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{\bf Johan W\"astlund }
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{\bf A Solution of Two-Person Single-Suit Whist}
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We give a complete solution of the combinatorial game of two-person
single-suit whist. This game is played with a deck consisting of a
single totally ordered suit of $2n$ cards. Each of the two players
receives $n$ cards. Hence both players have complete information about
the distribution of the cards. One of the players is said to be on
lead. Play proceeds in rounds called tricks. The player on lead plays
one of his cards, and with knowledge of this card, the other player
plays one of his cards. The player with the higher card wins the
trick, and obtains the lead. The cards that are played are then
removed. Play continues until all cards are exhausted. Each player
tries to win as many tricks as possible.

Our solution provides an efficient algorithm for calculating the game
theoretical value of any distribution of the cards.

\bye

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