Whist

Whist—a popular English card game—originated in the 17th Century. It owes its popularity to Edmund Hoyle’s A Short Treatise on Whist (1755) that outlines the rules and strategies of the game. It was played by people of all social statuses, notably “every eight year old in England” and George II.[1] The game is still played today, and variations such as Spades remain popular.

 

The Rules:

  • Played by two teams of two
  • Uses a standard deck of cards
  • 13 Cards in a hand
  • The final card dealt to the dealer establishes trump
  • Teams receive a point for every trick taken in excess of 6 per hand
  • Teams play to 5 points
  • Silence is required by all players

 

The name, from the 17th Century phrase wist meaning quiet, developed from the silence observed in play. Probability, card counting, and outright cheating were tools developed to master the game. As players developed personal style, Hoyle’s book provided concrete strategy based on probability, and Charles Cotton’s Complete Gamester (1709) offered tips on cheating.

 

Further Reading:

Cotton, Charles. The Compleat Gamester Or, Instructions How to Play at All Manner of Usual and Most Gentile Games, Either on Cards, Dice, Billiards, Trucks, Bowls, Chess. Also the Arts and Misteries of Riding, Racing, Archery, Cock-fighting. To Which Is Added, the Game of Basset .. London: Printed for Charles Browne, 1709.

Courtney, William Prideaux. English Whist and English Whist Players. London: Richard Bentley and Son, 1894.

Hoyle, Edmund. A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist. London: T. Osborne. 1755 10th Ed.

 

Whist