The Laws and Principles of Whist Stated and Explained, / and its practice illustrated on an original system by means of hands played completely through. 18th edition

ETIQUETTE OF WHIST.

The following rules belong to the established Etiquette of Whist. They are not called laws, as it is difficult—in some cases impossible—to apply any penalty to their infraction, and the only remedy is to cease to play with players who habitually disregard them.

Two packs of cards are invariably used at Clubs: if possible this should be adhered to.

Any one, having the lead and several winning cards to play, should not draw a second card out of his hand until his partner has played to the first trick, such act being a distinct intimation that the former has played a winning card.

No intimation whatever, by word or gesture, should be given by a player as to the state of his hand, or of the game.[37]

A player who desires the cards to be placed, or who demands to see the last trick,[38] should do it for his own information only, and not in order to invite the attention of his partner.

No player should object to refer to a bystander who professes himself uninterested in the game, and able to decide any disputed question of facts; as to who played any particular card—whether honours were claimed though not scored, or vice versÂ—etc., etc.

It is unfair to revoke purposely; having made a revoke, a player is not justified in making a second in order to conceal the first.

Until the players have made such bets as they wish, bets should not be made with bystanders.

Bystanders should make no remark, neither should they by word or gesture give any intimation of the state of the game until concluded and scored, nor should they walk round the table to look at the different hands.

No one should look over the hand of a player against whom he is betting.

DUMMY

Is played by three players.

One hand, called Dummy's, lies exposed on the table.

The laws are the same as those of Whist, with the following exceptions:—

Dummy deals at the commencement of each rubber.
Dummy is not liable to the penalty for a revoke, as his adversaries see his cards: should he[39] revoke and the error not be discovered until the trick is turned and quitted, it stands good.[40]
Dummy being blind and deaf, his Partner 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, or may declare that he has the game, or trick, &c., without incurring any penalty; if, however, he lead from Dummy's Hand when he should lead from his own, or vice versÂ, a suit may be called from the hand which ought to have led.

DOUBLE DUMMY

Is played by two players, each having a Dummy or exposed hand for his partner. The laws of the game do not differ from Dummy Whist, except in the following special law: There is no misdeal, as the deal is a disadvantage.

FOOTNOTES:

[37] The question "Who dealt?" is irregular, and if asked should not be answered.

[38] Or who asks what the trump suit is.

[39] i.e. Dummy's hand. If Dummy's partner revokes, he is liable to the usual penalties.

[40] And the hand proceeds as though the revoke had not been discovered.

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