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Dummy, the exposed hand in Dummy Whist, Bridge, or Mort. Duplicate Whist, a form of Whist in which the same hands are played by both sides, and as nearly as possible under the same conditions. Dutch It, to cross the suit at Euchre. Ecarter, F., to discard. Echoing, showing the number of trumps held when partner leads or calls; in plain suits, showing the number held when a high card is led. Edge, a corruption of the word “age,” the eldest hand. Eldest Hand, the first player to the left of the dealer in all English games; to his right in France. Encaisser, F., to hand the stakes to the banker.
ODD GAMES. There are quite a number of odd games of cards, which come and go as favourites from time to time, and pass round the world from one country to another under many different names. The origin of most of these games is lost in the weedy undergrowth of variations, but the chief family trait in some of them can be traced back to the alpha of cards. Among the oldest of games was Ombre, immortalised by Pope, the only survivor of which is a variation played by the older Germans, under the name of Solo; a game which still faintly resists the exterminating influence of Skat. The ancient and honourable games of Comète, Hoc, and Nain Jaune survive to the present day in a large and prosperous family, ranging from Commit to Fan Tan, the latter being to-day quite a favourite among those who like simple and amusing games, free from mental effort. Fan Tan is unfortunately named, as many persons confuse it with the Chinese banking game, and it would be much better under its older name, Play or Pay. Among the many games of which everyone has heard, and which many thousands have been advised to play, is one which, strange to say, is not to be found described in any work on card games, and that is Old Maid. There was a time when the result of this game was supposed to be final and conclusive, and parties of young men have been known to substitute a Jack or King for the discarded Queen, in order to learn what the future had in store for them. Under such circumstances the game became Old Bachelor, of course. For those who believe in the verdict of the cards, there are other sources of information.
Auction bridge, in which the privilege of making the trump is bid for, the highest bidder playing the hand with his partner as dummy, regardless of the position of the deal, and his side being the only one that can score toward game, the adversaries scoring nothing but penalties in the honour column if they defeat the contract. As this is the more popular form of bridge at the present time, it will be given first. Since the adoption of the higher value for the spade suit under the name of royal spades, and the change in the value of the suits, the game gradually came to be known as royal auction, but as that change is now universal, the name has slipped back to its original title. AUCTION BRIDGE, OR AUCTION. _=CARDS.=_ Auction is played with a full pack of fifty-two cards, ranking A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2, the Ace being the highest in play, but ranking below the deuce in cutting. Two packs should be used, the one being shuffled while the other is dealt. _=MARKERS=_ suitable for scoring the various points made at Bridge have not yet been invented. Some persons use the bézique marker; but it is not a success. The score is usually kept on a sheet of paper, and it should be put down by each side, for purposes of verification.
The adversary may also score the point for Game if he makes it; but it cannot be scored by the revoking player; who may mark only High or Low if he holds either or both of those points. _=If the Jack is in play=_, two points may be affected by a revoke. The player in fault cannot score either Jack or Game, and the penalty for the revoke is two points; in addition to which the adversary of the revoking player may score either or both Jack and Game if he makes them. The revoking player cannot win the game that hand, no matter what he scores, but must stop at six. A revoke is established as soon as the trick in which it occurs has been turned and quitted, or a card has been led or played to the next trick. _=Exposed Cards.=_ When four play, all exposed cards must be left on the table, and are liable to be called by the adversaries if they cannot be previously got rid of in the course of play. All cards led or played out of turn are exposed, and liable to be called. If two or more cards are played to a trick, the adversaries may select which shall remain; the other is exposed. _=METHODS OF CHEATING.
2nd. To return the best card of his partner’s suit if he has it. This is imperative before opening any other suit but trumps. 3rd. To lead his own suit, if he can do anything with it. It is considered better play for the Third Hand to return the original leader’s suit than to open a long weak suit of his own such as one headed by a single honour. 4th. To return his partner’s suit even with a losing card, in preference to changing. When the original lead is a trump, it should be returned in every case, either immediately, or as soon as the player can obtain the lead. The same reasons for changing suits as those given for the original leader will apply to the Third Hand.
It always excites a hearty laugh among the senior bystanders; but, ridiculous as it is, it gives occasion for the display of some spirit and agility, as well as skill, there being always an inclination to topple over. Each performer sings the verse (Chambers; Mactaggart s _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_). Mr. Ballantyne says that each one apart tried to dance by throwing out their feet and jumping sideways. (_c_) The first syllable of this word is, says Jamieson, undoubtedly the verb _curr_, to sit on the houghs or hams. The second may be from Teut. _kudde_, a flock; _kudd-en_, coire, convenire, congregari, aggregari; _kudde wijs_, gregatim, catervatim, q. to curr together. The same game is called _Harry Hurcheon_ in the North of Scotland, either from the resemblance of one in this position to a _hurcheon_, or hedge-hog, squatting under a bush; or from the Belg. _hurk-en_ to squat, to _hurkle_.
The child is then led off in a squatting position. Later the one who named them pretends tasting, and says, Very nice, or You must be baked longer, when another squatting walk and wait takes place. A version sent by Mr. J. P. Emslie is similar to the other London versions-- Buy my fine honey to-day. Which shall I buy? Taste em and try. The child would then go round, pretending to taste, saying, Don t like that one, till one was approved. That one was then swung round to the tune given, the words being-- An apple for the king and a pear for the queen, And a good jump over the bowling green. At the last bar they swung the child higher and higher, and at the last note they swung it as high as they could.