Whist

(hw ist.) [A variation of hist / silence!) (Games.) The most perfect game at the card-table, requiring great attention and silence, whence its name. It is played by four persons, who cut for partners; the two highest and the two lowest are together, and the partners sit opposite to each other; the person who cuts the lowest card is to deal first, giving one at a time to each person, till he comes to the last card, which is turned up for the trump, and remains on the table till each person has played a card. The person on the left-hand side of the dealer plays first, and whoever wins the trick is to play again, thus going on till the cards are played out. The ace, king, queen, and knave of trumps are called honors; whichever side holds three of these honors reckons two points towards the game, or for the whole of the honors four points, the game consisting usually of ten points. The honors are counted after the tricks; all above six tricks reckoning towards the game. [s. 959]