Edmund Hoyle and Whist Etiquette

 

Originally the game was called “whisk”; it was Mr. Hoyle who, by his continual utterance of the imperative and hushing monosyllable “whist!” when gaming with those whose tongues were apt to wag irrelevantly, caused the diversion…

IT WAS ACCORDING TO HOYLE…

Great Master of Popular Game Responsible for Rechristening of Game of Whist

It was an agreeable spectacle to witness Edmund Hoyle (the master of whist, whose code of etiquette for the game has been accepted for six generations) drive up to the Three Pigeons tavern at noon in his white hackney coach with his emblem - the Ace of Hearts - blazoned on the panel. Hoyle was “a man of very speechless humor,” who was lured into the study of whist because it was a silent game, says Christopher Morley, in “The Power of Sympathy.”

Originally the game was called “whisk”; it was Mr. Hoyle who, by his continual utterance of the imperative and hushing monosyllable “whist!” when gaming with those whose tongues were apt to wag irrelevantly, caused the diversion, at first only in sport, and then in genuine interest, to be rechristened. 

The mornings he spent in tutoring wealthy ladies in the rudiments of the fashionable game, this being the chief source of his income. He was very particular, moreover, as to the standing and rank of his pupils; he was much in demand and could afford to take only such students as satisfied his fastidious taste for youth and beauty. – North County Times, 1923

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Etiquette Playing "Whist"

The Amalgamated Female Whist Players of America? "If you are a bystander, walk around the table and look over the hands of the players."

"Rules That Scientific Players Will Most Certainly Approve"

The following eight rules, which were adopted by the third annual congress of the Amalgamated Female Whist Players of America, are formulated to prevent the learner from unintentionally making the game dull and uninteresting. They should be carefully memorized by the beginner:


First — Conversation during play is limited strictly to the weather, fashion, society, the drama, music, art, sports, the new woman, the last few tricks taken and everything else that may tend to break the tiring monotony habitual to the new players. The success of the game depends on this.


Second —Each player should at once throw out a hint as to the quality of her hand, her satisfaction or dissatisfaction with it, and her approval or disapproval of each play. This will make you a popular partner with the men.


Third—A player should never wait to lead until the preceding trick is turned and quitted. Delays of this sort are always unnecessary and make the game slow.


Fourth —Never fail, as the second trick is turned, to inquire what is trump. Repeat the inquiry at short intervals throughout the band. This is the easiest way to fix it indelibly in your memory.


Fifth—Frequently a card should be played in such a manner as to call particular attention to it. If you think your partner is not aware of it, touch your card and say: "Now, remember, I played that!" He might have finished the game with the impression that it had played itself. 


Sixth—When you have played the highest in suit, and it is your partner's play, never fail to remind him that it is your trick. He might think it belonged to your uncle in California.


Seventh—When you are accused of revoking stoutly deny it. If it is proved against you, you can explain at length just how you came to do it. If you discover your own revoke, never fail to revoke a second time. In this way the first error will escape notice for a little longer. This will make all the men glad they are in the game.


Eighth—If you are a bystander, walk around the table and look over the hands of the players. Do not forget to call frequent attention to the game during the play of each hand. This will prevent your husband's friends from feeling neglected. — Los Angeles Herald, 1896

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Moderator for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia