,transcriber's note3 ,this text file incudes #b pictures which are best viewed using a mono-spaced typeface such as ,courier4 ,page numbers are given in parenthesis4 ,,round ,,games by ,,baxter-,,wray4 ,,round ,,games ,,with ,,cards4 ,a ,practical ,treatise on ,all the ,most ,popular ,games1 with ,their ,different ,variations1 and ,hints for ,their ,practice4 by ,,baxter-,,wray4 #ahia #ahig ,,contents4 ,,page ,,nap 444 #c ,,loo 444 #af ,,poker 444 #ca ,,vingt-,,un 444 #ei ,,commerce 444 #gj ,,speculation 444 #gg ,,pope ,,joan 444 #hj ,,spin 444 #hg ,,newmarket 444 #hi ,,snip-,,snap-,,snorum 444 #ij ,,jig 444 #ie ,,cassino 444 #ig ,,my ,,bird ,,sings 444 #aja ,,spoil ,,five 444 #ajc ,,loto 444 #ajh #c ,,nap1 ,,or ,,napoleon4 ,the game of ,napoleon1 or as it is more generally and popularly called ,nap1 was introduced into this country from the ,united ,states1 it is believed1 about #ahfe1 although it is recorded that the game had previously been played for high stakes at some of the more notorious gambling clubs4 ,it is named after the great ,napoleon1 as the principal player in the game becomes1 for the time being1 an ,ishmaelite1 whose hand is against every man's1 and every man's against his1 as was the case with the ,grand ,adventurer in #ahjd-ae 7see ,variations7--whence we have the terms ,wellington1 ,blcher1 etc4 ,it is an admirable game for three1 four1 or five persons1 and is also available for two and six1 though four is the ideal number1 and it is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards4 7,for ,nap with thirty-two card pack1 see page #ad74 ,with six persons taking part in the game the dealer stands out of the play1 not dealing any cards to himself1 though he receives and pays for the tricks like the others1 and the same system is sometimes adopted when there are five players2 as1 if all the players took active part in the game1 it would become most difficult to make the tricks1 because more cards would be in use4 ,the popularity of the game is no doubt owing to the short time necessary for playing the hands1 and to the fact #d that it can be terminated at any moment1 for no game or deal need exceed two or three minutes1 except when a pool or kitty is introduced 7see ,variations74 ,in this case provision has to be made for the distribution of the amount of the kitty4 ,while care in playing is necessary1 no great amount of skill is required to render the game diverting as an amusement1 while it also affords ample scope for the exercise of speculation and the other elements of excitement4 ,,description4 ,the main idea of the play1 as already stated1 is for one of the competitors to stand against the united efforts of the others1 who1 in turn1 use their powers to prevent his securing the object for which he is striving--in this case to win the whole or a certain number of tricks4 ,the number of the tricks to be won is variable1 and it depends on the value of the cards in each player's hand to decide what number he will endeavour to secure4 ,the greatest possible achievement is to win the whole of the tricks 7which are five in number71 and the player who succeeds in doing this scores a ,nap1 and receives double stakes from each of his companions2 if however1 after declaring his intention to try for ,nap he fails1 he only pays a single1 i4e41 for five tricks2 and1 as will be shown later on1 this condition attaching to a ,nap becomes an important feature in deciding on the number of tricks to be played for1 when a good hand is secured4 ,the only safe and perfect ,nap is ace1 king1 queen1 knave1 and ten of the same suit1 but as this combination of cards does not often occur in actual practice1 it remains for the player to speculate on his chances with the cards he holds4 #e ,it is this speculation of possibilities which forms the principal feature of the game1 and it is the ability of a competitor to make an immediate decision on this point that governs his success or failure in its practice4 ,very much1 however1 depends on the temperament of the player4 ,a bold1 enterprising person will risk much in the hope of winning much1 and one player will declare for ,nap on the same cards which another would consider only safe for three tricks1 and1 in like manner1 one will declare for three tricks where his neighbour would hesitate to risk two4 ,another important matter for consideration is the number of players engaged1 and the consequent proportion of cards in use4 ,each player receives five cards1 so that it follows1 with three players engaged1 that fifteen are in use1 and thirty-seven remain in the pack unexposed2 whereas if five are playing there are twenty-five cards in use1 and only twenty-seven remaining unexposed4 ,the calculation necessary is1 therefore1 as to the probability of certain superior cards being in the hands of the opponents1 or remaining in the undealt surplus of the pack4 ,,tactics4 ,as a perfect ,nap is of such rarity we must content ourselves with substitutes1 and in this respect we may regard the following combinations as good ordinary hands on which to declare for the full number of tricks3 a flush of fairly high cards1 i4e41 the five all of one suit2 four of one suit 7headed with ace or king71 and one high card of another suit2 or three high cards of one suit1 with two high cards of a second suit4 ,it is dangerous to risk a ,nap on a hand of three suits1 unless it consists of three high cards of one suit with two other aces2 then it is often possible to #f win the five tricks1 by first exhausting the trumps1 and then playing the aces1 which must win2 but if one of the opponents starts with four trumps1 no matter how small1 success is1 of course1 impossible4 ,if a player does not consider his cards good enough to permit of his declaring for ,nap--and it is fair to suppose that not once in a hundred they will be absolutely safe--he has to decide what they are worth1 and declare accordingly4 ,it is not often that four tricks are called1 because a hand good enough for four is usually regarded as sufficiently good for ,nap1 on account of the additional stakes received by the player who succeeds in making the whole of the tricks1 which amount to a difference of six points from each competitor1 as for four tricks he receives four1 while for ,nap he receives ten1 paying only five1 however1 if he loses4 ,on the same principle as already shown in regard to a perfect ,nap1 it will be understood that ace1 king1 queen1 is the only certain combination with which to secure three tricks1 but these cards1 again1 are seldom met with in a hand1 and speculation is once more the principal matter for consideration4 ,ace1 knave1 and ten of a suit is generally good for three tricks1 as the only possibility against such a combination is that one of the other players holds king or queen of the same suit1 with a smaller trump to throw away when the ace is led4 ,three tricks are1 however1 often called on much lower cards than ace1 knave1 ten1 especially when the other cards in the hand are of one suit1 or are sufficiently high to admit of the possibility of one of them securing a trick4 ,the same line of reasoning holds good in regard to a declaration of two tricks1 the only certainty in that case being ace and king4 ,it must not be considered1 after these comments on the game1 that there is any great difficulty to surmount in acquiring #g a knowledge of ,napoleon4 ,as we said at the commencement of our remarks no great skill is essential1 but considerable care is necessary to secure anything like success at the game1 the chief factor in which is so-called luck4 ,it is impossible to make tricks1 or even declare an intention to try for them1 unless one receives a certain number of high cards4 ,one may even go further1 and say that luck goes far beyond the actual cards dealt to each player1 for the best of hands often fail1 and poor cards frequently achieve success2 whilst it happens1 in numerous cases1 that the playing of the cards demonstrates that really weak hands would have secured success if the holder had had the pluck1 or impudence1 we may term it1 to declare more than the value of the cards seemed to justify4 ,on the other hand it is often astonishing to find the number of high cards of a given suit included among the fifteen1 twenty1 or twenty-five in the hands of the players engaged in the game4 ,taking all matters into consideration1 it must be regarded as virtually impossible to give any precise rules for deciding the number of tricks to declare1 and it is equally difficult to lay down any definite plan for playing the cards to the tricks4 ,we can only generalize for the information of our readers1 who must decide for themselves whether they will play an adventurous game1 with its greater risks1 and greater possibilities of success2 or whether they will adopt a quieter and less speculative course1 standing to win or lose less on their own declarations4 ,it must always be borne in mind1 however1 that whichever course is pursued it is only his own actions that can be governed by each player4 ,one may adopt a quiet1 safe game1 and risk little1 while some or all of the opponents may adopt the opposite extreme1 and force all the competitors1 #h in a manner of speaking1 to share in their risky speculations4 ,if the bold player wins1 and we think the chances are in his favour1 the quieter ones1 no matter how safe their own declarations may be1 must necessarily lose1 and vice vers so that we have1 not only the numberless possible combinations of the cards to consider1 but also the temperament and position of those engaged in each game4 ,care should be taken to remember1 as far as possible1 the cards thrown away by the other players1 when they cannot follow suit to any particular lead1 and it will be found in practice that much information can be derived as to the character of the remaining cards from a careful study of the hands during the progress of the play1 and this knowledge is particularly valuable when a player is left with two cards of equal1 or nearly equal value1 and his chance of success depends upon his winning a trick with one of them4 ,we shall now proceed to consider the various parts of the game1 and the variations that have been introduced into the method of playing it4 ,,stakes4 ,the stakes may consist of any amount previously arranged1 and whatever is decided upon1 whether it be counters or money1 is recognised as the limit per trick1 only changed when a player having declared for ,nap1 succeeds in making it1 in which case each player pays double1 or as though he had lost ten tricks4 ,in other cases the players win or lose one stake for each trick that the senior hand has declared for4 ,say1 for example1 he declared to win three tricks1 and succeeded1 then each of the other players would pay him three times the amount of the stake2 if the senior hand did not succeed1 he would have to pay a similar amount to each of the others4 #i ,,dealing4 ,the deal is decided by the cards being turned face upwards before each player1 until the first knave is exposed4 ,the player to whom the knave falls then becomes the first dealer4 ,it is better to play with two separate packs of cards1 as considerable time is saved in collecting and shuffling1 which operations are to be performed by the player on the next dealer's left hand side4 ,when shuffled the cards are to be placed on the right hand side of the dealer1 where they are to be left until the player on his right cuts them4 ,the dealer distributes five cards to each player1 going from left to might1 and dealing the cards one at a time4 ,as the deal is a disadvantage1 inasmuch as the dealer has the last call1 there is no penalty attaching to a misdeal1 unless the game is being played with the addition of a pool or kitty 7see page #aa71 in which case the player making a misdeal pays a penalty to the pool equal to the stake of one trick4 ,in the event of a misdeal1 or accidental exposure of a card1 the whole pack must be collected1 shuffled and re-cut1 as before1 after which the cards are to be re-dealt by the same player who made the mistake4 ,the players must not interfere with the cards during the deal1 under a similar penalty1 nor touch the remainder of the pack when once it has left the dealer's hands4 ,,calling4 ,the deal having been completed the players are entitled to look at their cards1 and then declare1 in turn1 whether they will stand or pass1 the player on the dealer's left having the first call4 ,if he decide to stand he declares the number of tricks he will stand for1 while if he elects to pass #aj he simply states his intention of so doing1 but it is understood that the first caller must stand for one trick1 should all the others decide to pass1 except in the case where the ,double ,header is agreed to 7see page #ac74 ,the next player then announces his intention4 ,if he cannot stand for more tricks than have already been called he must pass1 and the same holds good all round1 until the dealer is reached4 ,no player may make a second declaration1 or alter one once made4 ,,playing ,,the ,,hands4 ,the player who has called the highest number of tricks now becomes senior hand1 and his object is to make the tricks he has declared1 in opposition to the united efforts of the other players1 who combine --without consultation or arrangement of any kind--to defeat his purpose4 ,the senior hand may make trumps of any suit he chooses1 and this he signifies by leading one of the suit he selects4 ,it will thus be seen that the first card played in each deal decides the trumps for that deal4 ,the player on the left of the leader then follows4 ,if he has a card of the suit led he must play it1 but if not he may throw off any card he chooses4 ,if he has more than one card of the suit he can play either1 as he is not forced to head the trick even if he has a card higher than that led but in practice it is seldom desirable to pass a trick in the first round1 when headed by the senior hand1 except under exceptional circumstances1 such for instance as holding ace and a small one1 with knave or a lower card led4 ,provided no player has headed the trick1 i4e41 played a higher card of the same suit as the one led1 the trick is scored by the senior hand1 and he leads for the second #aa round4 ,if1 however1 one of the players has taken the trick1 then the lead passes to the winner of that trick1 and the same occurs after the second1 third and fourth tricks4 ,in the second and subsequent rounds the leader may play whatever card he chooses1 just as in the first1 the trumps remaining unaltered4 ,a player having one of the suit led in either round must play it1 but if he has none of the suit he may either discard one of the others1 or head the trick by playing a trump4 ,this continues throughout the five rounds1 unless the senior hand shall have previously won the number of tricks he declared1 or shall have lost such a number as to render his success impossible1 in either of which cases the cards are collected for the next deal4 ,,variations4 ,there are several innovations and different methods of play which may be introduced into the game of ,napoleon1 but any divergence from the plain game should be carefully settled by the company before the play is commenced4 ,failing a proper understanding on this point1 the rules applicable to the simple game must be adhered to4 ,,pool ,,or ,,kitty4 ,when a pool is agreed to1 payment is made by each dealer according to the value of the stake of the game1 but it is more convenient for all of the players to pay in when it is the original dealer's turn to play4 ,the ,kitty thus formed becomes the property of the caller who makes ,nap1 and he takes it in addition to the double stakes he #ab receives from each player1 as already mentioned4 ,when it is found desirable to conclude the game before a ,nap has been secured1 the amount of the kitty is to be equally divided between the players1 or it may be drawn for1 in which case a card is distributed to each player by the regular dealer1 who has the cards properly shuffled and cut for the purpose1 when the holder of the lowest card 7ace here reckoning as highest7 takes the pool4 ,,misery ,,or ,,mis,,re4 ,this is the most common variation1 and is the antithesis of ,napoleon1 inasmuch as the caller must not make a single trick4 ,the caller leads off in the ordinary way--the suit led being trumps1 as usual1 unless it is agreed1 as is sometimes done1 that there shall be no trumps in this variation4 ,the caller of misre must always follow suit1 if he can1 but is not obliged to trump if he has none of the suit led4 ,he must1 however1 play the cards so as to avoid taking a trick4 ,should he be compelled to win one of the tricks1 or should his original lead remain unheaded by any of the other players1 then he fails in his declaration1 and has to pay1 but if he avoids making a trick1 the other players have to pay him4 ,the usual stake for misery1 either for winner or loser1 is three2 but any player declaring he can make three tricks takes precedence1 and plays accordingly4 ,,buying ,,cards4 ,after the cards have been distributed1 but before any declaration has been made1 the dealer asks each player in turn1 beginning with the player on his left1 whether he wishes to buy a card or cards4 ,the player wishing to purchase must first throw away the cards he desires to eject1 #ac face downwards1 and must place in the pool the value of one trick for each card he desires to receive from the dealer4 ,the card or cards must be taken from the top of the pack1 and handed unexposed to the player4 ,,spare ,,hand4 ,an extra hand is dealt1 which each player in turn has the option of adding to his own hand1 selecting from the ten cards thus held five with which to play1 but he must then stand for ,nap1 and1 if there is a pool or kitty1 he must put therein the value of two tricks if he fails to score1 in addition to paying each of the players the ordinary stake on losing five tricks4 ,,double ,,header4 ,if each player passes1 then the stakes for the next deal are doubled1 and remain so until the person declaring has won4 ,in cases where this variation is decided upon1 it is usual to agree that the lowest call be three1 so that the double header occurs at frequent intervals4 ,,wellington4 ,if a player calls ,napoleon1 and another player on his left considers he can also make five tricks1 he may call ,wellington1 in which case the stakes are doubled1 the caller winning #bj or losing #aj4 ,as this rule1 however1 is regarded with disfavour by some1 in consequence of its raising the limit of a loss on any particular hand from #aj to #bj1 it is sometimes played differently4 ,the player who calls ,wellington does not receive more than he would have done for ,napoleon1 but pays double1 i4e41 #aj4 #ad ,,bl,,cher4 ,this is called in the same manner1 that is to say over the player calling ,wellington1 and then the stakes are trebled1 the caller winning #cj or losing #ae4 ,in the modification of this variety1 as referred to in connection with ,wellington1 the caller would still only receive #aj for winning1 but would pay #ae to each player if he lost4 ,this may appear a severe penalty1 but it must be remembered that both ,wellington and ,blcher are declarations outside the ordinary limit of the game1 and it is not possible for the first caller to claim them1 even though he may have the first five cards of a suit1 and therefore be certain of winning everything4 ,he calls ,napoleon as the limit allowed by the game1 and it is therefore unfair that he should lose the advantages of his good hand4 ,another variety of this game is to allow the caller of ,napoleon the opportunity of altering his call to ,wellington or ,blcher if challenged by any of the others to do so4 ,if he thinks he can scare he stands for the higher call2 if not1 then the player who challenges him does so4 ,the settlement of these extended calls should be particularly agreed upon before commencing play1 or disagreement is all but inevitable1 as the player who insists on the forced increase of the limit is certainly in the wrong1 unless arrangement has previously been made4 ,,thirty-,,two ,,card ,,packs4 ,if ,piquet or ,bzique cards are used1 i4e41 packs with the #b1 #c1 #d1 #e and #f of each suit omitted--leaving but #cb cards in the set--the ordinary rules are observed4 ,when playing with this smaller pack the hands will apparently be of far #ae greater value than usual4 ,this arises from the fact that all the lower cards of each suit are omitted1 and after a few deals it will be found very difficult to make even a small number of tricks with hands which1 if a full pack of cards was in use1 would be exceptionally good4 ,there being but thirty-two cards to deal with1 the number of players must not exceed three1 or perhaps four4 ,,six- ,,or ,,seven-,,card ,,nap4 ,in this variation six or seven cards are dealt to each player1 who1 before making his call1 has to throw away 7face downwards and unexposed7 one or two1 as the case may be1 of his cards1 so as to leave the number in his hand five1 when the game is played on the regular lines4 ,,nine-,,card ,,nap4 ,this may be described as the last innovation in the game4 ,it is conducted on exactly similar lines to the five card method1 except that nine cards are held by each player1 none being discarded as in the last mentioned variation1 but it has not yet become popular1 and in view of the fact that even with only three players more than half the pack is in use1 its scope is far more limited than any other variety4 ,in this variation the person calling ,nap would have to make all nine tricks1 a most difficult and very unfrequent occurrence4 ,it will be found to be a pleasing variety for two players who are of about equal skill at the ordinary game1 its possibilities being so different from that method1 but we doubt its ever being made as popular as the five card game4 #af ,,loo4 ,loo 7or1 as formerly it was sometimes called1 ,lue7 is a very lively and popular round game1 justly described as one of the best and yet one of the simplest known4 ,indeed1 until the introduction of ,nap1 it was the most fashionable of its class in this country4 ,the date of its origin is not on record1 but that some amount of antiquity can be claimed for it may be inferred from the fact that a description of the game appears in works published at the beginning of the present century1 when the method of playing it was virtually the same as is recognised at the present day1 except that then the five-card variation was the most popular1 whereas now the three-card game is in vogue4 ,loo is usually played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards1 but in some variations the thirty-two card pack is used4 ,the number of players who can take part in it is practically unlimited within the range of the pack played with4 ,a writer of thirty years since justly remarks that the game is good for any number up to a dozen1 although the best game is played with five1 or not more than seven persons4 ,five players are sometimes regarded as the limit1 and if more than that number desire to take part1 relief is sought by the dealer standing out of the play1 neither paying nor receiving on the tricks of that hand4 ,this arrangement1 however1 is one that can be decided at the option of the company playing4 #ag ,as is the case with ,nap1 a very short time is necessary for completing the hands in the game1 and a finish may be made at any moment1 either by an equal division of the amount in the pool among the players1 or by releasing those who failed to win a trick in the previous deal from the penalty which usually attaches to such a result1 and which is known as a loo4 ,in this case all stand on the last round1 and there is no miss4 ,it is usual1 however1 to play on until what is known as a single occurs1 i4e41 when each of the players who declared to stand has secured a trick1 and1 as a consequence1 no one has been looed4 ,if1 however1 a finish is desired before a single occurs1 it is best to arrange it so as to fall immediately before the original dealer's turn to deal comes round again1 as1 in that case1 all the players will have paid for an equal number of deals4 ,a player may withdraw from the game at any time when it is his turn to deal4 ,in that case he pays for his deal 7as explained later on71 and also for his loo1 if he was looed the previous hand1 but he does not deal any cards to himself1 or take any part in the play of that round4 ,,description4 ,three-card ,loo being the most popular at the present day1 we shall devote ourselves more particularly to that game1 leaving the five-card variety to be considered later on1 under the heading of ,variations4 ,the object of each player is to win one1 two1 or all of the three tricks into which each deal is divided1 and in doing so he is opposed by all the other players who have elected to stand1 and who1 in turn1 try to secure the tricks for themselves4 ,the stakes are first decided on--usually three counters #ah or coins for the deal1 and six for a loo4 ,it is desirable that the amount in the pool should be divisible by three1 so as to allow of its equal apportionment among the winners of the three tricks4 ,the first dealer is then chosen1 and he1 having paid to the pool the agreed amount for his deal1 proceeds to distribute the cards for what is termed a single1 a term denoting that merely the dealer's stake is to be played for4 ,the pack having been duly shuffled and cut1 the dealer turns the top card face upwards in the middle of the table1 and then distributes one card1 similarly exposed1 to each player4 ,if either of the players receives a higher card of the same suit as the one turned up1 he wins the amount in the pool4 ,if two or more receive superior cards1 the higher takes the stake4 ,the others are looed1 each having to contribute the agreed amount of a loo to the pool1 for the next deal4 ,it is usually agreed that the penalty for a loo on the single shall be half the amount of the ordinary loo1 or the same amount as for a deal4 ,if neither player receives a higher card of the same suit as that turned up all are looed1 and the amount in the pool remains1 being included in the stakes for the next deal4 ,the amount of the loos having been placed in the pool1 as also the sum agreed upon to be contributed by the next dealer1 the cards are re-gathered1 shuffled1 and cut1 and the second deal is proceeded with4 ,three cards are distributed to each player1 and a spare hand1 or miss1 as it is generally called1 is left in the middle of the table4 ,the top #ai card of the undealt portion of the pack is next turned up1 to decide which of the suits shall be trump1 and then each of the players --commencing with the one on the left hand side of the dealer--in turn looks at his cards1 and decides whether he will stand1 whether he will take the miss1 or whether he will throw up his cards for that deal1 unless the rule for ,club ,law shall have been previously decided upon1 when all the players have to stand1 and the miss is withdrawn--see page #bf4 ,if he decides to stand1 the player retains the three cards originally dealt him1 and says1 ,i play2 if he elects to throw up his cards1 he places them1 unexposed1 on the top of the undealt portion of the pack1 and takes no share in the remainder of that hand1 neither paying nor receiving in connection with the play2 while if he determines to take the miss1 his original cards are added to the undealt portion of the pack1 as before1 and he takes up the spare hand4 ,in this latter case he is compelled to stand1 that is1 it is not optional with him to throw up the miss1 when once he has elected to take it4 ,the spare hand is not always called the miss4 ,some players designate it the cat2 the term possibly originating from its un-certainty2 hence the expression1 often used in connection with the spare hand--,let us hope she will not scratch us4 ,the player on the dealer's left having determined which course he will pursue1 the one on his left has to decide1 and so on1 until the dealer is reached2 he may1 in like manner1 stand1 throw up1 or take miss1 provided the spare hand has not already been appropriated4 ,if none of the players take the miss it is added to the pack1 but in that case it must not be exposed1 or looked at by any of the players4 ,should it happen that each of the players in front of the dealer has thrown up his own cards1 and neither has taken the miss1 then the dealer is entitled to the amount in the pool1 no matter what his cards are4 ,should it happen that only one player has declared to stand on his own hand1 #bj then the dealer1 if he cannot stand on his own cards1 may take the miss4 ,if he does not care to do either he must play the miss for the benefit of the pool1 against the single player who declared to play on his own cards1 and anything he may then win with the miss is left in the pool for the next deal4 ,should it happen that all the players in front of the dealer have thrown up their cards1 and one has taken the miss1 then the dealer may stand1 or not1 as he chooses2 but if he also throws up his cards1 then the holder of miss1 being the only standing hand1 takes the whole amount of the pool4 ,these contingencies are seldom1 if ever1 met with in actual play1 but being possible it is necessary to fix laws to govern them4 ,the players who have decided to stand1 either on their own cards1 or on the miss1 then proceed to play the tricks1 the one nearest the dealer's left having to lead4 ,it is1 however1 sometimes agreed that the holder of miss for the time being shall lead1 but this is hardly a desirable departure from the more regular course of leaving the lead to the elder hand1 and we cannot recommend its adoption4 ,if the leader holds the ace of trumps he must lead it1 and similarly1 if the ace is turned up1 and he holds the king1 he must start off with that card4 ,if he has two or three trumps 7of any denomination7 he must lead the highest4 ,two or more trumps1 lead one1 is the rule of some players1 but unless this matter is specially decided upon before the commencement of play the rule to lead the highest of two or three must govern the point4 ,in all other cases the leader may start off with whichever card he chooses4 ,the play proceeds from left to right1 and each player1 in turn1 has to follow suit if he can2 as it is his desire to secure the trick for himself he will play as high as possible #ba if he has the power to head the trick4 ,if he cannot follow suit he must play a trump if he has one1 provided his trump is higher than any previously played to the trick1 but it is not compulsory to trump a suit when it is not possible to head the trick by doing so4 ,failing the ability to head the trick1 he may discard as he chooses4 ,it is compulsory1 however1 for each player1 in turn1 to head the trick if he is able to do so1 and herein lies one of the greatest differences between ,loo and ,nap1 for in the latter game1 as we have shown1 it is optional with a player whether he will head the trick1 or pass it4 ,the trick is won by the player who plays the highest of the suit led1 or1 if trumped1 the highest trump4 ,as winner1 he has the privilege of leading for the next trick1 which is conducted on similar lines to the first4 ,this applies also to the third trick1 the only stipulations being that if the player who won the first trick has a trump he must lead it1 and if he be left with two trumps he must play the higher of the two as the lead for the second trick4 ,the three tricks having been disposed of the amount in the pool is divided equitably among the winners1 while those who stood--either on their own hand or on miss1--and did not succeed in winning a trick are looed4 ,if all who stood succeeded in making one or more tricks1 so that neither of the players was looed1 it becomes a single again1 and the cards are dealt as already described for that round 7see p4 #ah74 ,a player infringing any of the rules1 or playing in an irregular manner1 is looed1 and the amount of his winnings1 if any1 is left in the pool4 ,the hands must1 however1 be replayed in proper order1 and if then the tricks are secured by different players1 that must be considered the result of the hand1 and the losers by the proper play are looed1 even though by the first and erroneous method they secured one #bb or more of the tricks4 ,briefly1 no player can he looed1 or secure any part of the pool through the irregularity of either of the other players4 ,in any case the player who transgressed the law does not win anything4 ,if his cards secure one or all of the tricks the amount of his winnings is left in the pool for the next deal1 and he is looed4 ,this does not apply to penalties for looking at the hands1 or declaring out of turn1 or making a misdeal4 ,in those cases the offending player pays the penalty into the pool for the current deal1 and stands an equal chance with the others in fighting for the tricks4 ,the cards as played are left in front of the players1 not being turned or otherwise interfered with until the completion of the three tricks1 when1 as already described1 they are gathered up for the next round4 ,we will now proceed to consider the various points of the game not touched upon in the description already given4 ,,stakes4 ,for the reason already mentioned the stakes should be so arranged that the amount in the pool can always be divided by three4 ,thus1 supposing that three counters1 or coins1 are fixed as the amount for the deal1 and six for a loo1 there cannot possibly be any surplus after the division among the winners of the three tricks1 no matter how many may have paid in4 ,if1 however1 the pool consists of such an amount as to render equal division impossible1 the division is made as nearly equal as can be1 and the winners of the first and second tricks have the preference4 ,it is not necessary that the loo should be twice the amount of the deal1 indeed any sum may be fixed for either the one or the other1 and it is not unusual when the #bc deal is settled at #a;d4 for the loo to be #f;d41 or when the one is #f;d4 for the other to be #bs4 #f;d41 and so on4 ,another method is to make the stake for a loo unlimited1 and yet another to make it somewhat of a combination1 unlimited up to a certain amount 7see ,variations71 but the more general course is to have a definite price fixed 7a7 for the deal1 7b7 for an ordinary loo1 and 7c7 for a single loo1 which latter is generally half the amount of the full loo4 ,before commencing play in the game1 it is desirable to settle whether ,club ,law 7see ,variations7 is to be enforced1 and whether any alteration is to be made in the law compelling the holder of two or more trumps to lead the highest on the original lead4 ,the modification of this rule is two or more trumps lead one4 ,,dealing4 ,the deal is settled in the same way as already described in connection with ,nap1 and the cards having been shuffled and cut1 the single is dealt1 as described on page #ah4 ,in other rounds the dealer must distribute the cards to the players one card at a time1 in regular order from left to right1 and must deal to the spare hand1 or miss immediately after dealing his own card each time4 ,with some players deviation is permitted1 the dealer being allowed to distribute the cards in any order he likes1 and either singly or three at a time2 or the miss is left until last1 when the three cards for the spare hand are dealt at once4 ,these departures are not desirable1 and we strongly recommend the enforcement of the rule compelling the regular distribution of cards1 as herein set out4 ,in the event of a misdeal1 an irregular distribution of the cards1 or the exposure of a card during the dealing1 the dealer is looed--the amount of the loo in this1 and most #bd other cases of penalty prior to the commencement of the playing of the cards being the same as settled for a single loo--and he immediately places the amount in the pool4 ,the whole pack is collected1 re-shuffled1 and dealt again by the same player1 and the game proceeds4 ,any player interfering with the cards during the deal is looed1 but the cards are not re-dealt1 unless they have been mixed1 or a card has been exposed4 ,,declaring4 ,the cards having been dealt1 and the trump card turned up1 the player on the left of the dealer has the right to look at his cards1 and declares his intention to stand1 throw up1 or take miss4 ,he having decided1 the player on his left does the same1 and so on all round4 ,any player looking at his cards before it is his turn to do so1 or declaring out of turn1 or looking at the miss without taking it1 or looking at either of the thrown up cards1 or at any part of the undealt portion of the pack1 is looed a single1 and pays the penalty into the pool at once1 but he is not debarred by any of these irregularities--except when he looks at either of the opponent's hands--from taking part in the play of that deal4 ,if he looks at the cards of any other player he is looed the full loo1 and must throw up his own cards1 unexposed1 unless he has already declared to stand1 or has taken the miss1 in which case he has to play to the tricks1 having first paid his loo into the pool2 in the event of his cards securing either of the tricks the amount won is left in the pool for the next deal4 ,no player may make a second declaration1 or alter one once made1 and a player who decides to stand1 or who takes the miss1 must play his cards with the others interested in #be the stakes2 he not being permitted to stand out1 lest his doing so should affect the others' play4 ,,playing ,,the ,,hands4 ,the players having decided whether they will stand or not1 the leader plays his card4 ,if he holds ace1 or with ace turned up holds king1 and fails to lead it1 he is looed2 similarly1 with two or more trumps if he fails to lead the highest he is looed4 ,any player neglecting to follow the suit led1 when he is able to do so2 or omitting to trump a suit1 when by so doing he can head the trick1 is likewise looed2 as also is any one playing out of turn1 or exposing or mentioning the value of his own1 or opponent's unplayed cards1 or of either of those in the miss1 or among the undealt portion of the pack4 ,if the winner of the first trick remains with a trump1 and fails to lead it2 or having two trumps left fails to lead the highest1 he is looed4 ,in all these cases the penalty is the amount of a full loo1 and it is added to the pool for the next deal4 ,the cards must he replayed in proper order1 and if the player who transgressed wins either of the tricks his winnings must be left in the pool for the next deal4 ,,variations4 ,as mentioned in the case of ,nap1 any divergence from the plain game must be carefully settled by the company before play is commenced1 and failing any special agreement it is understood that the rules of the simple game are to be adhered to4 #bf ,,club ,,law4 ,this is the most common variation1 and its object is to force a number of loos1 especially when a large number of players are engaged in the game4 ,when it is adopted1 all the players have to stand on their own cards1 whenever the card turned up for trump proves to be a club4 ,in that case the miss is withdrawn1 and is added to the undealt portion of the pack without being exposed4 ,,unlimited ,,loo4 ,in this variation the penalty to be paid for a loo varies with the amount in the pool1 and becomes the same as the total stakes of the previous deal4 ,by the adoption of this variation a considerable sum may be lost in a very few minutes1 and1 in consequence1 it is not often played outside the regular gambling clubs4 ,of course the amount goes on increasing by rapid strides until a single occurs1 when a fresh start is made with only the stake of the dealer to fight for4 ,at unlimited loo the amount payable for the deal remains unaltered1 no matter how much was in the pool the previous round4 ,,mixed ,,loo4 ,this is played on the same lines as the unlimited variation1 except that a limit is fixed1 beyond which the loo does not go4 ,for instance1 suppose the original stakes to be #c;d4 for a deal1 and #f;d4 for a loo--limited to #bs4 #f;d41 a player would be looed the amount in the pool1 up to the limit1 but if the amount exceeded the #bs4 #f;d41 he would not be called upon for a larger sum4 #bg ,,five-,,card ,,loo4 ,this is the old-fashioned game1 and we may go back to old books for a description of it4 ,it is said to be a much more amusing game than three-card loo for a company not inclined to play for high stakes1 but is not suitable for more than six players1 even if five should not be regarded as the limit4 ,each of those engaged in the game has five cards dealt him1 either first three1 and then two1 or one at a time1 the latter method being by far the best1 and the following card is turned up for trump4 ,there is no miss1 but each player has the liberty of changing1 for others from the pack1 all or any of the five cards dealt him1 or of throwing up the hand altogether4 ,if he decides to change any of his cards1 the player1 whose turn it is to declare1 places the cards he wishes exchanged1 face downwards1 on the table1 and the dealer gives him a like number from the top of the pack4 ,no second exchange is allowable1 nor can a card once put out be taken back into the hand2 neither may a player who makes an exchange afterwards throw up his cards2 he must play them out4 ,the knave of clubs generally1 or sometimes the knave of the trump suit1 as agreed upon1 is the highest card1 and is styled ,pam2 the ace of trumps is next in value1 and the rest in succession1 as in the three card variation1 where the cards rank in the ordinary way3 ace1 king1 queen1 knave1 ten1 nine1 etc41 down to the two4 ,those who play their cards1 either with or without changing1 and do not gain a trick1 are looed4 ,when a flush occurs1 that is1 five cards of the same suit1 or four cards of a suit with ,pam1 the holder of the flush--who does not declare it until all the players have settled whether they will stand or not--besides taking the amount in the pool1 #bh receives from each of the players1 whether they stood or not1 the amount of a loo1 and the next deal becomes a single1 there being no payments to the pool1 beyond the dealer's fee4 ,a flush in trumps is superior to a flush in any other suit1 but if there is more than one flush--neither of which is of the trump suit--then the flush which includes ,pam wins1 or if neither contains that card then the elder hand1 that is1 the player nearest the dealer's left hand1 scores the flush1 and the holder of the other flush takes nothing2 he1 however1 is exempt from the loo1 which is payable by the other players4 ,when the ace of trumps is led it is usual for the player of it to say1 ,pam1 be civil1 in which case the holder of ,pam must pass the trick1 if he can do so without revoking2 but if he has no trump he may win the trick with ,pam4 ,,irish ,,loo4 ,this is virtually the same as the five-card variety1 except that three cards only are dealt to each player1 and ,pam is unknown4 ,,thirty-,,two ,,card ,,packs4 ,as described in connection with ,nap1 ,piquet or ,bzique cards may be used for ,loo1 but in that case the number of players must1 of necessity1 be more limited1 only #cb cards being available4 ,in all other respects the rules applicable to the full packs apply4 #bi ,,hints ,,to ,,players4 ,i4--,declaring4 ,in deciding whether to stand on one's own cards1 or whether to take the miss1 the amount in the pool is a matter for special consideration4 ,with a heavy stake to fight for1 a player will run greater risks than when a small amount is available4 ,therefore1 the first question to decide should be the amount per trick in the pool1 as compared with the amount to be paid if one is looed4 ,it is unwise to stand on any hand that does not contain a trump2 but if the cards are very high ones1 and the amount in the pool warrants it1 the risk may be taken4 ,with very few exceptions a player should stand on two trumps1 however small1 but the first player should have a tolerably high card1 in addition to two small trumps1 other wise the hand is a risky one4 ,an honour in trumps and high cards in other suits are generally safe1 especially for the player who has to lead2 indeed1 the first player may stand on almost any single trump1 if his other cards are high ones of different suits--queens at least4 ,king of trumps with small cards in other suits is generally safe1 although cautious players throw up such a hand4 ,very much depends on the amount in the pool1 although we should not reject such cards under any conditions4 ,queen or knave of trumps with small cards of other suits are matters which must be left to individual opinion--based on the number of players and the stake to be played for4 ,they are undoubtedly risky hands1 but if one only stands on certainties half the amusement and all the excitement vanishes4 ,after a few rounds have been played1 a fair opinion can #cj be formed as to what cards are likely to make a trick1 and if the sum in the pool is considerable1 risky cards may be kept1 or the miss taken at an early stage1 although it must not be overlooked that the other players will likewise stand on risky hands1 and1 as a consequence1 there will be more competition1 with fewer chances of securing a trick4 ,the first hand should seldom take the miss1 nor should either of the other players if each of those in front of him has decided to stand on his own cards1 as it may be assumed that in such cases there is strength4 ,with five playing1 two of whom have thrown up1 miss may be taken1 but with three players standing on their own cards1 miss should not be attempted4 ,,ii4--,playing4 ,the laws of the game define what shall be led with two or three trumps1 or with ace only 7or king only1 if ace is turned up71 and therefore the only hints necessary are when the leader has but one trump4 ,with one trump and high cards of other suits1 the trump should be led if several players remain in1 but if only two or three are standing1 either of the others should be led1 the higher of the two for preference4 ,with one high trump and small other cards1 we prefer leading the smallest1 relying on the second and third tricks for opportunities of making our single trump4 #ca ,,poker4 ,,description4 ,the game of ,poker is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards4 ,the number of players is limited only by the number of cards1 but in practice it is found better to limit each table to five1 or at most six1 players4 ,the cards have the same values as at ,whist1 i4e4 ace is the highest in each suit2 then follow king1 queen1 knave1 ten1 etc41 down to two4 ,in sequences1 however1 the ace is the lowest card1 and the king the highest4 ,the suit of hearts1 ceteris paribus1 takes precedence of other suits4 ,before beginning play1 it is customary and advisable to agree upon a sum 7technically called the limit or rise7 which shall be the maximum stake permitted to be made by a player at one time2 or1 in other words1 which shall be the greatest sum by which he may increase the stake at any one time4 ,the limit1 of course1 does not refer to the total amount of a player's stakes1 and it is understood that a player may stake less than the limit at any time1 but not more4 ,after being seated1 the players cut for the deal1 and the player who cuts the lowest card deals first4 ,if two or more players cut equal lowest cards1 these players must cut again for the deal4 #cb ,the duty of dealing in each game after the first1 devolves upon the player to the left of the previous dealer4 ,before beginning play1 every player has a right to shuffle the pack2 the dealer has a right to the last shuffle4 ,after being shuffled1 the pack must be cut by the player to the right of the dealer4 ,the player to the left of the dealer then stakes a certain fixed sum 7generally small in comparison with the limit7 which is called the ante4 ,this initial stake must in every game be laid by the player to the left of the dealer1 before the cards are dealt4 ,he is1 in fact1 identified with this initial stake1 and is known as ante throughout the game4 ,after ante has staked1 the player to his left1 who is called ,no4 #a1 has the option of straddling1 i4e4 of staking a sum double that of the ante4 ,if ,no4 #a does not straddle the ante1 no other player may do so1 and the dealer proceeds to deal the cards4 ,if ,no4 #a straddle the ante1 the player to his left has the same option1 and may increase the straddle by the amount of the ante4 ,this may go on round the table1 each player in turn having the right to increase the straddle before the deal2 but the ante may not be increased by any straddle1 or by successive straddles1 to an amount exceeding one-half of the limit4 ,to illustrate this1 let us suppose the limit be two shillings and the ante be one penny4 ,this latter sum is staked 7i4e4 placed in the middle of the table before him7 by the player on the left of the dealer4 ,no4 #a then has the right to straddle the ante1 and he may stake two pence4 ,no4 #b then has the same option1 and may1 if he wish1 increase the straddle by one penny4 ,when the sum staked in this way by successive players reaches one shilling 7half the limit71 the straddling must cease1 and the cards must be dealt4 #cc ,it should be fully understood that if ,no4 #a does not exercise his right to straddle1 no other player may do so4 ,the dealer1 beginning with the player at his left hand1 then deals one card1 face downwards1 to each player 7himself included7 in succession1 until every player has received five cards4 ,he then places the remainder of the pack before him on the table1 face downwards4 ,after the cards have been dealt the betting before the draw begins4 ,these five cards constitute the hand1 and in no case may a player have a greater or less number of cards than five4 ,if the ante has not been straddled1 the player to the left of ante has the say1 and may begin the betting before the draw4 ,he looks at his cards1 and may either-- 7a7 ,reject them1 and elect not to play4 7b7 ,accept them1 and so open the game4 ,if 7a7 he reject his cards1 he throws them1 face downwards1 on the table1 and is out of the game until the next deal4 ,if 7b7 he accept his cards1 he must stake a sum at least twice the amount of ante4 ,he may1 of course1 increase the ante by any sum not exceeding the limit2 but it is not usual or advisable to do more than double the ante4 ,no4 #b1 who is the player on the left of ,no4 #a1 has now the same option4 ,he looks at his cards1 and may reject them without staking 7throwing them1 in this case1 face downwards1 on the table71 or he may accept them and elect to take part in the game4 ,in this latter case he must stake a sum equal to that staked by his predecessor1 or he may increase this sum by an amount not exceeding the limit4 ,each succeeding player1 including and ending with the #cd dealer1 has1 in his turn1 the same privilege4 ,he must either reject his cards and not play until the next deal1 or accept them and stake a sum at least equal to that staked by his predecessor4 ,it is not advisable for any player to increase the stake on this first round1 since to do so would probably cause succeeding players with moderate hands to reject their cards and not stake4 ,the dealer or last player frequently1 however1 raises the stake with the object of inducing ante1 who may hold a weak hand1 to relinquish his initial stake4 ,ante is the last to look at his cards1 or in other words1 has the last say4 ,if he pass1 i4e4 elect not to play1 he throws his cards1 face downwards1 on the table1 and retires from the game until the next deal1 losing his original stake4 ,if he accept his cards and elect to play1 he must make his stake at least equal to that of the player on his right4 ,if the ante has been straddled1 the player to the left of the straddler 7or of the last straddler1 if there be more than one7 has the say1 i4e4 has the option of beginning the betting before the draw4 ,he may1 after looking at his cards1 either 7a7 ,throw them1 face downwards1 on the table1 and elect not to play4 7b7 ,accept them and open the game4 ,if he open the game1 he must stake a sum at least equal to double the ante and straddles together1 and he may also1 if he choose1 stake a further sum not exceeding the limit4 ,whichever he elect to do1 the say afterwards passes to the player at his left hand1 who has a similar option2 and so on round the table4 ,the last straddler has thus the last say4 ,beginning with ante1 or with the first player on the left of the dealer1 each player may then exchange all or any number of the cards he holds for others from the remainder #ce of the pack4 ,he must first throw on the table1 face downwards1 the number of cards he wishes to exchange 7this is called discarding71 and the dealer then gives him an equal number from the top of the pack4 ,before exchanging any of his cards1 however1 each player must make his stake equal to that of ante1 or of the last player4 ,it is not compulsory for a player to exchange all or any of his cards2 but he must exercise or relinquish the privilege of doing so when his turn comes1 once for all2 and he cannot afterwards modify his choice1 nor take back any card or cards he may have discarded4 ,whether he exchange any of his cards1 or whether he retains the hand first dealt out to him1 each player must make his stake equal to that of ante1 or of the last player1 so that when all players have been supplied with1 or refused1 new cards1 the stakes are all equal1 and are all placed in the pool4 ,to give a practical illustration of this process1 let us suppose that there are five players taking part in the game1 that the ante is fixed at threepence1 and the limit at a shilling4 ,the players cut for deal1 and the deal falls to ,a4 7,no4 #a7 ,c _/ ,d 7,no4 #b7 7 7 7,ante7 ,b _/ ,e 7,no4 #c7 ,a 7,dealer7 ,b then is ante1 ,c ,no4 #a1 etc4 ,b 7ante7 stakes threepence4 #cf ,c1 who has the right to straddle the ante does not do so1 so no other player may4 ,a then deals five rounds of one card each to each player1 beginning with ,b1 and then puts the remainder of the pack on the table4 ,c 7,no4 #a7 then looks at his cards1 elects to play1 and stakes sixpence 7double ante's stake74 ,d 7,no4 #b7 looks at his cards1 rejects them1 throwing them face downwards on the table1 and retiring from the game until the next deal4 ,e 7,no4 #c7 looks at his cards1 elects to play1 and stakes sixpence4 ,a 7dealer7 looks at his cards1 elects to play1 and stakes one shilling and sixpence 7he must stake sixpence1 but he raises the stakes by the maximum amount allowed74 ,b 7ante7 looks at his cards1 elects to play1 and stakes one shilling and threepence1 making his stake equal to ,a's4 ,b then discards two of his cards1 places them face downwards on the table1 and receives from ,a two in their place4 ,c 7,no4 #a7 adds a shilling to his stake1 making it equal to ,a's and ,b's1 and throws down all his cards1 receiving five new ones in their place4 ,e 7,no4 #c71 rather than increase his stake to one shilling and sixpence1 relinquishes his hand1 throwing down his cards1 and losing the sixpence he has already staked4 ,a 7dealer71 who has already staked one shilling and sixpence1 throws down one card and takes another in its place from the top of the pack4 ,there are now three players1 ,a1 ,b1 and ,c1 each of whom has staked one shilling and sixpence on his hand1 and there is a sum of five shillings1 including ,e's first stake in the pool4 ,no4 #a then begins play by betting a sum not exceeding #cg the limit4 ,he may1 if he choose1 stand1 decline to bet until the next round1 or he may throw his cards face downwards on the table and retire from the game1 losing the money he has already staked4 ,the turn then passes to ,no4 #b4 ,let us suppose1 in the first place1 that he does bet4 ,the next player on his left must then-- 7a7 ,make his stake equal to that of ,no4 #a1 in which case he is said to call ,no4 #a1 and he has the right to see ,no4 #a's hand when the game is over1 or-- 7b7 ,make his stake greater than that of ,no4 #a by a sum not exceeding the limit1 in which case he is said to raise ,no4 #a2 or-- 7c7 ,resign the game1 place his cards face downwards on the table1 and lose the sum he has already staked4 ,each player in succession has a similar choice4 ,he must-- 7a7 ,call the preceding player2 or 7b7 ,raise the preceding player2 or 7c7 ,resign his stake and the game4 ,if ,no4 #a had stood1 i4e4 not bet when it was first his turn to play1 he would have to do so when the turn came round to him again1 or else relinquish his cards and his stake4 ,when all the stakes are equal1 each player throws his cards face upwards on the table1 and the player with the best hand takes the pool and all the stakes4 ,it will be seen thus that there is no play of the cards in ,poker1 as in most other card games4 ,the best hand exposed wins the game and takes the stakes2 and the play of the game consists in estimating the probable value of the opponents' hands as compared with the player's own hand4 #ch ,to resume our illustration 7page #cf74 ,c begins play by betting sixpence4 ,a also bets sixpence1 making his stake equal to ,c's1 and by doing so is said to call ,c4 ,b bets one shilling and sixpence1 i4e4 raises ,c a shilling4 ,he makes his stake equal to ,c's and ,a's1 and has exercised his right to increase it by a sum not exceeding the limit4 ,c1 whose turn it now is again1 adds two shillings to his stake1 raising ,b a shilling4 ,a will not stake more1 so relinquishes the game and his stake1 placing his cards face downwards on the table4 ,b adds one shilling to his stake1 making it equal to ,c's1 and ,c is therefore compelled to show his hand4 ,it happens to be better than ,b's1 so ,c claims ,b's stake 7two shillings and sixpence7 and the pool 7five shillings and sixpence72 and the game is over4 ,,value ,,of ,,the ,,hands4 ,the hands at ,poker are as follows1 in order of value3-- ,no4 #a4 ,sequence ,flush1 or ,straight ,flush4--,a sequence of five cards of the same suit4 ,in sequences the ace is the lowest card1 and therefore ace to five is the lowest possible sequence4 ,nine to king is the highest possible sequence1 and if a flush1 i4e4 all the cards of the same suit1 is the best possible hand in ,poker4 ,no4 #b4 ,fours1 or ,four of a kind4--,four cards of equal value1 and one other card of no value4 ,four aces take precedence1 then four kings1 etc4 ,no4 #c4 ,full ,hand4--,three cards of equal value1 and two #ci cards of equal value 7for instance1 three queens and two aces74 ,the relative values of two or more full hands are fixed by the threes they contain1 the highest three taking precedence1 without regard to the value of the other two cards4 ,thus1 a full hand consisting of three tens and two fours1 is better than a full hand consisting of three nines and two kings4 ,no4 #d4 ,flush4--,five cards of one suit4 ,the relative values of two or more flush hands depend upon the value of the cards they comprise1 --the highest card taking precedence4 ,no4 #e4 ,sequence1 or ,straight4--,a sequence in value of cards1 not being all of one suit4 ,nine to king is the highest sequence1 and wins1 of course1 against any lower sequence4 ,no4 #f4 ,triplets1 or ,threes4--,three cards of the same value1 and two other cards which are of no value4 ,three aces are highest1 then three kings1 three queens1 etc4 ,no4 #g4 ,two ,pairs4--,two sets of two cards each1 of equal value 7i4e4 #b knaves and #b fours for instance71 and one card of no value4 ,the relative values of two or more two pair hands is decided by the highest pair4 ,if two hands have equally high pairs1 the value is decided by the second pair4 ,no4 #h4 ,a ,pair4--,two cards of equal value1 and three of no value4 ,two aces are the highest pair4 ,if1 when the cards are exposed after a game1 no player holds any of the foregoing hands1 the player whose hand contains the card highest in value wins the stakes4 ,if two or more players hold cards equally high in value1 the player who holds the next highest card wins4 #dj ,,the ,,jack-,,pot4 ,if all the players reject their cards1 declining to play1 ante's stake remains in the pool2 and the deal passes to him4 ,before he deals1 however1 he and every other player must put into the pool a sum equal to the ante4 ,the next hand is called a ,jack-pot1 and the game cannot be opened by any player unless he has at least a pair of knaves in his hand4 ,any better hand entitles him to open the game of course1 but he must have at least two knaves4 ,if there be no players in a ,jack-pot1 the stakes still remain in the pool1 every player again puts in a sum equal to the ante1 and the deal passes on as before4 ,in this second ,jack-pot1 however1 two queens is the lowest hand with which the game may be opened4 ,if there are again no players1 the pool is again replenished1 and the next game cannot be opened with anything less than two kings2 then the ,jack-pot comes down to two knaves again1 and continues the same series of minimum hands--#b knaves1 #b queens1 #b kings--until the game is opened by a player holding the requisite or a better hand4 ,a ,jack-pot having been opened1 the winner takes the accumulated pool1 and the succeeding game reverts to the ordinary conditions1 i4e4 may be opened by any player in his turn and without reference to his hand4 ,if a player open a ,jack-pot1 and all the other players pass1 he must1 before he can claim the pool1 show1 by laying his cards face upwards on the table1 that he really does possess the minimum hand necessary to open the game with4 ,if he have the minimum hand1 or better1 he takes the pool2 but if he have not1 the next game is a ,jack-pot1 just as if the previous game had not been opened1 and the player who opened the game improperly must pay a sum double that of the ante into the pool as a penalty4 #da ,,modifications4 ,modifications of the game have been from time to time introduced1 but few have any claim to permanence or popularity4 ,the best known in this country are the ,blaze and the ,joker4 ,the ,blaze is an additional hand which consists of five court cards4 ,it takes precedence of two pairs1 but is beaten by triplets4 ,the relative values of two or more blaze hands are fixed by the highest card1 a hand containing ace or aces being best4 ,the ,joker is an additional card1 sometimes included in the pack1 and to which any value may be given by the player holding it4 ,if for instance1 a player hold king1 queen1 knave1 and ten of hearts1 and the joker1 he may call the joker ace of hearts1 and so claim a sequence flush4 ,the joker is a higher card1 moreover1 than the actual card whose name it takes1 i4e4 a joker which is called the king of spades is better than the real king of spades4 ,,technical ,,terms4 ,for convenience of reference we annex explanations of the few technical terms used in ,poker4 ,age4--,the eldest hand1 i4e4 the player to the left of the dealer4 ,generally called the ante-man or ante4 ,ante4--,the first stake in the game4 ,it must be made before the cards have been dealt1 by the player on the left of the dealer4 ,it is the only compulsory stake1 and for this reason the amount is fixed1 and is generally small4 ,it must not exceed one half the limit4 ,the player to the left of the dealer is identified with his stake1 and is familiarly called ante4 #db ,bluff4--,to stake an unwarrantable sum on a weak hand for the purpose of inducing the other players to relinquish their stakes rather than continue betting4 ,to pretend to have a good hand4 ,blaze4--,a hand consisting of five court cards 7see p4 #da74 ,chips4--,counters4 ,an ,american term1 little used by ,english players4 ,to chip means to stake chips1 to bet4 ,call4--,to call the preceding player is to stake an amount equal to his stake 7see p4 #cg74 ,discard4--,to throw away cards so as to receive others in exchange for them 7see p4 #ce74 ,draw4--,to receive cards from the dealer in exchange for an equal number discarded4 ,eldest ,hand4--,the player to the left of the dealer4 ,see ,ante4 ,foul ,hand4--,a hand containing more or less than five cards4 ,such hand must be relinquished1 and the owner must retire from that game1 losing any sum he may have staked4 ,go ,better4--,see ,raise4 ,go in4--,to stake a sum equal to double the ante and any straddles or raises which may have been added to it1 in order to qualify for drawing and playing for the pool4 ,hand4--,the five cards held by any player4 ,jack-pot4--,the game which follows an unopened game1 i4e4 which follows a game in which every player had rejected his cards 7see p4 #dj74 ,joker4--,an extra card1 to which any value may be assigned by the player holding it 7see p4 #da74 ,kitty4--,a portion of the stakes set aside in every game1 either to defray the expenses of the table1 or as a reward for some specially good hand4 ,limit4--,the maximum amount by which stakes may be #dc increased at one time4 ,the limit1 which has a tendency to prevent wild and unreasonable betting1 is generally fixed before play begins4 ,make ,good4--,to make good is really the same as to call1 but a player may make good his previous bet1 i4e4 may make it equal to that of the previous player1 and may afterwards raise4 ,no4 #a4--,the player to the left of ante--the next player is ,no4 #b1 and so on round to the dealer4 ,pass4--,to give up the game4 ,to throw the cards1 face downwards1 on the table1 and cease playing until the next deal4 ,the player who passes loses any sum he may have staked4 ,pat4--,a term used in reference to the hand originally dealt to each player in a game4 ,to play pat is to bet on the hand originally dealt1 without drawing4 ,a pat hand is a hand of high value1 which has been dealt to the player1 a hand which he cannot hope to improve by drawing4 ,player4--,this is not strictly a technical term1 but the tyro should note that the persons seated at the table are not necessarily all players4 ,one or more may retire from the game1 and on doing so forfeit all their interest1 and cease to be players in that game4 ,there are seldom more than two or three players remaining at the end of a game4 ,pool4--,the whole of the stakes in a game4 ,pot4--,the pool4 ,raise4--,to raise the preceding player is to stake a sum in excess of that staked by him4 ,rise4--,see ,limit4 ,say4--,the option1 which comes to each player in turn1 of playing1 and therefore betting1 or of passing1 i4e4 throwing down his cards and resigning the game4 ,see4--,to see or call your opponent is to make your #dd stake equal to his4 ,if the stake be not then raised by succeeding players1 every hand must be exposed 7see p4 #cg74 ,show4--,the exposure of a hand or hands at the end of the game4 ,skip ,straight or ,skip ,sequence4--,a sequence of alternate cards--two1 four1 six1 eight1 ten1 for instance4 ,this hand is sometimes introduced1 and takes precedence of triplets4 ,it is beaten by an ordinary sequence4 ,straddle4--,to raise the ante4 ,to double the initial stake made by ante in every game before the cards are dealt4 ,straddling the ante gives the straddler 7or the last straddler1 if there be more than one7 the advantage of the last say before the draw4 ,straight4--,a sequence1 a series of five cards in regular order 7see p4 #ch74 ,,the ,,stakes4 ,as before stated1 the ante and limit should be fixed before play begins1 and once fixed should not be altered in any circumstances4 ,players who have lost sometimes apply to have the limit raised4 ,this should be refused4 ,the ante should be a small sum1 the smaller the better4 ,it must not exceed half the limit1 and for general play a much lower proportion is desirable4 ,if the limit be one shilling1 the ante may be fixed at one penny4 ,counters are desirable for play in all cases2 they are in every way more convenient1 and avoid the constant trouble of giving change4 ,they should be circular in form1 and all of one size1 but of three values1 represented by different colours3-- #a1 say ,red2 the value of ante4 #b1 say ,white2 treble the value of ante4 #c1 say ,blue2 the value of the limit4 #de ,the counters should be sold to each player before the game begins1 and be bought back at the same rate after play4 ,,hints ,,to ,,players4 ,a few words of advice to the tyro may not1 in conclusion1 be out of place4 ,they will not make him into a good player--practice and experience alone can do that1--but they may prevent him paying for his experience more than is necessary3-- ,do not play with folk you do not know4 ,never play with a man you cannot implicitly trust4 ,the game needs all your attention1 and it becomes a toil instead of a pleasure if you have to be on the watch for unfair play4 ,never play for a stake you are not prepared to lose4 ,fix a limit to your losses and cease play at once when they reach it4 ,the temptation to continue is greater when losing than when winning4 ,fix a time to cease play--and keep to it4 ,perfect self-control is1 it is needless to say1 essential to successful play4 ,the man whose losses make him ill-tempered1 must not play at all4 ,he certainly cannot win1 since loss of temper involves loss of judgment4 ,a game like ,poker1 which it must be confessed is not calculated to rouse the finer feelings of humanity1 is only tolerable when played under the severest self-imposed restraint4 ,avoid playing1 moreover1 with an opponent who cannot keep his temper4 ,you will beat him1 no doubt1 but anger is infectious1 and1 unless you are blessed with extraordinary self-command1 the risk of catching it is too great4 ,neither voice1 manner1 nor features should give the #df slightest clue to your hand4 ,one or other will do so at first inevitably1 and all will need a constant effort to control4 ,the perfect ,poker player sits like an automaton1 and his face is a mask4 ,study your opponents1 their features and manner1 in success and failure4 ,to an accurate observer they will generally betray themselves4 ,an ,american authority says1 the study of my adversaries is1 of more value than the study of my cards4 ,bluffing is at best a very dangerous game1 seldom worth the risk1 and it involves1 even for its occasional success1 a very just estimate of your opponents4 ,remember that you cannot bluff even a tyro out of fours4 ,if you do bluff1 bluff when you are winning1 and have established a fear of your hands in the minds of your opponents4 ,to bluff when losing is insanity4 ,in actual play there are few maxims which hold good for all cases4 ,all depends on what is termed luck1 and nearly every ,poker player recognises luck1 whatever that may be1 as an important factor in the game--one they often allow to override calculable chances4 ,some players seem to have almost persistent good luck1 and win with comparatively poor hands4 ,others are just as unlucky1 losing with high cards4 ,with a pair1 if you decide to play1 discard the remaining three cards4 ,you have then three chances of triplets4 ,with triplets discard one1 your chance of getting fours is remote1 and you leave your opponents in doubt as to whether you are not trying for a flush4 ,with triplets you may generally risk seeing your opponent4 ,never try for the completing card of a sequence4 ,if1 for instance1 you have #c1 #d1 #f1 #g and king1 do not play--#dg discarding the king on the chance of receiving a #e4 ,throw up your hand4 ,with a sequence you may generally wait till your opponents think fit to see you4 ,with fours1 discard the odd card1 in order to mislead your opponents4 ,this hand1 or anything better1 so seldom comes to a player1 that he is justified in staking as much as possible upon it4 ,be content to pass sometimes with the better hand4 ,the best players do so1 since it costs less than the habit of calling4 ,neither borrow nor lend a penny at the table4 ,,rules ,,of ,,the ,,game4 ,the ,deal4 #a4 ,the cards shall be the ordinary pack of fifty-two cards4 #b4 ,the players1 after being seated1 shall each draw a card from the pack1 face downwards1 and the player drawing the card lowest in value 7ace being lowest71 shall deal in the first game4 ,if two or more players draw cards of equal value1 such cards being the lowest1 such players only shall draw again for the deal4 #c4 ,any player may demand to shuffle the cards1 but the dealer shall have a right to the last shuffle before the cards are cut4 #d4 ,the pack shall be shuffled by the dealer1 and cut by the player on the right of the dealer1 before every deal4 #e4 ,the cards shall be shuffled1 face downwards1 above the table4 #f4 ,the cards shall be dealt1 face downwards1 so that their faces cannot be seen2 and they must be placed by the dealer on the table in front of the players to whom they are severally dealt4 #dh #g4 ,the dealer shall give one card from the top of the pack to each player in turn from right to left1 beginning with the player at his left hand1 and in this order shall give to each player five cards4 #h4 ,if the cards be dealt without the pack having been cut1 and if the fact be pointed out to the dealer before the deal is finished1 it is a misdeal1 and there shall be a new deal by the same dealer4 #i4 ,if the fact that the cards have been dealt without the pack having been cut for such deal be not pointed out to the dealer before such deal is finished1 the deal shall stand4 #aj4 ,if a card be found face upwards in the pack before the deal is finished1 it is a misdeal1 and there shall be a new deal by the same dealer4 #aa4 ,if the dealer1 while dealing1 accidentally expose a card1 such card shall be accepted by the player to whom it is dealt1 as though it had not been exposed1 and the dealer shall not1 nor shall any player1 exchange such exposed card for another1 except in the regular course of discarding after the deal is completed4 #ab4 ,if any player have more or less than five cards dealt to him1 and if such player1 or any player1 announce the fact before the cards are raised from the table1 it is a misdeal1 and there shall be a new deal by the same dealer4 #ac4 ,if any player have more or less than five cards dealt to him1 and if the fact be not announced before any portion of the hand is raised from the table1 such hand is a foul hand1 and the player to whom it is dealt shall place his cards1 face downwards1 on the table1 and retire from the game1 and shall forfeit his stake in that game4 #ad4 ,if a player be compelled to retire from the game in consequence of having a foul hand dealt to him1 his stake1 #di if he has staked1 shall remain in the pool1 and the dealer shall refund such player the amount of his ante or straddle only in that game4 #ae4 ,no player shall speak to the dealer while the cards are being dealt44 #af4 ,if any player speak to the dealer1 or distract him by noise or gesture1 while the cards are being dealt1 such player1 and not the dealer1 shall refund1 as provided by ,rule #ad1 the ante or straddle of any player to whom a foul hand is dealt in that deal4 #ag4 ,the deal shall be finished when every player has received five cards4 #ah4 ,the duty of dealing shall devolve upon each player in turn1 from right to left2 the player to the left of the last dealer shall be the dealer in the next game4 ,if the dealer in a game pass and retire1 he shall continue his duty as dealer in that game4 ,the ,ante4 #ai4 ,the ante shall not exceed one-half the amount of the limit4 #bj4 ,the ante shall be staked by the player to the left of the dealer before the cards are dealt4 #ba4 ,the right to straddle shall belong to the player to the left of ante4 ,if he does not straddle1 no other player shall1 do so2 but if he does straddle1 the succeeding players shall have1 in turn from right to left1 and ending with the dealer1 the right to increase the straddle in every case by the amount of the ante4 #bb4 ,the ante shall not be straddled by a player1 or by successive players1 to an amount exceeding one-half the limit4 #bc4 ,if the ante be not straddled1 the player to the left of #ej ante shall have first say after the deal1 and ante shall have the last say4 #bd4 ,if the ante be straddled1 the player to the left of the straddler 7or of the last straddler1 if there be more than one7 shall have first say after the deal1 and the last straddler shall have the last say4 ,the ,play4 #be4 ,the turn to say shall pads from right to left1 and the player who has first say after the deal shall1 if he open the game1 stake a sum at least double the amount of ante4 #bf4 ,each succeeding player shall1 if he play1 at least make good his stake to that of the preceding player4 #bg4 ,if a player pass1 he shall place his cards1 face downwards1 on the table1 and shall not again take them into his hand1 and he shall forfeit unconditionally his stake and his right to play in that game4 #bh4 ,a player who retires from the game shall not divulge the cards nor the value of the hand he has thrown down4 ,the ,jack-pot4 #bi4 ,if the game be not opened by any player1 the ante and straddles1 if any1 shall remain in the pool1 and the next game shall be a ,jack-pot4 #cj4 ,in a ,jack-pot every player shall pay into the pool a sum equal to the ante1 and the game shall not be opened by any player unless he have two knaves1 or better1 in his original hand4 #ca4 ,if a ,jack-pot be not opened by any player1 each player shall again pay into the pool a sum equal to the ante1 and the next game shall be a ,jack-pot1 and shall not be opened by any player unless he have two queens1 or better1 in his original hand4 #ea #cb4 ,a third successive ,jack-pot shall not be opened with less than two kings1 and for successive ,jack-pots the series of two knaves1 two queens1 two kings shall be maintained as the minimum hands with which the games may severally be opened4 #cc4 ,if a player open a ,jack-pot and win the stakes1 he shall show his hand 7notwithstanding any law which in ordinary circumstances permits him to keep it concealed7 before he shall claim the pool2 and if he have not two knaves1 or the minimum hand with which the game may be opened according to the above laws1 or a better hand1 he shall not claim the pool1 and he shall pay into the pool1 as penalty1 a sum equal to double the ante1 and the next game shall be a ,jack-pot as if the previous game had not been opened4 ,the ,draw4 #cd4 ,the first player to the left of the dealer shall have first draw4 #ce4 ,the turn to draw shall pass from right to left4 #cf4 ,before drawing any card or cards1 a player shall make his stake equal to the highest stake on the table1 and he shall discard as many cards1 and no more1 as he intends to draw4 #cg4 ,cards discarded shall be placed on the table1 face downwards1 and shall not again be taken into the hand of the player discarding them4 #ch4 ,if a player1 when it is his turn to draw1 do not discard or have not discarded1 he shall forfeit his right to discard and draw in that game4 #ci4 ,each player1 after discarding1 shall ask for the same number of cards he has discarded1 and the dealer shall place on the table1 in front of such player1 such number of cards1 face downwards1 from the top of the pack4 #eb #dj4 ,if the dealer1 in giving to any player the number of cards demanded after the discard1 expose a card or cards2 such exposed card or cards shall be returned to the pack1 and shall not be given to the player4 #da4 ,if the dealer have not sufficient cards remaining in the pack to give to every player the number of cards demanded after the discard1 the dealer shall call upon any player who has not discarded1 but who intends to discard1 to do so1 and to announce the number he discards1 and the dealer also shall discard1 and the dealer 7or some player for him7 shall then collect the whole of the cards discarded1 and shall collect them in a pack and shuffle them1 and shall have them cut by the player at his right hand1 and shall then use them to supply the players who have discarded4 #db4 ,if the dealer give to any player more than the number of cards demanded by such player1 and such player or any player point out the excess before any of the cards so given are raised from the table1 the dealer shall take back and return to the pack the card or cards given in excess of the number demanded4 #dc4 ,if the dealer give to any player less than the number of cards demanded by such player1 the dealer shall make good such deficiency if it be pointed out by any player before the cards already given have been raised from the table4 #dd4 ,if a player demand a greater or less number of cards than he has discarded1 the dealer need not give him such wrong number1 but may demand to see how many cards have been discarded1 and give him that number4 #de4 ,if the dealer give to a player the number of cards demanded by such player1 and such number prove to be more or less than the number of cards discarded1 the hand of such player shall be a foul hand1 whether it be raised from #ec the table or not1 and such player shall retire from the game and forfeit his stake in that game4 #df4 ,it there be a dispute between a player and the dealer1 as to the number of cards demanded1 the evidence of the person at the left hand of the dealer 7whether he be playing in that game or have retired7 shall be taken as deciding the matter2 and if the person at the left hand of the dealer cannot give evidence1 or if he be the player who is disputing with the dealer1 the evidence of the person to the right of the dealer shall be taken1 and shall be held conclusive1 and if the person to the right of the dealer cannot give evidence1 the evidence of the first person 7beginning with the first person to the left of the disputing player1 and going in succession to each person from right to left7 who can give evidence1 shall be taken as conclusive2 and if no person at the table can give evidence1 the disputing player shall be held to have demanded the proper number of cards4 #dg4 ,if the dealer draw more or less than the number of cards he has discarded1 he shall be held to have demanded such improper number1 and his hand shall be a foul hand1 and he shall retire from the game and shall forfeit his state in that game4 #dh4 ,if cards drawn be raised from the table1 and the hand be found to contain more or less than five cards1 such hand shall be a foul hand1 and the player to whom it belongs shall retire from the game and shall forfeit his stake in that game4 #di4 ,any player after drawing1 but before raising his hand from the table1 may ask the dealer how many cards he1 the dealer1 drew1 and the dealer shall answer correctly4 #ej4 ,if a player raise from the table the cards he has drawn1 or if he bet1 he shall forfeit his right to ask the dealer how many cards he1 the dealer1 drew4 #ed #ea4 ,the dealer shall not give any information as to the number of cards drawn by any other player4 ,the ,betting4 #eb4 ,all bets shall be deposited in the pool4 #ec4 ,the first player to the left of the ante shall have first right to bet after the draw1 whether the ante-man have retired or not4 ,the turn to bet shall pass to each player from right to left1 and each player shall stake a sum at least equal to that staked by the preceding player4 #ed4 ,if1 when his turn comes1 any player have not staked1 and does not stake a sum at least equal to that staked by the preceding player1 such player shall place his cards1 face downwards1 on the table1 and shall retire from the game1 and shall forfeit his stake in that game4 #ee4 ,a bet once made1 whether made in proper turn or not1 cannot be recalled4 #ef4 ,a bet is complete and irrevocable when the player making it has deposited the amount in money or value on the table1 and such deposit shall be considered as a deposit into the pool4 i4e43 ,the bet is the actual amount deposited1 and the player's statement that he intends or intended depositing another amount is of no value4 #eg4 ,the statement of his intention to bet1 or to refrain from betting1 shall not invalidate the right of any player to bet or pass when his turn comes4 #eh4 ,if a player bet or raise the stake of a previous player1 and no other player call or raise him1 such player wins the pool1 and shall not be compelled to show his hand4 #ei4 ,when the bets of all the players are equal1 each player in turn1 beginning with the player to the left of the #ee last player1 shall show his hand1 and the player with the best hand shall win the pool4 #fj4 ,if a player's bet be raised1 and such player have not funds to call the raise1 he may deposit in the pool whatever funds he has1 and demand a show for that amount4 ,if1 when the game is over1 he prove to hold the best hand1 he shall claim from the pool the amount of the ante and straddle or straddles 7if any71 and also a sum equal to his stake from every player in the game at the time of his demanding a show1 out of their stakes4 ,the holder of the next best hand shall claim the remainder of the pool4 #fa4 ,a player demanding a show for a certain sum under the above rule1 shall not stop the game if there be other players who wish to continue the betting1 and he shall not show his hand until the game is over4 #fb4 ,if a player borrow money to raise1 he shall borrow to call4 #fc4 ,if a player bet with a foul hand1 he shall lose his stake4 #fd4 ,if any player be found to have a foul hand at the end of the game1 he shall forfeit his stake2 and if there be only one other player1 that player shall claim the pool2 and if there be more than one other player1 the holder of the best hand shall claim the pool4 ,the ,hands4 #fe4 ,the following shall be the hands in order of value2 the first being the highest3--#a1 ,sequence flush2 #b1 ,fours2 #c1 ,full2 #d1 ,flush2 #e1 ,sequence not a flush2 #f1 ,threes2 #g1 ,two pairs2 #h1 ,a pair4 #ff4 ,if there be two or more flush sequences shown1 the player whose sequence contains the highest card 7ace being the lowest7 shall be held to have the best hand4 #ef #fg4 ,if there be two or more fours shown1 fours being the best hand1 the player who has the four cards highest in value shall be held to have the best hand4 #fh4 ,if there be two or more full hands shown1 a full hand being the best hand1 the player whose full hand contains threes highest in value shall be held to have the best hand4 #fi4 ,if there be two or more flush hands shown1 a flush hand being the best hand1 a flush in hearts shall be held to be the best hand2 and if there be no flush hand in hearts1 the flush hand which contains the card highest in value1 and which is not tied by a card of equal value in another flush hand1 shall be the best hand4 #gj4 ,if there be two or more sequences shown1 a sequence being the best hand1 the player whose sequence contains the highest card 7ace being the lowest7 shall be held to be the best hand2 and if there be two or more sequences of cards of equal value1 a sequence in hearts1 ceteris paribus1 shall be the best hand4 #ga4 ,the ace shall only begin a sequence2 it shall not end a sequence after a king1 nor shall it be an intermediate card between a king and a two4 ,this law1 and the others which are involved in it1 has only the authority of custom in this country4 ,some ,american writers permit of the ace being used at the beginning or end of a sequence1 making ten to ace the highest sequence4 #gb4 ,if there be two or more threes shown1 threes being the best hand1 the hand containing the threes highest in value shall be the best hand4 #gc4 ,if there be two or more two-pairs shown1 two-pairs being the best hand1 the hand containing the pair highest in value shall be the best hand2 and if two two-pair hands contain pairs equally high in value1 such pairs being the #eg highest1 the value of the other pair shall decide which is the better hand4 #gd4 ,if there be two or more pairs1 pairs being the best hand1 the hand containing the pair highest in value shall be the best hand2 and if two hands contain equally high pairs1 the hand containing the highest card which is not tied by an equally high card in the other hand shall be the better hand4 #ge4 ,if no pair hand nor any better hand be shown1 the player whose hand contains the card highest in value which is not tied by a card of similar value in another competing hand1 shall be held to have the best hand4 #gf4 ,if1 when the final call is made and the hands shown1 two or more players hold hands identical in value1 such players shall share the pool equally between them4 ,disputes4 #gg4 ,any dispute shall be referred to the dealer1 unless he be one of the disputing persons2 and if on a matter of fact his decision shall be final and binding2 and if on a matter of law1 he shall interpret these laws literally1 and not by implication4 #gh4 ,if the dealer be one of the disputing persons1 the dispute shall be referred to the person on the left of the dealer1 and if he be one of the disputing persons1 it shall be referred to the person on the tight of the dealer4 #gi4 ,in a dispute1 the dealer1 or any player appointed to settle such dispute1 may appeal to any person at the table for evidence1 and if such person can give evidence1 he shall do so4 #hj4 ,if the players agree to waive a particular rule on a particular occasion1 a like concession cannot be claimed on another similar occasion4 #eh #ha4 ,these rules shall be binding on all players1 unless a departure from them has been agreed upon unanimously before play begins1 and if one or more rules he abrogated by common consent1 such abrogation shall hold only for that sitting1 and for that sitting only so long as there is no change of players1 and it shall not apply to any future sitting4 #ei ,,vingt-,,un4 ,vingt-un1 or twenty-one1 is another game we find described in books published at the commencement of the present century4 ,its name would seem to imply that it is of ,french origin2 but in reference to this1 as well as in regard to the date of its introduction into the country1 we have no definite details4 ,the manner of playing it at the present time is very little different from that practised at the earlier date mentioned1 although modifications have been introduced in some minor points1 and the tendency is to make yet further departures from the methods adopted in years gone by4 ,the game is well suited for a large number of players1 and may also be engaged in by smaller parties2 its practice1 with even only two competing1 being both interesting and exciting4 ,it is purely a game of chance1 and little or no skill is required in playing it1 although a little judgment may often prove of advantage to the player who exercises it4 ,vingt-un is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards1 which count in accordance with the number of pips on each1 the ace reckoning as either one or eleven1 at the option of the player1 and each of the court cards counting ten4 ,no distinction is made during any part of the game in the various suits1 each of the four sorts being of equal value in counting the points4 ,a player may retire after the completion of any hand1 #fj and the game itself may be concluded at the same period1 although it is desirable to arrive at some understanding1 previous to the commencement of play1 as to the method to be adopted in closing it1 as1 from the fact of the deal being an advantage1 it is unfair to conclude until each of those engaged has had a turn1 or equal number of turns1 as dealer4 ,this is assuming that the deal goes round in rotation1 which is the arrangement now generally adopted1 in lieu of the old-fashioned method of transferring the privilege to the player throwing the dealer out by the declaration of a natural ,vingt-un1 as explained later on4 ,it must be understood1 however1 that with several players engaged it may take a considerable time for the deal to pass round1 unless it be further agreed that each player shall hold the deal for a limited period1 another modification1 and one possessing many advantages over the old system1 which was1 in reality1 a mere question of chance1 and often resulted in the privilege of dealing being very unevenly divided among those engaged in play4 ,as already mentioned1 the deal is an advantage1 and the earliest consideration should be to decide who is first to enjoy the privilege1 and for how long4 ,by the old system one player retained the deal until put out by one of the others receiving a natural ,vingt-un1 that is1 an ace 7counting as #aa7 and a #aj1 or court card 7counting as #aj71 and1 as a consequence1 the deal often remained for a considerable period with the same person1 to the disadvantage of all the others engaged in the game2 and even when a change was made1 it was not in any definite order1 but by mere chance1 governed by the fall of the cards4 ,modern innovations in the method of playing the game have tended to remove these objections1--firstly1 by arranging that the deal shall pass in regular order from left to right2 #fa and secondly1 by placing a limit on the number of rounds to be dealt by each player in turn4 ,although the latter of these changes is not yet generally adopted1 the former is almost universal2 and we shall now proceed to explain the game on that basis1 ignoring the second point1 for the time being1 as1 although its adoption may make matters more equal1 it has1 perhaps1 the disadvantage of depriving the game of one of its main elements of chance1 and1 in the opinion of many1 thereby robs it of much of its attractiveness4 ,the limits of the stakes are first determined1 and then the dealer is decided upon4 ,the minimum is usually one coin or counter1 and the maximum whatever may be agreed upon4 ,the maximum is understood to mean the highest amount that may be staked by a player on his card1 and not the maximum that may be lost or won over any hand1 for1 by the rules of the game1 the dealer is allowed to double the stakes1 even if a player has staked the maximum4 ,if after that any one secures a ,vingt-un1 i4e twenty-one points1 that again doubles the stakes1 and thus it is quite possible for a player to win or lose four times the amount of the maximum over one hand4 ,,description4 ,the object of the players is to secure from their cards--the pips on which count as already mentioned--twenty-one points1 or as near that number as possible2 hence the title4 ,during the progress of the game the dealer pays those players who secure better hands than his own1 and receives from all who over-draw1 or whose points are lower or equal to his1 the only exception being in the case of a tie with a natural ,vingt-un1 when neither the holder nor the dealer pays anything to the other1 the tie in such a case #fb simply nullifying matters between the two4 ,if the dealer over-draws1 he only pays to those who are standing in1 and does not return anything to those players who have paid him on their over-drawing2 and herein lies the main advantage of the deal1 for1 as will be found in practice1 the majority of hands are decided by over-drawing1 which must necessarily be to the benefit of the dealer4 ,the dealer having been decided upon1 takes the pack of cards and shuffles them1 after which he has the pack cut by the player on his right-hand side1 and then proceeds to distribute one card1 face downwards and unexposed1 to each player1 dealing in regular order from left to right4 ,each player1 in turn1 looks at his card1 and stakes on it whatever amount he chooses--which he usually does by placing coins or counters in front of him4 ,in deciding on the amount of his stake1 a player is guided by the chance he considers the card gives him of ultimately making twenty-one1 or a near approach thereto4 ,when it comes round to the dealer's turn1 he also looks at his card1 but does not stake anything upon it2 he may1 however1 if he considers his card a good one1 double the stakes of the other players1 which he does by calling double4 ,in that case the individual players add the double to their stake1 and the amounts being thus settled all round1 the dealer gives a second card to each player1 in the same order as the first1 and also unexposed4 ,the dealer then looks at his own two cards1 and if he should have received a natural ,vingt-un1 he at once declares it2 throws the two cards1 face upwards1 on the table1 and collects the stakes from the other players1 the amount in this case being double from each1 as the result of the ,vingt-un2 so that1 if the dealer had previously doubled1 as he probably would have done when he found his first card was an ace or a #aj 7or court card71 #fc he would collect four times the amount staked by each o the players on their original card4 ,the only exception to this is in the case of a player who1 like the dealer1 has received a natural ,vingt-un--in that case neither pays to the other1 as previously mentioned4 ,if either of the players other than the dealer should receive a natural ,vingt-un1 he should at once declare it1 and claim double the amount of his stake1 or of the double1 if that was called1 from the dealer1 who is thereupon deprived of his privilege of dealing1 the right of continuing the deal passing to the player on his left-hand side4--,it is often agreed that a natural shall not throw out the dealer1 and in some cases the holder of a natural receives a stake from each of the other players4 7,see ,variations in regard to the two points47 ,if the dealer has not secured a natural ,vingt-un1 he turns to the player on his left1 and1 if that player desires it1 he gives him--face upwards1 and from off the top of the remainder of the pack--a third1 fourth1 or fifth card2 in fact1 as many more as may be required by the player1 until he considers it safe to stand1 or has over-drawn1 i4e41 got beyond the #ba points4 ,for instance1 suppose a player receives at first a #d1 and then a #i1 making #ac2 he asks for a third card1 and may receive a #g1 making his total #bj1 on which he would stand4 ,had his third card been a #i1 it would have been an over-draw1 and the player would have had to pay the dealer the amount he staked1 or the double1 if the dealer had doubled4 ,at the same time he would throw up his cards1 or hand them to the player on the dealer's right1 who is termed the pone1 and whose duty it is to collect the cards as they are played and keep them in readiness for the dealer when he requires a further supply4 ,a player when throwing up his cards must not expose the two first dealt #fd to him1 neither may the pone or either of the other players look at them4 ,having settled with the player on his left1 the dealer goes to the next in order1 and treats him in a similar manner1 and so on1 until he has gone the round of the table4 ,he then turns up his own two cards in front of him1 and in view of the company1 and decides1 as the others have done1 as to whether he will stand on the two he has1 or take a further card or cards4 ,if he decides to stand on the two he already has1 he calls on those players who have not over-drawn to declare their hands1 and each in turn does so1 the dealer receiving the stakes when his points are higher or are equal to those of the other players1 and paying when his points are lower than theirs4 ,if he elects to take a third card1 he deals it from the top of the pack2 and if the third card does not satisfy him1 he may take more2 when satisfied1 he challenges the others1 as just explained4 ,if1 however1 he over-draws1 he pays to all who are standing1 but not to those who have previously over-drawn and thrown up4 ,if the dealer should succeed in securing such cards 7other than an ace and #aj7 as to make exactly #ba points--a drawn ,vingt-un--he receives double stakes from each of the players1 excepting those who have also drawn a ,vingt-un1 who only pay the amount staked2 and those who have previously over-drawn and thrown up1 who do not have to pay anything further4 ,if a player has a drawn ,vingt-un and the dealer has not1 or the dealer has over-drawn1 then the dealer has to pay the holder of the ,vingt-un double the amount of his stake1 or of the double if that has been called4 ,should any of the players receive for the first cards two of the same denomination1--for instance1 two aces1 two twos1 two kings1 two queens1 etc41--he has the option of staking a #fe separate amount on each of them1 but it is not compulsory that he should do so4 ,if he decides to divide his pair1 he puts on the second card a separate stake1 the amount of which need not be similar to that of his original one1 and then asks the dealer for two other cards with which to complete the two hands he then possesses4 ,if either of these later cards should be of the same denomination as the first two1 the player may also stand independently on that card1 in which case he would1 of course1 have three hands1 with a separate stake on each4 ,the same opportunity would occur if he received all four of the kind --he could then play on four independent hands4 ,this division of cards is equally available for the dealer1 or all or any of the other players1 so that two or more may have duplicate hands in the same round1 provided they receive similar cards at the outset1 for it is only when the original pairs occur in the first two cards that it is permissible to divide them2 that is to say1 if the third card received by any player matches either of those already in the hand1 no division is allowable4 ,at this game the pack of cards is not re-united after each round2 the dealer works with the one pack until he gets to the last card1 and the pone collects the used cards as they are disposed of by the players4 ,when the dealer comes to the last card of the pack1 he does not deal it or otherwise use it as he has done with the others1 but hands it1 unexposed1 to the pone1 who adds it to those already in his care1 shuffles them1 and hands them to the dealer1 who proceeds with the game as before4 ,the same procedure is repeated until one of the players secures a natural ,vingt-un1 which1 unless the dealer also holds a natural that hand1 puts the dealer out1 and the deal passes1 either to the next player1 or to the holder of the natural1 as may have been decided upon4 ,it is1 however1 #ff best to adopt the former system1 for the reason already given1 and in that case it is often considered desirable to have a pool1 which is secured by the player declaring the natural4 7,see ,variations47 ,there is one exception to the power of a natural ,vingt-un to put the dealer out--namely1 when it occurs in the first hand of the deal2 then the dealer disregards it1 except that he has to pay to the holder as for a drawn ,vingt-un1 and proceeds with his deal until a second natural occurs4 ,we will now amplify1 as far as is necessary1 the points already touched upon1 and introduce the ,variations recognised in connection with the game4 ,,dealing4 ,the first dealer is settled by one of the company distributing the cards in the same manner as explained in connection with ,nap 7see page #i71 except that in the case of ,vingt-un the player to whom the first ace is dealt becomes the dealer4 ,he proceeds with the game as explained on page #fa4 ,if1 in preparing the pack for the dealer1 any confusion occurs1 or any card or cards are exposed1 the whole pack must be re-shuffled and cut again4 ,if two cards are dealt to one player1 the error may be rectified if discovered before a third card is dealt2 but if a third card has been dealt1 then the player receiving the surplus card must look at his hand1 and reject which of the two he chooses4 ,if the dealer gives himself two cards at one time1 and the mistake is not discovered until another card has been dealt1 then the pone must take one of the cards1 at random1 and add it to the used portion of the pack4 ,a card exposed in dealing may be kept or rejected at the #fg option of the player2 but if the dealer exposes one of his own cards1 he must retain it4 ,,drawing4 ,the whole of the hands having been dealt--that is1 two cards given to each player1 and also to cases of divided pairs1 the drawing of further cards commences4 ,the dealer begins with the player on his left-hand side1 and he1 if he does not require any more cards1 says content4 ,if he does require more1 he says yes1 or1 a card1 when the dealer delivers one from the top of the undealt portion of the pack1 placing it face upwards on the table in front of the player4 ,if another card or cards is needed1 it must be given in like manner1 until the player is content or has over-drawn4 ,the dealer must settle with one player before he attends to the next1 and similarly1 when a player is standing on divided pairs1 he must settle with one hand before attending to the other4 ,if the dealer gives a player two cards while the process of drawing is going on1 the player may keep either or both of them2 but if he rejects one1 he must be regarded as content1 and cannot draw another card4 ,the one rejected is added to the stock in the hands of the pone4 ,if the dealer in drawing gives himself two cards1 he must keep them both1 and suffer the consequences of an over-draw if then his points exceed #ba4 ,if the dealer distributes the draw cards out of order1 the player or players missed may either be supplied at any time from the top of the pack1 or they may throw up their cards4 ,if a player draws separately on his two cards1 when they do not pair1 he has to pay the dealer on each hand1 and forfeits any amount he may have won4 #fh ,in any of these cases of irregularity1 the offender pays a penalty to the pool1 if there be one4 ,,pool4 ,a pool may be formed for any purpose that may be decided upon1 and may be made up according to arrangement4 ,for this purpose1 it may be agreed 7a7 that each player contribute a coin or counter to the pool at the commencement of each deal2 7b7 that whenever the dealer over-draws1 he pay a penalty to the pool2 7c7 that whenever the dealer receives on ties1 he pay a proportion to the pool1 say one-fourth or one-third of his receipts4 ,other methods of increasing the pool will present themselves in actual play1 those here inserted being intended as specimens of what may be done1 or to form a basis on which to work4 ,,limiting ,,the ,,deal4 ,in the game we have described we have adopted the principle that the declaration of a natural ,vingt-un throws the dealer out2 but another method is to limit the deal to a certain number of hands1 or to allow the dealer to go through the pack twice1 or to have two packs of cards shuffled together1 and go through them once4 ,in these cases the dealer is allowed to draw from the used pack as many cards as may be necessary to complete a round started upon with his limited supply1 and the cards are prepared by the pone for the purpose1 being all collected1 shuffled1 and cut before they are used by the dealer4 ,,selling ,,the ,,deal4 ,should a player object to take his turn at dealing1 or desire to part with it for other reason1 he is at liberty to sell the right to any other player2 and in view of the fact that #fi the deal is an advantage1 a purchaser will generally be found4 ,the buyer has to deal the cards1 but does not change his seat4 ,he has to commence each time with the player on the left-hand side of the proper dealer1 and when the buyer loses his turn1 the deal reverts to the player who would have had the next turn had there been no sale4 ,the buyer takes his turn with the others in the ordinary course4 ,,additional ,,privileges ,,for ,a ,,natural4 ,it is sometimes agreed that the holder of a natural ,vingt-un1 providing the dealer has not also received a natural1 shall be entitled to an amount equal to1 or double that of his own stake from each of the other players1 unless there be other ,vingt-uns1 the holders of which are exempted from payment4 ,this is the old fashioned method of playing the game1 and in many quarters the rule had been abolished1 because1 as the deal formerly passed to the holder of the natural ,vingt-un1 who threw the dealer out1 that was considered sufficient reward for holding the two cards4 ,now1 however1 that the deal merely passes to the next in order1 it is desirable that some further reward should follow from the best possible hand1 and the payment of a stake or a double from each player appears to be the fairest method1 especially as the declaration of a natural brings the deal nearer to all4 ,the same result may be achieved by agreeing that the contents of a pool1 for which provision has already been made1 shall go to the player declaring the natural4 #gj ,,commerce4 ,,description ,,of ,,the ,,game4 ,ninety years ago the game of ,commerce was recognised as being played in two distinct ways1 the new and the old mode1 so that it may justly be termed one of the oldest round games now practised4 ,although it is not so popular as some of the others treated of in this volume1 it will be found to be a good game2 exciting1 entertaining1 and well deserving of more extended popularity than it has lately enjoyed4 ,commerce is usually played with the full pack of fifty-two cards1 but if the number of players does not exceed seven the smaller pack of thirty-two may be used1 the game being available for any number of players within the range of the pack1 say seven with the thirty-two cards1 and twelve with the fifty-two4 ,the cards count in the usual way1 except that in reckoning the number of pips upon them1 which is sometimes necessary in the course of play1 the ace counts for eleven1 and the court cards for ten each4 ,there is no particular suit or trumps recognised in the game1 the object of the players being to secure special combinations of the cards1 technically termed 7a7 ,tricon1 7b7 ,sequence1 7c7 ,flush1 7d7 ,pair1 7e7 ,point1 which range in value in the order given4 ,the holder of the best combination in each #ga round is the winner1 and he takes the pool or whatever other stake may have been decided upon4 ,the five combinations just mentioned consist of the following3-- 7a7 ,tricon4--,three cards of the same denominations as1 for example1 three aces1 three fives1 three knaves1 etc4 7b7 ,sequence4--,three following cards of the same suit1 as1 for instance1 ace1 two1 three2 ten1 knave1 queen2 queen1 king1 ace1 etc4 ,although the ace may be used at either end to form a sequence1 it must not be so used between a king and a two4 ,king1 ace1 two1 is not1 therefore1 permissible as a sequence4 7c7 ,flush4--,three cards of the same suit1 irrespective of value4 7d7 ,pair4--,two cards of the same denomination1 the third one being different4 7e7 ,point4--,the total number of pips on the three cards1 ace reckoning for eleven1 and either of the court cards for ten4 ,in case of a tie between two or more of the players in any round1 the following rules are observed3-- 7a7 ,with ,tricons1 the highest wins1 aces being first in this respect2 then kings1 queens1 etc41 down to twos4 7b7 ,with ,sequences1 the highest wins2 the ace1 king1 queen sequence reckoning as the best1 and the three1 two1 ace sequence as the lowest4 7c7 ,with ,flushes1 the one making the best point--as already described --wins4 7d7 ,with ,pairs1 the highest wins4 ,if two players are alike1 then the holder of the highest third card has the preference4 7e7 ,with ,point a tie is very rare2 but if equality does #gb occur1 then the holder of the first highest card different from the opponent's wins4 ,the deal is an advantage1 and on that account it is best1 when a finish is desired1 to conclude the game just before the first dealer's turn comes round again1 as then all the players will have had an equal number of deals4 ,should it be found necessary1 however1 to conclude before the original dealer's turn1 play may be discontinued after the completion of any deal1 although such a course is somewhat unfair to the intervening players4 ,there is only one stake recognised in the game1 so that it is simply necessary to decide what shall be regarded as the value of a counter1 or what coin shall constitute the limit4 ,the amount of the stake having been settled1 the dealer is decided upon in the same manner as described in connection with the game of ,nap 7see page #i74 ,each of the players then pays the amount of the stake into the pool1 the dealer also contributing on account of his deal1 so that he has to pay double4 ,the pack having been shuffled by the dealer1 and cut by the player on his right-hand side1 three cards are distributed to each player1 face downwards and unexposed4 ,the cards may be dealt either singly or all three at a time1 at the option of the dealer4 ,the players having looked at their cards1 the dealer first addresses the one on his left-hand side1 and asks if he will trade2 and he must either do so or stand on the cards dealt him4 ,if he decides to stand on the cards he has received1 he turns his hand face upwards on the table1 and all the other players do the same1 when the holder of the best hand takes the amount in the pool1 and also receives the amount of a stake from the dealer1 who is thus penalised for the #gc advantage that accrues to him from selling cards to those who wish to trade for ready money1 the amount he receives on that account becoming his own property1 subject to the payment mentioned4 ,should the player who declares to stand be beaten by any of the others1 he has to pay an additional stake to the holders of the better hands4 ,if the player decides to trade1 he may either do so for ready money or by barter4 ,if for ready money1 he continues operations with the dealer2 if by barter1 with the next player in order round the table1 who1 in turn1 must exchange a card1 unless he has a hand sufficiently strong to stand upon1 in which case he at once declares it4 ,if the player trades for ready money1 he throws out a card from his hand1 pays a stake to the dealer1 and receives the top card from the pack2 his rejected card being placed at the bottom of the pack without being exposed4 ,if the player decides to barter1 he turns to the player on his left-hand side and offers a card1 which must be exchanged for one of those in the next player's hand1 unless that player considers his cards sufficiently strong to stand upon1 in which case the winner is decided by the method just described4 ,if the player has traded1 either for ready money or barter1 and has secured a hand strong enough1 he at once stands1 and exposes his cards2 if not1 the dealer passes or to the next player1 and acts in a similar manner1 going round and round the table until one of the players decides to stand1 when the hands are exposed and the round settled4 ,a player may only purchase or exchange one card at each turn2 he must not do both1 but he is compelled to do the one or the other1 unless he decides to stand4 ,when once a player agrees to stand1 the commerce on that round ceases1 and all the hands must be exposed4 #gd ,,the ,,old ,,game4 ,the older mode of playing the game of ,commerce differs materially from the description given above1 and as it does not present such chances1 but is of a more limited character1 it is not so interesting1 nor does it afford so much scope for speculation and excitement4 ,the deal is decided and the cards are distributed in the same way as in the more modern game1 but here an additional hand1 of three cards1 is dealt1 and placed face upwards in the middle of the table4 ,there is no trading with the dealer or any of the players1 the operations of commerce being confined to the three cards exposed on the table4 ,the player to the left of the dealer has the first turn1 and he must either stand1 pass1 or exchange a card4 ,in the latter case he takes one of those lying face upwards on the table1 adds it to his hand1 and places one of his own cards1 face upwards1 in place of the one removed4 ,if the player passes1 he says1 ,i pass1 and is then debarred from afterwards exchanging any of his cards during that hand2 while if he decides to stand1 the next player decides what he will do1 and so on round the table1 until two of the players are satisfied with their hands1 or all have declared to pass4 ,if two of the players stand then each of the other players may make one more exchange 7if they have not previously passed71 and then the whole of the hands are exposed1 just as described in connection with the modern game4 ,there is no pool in this variation1 the winner receiving instead the amount of the stake from each of the other players4 ,in case of absolute equality between the two best hands1 which may be regarded as an almost impossible event1 then each of the winners receives a stake from all the other players4 #ge ,,pool ,,commerce4 ,this is a variation of the old method of conducting the game1 and is played on somewhat similar lines1 except that a pool is made up1 by each player paying in an equal sum1 for which he receives three counters4 ,play then proceeds in the manner just described as the old game4 ,the winner of the hand1 instead of receiving a stake from each of the players1 takes a previously arranged sum from the pool1 while the player who has the worst hand puts one counter into the pool4 ,the game continues until all but one of the players have exhausted their three counters1 when the player who remains with the last counter or counters takes the amount left in the pool4 ,as soon as a player has exhausted his counters he has to stand out of the game1 and no cards are dealt to him1 so that the adoption of this variation makes the game very tedious for those who are first out1 as they may have to wait a considerable time before the stock of the other players is exhausted4 ,the player who is first out has the option of buying one counter from the pool1 which is termed buying a horse4 ,he has to pay for the same into the pool such sum as may be agreed upon--usually one-third or one-half the amount of the original stake4 ,,limited ,,commerce4 ,it may be agreed that only the ,tricon1 ,sequence1 ,flush1 and ,point shall be recognised in the game1 or even ,tricon1 ,sequence1 and ,point only2 but the greater the number of combinations permissible the greater the enjoyment to be derived from the game1 so that limitations of this character have little to recommend them4 #gf ,,penalties ,,for ,,the ,,dealer4 ,it is sometimes agreed that when the dealer holds a ,tricon1 ,sequence1 ,flush1 or ,pair1 and his hand is beaten by either of the others1 he has to pay the amount of a stake to each player1 or only to those who have better hands than his4 ,the former course will be found to be a severe tax on the dealer1 and is not to be recommended4 ,the dealer only has the same chances as the others1 and such a penalty seems unjust4 ,,extended ,,commerce4 ,this is only applicable to the modern mode of playing the game1 which in this variation is extended until all the players are satisfied1 that is1 they may keep on trading1 either for ready money or by barter1 until they all receive cards sufficiently good to stand upon4 ,the great objection to this variation is that it makes the game wearisome for those players who are soon enabled to stand1 as they have to wait while the others are being satisfied4 ,,continuous ,,dealing4 ,another method of playing the modern game is to allow the same dealer to remain in until one of the players secures a ,tricon1 ,sequence1 or ,flush1 when the deal passes to the next player1 on the left-hand side4 ,this variation is based on the same principle as governs the game of ,vingt-un4 #gg ,,speculation4 ,this is a round game which for very many years has been one of the most popular of its class4 ,it requires little skill in its conduct1 being essentially a game of chance4 ,the players do not look at their hands1 and therefore cannot in any way influence their possibilities of success with the three cards dealt them4 ,the only element of skill associated is in connection with the speculations which form part of the play1 and which may be carried on by each of the players during its progress4 ,the ordinary packs of fifty-two or thirty-two cards may be used1 and the number of players who may take part in the game is practically unlimited within the range of the pack2 but it will be found that not more than ten players are desirable with the fifty-two card pack1 and not more than six with the thirty-two card one1 as otherwise too great a proportion of the pack is brought into use each deal1 and there is not much scope for speculation as to what remains in the undealt portion of the pack4 ,in playing the game the ace is reckoned the highest card1 then follow king1 queen1 knave1 ten1 etc41 down to two4 ,the first dealer is decided in the manner explained in connection with ,nap 7see page #i71 and he has to pay two coins or counters into the pool1 each of the other players contributing one4 ,three cards are then dealt to each player1 one at a time1 and going round from left to right4 ,the top card remaining on the pack is turned up for trump1 but #gh before turning it the dealer may sell it to any other of the players4 ,if the dealer sells the turn-up card1 the buyer becomes entitled to all the privileges that may ultimately attach to it1 taking the entire amount in the pool if no higher trump is turned up during the progress of the hands4 ,the player next to the dealer1 or if the dealer sold the turn-up card the one next to the purchaser1 then turns up the top card of the three dealt him4 ,if it proves to be a higher card of the trump suit than that already exposed1 he becomes the chief hand1 and may either retain the card1 with the ultimate prospect of winning the pool1 or he may sell it to either of the other players if a speculation can be arranged4 ,if he sells the card1 he passes it over to the purchaser1 and the player on the left-hand side of the new holder becomes the next player4 ,if the card turned up is not a trump1 or is a lower trump than that already exposed1 it is of no value1 and the next player has to follow on with his top card4 ,the same proceeding is continued round and round until all the players1 except the holder of the highest trump1 have exposed their three cards4 ,the owner of the leading trump1 or the dealer1 if he did not sell the turn-up and it remains unbeaten1 does not expose his cards in the various rounds1 but retains them until last4 ,even then he may sell them1 before they are turned up1 either singly or all together4 ,when all the cards have been exposed1 the holder of the highest trump takes the amount in the pool1 and a fresh deal1 with new payments to the pool1 is started upon4 ,if the card turned up proves to be an ace1 king1 queen1 or knave1 it is usual for the deal to pass4 ,in that case the dealer1 or the purchaser of the trump card if the dealer has sold it1 takes the pool1 when all the players contribute as before1 the next in turn becoming the dealer1 and using the next top card of the pack for his trump card4 ,this method #gi saves the time of going all round with the hands1 when with so high a card turned up there are so few chances of either of the players having a better one1 as to virtually put an end to all speculation that hand4 ,during the progress of the game either of the players may sell the card which it is his turn to expose4 ,in that case he turns it up without disturbing the order of play1 and retains it if it is not a superior trump4 ,if it is a superior one1 it has to be handed over to the purchaser1 and the player on his left has to proceed with the play4 ,the holder of the highest trump card may sell it at any time1 so that it may change hands several times during the same deal1 and each time there is a change the player on the buyer's left-hand side is the next to proceed4 ,any player looking at a card out of turn has to pay a penalty into the pool1 and should he prove the winner he cannot take the amount in the pool1 but must leave it to be added to the stakes for the next deal4 ,it is sometimes agreed that the turn-up card shall belong to the pool1 and in that case it is not offered for sale4 ,if it proves the ultimate ,winner of the round1 the amount is left in the pool1 and added to the stake for the next deal1 the amount of which is made up just as if the previous one had been taken by one of the players4 ,a second method of benefiting the pool is to deal a spare hand1 which is left in the middle of the table until all the other hands have been finished4 ,the spare hand is then turned up1 and if it contains a winning card the amount in the pool is added to the stake for the next round4 ,another variation is to impose a penalty when a knave or five is turned up1 the penalty being paid into the pool by the owner of the card1 that is1 the original holder or the purchaser if it was sold before being turned up4 #hj ,,pope ,,joan4 ,for the game of ,pope1 or ,pope ,joan1 a special board1 or a pool with eight compartments1 is required1 or the divisions may be marked on a sheet of paper or card4 ,the game is available for any number of players1 and an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards is used1 the eight of diamonds being taken out1 so as to form what is termed a stop1 that is1 a break in the sequence of the cards1 which are here reckoned in regular order from ace to king1 the four suits being kept distinct throughout the play4 ,the seven of diamonds thus becomes a stop1 and the king of each ,suit is also a stop1 there being no following card in either case4 ,the turn-up or trump card1 as will be further explained later on1 forms another stop1 and thus there are six regular known stops at the commencement of each game1 with a number of unknown ones caused by the cards in the spare hand which forms part of the game4 ,the object of the players is to dispose of their cards as rapidly as possible1 under certain conditions1 and the player who first succeeds in clearing his hand wins the stake set apart for game1 as well as a contribution from the other players for each of the cards remaining in their hands4 ,the holders of certain other cards secure the stakes contributed for them if they play them out during the progress of the hands4 #ha ,the earliest matter for consideration is to determine who shall be the first dealer1 and that is settled in the same way as at ,nap 7see page #i74 ,the players then contribute between them fifteen 7or more7 counters or coins to form a pool1 the dealer giving double the amount paid by the other players4 ,the counters or coins are then distributed so as to dress the eight divisions of the board1 which are named as follows3-- ,pope ,joan 7the nine of diamonds71 ,matrimony 7king and queen of trumps71 ,intrigue 7queen and knave of trumps71 ,ace1 ,king1 ,queen1 ,knave 7of trumps71 and ,game1 which latter is secured by the player who first succeeds in disposing of all the cards dealt him4 ,six of the counters are placed for ,pope ,joan1 two each for ,matrimony and ,intrigue1 one each for ,ace1 ,king1 ,queen1 and ,knave1 and the remainder for ,game4 ,to save the trouble and time of collecting the stakes from the several players for each round1 it is often agreed that the dealer for the time being shall dress the board1 in which case it is necessary that the game should be finished just before the original dealer's turn comes round again1 else the payments to the pool will not have been equitably divided4 ,the stakes being completed1 the pack1 from which the eight of diamonds has been removed1 is shuffled and cut4 ,the dealer then proceeds to distribute the cards1 one at a time1 as equally among the players as possible1 dealing a spare hand1 which is left unexposed on the table1 for the purpose of forming further stops1 and turning up the last card for trump4 ,if any odd cards remain after dealing round to the players1 it is best to add the surplus to the spare hand4 ,for instance1 with five players there will be eight cards for each hand1 one to turn up1 and two remaining2 these two should be added to the spare hand4 ,with eight players there will be five each1 and five remaining2 so #hb that the spare hand will be increased to ten1 but that will only cause a greater number of stops1 which will not prove any disadvantage with so many players engaged4 ,should the trump card prove to be the nine of diamonds--,pope ,joan1--the dealer takes the amount staked for that card1 and1 in addition1 receives from each player a stake for every card dealt4 ,if there are but few players engaged in the game1 it is best to agree that the payment for ,pope ,joan shall be limited to either four or six counters or coins1 and it may be best to do so1 no matter what number of players are engaged4 ,if the card turned up for trump be either ,ace1 ,king1 ,queen or ,knave1 the dealer takes whatever stake is deposited on the hoard in the corresponding division1 and the game proceeds1 as is also the case if any lower card is turned up4 ,during the progress of the game1 the holder of ,pope ,joan1 ,matrimony1 ,intrigue1 or ,ace1 ,king1 ,queen1 or ,knave of trumps can1 if he has the opportunity1 play those cards1 in which event he takes the amount of the stake on the corresponding part of the board1 and1 in the case of ,pope ,joan1 he receives a stake from every player for each card remaining in hand4 ,neither of these combinations or cards wins anything1 however1 if not played out during the progress of the game1 and they can only be declared in the ordinary course of play4 ,for this reason ,pope ,joan or ace of trumps should be led on the first opportunity1 as neither of them can be played up to1 each following a stop4 ,when any or all of the special cards are not played out1 the stake on their particular division of the board is left for the next deal1 so that it may happen that either of the compartments except ,game1 which is won every deal1 may be considerably increased before it is secured by one of the players4 ,for this reason it is desirable to study the state #hc of the board1 so as to see if the stake on any particular card in hand is sufficient to warrant its being played at an early stage1 even though lower cards of the same suit are in hand1 which would1 in the ordinary course1 be cleared off first4 ,it is sometimes agreed that when ,intrigue or ,matrimony is played by different hands1 the amount staked on those chances shall be divided between the two-players concerned1 and in each case the player of knave1 queen1 or king takes the stake on those chances in addition4 ,play in the game is commenced by the elder hand1 that is1 the player on the left-hand side of the dealer1 leading a card1 to which the other players have to follow on in the same suit and in sequence1 passing where they are unable to follow1 until a stop occurs1 when the competitor who plays the stop has the next lead4 ,the played cards are turned over1 face downwards on the table1 after each stop4 ,it must be remembered that the object of the players is to dispose of their cards as soon as possible1 and on that account the known stops should be played out at the first opportunity1 or led up to as early as possible4 ,to better explain the method of play1 we will take an imaginary hand4 ,we will suppose there are five players1 and that the one on the dealer's left-hand side receives #e and #g of diamonds1 #d and knave of hearts1 knave and king of spades1 ace and queen of clubs4 ,the turn-up card proves to be the #g of hearts4 ,the player thus knows he has two stops among his eight cards1 viz41 the of diamonds and king of spades2 but in each case he has lower cards of the same suit1 and he must therefore consider how best to clear them off4 ,the king of spades being a stop1 and the player having the knave and king of that suit1 #hd he cannot do wrong in leading the knave1 as1 if the queen is played he follows on with the king1 and if by chance the queen should be in the spare hand1 he still gets rid of the king1 having to follow on1 after his knave having proved a stop4 ,the same argument holds good in the case of the diamonds1 of which he first leads the five and clears the suit4 ,the ace of clubs must next be played1 as unless he leads that himself there is no possibility of his being able to play it1 as no card can lead up to an ace4 ,he therefore plays the club ace for his fifth card1 the two and three follow on from different hands1 and then a stop occurs1 so that it is assumed the four is in the spare hand1 and thus the three is a stop4 ,the player of the three has1 among his other cards1 the queen and king of hearts1 plays them 7taking the stake on ,matrimony1 as hearts are trumps71 and follows on with the seven of spades1 of which he also holds the ten1 which1 as knave1 queen1 and king have been played1 he knows to be a stop4 ,by playing off queen and king of hearts1 this player made the knave of hearts in the first hand a stop4 ,later on the game leads up to the queen of clubs1 which also proves to be a stop1 the king being in the spare hand1 and the original leader is left with the lead with only two cards in hand1 of which one is known to be a stop4 ,he therefore first plays this knave of hearts1 following on with his four1 clearing his hand and winning the game4 ,he takes the stake on ,game from the board1 and receives one counter from the other players for each card remaining in their hand1 the only exception in such cases being in favour of the holder of ,pope ,joan1 who is exempt if he has not played that card1 but who has to pay as the rest if he has played it4 #he ,,variations4 ,the most popular variation from the foregoing game is for the winner1 i4e4 the one who first plays out his cards1 to only take the stake for ,game from the board1 the players paying to the pool the penalty for their unplayed card or cards1 and distributing them on whichever chance they prefer1 except that all the eight must be covered4 ,in such a case the regular dressing of the board by the players at the commencement of each deal as previously described is omitted1 the dealer alone paying a single stake1 which he may also place where he chooses4 ,,five-,,pool ,,pope4 ,the board or pool may be made with five divisions only1 in which case ,pope ,joan1 ,matrimony1 ,intrigue1 ,ace1 and ,game are retained1 ,king1 ,queen1 and ,knave being omitted4 ,in other respects the game is conducted on the ordinary lines1 except that twelve coins or counters are sufficient to dress the board4 ,,pope ,,joan ,,wins4 ,in this variation1 when ,pope ,joan is turned up the dealer at once wins the game1 and takes the stake standing to ,game on the board1 in addition to that on ,pope and the payment from each of the players already referred to4 ,this is by no means a desirable innovation1 and simply causes extra trouble for dealing1 etc41 with little or no recompense4 ,,limited ,,stops4 ,in lieu of the spare hand being dealt1 with the object of making extra stops1 it may be arranged that a definite #hf number of cards be taken from the pack1 either from the top or the bottom1 for the purpose1 or the remainder1 after dealing the cards round as far as possible equally among the players1 may be so set apart4 ,the best way1 however1 is to deal a spare hand with the others1 as then the number of stops bears an equitable proportion to the number of players engaged in the game4 ,,looking ,,at ,,the ,,spare ,,hand4 ,among amateurs and inexperienced players it is sometimes agreed that the dealer shall look at the spare hand1 so as to see what cards are stops2 but after a few rounds have been played1 the absurdity of this rule will be manifest4 ,it gives so much advantage to the dealer1 who can play cards which he alone knows to be stops1 that in such a case he ought to stand out1 no cards being dealt him that round4 ,it is an altogether objectionable variation1 and not at all a necessary one4 ,pope ,joan is sometimes allowed to be played at any time in lieu of a stop1 thus3 suppose a player has ,pope and 7say7 knave of spades4 ,in the course of the game the nine of spades is played1 and proves to be a stop4 ,the holder of ,pope may play it in lieu of the ten of spades1 and then continue with his knave of that suit1 first taking his winnings on ,pope4 #hg ,,spin4 ,spin may be regarded somewhat as a variation or offshoot of ,pope ,joan1 which game it very much resembles4 ,the dealer will therefore do well to refer to the description given of that game1 on pages #ha to #hg1 for further and more extended details4 ,at ,spin the two of hearts is taken out of the pack1 in addition to the eight of diamonds1 but in distributing the cards no spare hand is dealt1 so that there are always six regular stops in the game4 ,in addition1 the ace of diamonds1 which is called ,spin1 may also be used as a stop1 if the player chooses to make it one1 and he has the necessary card with which to follow1 as explained later on4 ,there are only three pool chances to play for in this game3 ,matrimony 7king and queen of diamonds71 ,intrigue 7queen and knave of diamonds71 and ,game1 or first out4 ,in addition to these three chances1 the holder of ,spin receives a stake 7usually three counters7 from the other competitors1 provided the card is played out in the ordinary course of the game2 while each king entitles its holder to one counter from every competitor when they are played out4 ,in both these cases the amounts must be collected before another card is played1 or they are forfeited4 ,the pool is made by each player1 except the dealer1 paying in a stake for ,game1 while the dealer has to contribute a double stake to make a pool for ,matrimony1 and a single stake for ,intrigue4 ,he is sometimes called upon to con#hhtribute to ,game also1 but that is putting a tax upon him disproportionate to what is required from the other players4 ,the two of hearts and eight of diamonds having been taken out1 the cards are shuffled and then dealt out1 as near equally as possible1 among the players4 ,no turn-up card is needed1 as there are no trumps in this game4 ,the player on the dealer's left has the lead1 and he proceeds in the manner described for ,pope ,joan 7see page #hd74 ,the holder of ,matrimony or ,intrigue can declare them at any time after he plays a stop1 and he then takes the stake for those chances in the pool4 ,he need not play the cards1 but simply shows them1 and may then follow on1 as he has a right to do after a stop1 with any card he chooses4 ,the holder of ,spin can play it at any time when either of his other cards comes in sequence in the progress of the game1 or after a stop4 ,in the former case1 the playing of ,spin makes it a stop1 but it must be played out with the card which follows on1 or the holder loses his chance of playing it4 ,for instance1 suppose clubs are in play1 that the six is the last card1 and that the holder of the seven has ,spin4 ,he plays the two cards together1 and says1 seven and ,spin4 ,the other competitors then pay him the agreed stake for ,spin1 and the game proceeds4 ,if the holder of ,spin does not succeed in playing it he has to pay double to the winner of the game for every card remaining in his hand4 ,when one of the players has played all his cards1 he becomes the winner1 and the others pay him a stake for each card remaining in their hands4 ,in addition he takes the amount of the pool set apart for first out4 ,the winner of the game is also exempt from payment towards the next pool for ,game4 ,if1 however1 the winner is the next dealer1 then he has to contribute to ,matrimony and ,intrigue in the ordinary course4 #hi ,,newmarket4 ,this is another variation of ,pope ,joan1 or ,spin1 and is played on similar lines4 ,the seven of each suit is taken out to form stops1 and four cards are turned up in the middle of the table4 ,these must be the four principal cards1 viz41 ace1 king1 queen1 and knave1 but of different suits1 so that each of the four are represented in the pool2 say1 for example1 knave of diamonds1 queen of hearts1 king of clubs1 and ace of spades may be turned up4 ,the several players pay a coin or counter to form the first pool1 and may put it on whichever card of the four turned up they choose1 provided that all four are covered4 ,the dealer pays one extra throughout the game4 ,the whole of the cards are then dealt1 as nearly equal as possible1 as for ,spin4 ,play proceeds as in that game1 the holder of the card immediately preceding those in the pool taking the stake upon it when he plays his card4 ,for this purpose the ace is considered both as lowest and highest1 so that1 in the supposed cases given above1 the holders of king of spades1 queen of clubs1 knave of hearts1 and ten of diamonds become winners of pool stakes on playing out their respective cards4 ,these would in each case become stops1 and the player would have the right to play another card4 ,the one who first succeeds in clearing his hand wins the game1 and receives from each of the other competitors a stake for every remaining card4 ,the pool stakes cannot be taken unless the cards are played up to1 and if this is not done the amounts are carried on to the next deal4 ,the hints and fuller explanation given in ,pope ,joan and ,spin should be studied in connection with this game4 #ij ,,snip-,,snap-,,snorum4 ,there are two distinct methods of playing this game1 so unlike as to lead to the conclusion that at some time or other two separate games must have been confused by being called under the same name1 and have since been so associated with each other4 ,there is hardly one point in common between the two methods in vogue2 and while one is entirely different from anything yet described in the present volume1 the other is1 to a great extent1 played on the lines of ,pope ,joan1 ,spin1 and ,newmarket1 and may be regarded as an offshoot of those games--rather than as an independent one--which has got mixed with the one known under the title of ,snip-,snap-,snorum1 and has come to be recognised under that name4 ,as preference in such a case should be given to the independent game1 we shall first describe that1 and afterwards devote attention to the other system4 ,in doing so we must excuse ourselves for the manifest inconsistency of associating two distinct games under the one title1 on the ground of custom and practice among different individuals1 and in order to avoid confusion as far as possible1 we have re-named the game we shall describe last1 as ,jig1 that being one of the terms used in the game1 and sufficiently distinctive for every purpose4 ,snip-,snap-,snorum is a round game1 available for any number1 of players from two to ten1 when the full pack of fifty-two cards is played with1 or for any number up to six #ia when the smaller pack of thirty-two is used4 ,probably the best number of players is five or six in the former case1 and three or four in the latter2 the greatest objection to a large number of players being that those first out have to wait until the others have exhausted their stakes1 which may not occur until several more rounds have been completed4 ,at the commencement of the game each player has to be provided with five coins or counters1 of equal value1 and the game is decided when all but one of the players has exhausted those five stakes4 ,the player who holds out the longest becomes the winner1 and secures the whole of the pool1 which is contributed to during the progress of the game as described later on4 ,the deal is decided in the ordinary way1 the player to whom the first knave is turned up having the first right to deal the cards4 ,he shuffles the pack1 has it cut1 and then distributes five cards to each player1 one at a time1 and commencing with the one on his left-hand side4 ,there is no turn-up card needed2 when all have received their five cards the hands are looked at1 and the game begins4 ,the object of the players is to play cards of equal value to those of their right-hand adversaries1 and if they do so the player has to pay a penalty into the pool2 one stake for ,snip1 which is the first pairing of a card2 two stakes for ,snap1 the second pairing of the same card2 and three stakes for ,snorum1 the third pairing4 ,for instance1 suppose there are five players1 ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 ,d1 and ,e4 ,a is the dealer1 and1 the cards having been dealt1 ,b has to lead2 he plays a nine1 and calls it when he places it on the table face upwards in front of him2 ,c likewise has a nine1 which he must play by also placing it face upwards on the table in front of him1 and says ,snip1 upon which ,b has to pay a stake into the pool1 his card having been paired ,d also has #ib a nine1 which he plays in similar manner1 and says ,snap1 upon which ,c has to pay two stakes into the pool1 his card having been also paired2 ,e then has to follow on1 and also having a nine in hand1 he must play it1 and says ,snorum1 which imposes a penalty of three stakes upon ,d4 ,this having disposed of the four nines in the pack1 ,a1 whose turn it now is to play1 has to start upon a new card1 and he has the option of playing whichever of the five in his hand he chooses4 ,the penalties of ,snip-,snap-,snorum do not remain in force if any other card intervenes between the pairs1 so that it is only the player next in order of play who has the opportunity of securing a stack for the pool from any of the others4 ,taking the illustration given above1 we will suppose that ,d had no nine1 and was accordingly compelled to play1 say1 a ten4 ,b would have had to pay the penalty for ,snip1 as before2 but ,c could have nothing to pay1 his card not having been paired4 ,then suppose ,e1 in his turn1 played a nine1 and ,a also played one1 that would only snip ,e's nine1 although the other two nines had just been played2 ,e would have to pay one stake to the pool4 ,as soon as the five cards dealt to each player are exhausted1 the next in order becomes the dealer1 and distributes five cards to each player1 as before1 and the game is conducted round and round on exactly similar lines until one of the party has lost the last of his five stakes4 ,he is then out of the game1 and if he has any cards left he must add them1 face downwards and unexposed1 to the top of the undealt portion of the pack4 ,the other players proceed with the game1 and as each loses his last stake he is left out1 and no fresh cards are dealt him4 ,this goes on until all but one have lost their stakes1 when1 as already described1 the game is finished1 and the last in takes the pool4 #ic ,if a new game is started on1 the first out in the previous game becomes the new dealer4 ,the lead is a disadvantage in this game1 as1 after a few cards have been played1 it is often possible to know that certain cards remaining in hand are absolutely safe1 or nearly so4 ,for instance1 suppose two knaves have been played during the first round or two1 and that a third knave is in a player's hand1 that card may be played as an almost safe one1 as there is only one other that can pair with it1 and the odds of the fourth knave being in the next player's hand are very remote4 ,for the same reason a player having two of a kind in his own hand should always play one of them when his turn comes round1 provided1 of course1 he is not able to pair with the player immediately preceding him4 ,if a player has a card similar to that played immediately before him1 he must play it4 ,in the event of his failing to do so1 he has to pay a double penalty to the pool1 while the player who would have been penalized has to contribute just as though the right card had been played4 ,these penalties must be enforced before the cards are cut for the next deal4 ,,variations4 ,this method of playing the game is sometimes varied as follows3 ,instead of dealing five cards to each player1 the whole of the pack is distributed1 equally2 or as nearly equal as possible1 among the players1 each of whom starts with five coins or counters1 as in the other game4 ,the player on the dealer's left-hand side1 whom we will call ,b1 as above1 has to lead1 and he keeps on playing one card after another until the opponent on his left 7,c7 can pair one of them4 ,when ,c succeeds in doing this1 he says ,snip1 and ,b has to pay a stake into the pool1 while he remains in #id active until the game has proceeded right round the table4 ,play now rests between ,c and ,d4 ,if ,d can pair ,c's card with which he snipped ,b he does so1 and calls ,snap1 when ,c has to pay two stakes to the pool2 if then ,e can also pair the card1 he cries ,snorum1 and ,d has to pay three stakes to the pool4 ,if1 however1 the players cannot pair1 then ,c has to keep on playing out his cards until ,d can pair one1 in which case ,c is snipped1 and the game proceeds as just described4 ,the game goes round until all have played their cards1 when the pack is again shuffled1 and a new deal started upon1 the game being won and the stakes secured by the player who holds out the longest with his five stakes1 as in the other game4 ,this variation may be altered again by agreeing that an unlimited number of coins or counters may be used1 and that the player who first succeeds in getting rid of his cards shall be the winner of the pool4 ,by this system each deal becomes complete in itself1 but it will not be found a very desirable innovation if many players are engaged1 as in that case the cards are so divided that it becomes an easy matter to clear a hand4 ,,turn-,,up ,,snip4 ,it is sometimes agreed that the dealer shall turn up the top card of the undealt portion of the pack1 and if then the first player can match it1 the dealer has to pay the penalty for ,snip4 ,a much better way of playing this variation1 however1 is for the pool to pay the penalty for this first ,snip4 ,in that case the player takes one counter out of the pool and adds it to his own stock4 #ie ,,jig4 ,we have already mentioned that our reason for adopting the above title is to distinguish this method of playing the game of ,snip-,snap-,snorum from the one just described1 and it will be evident to those who study the two systems that we are quite justified in introducing a distinctive name for the one we are now about to deal with1 which1 as we have said1 has little or nothing--beyond former title and use of similar terms--in common with the other4 ,the first dealer having been settled1 and the pack shuffled1 the cards are dealt out one at a time until the pack is exhausted4 ,the object of the players is to get rid of their cards as speedily as possible1 the one first out winning a coin or counter from each of the other players for every card remaining in their hands4 ,the player on the dealer's left-hand side has to play first1 and he leads whichever card he chooses1 placing it face upwards on the table in front of him1 and saying ,snip2 the holder of the next highest card of the same suit 7ace counting as lowest and king as highest7 has to follow on1 and says ,snap2 then the three next highest cards are played1 the holders of them saying ,snorum1 ,hicockalorum and ,jig respectively1 when playing them4 ,the one who plays ,jig has the next lead1 and may follow on with whichever card he chooses4 ,if either of the cards played is a stop1--that is to say1 the succeeding card has been played out1 or it is a king1--then the player says ,jig after announcing what card he plays1 as1 for #if instance1 ,snip-,jig1 ,snap-,jig1 and so on4 ,the player of the stop has to lead the next card4 ,it will thus be seen that the object of the players should be to lead such cards as will bring the ,jig into their own hand again whenever possible1 as then another card has to be led1 and a greater chance exists of clearing the hand4 ,to do this successfully1 it is necessary to remember what cards are played during the progress of the game1 so as to know which are stops1 and then1 if the stops are in hand1 such cards should be played as would lead up to them4 ,it will be well to bear in mind the following1 which gives a list of the ,jigs to the several cards of the pack3-- ,the five is ,jig to the ace4 ,the ten is ,jig to six4 six two4 knave seven4 seven three4 queen eight4 eight four4 king nine1 ten1 nine five4 knave or queen4 ,similarly1 if the two1 three1 or four is a stop1 the ace1 two or three may be played so as to lead up to them and thus secure the ,jig4 ,when one of the party has exhausted his cards1 he says ,out1 and then receives a coin or counter from each player for every card they have left1 and he also wins the amount in the pool if one has been formed4 ,this is possible in many ways3 either by each player contributing to it equally1 by calling upon the dealer to pay in1 or by the infliction of fines or penalties for incorrect calls1 etc4 ,it is hardly necessary to give further details of the method of playing the hands1 the game being so similar to ,pope ,joan1 ,spin1 and ,newmarket1 which are fully described elsewhere4 ,players will do well to refer to those games for further information in regard to this variation of ,snip-,snap-,snorum4 #ig ,,cassino4 ,this game1 which is of considerable antiquity1 is available for two1 three1 four1 or more persons1 but is usually played by four1 when two of the players act as partners against the other two4 ,it is1 however1 equally available for four players acting independently1 in which case each scores his individual points1 whereas in the partnership game1 as with only two players1 the lesser number of points is taken from the greater1 and the difference only is scored by the winner4 ,with three players it is also necessary to score independently1 although in all these independent scorings it is sometimes decided that the lowest scorer shall not reckon anything1 while the number of his points is deducted from those of each of the others2 as1 for instance3 suppose ,a made #a point1 ,b #b1 ,c #c and ,d #e2 ,a would not score anything1 while ,b would score #a1 ,c #b1 and ,d #d4 ,similarly1 if ,a made #b points1 ,b #b1 ,c #b and ,d #e2 ,d would be the only one to score1 and he would count #c4 ,it is usual to play with the full pack of fifty-two cards2 there is however no reason why the smaller pack of thirty-two should not be used1 but in that case the hands would be of shorter duration4 ,assuming that four persons intend to take part in the game1 and that they decide to play in pairs1 the first question to settle will be as to who shall be partners1 and who the first dealer4 ,this is arranged by each of the four #ih players taking a card from the top or other part of the pack1 when those who draw the two lowest cards have to play against the drawers of the two highest4 ,the lowest of the four 7ace counting as lowest7 becomes the first dealer4 ,in the event of a tie1 which prevents the decision being thus made1 only those whose cards are alike draw a second time4 ,the partners sit opposite to each other1 and the cards of each player are kept distinct until the hands are completed by the entire pack having been played through4 ,the cards having been shuffled and cut1 the dealer distributes four cards to each of the players1 dealing them one at a time4 ,he also places four other cards face upwards in the middle of the table4 ,it is usual to deal these latter one at a time when going round with the regular hands1 but they may be taken all at one time from the top of the pack1 after the players have received their cards4 ,the player on the left-hand side of the dealer then plays a card from his own hand1 and takes with it every card of the same denomination among those exposed on the table1 as well as all that will combine and make the same number4 ,for instance1 a ten not only takes every other ten1 but also nine and ace1 eight and two1 seven and three1 six and four1 or two fives1 two threes and a four1 and other combinations4 ,if the player is able to pair or combine any of the cards1 he places them with his own card face downwards on the table in front of him2 but if he is not able to pair or combine1 he must add a card1 face upwards1 to those already exposed on the table4 ,the next player does the same1 and so on round the table until the four cards in hand have either been paired1 combined1 or added to the exposed stock on the table4 ,the original dealer then distributes four fresh cards to each of the players1 but does not expose any on the table as in the first round4 ,the same proceeding #ii is repeated until the whole pack has been exhausted1 the player who is last able to pair or combine any of the exposed cards taking all the remaining cards off the table1 and scoring one point for thus sweeping the board1 as it is termed4 ,if a player is able to sweep the board at any other time during the progress of the game1 he also scores a point1 and the following player has to commence a new board by laying out a card4 ,the whole of the cards having thus been played1 the partners combine their winnings1 and the counting of the cards commences1 the various points of the game being as follow3 ,the winner of ,great ,cassino 7the ten of diamonds7 reckons 444 444 444 444 #b points4 ,the winner of ,little ,cassino 7the two of spades7 reckons 444 444 444 444 444 #a point4 ,the winner of each ace reckons 444 444 444 #a ,the winner of the majority of the cards of the spade suit reckons 444 444 444 #a ,the winner of the majority of the entire pack of cards reckons 444 444 444 444 444 #c points4 ,the partners whose winnings show the greater number of points then deduct the points of their opponents from their own1 and score the remainder to their game2 thus1 if one sides secures #f1 and the other side #e1 the former score #a point and the latter score nothing2 while if the respective scores were #g and #d1 the winners of the seven points would add to their score4 ,the object of those engaged in the game being to secure ,great ,cassino1 ,little ,cassino1 the four aces1 the majority of spades1 and the greater number of cards1 a few rules will at once suggest themselves to guide the play of the hands4 #ajj ,secure the ,cassino cards on the first opportunity1 also aces and spades1 after which aim to make as many combinations as possible1 leaving the pairs until last1 unless they be the ten or the two1 which are always best got off the board as early as possible1 so as to prevent the opponents making the ,cassinos if they have them in hand4 ,when three players are engaged1 it is sometimes agreed that the two lowest shall add their points together1 and subtract them from the highest4 ,in such a case1 if the two lower numbers together either amount to or exceed the higher1 then neither party scores4 ,this method will not be found desirable in actual play1 as it leads to so many hands resulting in a negative score4 ,if a card is exposed by the dealer in the first round1 other than those dealt for the exposed hand1 then the deal is forfeited1 but the exposure of a card at a subsequent period does not disqualify the dealer1 the player being compelled to take the exposed card1 although it is best to impose some penalty for the fault4 #aja ,,my ,,bird ,,sings4 ,this game may be played by any number of persons up to thirteen1 if a full pack of cards be used2 or by any number up to eight with the smaller pack of thirty-two cards4 ,a pool is formed by each player contributing a counter or coin1 the dealer paying one extra4 ,four cards are then dealt to each player1 and all have the right to look at their hands4 ,the object of the players is to secure a flush1 four cards of one suit2 or four cards of different suits2 and when either of these combinations is secured1 the player says3 ,my ,bird sings1 and he becomes the winner1 and thereby entitled to the amount in the pool4 ,there are two methods of conducting the game3 either by each player in turn throwing out a card from his hand1 or by allowing the opponent on his left-hand side to take one4 ,the competitor on the dealer's left is the first to play1 and1 supposing his ,bird does not already sing1 and the first-named method is adopted1 he throws out one of his cards1 face downwards1 on the table4 ,the player on his left adds this card to his own four1 and if his ,bird does not sing1 he in like manner throws one of his cards out for the next player2 the same plan being adopted round and round1 until one of the players secures the four cards necessary4 ,if the second method is adopted the player does not #ajb himself reject a card1 but turns his hand1 without exposing it1 to the next player1 who selects whichever card he chooses1 and proceeds with the game as in the other variation4 ,after going completely round among the players three times1 the original leader may exchange one of his cards for the top card of the undealt portion of the pack1 and if it should happen to be of the same suit as the one he threw out1 he rejects it1 and takes the next or following one1 until he gets a different suit2 but before introducing a new card into the game he must throw out one of those in hand4 ,this introduction of new cards may be made each round1 after the first three of a hand1 until one of the players secures a winning set of cards1 otherwise it may be a tedious matter to get a winning combination4 ,,variations4 ,the game is sometimes played for flushes only2 that is1 the four cards must be of one suit before a player's ,bird sings1 and sometimes only three cards are dealt to each player1 in which latter case flushes alone are recognised4 ,the game may also be continued until the whole pack of cards is exhausted2 in which case1 whenever a player's bird sings1 he turns the four cards over and regards them as one trick4 ,four other cards are then given him from the top of the undealt portion of the pack1 and the game proceeds as before4 ,the ultimate winner is he who secures the greatest number of tricks4 ,in the case of a tie the stakes are divided between the two or more players who have an equal number4 #ajc ,,spoil-,,five ,spoil-,five may be played by any number of persons not exceeding ten2 the best game1 however1 is when four or live take part1 as then about half the cards are in play4 ,in this game the cards run in different order to the ordinary course1 vary in the two colours1 and further1 change in the trump suit1 as follows3 #a4 ,in ,hearts and ,diamonds1 when not trumps4--,king1 queen1 knave1 #aj1 #i1 down to ace 7the ace of hearts is always a trump card1 and never counts as a heart74 #b4 ,in ,clubs and ,spades1 when not trumps4--,king1 queen1 knave1 ace1 #b1 down to #aj4 #c4 ,in ,hearts and ,diamonds1 when trumps4--#e1 knave1 ace of hearts1 ace of trumps1 king1 queen1 #aj1 #i1 #h1 #g1 #f1 #d1 #c1 #b4 7,if hearts are trumps1 there is only one ace47 #d4 ,in ,clubs and ,spades1 when trumps4--#e1 knave1 ace of hearts1 ace of trumps1 king1 queen1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #f1 #g1 #h1 #i1 #aj4 ,a simple method of remembering the order of the cards is to notice that the highest of the minor ones are the best in the red suits1 and the lowest in the black ones4 ,a pool is made up by each player contributing two or three coins or counters for the purpose1 the dealer paying an additional stake4 ,the pool thus formed goes to the player who succeeds in winning three tricks in one hand2 but if neither player succeeds in doing so1 the game is said to be spoilt1 and the amount remains in the pool1 the players contributing for the next round only one coin or #ajd counter1 and paying that number into the pool each deal until one of the party succeeds in winning three tricks1 when he takes the total amount in the pool1 and a new one is started by each player contributing the full stake as at the commencement4 ,the dealer pays the sum agreed for the deal each time1 no matter whether the pool was won1 or the game spoilt1 the previous round4 ,if there are only two players engaged1 or with four1 if it is agreed that two of the players combine against the other two1 there can be no spoils1 as one must win three of the tricks1 and thus secure the pool1 each round4 ,to determine the first dealer1 the cards are dealt round as in ,nap 7see p4 #i71 when the player to whom the first knave falls becomes dealer4 ,he shuffles the pack1 has it cut by the player on his right-hand side1 and proceeds to distribute five cards to each player1 dealing them in regular order from left to right1 and either first two and then three to each player1 or first three and then two4 ,the top card of the undealt portion of the pack is turned up for trump1 and if it proves to be the ace1 the dealer has the option of robbing1 as explained hereafter2 and if it is not the ace1 any one holding that card must rob before he plays1 before his turn comes round4 ,if the dealer makes a misdeal1 or deals out of order1 or exposes a card1 he loses his turn of dealing1 and the next player in order takes his place2 or it may be agreed that in case of a misdeal the dealer shall have the option of dealing again after paying a second stake for dealing into the pool4 ,the deal is an advantage1 and in case of a slip in the distribution of the cards1 it will generally be found best to pay the penalty and deal again4 ,the game is opened by the player on the left-hand side of the dealer leading whichever of his cards he chooses4 #aje ,if the card led be a trump1 then all the players must follow suit if they are able to do so1 subject to certain exceptions explained below under the heading of ,reneging4 ,if the ace of hearts is led1 and another suit is trumps1 it does not necessitate all the players following suit1 even though the ace of hearts is always reckoned as a trump4 ,the lead in this case is considered as made from a plain suit1 and the rules governing them are enforced4 ,if the card is not a trump1 then the other players may trump the card1 or follow suit1 as they please1 but each must do the one or the other if he holds a card of the suit led if he does not hold one of the suit1 then he may discard either of the others1 or play a trump1 as he prefers4 ,the player of the highest card of the suit led1 or of the highest trump1 if trumps have been played1 wins the trick1 and he plays first to the next4 ,in deciding the winner the cards are reckoned in the special order given above4 ,the game is continued until one player wins three tricks1 when he takes the pool2 or1 failing that1 till all of the cards are played1 when the game is spoilt1 and each contributes to the pool the reduced stake agreed upon4 ,,robbing4 ,robbing is one of the most important features of the game1 inasmuch as if the player who holds the ace of trumps omits to rob when his turn comes round1 he is de-barred from winning the pool that hand1 even though he may secure the necessary number of tricks4 ,the method of robbing if the ace is turned up1 is for the dealer to place one of his own cards on the table face downwards in front of him1 which card must not be exposed at any time during the progress of the hand4 ,he does not take the ace into his own hand until the others #ajf have played to the first trick1 but when it comes to his turn he adds it to his hand1 or he may at once use it4 ,he must1 however1 throw out the card with which he intends to rob the ace before the first card of the round is played1 and reasonable time must be allowed to do so4 ,the turn-up suit remains trump throughout the hand4 ,in the case of the ace not being turned up1 and being in the hand of either of the players1 then the holder must rob the turn-up card when it comes to his turn to play to the first trick4 ,the manner of doing this is somewhat similar to that just described2 the holder of the ace rejects a card placing it face downwards on the table1 and takes the turn-up card into his hand4 ,he must do this when it is his turn to play1 and before showing his first card1 otherwise he forfeits the privilege1 and is1 moreover1 prohibited from winning the pool that round1 no matter how many tricks he may secure4 ,the same penalty is attached to the player who robs the turn-up card without holding the ace4 ,as a variation1 it may be agreed that robbing shall be optional1 or shall not be recognised as a part of the game4 ,,reneging4 ,the holder of the five of trumps1 the knave of trumps1 or the ace of hearts1 enjoys the privilege of not being obliged to play them when a trump is led2 but this privilege 7which is called reneging7 only holds when the trump led is a lower one4 ,for instance1 if the knave be led1 the holder of the ace of hearts is obliged to play it4 ,,variations4 ,a very good game may be played by allowing the cards to retain their ordinary sequence4 ,as this avoids confusion1 it is more suitable for family play4 #ajg ,,two ,,tricks ,,win4 ,if five or more players are taking part in the game1 it may be found desirable that the winner of two tricks shall take the pool1 or partnerships can be formed2 otherwise a long continuation of spoils may occur4 ,,fiving4 ,this variation is sometimes played when two persons1 or two sets of partners are engaged in the game4 ,it consists in allowing the non-dealer1 providing he is not satisfied with his cards1 to ask the dealer to five it1 when1 if the dealer agrees1 the trump card is removed1 and the next card is turned up for trump4 ,if that proves to be of the same suit as the original turn-up1 the next is taken1 and so on until a change occurs4 ,the right to five can only be exercised once each hand4 ,,jinking4 ,a variation is sometimes made by the introduction of jinking4 ,the winner of all five tricks receives from each player his original stake in addition to the amount in the pool2 if1 however1 any player who has won three tricks goes on playing1 thinking he can jink1 and fails to do so1 he loses the pool which he would otherwise have won for his three tricks4 ,,twenty-,,five ,,and ,,forty-,,five4 ,instead of the game being finished in one hand1 it may continue until one player makes twenty-five1 or forty-five4 ,in this case there are no spoils1 and every trick scores five to the winner4 ,any player jinking1 i4e41 winning the five tricks1 wins the game4 #ajh ,,loto4 ,there are many varieties of ,loto1 with pictures1 flowers1 letters1 etc41 instead of numbers1 which are known as ,picture ,loto1 ,botanical ,loto1 ,spelling ,loto1 ,geographical ,loto1 ,historical ,loto1 and so on4 ,these are mostly games for children1 and are played in exactly the same way as numbered ,loto4 ,this game in ,england is usually regarded as an amusement for young children2 but it is one capable of affording amusement to grown-up people1 as may be seen by the interest shown in ,keno by the ,americans4 ,keno1 or ,american ,loto1 is played in various places of public resort1 by adults1 for considerable stakes1 and is esteemed capital practice in reading numbers rapidly and correctly4 ,the requisite paraphernalia for this game--which may be played by any number of persons1 not exceeding twenty-four--are boxes containing #ajj counters2 #ad fishes1 each of which is reckoned as #aj counters2 #ab contracts1 valued at #aj fish or #ajj counters apiece2 a pack of #bd very large cards with fifteen different numbers marked on each1 and a bag containing #ij knobs or discs1 numbered from #a to #ij4 #e #aa #cc #ej #gf ------------------ #agbb #dc #fe #hi ------------------ #b #bhee #ef #gd ,fig4 #a4 ,in addition1 a board with ten cavities cut therein for the purpose of placing the knobs as drawn1 is required4 #aji ,a ,loto card1 on which are inscribed1 in the manner shown in the diagram1 numbers ranging from #a to #ij--;five numbers on each line1 is represented in fig #a4 ,the units are arranged in the first column1 the tens in the second1 the twenties in the third1 and so on4 ,the number of these cards supplied in a ,loto box varies1 but the general number is twenty-four1 although sometimes there are only eighteen4 ,with twenty-four cards1 each number appears in four different cards4 ,there are several different methods of playing this game1 of which we will give the two principal ones4 ,the first method makes it a game of chance and skill1 or rather quickness in reading figures2 and the second1 purely a game of luck4 ,first ,method4--,before commencing the game1 a dealer has to be chosen1 and his duties consist of shuffling the cards and dealing to each player one or more cards4 ,the dealer is unable to join in the game1 and is obliged to stand out4 ,each player should stake a certain sum1 which should be reserved for the winner2 and a certain number of counters of no value1 but merely to be used for covering the numbers as called1 should be placed in the pool4 ,sometimes each player contributes a certain number of counters to the pool1 then each saves out of his stake the number of counters he has on his card or cards2 and the winner obtains the money for his fifteen counters on his card1 and receives in addition all the pool which remains4 ,in order to render the game still more interesting1 the contributions to the pool should be so arranged that it is capable of being divided into four parts4 ,then a fourth part of the pool is won by the player who first succeeds in covering one horizontal row2 another fourth part of the #aaj pool is won by the player who first succeeds in covering two horizontal rows1 and the remaining half is reserved for the winner who first covers the whole of his card4 ,the dealer then1 having deposited the #ij knobs in a bag1 draws them forth rapidly1 one by one1 and calls out the number which appears or the knob in a clear tone4 ,the player1 having the corresponding number on his cards or cards1 who first answers to the number called1 covers the number on the card or cards with one of the counters in the pool1 which should be so placed on the table as to be available for the use of all the players4 ,the player who first succeeds in covering all the numbers on his card or cards wins the game4 ,the ,second ,method4--,every player should draw two cards1 and deposit a stake previously agreed upon2 and if the party is not too numerous1 then any may take four or six cards1 laying down a double or treble stake accordingly2 and when the players are more than twelve1 then some are only to have one card1 paying half a stake1 and likewise should the players not take all the cards among them1 the remainder of the pack is to be laid aside until some other persons join the set4 ,from the cards not taken1 players may exchange one or more of those drawn1 or they may change with one another2 similar exchanges1 if the company consent1 may also be made previous to each drawing1 and likewise prior to replenishing the pool4 ,cards may be thrown up1 or additional ones drawn from those put by2 stakes being paid proportionably4 ,the stakes are to be put together in a pool1 placed in the middle of the table1 and also on the table there should be a quantity of counters sufficient for the number of cards taken2 upon the counters a value is to be fixed adequate to the stakes first deposited1 from the whole of which a sum #aaa must be reserved1 enough to pay1 at the conclusion of the game1 all the counters laid upon the table4 ,then1 after counting the #ij knobs1 so as to be certain they are right1 the eldest hand shall first shake them well together in the bag1 and afterwards draw out ten successively1 not only declaring the number of each as drawn1 but also placing the same conspicuously on the board4 ,as soon as a number is declared1 each player having that number on one or more of his cards1 is to take up counters1 sufficient to lay one upon that number every time it occurs1 and so on until the ten knobs are drawn4 ,when only part of the pack is taken1 and a number drawn happens not to be upon any player's card1 then the players may put away that knob till some person takes a card on which it is printed4 ,when ten knobs are drawn out1 every player examining the cards separately1 and having only one counter upon any horizontal line1 wins for that no more than the said counter1 which is styled gaining by abstract2 where two counters are on the same horizontal line of a separate card1 the player gains an ambo1 and becomes entitled to five counters besides the two2 when three are upon the same line1 the player obtains a terne1 and is to receive #be additional counters2 if four are on the same line1 that is called a quaterne winning #ajj counters additional2 when five occur on the same line1 that makes a quinterne1 gaining #bej additional counters1 and the player is entitled to payment out of the pool for all the above-mentioned acquisitions previous to another drawing4 ,instead of giving counters1 payment for the same may at once be made from the stock in the pool4 ,the knobs are then to be returned1 and the bag given to the next player in rotation1 who is to shake the same1 and draw1 etc41 as before stated4 #aab ,whenever the pool is exhausted1 the players must contribute again1 according to the number of cards taken2 and when it is resolved to finish the game1 they agree among themselves to have only a fixed number of drawings more4 ,at the last drawing each player proceeds as heretofore directed1 but the drawing concludes when no more counters are left on the table4 ,the players then1 beginning with the eldest hand1 are to be paid out of the pool1 as far as the money will go2 and when that is expended1 the others remain unpaid1 which is styled a ,bankruptcy2 lastly1 the players should re-unite the counters obtained from the pool with those that were on their cards1 and receive payment for them out of the fund reserved at the commencement of the game4 ,the counters requisite for the payment of the players are3-- ,for #bd cards #add times ten4 #ah #ajh #ab #gb #f #cf ,consequently1 #fj counters should be contributed for every card taken by a player