| A | A | A | A | A | A | ||||||||||||
| W | X | Y | Z | W | Y | X | Z | X | Y | W | Z | ||||||
| B | B | C | C | D | D | ||||||||||||
| 1st. | 2nd. | 3rd. | 4th. | 5th. | 6th. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | W | X | W | W | X | ||||||||||||
| C | D | C | D | B | D | B | D | B | C | B | C | ||||||
| Z | X | Z | Y | Z | Y | ||||||||||||
If more than four players are engaged on each side, this arrangement must be repeated with every additional four; the tables being always in sets of two each, but in such cases, and in fact in anything but League matches, it is usual to play only the 1st, 3rd and 5th sets.
CLUB AGAINST CLUB. The smaller club should put into the field as many multiples of four as it can; the larger club presenting an equal number to play against them. The opposing sides are then so arranged that half the members of each club sit North and South, the other half East and West. If we distinguish the clubs by the marks O and X, and suppose 16 to be engaged on each side, they would be arranged at 8 tables, thus:—
| O | O | O | O | ||||||||
| X | 1 | X | X | 3 | X | X | 5 | X | X | 7 | X |
| O | O | O | O | ||||||||
| 1st set | 2nd set | 3rd set | 4th set | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| O | 2 | O | O | 4 | O | O | 6 | O | O | 8 | O |
| X | X | X | X | ||||||||
If apparatus is used, the players may sit still for four hands, putting the trays aside, and then exchanging them for the four trays played at the other table in their set. If not, the cards are left on the table, as already described, and the fours change places; those at table No. 1 going to table No. 2, while those at No. 2 go to No. 1, the other sets changing in the same manner. This brings them into this position:—
| X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| O | 1 | O | O | 3 | O | O | 5 | O | O | 7 | O |
| X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| O | O | O | O | ||||||||
| X | 2 | X | X | 4 | X | X | 6 | X | X | 8 | X |
| O | O | O | O | ||||||||
The two O’s that have just played the N & S hands at table No. 1, proceed to play at table No. 2, the N & S hands which have just been played by two X’s; while the two O’s that played the E & W hands at table No. 2, overplay at table No. 1, the E & W hands just held by the two X’s.
It is now evident that the four O’s have held between them all the 52 cards dealt at each table; for the first pair have held all the N & S hands dealt at both tables, and the second pair have held all the E & W hands. The same is true of the four X players; and if there is any difference in the number of tricks taken by the opposing fours, it is supposed to be due to a difference in skill, other matters having been equalised as far as the limitations of the game will permit.
The overplay finished, the cards are gathered, shuffled, cut, and dealt afresh, East now having the original lead. It must be remembered that the deal can never be lost, and that no matter what happens, the player whose proper turn it is to deal must do so.