Whist puzzle: in a game where George partners Mary, which partner does Ted choose from Ann, Edna, Joan or Angela?

Introduction / Context:
This is a word based logic puzzle framed around a card game of whist. We are told that George has partnered Mary, and Ted must choose a partner from four possible names: Ann, Edna, Joan or Angela. The trick is that the puzzle is not really about card strategies or probabilities but about spotting a hidden pattern in the names themselves. Such puzzles test lateral thinking and an eye for symmetry or hidden structure rather than card game knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Players already mentioned: GEORGE and MARY.
• Ted must partner with exactly one of: ANN, EDNA, JOAN or ANGELA.
• The puzzle implies there is a unique best choice according to a hidden rule.
• The rule is likely related to the way the names are written rather than to any external information.
• We assume the puzzle has a single intended answer commonly used in lateral thinking books.

Concept / Approach:
A classic interpretation is that George and Mary have names of equal length (both have five letters). The idea is that Ted would similarly choose a partner whose name has the same number of letters as his own name TED, which has three letters. Among the candidates, only Ann also has exactly three letters. Alternatively, some versions of the puzzle emphasize the symmetry or simplicity of the name pairings: George with Mary and Ted with Ann are nicely balanced. Either way, focusing on letter counts and name structure rather than anything about whist leads us to the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Count the letters in the given names: George has six letters, Mary has four letters. Ted has three letters. Among the potential partners, the letter counts are: Ann = three letters, Edna = four, Joan = four, Angela = six. Only Ann has the same number of letters as Ted. Therefore, Ann is the most natural partner choice following a simple, hidden pattern based on length.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider whether any other pattern could produce a different answer. Some solvers look for common letters or initials, but there is no strong alternative rule that picks one of Edna, Joan or Angela uniquely. By contrast, matching name lengths is a simple, objective rule. Since three letter name Ted pairs neatly with three letter name Ann, just as other name pairs are often balanced in similar puzzles, this gives a consistent and widely accepted solution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Edna, Joan and Angela do not share a clear simple property with Ted that would distinguish one of them as the intended choice. They have more letters in their names and do not form any obvious symmetric pair with Ted. In a puzzle context, they serve as distractors for readers who search for complex deeper meanings instead of noticing the straightforward letter count pattern.

Common Pitfalls:
Solvers often overcomplicate this type of riddle by bringing in knowledge about whist, cards, or social relationships. Others may focus on the first or last letters of the names, trying to find acrostics or hidden words. The key lesson is that many lateral thinking puzzles with names are simply about simple symmetry or counting letters. Checking easy structural properties before pursuing complex theories usually leads to the correct answer more efficiently.

Final Answer:
Ted chooses Ann as his partner.