In the earlier stage of the game, tricks are of no value save in so far as
they contain brisques, or enable the winner to "declare," the scoring of
the different combinations being the main object of the game. The player
will probably at the outset find that he has in hand _some_ of the
component parts of two or more combinations; but as he must furnish a card
to each trick, he will be forced to abandon {16} the one or the other. In
choosing between them, two points should be considered; viz. first, the
value of the combination, and, secondly, the prospect of making it. As to
the last point, he may derive important information from the cards declared
by his opponent. Suppose, for instance, that he holds a queen of spades and
two knaves of diamonds. These he would naturally retain at any cost, in the
hope of making Double Bezique; but should his adversary declare a marriage
in spades, showing that he holds the remaining queen of that suit, all hope
of Double Bezique is clearly at an end. In the case supposed, it would be
the policy of the opponent, knowing or suspecting that Double Bezique was
aimed at, to keep the queen of spades in his hand as long as he possibly
could, even at some considerable sacrifice.
When a brisque is led, the second player should win the trick if he can do
so without too great a cost, for, though a brisque only scores ten to the
winner, the capture of the trick means a loss of ten to the opposite party,
and practically, therefore, makes a difference of twenty to the score.
Unless a brisque be led, or you have something to declare, pass the trick
or win it with a brisque. The best cards to throw away are the sevens,
eights, nines, and knaves of plain suits (other than the knave of diamonds,
which should be retained on the chance of making Bezique).
It is generally better to risk losing an ace than a queen or king, the two
latter having the greater chance of scoring.
If you chance to hold three aces at an early stage of the game, with no
prospect of a more valuable combination, retain them, in the hope of
drawing a {17} fourth. In any other case, make tricks with aces in plain
suits whenever you can.
"Sequence" cards should be kept in reserve as long as possible. A duplicate
of a sequence card, though valueless for scoring purposes, should still be
held up, as the uncertainty respecting it may hamper your opponent.
Even more important than sequence cards are the bezique cards. After
scoring Bezique, the declared cards should still be retained until it
becomes clear that Double Bezique is unattainable.
At a late period of the game, when the opportunities for declaration are
growing limited, it is often wise to declare (say) Double Bezique without
previously declaring single Bezique, or Sequence without previously
declaring a Royal Marriage. If you declare the smaller score, and do not
again win a trick, you lose the larger score altogether.
When the stock is nearly exhausted, take a trick whenever you can, as you
thereby deprive the adversary of the opportunity of scoring his remaining
cards. Note at this stage the exposed cards of the adversary, as you will
thereby play the last eight tricks to greater advantage.
In the play of the last eight tricks, your main object is to make your
brisques, and capture those of the enemy. Reserve, if possible, a good
trump wherewith to secure the last trick.