your partner has doubled, do not 72 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 take for granted that he wants the suit led. His strength may be in side suits. Don't open with a Singleton unless you have a Trump honor for reentry, so you can get in again to throw the lead to your partner with an- other suit. Never force your partner to bid two, when one will be sufficient. Complete Auction Bridge for IQZZ 73 PART IV PROCEDURE, PENALTIES AND LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE Origin and Growth The procedure and laws in Auction Bridge now in use have been evolved from those of Whist and Bridge, with additions after the ele- ment of bidding was introduced into the game. The man responsible for the bidding was an English writer calling himself John Doe, who originated it some time around 1890. John Doe is better known, however, as the inventor of the best definition of a Sound One No Trump Bid; namely, ^'A Queen strength better than the aver- age hand, with three suits guarded." A little later the Bath Club of London took up Auction Bridge and gave it its first real im- petus. It was not until several years after that it was considered seriously in this country, and even then there was so great a difference of opinion regarding it as to cause a split in one of the most important of the American Clubs. At present the procedure and laws of Auction Bridge are the same in the American and 74 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 English Clubs, with the exception of a few minor points and the penalties in the Revoke and one or two violations of lesser importance. The procedure and laws which are here ap- pended are those generally accepted. Where there is difference of opinion the different views are given, along with the writer's reason for the selection made. We have been fortunate in having access to the Laws framed by the Card Committee of the Portland Club, with the cooperation of The Baldwin Club, The Bath, St. James's, The Turf and White's, of London, where, as above stated. Auction Bridge started. We are happy also to tender our thanks to Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E.C., for their kind permission to print verbatim extracts from these laws, which, whenever used, will be found with foot- note credits. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 75 PROCEDURE, PENALTIES AND LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE Auction Bridge Defined 1. Auction Bridge is a variation of the game of Whist, in which bidding decides whether the hand shall be played with or without a Trump, along with the privilege to the Declarer of playing both his own and his partner's hands. Fifty-Two Cards Used 2. All the cards in the deck are used, the Deuce counting lowest and Ace highest. In playing it is optional whether one or two decks are used. If two they should have different backs. Cutting for Partners and Deal * 3. There are four players who cut for partners, the low- est two playing against the highest two. If cards of equal value are drawn the paired players must cut again. Lowest deals. Ace is lowest in cutting. All cutting must be from the same deck. Should a player expose more than one card, he must cut again. Rotation of the Deal 4. After the first deal, all the other deals proceed by rotation to the left, each player dealing in his turn. The player on the right cuts the deck. Each of the four players receives thirteen cards. * When two players draw cards of the same denomination in cutting for partners or the deal, the English custom is for them to cut again. In the American Clubs in cutting. Spades is lowest, Hearts next, Diamonds third and Clubs highest. So that the three of Spades and the three of Hearts or Diamonds or Clubs being drawn, the three of Spades wins. We have adopted the English practice as less confusing. 76 Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 Points 5. Points are made by tricks, bonuses and penalties. Four Cards a Trick 6. A trick is made up of four cards, one from each player, who must follow suit if he can. The highest card takes the trick except when it is trumped. Any player, who has no card in the suit led, may, at his option, discard or Trump. A Book and Odd Tricks 7. Six tricks constitute a book. All tricks above a book are called odd tricks. Only odd tricks have point value. No Trump and Suit Values 8. The point value of odd tricks depends on whether there is a suit or a No Trump declaration. The No Trump value and suit values of the tricks are 10 points in a No Trump declaration 9 points in a Spade declaration 8 points in a Heart declaration 7 points in a Diamond declaration 6 points in a Club declaration When the declaration is doubled the No Trump value and suit values of the tricks are 20 points in a doubled No Trump declaration 18 points in a doubled Spade declaration 16 points in a doubled Heart declaration 14 points in a doubled Diamond declaration 12 points in a doubled Club declaration When the declaration is redoubled the No Trump value and suit values of the tricks are 40 points in a redoubled No Trump declaration 36 points in a redoubled Spade declaration 32 points in a redoubled Heart declaration Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 77 28 points in a redoubled Diamond declaration 24 points in a redoubled Club declaration Value of Honors 9. Honors consist of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of the Trump suit. In a No Trump they consist of 4 Aces. The collective value of honors differs v^^hen held in the hand of one partner or in the hands of both partners. In a Trump suit declaration the value of the honors are regulated by the trick value of the suit. In a Trump Suit Hand 3 honors held jointly equal value of 2 tricks 4 honors held jointly equal value of 4 tricks 5 honors held jointly equal value of 5 tricks 4 honors in one hand equal value of 8 tricks 4 honors in one hand fifth in partner's equal value of 9 tricks 5 honors in one hand equal value of 10 tricks In a No Trump Hand 3 Aces held jointly count 30 4 Aces held jointly count 40 4 Aces in one hand count 100 Honors are always counted for the side having them, w^hether the Declarer's or not. They are not affected by doubling or redoubling. Grand Slam and Small Slam 10. When one side takes the v^rhole thirteen tricks it makes a Grand Slam, and a bonus of lOO is added to the honor score, in addition to the point value of the seven tricks in the trick score. When it takes twelve tricks, 50 points are added to the honor score, in addition to the trick points in the trick score. This is called a Small Slam. yS Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 Trick and Honor Scores 11. There Is a trick score and an honor score for each side. Only points for tricks go in the trick score. Points for honors, penalties and bonuses of all kinds, go in the honor score. Trick score points alone are counted for game. 30 Points are Game 12. The game consists of 30 points, obtained by trick values alone, but any trick points in excess of 30 are counted. The Rubber 13. The rubber is the best of three games. If the first two are won by the same partners, the third is not played. The winner of the two games gets a bonus of 250 points, which goes in the honor score. 14. At the conclusion of a rubber all the points in both trick and honor scores for each set of partners are added up, and the difference goes to the side which has the greatest number of points. Each of the winning partners gets the full amount of the points won, which is paid by each of the losers. *i5. When a rubber is started with the agreement that the play shall terminate (i.e. no new deal shall commence) at a specified time, and the rubber is then unfinished, the score is made up as it stands, 125 points being added to the score of the winners of a game. A deal, if started, must be finished. *i6. Bets on the result of a rubber are won by the win- ners on points. If the rubber is concluded under Law 15, bets made on the rubber are annulled. * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 79 The Bidding or Declaration 17. Whether the hand shall be played with a Trump or No Trump is decided by declaration or bidding. The Dealer has the first bid, and is followed in order by the players to his left. When nobody bids there is a new deal. 18. It is optional with the players whether they bid Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, No Trumps or pass. After any player makes a declaration the other three players have a say, and can overcall, double or pass, except that a player may not overbid his own declaration. 19. When all players have finally passed the highest declaration stands. The player who started it plays both his own and his partner's hand, the latter being placed face upward on the table. The exposed hand is called the Dummy. It is not laid down until the first card is played. 20. When a hand has been played through and the De- clarer makes his contract or better, he gets for his trick score the value of all the tricks made over and above the book. If he fails to make his contract, he gets nothing for the tricks he has made, while his adversaries get in the honor score as penalties, 50 points for each trick less than the declaration calls for. Or, if the declaration was doubled by an adversary, then the penalty is 100 points for each trick short of the contract, and if redoubled, 200 points for each deficient trick. *2i. If a player makes an illegal declaration, such as declaring an impossible number of tricks, the adversary on his left may demand a new deal, may treat such declaration as not made, or may permit it to stand. The player in error cannot be penalized for more than Grand Slam. (Note: This violation is not specified in all Auction rules.) * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 8o Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 * 22. If a player makes a declaration (other than passing) out of turn, the adversary on his left may demand a new deal, or may allow the declaration so made to stand, or he may refer it to his partner, whose decision must be final. Should the declaration be allowed to stand, the bidding shall continue as if the declaration had been in order. * 23. If a player, in bidding, fail to declare a sufficient number of tricks to overbid the previous declaration, he shall be considered to have declared the requisite number of tricks in the bid which he has made, provided that the number of tricks shall not exceed seven; and his partner shall be de- barred from making any further declaration, unless either of his adversaries make a higher declaration or double. If, however, such insufficient declaration be accepted by the next player passing it, or doubling it, or by making a higher declaration, no rectification can be made. * 24. After the final declaration has been made, a player is not entitled to give his partner any information as to a pre- vious declaration, whether made by himself or by either ad- versary; but a player is entitled to inquire, at any time during the play of the hand, what was the final declaration. Doubling and Redoubling 25. When an adversary doubles the Declarer, the latter, if he loses, pays a penalty of 100 points instead of 50 for each trick less than his contract. If the Declarer makes his contract, he gets double value for each trick called for by the contract, and in addition, a bonus of 50 points for making his contract. Also, for every trick he takes over his con- tract he gets an additional bonus of 50 points. 26. If the Declarer redoubles, he gets, if he makes his * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 8i contract, lOO points bonus and four times the value of each contracted trick; while for every trick he makes above his contract he gets lOO points. If he fails to make his contract, his adversary scores 200 points for every trick less than the number called for by the contract. 27. When a declaration is doubled, it is optional with the Declarer whether he will accept or change his declaration to a higher one. In the latter instance each of the other three players also has another say. 28. The value of honors, Grand Slam and Small Slam, are not affected by redoubling. * 29. Any declaration can be doubled and redoubled once, but not more; a player cannot double his partner's declara- tion, or redouble his partner's double, but he may redouble a declaration of his partner's which has been doubled by his adversaries. * 30. If a player doubles out of his turn the adversary on his left may demand a new deal. fFORMATION OF TaBLE^ EnTRY AND ReENTRY 31. If there are more than four candidates, the players are selected by cutting, the first six in the room having the right of belonging to the table, which is complete with six players. The candidates who cut the next lowest cards have a prior right to any after-comer to enter the table. 32. The four who cut the lowest cards play the first rubber; they cut again for partners, and the two lowest play against the two highest. The player cutting the lowest card deals first, and has choice of cards and seats, and, having once made his selection, must abide by it. * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. t This classification is taken from Portland Club Laws, by permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 82 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 33. At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed by one or two candidates, the player who has, or the players who have, played a greater number of consecutive rubbers than the others is, or are, out; but when all have played the same number, they must cut to decide upon the out- goers; the highest are out. 34. A candidate, whether he has played or not, can join a table which is not complete by declaring in at any time prior to any of the players having cut a card, either for the purpose of commencing a fresh rubber or of cutting out. 35. Any one quitting a table prior to the conclusion of a rubber may, with consent of the other three players, appoint a substitute in his absence during that rubber. * Shuffling 36. The pack must neither be shuffled below the table nor so that the face of any card can be seen. 37. The pack must not be shuffled during the play of the hand. 38. A pack, having been played with, must neither be shuffled by dealing it into packs, nor across the table. 39. Each player has a right to shuffle once only (except as provided by Law 42) prior to a deal, after a false cut, or when a new deal has occurred. 40. The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal, and has the first right to shuffle that pack. 41. Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards, properly collected and face downwards, to the left of the player about to deal. 42. The dealer has always the right to shuffle last; but should a card or cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst giving the pack to be cut, he may be compelled to re-shuffle. * This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 83 * Laws Governing Dealing 43. Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing goes to the left. 44. The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and, in dividing it, must not leave fewer than four cards in either packet; if in cutting, or in replacing one of the two packets on the other, a card be exposed, or if there be any confusion of the cards or a doubt as to the exact place in which the pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut. 45. When a player, whose duty it is to cut, has once sep- arated the pack, he cannot alter his cut; moreover, he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut the cards. 46. After the pack has been cut, should the dealer shuffle the cards, the pack must be cut again. 47. The fifty-two cards shall be dealt face downwards. The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt face downwards. 48. There must be a new deal — I. If, during a deal, or during the play of a hand, the pack be proved to be incorrect or imperfect; II. If, during a deal, any card be faced in the pack, or in any way exposed on, above, or below the table; III. Unless the cards are dealt into four packets, one at a time and in regular rotation, beginning at the player to the dealer's left; IV. Should the last card not come in its regular order to the dealer; V. Should a player have more than thirteen cards, and any one or more of the others, less than thirteen cards; VI. Should the dealer deal two cards at once, or two cards to the same hand, and then deal a third; but if, prior to dealing that card, the dealer can, by altering the position of one card only, rectify such error, he may do so; VII. Should the dealer omit to have the pack cut to him, and the adversaries discover the error prior to the last card being dealt, and before looking at their cards, * This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 84 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 49. A player may not look at any of his cards until the deal has been completed; should he do so, and a card be afterwards exposed, the adversary on his left shall have the option of allowing the deal to stand or not. 50. If the dealer, before he has dealt fifty-one cards, look at any card, his adversaries have a right to see it, and may exact a new deal. 51. Should three players have their right number of cards, and the fourth have less than thirteen, and not dis- cover such deficiency until he has played any of his cards, the deal stands good; should he have played, he is answer- able for any revoke he may have made, as if the missing card, or cards, had been in his hand ; he may search the other pack for it, or them. 52. If a pack during or after a rubber, be proved incor- rect, or imperfect, such proof does not alter any past score, game, or rubber; that hand in which the imperfection was detected is null and void, and the dealer must deal again. 53. Any one dealing out of turn, or with the adversaries' cards, may be stopped before the last card is dealt, otherwise the deal stands good, and the game must proceed as if no mistake has been made. 54. A player can neither shuffle, cut, nor deal for his partner without the permission of his opponents. * The Dummy 55. As soon as a card is led by the eldest hand, i.e., the player on the left of the Declarer, the Declarer's partner shall place his cards face upwards on the table, and the duty of playing the cards from that hand, which is called Dummy, and of claiming and enforcing any penalties arising during the hand, shall devolve upon the Declarer, unassisted by his partner. * This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission )f Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 85 56. Before placing his cards upon the table, the Declarer's partner has all the rights of a player, but after so doing shall take no part whatever in the play, except that he has the right: — I. To ask the Declarer whether he has any of a suit which he may have renounced; II. To call the Declarer's attention to the fact that too many or too few cards have been played to a trick; III. To correct the claim of either adversary to a penalty to which the latter is entitled; IV. To call attention to the fact that a trick has been wrongly gathered by either side; V. To participate In the discussion of any disputed question of fact, or of law; VI. To correct an erroneous score. If he call attention to any other incident in the play of the hand, in respect of vi^hich any penalty might be exacted, the fact that he has done so shall deprive the Declarer of the right of exacting such penalty against his adversaries. 57. If the Declarer's partner, by touching a card, or otherv^^ise, suggest the play of a card from Dummy, either of the adversaries may, but without consulting with his part- ner, call upon the Declarer to play or not to play the card suggested. 58. If the Declarer's partner call the attention of the Declarer to the fact that he is about to lead from the wrong hand, the adversary on the left of the Declax^r may require that the lead be made from that hand. 59. When the Declarer draws a card, either from his own hand or from Dummy, such card is not considered as played until actually quitted. 60. A card once played, or named by the Declarer as to be played from his own hand or from Dummy, cannot be taken back, except to save a revoke. 61. The Declarer's partner may not look over his adver- saries' hands, nor leave his seat for the purpose of watching his partner's play. 86 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 62. Dummy is not liable to any penalty for a revoke, as his adversaries see his cards. Should he revoke, and the error not be discovered until the trick is turned and quitted, the trick stands good. 63. The Declarer is not liable to any penalty for an error whence he can gain no advantage. Thus, he may expose some, or all of his cards, without incurring any penalty. * Cards Exposed^ Called and Played in Error 64. If all the cards have been dealt, and before the final declaration has been made, any player expose a card from his hand, the adversary on his left may demand a new deal. If the deal be allowed to stand, the exposed card may be taken up and cannot be called. 65. If, after the final declaration has been made, and before a card is led, the partner of the player who has to lead to the first trick exposes a card from his hand, the Declarer may, instead of calling the card, require the leader not to lead the suit of the exposed card. 66. All cards exposed by the Declarer's adversaries are liable to be called, and must be left face upwards on the table; but a card is not an exposed card when dropped on the floor, or elsewhere below the table. 67. The following are exposed cards: — I. Two or more cards played at once; II. Any card dropped with its face upwards, or In any way ex- posed on or above the table, even though snatched up so quickly that no one can name it. 68. If either of the Declarer's adversaries play to an im- perfect trick the best card on the table, or lead one which is a winning card as against the Declarer and his partner, and then lead again, without waiting for his partner to play, or play several such winning cards, one after the other, with- * This classification is taken from the Portland Club Laws, by permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 87 out waiting for his partner to play, the latter may be called on to win, if he can, the first or any other of those tricks, and the other cards thus improperly played are exposed cards. 69. Should the Declarer indicate that all or any of the remaining tricks are his, he may be required to place his cards face upwards on the table; but they cannot be called. The Declarer is not then allowed to call any cards which his adversaries may have exposed, nor to take any finesse unless he announces it when making his claim. 70. If either of the Declarer's adversaries throws his cards on the table face upwards, such cards are exposed, and liable to be called by the Declarer. 71. If all the plaj^ers throw their cards on the table face upwards, the hands are abandoned, and the score must be left as claimed and admitted. The hands may be examined for the purpose of establishing a revoke, but for no other purpose. 72. A card detached from the rest of the hand of either of the Declarer's adversaries, so as to be named, is liable to be called; but should the declarer name a wrong card, he is liable to have a suit called when first he or his partner have the lead. 73. If a player, who has rendered himself liable to have the highest or lowest of a suit called, or to win or not to win a trick, fail to play as desired, though able to do so, or if when called on to lead one suit, lead another, having in his hand one or more cards of that suit demanded, he incurs the penalty of a revoke. 74. If either of the Declarer's adversaries lead out of turn, the Declarer may call a suit from him or his partner when it is next the turn of either of them to lead, or may call the card erroneously led. 75. If the Declarer lead out of turn, either from his own hand or from Dummy, he incurs no penalty; but he may 88 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 not rectify the error after the second hand has played, unless called upon by either adversary to do so. 76. If any player led out of turn, and the other three have followed him, the trick is complete, and the error cannot be rectified; but if only the second, or the second and third, have played to the false lead, their cards, on discovery of the mistake, can be taken back; and there is no penalty against any one, excepting the original offender, and then only when he is one of the Declarer's adversaries. 77. In no case can a player be compelled to play a card which would oblige him to revoke. 78. The call of a card may be repeated until such card has been played. 79. If a player called on to lead a suit have none of it, the penalty is paid. 80. Should the fourth hand play before the second, the latter (not being Dummy or his partner) may be called on to win, or not to win, the trick, or to discard from a suit specified by the Declarer (subject to Law 77). 81. If any one (not being Dummy) omit playing to a former trick, and such error be not discovered until he has played to the next, the adversaries may claim a new deal; should they decide that the deal stands good, or should Dummy have omitted to play to a former trick, and such error be not discovered till he shall have played to the next, the surplus card at the end of the hand is considered to have been played to the imperfect trick, but does not constitute a revoke therein. 82. If any one play two cards to the same trick, or mix a card with a trick to which it does not properly belong, and the mistake be not discovered until the hand is played out, he (not being Dummy) is answerable for all conse- quent revokes he may have made. If, during the play of the hand, the error be detected, the tricks may be counted Complete Auction Bridge for ig22 89 face downwards, in order to ascertain whether there be among them a card too many: should this be the case they may be searched, and the card restored; the player (not being Dummy) is, however, liable for all revokes which he may have meanwhile made. The Revoke 83. A revoke is where a player fails to follow suit while holding in his hand one or more cards of the suit led. I. The penalty for each revoke by the Declarer is 150 points to be added to the adversaries' honor score, in addition to any other penalty or penalties incurred for failure to complete his contract; II. Should the adversary revoke the dealer may add 150 points to his honor score or may take three tricks from the adversaries' and count them in his own score in the instance of winning his contract. (Note. There is difference of opinion about the penalty for revoking. The Laws of the Portland Club fix the penalty at 150 points, which impresses us as entirely right, and we consequently give it. However, this penalty some years ago was reduced to 100 points, and again in 1920, the Whist Club of New York cut down the point penalty to 50, and the trick penalty fronj three to two, giving as its reason that this lesser penalty "more nearly fits the offense." Many players differ strongly from this contention, because it is admitted that nothing is so confusing and disorganizing as a revoke, especially when it slips through. Our view is that there should be as heavy a penalty as can be reasonably inflicted to curb carelessness alone, to say nothing of intentional revoking. Since in various places 150, 100 and SO are regarded as revoking penalties, it might be well, in gatherings where the players are promiscuous, to settle this point by agreement after the table is formed.) 84. Only honors can be scored in the hands of the side revoking. * 85. A revoke is established, if the trick in which it occurs has been turned and quitted — i.e., the hand removed from that trick after it has been turned face downwards on the table — or if either the revoking player or his partner, whether in his right turn or othewise, lead or play to the following trick. * 86. A player may ask his partner whether he has not a card of the suit which he has renounced ; should the question * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 90 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 be asked before the trick is turned and quitted, subsequent turning and quitting does not establish the revoke, and the error may be corrected, unless the question be answered in the negative, or unless the revoking player or his partner have led or played to the follow^ing trick. * 87. At the end of the hand, the claimants of a revoke may search all the tricks. * 88. If a player discover his mistake in time to save a revoke, any player or players who have played after him may withdraw their cards and substitute others, and their cards withdrawn are not liable to be called. If the player in fault be one of the Declarer's adversaries, the Declarer may call the card thus played in error, or may require him to play his highest or lowest card to that trick in which he has renounced. * 89. If the player in fault be the Declarer, the eldest hand may require him to play the highest or lowest card of the si\it in which he has renounced, provided both of the Declarer's adversaries have played to the current trick; but this penalty cannot be exacted from the Declarer when he is fourth in hand, nor can it be enforced at all from Dummy. * 90. After a revoke has been claimed, if the accused player or his partner mix the cards before they have been sufficiently examined by the adversaries the revoke is established. *9i. A revoke cannot be claimed after the cards have been cut for the following deal. General Rules * 92. Any one during the play of a trick, or after the four cards are played, and before, but not after, they are touched for the purpose of gathering them together, may demand that the cards be placed before their respective players. * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs. Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 91 * 93. If either of the Declarer's adversaries, prior to his partner playing, should call attention to the trick — either by saying that it is his, or by naming his card, or without being required so to do, by drawing it towards him — the Declarer may require that opponent's partner to play his highest or lowest of the suit then led, or to win or not to win the trick. * 94. If a bystander make any remark which calls the at- tention of a player or players to an oversight affecting the score, he is liable to be called on, by the players only, to pay the stakes and all bets on that game or rubber. *95. Any player (on paying for them) before, but not after the pack be cut for the deal, may call for fresh cards. He must call for two new packs, of which the dealer takes his choice. 96. A player may not lift from the table and look at any of his cards until the end of a deal, under penalty of 25 points for every card looked at. * 97. A bystander, by agreement among the players, may decide any question. * 98. A card or cards torn or marked must be either replaced by agreement, or new cards called at the expense of the table. 99. After a trick has been turned down it may not be looked at (except under Law 82) until the end of the game under penalty of 25 points for each offense. * From the Portland Club Laws, by kind permission of Messrs, Thomas De la Rue & Co., London, E. C. 92 Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 AUCTION BRIDGE TERMS USED IN THIS BOOK An Assist is where a player raises the number of tricks in a suit bid by his partner. It is also called a supporting bid. Blank Suit means no cards in any one suit. Blocking is where there is an obstructing winning card in a partner's or adversary's short suit. Bust or Yarborough is a hand having no Aces or face cards, and which is practically incapable of taking a trick. Convention is a fixed rule in bridge for bidding or play adopted through general approval and experience. Ducking — Not taking a trick though able to do so. Doubleton is holding two of a suit only. Established Suit — A suit in which the holder can take every trick. Freak Hands are those in which are unusually long suits or extraordinary combinations. A Guarded Honor is one protected by small cards, such as King with one small, Queen with two small. Jack with three small. Love is where there is nothing in trick score. Pass is to refuse to bid, overcall or double. Plain Suits are those not Trumps, where there is a suit declaration. Preemptive Bid — A high free bid made to prevent the adversaries' bidding; a shut-out. Quick Tricks are sure tricks. Complete Auction Bridge for IQ22 93 Reentry is a winning card to insure the holder a future lead. Rescue is taking partner out of a declaration which looks disastrous. It is the same as a take-out. RufHng or Cross Ruffing is trumping plain suit leads. Secondary Bid is a declaration on the second round after the player has passed in the first round. Set is to defeat an adversary's contract. Shift is where the bidder changes his own or partner's bid to a different suit or No Trump. Side Suit is any suit not Trumps. Singleton is a one card suit. Solid Suit — ^A suit with a long sequence headed by the Ace, which is good for three or four consecutive tricks. Tenace is the first and third or the second and fourth- best of a suit, like Ace Queen or King Jack. FINIS