Whist
Posted by Captain Everett on March 20, 1998 at 22:11:35:
In response to pleeze help me about card games in austen's Pride & Prejudice, written by Talib Fakhri on March 14, 1998 at 18:56:59
Several years ago, I found a book in the Library which gave rules for various card games. It stated the following version of Whist was popular at the turn of the century. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find my original notes, so I don't have the author and title. I also warn that these are the rules as I remember them. I have played a few hands, and the rules seem to work (especially fun with cards lacking the convenient numbers in their corners). I hope I have recalled all the rules. I left them somewhat simple, assuming players have some familiarity with bridge, euchre, or any other four player in two team, games.
RULES FOR WHIST
Game is for four players: two teams of two players each, sitting opposite a at the table.
Dealer deals out all the cards (52), the last card is laid face up in front of the dealer. This sets trump for the hand, and the card can be used by the dealer at any time.
Player to dealer's left selects a card and plays it. The player to his/her left plays a card, followings suit if he/she can. The third and fourth players also play a card, again following suit if they have it. Whoever laid down the highest card in the suit led wins the trick, unless someone played a trump card, in which case the highest trump card wins the trick.
Game continues until all the cards have been played. At this point the tricks are counted for each team. The first six tricks are set aside, this means that team has "made it." Any tricks in excess of the those six are counted as one point each. An additional point is awarded for each Ace and Face (K,Q,J) of Trump. The first team to reach ten points wins the game.
Some people played Whist for money, from a few pence to considerable amounts. In this case, the players established a price on each point difference.
I trust I have recalled the main points of this game.
I remain, etc.
Jason E.
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