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BRIDGE AXIOMS AND LAWS

WITH THE CHANGE THE SUIT CALL

REVISED AND EXPLAINED

BY

J. B. ELWELL

_Author of "Elwell on Bridge," "Advanced Bridge," "Bridge Tournament
Hands," "Bridge Lessons," etc._

[Illustration: spade symbol]

NEW YORK

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY

31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET

1907

_Copyright_, 1907

BY E. P. DUTTON & CO.

_The Plimpton Press Norwood Mass. U.S.A._

[Illustration: Bridge Axioms]

We not for you our ink on axioms spend, They're but harmless barbs
directed at your friend.




BRIDGE AXIOMS


The best Bridge players are undoubtedly those who can draw inferences
quickly and correctly.

       *       *       *       *       *

Observation is an art enabling one to discover what other people's play
conceals--as well as reveals.

       *       *       *       *       *

Observation always infers, and one inference will lead to another.

       *       *       *       *       *

Each card played speaks through its silence, and its language must be
understood.

       *       *       *       *       *

To converse intelligently through the medium of the cards, each must be
seen as it falls with eyes that grasp its meaning.

       *       *       *       *       *

Failure to note the play of a card is not lack of memory, but lack of
heed.

       *       *       *       *       *

Situations are kaleidoscopic and constant, and success may only be
achieved by being perpetually alert to note them.

       *       *       *       *       *

All time at Bridge should be devoted earnestly to what confronts a
player, not to what is past.

       *       *       *       *       *

It is better not to play at all, than to play without earnestness.

       *       *       *       *       *

One careful game is worth any number of slipshod, careless efforts
which are disconcerting to your partner, and the delight of your
adversaries.

       *       *       *       *       *

Bridge abounds with situations which must be learned.

       *       *       *       *       *

Promptness in making a conclusion is a mental inspiration as well as an
aid to expeditious play.

       *       *       *       *       *

Hap-hazard play, first from one suit and then from another, will not
induce a successful campaign in Bridge.

       *       *       *       *       *

Haste and waste are anti-types in Bridge, as they are in everything.

       *       *       *       *       *

To improve your Bridge, theory and practice must go hand in hand.

Bridge is a game of which much is learned through the mistakes made and
heeded.

       *       *       *       *       *

Do not fail to profit in future games by the mistakes that you discover
in present play.

       *       *       *       *       *

When you see clever plays that are new to you, analyse the motives that
underlie them.

       *       *       *       *       *

The soundest play will sometimes lose, and the worst will sometimes win.

       *       *       *       *       *

Uniform good play, no matter what the luck may be, will ultimately
triumph over bad play.

       *       *       *       *       *

Tricks heedlessly lost mar the successful enjoyment of Bridge.

That you happily did not lose on a hand, is no palliation for the bad
play of which you may have been guilty.

       *       *       *       *       *

Do not overlook the tricks which may be gained by the use of a little
card strategy.

       *       *       *       *       *

Memory is simply a matter of observation and practice.

       *       *       *       *       *

Careful Bridge cultivates memory.

       *       *       *       *       *

What is done with a hand cannot be undone.

       *       *       *       *       *

A successful partnership game must be based on perfect faith and
confidence between partners.

Combined play in Bridge is absolutely essential to success.

       *