Numerical Strength in Trumps.

10. When you have more than four little trumps, you will probably make more tricks of them by leading them to drop the high ones together, than by hoarding them to ruff with while trumps are in and you may be overruffed. The remaining ones, beside making tricks, may assist you in bringing in your own and your partner's suits.

The Lead.

II. In the suit of trumps, as a general rule lead your fourth best, and as they cannot be ruffed you may do so from Ace, King, or King, Queen, and four others, or from Ace and six others; but if still stronger, or if you hold three high ones, you should lead a high one, in accordance with the convention of the

sequences.

12. Of plain suits, lead from your numerically strongest one; so that, when trumps are out, you may bring in the little ones of it by means of the high cards in your other suits.

As a general rule, lead your fourth best, so that your partner may be able to count your cards in the suit; but as a suit goes round usually twice (seldom thrice), when you hold high cards adapt your play so that, if possible, you may win both, or at least one of the first two rounds.

Thus, you should lead with—

(1.) Ace, Queen, Knave-the Ace, and then the Queen, unless you hold two small ones, when follow with the Knave.

(2.) Ace and five small ones, or Ace, Queen, and three small ones—the Ace, and then the small one that was fourth best.

(3.) Ace, King, or King, Queen the King.

(4.) King, Queen, Knave—the King, or the Knave if you hold two small ones, following with the next best.

(5.) King, Knave, Ten-the Ten, following, if it win, with the small one that was fourth best.

(6.) Knave, Ten, Nine-the Knave, following with the Ten.

(7.) Queen, Knave, and one small one, or four small ones, or the Ten-the Queen, for the chance of hemming in the King.

The author thinks the rule should be to lead the Queen when holding the Knave and not more than four small ones; but the custom is as above.

The Indicating Card of the Sequence.

13. When the above leads are adhered to there is greater certainty as to whether the lead is from weakness or strength, and as to what the strength is, than if, as by some players, instead of the indicating card, the lowest of the sequence, whatever its length, be led-as with King, Queen, Knave, and another,

the Ten; with King, Knave, Ten, the Nine,

or even the Eight.

Thus there is indicated by the lead of the

Knave-With Queen, King, and two others, or with Ten, Nine, or the best of a weak suit.

Ten-With Knave, King, or the lowest of a three suit, or the best of a weak suit.

Nine With Ace, Queen, Ten, or Ace, Knave, Ten, or the lowest of a three suit, or the best of a weak suit.

Ace and Four Small Ones.

14. By calculation it appears that the other players hold at least two each in a suit

When you hold six, 34 times out of a hundred. When you hold five, 57 times out of a hundred. When you hold four, 64 times out of a hundred.

Therefore, as there is such a large difference

between 34 and 57 chances, and such a small

difference between 57 and 64 chances, when with Ace and five small ones you should lead the Ace, for fear of some one failing in the second round; but with fewer, the fourth best, so that your partner may win with King, or with Queen over the King.

The custom, however, has been to lead the Ace with four small ones, but many players have already adopted the above rule as clearly correct, and more conducive to the establishment of the suit.

Second Hand.

15. When, second hand, trumps are led, play your lowest, but cover an honour or a Ten when holding the "Fourchette;" with two or three only, cover an honour when holding King or Queen, and play the lowest of a high sequence; with Ace, Queen, Ten, play the Ten, and with any other three of the five highest, play the lowest of the sequence.