If one side has scored four, and the other side only one, such position is
known as the "bridge," and the following rule should be observed:
To make the theory perfectly plain, we will suppose A and B to be playing
against C and D, the former having scored four, and the latter but one.
{77} C having dealt, B looks at his hand, and finds he has but one or two
small trumps; in other words, a light hand. At this stage of the game, it
would be his policy to order up the trump, and submit to being euchred, in
order to remove the possibility of C or D playing alone; for if they should
by good fortune happen to succeed, the score of four would give them the
game. If B were to order up the trump, the most that could be done by the
adversaries would be to get the euchre, and, that giving but a score of
two, the new deal, with its percentage, would in all probability give A and
B enough to make their remaining point and go out. If, however, B has
enough to prevent a lone hand, he should pass, and await the result. The
Right Bower, or the Left Bower guarded, is sufficient to block a lone hand.
The elder hand is the only one who should order up at the bridge, for if he
passes, his partner may rest assured that he holds cards sufficient to
prevent the adversaries making a lone hand. If, however, the elder hand
passes, and his partner is tolerably strong in trumps, the latter may then
order up the trump to make a point and go out; for, by the eldest hand
passing, his partner is informed that he holds one or more commanding
trumps, and may therefore safely play for the point and game.
The elder hand should always order up at the bridge when not sure of a
trick; the weaker his hand, the greater the necessity for doing so.