Round Games with Cards Part 3

_IRISH LOO_.

This is virtually the same as the five-card variety, except that three cards only are dealt to each player, and Pam is unknown.

_THIRTY-TWO CARD PACKS_.

As described in connection with Nap, Piquet or Bezique cards may be used for Loo, but in that case the number of players must, of necessity, be more limited, only 32 cards being available. In all other respects the rules applicable to the full packs apply.

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_HINTS TO PLAYERS_.

_I_.--_Declaring_.

In deciding whether to stand on one's own cards, or whether to take the miss, the amount in the pool is a matter for special consideration.

With a heavy stake to fight for, a player will run greater risks than when a small amount is available. Therefore, the first question to decide should be the amount per trick in the pool, as compared with the amount to be paid if one is looed.

It is unwise to stand on any hand that does not contain a trump; but if the cards are very high ones, and the amount in the pool warrants it, the risk may be taken.

With very few exceptions a player should stand on two trumps, however small, but the first player should have a tolerably high card, in addition to two small trumps, other wise the hand is a risky one.

An honour in trumps and high cards in other suits are generally safe, especially for the player who has to lead; indeed, the first player may stand on almost any single trump, if his other cards are high ones of different suits--queens at least.

King of trumps with small cards in other suits is generally safe, although cautious players throw up such a hand. Very much depends on the amount in the pool, although we should not reject such cards under any conditions.

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 for. They are undoubtedly risky hands, but if one only stands on certainties half the amus.e.m.e.nt and all the excitement vanishes.

After a few rounds have been played, a fair opinion can [30] be formed as to what cards are likely to make a trick, and if the sum in the pool is considerable, risky cards may be kept, or the miss taken at an early stage, although it must not be overlooked that the other players will likewise stand on risky hands, and, as a consequence, there will be more compet.i.tion, with fewer chances of securing a trick.

The first hand should seldom take the miss, nor should either of the other players if each of those in front of him has decided to stand on his own cards, as it may be a.s.sumed that in such cases there is strength. With five playing, two of whom have thrown up, miss may be taken, but with three players standing on their own cards, miss should not be attempted.

_II_.--_Playing_.

The laws of the game define what shall be led with two or three trumps, or with ace only (or king only, if ace is turned up), and therefore the only hints necessary are when the leader has but one trump.

With one trump and high cards of other suits, the trump should be led if several players remain in, but if only two or three are standing, either of the others should be led, the higher of the two for preference.

With one high trump and small other cards, we prefer leading the smallest, relying on the second and third tricks for opportunities of making our single trump.

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POKER.

_DESCRIPTION_.

The game of Poker is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards.

The number of players is limited only by the number of cards, but in practice it is found better to limit each table to five, or at most six, players.

The cards have the same values as at Whist, _i.e._ ace is the highest in each suit; then follow king, queen, knave, ten, etc., down to two.

In "sequences," however, the ace is the lowest card, and the king the highest.

The suit of hearts, _ceteris paribus_, takes precedence of other suits.

Before beginning play, it is customary and advisable to agree upon a sum (technically called the "limit" or "rise") which shall be the maximum stake permitted to be made by a player at one time; or, in other words, which shall be the greatest sum by which he may increase the stake at any one time.

The "limit," of course, does not refer to the total amount of a player's stakes, and it is understood that a player may stake _less_ than the limit at any time, but not _more_.

After being seated, the players cut for the deal, and the player who cuts the lowest card deals first. If two or more players cut equal lowest cards, these players must cut again for the deal.

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The duty of dealing in each game after the first, devolves upon the player to the left of the previous dealer.

Before beginning play, every player has a right to shuffle the pack; the dealer has a right to the last shuffle. After being shuffled, the pack must be cut by the player to the right of the dealer.

The player to the left of the dealer then stakes a certain fixed sum (generally small in comparison with the limit) which is called the "ante."

This initial stake must in every game be laid by the player to the left of the dealer, before the cards are dealt. He is, in fact, identified with this initial stake, and is known as "ante" throughout the game.

After "ante" has staked, the player to his left, who is called No. 1, has the option of "straddling," _i.e._ of staking a sum double that of the ante. If No. 1 does not straddle the ante, no other player may do so, and the dealer proceeds to deal the cards.

If No. 1 straddle the ante, the player to his left has the same option, and may increase the straddle by the amount of the ante. This may go on round the table, each player in turn having the right to increase the straddle before the deal; but the ante may not be increased by any straddle, or by successive straddles, to an amount exceeding one-half of the limit.

To ill.u.s.trate this, let us suppose the limit be two s.h.i.+llings and the ante be one penny. This latter sum is staked (_i.e._ placed in the middle of the table before him) by the player on the left of the dealer.

No. 1 then has the right to straddle the ante, and he may stake two pence.

No. 2 then has the same option, and may, if he wish, increase the straddle by one penny. When the sum staked in this way by successive players reaches one s.h.i.+lling (half the limit), the straddling must cease, and the cards must be dealt. [33] It should be fully understood that if No. 1 does not exercise his right to straddle, no other player may do so.

The dealer, beginning with the player at his left hand, then deals one card, face downwards, to each player (himself included) in succession, until every player has received five cards. He then places the remainder of the pack before him on the table, face downwards. After the cards have been dealt the betting before the draw begins.

These five cards const.i.tute the "hand," and in no case may a player have a greater or less number of cards than five.

_If the ante has not been straddled_, the player to the left of ante has the "say," and may begin the betting before the draw.

He looks at his cards, and may either--

(a) Reject them, and elect not to play.