Cards with "names"

[barmar]

In another thread, Roland mentioned that ♦9 is known as the Curse of Scotland, and I'm sure we all know that the ♦7 is the Beer Card. So does anyone know the origin of these traditions, and are there any other cards with special designations in bridge (as opposed to mundane names like Suicide King)?

[david_c]

Forget about the "Curse of Scotland" - the ♦9 is known as the badger. If you win a trick with the ♦A (or more rarely some other ace), and that trick contains the ♦9, then you are said to have ousted the badger. In some circles (particularly for non-beer drinkers), ousting the badger is seen as the most important thing to try to achieve in a bridge hand.

 

This nickname is also an integral part of the card game M** (in certain juristictions).

[Walddk]

Various interpretations regarding the 9 of diamonds, The Curse of Scotland, none completely authoritative.

 

The Bridge Magazine once listed 6 possible origins for the term as follows:

 

1. That in the once popular round game 'Pope Joan', the 9 of diamonds was called the Pope, the antichrist of Scottish Reformers.

 

2. That the 9 of diamonds was the chief card in the game 'cornette', introduced into Scotland by the unhappy Queen Mary.

 

3. That 'Butcher' Cumberland wrote the orders for the Balle of Culloden, 1746, on the back of the card. This is very doubtful.

 

4. That the order for the Massacre of Glencoe (1692) was signed on the back of this card.

 

5. That the dispositions for the fatal field of Flodden (1513) were drawn up on it by James IV of Scotland. Both these last have only the slightest authority.

 

6. That it is derived from the nine lozenges that formed the arms of the Earl of Stair, who was especially loathed for his connection with the Massacre of Glencoe and the union with England (1707).

 

...

 

The following comments are to be found in the "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable", Dr. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, 1870, revised edition, Ivor H. Evans, 1981:

 

The phrase seems to be first recorded in the early 18th century, for in Houston's Memoirs (1715-1747), we are told that Lord Justice Clerk Ormistone became universally hated in Scotland, and was called the Curse of Scotland; and when ladies encountered the nine of diamonds at cards they called it Justice Clerk.

 

Among the suggested origin of the phrase are:

 

1. It may refer to the arms of Dalrymple, Earl of Stair (see (6) above).

 

2. As in point (2) above.

 

3. As in point (3) above.

 

4. The word 'curse' is a corruption of cross, and the nine of diamonds is so arranged as to form a St. Andrew's Cross; but so are the other nines.

 

5. As in point (5) above.

 

6. Grose says somewhat inaccurately in his Tour Thro' Scotland (1789); "Diamonds... imply royalty... and every ninth king of Scotland has been observed for many ages to be a tyrant and a curse to the country".

 

Roland

 

P.S. Since the tradition regarding ♦7 (The Beer Card) is of Danish origin, I will give you a few details if no-one else does. Will wait a day or two to see.

[Finch]

Forget about the "Curse of Scotland" - the ♦9 is known as the badger. If you win a trick with the ♦A (or more rarely some other ace), and that trick contains the ♦9, then you are said to have ousted the badger. In some circles (particularly for non-beer drinkers), ousting the badger is seen as the most important thing to try to achieve in a bridge hand.

 

This nickname is also an integral part of the card game M** (in certain juristictions).

Yes, in some circles opening leads are easy:

1. Lead the jack of clubs

2. If you don't have the jack of clubs, lead the badger

3. Failing that, look for something less obvious like the top of a sequence