Whist drive

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A whist drive is a social event at which progressive games of the trick-taking card game whist are played.

A hand of whist is played at each table. After each round, one couple from each table moves to the next table. Trumps for each round are fixed, usually by rotation, and may include no trumps. A couple's score for the round is the number of tricks they won. Prizes may be awarded for the whist drive's highest-scoring couple.

[edit] Whist drives in popular culture

  • In the popular British sitcom Red Dwarf, Arnold Rimmer suggests getting rid of an unwanted alien by holding a whist drive (Series 3, Episode 3: "Polymorph (Red Dwarf episode)").
    • Similarly, in the sitcom Not Going Out (episode first broadcast 20 February 2009), Tim shows off how unfashionable and out of touch he is by suggesting a Whist Drive as entertainment for his sister's 30th birthday party.
  • In one Just William story, William is taken on a Whist Drive, and is disheartened to learn there is no driving involved.

The worlds largest whist drive was held at Olympia, London, UK, in 1937. Over 1000 players gathered to a drive organised by a sports promoter, Mr Tom Bradbury-Pratt.