The following rules belong to the established Etiquette of Whist. They are
not called Laws, as it is difficult, in some cases impossible, to apply any
penalty to their infraction.
Any one having the lead should not draw a second card out of his hand until
his partner has played to the trick, such act being a distinct intimation
that the former has played a winning card.
No intimation whatever, by word or gesture, should be given by a player as
to the state of his hand or of the game.
A player who desires the cards to be placed, or {184} who asks what the
trump suit is, should do it for his own information only, and not in order
to invite the attention of his partner.
No player should object to refer to a bystander, who professes himself
uninterested in the game and able to decide, any disputed question of
facts; as to who played any particular card, whether honours were claimed,
though not scored, or _vice versa_, &c. &c.
It is unfair to revoke purposely. Having made a revoke, a player is not
justified in making a second in order to conceal the first.
Until the players have made such bets as they wish, bets should not be made
with bystanders.
Bystanders should make no remark; neither should they, by word or gesture,
give any intimation of the state of the game, nor should they walk round
the table to look at the different hands.
No one should look over the hand of a player against whom he is betting.