HOYLE’SENCYCLOPEDIAOF

CARDGAMESRulesofAlltheBasicGames

andPopularVariations

BYWALTERB.GIBSON

BroadwayBooksNewYork

Thisbookwasoriginallypublishedin1974byDoubledayandtitledHoyle’sModernEncyclopediaofCardGames.ItisherereprintedbyarrangementwithDoubleday.

Hoyle’sEncyclopediaofCardGames.Copyright©1974byWalterB.Gibson.Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.Forinformation,address:BroadwayBooks,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,1540Broadway,NewYork,NY10036.

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FirstBroadwayBookstradepaperbackeditionpublished2001.

TheLibraryofCongresshascataloguedthepreviouseditionas:eBookISBN:978-0-307-486090-7TradePaperbackISBN:978-0-385-07680-7LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber73-163085

v3.1

Contents

CoverTitlePageCopyright

HowtoUseThisBook

Introduction:FactsAboutCardGames

A

B

C

D

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F

G

H

I

J

K

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M

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R

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V

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X

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Glossary-Index

HowtoUseThisBook

This concise encyclopedia of modern card games and their variations isarranged alphabetically according to the name of each specific game. Toassistthereaderfurther,allgamesandtheirvariationsarecross-referencedsothatcompleteexplanationsmaybefoundeasilyandquickly.Illustrationsofcertaingamesandhandsarealsoprovidedintheirappropriateplaces.All variations of any particular game may be found in this general

alphabetical listing excepting those included under the broad headings ofpinochle,poker,andsolitaire.Sincethesethreecategoriesencompasssuchawide variety of variations, all are listed alphabetically under the generaldivisions of pinochle, poker, and solitaire in an effort to ensure utmostorganizationinthebook.For even further assistance in locating a game or other information, a

completeGlossary-Indexfeaturingdefinitionsandpagereferencesisfoundinthebackofthebook.

INTRODUCTION:FACTSABOUTCARDGAMESIncludingGeneralRulesandProcedure

The term“Hoyle”hasbeenused to signifya rulebookofcardgameseversince the first such volume written by Edmond Hoyle appeared in 1746.Therewereonlyfivegamesdescribedinthatmodestwork,butalthoughthetotal has increased a hundredfold andmore during the intervening years,manyof themfollowtheoldoriginalpatterns,anddistinct tracesofearliergames are found in most of the rest. Hence a preliminary description ofplayingcardsandfeaturesapplicabletogamesingeneralwillprovevaluablewhendiscussingthemunderindividualheads.

FormationofPacksUsedinVariousGames

Today’s standardpack remainsunchanged since the timeof theoriginalHoyle. It consists of fifty-two cards, composed of four suits, spades ( ),hearts ( ), diamonds ( ), clubs ( ), each with thirteen values, ace, king,queen, jack, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three (or trey), two (ordeuce).Theyareusuallyrankedindescendingorder:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2;butinafewgames,theorderruns:K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,withacelowinsteadofhigh.Therearealsoafewgamesinwhichtheaceiseitherhighorlow.In other games, most notably solitaires or one-person games, an

ascendingsequenceiscommon:A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K.Insomeof the time-honored games, certain cards are given special valuation, andsuch rulesmay apply to suits, or even to colors; namely, red ( and ) orblack( and ).Allthesevariationsarecoveredindescriptionsofthegamesinwhichtheyoccur.Modernpacks,or“decks,”astheyarefrequentlycalled,containtwoextra

cards known as “jokers.” Formany years, a single joker has been used incertaingames,commonlyrankinghigherthantheothercards;andtherearenowgames,mostnotablycanasta,inwhichbothjokersareused.Thismakesaquotaoffifty-fourcardsforasinglepack,108foradoublepack,and162for a triple pack. Here, again, individual rules apply in evaluation of thecards.Worthyofmention is a special sixty-three-cardpack, includinga single

joker, which is used in the game of five hundred when six players areinvolved.Thispackincludesfourelevens,fourtwelves,andtwothirteens(inredsuitsonly),whichrankhigherthanthetensoftheirrespectivesuits.

SpecialPacksforSpecialGames

Invariousgames, thesizeof thepack is reducedbyremovingsomeof thecards beforehand. Such instances are cited in descriptions of the gamesthemselves, along with the reasons for using a depleted pack. There are,however,certainfamousgamesinwhichlessthanfifty-twocardsrepresentthestandardpack,hencetheydeservepreliminarydescriptionsasfollows:ThePiquetPack:Used in theFrenchgameof the samename, thispack

consistsofthirty-twocardsrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7ineachofthefoursuits.Thesamepackisusedinthenowoutmodedgameofécarté,butwiththecuriousrankingofK,Q,J,A,10,9,8,7.Gamesoftheskatfamilyalsousethethirty-two-cardpack;anditisstandardinmostformsofeuchre,sootherpeculiaritiesinrankingwillbefoundunderthoseheads.Frenchpacksofonlythirty-twocardsareavailable,butinAmericaitiscustomarytouseastandard fifty-two-cardpackandsimplyremove thecardsof lowervalues.Intwo-handedeuchre,thepackisfurtherreducedtotwenty-fourcardsbyremovingtheeightsandsevens.

BeziqueandPinochlePacks

Inthegameofbezique,playedextensivelyinEurope,twopiquetpacksarecombinedtoformatotalofsixty-fourcards,withthoseofeachsuitrankingA,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9,8,8,7,7.InAmerica,suchapackismadeupfromtwostandardfifty-two-cardpacks,fromwhichallbelowthesevenshave been discarded. However, bezique is seldom played in the UnitedStates,asithasbeenheavilyovershadowedbythekindredgameofpinochle,whichusesapackreducedtoforty-eightcards:A,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9.Suchpacksaresoldextensivelyandareverydesirableforspecialformsofpinochleinwhichtwoormorepacksarecombined.

OtherDataonPlayingCards

Various types of playing cards have enjoyed brief periods of popularity.Oneinnovationwasafive-suitpackofsixty-fivecards, thefifthsuiteitherbeingtermed“royals”andrepresentedbyacrown,or“eagles,”withabird.Specialgamesorvariantsofexistinggamesweredevisedforsuchpacks,butnone tookpermanenthold.More important to the average cardplayer arethesizesof thestandardpacks.Foryears, theacceptedmeasurementofanAmericanplayingcardwas threeandonehalfby twoandonehalf inches;andpacksofthosedimensionsaresometimessoldas“poker”decks,astheyare preferred by poker players. Since bridge players like narrower cards,otherpackshavebeenreducedtothreeandonehalfbytwoandonefourthinchesandarepopularlyknownas“bridge”decks.But the twostyleshavethe same component of fifty-two cards plus two jokers, so all the usualgamescanbeplayedwitheitherpack.Thefirstcardstobeprintedwithindexesintheupperleftandlowerright

cornerswereadvertisedas“squeezers,”becausetheycouldbeidentifiedbyspreading them very slightly apart. Today, all American cards have suchindexesandsomeEnglishcardshavetheminallfourcorners,thoughthatisgenerallysuperfluous.Morepracticalarecardswith“jumbo”indexes,whichare oversized and therefore easier to read, making them excellent ontelevisionprograms.Theterm“jumbo”wasoriginallyappliedtooversizedcards,fourtimesas

largeasthecommonvarietyandproportionatelythicker,whichmadethemsuitableforoutdoorplay,wherebreezesmightblowawayordinarycards.Instrikingcontrast, thereareminiaturecards,half thesizeofstandardpacks.These are specially adapted to games of solitaire, in which a lone playerspreadsapackoveralimitedarea,wherespaceisatapremium.

CustomaryProcedureinCardGames

Theopeningprocedure inmostcardgames is theshufflingormixingofthepack.Thismaybedone invariousways.One is todivide thepackandbendtheendsofeachsectionupward,witheachthumb,thenreleasethemgradually so that they interweave as they fall. This is called the “riffle” or“dovetail” shuffle. The sections are then pushed together, the pack issquared,divided,andtheprocessisrepeated.Lessspectacular,butequallyeffectiveisthe“overhandshuffle”inwhich

therighthandholdsthepacklengthwise,withthefingersattheouterend,thethumbattheinner.Theleftthumbthenpullsawayclustersofcardsfromthe top of the face-down pack, letting them fall on those already drawnaway, until the shuffle is completed. It can then be repeated in the samefashionasoftenasdesired.Before starting a game, anyonemay shuffle the pack and spread it face

down on the table. Players then draw cards from the spread to determinewhowill be the first dealer in the game.Whoever draws the highest cardbecomes the dealer, unless the participants specify that the lowest cardshould decide. Another way is for anyone to shuffle the pack, then startdealingcardsfaceuptoeachplayerinturn,saying,“Thefirstjackwillbethedealer.”Orsomeothervaluemaybenamedatrandom,ratherthanthejack.The dealer then shuffles the pack for himself and then allows another

player to cut the cards.This consists of lifting off anupper portion of thepack and placing the lower portion upon it. In a two-player game, thedealer’sopponentnaturallyiscalledupontocutthepack;withmoreplayers,the privilege is customarily assigned to the player on the dealer’s right,thoughothersmaydemandandexertthesameprivilege.Usually,indealing,thepackisheldfacedowninthelefthandandtheleft

thumbpushescardstowardtherightsothattherightthumbandfingerscandrawthemoffandplacethemonthetableinfrontoftheplayers,beginningatthedealer’sleftandcontinuingtotherightinclockwisefashion,finishingwith himself. Always, the cards are dealt face down unless otherwisespecified.Insomegamesofforeignorigin,cardsaredealtcounterclockwise,but those are comparatively rare. Cardsmay be dealt singly or in clusters;anyacceptedprocedureisspecifiedwithindividualgames.

Deals,Hands,andPlay

Thisdistributionofthecardsistermeda“deal.”Whenaplayerpicksuphiscardsandholdstheirfacestowardhimself,theybecomehis“hand.”Eachhand is then “played” by showing its cards, according to the rules of theparticulargame, though in somecases,handsmaybe simplydiscarded,or“thrownin”asworthlessorunplayable.Theentireprocessfromstarttofinishisknownasa“deal,”sinceitisnot

really finished until another deal supplants it. However, as it involves theplay of the hands, it is also called a “hand,” the two terms beinginterchangeable. Inmostgames,eachnewdealmoves to theplayeron theleft,andafterallhavedealtandplayedoutthehands,itistermeda“round.”Incertaingames,extracardsaredealtfacedownasa“widow,”whichmay

beclaimedlaterbyoneoftheplayers.Asimilartypeofhandisknownasthe“crib”inthegameofcribbage.Sometimestheextrasrepresent“deadcards”ora“deadhand”thatisoutofplay.Inafewinstances,anextrahandmaybedealt to an imaginaryplayer, or “dummy.” In cassino extra cards aredealtfaceupasa“layout”inthecenterofthetable.Allthesefactorsarediscussedundergameheadings.Indealing,anyviolationofanacceptedpatternconstitutesamisdeal.Itis

also a misdeal if the face of a card is exposed during the deal, except ingames where certain cards are dealt face up, as with the central layout incassino,or inblackjackandstudpoker.However, if thedealer cancorrectthat by dealing another card face down, hemay do so if the other playersagree.Itisamisdealtogivetoofewortoomanycardstoaplayer,ortodealthewrongnumberofhands.Here,too,correctionsareallowable;andifthemistakeisignored,thedealstands.Whenamisdealisconfirmed,thecardsaregathered,shuffled,anddealt

again, usually by the same dealer, except in cases where dealing gives aplayeradefiniteadvantage,inwhichcasetheothersmayinsistthatitmovealong to thenextplayer. In socialplay, thispresents fewproblems, if any;butplayerswho take their card games seriously shoulddecidebeforehandhowmisdealsshouldbehandled.Ifthepackitselfisfoundtobeincomplete,the deal should be immediately nullified, regardless of how far play hasprogressed.

BasicFactsonGamesandPlayers

Incertainpopulargamesinvolvingthreeormoreplayers,aswhist,bridge,pinochle,andhearts,theentirepackisdealtineveryhand.Inamultitudeofothers,includingpoker,cribbage,euchre,andpitch,onlyalimitednumberof cards are dealt; hence these are known as “short” games. Most gamesinvolvingonlytwoplayersfallintothe“short”category,becauseiftheentirepackweredividedbetween them,eachwouldknowexactlywhat theotherheld.However,somegamesbeginwitha“short”deal,andduringtheplaymore

cardsaredealtordrawnfromthepack,sothatoneplayerisnotawareofhisopponent’s exact holdings until near the end of the hand. This applies totwo-handedformsofcassino,pinochle,andrummy.Butshortgamesarenotlimited to two players; many may include three, four, five, or even moreparticipants.Gamesinwhichthreeormoreplayersoperatestrictlyontheirown are known as “round games,” but here, circumstances frequentlyintroducethenewelementofpartnershipplay.Forexample:When playing for score, whereby a player gaining a specified total

becomes the winner (as 500 in the game of five hundred), a player in athree-handed game will naturally favor an opponent with a lower scoreratherthanonewhosescoreishigher.Sokeencanthecompetitionbecomethat thesearecommonly termed“cutthroat”games.Inother three-handedgames,whereoneplayer,asabidder,standstowinorloseabigamountinasinglehand,hisopponentsopenlyteamagainsthim,sharingwhatevertheymake.Hencetheybecomeactualpartnersforthatdealonly.In full-fledgedpartnershipgames, fourplayersareusually involvedand

maintain their partnership throughout.TermingplayersA,B,C, andD inrotation, those seated opposite are usually partners, so that Team A–CwouldopposeTeamB–D.Inbridge,theplayersaredesignatedSouth,West,North,East,withNorthandSouthformingonesideorpartnership,EastandWesttheother.Insuchgames,eachteamscoresasaunit,soitbecomestheequivalentofatwo-playergame,withopposingsidesinsteadofindividuals.Occasionally,sixplayersmayparticipate inapartnershipgame.Terming

theplayersA,B,C,D,E,F, twoplansareavailable.Alternateplayersmayformtwoteamsofthreeeach,A–C–EversusB–D–F,playingaccordingly;orthoseseatedopposite,A–D,B–E,C–Fmayformthreeteamsoftwoeach,

sothatitbecomespracticallyathree-playergame,intermsofsidesorteams.(Note: This is specially applicable to five hundred,which even has a five-handed version involving temporary partnerships, as described under thathead.)

Tricks,Counters,andTrumps

Byfarthelargestcategoryofcardgamesisthoseinwhicheachplayer,inturn,takesacardfromhishandandlaysitfaceupinthecenterofthetable.Thecardofhighestvaluewinsalltherest,andthefortunateplayergathersthem, turns themfacedowninfrontofhim,and iscreditedwitha“trick.”Usuallythatgiveshimtheprivilegeofleadingtothenexttrick,bybeingthefirsttoplaceacardfaceupwhiletheotherplayersfollowinorder,asbefore.Ingameslikebridge,whist,euchre,andmanyothers,thewholeaimisto

taketricks,astheygotowardthescoreoftheplayerorteam.Ingameslikepinochle,takingtricksisimportantonlywhentheycontain“counters”intheformofcards thatalonecount towardtheplayer’sscore(asaces, tens,andkings). Inpitch and its offshoots, there are premiumcards that players goafter;whilethegameofheartsissonamedbecausecardsofthatsuitcountagainstaplayerwhotakestheminhistricks.These factors are covered in detail under the headings of the various

games, but there is another vital feature that characterizes practically alltrick-taking games, with the notable exception of hearts. That is theinclusion of a “trump suit,” which takes precedence over the three othersuits during play. The name was derived from the old and now obsoleteFrench game of triomphe,which later became anglicized as “trumps,” butalthough the pattern has persisted, the modern derivations have strikingpoints of individuality, which explains why each has its own coterie ofenthusiasticfollowers.

GeneralProcedureinTrumpGames

Among modern card games, whist dates back to the triomphe era, andthereforehasthesimplestofruleswhereatrumpisconcerned.Sincebridge,themostpopulargametoday,followspracticallythesamerules,theymakethebestintroductiontothetrumpgames.Priortoplay,onesuit—say,spades—isnamedastrump;inwhist,thisisdonebyturningupthefinalcardofthedealer’shand.Playthenproceedsthus:The player to the dealer’s left leads any card to the first trick; and the

othersmustplaycardsofthesamesuitiftheycan.Thisiscalled“followingsuit”andifallplayerscomply,theonewhoplayedthehighestcardwinsthetrick. If a player is unable to follow suit, he may play a card from anynontrumpsuit—thesearecalled“plain”or“ordinary”suits—andacardthusdiscardedor“thrownoff”hasnotakingpower,hence itsimplygoestothewinnerofthetrick.Thatruleapplieswhenanysuit—includingtrumps—isled.However,ifan

ordinary suit is led, and a player is out of it, he has an added privilege.Insteadofdiscardingfromaplainsuit,hemayplayacardofthetrumpsuit,whichiscalled“trumpingthetrick,”therebywinningit,sinceanytrumpishigher than a card of a plain suit; unless another player “overtrumps” byplayingahighertrumpcard;inwhichcase,henaturallywinsthetrick.A fewsimpleexampleswill clarifyall this.Assuming that spadesare the

trumpsuit,withplayersA,B,C,D:Example1:Aleads Q;Bplays 7;Cdiscards 3;Dplays K.PlayerD

winswith K.Example2:D leads A;Aplays J;Bplays 10;C trumpswith 2.C

winswith 2.Example 3: C leads with 8; D trumps with J; A discards 10; B

overtrumpswith Kandwins.Inbridge,playersbidfortheprivilegeofnamingtrumps;and“no-trump”

is allowable, which simplymeans that there will be no-trump suit duringthathand;otherwise,theplayisthesame,withcardsineachsuitrankinginthecustomaryorder:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6;5,4,3,2.Ineuchre,thehighesttrumpisthejack,hencewithspadesastrumps,the

J,astopcard,istermedthe“rightbower.”Nextinvalueistheotherjackofthesamecolor, inthiscasethe J,knownasthe“leftbower,”followedby

theremainingcardsofthetrumpsuit,fromacedown.Playfollowsthesamerules as inwhist. In five hundred, there are bowers, as in euchre; but thejokerisalsousedandranksasthehighestcard,or“bestbower,”nomatterwhatsuitistrumps.In pitch,whatever card the bidder leads to the first trick represents the

trumpsuit.Playersmust followsuitwhena trumpis led;butwhenaplainsuitisled,hemaytrumpitinsteadoffollowingsuit.Ifoutofthesuit,hemayeitherdiscardortrump.Inskat,thefourjacksarethehighesttrumps,intheorder , , , ,regardlessofwhatsuitisnamedastrumps.Inpinochle,withitsduplicatedvalues,A,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9,

the first of two identical cardsplayedon a trick takesprecedenceover thenext.Playersmustfollowsuitwhenable,butwhenoutofsuit,aplayermusttrump the trick if he can.Whenever a trump is led, a playermust play ahighertrumpifhehasone.Othergameshavespecialrulesregardingtrumpsandtrumping,whichshouldbecarefullycheckedbytheparticipants,astheyhaveimportantbearingontheplayofthehand.

IrregularitiesandPenalties

Alongwithmisdeals,whichhavealreadybeendiscussed, thereareotherirregularitiesthatcanmarthesmoothprogressofacardgame.Insocialplay,thesearegenerallycondoned,unlesstheygiveaplayerorateamanunfairadvantage, which naturally should be offset. In betting or bidding, eachplayershouldawaithisturn;otherwise,hisopponentsmaydecidewhetheritshouldbenullifiedorforcedtostand.Inbidding,thisappliesstrictlytoteamplay,asanirregularbidmaytipofffactstotheplayer’spartner;butinroundgames,suchbidscanbeignored.Similarly,ifaplayershowsacardthatwouldbehelpfultohispartner,it

must be placed face up on the table and the opponents can call upon itsownertoplayitatthefirstopportunity.Inthecaseoftwoormoreexposedcards, the opponentsmay choose between themwhen all are playable. Inbridge, these are termed “penalty cards,” and the rule is often rigidlyenforced; but only against the defending team, as the high bidder, ordeclarer, plays a lone hand and therefore can gain nothing by showing acard.Hence the same should apply in any gamewhere a similar situationarises.In trump games, failure to follow suitmay cause complications. This is

termed a “revoke,” and the offender can correct it before the next trick isplayed by taking back thewrong card and replacing itwith a proper card.Thewrongcard is then treatedasanexposedor“penalty”card.Theotherplayersmaytakebackanycardsplayedfollowingtherevoke,asitmayhavehadabearingontheirplay.Inbridge,whenarevokehasbeenestablished,there is a penalty of two tricks, which are transferred from the offender’steam to the opponents, provided those tricks were taken following therevoke. If the offending team tookonly one such trick, it is transferred; ifnone,thereisnotransfer.Inmosttrumpgames,ifthebiddingplayerorteamrevokes,thepenaltyis

the loss of the bid or the full score that the hand might have brought.Conversely,ifadefendingplayerorteamrevokes,thebidderscoresthefullamountthathemighthavemadeifhehadplayedthehandsuccessfully.Ingameswhere there is no bidding, the offender is generally chargedwith afullloss;forexample,inhearts,whereeverycardofthatsuitcountsagainsttheplayerwhotakesit,aplayerwhorevokeswouldbesaddledwithallsuch

points,justasthoughhehadactuallytakenthetrickscontainingthem.Insocialplay,anestablishedrevokemaybedisregarded if ithasnoreal

bearingontheoutcome.Thissometimeshappenswhenaplayeristhrowingworthless cards on tricks toward the end of a deal. Similarly, if a revokeoccursduring the last few tricks,whenplay isalmostautomatic, it isofteneasy to reconstruct those tricksas they shouldhavebeenplayedandscorethem accordingly. This is generally the preferable procedure, as friendlycardplayersseldomcaretowinhandsbydefault.However, an early revoke sometimes goes undetected until the play is

practicallycompleted,thusmakingitimpossibletogobacktrickbytricktolearnwhatmighthavehappened, as someof those tricksmighthavebeenplayeddifferentlyexceptfortherevoke.Inthatcase,thepenaltyistheonlyanswer.Arevokeisnotlimitedjusttofailuretofollowsuit.Ingameswhereaplayerisforcedtotrumpwhenoutofsuit,orto“head”atrickbyplayingahighercardthantheoneled,infractionofsuchrulesisalsoarevoke.The term “renege” is similar to “revoke” but was formerly applied in

games like spoil five,where specifichigh trumpsdonothave tobeplayedwhenalowertrumpisled.Aplayerwassaidtorenegewhenheexertedthatprivilege,soarenege,thoughactuallyarevoke,waslegitimate.Butthetermsoon was used in connection with more popular games that had no suchprivilege, and renege became synonymous with revoke. The term“renounce”has alsobeengiven the sameconnotation, thoughoriginally itmeant“todisclaimhavingacardofthesuitledbyplayingacardofanothersuit.”That isquite legitimate, if theplayer actuallyhasno cardof the suitled.Other irregularities aremostly of aminor nature, or the sort that rarely

occur.When theydo, they canusually bedecidedby good judgment; andtheaveragecircleof friendlycardplayerscanoftenagreebeforehandas tothepenalties tobe invokedwhensuchrulesare infracted. Indeed, therealdecision makers in the great majority of card games are the local groupswhose time-tested modes of play spread so rapidly and widely that theybecomeinnovationselsewhere.Inastrictsense,therearenoabsoluterulesforcardgames;iftherewere,

very few new games would be developed, yet the number of variants andoffshoots is legionandshowsacontinued increase.Often,somenewtrendtakessuchstrongorrapidholdthatsomeofthemosttime-honoredcustomsbecome obsolete. Hence the rules listed in the games that follow may be

regarded chiefly as accepted procedures that players are free tomodify oramendastheyseefit,evenifitmeanscoininganidentifyingnameforwhatis practically a new game.That has beenhappening constantlywith pokerand canasta, which accounts for the ever-increasing popularity of thosegames.Hence, being rule makers in their own right, social players should not

hesitatetosettleirregularitiesandotherminorproblemsastheydeembest.Byconcentratingonthemoreimportantfeaturesofagame,theywillqualifyfor more serious circles, where players are already familiar with specialproceduresandconventions.Thusthenewcomerscanacquaint themselveswiththefinerorexactingpoints thatcanproperlybe learnedonly throughactualexperience.Whenagamebecomessoestablished that it iswidelyplayed inclubsor

tournaments,specialrulesareadoptedforsuchpurposesandaresometimescodified under the more definitive title of “laws.” Inveterate card playersfrequentlyrefertotheseastheirguidesforregularplay.

ACCORDION:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

ACEPOTS:InDrawPoker,agamewithapairofacesorbetterasanopeningrequirement.Seethispage.

ACESUP:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

AIRPLANE:AformofPartnershipPinochle(describedunderthathead,thispage), in which four cards are exchanged by partners winning the bid.AlsotermedRacehorse.

ALLFIVES:A two-player variant ofAllFours (seebelow), inwhich extrapoints are scored during play by the player taking the following trumpcards:ace,4;king,3;queen,2;jack,1;ten,10;five,5.Theusualscoresof1 each for high, low, jack, and game are added at the conclusion of thehand, but in the usual “count” for “game” involving honor cards of allsuits(A,4;K,3;Q,2;J,1;10,10)thefiveoftrumpsisvaluedas5.TheAllFivesmethod of scoring is also adapted to various forms ofPitch,mostnotably California Jack and Shasta Sam, in which the entire pack isplayedoutduringeachhand.Forconvenience,suchscoresmaybepeggedonacribbageboard,with61pointsthewinningtotal.

ALL FOURS: Known variously as Seven Up, Old Sledge, and High-LowJack, this is preferably a two-player game, so will first be described assuch. With more players, a modern version, Pitch, is more popular. Afifty-two-cardpackisused,witheachsuitrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2indescendingorder,withatrumpsuittakingprecedence.Theterm“allfours,”originallyusedinEngland,refersdirectlytotheprincipalpoints that can be scored: high, for holding the highest trump; low, forholdingthelowesttrump;jack,forturninguportakingthejackoftrump;andgame,fortaking,duringplay,thegreatesttotalincertaincards,whichcountasfollows:Anace,4;king,3;queen,2;jack,1;ten,10.Sixcardsaredealttoeachplayer,andthenextisturnedupasatrump.

If a jack, the dealer scores 1 point. The opponent, after examining hishand,decideswhetherornothewantsthatsuitfortrump.Ifhedoes,hestates,“Istand,”andplaybegins.Ifnot,hesays,“Ibeg,”andputsthenextstepup to thedealer,whoalsohas twochoices: toaccept the turned-up

trumpbytellingtheopponent,“Igiveyouone”—thisbeingaspecialpointfortheopponent—ortostate,“Irefusethegift.”Inthatcase,he lays the turned-upcardasideanddeals threecards to

his opponent and threemore to himself, turning up the next card as atrump. If it is thesuitalreadyrejected,he turns itdownanddeals threemorecardstohisopponentandthreemoretohimselfuntilanewsuitisturnedupandisdefinitelyestablished,withthedealerscoring1pointifitisajack.Ifnonewsuitturnsup,thecardsaregatheredandshuffled,andthedealerdeals again.Suchdeals are called “running the cards,” and ifthey prove futile, the cards are “bunched” for the new deal. Indeed, ifneithertheopponentnorthedealerlikesanewtrumpthatturnsup,theycan agree to “bunch” the cards and start all over. Generally, however,either the original trump or the next is accepted; and play proceeds asfollows:The opponent leads any card he wants. If a trump, the dealer must

follow suit if he can; otherwise, he must play from another suit. If anordinarysuitisledbytheopponent,thedealercanfollowsuitortrump,ashe prefers; if he can do neither, he may discard from a side suit. Thehighercardofthesuitledwinsthetrickunlesstrumped,thentrumpwins.Thewinnerofthetrickleadstothenext,andsoon.Afteranypreliminaryscoring, points are scored in the order high, low, jack (if it appears inplay),andgame(unlessthecountistied).Thedealmoveson,andthefirstplayertoscore7pointswins,though11or12aresometimesagreedupon.Withthreeorfourplayers,onlythefirstcan“beg.”Withthree,eachis

onhisown,andiftwotiefor“game,”thatpointisnotcounted.Withfour,thoseoppositearepartnersandpoolwhatevertrickstheytake.Otherrulesfollow those ofmodernPitch, this page. SeeAllFives, this page, for anoldervariant.

ALSOS:AgamecloselyresemblingKlaberjassorKlob,thispage.

AMBIGU: A French forerunner of Poker, with two to six players using aforty-card pack (each K, Q, J eliminated), with cards ranking indescending order, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A. Each player antes a setnumberofchipsandisdealt twocardsfacedown.Hemaykeepthemorreject either or both, drawing the needed replacement. Twomore cardsare thendealt to eachplayer,making four in all.Each in turnpassesor

betswithinasetlimit,withsuccessiveplayerscalling,raising,ordroppingasinpoker.If no one calls the last raiser, he wins the pool or pot and shows his

handfaceup.Ifanyonecalls,sothattwoormoreplayershaveequalizedtheir bets, eachhas theprivilege of anotherdraw, replacingone to fourcards, unless he prefers to stand pat. Hands are then shown and thehighest takes thepool. Inaddition,hereceivesabonus fromeach loser,accordingtothevalueofhishand,asfollows:

Point:Totalnumberofspotsontwocardsofonesuit.Ifatie,twocardsinsequencewin(example: 6, 5winsover 9, 2).Bonus:1token.Prime:Fourcardsofdifferentsuits.Bonus:2tokens.Grandprime:Same,withmorethanthirtyspots.Bonus:3tokens.Sequence:Threecardsofonesuitinnumericalorder.Higherwins(as6,5,4over 4,3,2).Bonus:3tokens.Tricon:Threeofthesamevalue(as8,8,8).Bonus:4tokens.Flush:Fourofthesamesuit(as 9,7,5,2).Bonus:5tokens.Doublet: These are double combinations, each a prime or better, andarerankedaccordingly,as:Primeandtricon( 6, 6, 6, 2).Bonus:2 4 6tokens.Withgrandprime( 9, 9, 9, 5).Bonus:3 4 7tokens.Sequenceandflush( 9,8,7,3).Bonus:3 5 8tokens.Fredon:Fourofakind( 4, 4, 4, 4).Bonus:2 8 10tokens.Withgrandprime( 10, 10, 10, 3).Bonus:2 9 11tokens.

Therecanbenotiesinambigubecausewhenidenticalhandsoccur(as9, 7, 5, Avs. 9, 7, 5, A)theplayernearesttothedealer’s

rightbecomesthewinner.Thatisbecauseinambigu,as inotherFrenchgames,handsaredealtcounterclockwise,totherightinsteadofleft.

AMERICANBRAG:SeeBrag,thispage.

AMERICAN PINOCHLE: Another name for modern forty-eight-cardPinochle,thispage.

AMERICANSKAT:Amodernized formof the oldGerman game. See thispage.

AMERICANWHIST:Whistwith 7 points for game,nootherpoints beingscored.Seethispage.

ANACONDA:Poker,aformofDealer’sChoice,thispage.

ANIMALS:SeeMenagerie,thispage.

ANYCARDWILD:Poker,thispage.

ANYSUITWILD:Poker,thispage.

ANYTHINGOPENS:Poker,thispage.

ANYVALUEWILD:Poker,thispage.

ARLINGTON:AnadvancedformofRummy,alsoknownasOklahoma,butthetermArlingtonispreferable,asitavoidsconfusionbetweenthisgameandOklahomaGin.Itisplayedwithadoublepackof104cards,or105ifajokerisincluded.Thecardsrank:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,theacebeingeitherhighorlow,whileadeucerankseitherasitself(2)orasawild card, representing any card in the pack. The joker, when used, iswild.Thegameisplayedbytwo,three,four,orfivepersons,eachbeingdealt

thirteen cards, with the next turned up beside the pack as starter for adiscardpile.Eachplayerinturnhastheoptionoftakingtheupcardintohishandanddiscardinganotherinitsstead;butafterithasbeentakenupbyoneorrefusedbyall,thenextplayermaydrawfromthetopofthepackif he prefers. Play continues thus, but from then on, anyone taking theupcardmustpickuptheentirediscardpilewithit.Beforediscarding,aplayermaymeldsetsofthreeorfourcardsofthe

same value (as J–J–J or 9–9–9–9) regardless of suit; or sequences ofthreeormore cardsof the same suit,which, thanks to thedoublepack,canbeextendedtofourteencards,withanaceateachend.Oddcardscanbelaidoffonaplayer’sownmelds;notonmeldsofothers.Ifadeuceismeldedasawildcard,itsvaluemustbestated,aswith 2, 2, 9,which

couldrepresent9–9–9or J109.Oncespecified,thedeuce’svaluemuststand, and the same applies to a wild joker. However, the joker can bereclaimed by a player whomelded it by replacing it with a card that itrepresents,which then leaveshimfree touse the joker inanothermeld.The player can take the upcard for that purpose, also picking up thediscardpilewithit,asusual.Inallothercases,aplayertakingthediscardpilemustusetheupcardinameldorlayoff.The QplaysaspecialpartinArlington,inthatitcannotbediscarded

unlessitistheonlycardleftintheplayer’shand.Hecan,however,meldthe Qorlayitoffononeofhispreviousmelds.Playendswhenaplayer“goesrummy”bydisposingofallhiscardsbymeldingthem,eitherwithorwithouttheneedofdiscardinghisfinalcard.Meldsarethenreckonedthus:

Joker 100points Anyeightorabove 10points

Spadequeen 50 Anysevenorbelow 5

Eachace 20 Bonusforgoingout 100

Eachdeuceisvaluedaccordingtothecarditrepresents.Fromthetotalofhismeld,eachplayerthendeductsforeachunmelded

card remaining inhishand,but the joker and Q countdouble againsthim(200and100respectively)andeachdeucecounts20pointsagainsthim. If play ends with no one going rummy, there is no bonus score.Scoresofeachdealareadded,andthefirstplayertogoover1000withahigher total than anyother gets a bonus of 200points. If two tie above1000,theysplitthebonus.Ifaplayergoesoutinonemeld,keepinghishandconcealeduntilthen,

hegainsaspecial250bonus,whichdoesnotcount inhisrunningscorebutisaddedtohistotalafterthegame.Thisruleappliestoeachdeal.

ARMYANDNAVYPINOCHLE:ApopularnameforDoublePackPinochle,described in thesectiononPinochle.SeeArmyandNavyPinochle, thispage.

AROUNDTHEWORLD:Poker.Seethispage.

ASorASNAS:APersianprogenitorofPoker.

AUCTIONBIDWHIST:A formofBidWhist,describedunderWhist.Seethispage.

AUCTION BRIDGE: The predecessor of Contract Bridge, this page, thisgame is played by the same rules butwith a different scoring schedule,whichruns:

A teammaking its bid scores for all tricks it takes. These are entered“below the line,” which runs across the score sheet, and count towardgame,which is30points.Anewgame is thenstarted,andwhena teamwinstwo,itwinstherubberandscores250bonuspoints,whichgo“abovetheline,”asdothefollowing:

Winningcontractwhendoubled 50 Whenredoubled 100

Eachextratrickwhendoubled 50 Whenredoubled 100

Foreachtrickundercontract,theopposingteamscores 50

Ifdoubled 100 Ifredoubled 200

Smallslam(taking12tricks) 50 Grandslam(13) 100

Ateamalsoscoresabonusforholdingamajorityofhonors—AKQJ10oftrumporAAAAinno-trump—abovetheline:

For3honors(trumporno-trump) 30For4honorsdividedbypartners 40For5trumphonors,divided 50

For4trumphonorsinonehand 80Samewithfifthinpartner’s 90

Allhonorsinonehand 100

At theconclusionofa rubber,each team’spointsareadded (bothaboveandbelow the line)and the lower score is subtracted fromthehigher todeterminethelatter’smarginofvictory.Inauction,biddingismuchlessexacting than in contract, as strong hands often win bids at low levels.HenceAteamalsoscoresaisstillagoodgameforbeginners.

AUCTIONCINCH:AlsocalledRazzleDazzle.Seethispage.

AUCTION EUCHRE: An elaboration ofEuchre, described in that section.Seethispage.

AUCTIONFORTY-FIVE:SeeForty-five,thispage.

AUCTIONHEARTS:AgamesimilartoHearts,inwhichtheplayersbidfortheprivilegeofnamingthesuitwhosecardsaretobeavoidedduringplay.SeeHearts,thispage.

AUCTIONHIGHFIVE:AnothernameforAuctionCinch.Seethispage.

AUCTION PINOCHLE: A three-handed form of Pinochle with a widow,longthemostpopularformofthegame.Seethispage.

AUCTIONPITCH:CommonlytermedPitch,asitisthemostpopularformofthat game, which in turn is derived fromAll Fours orHigh-Low Jack.KnownalsoasSetback,AuctionPitchisdescribedinthesectiononPitch,thispage.

AUCTIONSHEEPSHEAD:Seethispage.

AUCTIONSIXTY-SIX:Seethispage.

AULDLANGSYNE:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

AUSTRALIANPOKER:AnothertermforEnglishPokerandBlindOpening.SeelatterunderPoker,thispage.

AUTHORS: A card-matching game in which the fifty-two cards of astandard pack are dealt singly to any number of players from three toseven,inclockwisefashion.Playerondealer’sleftnotesacardinhishand(saythe 5)andasksanotherplayerforaspecificcardofthatsamevalue,asthe 5.Thuswithfiveplayers,Alf,Bob,Cal,Don,andEd,assumethatAlfputtherequesttoDon.IfDonhasthe 5,hemustgiveittoAlf,whothencanaskforanothercard(providedhehasoneofitsvalue)fromanyplayer.ButassoonasAlfmisses,thecallingprivilegemovesalongtoBobonthesamebasis,andcontinuesthusaroundtheboard.Uponcompletinganysetofcards(asallfourjacks)aplayerlaysitfaceupinfrontofhimasa book, and calls for another card tomatch any that he holds.When aplayerrunsoutofcards,thecallmovesalonguntilallcardsaregone.Theplayerwiththemostbookswinsunlessaspecificnumberofdeals

has been agreed upon; or a grand total of books has been set (say ten,twelve,ormore)toconstitutethegame.Inanycase,eachnewdealmovesto the left. The title “authors” comes from a proprietary game inwhicheach set of specially printed cards is representedby fourworks of somefamousauthor.

AUTOMATICLOWBALL:AformofDrawPoker,thispage.

AUXILIARYSEQUENCES:AnearlyformofStorehouse.Seethispage.

BACCARA or BACCARAT: Chiefly a gambling casino game played withthreepacksofcards,valuesrunningfromace,as1,upto9,withtensandfacecardsrating0.Thebankersetsabettinglimit,andtwoplayersstakewagersagainsthimindividually.Thebankerdealscardsalternatelytotheplayeronhisright,thenonhisleft,finallytohimself,twicearound,eachgettingtwo,facedown.Thesearenotedandifanyonehasatotalof8or9,heturnsuphiscardsasa“natural.”Example:2 6 8,or8 J 8.4 5 9,or9 Q 9.If thetotalcomestomorethan9, thefirst figureisdropped;thus9 9 18wouldbeanatural8.Thebankerpaysofforcollectsfromeachplayerseparately;andinthe

caseoftwonaturals,9winsover8,whilewithatie,betsareoff.Ifnoonehas a natural, cards remain face down, and each person can “stand” onthosehehasorcallforonemorecard,whichisdealtfaceup,hispurposebeingtocomeclosestto9andthusbecomethewinner.Example:PlayerAstandswith5 2 7.PlayerB,holding3 J,drawsa6,making3 0 6 9.Dealer, holding 8 4, draws a 6, making 8 4 6 18 8. Dealer collectsfromAandpaysoffB.Otherplayersmayparticipate,bettingalongwithAorB,astheyprefer.

Ortheymayplacebetsonamiddleline,winningifbothplayerswinandlosingifbothlose.Thesebets,termedàcheval,arecalledoffifoneplayerwinsandtheotherloses.Beforethedeal,aplayermayannounce“Banco,”thereby betting the full amount of the bank and playing both hands forhimself,withnootherplayersallowed.

BANGO:Acardgameresembling“bingo,”utilizingafifty-two-cardpack,orpreferably a double pack (104 cards) when up to a dozen playersparticipate.Eachcontributesaspecifiednumberofchipstoapoolorpotand is thendealt fivecards ina face-uprow.Cardsare turnedupsinglyfromthepack,andwheneveraplayercanmatchoneinvalue(asninefornine),heturnsdownhiscorrespondingcardorcards.Thefirstplayertoturndownhisentirerowcalls,“Bango”andwinsthepot.Withatie,thepoolissplit;ifnoonewins,itiscarriedintothenextpool.

Note:Insteadofturningdowncards,markers(suchasoddchips)canbeplaceduponthem.

BANKERAND BROKER: Also known asBlind Hookey, Dutch Bank, andHonestJohn.

Thepack:Thestandard fifty-twocardsrunning indescendingvalues,A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Suitsplaynopart.

Numberofplayers:Uptoadozen.DealandPlay:Thedealer,as“banker,”cutsthepackintofour,five,or

sixpiles.Playersplacetokensalongsidewhateverpilestheywant,leavingonevacantforthebanker,whoturnsthepilesfaceup,beginningwithhisown,showingthebottomcards.Foreverycardofhighervalue,thebankerpaysoffchipforchip.Hecollectsfromallthathiscardmatchesorexceedsinvalue.Byrotatingthedealaftereachhand,thebanker’sadvantagecanbespreadequallyamongtheplayers.

BANKNIGHT:Seethispage.

BARNYARD: A variant ofMenagerie, using names of fowls and domesticanimals.Seethispage.

BASEBALL:Aformofwild-cardPoker.Seethispage.

BASSET:AnearlyformofFaro,popular inVenice in1700.SeeFaro, thispage.

BATTLE ROYAL: Three-handed Gin Rummy (this page) allowing eachplayer to take up either of the two previous discards. When a playerknocks,theothers,inturn,layoffonhishand.

BEAST:AnowobsoleteforerunnerofLooandNap.

BEATYOURNEIGHBOR:AformofStudPoker.Seethispage.

BEDSPRINGS:AmodernvariantofPoker,thispage.

BEERPLAY:AnothernameforBierspiel.SeeRams,thispage.

BEGGARMYNEIGHBOR:Anautomaticbutexcitingtwo-playergamewitheach holding half a fifty-two-card pack in a face-down pile. They dealcardsalternatelyfromthetopoftheirrespectivepilesintoacenterheap,faceup,aslongasonlyspotcardsappear.Butwhenoneturnsupapicturecard (or ace), it calls for his opponent to deal cards as follows: jack, 1;queen,2;king,3;ace,4.Ifallarespots,theoriginalplayerwinsthecenter

heap,gathering it as it stands andplacing it facedownbeneathhispile.But if theopponent turnsupapicturecard (orace), it takesprecedenceandtheoriginalplayermustmeetthenewdemandonthesameterms;andsoon.(Example:Adealsaqueen,callingfortwocards.Bdealsaspot,thenan

ace,callingforfour.Adealsspot,spot,jack,callingforone.BdealsaspotandAwinsthecenterheap.)Thewinnerstarts theplayanew,and itcontinuesuntiloneplayerhas

“beggared”hisopponentby takingallhiscards, thuswinning thegame.Asmanyassixplayerscanparticipate,allbeinggivennearlyequalpiles;orstillmore,ifadoublepackof104cardsisused.Alldealinrotationtothecenterpile,andwhenonerunsoutofcards,hedropsfromthegameand thenextplayercontinueswherehe leftoff.Thiseventuallynarrowsthegametotwoplayers,asinitssimpleform.

BELEAGUEREDCASTLE:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

BELOTTE:AFrenchgamesimilartoKlaberjass,describedunderthathead.Seethispage.

BEST FLUSH: A form of Poker in which only flushes or partial flushescount.Seethispage.

BETORDROP:DrawPoker,withtherulethataplayermustbetorpassupthehand.Seethispageandthispage.

BETROTHAL:AformofSolitaire,thispage.

BETTYHUTTON:AformofPoker,thispage.

BEZIQUE:ThisforerunnerofPinochlerequiresasixty-four-cardpackwithtwoofeachvalueineachsuit,rankingA,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9,8,8,7,7,witheachsevenoftrumpservingasadix,withavalueof10points.Intheoriginaltwo-handedgame,theplayandmeldsareasfollows:Onlyeightcardsaredealttoeachplayer(usuallythree,three,two)with

thenextturnedupbeneaththepacktorepresenttrump.Inplay,theleadsanddrawsarethesameasintwo-handedpinochle,withnoneedtofollowsuitortrumpuntilthelasteighttricks.However,inbezique,onlyacesand

tens—calledbrisques—arecounters,at10pointseach,with10forthelasttrick,making170pointstakeninplay.Inmelds,thereisamarkeddifferencefrompinochle,namely:

Witheachplayerstartingwithahandofeightcards,theopponentleadsanycardandthedealerplayswhateverhewants.Thehighestcardofthesuitledtakesthetrickunlessaplainsuit leadistrumped.Thewinnerofeachtrickmaylayhismeldsfaceupinfrontofhim,butcanscoreonlyforone.Othersmustwaituntilhewinslatertricks.Forexample,aplayerlaysdown:

KQ J J J J

Hedeclaresfourjacksfor40pointsandisfreetoplayanyjackexceptthe J,whichheretainsinordertomeldabezique( J Q)afterwinninganother trick. After winning a third trick, he can declare the spademarriage( KQ)forafurtherscore.Thewinnerofeachtrickaddsthetopcardofthepacktohishandand

the loser takes the next. The winner leads either from his hand or hismeld,andtheloserplaysaccordingly.Whenallthepackhasbeendrawn,aplayermust follow suit and take the trick if possible; if out of suit, hemusttakethetrickwithatrumpifhehasone;otherwise,heplaysfromanoddsuit.Atthefinish,brisquesandlasttrickarecountedat10pointseachandaddedtoeachplayer’sindividualmelds.As in pinochle, a player canmeld a royalmarriage for 40 points and

later add theA, 10, J for a trump sequence at 250. But once ameld ismade, none of its cardsmay be used toward anothermeld in the sameclass. Thus, after melding four aces for 100, the remaining four aceswouldhavetobemeldedasagrouptoscore100;andsoon.Aplayermeldingabezique( Q, J)for40pointscanaddanothersuch

combinationtoscore500fordoublebezique( QQ, JJ),butifforcedtodeclarebothsimultaneously,hewouldnotscore40,butonlythe500for

doublebezique.Similarly,hemightlose40foraroyalmarriageifforcedtomelditaspartofasequence.Otherwise, the melding rules of bezique are more liberal than in

pinochle.Aplayerdoesnothavetoaddacardfromhishandinmakingafreshmeld,butmay,onoccasion,declareacombinationalreadyshowingonhisboard.Example:Aplayermelds J, J, J, Jfor40.Heretainsthe Jwhileplayingotherjacks.Later,hemelds Q, Q, Q, Qfor60.Hewinsatrickafewplayslaterandpointstothe J, Qcombinationstillontheboard,announcingitasa40-pointmeldforbezique.Eachhandinbeziquecanconstituteagame,butitispreferabletoseta

cumulativetotalforgame,suchas1000points;orbetter,1500,duetothefactthataplayerscoringadoublebezique(500)wouldhavetoogreatanadvantageina1000-pointgame.

Note: Since bezique is seldom played today, it has been described asthough itwereanoffshootof themorepopularpinochle, rather thanasthe parent game. Bezique itself has variants, the simplest being todisregardthedixasascoringfactorandtobegintheplaywithoutturningupatrump.Allsuitsareplainuntiloneplayermeldsamarriage,whichisdeclaredaroyal,therebymakingitssuittrump.Bezique is sometimes confused with sixty-four-card pinochle, which

utilizesthesixty-four-cardbeziquepackbutisplayedandscoredexactlylikepinochle,exceptthateachplayerisdealtsixteencardsandthesevenoftrumpservesasthedix,insteadofthenine.

RUBICON BEZIQUE: This introduces some radical and intriguing departuresfromtheoriginaltwo-handedgame.A128-cardpackisusedwithfourofeachkind,rankedA,10,K,Q,J,9,8,7asusual.Ninecardsaredealt toeachplayer,butnotrumpisturnedup,hencethereisnodix.Instead,thefirstmarriagedeclaredbyeitherplayerestablishesthetrumpsuit.Asapreliminary,ifeitherhandisentirelydevoidofcourtcards(K,Q,

J),theplayerdisplaysitfaceupandscores50pointsforacarteblanche.Ifhefailstodrawacourtcardafterthefirsttrick,hescoresanother;andthesame applies to successive tricks until a court card does appear, afterwhichtheplayercanmakenomoresuchdeclarations.Otherdeclarationsormeldsareasfollows:

Royalmarriage 40 Plainmarriage 20Trumpsequence Anysequence

Trumpsequence 250 Anysequence 150Bezique( Q, J) 40 Doublebezique 500Triplebezique 1500 Quadruple 4500Anyfourjacks 40 Anyfourqueens 60Anyfourkings 80 Anyfouraces 100

Playing anddrawingproceed as in the standard gameof bezique, butbrisques(eachAor10)donotcount,unlessthescoreistied,inwhichcasethebrisquesarecounted todetermine thewinner.Theplayer taking thelasttrickscores50points;butearlierinthegame,however,weencounterthe somewhat fantastic departure from the normal that gives rubiconbeziqueitsdecisiveindividuality:Afterplaying a card fromameld, theplayermay add another card to

formanewmeld,withanotherscore.Example:Fromameldof Q, Q,Q, Q,for60points,heplaysthe Qandwinsthetrick.Hepromptlylaysdowna Qforanother60pointsandplaysa Q,winningthattrickalso.Sohelaysdowna Qandcallsitanother60points.Evenmorewonderful,hecanmelda KQasamarriagefor20points;

thenanother KQfor20points;andfollowingthat,hecaninterchangethekingsandqueens,scoring20pointsforthefirst KandthesecondQ; then20points again for the second K and the first Q.However,once a king and queen have been declared and scored as part of asequence(A,10,K,Q,J),neithercanbeusedtowardanewmarriage.Withabezique,aplayercanmelda Jand Qfor40points,thenlater

playamemberofthepair(asthe J)andformanother40-pointbeziquebyaddinganother,identicalcard,inthiscase,a J,Thiscanberepeatedwitheithermemberofthepair.However,unlessnearlyallthecardshavebeendrawn from thepack,orneededcardshavealreadybeenplayed, aplayermelding J, Qwoulddobettertoholdanother Jonthechanceof drawing a Q, when he could add them to those already melded,formingadoublebezique( JJ, QQ),for500points.Similarly,hecouldgofortriplebezique(1500)andquadruplebezique

(4500)byaddingnewcombinationstothosestillontheboard,makingatotalof40 500 1500 4500 6540.Butsuchanopportunitywouldberareindeed.Somanycombinationsarepossibleinthisgamethataplayerusually must choose those that are most profitable or most expedient,ratherthantrytocashallhisholdingsorbankonpotentials.

Sincerubiconbezique isessentiallyahighscoringgame,carefulscoremustbekeptthroughoutthehand,whichisregardedasacompletegame.Indeclaringameld,aplayermayannounceafuturemeldbylayingdownthenecessarycards;buttheyserveonlyasareminder,asthefuturemeldcannotbescoreduntilhehastakenanothertrick.Example:Aplayercan laydownfourqueens, including Q,andwith

thema Jand K,declaring,“Sixtyforqueens,”thenadding,“Withfortytoscoreforbezique[ Q, J]andtwentytoscoreforamarriage[ KQ].”Thethreecardsthusinvolvedwouldhavetoremainontheboarduntiltheplayertakesanothertrick,thenthebeziquecouldbecountedandhecouldplay the J. But he would have to retain the K Q until after takinganothertrick,inordertocountthemarriage.A player should continue to announce such futures after each trick,

untilheactuallyscoresthem,justtokeeptherecordstraight;buthecanabandon any futures if need be. Players are also allowed to count theremaining cards in thepack, as thedrawnears the end, as after thatnomore melds can be declared. During the play of the last nine tricks, aplayermustfollowsuitandtakethetrickifhecan;ifoutofsuit,hemusttrumpifpossible.Scoring follows a special pattern in rubicon bezique. Each deal is

regardedasagameinitself,andtheplayerwiththehigherscorewinsthegame, but brisques are not usually counted. Scores are reckoned inhundreds, so if thedealer should total 1420and theopponent 1150, thefinal scoreswouldbe 1400and 1100,giving thedealer amarginof300points,towhichheadds500asabonusforwinningthegame,forafinalmarginof800points.Ifthedifferenceislessthan100points,thewinneriscreditedwith100plus500forgame,or600pointsinall.However, if a loser fails to reach the 1000 mark, he is said to be

“rubiconed”andthewinneraddstheloser’spointstohisscore,asthoughhehadtakenall thetricks,andiscreditedwith320forthebrisquesthatthey contain (sixteen aces and sixteen tens at 10 points each). Also, thewinnerisgivenadoublebonus,scoring1000forwinningthegame.Asanexample:Opponentscores 1120anddealer scores470.Opponentcountshis1100plusdealer’s400,with320forbrisquesand1000forgame:1100400 320 1000 2820,or2800,ascustomarilyreckoned.If a loser’s score is close to 1000, he is allowed to count his own

brisquestoavoidbeingrubiconed.Assumingthathismeldcomesto860,

and he finds that he has taken sixteen brisques for 160 points, his totalwould be 1020, giving him the needed 1000. That would be deductedfrom the winner’s score, which in this case would include the winner’sbrisques,sincetheloserwasallowedtocounthisown.Similarly,brisquesshouldbecheckedwhenscoresarecloseenoughfor

them to decide the issue.Example:Dealer scores 1160; opponent, 1070.Brisquesarecountedanddealerhasonlytenagainstopponent’stwenty-two. Final score: Dealer 1160 100 1260. Opponent 1070 220 1290.Opponentbecomesthewinner.

SIX-PACK BEZIQUE: This is themodernized form of rubicon bezique, playedwith threebeziquepacks of sixty-four cards each,making a total of 192cards.Thisistheequivalentofsixpiquetpacksofthirty-twocardseach—valuedA, 10, K, Q, J, 9, 8, 7—hence the term “six-pack bezique.” Theoriginal version was called “Chinese bezique” and was simply rubiconbezique with more cards, which made it somewhat unwieldy, but newfeatureswereaddedlater,bringingthegameuptoitspresentstandard.There are twoplayers, as in rubiconbezique, but each is dealt twelve

cards. This makes it more difficult to receive a hand devoid of kings,queens,andjacks;henceacarteblanche,assuchahandiscalled,scores250andcanberepeatedaslongastheplayercontinuestodrawcardsofother values. In addition to themelds listedunder rubiconbezique, thefollowingareincludedinthesix-handedgame:

Fourtrumpaces 1000Fourtrumptens 900Fourtrumpkings 800Fourtrumpqueens 600Fourtrumpjacks 400

Play proceeds exactly as in rubicon bezique, with the first marriagemeldedestablishing the trumpsuit, avery important feature,becauseofthebonuscountsjustlisted.Thereisnocountwhateverforanybrisques—acesandtens—thataretakenduringplay,buttheplayertakingthelasttrickscores250points inthisgame.Adix(sevenoftrump)hasnomeldvalue.Eachdeal isagame,as in rubiconbezique,but thewinnerscores1000 points in six-pack play. That is added to thewinner’s high score,

andtheloser’slowscoreisdeductedtodeterminethemarginofvictoryintermsofhundreds,justasinrubiconbezique.Also, the loser canbe rubiconed ifhe fails to score3000ormore. In

that case, thewinner adds the loser’s score tohis own to determine thewinning total. There is no bonus for brisques as in rubicon bezique,because,asalreadymentioned,theydonotfigureatall.An interesting preliminary may be introduced in six-pack bezique,

namely: Before dealing, the dealer tries to lift exactly twenty-four cardsfromthetopofthepack;whilehisopponent,watchingtheaction,triestoguesstheactualnumberlifted.Ifthedealerisright,hescores250points;iftheopponentisright,hescores150.Thisisnotrecommended,asithasnothingtodowiththeactualplayofthegame.Anotheroptionalruleisthatthesametrumpcannotbedeclaredintwo

successive deals; hence a marriage in the old trump, if melded first, isscoredasanordinarymarriage.Thisrule,too,isdubious,sinceeachdealconstitutesagameinitself,andthereforeitishardtoseewhyoneshouldhaveabearingonthenext.Insomecircles,ameldofthe Q Jisscoredasabeziqueonlywhen

spadesaretrump.Instead,the Q Jisusedwhendiamondsaretrump;the Q Jwhenclubsaretrump;andthe Q Jwhenheartsaretrump.Thismeansthatbeziquescannotbemeldedinanyformuntilatrumphasbeen declared, which at times can have a very marked effect upon theplay.Thisrule,too,isofquestionablevalue,asittendstocomplicatethegame;henceliketheotheroptions,itshouldbedecideduponbeforehand.

EIGHT-PACKBEZIQUE:Almostidenticalwiththesix-packgame,thisrequiresafourthbeziquepackofsixty-fourcards,orinothertermstwomorepiquetpacksof thirty-twocardseach.Inall, thismeansa totalof256cards,sothetwoplayersareeachdealtfifteencardseach.Allscoringisthesameasinsix-packbezique,butwiththeseadditionstotheschedule:

Quintuplepinochle 9000Fivetrumpaces 2000Fivetrumptens 1800Fivetrumpkings 1600Fivetrumpqueens 1200Fivetrumpjacks 800

Scoresaremuchgreaterduetomorecardsinthehandsaswellasinthepack,sotheloserisrubiconedunlesshescores5000pointsormore.Asin all forms of rubicon bezique, thewinner does not have to reach thatlevel,thewholeburdenbeingontheloser.Summarizing games of the rubicon type, the big feature is that of

“repeating”meldsordeclarationsbysimplyplayingonecardandaddinganothersuchcardtotheexistingmeld.Thiscanbedonewithanyformofmeld, including beziques; but in that case, particularly, good judgmentmustbeexercised.Aplayercanmelda Qand Jfor40points;thenplaythe Qandputasecond Qwiththe Jforanother40;thenplaythe Jandputasecond Jwiththe Qforstillanother40.Butallthosewouldbe“single”beziques,sohewoulddofarbettertoholdontohissecond Quntilheacquiresthesecond J,whenhecouldlaybothwiththe“single”beziqueontheboardanddeclarea“double”beziquefor500points.Thesameappliestotriple,quadruple,andquintuplebeziques.

BIDEUCHRE:AnameoriginallyappliedtothegameofFiveHundred.Seethispage.

BIDWHIST:Afast-movingformofWhistdependentonaspecialbiddingfeature.DescribedunderWhist,thispage.

BIERSPIEL:AvariationofRams,describedunderthathead.Seethispage.

BIGFORTY:AvariantofLucas.Seethispage.

BIMBO:Double-handedHigh-LowPoker.Seethispage.

BINOCHLE:A former term forPinochle, applicable to theold-stylegame;notthemoremodernversions.Seethispage.

BISLEY:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

BLACKJACK:AnamegiventhegameofHeartswhenthe Jiscountedasa13-pointpenaltycardinsteadofthe Q.SeeHearts,thispage.

BLACKJACK: This highly popular game is basically the same as Twenty-one,butthetermblackjackusuallyappliestothesociableorprivateform,with twenty-one referring to variations played at gambling casinos. In

sociable blackjack, a standard fifty-two-card pack is used with suitsdisregardedandeachcardvaluednumericallyonly:ace,1or11;facecards(K,Q,J),10each;othersaccordingtotheirspots,10downto2.One player acts as banker and deals a single card face down to each

player,includinghimself.Eachlooksathiscardandbetsuptoanagreedlimit.Thedealerdoesnotbetbutmaydoubletheamounts;ifhedoes,anyotherplayermayredoubleindividually,butifanyplayerisunwillingtogodouble, the dealer wins that player’s original stake. Each player is thendealtasecondcardfaceup,dealer included.Ifaplayerholdsanace(11)andafacecardoraten(10),it isa“natural”21andhecollectstwicetheamountofhisbetfromthedealer,unlessthedealeralsohasanatural.Inthat case, thedealer collects the amountbet by that player, or twice theamountbetfromanyplayerwhodoesnothaveanatural.Ifthedealerhasnonatural,hepaysoffanyplayerswhodohave,then,

beginningwith the remainingplayers at his left, he deals cards faceup,onebyone,asthatplayercallsforthem.Theplayer’saimistohitatotalasclose to 21 as possible without going over, so he declares that he will“stand”whenhethinkshehasenoughcards,orifhewantsmore,hesays,“Hit me.” If he goes over 21, his hand is a “bust” and he must turn itdown,whilethedealercollectsthebet.The dealer does the same with the next remaining player and so on,

withuptoadozeninthegame.Anywhostandwaitwhilethedealerdrawscardsforhimself;ifhegoesbust,hepayseachstandingplayertheamounthebet.Butifthedealerstands,allcardsareturnedupandthedealerpaysoffallplayerswith totalshigher thanhisown,butcollects fromanythatarelessorthesame.Theruleisthattiesfavorthedealer,exactlyaswithnaturals.Despitethisadvantage,adealerrisksheavylossesifhegoesbustafew

timesinarow.Soinsomecirclesthedealsimplymovesaroundtheboardhandbyhand,asinothercardgames,eachnewdealershufflingthepackand having it cut before he deals. But the more popular rule is for allplayersto“cutforlow”todeterminetheoriginaldealer,whoretainsthatprivilegebutwith theoptionof selling it to thehighestbidderbeforeorafter any hand. However, if he deals a natural to another player and isunabletomatchit,thedealingprivilegegoestothatplayerbeginningwiththe next hand. With more than one claimant, the player nearest thedealer’slefttakesprecedence.

Under that rule, a standardprocedure is for thenewdealer to shufflethepack,haveitcut,thenturnupthetopcard—saythe 8—and“burn”itby placing it face up at the bottomof the pack.He thendeals a regularround of blackjack, but in gathering up the dealt cards, he places themfaceupbeneath theburntcardanddealsanotherroundfromthe topofthepack,as is.Hecontinues thuswith thenextrounduntilhecomes tothe burnt card ( 8), when he pauses in the deal to turn the pack facedown, shuffle it, have it cut, burn another card, and continue the dealfromthepointwhereitwasinterrupted.However,atthebeginningofanyroundinwhichtheburntcardissoonduetoappear,thedealermayturnallcardsofthepackfacedownandshuffleaswiththeoriginaldeal.Hereisatypicalhandinablackjackgamewithsixplayers.

If the fourthplayerhad counted ace 11,hewouldhavegonebust onthe 6,sohecountedace 1andwith5 1 6 12calledforanothercard.Thedealer,afterdrawingthe 3,hadonly16(5 8 3).Hefiguredthe

firstplayerfor18,19,or20.Thesecondplayerhas17showinginface-upcards (8 2 7); the fourth,13 (1 6 6); the fifth,15 (7 5 3),making thedealer’s16averyprobablelossonallthreecounts.Sothedealerdrewonemore, the 2,andbankedonhis18(5 8 3 2) tomatchat least twooftherivalhands,which itdid.So thedealerpaidoff the firstandsecond,whilehecollectedfromthefourthandfifth.Certain special hands are customarily played in blackjack. These

include:Splitting Pairs: If a player’s first two cards, down and up, are of the

samedenomination,astwokings,oranyotherpairdowntotwodeuces,hecanturnthefirstcardupandcalleachmemberofthepairtheupcardofaseparatehand,bettingequallyoneach.Thedealerthengiveshimtwodowncards, one for eachhand; and the player draws or stands on each,playingthemontheirindividualmerits.Withapairofcardsvaluedat10each, or better still a pair of aces, the lucky player has twice the usualchanceofmakinganatural.

DoublingDown:Ifaplayer’sfirsttwocardstotalexactly11,as9–2,8–3,7–4,6–5,hecanturnuphisfirstcardandcallforanotherdowncardtoreplaceit,providedhealsodoubleshisbet.Hemustthenstandonthosethreecards,playingthemasaregularhand.Sincethereisaboutoneoutofthreechancesofmaking21bythisprocedure,manyplayersregarditasan ideal opportunity to double a bet. By agreement, players may beallowedtodoubledownonatotalof10(as2–8,3–7,4–6,5–5)oratotalof9(as7–2,6–3,5–4).Inthecaseof9,iftheplayerisdealta2ashisnewdowncard,he can turn it up, add it tohis total,making 11, anddemandanotherdowncard.

Payoff Hands: By agreement, a player holding any of the followingcombinationsmay turnuphis downcard anddemand an instant payoff,regardlessofwhetherthedealercanlatermatchorexceedhistotal:Anyfivecardsthatdonotexceed21(as3–3–4–A–9or6–2–3–4–5).

Player receives double the amount of his bet. For each additional card,another double (as 3–5–2–2–3–4, four times). (Or 5–3–3–A–A–2–6,eight times.) (Or 2–3–2–4–4–2–A–3, sixteen times.) A total of 21composedofa6,7,and8paysdoublethebet.Atotalof21composedofthree7’spaystriplethebet.

BLACKLADY:AformofHeartsinwhichthe Q(orBlackLady)counts13points against the player taking it. Known also as Black Maria, BlackWidowandbyothernames.Seethispage.

BLACKMARIAorBLACKWIDOW:OthernamesforBlackLady.Seethispage–thispage.

BLACKOUT:AnothernameforthegameofOh,Hell!Seethispage.

BLINDALLFOURS:AnameoriginallygiventothegameofPitch.Seethispage.

BLINDANDSTRADDLE:TheearlyformofBlindOpening.Seethispage.

BLINDCINCH:AvariationofCinch,thispage.

BLINDEUCHRE:SimpleEuchrewithatwo-cardwidow.Seethispage.

BLINDHOOKEY:ApopularnameforBankerandBroker,thispage.

BLIND OPENING: A form of Poker in which players make opening betsbeforelookingattheirhands.Seethispage.

BLINDSTUD:Seethispage.

BLINDTIGER:AmodernformofBlindOpening.Seethispage.

BLOCKRUMMY:AformofRummy,thispage,inwhichaplayermustmakea final discard to go out; and play is blocked after all cards have beendrawnfromthepack,handwithlowestcountbecomingwinner.

BLUCHER:Napoleon,withtwoextrabids.SeeNapoleon,thispage.

BLUFF:TheoriginalandnowobsoleteformofPoker,usinga twenty-cardpack,rankingindescendingorder,A,K,Q,J,10,withfourplayerseachbeingdealtafive-cardhand.Bets,raises,andcallsfollow,eachtryingtooutbluff the others, with the highest hand winning in the case of ashowdown.Theterm“bluff”alsoappliestoStraightPoker,thispage.

BOATHOUSERUMMY:RegularRummy,thispage,butwiththerulethat,ifaplayertakesthetopcardofthediscardpile,hemustalsotakethecardbelow it or the top card of the pack. Though he takes up two, he candiscard only one. Play ends onlywhen a player can lay downhis entirehand,withanacecountinghighorlow;orboth,as2,A,K.Otherplayerscanmatchtheirowncombinationsbutcannotlayoffonotherhands.Thewinnercollectsthevalueofeachcardleftinanopposinghand,orsimplyonepointforeachcard,whicheverisagreed.

BOBTAILOPENER:Poker.Seethispage.

BOBTAILSTUD:Poker.Seethispage.

BOLIVIA:ThisisanextensionofSamba,thispage,thathasbecomeagamein its own right. It is played with the triple pack (162 cards includingjokers), and it follows thebasic rules of samba, including the scoring ofsequences of three to seven cards in the same suit, with a run of sevenbeing termed an “escalera” (instead of a “samba”) and counting the

customary1500points.However,ameldofthreetoseven“wildcards”isalsoallowed,asincertainformsofCanasta,andthisistermeda“bolivia,”counting2500.A“naturalcanasta”scores500;a“mixedcanasta,”300,asintheparentgames.Togoout, a teammustmeld at least one escalera (or sequence), plus

either another escalera, a bolivia, or a canasta. The opening meldrequirements are exactly as in samba, but with the greater scoringpossibilities,gameis15,000points.Boliviahasbeensteppedupwiththefollowingrulesappliedtoopening

melds: At the 5000 level, 150 points; at 7000, still 150, but the playermust lay down amixed canasta orhigher; at 8000, an openingmeldof200,withtheplayerlayingdownamixedcanastaorbetter;at9000,still200, but the player must lay down a natural canasta or better. Game,however, is set at 10,000 (as in samba). In this version, a bolivia onlycounts 2000, but in going out it is allowable to add to the ends of anescalera.Thusplayed,thisgameisalsotermedBrazilianCanasta.As a penalty rule, a team caught with a melded three-or four-card

sequencehas1000pointstakenfromitsscore.Redthreesdoubleinvaluefrom500to1000whenateamholdsfiveofthem;with200morepointsforthesixth.Butunlessateammanagestomeldacanastaorbetter,itsredthreesaredeductedfromitsscore.Blackthreescanberatedonthesamebasisifsodesired.

BOODLE:Technically,thisisatransitionalgamebetweenNewMarketandMichigan, but it is also applied to any form of Michigan in whichadditional“boodlecards”areaddedtothelayout.SeeMichigan,thispage.

BOSTON: A complex and now obsolete variation of Whist, this page,introduced at the time of the American Revolution and incorporatingfeaturesof other games thatwerepopular at the sameperiod, includingthe turnup of a card from another pack to designate a preferred trumpsuit.

BOSTONDEFONTAINEBLEAU:AvariantofBoston,withno turnupofa“preference card” from another pack. Instead, bidders can name theirsuits,with rankingover , , intheordergiven,whenbidsareforthesamenumberoftricks.SeeWhist,thispage.

BOUILLOTTE: A famous French antecedent of Poker, usually played byfourplayerswitha twenty-cardpack rankingA,K,Q,9,8.Threecardsaredealttoeachplayer,andthenextisturnedupasacommoncardforallhands, termed the retourne. Hands are bet somewhat as in poker, thehighest being abrelan carre, or four of a kind including thewild card;nextasimplebrelan,orthreeofakindinhand;withaspecialbonusforabrelanfavori,orthreeofakindincludingtheretourne.Ifnooneholdsabrelan,alldealtcardsareshownalongwiththeretourneandthoseofeachsuitvaluedasace,11;facecards,10each;othersaccordingtotheirspots.Theactiveplayerholdingthehighestcardinthewinningsuit iscreditedforpointandwinsthepool.Withthreeplayers,queensareeliminatedtoleaveonlytwelvecards;withfiveplayers,theyareretainedandsevensareaddedtomaketwenty-fourcards.

BOURRE: A modern adaptation of Écarté, this page, with two to sevenplayersusingafullpackoffifty-twocards,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Eachplayercontributesanequalnumberofchipstoapoolorpot.Fivecardsaredealttoeachplayer,andthenextcardisturneduptodesignate the trump suit.Anyplayermay then turndownhis hand anddropout;thosewhoremainor“stay”can“standpat”withtheirholdings,ordiscardonetofivecards,drawingotherstoreplacethem.Theplayerat thedealer’s left leadstothefirst trick,andtherestmust

followsuit,eachplayingahighercardifhehasone.Ifoutofsuit,aplayermustplayanytrumpheholds.Ifunabletodoeither,hecandiscardfromanodd suit.Highest cardof suit ledwins the trickunless trumped, andwinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext.However,thereisonespecialrule:Anyplayerholdinganyofthethree

toptrumps(A,K,Q)mustleadhishighesttrumpatthefirstopportunity,thus drawing out or forcing out others, a unique feature of this game.Whoever wins themost tricks takes the pool; in case of a tie, it is splitequally. But if any player stays and takes no tricks whatever, he mustcontributethefullamountofthepool(orpot)towardthenextdeal’spool.That,perhaps, is thegame’sgreat feature, encouragingplayers to “stay”whentheyreallyshould“drop”butdependonthehopeofcashinginthedoublepotonthenextround.

BRAG:AnEnglishantecedentofPoker, thispage,inwhichthreecardsare

dealt toeachplayer froma fifty-two-cardpack.Afterbetting,handsarecompared todetermine thewinner.Threeacesare thehighest, followedbythreekingsandsoondown,thenpairsfromacesdown,withtheoddcardbreakingatie;thensimplyhighcard,withthesameranking,A,K,Q,J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. There are, however, three wild cards called“braggers,”eachrepresentinganycardinthepack,includingitself.Theyarethe A, J, 9andarerankedinthatorder.A“natural”combinationtakes precedence over one containing a “bragger”; hence three fivescomposed of 5, 5, 5 would beat one formed by 5, A, 9.Similarly,apairsuchas 10, 10woulddefeat 10, A,whichinturnwould beat 10, J. In case of an absolute tie, the player nearest thedealer’sleftiswinner.InAmericanBrag,thereareeightbraggers,consistingofthefourjacks

andthefournines.Allareequalinvalue,andacombinationcontainingabraggeroutranksanaturalhandofthesamevalue,makingthreebraggersthehighestpossiblehand(overthreeaces)withtiehandsfairlyfrequent.

BRAZILIANCANASTA:AnamegiventoBoliviawithstepped-uprules.Seethispage.

BRELAN:AnothernameforBouillotte.Seethispage.

BRIDGE:SeeAuctionBridge,thispage,andContractBridge,thispage,nowuniversalgames.

BRIDGEWHIST: A once highly popular game representing the transitionfromWhisttoBridge.Seethispageandthispage.

BUILD-UP:DoubleDummyBridge(seethispage)withnine-carddummies.Playersbid,twocardsaredealttoeachhand,thentwomovedfromhandtodummy.Thisisrepeatedandplayfollows.

BUTCHERBOY:AformofFive-CardStudPoker.Seethispage.

CALABRASELLA: A fast but simple three-player game with a pack fromwhichtheeights,nines,andtensareremoved,leavingfortycardsranking3,2,A,K,Q,J,7,6,5,3,allsuitsplain;neveranytrump.Theaimis totaketrickscontainingcountercards,acesbeingvaluedat3points;the3,2,K,Q, J at 1 each; and last trick3points—a total of 35.Eachplayer isdealt twelvecards,and fourgo ina face-downwidow.Playeratdealer’sleftcan“stand,”meaninghewilltakeontheothertwo;orhecan“pass,”putting the choice on the next player. If all three pass, the hand isabandonedandthedealmovesalong.Theplayerwho standsmustdiscardone to four cards fromhishand,

layingthemfacedown.Hethenturnsupthewidowandselectscardsfromit toreplacehisdiscards.Theplayerathis left leadsanycardto thefirsttrick,andtheothersmustfollowsuitiftheycan.Highcardofthesuitledwins the trick, and the winner leads to the next, with the discards andremainingwidowcardsgoingtotheplayerwhotakesthelasttrick.Countersareaddedattheendofplay,andthesingleplayerscoresplus

orminus according to the difference between his count and that of thecombinedopponents.Example:Taking25,hewouldlose10,givinghim15. He would then collect that amount in points or chips from eachopponent,making30inall.Conversely, ifhetakesonly14andloses21,hewouldbe 7,andeachwouldcollectthatamountfromhim.Totakeallcountersdoublesthescoreto 70;toloseallis 70.Inplayingforpoints,gameisusually100.

CALABRELLA:AnoldItaliangamelikeCassino,thispage.

CALCULATION:AtypeofSolitaire,thispage.

CALIFORNIAJACK:AdevelopmentofPitch,usuallylimitedtotwoplayers,in which the entire pack is used in each deal. The pack is cut and thebottomcardof theupperhalf is shown todesignate the trumpsuit.Thepack is then shuffled, six cards are dealt singly to each player, and thepackissquaredandturnedfaceuponthetable.Theopponentleadsanycard,andthedealereitherfollowssuitortrumps;orifoutofsuit,hemayeithertrumporplayasidesuit.The winner of the first trick draws the card showing on the face-up

packandaddsittohishand;theotherplayertakesthenextface-upcard.

Thewinnerthenleadstothenexttrick,andplaycontinuesthusuntiltheentirepackhasbeendrawnandallcardsplayedfromeachplayer’shand.Eachgoesthroughthecardshetookandscores1pointeachforhigh(aceoftrump),low(twooftrump),jack(oftrump),andgame,thehighesttotalof counter cards inwhich each ten 10; each ace 4; each king 3; eachqueen 2;eachjack 1.Theoriginalopponentthendeals,anddealisalternateduntiloneplayer

reaches 7 points (or 10 points, if so agreed) and becomes thewinner. Ifboth go out in the samehand, points are scored in the orderhigh, low,jack, game.With three or four players, the deal rotates to the left, andeach player is on his own.With three players, a three-spot is removedfromthepack;withfour,thefullpackisused.

Note:Somegoby the rule thatwhenaplayer isoutof a suithemusttrumpifhecan;others,thatifhecanfollowsuit,hemustdoso.Anysuchoptionsshouldbespecifiedbeforehand.Additional points can be included, as described underAll Fives (this

page)andanyofthepedrogames(thispage)canbeplayedlikeCaliforniaJack.SeealsoShastaSam(thispage).

CALIFORNIALOO:AnothernameforCaliforniaJack.Seethispage.

CALIFORNIA LOWBALL: A game played according to the accepted rulesforLowballinthepokerclubsofCalifornia.Seethispage.

CALL-ACE EUCHRE: A special form ofEuchre with temporary partners.Seethispage.

CALLRUMMY:Seethispage.

CANADIANSTUD:AvariantofFive-CardStudPoker.Seethispage.

CANASTA:AhighlyelaborateddevelopmentofRummyoriginatedinSouthAmerica, with further elaborations to be described under individualheads. Primarily a four-handed game, with players seated oppositeoperatingaspartners,canastarequirestwostandardfifty-two-cardpacks,each with two jokers in addition, for a total of 108 cards. Suits aredisregarded, the cards being considered in terms of their rank ordenomination,withjokersanddeuceswild.

Inplay,thefollowingvaluesaregiventoindividualcards:jokers,each50points;deuces,each20;aces,each20;K,Q,J,10,9,8,each10;7,6,5,4,each5points.Redandblackthreesarespecialcards,bothinpurposeandinvalues.

The Deal: Eleven cards are dealt singly to each player, beginning atdealer’sleft.Thebulkofthepackisplacedinthecenterofthetable,andthetopcardisturnedupbesideit,torepresentelpozoorthe“pot.”Thefirstplayerdrawsacardfromthetopofthepackandaddsittohishand,or,asplaydevelops,hemay,underspecifiedconditions,pickupthepotinstead.Eitherway,hecompleteshisturnbydiscardingasinglecardfromhishand,placing it faceupon thepotasanewupcard.Thenextplayertakesasimilarturn,andsoon,incontinuousrotation.Duringeachturn,however,aplayermaylaydownsetsofcardsofthe

same denomination, scoring whatever points they represent. These arecommonly termed “melds” as in rummy.The cards aremelded faceup,andtheremustbeatleastthreeinaset,withonewildcardallowable(as8–8–2insteadof8–8–8).Twowildcardsarepermissibleinasetoffour(asK–K–2–2),andthree inasetof fiveormore(as joker–7–7–2–2orjoker–joker–Q–Q–Q–2). But no more than three wild cards areallowable.New cards can be added to existing melds during later turns, and a

player melding a set of seven or more cards is credited with a naturalcanasta, if the cards are all alike (as9–9–9–9–9–9–9), for a bonus of500points;whileamixedcanasta,containingwildcards(asjoker–J–J–J–J–J–J–2),scores300points.Thesebonusesareinadditiontothepointcountoftheindividualcards;henceanaturalcanastasuchas10–10–10–10–10–10–10 would score 70 500 570. The addition of another tenwouldmakeit80 500 580.However, if insteadaplayeraddeda jokerand a deuce, forming joker–10–10–10–10–10–10–10–2, he wouldreducethestatusofthenaturalcanastatothatofamixedcanasta,scoring70 50 20 300 440. This is allowable and sometimes even advisable,asplaywillprove,onereasonbeingthatanynumberofwildcardscanbeaddedtoacanasta,whichmeans“basket”andisthereforeflexible.Partnerscanaddtoeachother’smeldsbutnottothoseoftheopposing

team.Forconvenience,allmeldsofateammaybeplacedinfrontofonepartner.Thecardsofacanastaaresquaredup,witharedcardputontoptosignifyanaturalandablackontopforamixed.Whenaplayermeldsor

discardshis lastcard,he“goesout,”ending theplayandscoringspecialbonuspoints forhis team.Buta teammust firstmeldacanastabeforeamemberispermittedtogoout.Thismeansthataplayermayoftenneedmorethanhisoriginaleleven-cardquota.Togainthat,hemusttaketheupcard because the entire pot, consisting of all discards, comes with it.The more the better, as more cards mean more melds and therefore alargerscore,whichisthegreataimincanasta.However,atthestartofthehand,thepotis“frozen”againsteachteam,

whichmeans that the upcard cannot be taken until onemember of thepartnershiphasmadeanopeningmeldof50pointsormore.If,aspartofsuchanopeningmeld,hecanmatchtheupcardwithtwoormoreofthesamerank,asQ–QwithaQ,hecan take the frozenpot thenand there.Butnowildcardcanbeusedinsuchamatchwhilethepotisstillfrozen(asjoker–QwithaQ).Someexamplesofpossiblehandswillclarifythis:

(a)Playerholds:2KKKQ1098876.Upcard:7.Hecanmeld2KKKfor20 10 10 10 50.OrevenKKK (30)alongwith2–8–8 (40)foratotalof70,sothatheorhispartnercouldtakethepotlater.ButhecannotmeldKKK (30)alongwith2–7–7 (30)because theupcardcanonlybematchedbyanaturalpair(as7–7).(b)Playerholds:2AKKQ1098776.Upcard:7.Herehecanmakeitwith2–K–K (40)and7–7–7 (15)as40 15 55,meetingminimum,andthe7–7–7isanatural.(c)Playerholds:AAKKJJ99887.Upcard:A.MatchA–AwithA,for20 20 20 60andanaturalaswell.(d)Playerholds:AAKK8666666.Upcard:6.Matchingsixeswithupcardwouldproduceacanastabutwon’tdoforopening,asitonlyaddsto35.(Bonuspointscannotbecounted.)

Uponsuccessfullymatchinganupcardandthustakingthepot,aplayermayimmediatelycontinuemeldingcardshefindsinitbeforemakinghiscustomary discard,which starts a newpot.As long as it stays unfrozen,eitherpartnercan take thepotbymatching itsupcardwith twonaturals(aswhenitwasfrozen),orbymatchingtheupcardwithacardofthesamerankandawildcard(asusingK–2tomatchaK);orbysimplyaddingtheupcard toameldalreadymade (aspickingupa9andplacing itwithan

existingmeldofJoker–9–9or9–9–9).Itisalsoallowabletoaddsuchanupcardtoanalreadyclosedcanasta(asplacingaQwithameldedjoker–2–2–Q–Q–Q–Q).However,asplaycontinues,itisoftenadvisabletofreezethepotagain,

particularlywhen itcontainssomemuchneededcards thatamemberoftheopposingteammightacquirebytakingthepothimself.Thepotcanberefrozenbysimplydiscardingawildcard,suchasajokerorpreferablyadeuce,asaplayermayneedthejokerforhimself.Oncethepotisrefrozen,the rule again applies that it can be taken only bymatching the upcardwithanaturalpair, thoughthecountdoesnotmatter. (Example:Placing8–8 from the hand with an upcard 8 will suffice. No need to meld 50pointsormore.)When some player does that, he acquires apozo premiado, or “prize

pot,”sotermedbecauseofthewildcardthatitcontains.Asateam’smeldsincrease, it is oftenwise to end theplaybefore the opponents canmeldheavily; and, to do that, one member of the team must “go out” bydisposingofthelastcardinhishandeitherbyameldorasadiscard.Allhandsarethenshownandarescoredasfollows:Each side adds its bonus scores for canastas (300 formixed; 500 for

natural)alongwithotherbonusscores,whichinclude100pointsforgoingout. Sometimes a player can go out “concealed” by melding his entirehandat once,withoutmaking anypreviousmeld. In that case,his teamscores double for going out; namely, 200. Following that, points arecounted for melded cards, as already listed, these being added to eachteam’s score. Unmelded cards are then counted and their pointssubtractedfromthescore.

Specialbonuspointsarescoredforredthrees,whichasalreadystatedhaveaspecialpurpose.Theydonotfigureintheplayatall.Ifaplayerisdealtaredthree,helaysitfaceupinfrontofhimanddrawsanothercardfromthepackasareplacementforhishand.Similarly, ifhedrawsaredthreeduringplay,helaysitfaceupanddrawsanothercard.Whenscoresareadded,ateamreceives100foreachredthree;andifitholdsallfour,itsbonus(400)isdoubled,making800.However, ifateamisunabletomakeameldduringplay, thecount for red threes is subtracted from itsscoreinsteadofbeingaddedtoit.

Black threes formpart of the regularhandandare valuedat 5pointseachbutcannotbemeldedexceptbyaplayerwhoisgoingout;andeven

then,hemustputdownthreeorfourofthemforacountofamere15or20,asitisnotpermissibletomeldawildcardwiththem.Soifaplayerisleft with a black three in his hand, it counts 5 points against him.However,blackthreesareuseful,becauseifaplayerdiscardsone,whichisallowable,itbecomestheupcard;andthenextplayer—anopponent—cannotmatchitandtherebyacquirethepot.Thatis,theblackthreeservesasatemporary“stopper”givingtheplayer’spartnerachancetotakethepotafterthein-betweenopponenthashisturn.Aftereachteam’stotalisenteredonthescoresheet,thedealmovesto

the left. The packs are shuffled and dealt as already specified, and playproceedsaccordinglybutwiththisproviso:Ifa team’sscorehasreached1500 or higher, its requirement for an openingmeld is advanced to 90points.Onceascorereaches3000,theopeningrequirementbecomes120points.Thismakes itharder fora teamonce itbegins topileupascore,thusfavoringtheunderdog.Also,ifateam’sscorefallsbelow0,asitmayattheconclusionoftheopeninghand,itisallowedtoplaythenexthandwithanopeningrequirementofonly15points,insteadoftheusual50.Game is 5000 points or more.When one team attains that goal, the

smaller score is subtracted from the larger to establish the winningmargin. For convenience, scores are usually figured to the nearesthundred;thusifTeamAshouldtotal5175andTeamB2830theywouldberatedasA,52andB,28,sothat52–28 24wouldestablishA’smarginas24,withsettlementsbeingmadeaccordingly.Thefollowingspecialrulesareimportant:Duringthedeal,iftheoriginalupcardisawildcard(jokerordeuce),a

red three, or a black three, another cardmust be turned up and placeduponit.Ifthenewupcardisalsooneofthosetypes,stillanothermustbeturnedupandplaceduponit;andsoon,untilaplayablecard(Adownto4)isturnedasupcard.Withawildcardoraredthreeinthepot,itsverypresencetherekeeps

thepotfrozen,evenafterateamhasmettheminimumrequirementof50,90, or 120, as the casemay be. Theminimummust still bemet; but inmeetingit,orduringa later turneitherbytheplayerorhispartner, it isnecessarytomeldanaturalpair(as9–9)withanupcardofthesamerank(9)totakethepot.Eventhen,ifaredthreeisinthefrozenpot,theplayertaking it must remember to place it in front of him face up and drawanothercardtoreplaceit.

Duringplay, reasonable informationmaybeaskedorgiven,asaskingor reminding a partner as to theminimum required for an initialmeld;remindinghimtolaydownhisredthreesanddrawothercardsinstead;oraskinghowmanycardsanotherplayerholdsorhowmanycardsarestillinthe undrawn pack. Such courtesies help the game generally and can belimited or expanded as agreed upon. However, there is one phase ofinformationthatiscoveredbyasetrule,namely:

When ready to go out bymelding all his cards, a player can ask hispartner,“CanIgoout?”eitherbeforeorafterdrawingfromthepack.Hispartner, after due consideration,must answer yes or no, and the playermustactaccordingly.Aplayerdoesnothavetoaskthisquestion,butifhedoes so after starting to meld, or indicating that he might take the potinstead,hisopponentscandecidewhetherornothe is togoouton thatturn.If he is unable to go out after asking and receiving permission, the

player’steamispenalized100points.Conversely,ifhereceivesanegativereply and then proceeds to go out, his opponents can demand that herevisehismeldsothathecantakeoneormorecardsbackintohishand;andhisteamispenalized100points.Otherpenalties include failure toshowand laydownared threeafter

the player has taken his first turn. This costs his team 500 points,providedheisstillholdingthecardwhenplayendsandhandsareshown.Usually,aplayernotices theoffendingred threeduringoneofhis turnsandannouncesitasifhehadjustdrawnit.Makinganopeningmeldshortoftherequiredcountcanberectifiedif

theplayerisabletomeldenoughextracardstomeettheminimum.Orhecan take back the insufficient meld, and 10 points will be added to histeam’sopeningrequirementforthathand.Butifincreasinganinsufficientmeld to therequiredcountmeans takingbacksomeof thecardsalreadymelded,histeamispenalized100points.Ifaplayerstartstotakethepotillegally,eitherbyanimpropermeldor

byplayingoutofturn,hecanbestoppedwithoutpenalty;butoncehehasaddedthediscardpiletohishand,opponentscandemandthathelayhishandfaceupsothattheycanrestorehishandandreplacethediscardsasfaraspossible.Histeamispenalized100points,buthecandrawfromthepackandresumehisproperplay.Ifaplayerstarts tomeldhisentirehandinordertogoout,beforehis

teamhasmadeitsrequiredcanasta,histeamispenalized100pointsandhemusttakebackoneormorecards.Similarly,anyillegalmeld,notablyonecontainingtoomanywildcards(as8–2–2inasetofthree,oraddingafourthwildcardtoaset),mustbetakenbackintothehand,witha100-pointpenalty.Thiswouldapplytoanymiscalledmeld,suchascountingajackasathirdking.However:Ifanysuchillegalmeld isnotnoticeduntil thenextplayerhasstarted

histurn,thereisnopenalty.Anopeningmeldwithashortcountstandsasvalid,becauseitwascondoned.Sodoesameldcontainingtoomanywildcards,butinthatcase,anywildcardsarecheckedforfuturereferenceandaresubtractedfromtheteam’sscoreinthefinalreckoning,asiftheyhadremained in the hand where they properly belonged. Minor mistakes,whennoted later,aresimplyrectifiedbyhavingtheplayer takebackthecardsinvolved.Thereisnopointpenaltyforlesserinfractions,suchasaplayerdrawing

morethanonecardfromthepack.Hemusteithershowandreplacesuchextras on the pack, giving the next players the right to draw in turn orshuffle beforemaking a draw; or if he has already put the cards in hishand,hekeepsitasisbutpassesthedrawonhisnextturnorturns.Anycard shown inadvertently or as part of a wrong meld is classed as a“penalty card” and must be placed face up on the table, where it stillbelongstohishand.Hecanmeldoneormorepenaltycardsduringeachsuccessive turn,but ifunable tomeld themall atonce,hemust finishaturnbydiscardingapenaltycard,insteadofacardfromhishand.Attheendofplayanypenaltycardthathasnotbeenmeldedgoesbackintotheplayer’shandandisthereforesubtractedfromhisscore.

Canasta can be played with varied numbers of players, with thefollowingrulespertainingtothedifferentgames:

Two-handed Canasta: Excellent because of its simplicity. Each player isdealtfifteencardstomakeupforthelackofapartnertohelpestablishanopeningmeld, but the usualminimum requirements apply. To increasethe scoringpotential, aplayermustmeld twocanastasbeforegoingout.To simplify the game further, practically all penalties are eliminated, asthereisnopartnerwhomightgainvaluedinformationthroughaplayer’smistake,intentionalorotherwise.Toincreasescoringfurther,anoptional

rulemaybe introduced; thatofhavingeachplayerdraw twocards fromtheface-downpackbutdiscardonlyonefromhishand,sothathisquotaautomaticallygrowslargerevenwhenhedoesnottakethepot.Scoringisthesameasinthefour-handedgame.

Three-handed Canasta: In simple form, this is very similar to the four-handedgame,butinsteadofhavingapartner,eachplayerisonhisown.Each player is dealt either eleven or thirteen cards, but the latter ispreferable.Asanotheroption,eitheronecanastaortwomayberequiredtogoout.Inapopularvariantstyled“cutthroatcanasta,” thefirstplayerwhotakesthepotmustplayalonehandagainsttheothertwo,whoactaspartnersduringthatdeal;orifnoonetakesthepot,aplayerwhogoesoutisregardedasalonehand.Either way, the lone player scores what he makes, while each of his

opponentsiscreditedwiththefullamountthattheyscoredasatemporaryteam,withthisexception:Aredthreeshownbyaplayercountsonlyfororagainsthisownscore,dependingonwhetherornotheandhistemporarypartner went out. If nobody takes the discard pile, each player scoresindividually;andinanycase,ifnobodygoesout,playisconcludedbytheplayerwhodrawsthelastcard.Gameis7500points.

Note: In as much as partners may change in successive hands, theirscores may vary where amounts required for an opening meld areconcerned.Hence,eachmustbegovernedbyhisownindividualscore.

Six-handed Canasta: This is similar to the four-handed game, but withspecial provisions for the accommodation of the two additional players.The six form two partnerships, each formed of three players seatedalternately;andathirdpack—containingfifty-twocardsandtwojokers—isaddedto thedoublepackordinarilyused,makinga totalof162cards,includingsixjokers.Each player is dealt thirteen cards and play proceeds as usual, but

continuesonbeyond the5000mark.When the score reaches7000, aninitialmeld of 150 is required; and game itself is set at 10,000. In eachhanda teammustmeld twocanastas togoout.Red threesarevaluedat100each,uptofive,whichareworth1000,whileateamscores1200forallsix.This game can be played like three-handed canasta,with three teams

composedofpartnersseatedoppositeeachother.

SpecialPenaltiesinCanasta:Sincehighscoringisagreatfeatureinallformsofcanasta,infractionsoftherules,intentionalorotherwise,areaptto work to a player’s advantage and therefore should be offset bycorresponding penalties. All can be modified by agreement, and anyenforcementshouldbeimmediate,astheyarenullifiedifplayisallowedtogoon.If aplayerdraws toomanycards, theonlypenalty is towait forother

turns todiscardwithoutadraw.Ifhepicksuptoomany,hecanreplacetheextrasbutmustshowthemtootherplayersifhesawthemhimself.Inpartnershipplay,ifheletscardsinhishandbeseen,hecanberequiredtolaythemfaceupanddiscardthemaftereachensuingdraw,asthepreviewmightbeturnedtoprofitbyhispartner.Acarddrawnoutofturnmustbegiventotheplayerwhoshouldhave

drawnit.Hispartnermustkeepit,butanopponentcankeepitorburyitinthepack,drawinganotherinstead.Ifheputsitinhisownhandbeforethemistakeisnoted,hemustkeepit thereandmakeadiscardwhenhisturncomestodraw.Inthatcase,heispenalized100points.Thereisnopenaltyforamistakeinanopeningmeldiftheoffenderis

able to add to it and complete it. If he takes back his cards withoutmelding, 10 points are added to his team’s requirement for an openingmeld;while ifheusesother cards for theopeningmeld,he ispenalized100points.Thisappliestosimilarmistakesinmelds.Ifaplayerusestoomanywild

cardsorlaysdownwrongcards,hecanaddothersfromhishandtoalterorexpandthemeldandcompletethediscard;butifforcedtoretractandtakebackcardsalreadyshown,theplayer—orhisteam—ispenalizedthecustomary 100 points. If he picks up the discard pile and adds it to hishand after an illegalmeld, or out of turn, hemust replace it as it was,showing his own hand if opponents demand it. Again, the customarypenaltyis100points.Whenaplayeraskshispartner,“CanIgoout?”andreceives“Yes”asa

reply,hemustmeldouthisentirehandortakea100-pointpenalty.Ifhestarts tomeldoutbeforeputting thequestionorreceivingananswer,orafterthereplyis“No,”thesame100-pointpenaltycanbeinvoked.Also,ifhetriestogooutbeforehisteamhasformedacanasta—ortwocanastasor

whateverelsemayberequired—the100-pointpenaltyisinorder.

Wild-CardCanasta (thispage) allows the formationof canastas composedentirelyofwildcards—jokersanddeuces—whichledtothedevelopmentofthefollowinggames:

Three-Pack Canasta: As wild-card canasta gained in vogue, it becameapparent that the more cards in the pack the greater the meldingopportunities.Sinceplayerswerealready familiarwith the triplepackof162cardsusedinthesix-handedgame,theobviouscoursewastoadaptittofour-handedplay.Insteadofdealingelevencardstoeachplayer,fifteenbecametherule;andothermeasureswereaddedtospeedthegame.Onedeviceistonotethevalueoftheupcardanddealthatmanycards

facedownfromthetopofthepack—from3to13,withajackcounting11,aqueen12,aking13;whileanace,deuce,orjokercounts20.Theupcardisplaceduponthem,and the firstplayer topickup thediscardpilegetsthe face-down group with it. This is used in a popular variant termedItalianCanasta,whichincludestheserules:Acanastaofwildcardsscoresabonusof2000; ifdeucesonly,3000,

butonlyfortheteamthatgoesout.Theotherteamiscreditedonlywiththe points represented by its melded cards; and, to make things stillharder,onceateambeginsawild-cardmeld,itmustcompleteitsseven-card canasta before using deuces in any othermeld. To go out, a teammust meld two standard canastas—either mixed or natural—gaining abonusof300points.The discard pile is always frozen, and game is 12,000 points, with

openingmeldsasfollows:from0to1500,50points;to3000,90points;to 5000, 120 points; to 7500, 160 points; to 10,000, 180 points; abovethat,200points.Sometimesabonusof1000points isgivenforholdingfive canastas; with 2000 points if all are natural. Red threes score 100pointseach,doublingto200ifateamholdsfourormore.

Four-Pack Canasta: In the continued effort to increase the scope andscoring of canasta, the size of the pack is obviously a helpful factor, sofrom the triplepack,used in thegames justdescribed, the additionof afourth pack became a logical and almost inevitable step. Along withutilizinga216-cardpack, includingeight jokers, thenewformsofwild-cardcanasta thatdevelopedalsoborrowed two features from the related

gameofMexicana,acanasta-offshootdescribedunderitsownhead.Those two features are a special bonus in the form of extra cards for

melding the first canasta; and special scores for melding a canastacomposed of sevens.With the quadruple pack, those opportunities areexpanded, along with others, resulting in many minor variations, allfollowingageneralpattern.Atypicalfour-playerversionruns:Thepartners,seatedopposite,areeachdealt fifteencards in theusual

rotation.Playproceedsasinstandardcanasta,butwitheachdrawingtwocardsanddiscardingonlyone.Acanastaislimitedtosevencards;andthefirstplayertomeldacanastaofanytypedrawselevencardsfromthetopofthepackandaddsthemtohishandafterthecompletionofhisturn.Only twowild cards are allowed in amixed canasta,which scores the

usual300points,whileanaturalcanastascores500,exceptforcanastascomposedofsevens;intheircase,amixedcanastacounts1000;anaturalof sevens, 1500. A wild canasta scores 2000. In a lessermeld, a sevencounts5points,butifaplayeriscaughtwithanysevensinhishand,theycount200pointsagainsthisteam.Anaturalpairisneededtotakethediscardpile,whichisalwaysfrozen

in this game. A seven may be discarded, like any other card, but thediscardpilecannotbetakenwhenasevenisshowingthere.Ateamneedsthreecanastastogoout;andoneofthosemustbeeitherwildorcomposedofsevens.Game is usually 15,000 points, with opening meld requirements

running:from0to3000,50points; to6000,90points; to10,000,120points;abovethat,150points.Thegameasjustdescribedcanbeplayedbysixpersons,withalternate

playersformingtwoteamsofthreeplayerseach.Inthiscase,onlythirteencardsaredealt toeachplayer, insteadof fifteen,butotherwise the samerulesapply.However:Among thenumerousvariantsof four-packcanasta, the followingare

both applicable and appropriate in the six-player game: Instead of aneleven-card bonus for melding the first canasta, a player receives onlyseven;andanyoftheotherplayersreceivethesamebonusformeldingacanasta. But in that case, a meld of a mixed canasta of sevens is notallowed; itmust be anatural.Thismakes it riskier tohold a seven, andtherebyaddstotheaction.Gameisboostedto20,000points,withopeningmeldsasfollows:from

0to5000,50points;to10,000,90points;to15,000,120points;abovethat,150points.Red threesscore100pointseachfor the teamthatholds them,witha

scoreof2000 forall eight,whichhappensvery rarely. If a team fails tomake a canasta of sevens, or a wild-card canasta—and that can happenfairlyoften!—itloses100pointsforeachredthreeitholds.Soredthreesmaybemoreofaliabilitythananasset.

Summary of Canasta: From the original game, so many others havedevelopedthatitisdifficulttoclassifythemindetail,becausetheyhavesomuchincommon,withoneblendingintoanother.Thosejustgiveninthissectiononcanastainclude:Four-handed canasta, two-handed, three-handed, six-handed, wild-

cardcanasta,three-packcanasta,Italiancanasta,four-packcanasta,intheorderlisted.Other related games and their developments will be found under the

followingheads:Brazilian Canasta, this page, Bolivia, this page, Chile (or Chilean

Canasta),thispage,HollywoodCanasta,thispage,Mexicana,thispage,Quinella, this page, Samba, this page, Tampa, this page,Uruguay (orUruguayanCanasta),thispage,andCubanCanasta,thispage.

CANCELLATIONHEARTS:AnelaborationofHearts,thispage,withseventotenindividualplayersusingtwostandardfifty-two-cardpacksthataredealt out equally. Any leftovers form a widow that goes to the playertakingthefirsttrick,asinOmnibusHearts,andanyotherfeaturesofthatgamecanbe includedasagreedupon.If twoplayers topa trickwiththesamecard,as A,and A, the twocanceloutand the trickgoes to thenexthighest,as K.Ifallcancelout,orthereisnohighcardofthesuitled,thetrickislaidasidelikeawidowandgoestothewinnerofthenext.AlsocalledDrawHearts.

CANFIELD: A name frequently applied to the highly popular form ofsolitairecalledKlondike,describedunderthathead.Seethispage.

CANS:AnicknameforQuinze.Seethispage.

CARDDOMINOES:Anothername forFan-Tan, thispage, inwhichcards

are“built”indominofashion.

CAROUSEL: Primarily a two-person game combining older forms ofRummywithmodernGinalongwithitsowndistinctivefeatures,usingafifty-three-cardpack,valuedindescendingorderK,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,withthejokerasawildcard.Eachplayerisdealtahandoftencards,andhispurposeistomeldtheminsetsofthreeorfourofthesamevalue (asQ–Q–Q or6–6–6–6)or in sequencesof threeormoreof thesamesuit(as J10987)exactlyasinrummy.Theopponentbeginsbydrawingonecardfromthetopofthepackand

makingwhatevermeldshecanorwantstomake.Ifhedoesnotmeld,hemustdrawasecondcard;failingtomeldthen,hemustdrawathird,withhis turnendingthen,whetherornothemelds.There isnodiscard.Thedealernowdrawsacardandfollows thesameprocedure,buthecan layoffoneormorecardsonanymeldedbytheopponent,thatcountingasameld;otherwise,hemustdrawtwiceifnecessary.Itisthentheopponent’sturnagainandplaycontinuesthus,withallmeldsbeingopentoeach.A player can borrow an extra card from a meld and use it toward

forminganother.Forexample, ifQ–Q–Q–Qhasbeenmelded,hecouldtakethe Qandaddittothe J10fromhishandtoformasequenceofQJ10,buthecouldnotdothatifonlyQ–Q–Qhadbeenmelded.Withanexistingmeldof 9876,hecouldtakeeitherthe 9forameldof9–9–9orthe 6for6–6–6,buthecouldnottakethe 8or 7.Howeverwith10 9 8 7 6 5 4 already melded, he could take the 7 toward 7–7–7,becausehewouldleave 1098and4654,eachathree-cardsequenceinitsownright.Thejoker,beingwild,canbeusedaspartofanymeld,as 76joker,

withthejokerrepresentingthe 5;butoncegiventhatvalueitcannotbechanged,asfrom 5to 8.However,ifaplayerholdsordrawstheactualcard thus represented—in this case the 5—he can exchange it for thejoker,whichmustbeusedaspartofanothermeldandcannotbetakenupintotheplayer’shand.Any rearrangement of melded cards is allowable whenever a player

makes ameld; and the joker can figure in such switches. For example,assumethattheboardshows K Kjoker,withthejokernamedas K;andtwosequences,as 876and 32A.Aplayerholdingthe Kandthe 4couldmeldthe K, formingK–K–K–K; thenremovethe joker

(nolongerneededasthe K)andcallitthe 5,sothejokerand 4couldbe insertedbetween the twoheart sequences to form 8 765432A,withthejokeras 5.Asingin,facecardscount10each,othersaccordingtonumericalvalue,

witheachace 1.Whenaplayer’s count isdown to5or less, followingafirstorseconddraw,hecanknock,endingtheplay.Handsareshownandlowhandcreditedwith thedifferencebetween its countandhigh. If theknocker is tied or beaten for low, the other player scores a bonus of 10points. If the knocker goes “gin” by melding all his cards, he scores abonus of 25. If a player is caughtwith the joker inhis hand, it adds 25points to his count. The deal moves to the opponent and continuesalternatelyuntiloneplayerwinsgamewith150points,scoringabonusof100,witheachplayergetting25foreachdealhewon.Winnerofthegamescoresdoubleifheshutsoutor“skunks”hisrival.Thisgamecanbeplayedbythreetofiveplayerswithadoublepackof

106cards.Noduplicatescanbeusedinthesamecombination.

CASSINO:Asimplebutuniquegame,inwhichthestrategymayvarygreatlyinthecourseofasingledeal,cassinodemandsskillaswellaswits.Mostofall, the packmust be thoroughly shuffled between deals to prevent therecurrenceofcertaincardcombinationsonwhichthegamehinges.

Thepack:Thestandardfifty-twocards,whicharevaluednumerically,asace 1, two 2,andsoonuptoten 10.Thisappliestoplaying,nottoscoring,whichistreatedseparately.Facecards(J,Q,K)havenonumericalvalue.

NumberofPlayers:Two,three,orfour,eachonhisown;orfour,withplayersseatedoppositeactingaspartners.

TheDeal:Fourcardsaredealtsinglytoeachplayer,allfacedown;butanother four cards aredealt in a face-up row in the center of the table,preferably just before thedealer deals each card tohimself.Thepack istemporarily laid aside, face down, for further use. Thus, in the two-handedgame(whichissimplesttodescribe),theopponentandthedealerwouldeachbeholdingahandoffourcards,withalayoutoffourface-upcardsbetweenthem.

ThePlay:Theopponenttriestotakeupacard(orcombinationofcards)fromthe layout,bymatching itsvaluewithacard inhishand.Example:He could take up the 7 from the board with the 7 from his hand,

turningbothcards facedowninfrontofhim;or if the 4and 3wereshowinginthe layout,hecouldcount themas“seven”andtakeupbothwiththe 7.Whenmorethanonechoiceisavailable,aplayermaytakeupallwitha

singlecard.Thus,ifthe 7, 4, 3, 7composedtheoriginallayout,theopponent could place the 4 and 3 on the 7, declaring them as“Sevens,”andaddthe 7tothepile,repeating“Sevens,”thentakeupthelotwiththe 7fromhishand.Insteadofmerelycombiningvalues,aplayermaybuildonalayoutcard

(orcards)withtheintentoftakingupthepileonafutureplay,providedheholdsacardthatcanfulfillthatpurpose.Example:Layoutshows 3,2, 8, K.Theplayerholds 4, 9, A, J.Hecancombine 3and 2on theboard, calling it “Five” and immediately adding the 4 fromhishand,saying“—andfourmakesnine.”Inthiscase,ontheplayer’snextturn,insteadoftakinguphisbuild(

3, 2, 4)withthe 9,hecouldmakeanotherbuildbyplacingthe Afromhishandonthe 8ontheboard,saying“Nine,”thendroppingonebuildontheotheranddeclaring“Nines,”tobetakenuponthenextturn.Inbuilding,aplayerrunsacalculatedrisk,ashisadversarymaytakeup

thebuildifhehasasuitablecard.Assumingthattheopponentbeginsthehandbybuildinganineasdescribed, thedealercould takeup thebuildwiththe 9.Or,ifthedealerhappenedtoholdthe Aandthe 10,hecouldaddthe Atotheopponent’sbuildofnine( 3, 2, 4)andraisethebuildto“Ten,”takingitonhisnextturnwiththe 10.However, once two combinations have been “doubled up” —as with

“Sevens”or“Nines”asdescribed—theycannotbebuilthigher.Thisevenapplies when cards of a single value are involved. Suppose that theopponentholds 3 and 3,while the 3 is showing in the layout.Heplacesthe 3onthe 3,announcing“Threes,”whichheintendstotakeupwiththe 3.Thedealerhappenstoholdthe Aand 7,sohewouldlike to count the two “Threes” as “Six,” add “One” (the A), makingseven,andtakeupthebuildonhisnextturnwiththe 7.Buthecan’t,asthe 3and 3havebeendeclared“Threes”andcanbetakenuponlybyacardofthatvalue.If a player hasmade a build that stands until his next turn, hemust

either take up the build, add to it, or take up some other card orcombination.Ifhehasmadenobuild,orcannottakeupanycards,ordoes

notcaretodoso,hesimplyplaysacarddirectlyfromhishandfaceuponthetable,whereitbecomespartofthelayout.Thisiscalled“trailing”andhappensfrequentlyduringacassinohand,generallybecauseaplayerhasno other choice. It brings up another point regarding building; namely,that the value of a build can be increased only by adding a card from aplayer’shand,withoutusinganyoddcardfromthelayout.Thefollowingexamplenotonlyillustratesthatpoint,butshowsexactly

howatwo-handedgameofcassinomightproceed,immediatelyfollowingtheoriginaldeal:

Play proceeds: Opponent builds A on 2, calling it “Three.” Heintends to build A on 2 on his next turn, putting the two buildstogetherandtermingit“Threes,”buthedoesn’tgetthatfarbecause:Dealerincreasesthe“Three”buildto“Seven.”Hewouldliketoputthe

4fromthelayoutontheopponent’sbuild( Aand 2),addthe 7,andcallit“Sevens.”Butthatisnotallowable,astheadditionalcardmustcomefromthedealer’shand.However,heholdsthe 4,soheaddsthattothebuild,announcing“Seven.”Opponenttakesimmediateadvantageofthat,asthesingle“Seven,”like

the“Three,”isunprotected.Opponentwouldliketoaddthe Atothe 2andputthemonthebuild,saying“—andthreemakesten.”Buthecan’tuse the 2aspartof theaddition,because itcomesfromthe layout.Soinstead,heretainsthe Aandputsthe 3onthebuild,saying,“Ten.”Dealernowmusttrail,havingnopossiblebuildandnothinghecantake

up.Helaysdownthe 7fortwogoodreasons:First,hecantakeitupwiththe 7onhisnextturn;whileifheshouldlaydownthe 8,theopponentwouldsimplycombineitwiththe 2,termingitanother“Ten”andplacethecombinationwiththebuild,takingbothwiththetenspot( 10),whichhemustbeholdinginordertobuild.Opponent takesadvantageof that, too.Hecombines the A fromhis

handwiththe 2and 7inthelayout,callsit“Ten,”andputsitwiththeexistingbuild,announcing“Tens.”

Dealerisforcedtotrailwitheither 7or 8.Opponenttakesdoublebuildwith 10.Dealertrailswithhisremainingcard.Atthispoint,theopponenthastakenupeightcards;thedealer,none.

Thelayoutnowconsistsofthefollowingcards:

4 7 8 Q

Takingthepack,thedealernowdealsfourcardseachtotheopponentandhimself,butnomoreareaddedtothelayout.Playcontinuesuntilthatroundoffourisexhausted;thenanotherroundoffoureachisdealt;andsoon,untilnocardsremain.Inthefinalround,whoevertakesupthelasttrickalsotakesupanycardsremaininginthelayout.Face cards, havingnonumerical value, are takenup only by those of

theirowndenomination:kingtakesupking;queentakesupqueen; jacktakesupjack.However,iftherearetwo(oreventhree)jacksinthelayout,onejackcantakethemall.Ifakingisinthelayoutandaplayerholdstwokings, he can put one king on the other and announce “Kings,” takingthemlaterwiththethirdking—unlesshisadversaryholdsthefourthkingandtakesthemupaheadofhim!Inthatcase,hemusttraillaterwithhisfrustratedking.Quite often, a player clears the board by taking any or all cards

remaininginthelayout.Thisistermeda“sweep,”andtheopposingplayeristherebyforcedto“trail”onhisnextplay,asthereisnothingleftforhimto“takeup”ormakea“build.”Attheendofthehand,eachplayergoesthroughthecardsthathehas

takenandpointsarescoredasfollows:

Cards:Forthemostcardstaken 3pointsSpades:Forthemostspadestaken 1pointBigCassino:Fortakingthe 10 2pointsLittleCassino:Fortakingthe 2 1pointAces:Eachcounting1point 4pointsTotalpointsineachdeal 11Sweeps:Eachcountsanadditional 1point

(Since“sweeps”oftendependonsheerluck,theymaybedisregardedifitissoagreed.)

Intwo-handedcassino,thehandsaretotaledup,andifthereisatiein“cards,” neither player scores the 3 points under that head.Thepack isshuffled and the original opponent becomes the dealer, continuing thisuntilonereaches21points,whichrepresentsgame.In three-handedcassino, if twoplayers tie for thegreatestnumberof

“cards,” neither scores,which is a good break for the third player,whogetsbywitha lessernumber.Thesameappliestoa tie in“spades,”withnobodyscoringthesinglepoint.Thedealmovestotheplayerontheleft,whodeals, in clockwise order, four cards to eachplayer and four to theoriginallayout.Gameis21points.In four-handed cassino, with players on their own, the same rules

apply. The only difference in the play is that building becomes moredangerousthaninthetwo-handedgame,becausetherearemoreplayersinbetween.However:In partnership cassino, with four players,A and C vs. B andD, the

players seated opposite pool the cards that they take up, so it is oftenpossible foroneplayer to takeuphispartner’sbuildand later trailwithcardsthatwillprovehelpfultowardanotherbuildwiththesametotal.Butthe individual rule still applies, that a player must hold a card totalingwhatever amount he builds. In partnership play, the teams mayoccasionallytiefor“cards”asintwo-handedcassino.Incasetwoplayersortwoteamsbothgoover21,therearevariousways

ofdecidingthewinner,sooneshouldbeagreeduponbeforethestartofplay.Thesimplestmethodistodeclaretheplayerwiththehighestscoretobe thewinner,as24 to22. Incaseofa tie (as23 to23)anotherhand isplayed; and stillmore, if need be.This is helpful to a third player,whostaysinthegameandsometimesmaywin.Anothersystemisforaplayertodeclare“out”whenhethinksheisover

21.Playstops,acountismade,andiftheplayerisright,hewins;ifwrong,heloses.Ifnoonedeclaresoutinaclosegame,pointsarecountedintheorder:cards,spades,bigcassino,littlecassino, A, A, A, A,sweeps.Thefirstplayertoreach21wins.Somegroupsprefertosetahighertotalforgame,suchas49,whichis

very good in three-handed play, where one unlucky hand may put aplayeroutoftherunning,ifgameisonly21.Otherstreateachdeal,withits complete set of rounds, as a single game, sometimes setting a totalnumbertobeplayedinordertodeterminethewinner.

See descriptions under:DrawCassino, this page,RoyalCassino, thispage, Royal Spade Cassino, this page, Spade Cassino, this page, andSpadesRoyal,thispage.

CATCHTHETEN:ApopularnameforScotchWhist.Seethispage.

CAYENNEorCAYENNEWHIST:AnowobsoletedevelopmentofWhistinwhich the finalcard is turnedup,not todetermine trump,but to fix thevaluesofthesuitsforthatdeal.Thedealermaythennameatrumpsuit,orno-trump; or he can “bridge” that privilege over the heads of hisopponents to his partner. Hence cayenne is historically important as itanticipated the modern game of Bridge by (a) fixing suit values (b)establishingno-trump(c)passing thebid to thepartner, fromwhichthemodern gamebridge gained its name.But it also includednullo, a laterfeatureofBridgeWhist,whichinitsturnenjoyedpopularityandbecameappropriatelyobsolete.

CEDARHURST:AnameforOklahomaGin,thispage.

CENT:AnoldformoftheFrenchgameofPiquet,inwhichahundred(cent)pointsestablishedthewinner.Seethispage.

CHASETHEACE:AmodernnameforavariantofRanter-Go-Round.Seethispage.

CHECKPINOCHLE:UnderPinochle.Seethispage.

CHEMIN-DE-FER:ApopulardevelopmentofBaccarat,thispage,suitedtosocialaswellascasinoplay.Threetosixpacksareused,cardsvaluedfromace,1,upto9,withtensandfacecards0,butthebankerdealsonlytotheplayer who makes the largest bet, with others betting along with theopponent,up to the limitof thebank.Twocards aredealt facedown toopponentandbanker,witha“natural”9(as6 3)winningovera“natural”8(as8 10),whichwinsoveranythingelse.Asinbaccarat,whencardsaddtomorethan10,onlythe last figure isused.Thus,8 10 18 8.If thereare no naturals, each can take or refuse an extra face-up card, and thetotalclosestto9wins.Asanexample,6 7 2 15 5,wouldbeat7 8 924 4, the first figuresbeingdropped.With ties,betsareoff.As inold-

stylebaccarat,aplayermayannounce“Banco”andmonopolizethebettingfor himself. In social play, the banker keeps on dealing until he loses,whenthedealmovesinrotation.Inbothbaccarat and chemin-de-fer, thebankerhas the advantageof

being the last to“stand”or“draw”a card forhimself.Chemin-de-fer isfaster, as there is only one opponent and therefore no “line bets.” Thepack is dealt straight through, passing along to the new bankerwithoutshuffling,untilonlyafewcardsremain,whenashuffleisinorder.Gambling casinos provide their own dealer in baccarat, but the deal

movesalonginchemin-de-fer.Thereisasetrulethataplayermusttakeathirdcardifnohigherthan4,candoashepleaseswith5,andmuststandon6 or7, in justice to thosewho are betting alongwithhim,unless he“goesbanco,”whichputshimonhisown.Ingamblingcasinos,thedealeras well as the players must conform to house rules that apply to suchtotals.

CHICAGO: A popular name formerly applied to Michigan. It now referschiefly to themodern game ofFour-Deal Bridge, this page, which wasfirstintroducedinChicago.Also,aformofSeven-CardStudPoker, thispage,inwhichtheplayerholdingthehighestspadesplitsthepotwiththehighesthand.

CHILEorCHILEANCANASTA:Three-packCanasta(168cards)includingsequencemelds,whicharescoredas inSamba;orwithwild-cardmeldsallowed instead, a wild-card canasta scoring 2000 bonus points. SeeCanasta,thispage.

CHINESEBEZIQUE:ApopularnameforSix-PackBezique.Seethispage.

CHINESEBRIDGE:AvariationofDoubleDummyBridge.Seethispage.

CHINESEFAN-TAN:Alargerectangularcardisplacedonatable,withitscornersnumbered:

3 24 1

Players put chips on the corners or along the edges as they prefer.A

dealer, acting as banker, cuts a batch of cards from a pack and countsthemoffbyfours.Anyleftoverdeterminethewinningnumber,as1,2,or3;with an exact count signifying4.Awinning corner bet receives threechips.Anedgebet collectsone if thewinningnumber isonanadjacentcorner,as1–2,2–3,3–4,4–1.This isadirectadaptationof theoriginalChinese game in which a handful of beans is used instead of a pack ofcards.

CHINESEWHIST:AnoldbutintriguingformofWhist,thispage,inwhicheachplayer isdealtarowofsix face-downcards, thensix face-upcardsuponthem,andfinallyanoddcardashishand.Dealernamestrumpandplayerathisleftleadsanyupcard.Othersmustfollowsuitifpossiblewithanupcard,orthecardheldinhand.Alldowncardsareturnedupassoonasuncovered, thusbecomingupcards.Winnerof each trick leads to thenext,withplayandscoringasinwhist.Thiscanbeplayedthree-handed,witheightdowncardsandeightupcards, eachplayeronhisownandanodd card for his hand. A player must take one trick more than hisopponents combined in order to score. In the two-handed game, eachplayer is dealt twelve downcards covered by twelve upcards, with twocardsforhishand.

CHOUETTEorRUBICONBEZIQUE:Amodeofplay inRubiconBezique,this page (or Six-Pack, this page and Eight-Pack Bezique, this page),involving a group of players. All cut cards and the highest becomesbanker,with thenexthighashisopponent,otherswaiting their turn,asthirdhighandsoon.Thebankerhasthechoiceofdeal,andifhewinshecollectsfromalltheothersandcontinuesasbanker.Ifheloses,hepaysallandhisopponentbecomesbanker,whilethenextplayerinlinebecomesthenewopponent.Asloser,theoriginalbankergoestothebottomofthelist.

CIENTOS:ASpanishantecedentofPiquet.Seethispage.

CINCH: Known also as “double pedro” and “high five”—both veryappropriate terms, by the way—this game is actually an elaboration ofAuction Pitch (this page), including features of Pedro, with additionalfeaturesthatcharacterizeitasagameinitsownright.It isafour-playergame,withtwoteamsofpartnersseatedopposite,usingafifty-two-card

pack,withcardsrankingfromacedowntotwo,butwithaspecialfeature,namely,thatthetrumpsuitincludesthefiveoftheothersuitofthesamecolor,whichranksjustbelowthefiveoftrump.As an example, with hearts as trump, the suits would be valued as

follows:

Ninecardsaredealtthreeatatimetoeachplayer,makingthirty-sixinall, and the remaining sixteen cards are laid aside. Beginning at thedealer’s left, players make single bids for the privilege of naming thetrumpsuit.Bidscanrunashighasfourteen,whichisthegreatestnumberof points that a team can take during play, according to the followingschedule,whichpertainsstrictlytotrumpcards:High,theace,1;low,thedeuce,1;jack,1;game,theten,1;rightpedro,

thefive,5;leftpedro,thefiveofthesamecolor,5.Thehighestbiddernames the trumpofhischoice,andeachplayer in

turndiscardsatleastthreecards,toreducehishandtoaplayingquotaofsix. He can discard as many more as he wants, provided they are nottrumps,andthendrawenoughcardsfromthepacktobringhishandupto the required six. All discards are made face up; and after the dealerdiscards,heisallowedtolookthroughtheremainderofthepackandtakewhatever cards he wants, instead of merely drawing from the top, thisprivilegebeingtermed“robbingthepack.”Highbidderleadstothefirst trick,andotherplayerscaneitherfollow

suit or trump the trick. Highest card of suit led wins the trick, unlesstrumped,whenhighesttrumpwins.Ifaplayerisunabletofollowsuit,hecanplayfromanothersuitinsteadoftrumping.Ifaplayershouldviolatesuchrulesbyrevoking,playcontinues,buthisteamcannotscoreandanopposingbidisautomaticallyregardedasmade.Attheendofplay,eachteamcountsitspointsaccordingtotheschedule

already given. If any are still in the pack, they go to the bidding team’sscore.Thesimplestwayof scoring is todeduct the lower score from thehigherandcreditthewinningteamwiththedifference.Example:TeamAbids8andmakes 10points,with teamBmakingonly4.TeamA scores

10–4 6.However,ifateamfallsshortofitsbid,itscoresnothing,andtheopposingteamscorestheamountbidplusitsownpoints.ThusifTeamAbids 8 but takes only 7 points,withTeamB taking the other 7,TeamBwouldscore8 7 15forthathand.Gameisusuallysetat51points.Thoughprimarilyafour-playerpartnershipgame,cinchcanbeplayed

bytwotosixplayers,eachonhisown;butwithfiveorsix,onlysixcardsaredealttoeachandtheyfrequentlypreferaformofthegamecalled:

AuctionCinch,AuctionHighFive,orRazzleDazzle:Sixcardseacharedealttofiveorsixplayers,whobidentirelyontheirown,proceedingasusualuntil ready to play. Then the high bidder calls upon the player holdingsomespecificcard(oftentheaceoftrump)tobehispartnerforthathandonly.Nooneknowswhothesecretpartner isuntilherevealshimselfbyplayingthecardnamed.

BlindCinch: A four-player game,with each being dealt a nine-card handplusapacketof fourcards,which iskept facedown.Thehighestbidderaddshispackettohishandbeforenamingtrump,then,afternamingit,hediscards seven of his thirteen cards, reducing his hand to six. Otherplayers then pick up their packets and do the same. Play follows as inregularcinch.

Widow Cinch: A six-player game, with those seated opposite acting aspartners,thusformingthreeteamsoftwoplayerseach.Thedealconsistsofeightcardstoeachplayer,theremainingfourcardsbeinglaidasideasaface-downwidow,whichgoestothehighbidder,whothennamestrumpanddiscardssixcards,reducinghishandtotheusualsix.Otherplayersdothesamebydiscardingtwocardseachandplayproceedsasincinch.

Sixty-three: A game similar to cinch, but with additional trump points asfollows: king, 25; three, 15; nine, 9.Thismakes a total of 63,hence thenameofthegame.Playerscanoutbidoneanotherasoftenastheywant,untilallpassbutone,with63thehighestpossiblebid.Playingandscoringfollowtheusualpatternbutwith150pointsasgame.

CINCINNATIandCINCINNATILIZ:WildformsofPoker.Seethispage.

CINQ-CENT:AformofBezique,thispage,withapackofthirty-twocards,

rankingA,10,K,Q,J,9,8,7,oneofeachvalueinallfoursuits.Meldsarecountedasinbezique,butinaddition,aplayerscores120forasequencein anordinary suit.Ameldof Q and J is theusual40,but is calledbinageinsteadofbezique.Apinochlecountisused;ace,11;ten,10;king,4;queen,3;jack,2,with10fortakinglasttrick,120pointsinall.Gameis500points.

CITADEL:AvariantofBeleagueredCastle.Seethispage.

CLABBER,orCLOB,CLOBBER,CLOBBERYASH,CLUBBY:NamesforthegamenowcallKlaberjass.Seethispage.

CLOSEDPOKER:Seethispage.

COLDHANDSorCOLD-HANDPOKER:Seethispage.

COLDHANDSWITHDRAW:Seethispage.

COMETorCOMMIT:Agameofthe“stops”typeintroducedwhenHalley’scometappearedin1759.Itisplayedwithastandardpackfromwhichthe8isremoved,leavingfifty-onecards.Fromthreetoeightplayersaredealthandsofequalnumbers,butatleastthreecardsareleftoverandlaidasidefacedown.Cardsareratedinascendingvalue,A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K, according to suits. Player at dealer’s left places any card fromhishandfaceuponthetable(as 5)andcontinuestoaddmore(as 6, 7,etc.) to represent the tail of a comet, until he is stopped, say at 10,becausehelacksthenextinsequence,inthiscasethe J.Whoeverholdsthatcardplaysitandcontinuesonfromthereuntilhetooisstopped.Upon reachingaking,however, aplayer canbeginanother sequence,

representing a new comet’s tail. If play is completely blocked because aneededcardisamongtheextras,whoevermadethelastplaycanbeginanewsequence.The 9caneitherbeusedtostartasequenceas itselforcanbeplayedasa“wildcard”withoutdisturbingtheorderofasequence.Example: A player could play the 9 following the 4, but then he oranotherplayerwouldhavetofollowwiththe 5orbeginanewtail.Beforeplaystarts,allcontributeequallytoapoolorpot,whichgoesto

the player who first disposes of all his cards. Whoever plays the 9collectstwochipsfromeveryoneelse,butmustpaythemtwochipseachif

caughtwiththe 9atthefinish.Asageneralrule,anyoneplayingakingcollectsonechipfromeach,butmustpayoneeachforanykingleftinhishand.Asanoption,aplayerbeginningasequencewithanacecollectsonechipfromeach,butwithnopenaltyifleftwithanace.

COMMERCE:AnoldEnglishprogenitorofpoker.Uptoadozenplayersputan equal number of chips in a pool or pot. The dealer gives each threecardssingly,and,beginningathisleft,eachmay“trade”bygivingacardto the dealer, who places it face down beneath the pack and deals theplayeranotherinstead,receivingonechipfromtheplayerforthisservice.Or,theplayermay“barter”withtheplayeronhisleft,givinghimaface-downcardandreceivingoneinexchange,nopaymentbeinginvolved.Thiscontinuesindefinitelyaroundthetable,eachplayertryingtoform

a combination in the following order: Tricon, three of the same value,these rankingA,K,Q, J, 10down to2.Sequence (latercalledSequenceFlush),withthreecardsofonesuitindescendingorder,acehigh(as A,K,Q)orlow(as 3,2,A).Point:Thelowesttotalofspotsonthreecardsofthe same suit: Ace counting 11, face cards (king, queen, jack, 10 each).(Example: J,7,2 10 7 2 19,beats A,6,5 11 6 5 22.)Later, these values were introduced: Flush, just below sequence, any

threecardsofonesuit(as J,7,3),andPair,twocardsofthesamevalue(as J, J)ratingjustbelowthat.ThisreducedPointtothestatusofonlytwocardsofonesuit,withthehighesttotalofspotsbeingwinner(as A,K 11 10 21,beating 9,8 17).Thismakesamuchbettergame.Inallcases,however,playendswhenaplayerdecidestostandonwhat

hehas.Whenhisturncomestotradeorbarterorevenacceptthebarterofferedby theplayer just aheadofhim,heknocks on the table instead.Thenallhandsmustbeshownandthehighesttakesthepot.Thedealer,having collected from the traders, must pay the others one chip eachunlessheisthewinner,providedheholdsapairorbetter.

COMMERCIALPITCH:AnothernameforSellout.Seethispage.

CONCENTRATION:Amemorygameinwhichafifty-two-cardpackisdealtfacedowninhalfadozenrowsofeightorninecardseach.Aplayerturnsupanypairofcards,andiftheymatchincolorandvalue(as 8and 8,or Q Q),heremovesthemandtriestoturnupanothermatchingpair.Whenhefails,heturnsthetwocardsfacedownandanotherplayermakes

atry.Thiscontinueswithfromtwotosixplayers,whomakementalnoteofanycardsturneddown.ThusifPlayerAshouldturndownthe 8andthe K, Player B might later turn up either the 8 or the K andimmediatelybe able tomatch it, providedhe rememberswhere itsmatehappens to be. The player pairing the most cards wins the game. As avariant, the game is easier if dependent on values only, as any two acesbeingacceptedasapairregardlessofcolor,andsoon.Half-sizedplayingcardscanbeusedtoaccommodatethelayoutinlessspace.

CONQUIAN: AMexican predecessor ofRummy, with two players using aforty-cardpack ranking indescendingorder:K,Q, J, 7,6,5,4,3,2,A.Eachisdealtahandoftencards,andhisaimistomeldorlaydownthreeorfourcardsofthesamevalue(asJ–J–Jor6–6–6–6)andsequencesofthreeormoreinonesuit(as 543).Opponentbeginsbyturninguptopcard of the undealt pack and melding whatever he can from his hand,usingtheturned-upcardifitissuitable.Inthatcase,followinghismeld,hediscardsanoddcardfromhishand,layingitfaceupbesidethepacktostartadiscardpile.Otherwise,hemustusetheturned-upcardtostartthediscardpile,ashecannottakeitintohishand(asinrummy).Inhisturn,thedealermayusethetopcardofthediscardpiletowarda

meldifpossible;otherwise,hemustturnupthetopcardofthepackandproceedastheopponentdid.Alternateplaycontinuesuntiloneplayerhasmelded his entire hand, plus an extra card, making eleven in all. Thussometimes,withtencardsalreadymelded,aplayermustcontinuetoturnup cards or wait for a discard that can be added to his existing meld.Besides “laying off” on his ownmeld, a playermay “borrow” from onetowardanother,ifbotharekeptvalid.Example:Havingmelded KQJ7,hecouldputthe Kwithtwootherkings,forK–K–K.Orhavingmelded3–3–3–3and 654,hecouldtakethe 3fromthe“set”andattachittothe“run”inordertoadd 2Aforasequenceof 65432A.Atanytimeoneplayermayinsist that theotherusea turned-upcardtowardameldthathehasalreadymade,asthatmayhinderhisfurtherplay.Eachhandisregardedasaseparategame,andifthepackisexhausted

before either player melds out, the next game counts double. The dealchangesaftereachhandorgame.

CONSOLATION:Anamegiventothefinalhandor“game”inFiveinOne.

Seethispage.

CONTINENTALRUMMY:AmultipletypeofRummy,usingtwopacks(eachwithoneor two jokers) forup to sixplayers; three suchpacks forup tonine;foursuchpacksforuptotwelve.CardsrankA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,theacebeingbothhighandlow.Eachplayerisdealtfifteencards(preferablybythrees).Playfollowsthestandardrummypattern,thispage,butwiththeseprovisos:No sets (asK–K–K) can bemelded; only sequences of three ormore

cardsinthesamesuit(as 987).Theentirehandmustbemeldedatoncetogoout;anditmustbecomposedexactlyoffivesequencesofthreecardseach;threeoffourcardsandoneofthree;oronefive,onefour,andtwothrees. A joker is wild, representing any card a player may require.Winner collects 1 point from every other player, plus 2 points for eachjokerthatheholds.Withdeuceswildaswellasjokers,thecardsrankA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,

6, 5, 4, 3, A and the winner collects 1 point for each deuce he holds.Variousbonuscountsmaybeincluded,as10pointsforgoingoutwithoutawildcardand15pointsforgoingoutwithallcardsinonesuit.

CONTRACT BRIDGE: By far the most popular of modern card games,contractbridgeisahigh-poweredextensionofAuctionBridge,theleaderof itsday.Thegamesfollowthesamebiddingprocedure,butcontract ismore exacting because of its advanced mode of scoring. In play, bothfollowtherulesofWhist,seethispage.Thestandardfifty-two-cardpackis used, with each suit rankingA, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 indescendingorder.Therearefourplayers,commonlycalledSouth,North,East,andWest

because of their positions at the table. Those seated opposite play aspartnersagainsttheotherpair(EandWvs.NandS).Theentirepackisdealt singly in clockwise order, giving each player thirteen cards.Whileonly a single pack is used in playing each hand, convention requires asecond pack, which is shuffled by the dealer’s partner and laid at thepartner’s right, in readiness for thenextdealer. In eachdeal, thedealerhasthepackcutbytheplayeronhisright.The bidding beginswith the dealer,whomay either “pass” or specify

howmanytrickshewillcontracttotake,withhispartner’said,eitherwith

acertainsuitastrump,orinno-trump.Thelowestbidis“one,”meaningthattheteammusttakeonetrickovera“book”ofsix,makingseventricksin all; and the bids run in ascending order: clubs, diamonds, hearts,spades,andno-trump.Abidof twoclubs ishigher thanoneno-trump;threeclubsishigherthantwono-trump;andsoupward,withthehighestbidofallsevenno-trump.Thebiddingisstartedbythedealerandproceedsinclockwiserotation.

Ifallpass,thehandsareturnedinandthedealmovestotheleft.Ifabidismade,asucceedingplayermayraiseit (asfromonehearttotwohearts),bid higher (as two NT over two diamonds), or “pass,” but with theprivilege of re-entering the bidding, unless three players pass insuccession,inwhichcasethelastactualbidstands.Aplayermay“double”abidmadebytheopposingteam,whichenables

thebiddertoscoredoubleintrickpoints,plusanextrabonuscount,ifhemakeshisbid.Butifthebiddershouldfail,theteamthatdoubledscoresanadditionalbonus.Adoublehas the statusof a regularbid;hence thenextplayercaneither“pass”or“overcall”itwithahigherbid.Instead,hecan also “redouble,” which again doubles the trick points and alsoincreases thebonuspoints forone teamor theother.Naturally,aplayercan only double a bid made by an opponent; never his partner’s bid.Similarly,hecanonlyredoubleanopposingdouble.Whenthebiddingends,theplayerwhomadethefinalbidbecomesthe

“declarer,”unlesshispartneroriginallynamedthesuit(orno-trump).Inthatcase,thepartnerbecomesthedeclarer.Itisthedeclarerwhoplaysthehandsforthebiddingteam.Example:Sbidsonespade;NbidsoneNT;Sbidstwodiamonds;Nbids

three hearts. If the bidding stops there,North becomes declarer with acontractofthreehearts.ButifNorthhadbidthreespades,Southwouldbedeclarer at three spades, since he initiated the suit. However, if SouthshouldcontinuethebiddingtothreeNT,Northwouldbecomedeclareratthreeno-trump,sincehewasthefirsttonameno-trump.When bidding is completed, the play startswith the opponent on the

declarer’s left, who leads any card. Immediately, the declarer’s partnerlayshishandfaceuponthetable,arrangingitinsuitsfromacedown,sothat the declarer can play it as a “dummy” handwhile playing his ownhandintheusualfashion.Playproceedstotheleft,orclockwise,exactlyas in the parent game ofwhist; namely: Playersmust follow suit if they

can;otherwise, theymay trumpordiscard froma side suit.Thehighestcardofthesuitledwinsthetrickunlesstrumped,whenthehighesttrumpwins.Thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenextuntilallthirteenhavebeentaken.Inbridge,tricksarescoredinascendingvalue,accordingtowhichsuit

is trump, or whether the declarer is playing no-trump. In clubs ( ) ordiamonds( )eachtrickbidandwonoversixcounts20points.Thus,withabidofonediamond,thedeclarerwouldhavetotakesevenormoretrickstoscore20;withabidoftwoclubs,eightormoretrickstoscore40;andsoon.Withhearts( )orspades( )eachtrickbidandwonoversixcounts30

points;thuswithabidofthreeheartsorthreespades,thedeclarerwouldhavetotakenineormoretrickstoscore90;andsoonupward.Withno-trump (NT) a bid of “one” scores 40 points, with 30 points for eachadditionaltrickbidandwon,sothatabidofoneNT(seventricks)wouldcount40ifsuccessful;twoNT,70points;threeNT,100.Allthesecountdoubleifthebidis“doubled,”fourtimesif“redoubled.”Thefirstteamtoscore100trickpointswins“game”andtheteamsstart

again at 0, until one team has won two games, which constitute a“rubber.”Itispossibletowingamewithabidof“five”ina“minorsuit”(or ),since20×5 100;orwithabidof“four” ina“majorsuit”( or ),since30×4 120;orwithabidof “three” inno-trump, as40 30 30100.Withlesserbids,ateammustwinatleasttwohandstomakegame.Whenateamhaswononegame,itbecomes“vulnerable.”Inbridge,aspecialscoringpadisused,withaseparatecolumnforeach

teamandahorizontal lineacross thecenter.All trickpoints areentered“below the line” and all bonus points are entered “above the line,”according to the scoring table shown. Itwill be noted that bonus scoresincrease when a team is “vulnerable,” a factor that has an importantbearingonthebidding,astheriskbecomesproportionatelygreater.Afterateamwinsagame,asinglelineisdrawnbeneaththescore;and

afterateamwinsarubber,adoublelineisdrawnbeneath.Eachcolumnisthen added and the lower total is placed beneath the higher andsubtracted, toascertain thewinning team’smarginofvictory.Here isanexampleofarubberthatrequiredfivehandsforitscompletion:

Biddingandplayrepresentedbytheabovescoreranthus:Inhand“A” the first team,“We,”bid threeheartsand took 10 tricks,

scoring 90 below the line for making contract; and 30 above for the“overtrick,”orextratrick.In“B,”theotherteam,“They,”bidthreeNTbuttookonly8tricks,so

“We”scored50abovethelineforoneundertrick.In“C,”“They”bidfourNTandtook11tricks,scoring130belowtheline

formakingcontract,and30abovefortheovertrick.In“D,”“They”bidfourspadesandmadeitbytakingexactly10tricks,

scoring120belowtheline.Score “E” represents a 700-point bonus above the line, since “They”

won the rubber by winning two games (in Hands “C” and “D”), while“We”wonnone.

Abidof“six,” if successful, is termeda“smallslam,”andthebiddingteamscoresaspecialbonusabovethelinefortakingtherequiredtwelvetricks.Asuccessfulbidof“seven,”inwhichallthirteentricksaretaken,isa“grandslam,”withastillhigherbonus.Theonly score thathasnothing todowith taking tricks is the“honor

score,”acarry-overfromwhist,inwhicheitherteam,regardlessofwhichdeclared trump, is credited with bonus points for holding four or five“trumphonors”(A,K,Q,J,10)inonehand;orallfouracesinonehand,ifthefinalbidisno-trump.Allthesearelistedinthescoringtablebelow.

EvaluatingandBiddingtheHand:Inorderfortwopartnerstobidtheirhandseffectively, theymustfollowasetsystem,andthemostpopular isthe “point count,”whichwas originally applied to no-trumphands andlaterdeveloped to include suit bids.This consists of evaluating thehigh

cardsasfollows:ace,4;king,3;queen,2;jack,1.Thesealoneareusedinno-trumpbids.Withtrumps,eachcardoverfourinatrumpsuitcounts1point;eachoverthreeinasidesuitcounts1point.Insteadofnotingsuch“longsuits,”thiscanbecalculatedonabasisof

“shortsuits.”Asuitwithonly twocards, termeda“doubleton,”counts1point;asuitwithonlyonecard,knownasa“singleton,”counts2points;total lack of any suit, called a “void” or “blank suit,” counts 3 points. Itcomes out the same either way, and these are termed “distributionalpoints”todistinguishthemfrom“high-cardpoints.”

SCORINGTABLEFORCONTRACTBRIDGE

Aftermakingcontract,declarer’steamscoresbelowtheline:

Foreachoddtrickoversix

OrdinaryContract

WhenDoubled

WhenRedoubled

Clubs ordiamonds 20 40 80Hearts orspades 30 60 120No-trump:firsttrick 40 80 160Additionaltricks: 30 60 120

Declarer’steamscoresbonuspointsabovetheline:

Whendeclarer’steamfailstomakecontract,opponentsscoreabovetheline:

Gameconsistsof100pointsormore.Winneroftwogameswinsrubber:

Forhonorsheldbyoneplayer,eitherteamscoresabovetheline:

To openwith a suit bid, one of the following potential trump suits isneeded:Afour-cardsuitwith3orpreferably4high-cardpoints;afive-card suit with at least 1 high-card point; or any six-card suit or longer.Suchahand,however,mustcontainatotalof12or13pointstowarrantabidof“one”;with14pointsabidof“one”isamustinorderforaplayertoalert his partner to the hand’s potential strength. With two “biddablesuits”itisusuallypreferabletobidthelongerone;whilewithtwoofequallength, the one with the higher scoring value is preferable. Either way,theremaybeachancetobidtheothersuitlater.Toopenwithatrumpbidof“two,”aplayershouldhave22pointswith

aseven-cardsuit,ortwogoodfive-cardsuits;23pointswithagoodsix-card suit; and 25 points with only one good five-card suit. This is a“demandbid,”requiringthepartnertokeepthebiddingopenuntilgamelevelisreached.A trump opening bid of “three” or “four” denotes a “freak” hand

containingalong,fairlystrongsuitofatleastsevencards,butwithalowpointcount,especiallyinhighcards.Thisistermeda“shutout”bid,asitpreventstheopposingteamfrombiddingandisthereforeworththerisk.Forexample:

KJ1098532 5 K109 9

Although this hand has only 7 high-card points (K–J–K) and a totalpointcountof11(duetoextraspadesastrump),itshouldtakesixorseventricks in spades and one in diamonds. Hence it is worth a bid of threespadesorfourspades,asnormalsupportfromthepartnerwillclinchthecontract;andatworstthedeclarercangodownonlyoneortwotricks.In opening with a suit bid of “one,” which is the most frequent

procedure, a player should check his hand for “quick tricks,” whichinclude the following combinations in individual suits (“X” standing foranysmallcard):A–K–Q 2½;A–K 2;A–Q 1½;A–J–10 1½;K–Q–J1½; A 1; K–Q 1; K–J–10 1; K–X ½; Q–J–X ½;. A 12-point handusuallyneedstwoandonehalfquicktrickstoopen;whilea13-pointhandandevena14-pointhandshouldshowtwoquicktricks,nolongerrating

asa“must”bidifitbogsdowninthatdepartment.Forexample:

K K8732 Q8643 QJ

Evenwith14points(11high-card,3distributional)thisisinadequateforanopeningbid,asithasonlyonehalfquicktricksinhearts.For an opening bid in no-trump, a hand should contain suits

distributedinoneofthefollowingratios,whichareknownas“balanced”hands:4–3–3–3,4–4–3–2,5–3–3–2.Apointcountof16,17,or18,allinhighcards,isneededfor“oneno-trump,”andthebiddershouldhaveastopperineachofthreesuits.A“stopper”isacardthatsoonerorlatercantake an opposing lead in its particular suit, thus enabling the bidder togainthelead.Acesarestoppersintheirownright,butkings,queens,andjacksrequireone,two,andthreecardsrespectivelytoqualify.Example:

KJ8 J984 AKQ Q102

The abovehand,with4–3–3–3distribution, has a point count of 16,with a stopper in every suit, automatically calling for an opening bid of“one no-trump.” As already specified, stoppers in three suits would beenough, butwith 4–4–3–2 or 5–3–3–2 distribution, the two-card suitmusthaveastopper,orthehandwouldbetoorisky.Asexamples:

(a) AK9 K8 AQ72 8542(b) 86 AK7 KJ953 AQ9

In(a)thecountof16isgoodfor“oneno-trump”becausetheshortsuit( )hasastopperinaguardedkingandthreesuits( , , )areprotected.But in (b) the higher count of 17 is offset by the lack of stoppers in theshortsuit( ).Thecorrectbidforthishandwouldbe“onediamond.”Balancedhandswith19,20,or21high-cardpointscallforanopening

suitbidof“one”ratherthana“no-trump”bid,eventhoughthreeorfoursuitshavestoppers.Thisenablesabiddertosizeupthesituationfromhispartner’sresponseoropposingovercalls,sohecancontinuethebiddingaccordingly. With a balanced hand containing 22, 23, or 24 high-cardpoints,theproperbidis“twono-trump,”providedallsuitshavestoppers.With 25, 26, or 27 points in that same type of hand, the bid should be“threeno-trump.”

ResponsestoOpeningBids:Sinceasuitbidof“one”isthecommonestof all openers, a partner’s response to such a bid deserves primeconsideration.Suchresponsesareofthreetypes:(a)Raisingthebidinthesamesuit.(b)Makingahigherbidinanewsuit.(c)Makingabidinno-trump.Eachofthesedependsuponthetypeofhandheldbythepartner,whose

responseshouldadheretothefollowingpatterns:(a)Iftheresponderhasthreecardsoftheoriginalbidder’strumpsuit,

headedbyajackorbetter,hecanbid“two”inthesamesuit, ifhishandcontains7to10points.Hecanalsoraiseto“two”onthestrengthoffoursmalltrumps(allbelowjack)ifhehastherequiredcount.Forasingleton,he can add 1 extra point; for a void, 2 extra points, toward his over-allcount.

Example: 9875 K1098754 6 9

Withanoriginalbidof“onespade,”thishandwouldnormallyaddto7points,3 for the K and fourextracards inhearts.Butasa respondingbid,thesingleton wouldbeworth1pointmoreanda singleton1point,makingatotalof9pointsforabidoftwospades.Goodjudgmentmustbeused,however,forifthehandjustshowncontainedthe KinsteadoftheKasasingleton,itmightbeworthlessinplay,althoughthecountadded

uptothesametotal.Withahandthatcontainsfouroftheoriginalbidder’strumpandadds

upto11or12points,itisusuallywisetoswitchtoanothersuit,thencomeback to the original trump (if possible or advisable) on a later bid.However,suchahandthattotals13to16pointsbythestepped-upcountiswortha“jumpraise”to“three”intheoriginalbidder’strump,namelyspades:

Example: K875 9 Q732 KQ86

High-cardpointstotal10,plus3distributionalpoints—1foranextra ;1foranextra ;and1extraforthesingleton( 9).Thatmakes13,goodfora response of three spades. Again, judgment is a factor; with a stronghand, a responder can always add an extra point to reach the neededbracket.Simplybecautiouswithdoubtfulhands,particularlythoseofthe

“balanced” type, as their lack of singletons or voids is a handicapwhenraisingatrumpbid.When a responderhas ahand containing five ormore of the original

bidder’s trumps, with a singleton or void, and less than 10 high-cardpoints,heshouldmakea“shutout”raiseto“four”oftheoriginaltrump.The logic of this is simple: Since the original bidder has at least fourtrumps and the responder five, they must have nine or more trumpsbetweenthem,withtheresponder’ssingletonofferingtheoriginalbiddergood trumping opportunities from the dummy hand. In bridge, as inwhist,“trumping”iscommonlytermed“ruffing.”With“four” inamajor suit ( or ) there is a chance forgame;while

withaminorsuit ( or ) theoriginalbiddercango“five”withastronghand,hopingforthesameresult.Eitherway,thepartnerscan’tgodowntoobadly,soitisworththerisktoshutouttheopponentsfromapossiblestrongbidoftheirown.(b)With anopeningbid of “one,” a partnerwho lacks support in the

suitnamedcanswitchtoanewsuitinwhichheholdsfourormorecardsanda total of6 to 10points,providedhe cankeep it at the “one” level.Thistypeofbid,knownasthe“oneoverone”isalwayspossiblefollowinganopenerofoneclub;whileanopeningbidof“one”ineitherminorsuit(or )canalwaysbeovercalledby“one”inamajorsuit( or ).With a count of 11 to 17, a responder can still bid “one” under such

circumstances,butwhenthatisimpossible,hecangoto“two”inhisownsuit:Thus,anopeningbidofoneheartwouldrequirearesponseof twoclubsor twodiamonds;whileaone spadeopeningwouldmeanabidof“two”inanyothersuit.Thisisknownasa“twooverone.”Eithertype—the“oneoverone”or“twooverone”—isa“forcingbid,”whichcallsupontheoriginalbiddertokeepthebiddingopen.Withacountof18ormore,arespondercan“jump”anopeningbidof

“one”to“three”inanothersuit,thus“forcing”thebiddingtogamelevel.Therefore,he shouldeitherbevery strong inhisnew suit orhavegoodsupport for the original bidder’s trump, in order to switch back to it ifneedbe.Often,suchbiddingleadstoapotentialslam.(c)With a “balanced hand” containing 6 to 10 high-card points, the

usual response to an opening suit bid of “one” is oneNT.This is not a“forcing bid,” as it is often easy to wangle the one trick needed over“book,” so it does notmatter if the original bidder and both opponents

pass.However,withabalancedhandhaving13 to15high-cardpoints,aresponseoftwoNTisinorder;whileabalancedhandwith16to18high-card points, three NT is proper. In each case, however, the respondermusthavea“stopper”ineverysuitexceptthesuitnamedbyhispartner,theopeningbidder.AtwoNTresponseis“forcing”togame;butthreeNTis good for game, so the original bidder can let it ride unless he seesprospectsforaslam.

Anopeningsuitbidof“two”isademandtokeepthebiddingopenuntilgame is reached. Hence with less than 7 high-card points, a partnershould respondwith twoNT as the cheapestway to show that he has anegative hand, which may prove worthless. With 7 or more high-cardpoints and one quick trick, a positive response is in order. That wouldmean “three” in the opening bidder’s suit or a lower-ranking suit; or“two”inahigher-rankingsuit.Withabalancedhandof8or9pointsandanything more than one quick trick, the response should be three NT,whichrepresentsapositivebid.

Anopeningbidof“oneno-trump”specifiesabalancedhandwith16to18high-cardpoints,asalreadystated.Apartnerwhoalsohasabalancedhand should respond as follows:With8or 9high-cardpoints, twoNT.With10to14suchpoints,threeNT.With15or16points,fourNT.With17 or 18, a jump to six NT is justified. With 21 high-card points, theresponsecanbesevenNT.Withanunbalancedhandcontaininglessthan8points,theresponder

maypassorbid“two”inafive-cardsuit,toshowwherehisstrengthlies.With10ormorepoints,theresponseshouldbe“three”inabiddablesuit—particularly amajor—forcing to game.This is termed a “takeout bid,”tellingtheopenerthat theresponderhasthepointsneededforthreeNTbutwantstoshowstrengthinaspecificsuit.

With an opening bid of “two no-trump,” a responder holding abalancedhandcanraisethebidtothreeNTwithonly4high-cardpoints;orjumptofourNTwith9suchpoints.With11points,thebidcanjumptosixNT;with13points,tosevenNT.Iftheresponderholdsanunbalancedhand,hecangoto“three”inafive-cardsuitifthehandhasmorethan5points.Withasix-cardsuit,particularlyamajorsuit( or ),aresponseof“three”shouldbesure-fire.

An opening bid of “three no-trump” is a game contract, so therespondershouldbidhigheronlyifheseeschancesforaslam.Heknows

thathispartner, theopeningbidder,hasat least25points,which leavesonly 15 for the rest.So if the responderholds5or6of thosehigh-cardpoints,hemayaswellletthe“three”ride.Butwith7points,hecanraisetofourNT;with8pointstosixNT;with12points,tosevenNT.Anylongsuitoffiveormorecards,with5pointsinhighcards, isworthatakeoutbidof“four”inthatsuit.

Withashutoutbidof“three”(or“four”)inasuit,thebestresponseisto pass, as the bidder is depending upon the responder to have somestrength to aid his freakish hand. However, if the responder’s hand isgoodforthreeandonehalfquicktricks,orhasfourormorecardsinthebidder’strumpsuit,araisemaybeinorderinthesuitnamed.

Rebidding the Hand: After an opening bidder gains some clue to hispartner’shandfromthelatter’sresponse,hecanrebidif theircombinedpoint countpromises26ormore,whichnormally shouldproducegameduringplay.Hence,withanopeningbidof“one”inasuit,theprocedureis:

With opening bid of “one.” Response “two” in same suit: If openingbidderhas12to15points,heshouldgenerallypass,sinceresponderhasonly6to10points.However, if theopenerhassixormorecards inthatsuit,hecanraisethebidto“three.”If opening bidder holds 16 to 18 points, he can rebid “three” in the

original suit; or,with a balancedhandwith 16 high-card points, he canchangetotwoNT.Or,hecanmakeabidinanewsuitifithastherequiredcount.With19to21points,hecanjumptogameinhisoriginalsuit,orbidanewsuit.

Openingbidof“one.”Response“three”insamesuit:Ifopeningbidderholds12to15points,hecancountonhispartner’s13to16toproducethetotal of 26 for game.Hencehe can raise that suit to “four” or switch tothreeNTwithabalancedhandofthe4–3–3–3or4–4–3–2type.Iftheoriginal bid is in a minor suit, one club or one diamond, the originalbidder can “show” a strongmajor suit by bidding three hearts or threespades, and letting the responder take it from there. If opening bidderholds16to21points,heshouldtryforaslam.

Opening bid of “one” in a suit. Response “one” in no-trump: If theopening bidder has 12 to 15 points, he can rebid “two” in that suit oranother,unlessheholdsabalancedhand.Inthatcase,itisbettertolettheresponseofoneNTstand.With16to18points,thesameruleholds,buta

responseoftwoNTisallowableifthecountisinhighcards.With19to21points, abidof “three”or “four” canbemade in a strong suit.AbidofthreeNTshouldalsobeconsidered.

Openingbidof“one”inasuit.Response“two”inno-trump:Here,theoriginalbidderknowsthathispartnermusthaveabalancedhandwith13to 15 high-card points and that all suits are stopped, which definitelyforcesthebiddingtogame.Hence:Iftheopeningbidderholds12to15points,hecanrebidthreeNTwitha

balancedhand,unlessitisa5–3–3–2distributionwithafive-cardmajorsuit, which should be bid instead.With an unbalanced hand, the rebidshould be in a suit. With 16 to 18 points, the original bidder shouldconsiderslamprospects;with19to21points,heshoulddefinitelygoforaslam.

Openingbidof“one”inasuit.Response“one”inanothersuit:Thisisthe familiar “one over one,” indicating that the responder has a pointcountof6to18inthenewsuit;hencetheoriginalbidderhasavarietyofchoices.Ifhisowncountis12to15,hecanrebidhisoriginalsuitifithassix or more cards. Or, he can treat the new suit as an original bid andrespondbyraisingitifhehasthepropersupport.Otherwise,hecanshowanewsuitbybidding“one,”or“two”ifnecessary.Finally,hecanbidoneNTtokeepthebiddinggoingforthatround,thoughoneNTisgoodinitsownrightwithabalancedhand.With16to18points,theoriginalbiddercanjumpto“three”inhisown

suitor jump the responder’s suit to“four” ifheholds fourcards in thatsuit;otherwise,theregularprocedureholds.With19to21points,hecanjump either his own suit or his partner’s suit to game; or rebid twoNTwithabalancedhand,oreventhreeNTifheisverystronginthesuitsthatneitherhenorhispartnerbid.

Opening bid of “one” in a suit.Response “two” in another suit: Thisapplies to “two over one” in a lesser suit than the original bid, as twodiamondsoveronespade.Sinceit indicatesthattheresponderhasmorethan10points in thenewsuit,hence theoriginalbiddercanrebidmorestrenuously than with the “one over one.” If his own count is 12 to 15points,heshouldatleastrebidhisoriginalsuit.Butinstead,hecanshowanew biddable suit at the two level; or, with balanced distribution andblockersinoneorbothoftheunbidsuits,hecanrebidtwoNT.Orhecanraisehispartner’sbid,withpropertrumpsupport.

With 16 to 18 points, he could rebid the same as with the “one overone,”andthesameapplieswith19to21points.

Openingbid:Oneno-trump.Response“two”inno-trump:Thisshowsthat the original bidder has 16, 17, or 18 high-card points, while hispartner,asresponder,has8or9,sothecombinedtotalrunsfrom24to27points.Theoriginalbiddershouldpasswithonly16,raisetothreeNTwith17or18,providedhehasallsuitsstopped.

Opening bid: One no-trump. Response “two” in a suit: The originalbidder should pass with only 16 or 17 points, but with 18 points andstrengthintheresponder’ssuit,hecanbid“three”inthatsuit.

RebiddingbytheResponder:Aftertheoriginalbidderhasmadearebidthat is forcing togame,hispartnermust complywithwhatever rebidhecan,tokeepthebiddingopen.Otherwise,heshouldestimatetheoriginalbidder’scount,addhisownaccordingtoapotentialbid,andfigurehowclosetheycangotowardgame,at26points,orslamat33points.Agoodworkingruleistomakeonerebidonthestrengthofa6-pointhand;twoon11or12points;andgoforgamewith13 andslamwith18 .

DefensiveBidding:TheOvercall:Sinceanyopeningbid,otherthanthe“shutout”type,showsahandwithahigher-than-averagepointcount,anopposing bidder is often on the defensive andmust act accordingly. Toovercall the initial bid, he usually needs a strong trump holding ratherthanahighpointcount;infact,hisverylackofpointsmaymeanthathispartnerhasahighcount,makingitallthemoreimportantthatheshouldfurnishsomekeytohisownholding.Opinionsvaryinregardtoovercalls,butgenerallyspeaking,itissafeto

overcallatthe“one”levelwithacountof8pointsormore,providedthehandhas at least five trumps including twoof the four top cards and isgoodforfourtricksinplay(orfive,ifvulnerable).Forexample:

87 QJ1087 83 A1096

Assuming that the opening bid was 1 , this hand, with a count of 9points inhearts,wouldwarrantanovercallofoneheart,sinceithasfivetrumpsheadedbytheQ–Jandits“playingtricks”canbecalculatedthus:If the opponents win two heart tricks with theA andK, the Q, J, 10becomesure tricks,alongwith the A.Sinceclubsarea four-cardsuit,the 10ishighenoughtobealikelywinner,bringingthetotalofplaying

trickstotherequiredfive.Had theopeningbidbeenone spade, anovercall of twoheartswould

havebeenneeded;andforthat,acountof12pointsisusual,withfiveorsix playing tricks. The hand just cited would fall short of that, but ifstrengthenedatspots,itwouldqualify,asfollows:

8 KQ10872 83 A1098

Thisjustmakesapointcountof12.Intrumps,theopponentswillwinthe Aandpossiblythe J,butthishandwilltakefour,alongwiththeAandprobablythe 10,forsixinall.Thepossibilityofcapturingthe J,andthetrumpingprospectsaffordedbythesingletonintheopener’ssuit()arebothhelpfulfactorsthatshouldbetakenintoaccountwhenmaking

anovercall.Forathree-levelovercall,apointcountof15isinorder,withasix-card

trumpsuit—or longer!—andsixor sevenplaying tricks. Inall cases, thisfactor is important:Sinceovercallsareprimarilydefensive, theopposingteamisalwaysapttobidhigher.Henceagreatpurposeofanovercallistoinform your partnerwhat suit to lead in case an opponent becomes thedeclarer.Thatiswhyanovercallerneedsatleasttwohighcardsinthesuithebids,asaleadtoanythinglesscouldprovefutile.

Ano-trumpovercall following a suit bid ispractically the sameas anopeningbidinno-trump,withoneNTrequiringabalancedhandwith16,17, or 18 high-card points and stoppers in three suits. In this case,however, one of those must be the suit named by the opening bidder.Higherno-trumpovercallsfollowtheopeningpattern.

Atakeoutdouble,orinformatorydouble, isusedasanovercallwithahandthathasanormalopeningpointcount(13pointsorbetter)tutwithstrength in all three suits except the one named by the opening bidder.Thusa4–404–1distributionisoftenanidealsetup,as:

10 A1097 KQ93 QJ84

Assumingthattheopeningbidwasonespade,thishand,with14points,counting2forthesingletonspade,meetsrequirementsforanopeningbidinhearts,diamonds,orclubs,butisnotworthanovercall inany.Sotheovercallerdoublestheonespadebid,therebyenablinghispartnertobidhisbestorlongestsuit,nomatterhowweakitmaybe.Adistributionof5–

4–4–0 is good for a “takeout double” (the void being in the openingbidder’ssuit)providedtheusualrequirementsaremet.So isa5–4–3–1ora5–3–3–2;butopinionsvarywitha4–4–3–2hand.To be recognized as a takeout, a double must be made before the

doubler’s partner has already made a bid. It should also represent thedoubler’sownfirstbid.Onlyabidof“one”ora“two”inasuitshouldbedoubled; and a no-trump bid, never. Otherwise it becomes a “businessdouble,” with no takeout needed, as the doubler’s intent is to “set” theopponentsforasubstantialloss.A cross between a takeout and a business double is allowable in

overcalling an opening shutout bid of three or four in a suit. Theovercaller needs a strong hand of about 18 points, which in itself is anindicationthattheopeningbidderholdsalow-pointfreak.Thepartnerofthe overcaller can make a takeout bid or let the double stand, usuallypreferringthelatteriftheopeningbidwas“four.”An overcall in the suit named in an opponent’s opening “one” bid

shows that theovercallerhasa reallystronghand,witheither theaceofthat suit or a blank in the suit. This is definitely a “forcing bid” for thecominground.Thisisknownasa“cuebid.”

Responses toOvercalls:Anovercall is similar toanopeningbid, inasmuchas theplayermaking it is the initialbidder forhis team.Butsincetheovercallisfiguredchieflyonplayingtricks,therespondermustcheckhisownprospectsinthatdepartmentbeforeraisingtheovercaller’strumpbid.Knowing that theovercallerhas fiveormore trumps, therespondercanadd realhelpwith two trumpsheadedbyaqueenorbetter,orwiththreesmalltrumps.Generally,thehandalsoneedssufficientsidestrengthtoproduceacountof8pointsorbetter.It isbetter topass than tobidanothersuitunless theresponderhasa

suitholdingthat isworthanovercall in itsownright,orhishandcomesclose to the requirement of an opening bid. If the responder has twostoppers in theopponent’s suit,hecanswitch tono-trumpwithahigh-cardcountof11pointsormore,thoughsomecautiousbiddersareapttohesitateatanythingmuchshortofastandardno-trumpopening.Following a takeout double, unless there is an intervening bid, the

doubler’spartnermustrespondat the lowestavailable level,evenwithapoorhand.Inthatcase,thedoublercanpasswhenhisturncomes,unless:having16high-cardpoints,heshouldraisetheresponder’s“one”bidto

the “two” level; with 18, to “three”; with 20, to “four.”However, if theresponderholds a good five-card trump suit and a point count ofmorethan10,heshouldmakehisbidatthenexthigherlevel,toletthedoublerknowthesituation.Aftersuchajumpresponse,thedoublershouldraisethebidandaimforgame.

Opposing Bidding Following an Overcall: If an opening bid isovercalled by the next player, the opener’s partnermay pass ormake a“free bid” in the opener’s suit or one of his own, provided he has asomewhat stronger handwith 2 or 3more points than required for theusualresponsetoanopeningbid.However,iftheopeningbidisdoubled,theopener’spartnermaymakeafreebidontheusualholding,whilewithastrongerhand,hecanredouble,givingtheopenerachancetorebid.Eitherway,thisputsthedoubler’spartnerinwhatamountstoafreebid

situationofhisown,enablinghimtopassorbidaccordingly,knowingthathispartnerwillbeabletorebid.

Note: The “takeout double” and “redouble” fall in the category ofaccepted bidding conventions that are used by experienced partners toacquaint each otherwith special holdings or situations not recognizablethroughordinarybidding.Conventionsareallowableifconfinedtothosethat are generally recognized as standard, or if they are announced anddescribed beforehand, with due acceptance by all concerned. Some areused only by experts and are therefore beyond the range of bridge asordinarilyplayed.

THREE-HANDED BRIDGE:Knownalso as “cutthroat bridge,” this is a game forthreeplayers,butafourthhandisdealtandplacedasidefacedown,whiletheplayersbid,eachonhisown.Thesuccessfulbidder,ordeclarer,thenturnsuptheoddhand,placingitbetweenthetwootherplayers,whoactashisopponentsduringtheplaythatfollows,withtheoddhandservingasdummyforthedeclarerexactlyasinContractBridge,thoughscoringcanbethesameasinAuctionBridge,thispage,ifpreferred.Thedeclarer scores in theusualmannerwhenhemakeshis contract,

justasthoughherepresentedateam.Ifheisdefeated,however,eachofhis opponents scores the full amount for setting him. Similarly, if theopponentsholdhonors,eachscoresfortheminfull.Incontractscoring,eachplayercanbe individuallyvulnerableornotvulnerable,as thecasemay demand. The first player to win two games scores 500 points for

rubber; this is increasedto700points ifneitherof theotherplayershasscored.Inauction,thepremiumis250.

CONTRACTPINOCHLE:AformofPartnershipPinochle,thispage.

CONTRACTRUMMY:Apopularformofrummy,withthreeorfourplayersusing a double pack of 104 cards, usually with two or preferably fourjokersaddedaswildcards.Withfivetoeightplayers,atriplepackof156cards is used, usuallywith three or preferably sixwild jokers added. Inbothversions,eachplayerisonhisown.Cardsrankindescendingorder,as in standard rummy, except that the ace is both high and low,terminatingeachendofthesequence:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A. Each ace is valued at 15 points; face cards (K, Q, J), 10 each; othersaccordingtotheirspots.Jokers,whenincluded,arevaluedat15each.Thegameconsistsofsevenseparatedeals,eachwithitsown“contract”

involvingspecialmeldingrules.Eachplayerisdealttencardsduringthefirst fourdeals; twelve cardsduring the last three.After eachplayerhasbeenserved,thenextcardisturneduptostartadiscardpile.Here,asinstandard rummy, the first player on the dealer’s left has the choice oftakingtheface-upcardoracardfromthetopofthepack,but:Iftheplayerdoesnotwantthecardfromthediscardpile,hemustwait

andgivethenextplayerachancetotakeit.Thenextplayer,ifhedoesso,mustalsotakethetopcardofthepack,addingbothtohishandasextras,retainingthemforlaterplayinproperturn.Ifhedoesnotwantthecardfromthediscardpile,theprivilegeoftakingit—plusacardfromthetopofthepack—isgiventothenextplayer;andsoon.After a player has exerted this privilege, or all have refused it, the

originalplayercontinueshisturnbydrawingthetopcardfromthepack.Headds it tohishandandproceedsas in regular rummy,melding ifhecanandwantstodoso,thendiscardinganoddcardfaceuponthediscardpile.Melds,asinthestandardgame,areoftwotypes:“sets,”composedofatleastthreecardsofthesamevalue,as9–9–9;and“sequences,”formedbythreeormorecardsofthesamesuit,indescendingorder,as 876.Hemayalso“layoff”cardsfromhishandbyaddingtoasetorcontinuingasequencefromeitherend.However, as already mentioned, in this game, a player’s melds must

meetthe“contract”requirementsofagivendeal,asfollows:

First Deal: A player must meld two separate sets of only three cardseach(asK–K–K,5–45–5).SecondDeal:Aplayermustmeldonesetofonlythreecards,andonesequenceofonlythreecards(as9–9–9and 543).ThirdDeal:Aplayermustmeld two separate sequencesof only threecardseach(as J109and 432. J109876isnotallowable,asitformsasix-cardsequence;but J109 765qualifiesbecauseofthegap).FourthDeal:Aplayermustmeldthreeseparatesetsofthreecardseach(asQ–Q–Q,10–10–10,2–2–2).

Alltheaboveareten-carddeals,withDeals1to3requiringthelayoffoffourcardsforaplayertoclearhishandand“gorummy.”InDeal4,itisonlynecessarytolayoffonecard.Thosethatfollowaretwelve-carddeals,withfurthercontractprovisions:

FifthDeal:Aplayermustmeldtwosetsandonesequence,allofthreecardseach(asQ–Q–Q,8–8–8,and 765).Sixth Deal: A playermust meld one set and two separate sequences,eachofthreecards(as4–4–4and AKQ, J109).Seventh Deal: A playermust meld three separate sequences, each offourcards,as AKQJ; 8765; 6543.

ThreecardsmustthereforebelaidoffinDeals5and6,whileinDeal7,theentirehandmustbemelded,withno layoffs, inorder togo rummy.Butitshouldbespeciallynotedthatincaseswhereaplayerpicksuptwoextra cards, as described earlier, he will be forced to lay off two extrasduringoneofhisturnsbecauseheoverloadedhishand.In each deal, after a player goes rummy, each player must show

whatevercardshestillhas inhishand,addup thevalues,andmark thetotaltowardhisscore.Atthefinishoftheseventhdeal,alltotalsareaddedand the playerwith the lowest scorewins. If chips are used, he collectsfrom each of the other players according to the difference between hisscoreandtheirs.A joker, being wild, can be used as part of a meld. Thus joker–8–8

would represent 8–8–8; while in the sequence 7 joker 5 the joker

wouldstandforthesixofhearts.Aplayercanalsolayoffajokeronanymeld,naming it as a card thatwouldordinarilybeplaced there.Finally,afteraplayerhascompletedhiscontractmeldforagivendeal,hehasthisprivilege:Ifheholdsanactualcardrepresentedbyameldedjoker,hecanexchangeitforthejoker,whichcanthenbelaidoffelsewhere.Asaspecialrule,now in generaluse, such an exchange canbemadeonlywhen thejokerispartofameldedsequence(as 6joker 432)andnotwhenithasbeenmeldedwithasetofthesamevalue(asjoker–10–10).Thejokercanalsobemovedfromoneendofameldedsequencetothe

other, inordertoaida layoff.Asanexample,supposethat 987 jokerhas beenmelded A player holds Q J and 6. In the meld, the jokerrepresents 6,sohemovesittotheotherend,formingjoker 987,withthe joker representing 10.This enableshim to layoff the Q J at theupperendandthe 6atthelowerend,forafinalmeldof QJjoker 9876.Inearly formsofcontract rummy, thedeucesservedas thewildcards

andarestilloftenusedassuch,inadditiontothewildjokers.Othervaluesmay be designated as “wild” either instead of deuces or in addition tothem.Asausualrule,onlyjokersareexchangeable;otherwildcards,not.Butallwildcardsaremovable,fromthetopofasequencetothebottom,orviceversa.Thesepointsshouldbedecidedbyagreementpriortoplay.Asageneralrule,aplayermustcompletehiscontractmeldbeforeheis

allowedtolayoffanyoddcardsfromhishand.Also, it isoftenspecifiedthathemakehisentiremeldallatonce,reservingany layoffs fora laterturn.Eveningameswheresinglemeldsareallowed,the“allatonce”ruleisusuallyappliedintheseventhdeal,givinglosingplayersalastchancetoturnthetide.In contrast to these restrictive measures, a special rule may be

introducedallowingplayerstomakeadditionalmelds—eitherasnewsetsor new sequences—beyond those required in the contract for any deal.Thatrule,whenused,addsactiontothegamebyencouragingplayerstodrawfromthediscardpileoutofturn,asthetwoextracardsthusacquiredaredoublydisposablethroughmeldsaswellaslayoffs.The reason for somanyoptions is that several gamesof earlierorigin

are actually included under the general head of “contract rummy”;namely: Hollywood rummy, joker rummy, king rummy, Liverpoolrummy, progressive rummy, seven-deal rummy, Shanghai rummy, and

Zioncheck.Allhavetheirownvariations,mostlyinterchangeable,sothatin the course of evolution the names have become practicallysynonymous,withearlierdifferencesnowbeingdisregarded.One truly “progressive” rule that has been gaining in popularity

concerns the number of cards required for each contract, with the totalbeingincreasedcardbycardineachsuccessivedeal,sothecontractsrun:firstdeal,sixcards;seconddeal,seven;thirddeal,eight;fourthdeal,nine;fifthdeal,ten;sixthdeal,eleven;seventhdeal,twelve.Thisismanagedbysimply increasing the requirement for a contract sequence from threecards to four.Check this against the contract requirements listed earlieranditwillbeapparenthowneatlytheyconform.

CONTRACTWHIST:ContractBridgewithoutadummy.Seethispage.

COONCAN:TheAmericanizedformofConquian, thispage,playedwithaforty-cardpackranking10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.AlsoknownasDoubleRum.

COQUETTE:AnothernameforBetrothalSolitaire,thispage.

CRAPETTE:AnothernameforRussianBank,thispage.

CRAZYACES:ThesameasCrazyEights,butusingacesinstead.SeeEights,thispage.

CRAZYEIGHTS:Agameof the“stops” type,witheightswild.SeeEights,thispage.

CRAZYJACKS:LikeCrazyEights,butwithjacksaswildcards.

CRIBBAGE: One of the most popular of two-handed card games, playedwithafifty-two-cardpack,rankingindescendingvalue:K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.Eachcardcountsaccordingtoitsspots,withK,Q,andJcounting10each.Thesecards,likethe10itself,aretermed“tenthcards,”buteachretainsitsindividualstatus.Six cards aredealt to eachplayer; and after looking athishand, each

discardstwocardsfacedown,reducinghishandtofour.Thediscardsareput together, forming an extra hand known as the “crib,” which is laid

aside for later reference. The pack is then cut by the opponent and thedealer turns up the top card of the lower half, which is termed the“starter.”Thiscarddoesnotfigureintheactualplay,butitisusedtowardscoring certain points. Such scoring, in cribbage, is termed “pegging”becauseplayers customarilyuse a special boardwith four rows of thirtyholes, tworows foreachplayer,with“gameholes”at theends.Pegsareinsertedintheseholesasplayproceeds.If the starter is a jack, termed “His Heels,” the dealer pegs 2 points;

otherwise, there is no score. The opponent opens play by laying a cardfaceuponhissideoftheboardandannouncingitscount,as“Three”forthe 3.Thedealerdoesthesameonhisside,addingthecountofhiscard,making“Eleven”forthe 8.Thiscontinuesalternatelyuntiltheaccountapproaches 31. A player is not allowed to exceed that total, so if hisremainingcardsare toohigh toplay,hesays,“Go!”givinghisadversarythe opportunity of playing whatever cards he can toward reaching 31.Whetherornottheadversaryisabletoplay,hepegs1pointfor“Go,”andifhecanplayacardorcards thatbring the total toexactly31,hepegs1pointmore.

Thecribbageboard.Oneplayerusesthetworowsattheleft;theother,thetworowsattheright.Eachplayer pegs along his entire outside row away from him, and back along the inside row towardhimself.Aftergoingoutandbacktwice,heplacesthepegintheholeatthenearendoftheinnerrowtomarkthefinalpointof121.Fora61-pointgame,aplayergoesoutandbackonce.

Theextraholesinthecentersectionoftheboardareforkeepingcountofgameswon,eachplayerusingarowoftenholes.Ifoneplayeris“lurched”(thatis,hisopponenthasattainedgamebeforehe,theplayermentioned,haspassedthehalfwaymark),thewinnermovesapegtwoholesaheadinhis

gamerow.

The cards so far played are turned face down and play reverts to theotherplayer,whostartsanewseriesbeginningwith0andaimingfor31.Ifone player uses all his cards, the other simply plays his out, pegging 1point forplaying the last card,with 1pointmore if it brings the total toexactly 31. In all cases where a player hits exactly 31, he pegs 2 pointsregardlessofwhether“Go”or“LastCard”isinvolved.Sucharethesimplemechanicsoftheplay;nowforthecomplexitiesthat

make cribbage such an intriguing game. During the play, either playerpegspointsbycompletingcertaincombinationsthatarescoredasfollows:

APairofthesamevalue(as Q Q)2pointsPairsRoyalorThrees(as 9 9 9)6points(Actuallythreepairs: 9 9; 9 9; 9 9.)DoublePairsRoyalorFours(as 5 5 5 5)12points(Actually 5 5; 5 5; 5 5; 5 5; 5 5; 5 5.)Sequenceofthreecards(as879or32A)3pointsAnyadditionalsequencecard(as524 3)1point(Theadditionofthethreeformsasequenceworth4points.)Fifteen:Bringingthecountto15(as32K)2points

Note that suits have no significance where sequences and fifteens areconcerned.Nordosequenceshavetobeinexactorder,providingthatnoothercardintervenes.Asasamplehand,considerthefollowing:

Opponent: Q 5 4 ADealer: 7 6 5 5

Opponent plays Q, announcing “Ten.” Dealer plays 5, declaring,“Fifteen and two.” The “Fifteen” refers to the count; the “two” to thepoints the dealer pegs. Opponent plays 5, declaring, “Twenty and apair,”pegging2forthepair.Dealerplays 5,declaring,“Twenty-fiveandthree,” pegging6 for three fives.Opponent plays 4, saying, “Twenty-nine.”Dealer,with 7and 6,cannotplaywithoutgoingover31,sohesays,“Go.”Opponentplays A,saying,“Thirty,”andpegs1fortheGo.

Theboardthenstands:

Opponent: Q 5 4 ADealer: 5 5

Cardsareturneddownandplayrevertstothedealer,whoplaysboth 7and 6(ineitherorder)astheopponentisoutofcards.Thismakesanewcountof13andthedealerpegs1pointforplayingthelastcard.Uptohere,theopponenthaspegged3(2 1)andthedealerhaspegged

9 (2 6 1), but there is more to score. The hands, which were keptseparate, are turned face up and each is scored individually for itscombinations: the opponent’s first, then the dealer’s. In addition, the“starter”servesasanextracardineachplayer’shand.Followingthat,the“crib” is turned up and its combinations are pegged as a bonus for thedealer,thestarteragainservingasafifthcard.Inadditiontothescoringcombinationssofarlisted,therearethese:

HisNobs,thejackofsamesuitasstarter 1point.

Flush,formedbyfourcardsofonesuitinhand 4points.

Flush,withstarterofsamesuit,eitherinhandorcrib,1pointextra,namely

5points.

Assumingthatthe 3wasturnedupasfollows,thehandswouldstandasfollows:

Opponent:( 3) Q 5 4 A

Twofifteens(Q–5;Q–4–A) for4points.Three-cardsequence(543)for3points.Totalofhand:7points.

Dealer:( 3) 7 6 5 5

Twofifteens:(3–7–5;3–7–5)for4points.Doublesequence(7–6–5–5)consistingoftworuns(7–6–5;7–6–5)andapair(5–5)for8points.Totalofhand:12points.Now suppose that the opponent had unfortunately discarded the K

and the 8,while thedealer discardedor “laid away” the A and 2.

Whenturnedup,thesewouldshow:

Crib:( 3) K 8 2 A

Onefifteen(3–10–2)for2points.Three-cardsequence(3–2–A)for3points.Flushwithstarter(all )for5points.Totalofcrib:10points.

Totals:Opponent:Inplay,3.Inhand7.3 7 10.Dealer:Inplay,9.Inhand.12.InCrib,9.9 12 10 31.

Cribbage is a game withmany intricacies and fine points that can belearnedonlythroughexperience,andthenusuallythroughencounteringand observing skilled players. However, rudimentary factors of playshould be noted from the outset. Pairs, pairs royal (threes), and doublepairsroyal(fours)mustappearinimmediatesuccession,as 6, 6, 6,whichwouldbepeggedfirstasapair(6–6)andthenasapairroyal(6–6–6). If another card should intervene, as 6, 6, 3, 6, only thepaircouldbepegged.Ifthe 6shouldbeplayednext,making 6, 6, 3,6, 6, the cards wouldmerely represent two pairs, pegged at 2 pointseach;butiftheyappearedintheorder 6, 6, 6, 6, 3,itwouldbepegged as a pair (6–6), then as a pair royal (6–6–6), and finally as adoublepairroyal(6–6–6–6).Whilesequencescanfollowasimilarlyprogressivepattern,theycanbe

gathered climactically, with startling results. For example, take cardsplayedinthefollowingorder:

8, 7, 6, 5, 4

Thatwouldbepeggedas8–7–6for3points;as8–7–6–5for4points;as8–7–6–5–4for5points.Butsupposeitran:

5, 4, 7, 8, 6

Therewouldbenopegginganywherealongthelineuntilthefifthcardlaidasequence(5–4–7–8–6 8–7–6–5–4)squarelyinthepegger’slap.Hewouldpeg5fromwhathadbeena0untilthen.Towinagameincribbage,aplayermustpegeither61points,whichis

oncearoundtheboard,or121points,whichistwicearound,accordingto

previousagreement.Inmodernsix-cardcribbage,theformthathasbeendescribed, 121points is thecustomarygameand is thereforeunderstoodunless otherwise stipulated. If the opponent goes out after showing hishand,hewins,regardlessofwhatthedealermayhaveinhisownhandorthecrib.Ifthewinnergoesoutbeforetheloserreachesthehalfwaymark,the loser is“lurched”and thewinner ispaiddouble,orcredited for twogames.As with most two-handed games, each deal alternates between the

opponentandtheoriginaldealeruntilthegameiscompleted.

PartnershipCribbage isafour-handedgamebetweenteamsoftwoplayers(seatedopposite)for121points.Eachisdealtfivecardsandeachputsoneinthecrib.Whenoneplayeristoldto“Go!”theprivilegeispassedalonguntilcompleted.Scoresmadebyeachteamarepeggedas1.

Three-handedCribbagefollowsthetwo-handedpattern,buteachplayerisdealt five cards instead of six and contributes one to the crib, which isdealtanextracard tobring itsquotaup to four.Each isonhisownandboth“Go”andthedealmovestotheleft.

Five-CardCribbage is the early form fromwhich themodernversionwasderived,andit isseldomplayedtoday.Eachofthetwoplayerslaysawaytwo cards, playing with a hand of three.When shown, the hands havefour, counting the starter, but the crib contains the usual five. Game iscustomarily61points.Certainpenaltiesareessentialincribbage:Aplayerwho falsely announces “Go”must correct themistakebefore

thenext card isplayed;otherwise theopposingplayer, once awareof it,may demand that any cards involved be rejected from play and peg 2pointsforhimself.Similarly,aplayer’sfailuretoplayavailablecardsafterhisadversarydeclares“Go”issubjecttothesamepenaltyunderthesameconditions.If a player overpegs his hand, hemust correct themistake before he

playshisnextcard,orifattheendofthedeal,beforethestarteristurnedup for the next deal. Otherwise, the opposing player may demand thecorrectionandpegtwopointsforhimself.

CRISSCROSS:AnextensionofCincinnati.Seethispage.

CROSSOVER:AnothernameforCrisscross.Seeabove.

CROSSWIDOW:AvariantofCrisscross.Seeabove.

CUBANCANASTA:Wild-cardCanastawithspecialbonusmelds.SeeWildCardCanasta,thispage.

CUCKOO:AnothernameforRanter-Go-Round.Seethispage.

CUTTHROATBRIDGE:SeeThree-handedBridge,thispage.

CUTTHROAT EUCHRE: A three-handed game described under Euchre,thispage.

DARDA: Similar toKlaberjass, this page, using the same thirty-two-cardpack but with either two or three players and with these differences:Trumps rankQ,9,A, 10,K, J,8, 7,withqueencounting20and jack2(likeplainjacks).Trumpisturnedupandmaybechanged,butthereisno“schmeiss.”Plainsuits rankA,10,K,Q, J,9,8,7 as inklaberjass.Aftereachplayerisdealtthreeextracards,theentirepackisturnedbottomupandaplayerholdingthesevenoftrumpmayexchangeitforthecardthatshows; or he can use the eight if the seven was turned up and kept astrump. If the next card that shows is a trump, the same player mayexchangeanycardforit;andthatapplieswithsucceedingcardsthatshow.Playersmeldasinklaberjass,withthisaddition:Ifaplayerholdsfourof

akind,hescores4pointstowardgameforqueens;3fornines;2foraces,tens,kings,orjacks.Thisisautomatic;noplayfollows,andwithtwosuchsetsthehigherwins.Ifnoonemeldsfours,thehandisplayedbytheusualrules,exceptthatwhoever“made”trumpleadstothefirsttrick.Toscore,thetrumpmakermusthaveahighertotal inmeldandcountersthanhisopponent,oreitheropponentwiththreeplayers.Ifhisowntotalisunder100,hescores1pointtowardgame;under150,2;under200,3;200andup,4.Gameis10points.

DEALER’SCHOICE:APokergameinwhichthedealercandecidewhattypeofgameistobeplayedinthecominghandorround.Seethispage.

DEMON:AvariationofFascinationSolitaire,thispage.

DEUCESWILD: A formofPokerwith variants covering otherwild cards.Seethispage.

DEUCESWILDER:Seethispage.

DISCARDHEARTS:AnameforHeartswhenpassingcardstotheplayerontheleftisincluded.SeeHearts,thispage.

DIVISIONLOO:AnothertermforLanterlooorLoo,thispage.

DOCTORPEPPER:Seethispage.

DOMINOHEARTS:AvariantofHeartsinwhichonlysixcardsaredealtto

eachplayer.Whenaplayercannot followsuit,hemustdrawcards fromthetopofthepackuntilhecan.Whenthepackisgone,playcontinuesasinstandardHearts,butwitheachplayerdroppingwhenoutofcards,playbeingcontinuedbythenextplayeronhisleft.Theoneremainingplayermustaddhisowncardstohistricksalongwithanystillinthepack.Eachheartcounts1pointagainsttheplayertakingit.SeeHearts,thispage.

DOMINOWHIST:AnothernameforFan-Tan.Seethispage.

DOMPEDRO:DescribedunderPedro,thispage.

DONKEY:AjuvenilegamepracticallyidenticalwithPig,thispage.

DOUBLE-BARRELEDSHOTGUN:AnameforTexasTech,thispage.

DOUBLEDUMMYBRIDGE:Atwo-playergameinwhicheachisdealttwohands,but looksatonlyoneandbidson it, as inBridge.Theother twohands, or “dummies,” are turned face up and set so that the declarer isSouth; opponent’s dummy, West; declarer’s dummy, North; opponent,East.Opponent leadsfromhisdummy(West)andplay is thesameas inbridge,witheachplayerscoringasateam.Seethispage.

DOUBLE-HANDEDHIGH-LOW:Poker;seethispage.

DOUBLEHASENPFEFFER:AformofpartnershipEuchre,thispage,playedwitha forty-eight-cardpinochlepack.Cards inplainsuitsrankA,A,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,10,10,9,9,butthetrumpsuitisheadedbythetwojacks,asrightbowers, followedby the two jacksof thesamecoloras leftbowers;thenA,A,K,K,Q,Q, 10, 10, 9, 9.With four players, twelve cards aredealt toeachandsinglebidsaremade, startingat thedealer’s left.Eachbiddermustguaranteethatheandhispartner—seatedopposite—willtakesixtricksormoreifhenamesthetrumpsuit.Ifallpass,thebiddermusttakethebidatsix.With six players, there are three pairs of partners and each player is

dealt eight cards, the minimum bid in this case being four tricks. Playproceedsexactlyasineuchre,withbiddermakingthefirstleadandhighcardofsuitledtakingtrick,unlessthetrickistrumped,whichisoptionalwheneveraplayerisoutofthesuit.Iftwocardsofidenticalvalue(as J

and J)appearashighcardsinthesametrick,thefirstoneplayedwinsthetrick,asinpinochle.Asinsinglehasenpfeffer,thebiddingteamscores1pointforeverytrick

ittakes,unlessitfallsshortofitsbid,whenitissetbackthenumberbid;butifthedealerisforcedtobidandloses,histeamissetbackonlyhalfthenumber.Gameis62points.Abiddermaydecidetoplayalone,discardinganytwocardsandbeinggiventhebesttwocardsfromhispartner’shand,which is then entirely discarded. The bidder scores double if hemakesmore than his bid. The game may also be played three-handed, withsixteencardsdealttoeachplayer,theminimumbidbeingsixtricks,withthehighbidderplayingagainsttheothertwo.

DOUBLEHEARTS:AnothertermforCancellationHearts.Seethispage.

DOUBLE-PACKPINOCHLE:SeeArmyandNavyPinochle,thispage.

DOUBLEPEDRO:AnothernameforCinch.Seethispage.

DOUBLERUM:ApopulartermforCoonCan.Seethispage.

DOUBLESOLITAIRE: A name applied to various types ofSolitaire,mostnotablyCanfield,thispage,orKlondike,thispage,inwhichtwoplayers,seatedopposite,playwith individualpacksbutareallowed toadd to theopposing player’s build. The first player to dispose of all his cards iswinner;ifneithermanagestodoso,theplayerwhodisposedofmostcardswinsthegame.SeealsoSpiteandMalice,thispage.

DOWNTHERIVER:ApopularnameforSeven-CardStud.SeePoker,thispage.

DRAWCASSINO: StandardCassino, this page, butwith only the openingdeal.Afterplayingacard,eachplayerdrawsonefromthetopofthepackuntilallaredrawnandthehandisplayedout.

DRAW HEARTS:Hearts for two players. Each is dealt thirteen cards andplayproceeds,withthewinnerofeachtrickdrawingthetopcardfromthepackandtheloserdrawingthenext,untilthehandisended.SeeHearts,thispage.

DRAWPOKER: Themodern andmost popular formof thebasic gameofPoker,describedunderthathead.Seethispage.

DUTCHBANK:SeeBankerandBroker,thispage.

DYNAMITE:Two-CardPoker.Seethispage.

EARLOFCOVENTRY:A formofStops, thispage, inwhich three toeightplayersaredealtcardssinglyuntilthepackrunsout.Thefirstplayerlaysacard—as the 6—face up, saying, “There’s as good as six can be.” Thenextplayerwhoholdsacardofthatvalueplaysit,saying,“There’sasixasgood as he.” Continuing in rotation, another player does the same,asserting, “There’s thebestof all the three,” and the fourth isplayed toconcludetherhymewith,“Andthere’stheEarlofCoventry!”Thatplayerthenleadsacardofanewvalue,whichisnamedintherhymingprocess;andsoon.Assoonasaplayerisoutofcards,hewins.Theotherspayhim1chippercardforwhatevereachstillholds.

ÉCARTÉ: A once highly popular French game for two players utilizing athirty-two-cardpackwithsuitsrankingK,Q,J,A,10,9,8,7.Eachisdealtfivecardsandthenextisturnedupandlaidasidetoestablishtrump;ifaking, the dealer automatically scores 1 point. The opponent looks at hishand,andifhethinkshecanwinthreetricks,hesayshewill“play”withwhathehas.Otherwise,he“proposes” that theydrawfreshcards. If thedealer “accepts” the proposal, the opponent discards any number up tofive and is dealt cards to replace them. The dealer then discards anynumberanddealshimselfreplacements.Ifeitherplayerholdsthekingoftrump,heannouncesitandscores1point.Theopponent leadsanycard to the first trick.Thedealermust follow

suitandplayhigherifpossible.Ifoutofsuit,hemustplayatrumpifhehasone;otherwise,heplays fromanother side suit.Thewinnerof eachtrick leads to thenext, andwhichever takes threeor four tricks scores 1point;ortakingallfivetrickscounts2points,whichiscalledvole.Iftheopponent playswithout “proposing,” or the dealer “refuses” a proposal,theopponentscores2pointsfor takingthreeormoretricks,butgetsnoextrapointforvole.Thenextdealismadebytheopponentandthegamecontinuesuntiloneplayerreachesatotalof5pointsandwins.Atgamblingclubs,écartéincludesa“gallery”ofbettors,whobackone

player or the other; hence the play has been reduced to a series ofmathematical probabilities called jeux de règie; and the game isoverloaded with stringent rules on misdeals, discarding, etc., withpenaltiesthatwouldhardlyapplyinsocialplay.

EIGHT-CARDSTUD:Seethispage.

EIGHTS:AformofStops,thispage,withtwotofourplayerswhoaredealtsevencardseach;orfiveorsixplayers,whoaredealtfivecardseach,fromafifty-two-cardpack.Normally,eachisonhisown;butwithfourplayers,those seated opposite can serve as partners. The top card of the pack isturnedupasastarter,andtheplayeratthedealer’sleftmustcoveritwithacardofeitherthesamevalueorthesamesuit.Ifunableorunwillingtodo so, the player must draw cards from the pack until he matches theturned-up card, as described. The turned-up cards are formed into aspecialpile.Alleightsare“wild,”sofarassuitsareconcerned.Hence,ifacardlike

the J is played, a player would normally cover it with a jack or adiamond;butifheholdsthe 8,hecanplaceitonthe Janddeclareittobeanysuithechooses.Thenextplayermustthencoveritwithacardofthe suit named or anotherwild eight.When a player disposes of all hiscards,hereceiveschipsorpointsfromeachoftheotherplayers,accordingto thecards theyhold:Eacheight,50;each facecard (K,Q, J), 10;eachspotcard, itsvalue from10downtoace, 1. Ifplay isblocked, theplayerwithlowestscorecollectsthedifferencefromtheothers.Withpoints,500areneededforgame.Withpartners,bothmust“goout”towin.

EIGHTY-EIGHT:Poker.Seethispage.

ENFLÉ:PronouncedEnflay andalsocalledRollingStoneorSchwellen.Agameforfourplayersusingathirty-two-cardpackwithcardsrankingindescendingorder,A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7.Withfiveplayers,addeach6and5;withsixplayers,each4and3.Eachplayerisdealtahandofeightcards,and the player on dealer’s left leads to the first trick. All the rest mustfollowsuit,asthereisnodiscardingandnotrumpinthisoddgame.Nordotrickshaveanyvalue;ifeverybodymanagestofollowsuit,thetrickisturneddownandtossedaside;thenwhoeverplayedthehighestcardleadstothenexttrick.However, if a player cannot follow suit, he must pick up the cards

alreadyplayedtothattrickandaddthemtohishand.Hethenleadstoanewtrick,usingwhateversuithewants,andplaycontinuesonthesamebasis.Eachplayer’sobjectistogetridofallhiscards;whenonedoes,playstopsinstantly,eveninthemiddleofatrick,andthewinnercollects1chippercardforthosestillheldbytheotherplayers.Thedealthenmovesto

theleft.

ENGLISHPOKER:AtermforBlindOpening.Seethispage.

ENGLISH STUD: A cross betweenDraw Poker and Stud Poker. See thispage.

ENGLISHWHIST:WhistasoriginallyscoredinEngland.Seethispage.

EUCHRE:Oncethemostpopular“trumpgame”inAmerica,euchrestillhasits followersand isworthyof them.Asa fast-moving“shortgame,” it ishardtobeat;andyouwillfinditequallyhardtobeatagoodeuchreplayer!

Thepack:Usuallythirty-twocards,runninginvaluefromacesdowntosevens,withtheexceptionofthetrumpsuit,inwhichthejack,termedtheright bower, is highest, followed by the other jack of the same color,knownastheleftbower,thentheace,followedinorderbytheremainingtrumps.Asanexample,withheartsastrumps,thesuitswouldrun:

Number of players:Usually two, three, or four,more in some specialgames. Since the rules vary, the two-handed game, being the simplest,willbeexplainedfirst.

TWO-HANDEDEUCHRE:TheDeal:Afterthepackisshuffledandcut,fivecardsaredealt to eachplayer; either first three cards, then two, or vice versa.Thedealerturnsthenextcardfaceuponthepack,itssuitbecomingthefirstchoiceastrump.Theplayerslookattheirhands,andiftheopponentfeelsthathishand

isstrongenoughtotakethreetrickswiththeturned-upsuitastrump,hestates,“Iorderitup.”Thismeansthatthedealermustplaceanunwantedcard fromhis hand face down beneath the pack and add the turned upcardtohishandinstead,thetrumpstandingasshown.

Example:Opponentholds J, J, K, A, 9.

The 10isturnedupaspotentialtrump.

Sincethehandcontainsbothbowersandthefourthhighestspade( K)itissureofthreetricksifproperlyplayed,sotheopponent“ordersup”theturned-up 10,makingspadestrump.Withahandtooweaktogoalongwiththeturned-upsuit,theopponent

would say, “Ipass.”Thatputs the choiceup to thedealer. Ifhedecidesthat his hand,with the turned-up card added, is strong enough to takethreetricks,hesays,“Itakeitup.”Hethendiscardsanunwantedcardandtakestheturned-uptrumpinstead.Butifthedealer’shandistooweaktoriskthatparticulartrump,healsosays,“Ipass”andeitherturnsdowntheturned-upcardorplacesitfaceupbeneaththepack,leavingitcrosswisesooneendcanbeseenasareminderthatitssuithasbeeneliminatedasapossibletrump.Theopponentisnowfreetomakeanyothersuittrump,orhecanagain

pass ifhishandseems tooweak. If theopponentpasses, thedealermaymake the new trump, or he too can pass. If both pass, the hands arethrowninandthedealgoestotheopponent.Hereisanexampleoftwohandsandwhatoccurredwiththem:

Opponent: J, 9, A, 9, Q Turnedup:Dealer: K, J, K, 10, A A

The opponent, with only the right bower ( J), cannot risk “orderingup”the Aasatrumpforthedealer.Opponentpasses.Thedealer,withneitherbower, cannot risk“takingup” the A, thus

accepting clubs as trump. Dealer passes, turning down the A. Theopponent’s hand is too weak generally to make any other suit. Again,opponentpasses.The dealer,with three diamonds headed by the right bower ( J) and

highcardintwoothersuits( Kand A),hasastrongchanceoftakingthreetricksindiamonds.Hemakesdiamondstrump.

Playing theHand:Theopponent leadsanycard to the first trick.Thedealermustfollowsuitifpossible;ifnot,hemaydiscardfromanothersuitor trump a lead from an ordinary suit. The highest card of the suit ledtakesthetrickunlesstrumped.Thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenextuntilallfivetrickshavebeentaken.Theleftbower,ifinplay,istreatedas

atrumpcard.PurposeofPlay:Eachplayertriestowinasmanytricksaspossible,but

whicheverdecideduponthe trumpsuitmust take threeor four tricks toscore1point.Ifhetakesfivetricks,hescores2pointsfora“march.”Ifhetakes less thanthree tricks,he is“euchred,”and2pointsarecreditedtotheotherplayer’sscore.

ScoringtheGame:Eachnewdeal ismadebytheotherplayerandthescore is added after each hand,with the first personwhowins 5 pointsbeing declared the winner. This may be extended to 7 or 10 points byagreementbeforehand.When5pointsconstitutes“game,”itiscustomarytoplaya“rubber,”whichiswonbytheplayerwhowinstwooutofthreegames.

SpecialNote: In two-handedeuchre,manyplayersreducethepacktotwenty-fourcardsbyremovingthesevensandeights.This improves thehandsbyincreasingthehighcards,withmorechanceofholdingbowers.Itisagoodthingtorememberwhenonlyapinochlepackisavailable,asthetwenty-fourcardsrepresentjusthalfofapinochlepack.

THREE-HANDED EUCHRE (CUTTHROAT EUCHRE): Similar to two-handed euchre,thisgameinvolvesthreeplayers,usingtheregularthirty-two-cardpack,withrankasalreadystated.Thedealgoesintheusualclockwiserotation,with players receiving the customary five cards each and following thesamegeneralprocedure,butwiththesefactorstobenoted:Eitherofthefirsttwoplayerscan“orderup”theturned-uptrumpcard;

andifonedoes,hetakesuponhimselftheburdenofwinningthreeoutoffivetricksagainsttwootherplayers,whoforthathandonlyareteamedtostop him. Similarly, the dealer, if he “takes up” the trump card, mustbattle the twoothers. Ifallpass thefirstround,whoever“makes trump”on thenext round is facedby thesamedoubleopposition.Henceaverystronghandisoftenneededtoassumesucharisk.

ScoringtheHand:Sincethreeplayersmustbescoredindividually,thisdiffers from the two-handed game as follows: For taking three or fourtricks, 1 point. For a “march” of five tricks, 3 points.When a player is“euchred”byfailingtotakethreerequiredtricks,eachoftheotherplayersreceives2points.Thismethod has one great disadvantage. Assume that two players,A

andB,aretiedat3(or4)pointseachina5-pointgame.Ifthethirdplayer,

C,iseuchred,bothAandBreceive2pointseachandthegameendsinatie,requiringanotherhandthatinturncouldresultinmorehandsbeingneededtobreakthetie.Toeliminatethisfault,amorerealisticmodeofscoringwasintroduced

andisnowgenerallyused,namely:Fortakingthreeorfourtricks,1point.For amarch,2points.Whenaplayer is euchred,2points aredeductedfromhisscore,nonegoingtotheotherplayers.Thismayputaplayerinthe minus column; for example, if euchred in the first hand, his scorewouldbecome 2,sohewouldneed7pointstowina5-pointgame.Inthismodeofscoring,amarchcanbecountedas3pointsinsteadof

only2,asitisworthit;butthatshouldbespecifiedinadvance.Gamecanbefor7or10pointsinsteadofonly5.

NotesonPlay:Normally,thetwoteamedplayersareeagertodefeattheplayerwhomadetrump.Butwiththeoldmodeofscoring,thatchangesasthegameprogresses.Example:Ina5-pointgame,scoresstand:A,2;B,1;C,3.IfBmakestrumpandiseuchred,AandCwouldeachgain2points,makingthescoreA,4;B,1;C,5,withCbecomingthewinner.Hence it behoovesA, in such a situation, to throw tricks toB, letting

himtakethethreeneededfora1-pointscore,whichwouldthenstand:A,2; B, 2; C, 3. It was from this practice of turning against a temporarypartner(asAfavoringBanddesertingC)thatthegamederiveditsnameof“cutthroat euchre.”Personswhoprefer that feature shoulduse theold-stylescoringmethod,asitiseliminatedbythenewmode.

FOUR-HANDED EUCHRE: This is regarded as euchre at its best. The players,seated opposite each other, play as partners; thusA andC form a teamopposedtoBandD.Hencethebasicrulesandscoringarethesameasintwo-handed euchre, butwith additional features thatwill be detailed indueorder.Fivecardsaredealttoeachplayerintheusualfashionbythedealer(D),

whoturnsupthenextcardasprospectivetrump.Thefirstplayer,A,may“orderitup”intothehandofthedealer,D,orhemaypass.Inthelattercase,thechoicemovestoB;andifBlikesthattrump,insteadoforderingitup,hesays,“Iassist,”signifying that thecard is tobe takenupbyhisown partner,D, on the same basis as if ordered up. IfB passes,C canorderitupintoD’shand;whileifCalsopasses,D,thedealer,caneither“takeitup”or“pass.”

If all four players pass, the turned-up card is turned down as in thetwo-handed game, and each player, beginning at the dealer’s left, maynameanothersuitastrumporpassthatprivilegealongtothenextplayer.Ifallpass,thehandisdeadandthedealmovestotheplayeratthedealer’sleft,inthiscasePlayerA.

PlayingandScoring:Once trumphasbeenmade,as so fardescribed,theplayeratthedealer’sleftleadstothefirsttrickandothersfollowasinthe two-handed or three-handed game. Each trick taken by a playercounts forhimself andhispartner; and scoring is exactly as in the two-handed game, but as teams, not individuals.However, the four-handedgameincludesaspecialoptiontermed:

Playing Alone: A playermaking trump in either roundmay also say,“I’llplay italone.”Hispartner thereupon tosses inhishand, facedown,and the loneplayer takes onbothmembers of theother team, as in thethree-handed game. As usual, the player at the dealer’s left (PlayerA)leadstothefirsttrick,unlesshispartner(C)happenstobetheloneplayer.Inthatcase,thedealer’spartner(B)leadstothefirsttrick.Theobject of playing alone is towin all five tricks for a “march” that

scores 4 points for the lone player’s team, instead of the customary 2.Otherscoresremainthesame:Fortakingthreeorfourtricks,1point;forbeingeuchred,2pointsfor theotherteam.Insomecircles,whena loneplayer is euchred, the other team scores 4 points; and this is highlyrecommended,forunlessaplayer’shandisgoodforatleastthreetricks,hehasno real right to “play it alone.”Aswithotheroptional rules, thisoneshouldbespecifiedbeforehand.

Ofthemanyvariantsofeuchrethathavecomeandgonewiththeyears,thefollowingarethemostpopularandmostpractical.Theyaredescribedhereinsimplifiedform:

AuctionEuchre:Afour-handedgamewithoutaturned-uptrump.Instead,players in turnmay bid three, four, or five for the privilege of makingtrump. Play is as usual and the bidding team, if successful, scores theamountbid,butnomore. If theyareeuchred, theopposing teamscorestheamountbid.Gameis15or20pointsasagreed.

BlindEuchre:Playedbytwo,three,orfourplayers,eachonhisown.Handsare dealt as usual, but two extra cards are dealt face down as a “blind,”

which goes to the player who orders up, takes up, ormakes trump; hethendiscards andplays alone against all opponents. If all refuse to taketheblind,thedealmoveson.

Call-AceEuchre:Basicallyafour-handedgameinwhichaplayerordersup,takesup,ormakestrumponhisown,thenpicksapartnerforthatdealbycallingfortheholderoftheaceinanysuit,exceptintrump,toactinthatcapacity.Ifnoonehastheace,thecallgoestotheplayerholdingthebestcardinthesuitnamed,thoughheisnotidentifieduntilplayiscompleted.Forwinningthreetricks,callerandpartnerscore1pointeach;for5tricks,2points,butifeuchred,opponentsscore2pointseach.Ifaplayerelectstoplayalone,hescores1pointfortaking3tricks;4pointsfortakingall5tricks.Opponentsscore2pointseachifheiseuchred.Atwenty-four-cardpack(acesdowntonines)isgenerallyusedinthisgame.

JokerEuchre:Agamewiththejokeraddedtothepackasthe“bestbower,”orhighesttrump.Ifitisturnedupastrump,thecardbelowitisnotedtoestablishthepotentialtrumpsuit.

RailroadEuchre:Afast-movingfour-playergamethatincludesthejokeras“bestbower,”alongwithotherspecialfeatures;namely:Ifaplayerdecidesto “play alone,” he may discard any unwanted card and be given hispartner’s best card, face down, to replace it. But to even matters, anopponent may decide to play alone against him, discarding his “worst”card and being given his partner’s “best” in return. Scoring follows theusualruleiftheloneplayerwins;butifheiseuchred,bytakinglessthan3tricks,theotherteamscores4points.Twosubsidiarygamesare featuresof railroadeuchre; theyareknown

respectivelyas“jambone”and“jamboree,”meaningthataloneplayerhastwoprivileges,thefirstbeingtoannounce:

Jambone:Here,hishandissogoodthathecanaffordtolayitfaceupandlet theopponentsdecidewhathe is to leadorplay,accordingto thestrength of their own hands. If he wins all five tricks under suchcircumstances,he scores8points insteadofonly4.However,hecangoevenfurtherbydeclaring:

Jamboree: In this case,he laysdownahandcomposedof the top fivetrumps:joker,rightandleftbowers,ace,andking.Itseldomhappens,butwhenitdoes,therecanbenoargument.A“jamboree”collectsdoubleofa

“jambone”—16pointsinsteadof8—withouthavingtoplayitout.Game,inrailroadeuchre,isusuallyestablishedas10points.Thatisstill

not enough to allow for a jambone following an earlier score, or ajamboreeinitsownright.Soascoringruleisincluded,knownas:

Laps:Anytimeawinningscorerunsovertherequiredtotal,anyextrapointsarecreditedtowardthenextgame.Thus,with10setasthetotal,aplayerdeclaring jamboree intheopeningdealwouldwinthatgamewith10ofhis 16points andwouldmarkup theother6 as a lead toward thenextgame.Anotherfeatureis:

Slam:Thisconsistsofwinningagamebeforeanyoneelsehasmanagedto score. A playermaking a “slam” is credited with winning two gamesinsteadofone.Hence in thecaseofa jamboree inanopeninghand—ascited—thewinnerwouldhavetwogamestohiscreditwith6pointstowardathird.

Note: Both five-handed and six-handed euchre can be playedwith athirty-two-card pack (or thirty-three with joker) on a “call-ace” basis.Thesix-handedgamecanbeplayedas“auction”withalternatingplayersas partners, forming two teams of three players each. A seven-handedgamecanbeplayedwitha largerpack,butsuchgamesarecumbersomeandrequirespecialrules.

EVERLASTING:SeeWar,thispage.

FAN-TAN:Oneofthebestofall“stops”games,withthreetoeightplayers,usingafifty-two-cardpackwithKhighandAlow.Cardsaredealtsingly,clockwise,untilthepackrunsout.Playeratdealer’sleftthenlaysasevenfaceuponthetableifhehasone.Ifnot,heputsachipinamutualpoolorpot.Thenextplayerlaysdownasevenoraddstothefirstplayer’sstarter(if any) either upwardwith an eight or downwardwith a six. (Example:Firstplayer sets 7; thenextputs 6 to the leftor 8 to the right.) Ifunabletodoso,hechipsintothepot.Otherscontinue, 5downto A,and 9upto K;thesamewithothersuits.Thefirstplayerto“goout”bythusdisposingofhisentirehandwinsthepot,plusonechippercardforany cards left inopposinghands, paidby the individualplayersholdingthem.

FARMorFARMER:SimilartoBlackjack,thispage,usingapackfromwhicheightsandsixesareremoved,except for the 6.Acecounts1andothercards according to their spots (up to 10) with face cards (J, Q, K) as 10each. Players put one chip each into a pool called the “farm,” and thedealer, or “farmer,” serving as the banker, gives each a card face down.Eachplayerthencallsforaface-downcard,whichhenotes,andcallsformoreifhewantsthem,hisaimbeingtohitacountof16,thoughhecanstopshortofthattotal.Handsarefinallyshown,andwhoeverhits16withthe 6winsthepotandthedealaswell.Withoutthe 6,whoeverhits16withtheleastcardswins,beginningatthedealer’sleft.Ifnobodyhits16,the deal stays with the farmer, but the farm or pot remains intact. Theplayernearest16,butunder,receivesachipfromeachoftheothers.Anyplayergoingover16mustpaythefarmerachipperpoint.

FARO:Anold-timegambling-casinogame,usingafifty-two-cardpackthatisdealt bydrawing cards faceup froma special open-framedbox.Onlyvalues count in faro, and these are represented on a painted layout, asfollows:

Playersputchipsonthelayout,designatingcardswhichtheythinkwillwinorlose;inthelattercase,thechipis“coppered”byplacingapennyor

specialdiskonit.Dealerdiscardsthecardshowingonthepack(calledthesoda), then draws the next card and lays it beside the box as a “loser,”whilethenextcardshowingisa“winner.”Thisistermeda“turn,”andthedealercollectsorpaysoffthebetsaccordingly.Newbetsaremade,thetwocardsarediscarded,andthedealerproceedswithanotherturn.Aplayermaybetontwoormorecardsbyplacingchipsbetweenthem,

orsettingchipsonacornerofacardtodesignateagroupofthree.Betsarepaidoffproportionately,butiftwoofthecardsappearinthesameturn,itisastandoff.However,iftwocardsofidenticalvalueshowupinthesameturn(as 8and 8),itisknownasa“split,”andthedealercollectshalfofabetonthatvalue.When theboxholdsonly four cards,playersbeton thenextpair and

alsotryto“calltheturn”bybettingontheorderinwhichthefinalthreecardswillappear.Thefinalcard,termedthe“hock,”isdiscarded,likethesoda,afterbeingshown.Forasimplifiedformoffaro,seeStuss,thispage.

FASCINATION:AformofSolitaire,thispage.

FELSOS: Similar to Alsos, but with Queen highest instead of Jack. SeeKlaberjass,thispage.

FIERYCROSS:Poker.Seethispage.

FIFTEEN:AnAmericanized—orAnglicized—termforQuinze.Seethispage.

FINDTHELADY:AtermforThree-CardMonte(thispage).

FIREHOUSE PINOCHLE: A form of Partnership Pinochle. See Pinochle,thispage.

FISH:ShortforGoFish,thispage.

FIVEANDDIME:Aformofseven-cardstud.Seethispage.

FIVEANDTEN:AnothernameforForty-five.Seethispage.

FIVECARDS or FIVE FINGERS: An old form ofSpoil Five, with jack oftrumprankingbelowace.Seethispage.

FIVE-CARDSTUDandvariants.Poker.Seethispageandthispage.

FIVE HUNDRED: Early in the twentieth century, this game was speciallydesigned and introduced to meet the needs of a playing public, and itgained a deserved popularity that it has retained ever since, althoughothergamesmayhavegrowntogreaterproportions.

The Pack: The thirty-two-card euchre pack, plus a joker, makingthirty-threecardsinall,withadditionalcardsaccordingtothenumberofplayers,aswillbespecified.

Number of Players: Three to six, with odd numbers playing on theirown; even numbers playing as partners. Hence the three-handed gamewillbedescribedfirst,asitconstitutesthebasicformthattheothersfollowwithslightmodifications.

THREE-HANDED FIVE HUNDRED: Here, the suits of the thirty-three-card packrangeinvaluefromacesdowntosevens,withtheexceptionofthetrumpsuit,whichisheadedbythejoker,orbestbower,followedbythejack,orrightbower,thentheotherjackofthesamecolor,asleftbower,andafterthattheremainingtrumpsfromaceondown.Thus,withspadesastrumps,thesuitswouldrun:

Trumps:joker, J, J, A,K,Q,10,9,8,7

Othersuits:A,K,Q,10,9,8,7A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7

Inno-trump,aplayermayleadthejoker,declaringitthehighestcardinanysuithenames;otherwise,itratesasatrumpsuitofitsownandcanbeusedtotrumpanopponent’slead,provideditsholderisoutofthesuitled.

TheDeal:Tencardsaredealt toeachplayer,usuallya roundof threecards each, then three cards as a “widow,” followedbya roundof threeeach, then a round of four each, all cards face down. Other modes ofdealingareallowable.

Bidding:Beginningatthedealer’sleft,playersbidthenumberoftrickstheywill attempt to take,with a specified trump suit or no-trump.Anyplayermay “pass” if he chooses; otherwise bids are raised or “jumped”accordingtothefollowingschedule:

Originally, each player was allowed only one bid, but later, auctionbidding came into vogue and is preferable, as it encourages higherbidding,whichisamainaimofthegame.Inauction,aplayermaypass,then bid or rebid, until those following him have passed in succession;thenhisbidstands.Thehighestbiddertakesupthewidowwithoutshowingitscards,which

headds tohishand.He thendiscards threeunwantedor leastdesirablecardsfromhishand,alsofacedown.

Note:Ifallplayerspass,thehandisvoidandthedealmovesontotheplayerontheleft.

ThePlay:Thesuccessfulbidder leads to thefirst trick,andtheothersfollowsuitifpossible.Ifoutofsuit,aplayercandiscardfromanothersuit,orhemaytrumpaleadfromanordinarysuit.Thehighestcardofthesuitledwins the trick unless trumped, inwhich case the trumpwins unlessovertrumped. Inno-trump, the joker (asmentionedearlier)canbeusedasa trumpwhenitsholder isoutofsuit,orhecanleaditas thehighestcardofanysuithedeclares.

ScoringtheHand:Attheconclusionofthehand,thebiddercountshistricks,andifhetooktherequirednumberormore,heiscreditedwiththeamount of his bid.Thus, if he shouldbid seven spades andmake it, hewouldgain140points,regardlessofwhetherhetookeightorninetricks,insteadofonlyseven.Sothereisnocreditfortakingextratricks,withthisexception:Ifthebiddertakesalltentricks,hescores250,providedhisbidwaslowerthanthatamount.Ifthebidderfailstotaketherequirednumberoftricks,theamountof

his bid is deducted fromhis score, sometimesputtinghim in theminuscolumn(belowzero). Inanycase,anopponentscores10points foreachtrickthathetakes.Usually,theyactastemporarypartnerstopreventthebidderfrommakinghisbid;but,with thataccomplished,eachopponentnaturallytakeswhatevertrickshecanforhimself.

Making Game: As the name “five hundred” implies, 500 pointsconstitutesgame, and the firstplayer to reachor exceed that total is thewinner,scoresbeingaddedorsubtractedaftereachdeal.Ifthebidderandanother player reach 500 in the same hand, the bidder wins the game;withtwononbidders,theonewhoreached500firstbecomesthewinner.Bypreviousagreement,ifalosingbidputsthebidder’sscoremorethan

500“inthehole,”thatis,below 500,thegameendsandtheplayerwiththe highest score is declared the winner. Though optional, this rule isreally a must in some circles, where opponents continually make wild,impossiblebidstopreventasoundbidderfromreaching500.Thelosinglimitmaybesetat 1000ifpreferred.

BiddingNullo:Alsooptionalbutgenerallyacceptedisthe“nullo”rule,wherebyabidderundertakestoloseeverytrick.Nullocounts250,hencesuch a bid outranks eight spades (240) but falls just below eight clubs(260).Ifanullobidderholdsthejokerordrawsitinthewidow,hemustnaturally discard it; otherwise it would be a sure trick against him. If abidder loses at nullo, 250 points are deducted from his score and theopponents are creditedwith 10points apiece for each trick takenby thebidder. Whether the nullo bidder wins or loses, tricks taken by hisopponentsdonotcount.

Various Options: Ordinarily, if all players pass, the hand is dead, thecardsaregathered,thenshuffledanddealtbythenextplayertotheleft.Ifpreferred,anunbidhandcanautomaticallybeplayedasno-trump,witheachplayerscoring10pointsforeachtrickhetakes.Thewidowissimplylaid aside, face up or face down, as preferred. In some circles, it iscustomary to turn thewidow face up, letting everyone see it before thesuccessfulbiddertakesitintohishand,thoughhedoesnothavetoshowhisdiscard.

FOUR-HANDEDFIVEHUNDRED:Verysimilartothethree-handedgamebutwitha forty-three-card pack that includes the sixes, fives, and red fours indescendingvalue.Thuswithheartsastrumps,thesuitswouldrun:

Trumps:joker, J, J, A,K,Q,10,9,8,7,6,5,4Trumps: A,K,Q,10,9,8,7,6,5,4Trumps: A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5Trumps: A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5

(Blackfourscanbeusedinsteadofredfoursifpreferred.)

ConsideringtheplayersasA,B,C,Dinthatorder,AandCareteamedagainstBandD.Cardsaredealtasusual(tentoeachplayerwiththreeforawidow),andbiddingfollowstheregularpattern,eachplayerhavingonebid, or more if auction bidding is agreed upon. A player may raise hispartnerinthesamesuit,andinanyevent,whoevermakesthehighestbidgetsthewidowandleadstothefirsttrick.All tricks taken by either partner count toward the team’s score, in

whichthesamerulesapplyasinthree-handed,exceptthatthereareonlytwocolumns,AandBvs.CandD.

Note:Oftenaplayercanswitchhispartner’sbidtothesuitofthesamecolor (as to orviceversa), indicating thathehasa longrun thatwillbenefit from any bowers held by his partner. This intriguing feature isaugmentedwhenunrestrictedauctionisallowed,asitenablestheoriginalbiddertoraiseeithersuittoastillhigherlevel.

FIVE-HANDED FIVE HUNDRED: This game utilizes the full pack of fifty-threecards (joker included)with tencardsdealt toeachplayer,alongwith theusualthree-cardwidow.Thehandsrankasintheotherversions,withthetrumpsuitheadedbythejokerandtherightandleftbowers.Eachplayerisonhisown,butbidsaremadewiththeunderstandingthatthehighestbiddercancalluponanotherplayertoserveashispartnerduringtheplayofthatparticularhand.

Byone system, the bidder can choose anypartnerhepleases; andheusuallydoesthisonabasisofthebids.Example:Aplayerwinningthebidatsevenheartsisapttochooseapartnerwhobidsevendiamonds,astheymayhavebowersincommon.To encourage high bidding, a player bidding eight or more may be

allowed to choose two partners instead of only one. This is an optionalrule,basedonthefactthatplaywillprovemoredifficult.

Another system is for the successful bidder to call upon the playerholding a specific card to act as his partner pro tem. (The “call” isinvariably for the joker unless the bidder holds it himself.) The playerholdingthe“calledcard”showsitandplayproceeds.Here,anotheroptionmaybeintroduced,thatofplaying“blind”without

the temporary partner declaring his identity until he plays the card the

biddercalledfor.This,however,isapttooverstresstheelementofluck.Scoringthehand:Eachtemporarypartnerscorestheamountofthebid

if successful, or is set back that amount. Opponents score 10 points fortricks taken individually.Asanoption:Winningor losinghandsmaybescoredashalftheamountofthestandardbid.

SIX-HANDED FIVE HUNDRED: Thismay be played in twoways: (a)With threeteams, each formed by two partners seated opposite, in which case itfollows therulesof three-handedfivehundred,each teamscoringasanindependent player; or (b) With two teams of three partners seatedalternately,whichisplayedlikefour-handedfivehundred.Ineithercase,asixty-three-cardpack isused,containingspeciallymanufacturedcardsofthefollowingdenominations: 13,12,11; 13,12,11; 12,11; 12,11.Theserankjustbelowthefacecardsbutabovetheten.

FIVEHUNDREDRUMMY:SeeRummy,thispage.

FIVEINONE:Asthenameimplies,thisconsistsoffivegamesinone.DealerstartswitharoundofPlusorMinus,thispage,andatthefinish,thehandsare left faceup.Handsare thenratedas inCold-HandPoker, thispage,andthewinnercollectsachipfromeachof theotherplayers.Handsareleft face up, but discards are shuffled back into the pack and a deal ofBango,thispage,follows.ExtracardsareshuffledintothepackforadealofPutandTake,thispage.Entirepackisshuffledanddealerplaysafinalhandcalleda“consolation,”countingfromonetotenandturningacardfaceuponeach count. Ifhehits anumberashenames it,he collects achipfromeachplayer.AlsoknownasGarbageorVariety.

FIVEORNINE:AformofFan-Tan,thispage,inwhichthestartingplayerlaysdownafiveoranine(insteadofaseven)tostartatwo-waysequence.Whichever he plays (five or nine)must be used to start the three othersuitsduringthatdeal.

FLIP:AnothernameforMexicanStud.Seethispage.

FLIPSTUD:Poker.Seethispage.

FLOWERGARDEN:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

FOOTBALL: A speciallywild form ofPoker (similar toBaseball). See thispage.

FORTY-FIVE:ThemodernformofSpoilFive,thispage,playedwithoutthe“spoil,”scoringpointsfortricksinstead.Whileitcanbeplayedbythreetofive players, each on his own, it is preferable with four, those oppositebeing partners; or six, with two teams of three each. Individually, eachtrickcounts5points,andthefirstplayertoreach45winsthegame;butinthestandardpartnershipplayothermodesareused:(a)Eachtrickcounts5points, but the lower total is subtracted from thehigher; so for takingthreetricks,ateamscores15–10 5;fortakingfourtricks,20–5 15;fortaking five tricks, 25–0 25. (b) A team taking the odd trick scores 5points;fortakingalltricks,10points.Eitherway(a)or(b),gameisstill45.In“auctionforty-five,”eachtrickcounts5points,andtheteamholding

thehighesttrumpscores5more,makingatotalof30.Playersbidbyfivesfor the privilege of naming trump, but the dealer, who bids last, can“hold” the bid and take it at the level named by the previous player,thoughotherscanrebidhigher,withthedealeragainholdingifhewants.Both teams score what they take in tricks, but a bid of 30 counts 60 ifmade.Ateamfailingtomakeabidhastheamountofthebidsubtractedfromitsscore.Gameis120,andateamwith100pointsormoremustbid20 or higher. This game is very popular in the Canadian MaritimeProvinces.

FORTYTHIEVES:AnothernameforLucas.SeeSolitaire,thispage.

FOUR-CARD POKER: Played with hands of four cards, combinationsrankingfourofakind,four-cardstraightflush,fourflush,fourstraight,threeofakind,twopair,pair,highcard.Seethispage.

FOUR-DEALBRIDGE:KnownalsoasChicago,thisisplayedlikeContractBridge but with special scoring rules that speed the action. Four dealsconstitutea“rubber,”and ifallplayerspassduringadeal, thecardsaredealtagainbythesamedealeruntilahandisfinallybid.Teamsbid,play,andscoreasincontract,butvulnerabilityfollowsasetprocedure;namely:

FirstDeal:Neitherteamvulnerable.SecondDeal:Onlythedealer’steamvulnerable.

ThirdDeal:Onlythedealer’steamvulnerable.FourthDeal:Bothteamsvulnerable.

Asspecialpremiums,ateamthatcompletesagameof100trickpointsoroveriscreditedwith300pointsifnotvulnerable;andwith500pointsifvulnerable.Apartscoremadeduringonedealcarriesintothenext,asintheusual formof rubberbridge;butonce a teammakesgame, anypartscoresareeliminated.Ateammakingapartscoreonthefourthandfinaldealreceivesabonusof100pointsifitsscorefallsshortofgame.Anypartscorealreadymadebytheopposingteamistherebydisregarded.

FOUR-FLUSHPOKER:TwoformsofDealer’sChoice:Four-FlushOpenerandFour-FlushStud.Seethispage.

FOUR FORTY-FOUR and FOUR FORTY-TWO: Similar types of wildPoker,thispage.

FOURJACKS:AmericanizedtermforPolignac,thispage.

FRAGE:SeeFrog,thispage.

FREAKHANDS:Poker.Seethispage.

FREEWHEELING:Poker.Seethispage.

FREEZEOUT:Agamefromwhichaplayermustdropwhenhehaslosthisoriginalquotaofchips.ChieflyPoker,thispage.

FRENCHBOSTON:AnobsoletevariantofBoston,withthe Jthetoptrumpinanysuitbutitsown,whenthe Jbecomestoptrumpandthe Jranksbelowthe Q.SeeWhist,thispage.

FRENCHEUCHRE:Anamesometimesapplied toEuchrewithanauction.SeeAuctionEuchre,thispage.

FRENCH RUFF: An old term forTriomphe, orTriumph, an early trumpgame.Seethispage.

FRENCH WHIST: A variant of Scotch Whist with the 10 counting 10

pointswhentaken,eventhoughanothersuitistrump.SeeScotchWhist,thispage.

FROG:AvariantofSolo,thispage,withonlythreebids.In-thelowestbid,“frog”(fromGerman“Frage,”question), thebidderturnsupthewidow,takes its cards intohishand, anddiscards three facedown.Play followsthe pattern of solo, with hearts trump, bidder winning a chip for eachpoint over 60. “Chico” is a higher bid played without the widow, withbiddernamingany trumpexcepthearts andgaining twochipsperpoint(asinabidofsolo).Inthehighestbid,“grand,”playedwithoutthewidow,hearts are trump (as in a bid of “heart solo”) at 3 points per chip. Ifopponents scoreover60,biddermustpayeachone, two,or threechipsperpoint,accordingtohisbid.

GAIGEL: A four-handed development of Bezique, with players seatedopposite as partners. It can be played with a regular forty-eight-cardpinochle pack, each suit ranking A, A, 10, 10, K, K, Q, Q, J, J, 9, 9.(Originallysevenswereusedinsteadofnines,butthelatterarepreferabletoday,aspinochlepacksarecommon.)Fivecardsaredealttoeachplayer,andthenextisturnedupastrump,

thepackbeinglaidacrossit.Playeratthedealer’sleftleadsanycardtothefirsttrick,andtheothers,inturn,playwhatevertheywant,withnoneedto follow suit or trump. Highest card of suit led wins unless trumped,whenhighesttrumpwins.Thewinnerdrawsthetopcardfromthepack,adding it to his hand, and the other players do the same in turn. Thewinnerthenleadstothenexttrick.When all cards have been drawn, the hands are played out, but now

eachplayermust followsuit andplayhigher ifhe can. Ifoutof suit,hemusttrumpifhecanandalsotrumphigherwheneverpossible.Partnerspool their tricks,andcards takenbyeach teamarecountedaccording totheoriginalscheduleusedinbeziqueandpinochle:Eachace,11;ten,10;king, 4; queen, 3; jack, 2. Last trick counts 10, so that 250 points arepossibleinplay;butthefirstteamtoreach101mustdeclare“out,”therebywinning the game.This is doneby either partner knockingon the tablebeforeanewtrickisplayed.Tricksalreadytakenarethenturnedupandtheirpointsarecounted,tomakesuretheclaimiscorrect.Otherpointsmaybegainedduringplaybythefollowingmelds:

RoyalMarriage(K,Qoftrump) 40pointsDoubleRoyal(K,K,Q,Qoftrump) 80OrdinaryMarriage(K,Qofplainsuit) 20DoubleMarriage(K,K,Q,Qofsuit) 40

Suchameldcanbemadeonlybyaplayerwhohasjustwonatrick,orbyhispartnerifhefailedtomeld,andbeforethenextcardisdrawnfromthepack.Also,onceamarriageismelded,anotherisnotallowableinthesame suit; hence tomeld a doublemarriage, a playermust lay down allfour cards at once.When all cards have been drawn from the pack, nofurthermeldsareallowed,withthisexception:

Fiveninesmaybemeldedatanytimefor101points.

Thus,aplayerholdingordrawingsuchacombinationhasonlytoshowitandhisteamwinsautomatically.Having won a trick, a player may exchange a dix for the turned-up

trump.Usually, there isno score for this;butanoptional ruleallows 10points for the exchange. In that case, the holder of the second dix canscore10bysimplyshowingit.Asalreadymentioned,ateammustdeclare“out”assoonasithits101or

higher. Thismeans that both partnersmust keep an exact count of thepoints their team takes, which is one of the intriguing features of thegame.Inmostinstances,theteamthatgoesoutiscreditedwithwinningasingle game, but there are special caseswhere a team scores a “gaigel,”whichcountsastwogames,inaccordancewiththefollowingrules:

Whenateamscores101beforetheopposingteamwinsatrick.Ifanopposingplayerknocksbeforehisteamhasattainedatotalof101;or:Ifneitheropponentknockswhen their teamhas reached the required101.

Beforeknocking,aplayercanasktoseethetrickjusttaken,tocheckhismentalcalculation;but ifhe looksfurtherbackthrougheither trickpile,histeamforfeitsthegameandtheopposingteamscoresagaigel.

SpecialNote:Gaigelcanbeplayedbytwo,three,five,oreightplayers,eachonhisown,withthecardscomingoutevenlyinboththedealandthedraw.Themoreplayers, themore likely that thegamewillgo intoextrahandsrequiringfreshdeals,beforereachingtheneeded101.

GARBAGE:AnineleganttermforFiveinOne,thispage.

GENTLEMEN’S AGREEMENT: A sophisticated form of Contract Bridge,this page, in which hands are abandoned unless the declarer has beendoubledorhasmadeabidthatwillensuregameifsuccessful.

GERMANSKAT:ThisisSkat,thispage,asoriginallyplayed,includingthebidof“Frage”(seeFrog,thispage)andotherfeaturesnolongergenerallyused.

GERMAN SOLO: A modern development of Ombre, this page, with four

players,eachonhisown,usingathirty-two-cardpack,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7indescendingorder,withtheseexceptions:The Q,knownas“spadilla,”isalwaysthehighesttrump;thesevenofthetrumpsuit,called“manila,” is next; and the Q, or “basta,” is always the third highesttrump,theaceoftrumpbeingfourth;andsoon,downtotheeight.Onesuit, usually clubs, is known as “color” and takes precedence over theothersuitswhennamingatrump.Hence,eachsuit,whentrump,wouldberankedasfollows:

Clubs(Color): Spades: Hearts: Diamonds:

Q7Q AKJ1098

Q 7QAKJ109

Q 7Q AKQJ1098

Q 7Q AKQJ1098

Eightcardsaredealttoeachplayer,and,beginningatthedealer’sleft,playersbidfortheprivilegeofnamingtrumpandplayingthehandonthefollowingascendingscale:

SimpleGame:Playernamesatrumpsuitaftergainingthebidandcallsfortheholderofanontrumpacetoserveashispartner;or if thebidderholdsallsuchaces,hecallsforakinginanontrumpsuit.Eitherway,thespecifiedcard isrevealedby itsholderonly inthecourseofplay.Bidderandtemporarypartnermusttakefiveoftheeighttricks.Eachthencollectsonechipfromanopponent;oreachpaysonechipiftheyfailtomakethebid.Thetrumpnamedisanysuitexcept“color.”

SimpleinColor:Thesamegame,butthebidderstatesthathewillnamecolorasthetrumpsuitifhegainsthebid.Bidderandpartnereachcollecttwochipsfromanotherplayer,oreachpaystwochipsiftheylose.

Solo: In this game, the bidder plays alone against the three otherplayers, naming any trump suit except color. For taking five or moretricks,hecollects twochips fromeachopponent; ifhe fails,hepays twochipstoeach.

SoloinColor:Playedlikeregularsolo,butinbiddingtheplayerstatesthathewillnamecolorastrump.Ifhewinshisfivetricks,hecollectsfourchipsinsteadofonlytwo,orpaysfourifheloses.

Solo Tout: After gaining the bid, the player names any trump exceptcolorandmusttakealleighttrickstowin,collectingeightchipsfromeachoftheotherplayersifhedoes,orpayingeighttoeachifheloses.

SoloToutinColor:Playedlikesolotout,butwithcolornamedastrumpduring the bidding. Bidder collects sixteen chips if he wins, and payssixteenchipsifheloses.

OptionalNullo: Byprevious agreement a biddermayoffer toplayhishandfaceup—whichistermed“ouvert”—withoutwinningatrick.Thereisnotrumpsuit,andifthebiddersucceeds,hecollectssevenchipsfromeachoftheothers,orpayseachsevenchipsifhefails.Inanycase,oncethetrumpisknown,playbeginsatdealer’sleft,with

highest card of suit led taking the trick unless trumped, then highesttrumpwins.Playersmustfollowsuitifpossibleandwhenoutofsuitcaneitherplaytrumpordiscardfromanothersuit.Winnerofeachtrickleadstothenext.Incaseallplayerspass,whoeverholdsthehighesttrump—the

Q—must show it and take the bid at a simple gameor at simple solo.Onceaplayerpasses,he isoutof thebidding fromthenon;butwhenaplayergainsthefinalbid,hecandecidetoplaythehandatahigherlevel,assumingtheadditionalriskinvolved.

GERMAN WHIST: A two-player form ofWhist, this page, with the usualfifty-two-cardpack.Eachisdealtthirteencardsandthenextisturnedupastrump.Theopponentleadsandthedealerfollowssuitifable;otherwisediscardingortrumpingasinwhist.Winneroftrickdrawstheface-upcardfromthepack; loserdraws thecardbeneath.Thenextcard is turnedupandthewinnerofthetrickleadstothenexttrick.Thiscontinuesuntiltheentire pack is drawn, the remaining cards being played out. The playertaking the most tricks collects the difference between his total and theloser’s.

Note: The card originally turned up continues to represent trumpthroughouttheplayoftheentirehand.

GILEorGILET:AgametooantiquatedtodeserveconsiderationbeyondthefactthatitwastheancestorofBrelan,Brag,andPoker.

GIN RUMMY: Originally known as “poker gin,” this has developed intoperhaps the most popular of all two-handed games and is thereforeworthy of consideration in its own right. Gin, as it is familiarly known,followsthepatternofKnockRummy,thispage,withcardsrankingfromking down to ace and with ten cards being dealt to each player, thepurpose being to formmatched sets of three or four cards of the same

value(asJ–J–Jor9–9–9–9)andsequencesofthreeormorecardsofthesamesuit(as J–10–9or 5–4–3–2–A).Asinrummy,facecards(K,Q,J)count10pointseach;allothersaccordingtotheirspots.After dealing ten cards each to the opponent and himself, the dealer

places thepackbetween themand turnsup the topcardbeside it, as anupcard representing a discard pile.Opponent either takes the upcard toopenplay,discardinganothercardinstead,orextendsthatprivilegetothedealer,whointurnmusteithertaketheupcardorlettheopponentopenplaybytakingthetopcardofthepack.Hemaydiscardit,orkeepitanddiscardsomeothercard;inanycase,anewupcardisnowondisplay,andfromthenoneachplayerinturnmaytakeeitherthetopcardofthepackortheupcard,discardingashechooses.No melds are made until a player, after drawing, finds that he can

reduce his “deadwood” or extra cards to 10 points or less.He can thenknock on the table to end the play; after that, he melds his sets andsequences,makesadiscard,anddisplayshisunmatcheddeadwood.Asasimpleillustration:Afteradraw,PlayerXdecidestoknockonthestrengthofthefollowing

holding:

J J J 8765 8 2A A

Hemeldshisset(J–J–J)andhissequence( 8765)anddiscardsthe8,leavinghimwith 2Aand Aasdeadwoodforacountof4points(2 11 4).PlayerYthenmeldswhateverhecan,withtheaddedprivilegeoflaying

offextracardsonX’smelds,byextendingsetsorsequences.AssumethatYholdsthesetencards:

J10 10 109 6 654 4

Hemeldshisset(10–10–10)andhissequence( 654).Ythenlaysoffhis JonX’sset(makingJ–J–J–4).Yalsolaysoffhis 4onX’ssequence(makingit 87654).ThatleavesYwithtwocardsasdeadwood: 9and6foracountof15(9 6 15).Inscoring,theplayerwhoknockedsubtractshispointsfromtheother

player’s and credits himself with the difference, which goes into hiscolumn on a score sheet. In the above example,X would subtract his 4

points fromY’s 15, scoring 11 forX (15–4 11). Thewinner of the handalways deals the next hand, and the new score is entered in the propercolumn,continuinghandbyhanduntiloneplayerreaches100pointsormore, therebywinning game and receiving a bonus of 100 points. Boththeboxscoreandthebonusaredoubledifaplayerwinseveryhandinthegame, shutting out the other player.Eachplayer receives a bonus of 25points for each hand he won; and at the finish, one score is subtractedfromtheothertodeterminethemarginofthevictory.That,however,isnotall.Any timeaknockermeldshisentirehand,sohiscount is0,he“goes

gin,”andtheotherplayerisnotallowedtolayoffonhishand.Forgoinggin,hegainsanadditional25-pointbonus,eveniftheotherplayershouldmeld all his cards aswell, though that seldomhappens, for by then theopposingplayershouldhavealreadyknocked.Frequently,however,aknockermaybetiedor“undercut”bytheother

player.Hereisanexampleofhowthatmayhappen:

Then,insteadofbeingstuckwithacountof16points(8 3 3 2 16),Ylaysoff 8and 3attheendsofX’ssequence(makingit 876543),which leavesYwithonly 3 and 2 (3 2 5).SoY receives25points,which is customary for equaling the knocker’s count, plus 3 pointsrepresentingthemarginofdifference(8–5 3)foratotalof28pointsforthehand.Inshort,theopposingplayerscoresasifhehadknockedandpicksup

25pointsabove that.Healsobecomeswinnerof thehandandthereforedealsthenexthand.

HollywoodGinisatermappliedtothepopularpracticeofplayingthree(ormore)gamessimultaneously,inoverlappingstyle.AplayerscoreshisfirstwinninghandinGame1;hissecondwinninghandinbothGames1and2;his thirdwinninghand inGames 1,2, and3.From thenon,allwinninghandsarescoredinallthreegamesuntilaplayerreaches100inanygame,

endingthatgame;buttheothersareplayedtotheirconclusions.Thefollowingexamplewillillustratetheprecedure:Intheinitialhand,PlayerXhas13points,whichisenteredashisfirst

hand inGame1. In thenexthand,X scores25points,so it isentered inbothGame1andGame2,thus:

Game1 Game2 Game3XY XY XY13 2538

Now,PlayerYcomesupwithawinninghandof22points,whichishisfirstwinandthereforeisenteredonlyinGame1:

Game1 Game2 Game3XY XY XY1322 2538

In the next hand, Player X scores 8 points, which apply to all threegames,1,2and3,asfollows:

Game1 Game2 Game3XY XY XY1322 25 838 3346

PlayerYgetsbusyandwinsfourhandsinarow,scoring30,28,5,and18,respectively,resultinginthefollowingsuccessiveentries:

Now,X,whogainedaniceheadstart,isatadisadvantage,sincehecan’tscore in threegamesanymore, asY did for twohands.Assuming thatXwinsthreeconsecutivehandswithscoresof4,16,and29,butthatYthenundercutsX’sknockandcomesthroughfor27.Games2and3wouldthenstand:

OklahomaGinintroducesoneseeminglyslightrulethatutterlychangesthepatternofplayfromthatofstandardgin.Theruleisthatthevalueoftheupcardsetsthenumberofpointsrequiredforaknockduringtheensuingdeal. A face card or a tenmakes no change in the 10-point minimum;while a nine, eight, or seven does not matter much. Lower values,however, greatly affect the play, and with an ace (1 point) the knockerpractically has to go gin; in some circles, that is required. Due to thestepped-up play, game is usually set at 150, 200, or 250 (as preferred)with a bonus for winning the game set at the corresponding levels.

Another rule often included is “spades double,” meaning that if theupcardisaspadeallscoresresultingfromthathandaredoubled.

VariantsofGinRummyincludethe“roundthecorner”featureofstandardrummy,inwhichanaceisbothhighandlow,withavalueof15points.Insomecircles,theopposingplayerisallowedto“layoff”ontheknocker’shand when he has “gone gin”; and a further rule may be introduced,eliminating any score for that hand if the opposing player reduces hiscount to zero, thus matching the knocker’s gin. Several forms ofpartnershipginrummyhavebeendevised,alongwithversionsof three-handedplay,butginisessentiallyatwo-handedgame,andothertypesofrummy are preferable when the accommodation of additional playersbecomesamatterofmoment.

GLEEK: An old English three-handed game with a forty-four-card pack,lackingthreesandtwos,inwhichplayerswerepaidofffor“gleek”orthreeof a kind, and “mournival,” or four of a kind, with only A, K, Q, Jcounting.Thosefourpaidoffashonorsinaturned-uptrumpsuit(as A,K,Q,J),andthehandwasfinallyplayedoutasinWhist,thispage,withafurtherscorefortricks.

GOBOOM:Ajuvenilegamewithtwotosixplayersutilizingafifty-two-cardpackrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Eachplayerisdealtsevencards, and,beginning at thedealer’s left, aplayer leads any card,whichtheothersmustmatch in suit or value. (Example: 9 is led; it couldbefollowedby J, 9, 3, 9.)Anyoneunable to playmust drawup tothreecardsfromtopofpackuntilhecan.Afterthat,hecanpass.Tricksaretossedasideasworthless,butwhoeverplaysthehighestcard

ofthesuitledhastheprivilegeofleadingtothenext.Theplayerwhofirstdisposesofallhiscardswinsthegame.

GOFISH:ThisgameissimilartoAuthors,thispage,butsimpler.Withtwoorthreeplayers,eachisdealtsevencards;withthreetofiveplayers,eachis dealt five cards. First player demands of any other, “Give me yournines,” or any other value he may name, provided that his own handcontainsacardofthatdenomination.Theplayergiventhedemandmusthandthemoverifhehasany,andthefirstplayercanmakeanewdemandfromanyonehechooses.Butifaplayercannotmeetthedemand,hesays,

“Gofish!”andthedemandermustdrawthetopcardofthepack.If itprovestobethevaluewanted,orfillsa“book”bymatchingthree

cards of a value he already holds, he can continue. Otherwise, the callmovestotheplayeronhisleft.Thisgoesonuntiloneplayerhaslaiddownhis entire hand in matched sets of books of four cards each, therebywinningthegame.

GRAND: An intriguing composite game in which a fifty-two-card pack isdealt equally among four players, those seated opposite being partners.Beginningatdealer’sleft,eachplayerinturnmaypassormakeabidinamultipleof five, going ashigh as 100.Thehighbidder thenhas severalchoices. He may decide to play a hand of Whist, this page, where henames the trump suit and leads to the first trick.For each trick thathisteamtakesoverthe“book”ofsix,itscores5points.Asanexample:withabidof“15”ateamwouldhavetotakeninetricksbutwouldscore5pointsmoreforeachextratrick.Takingallthirteentrickswouldscore35points,butalsogivestheteamabonusof30,soabidof“65”ispossible.Aftertheopening lead by the bidder, play proceeds exactly as inwhist. If a teamfalls short, it is “set back” the amount of its bid and opponents score 5pointspertrickforanytheytakeoverthebookofsix.Abiddermaydecidetoplayahandofno-trump,whichinthisgameis

termed “grand,” and is played just like whist but without a trump. Ingrand, each trick counts9points,with abonusof40 for “big slam,” sotakingall thirteen trickswouldscore 103points (7×9 40 103).Bidsarestillmadeinmultiplesof5,henceaplayerbidding“20”coulddecidetogofor ten tricks inwhist (4×5 20)oronlyeight ingrand(2×9 18).Thusachoiceofgrandisnotrevealeduntilthebidderannouncesit,whichaddsto the zest of the game.A team scoreswhat itmakes in grand; if it fallsshort,itissetbacktheamountofthebidandopponentsscore9pointsforeachtricktheytakeoverbookofsix.As a further twist, a bidder can switch toEuchre, this page, with the

suitsrankingasinthatgame.Here,eachplayerdiscardsallbutfivecardsfromhishand,butnoonecankeepatrumplowerthantheeight.Withabidof “5,”a teammust take three tricks;withabidof “10,” four tricks;with a bid of “20,” all five tricks.Bidder leads to the first trick, andhisteamscoresforall it takes;ifshort, it issetbacktheamountbidplus20points,buttheopponentsdonotscore.Possiblelosseswouldthereforebe:

5 20 25;10 20 30;20 20 40.Aplayerbidding“20”candecideto“playalone,”withtheprivilegeof

asking forhispartner’sbest card inexchange foroneofhisown,givingtheopponentsthesameprivilege.Inthiscase,hescores25fortakingalltricks, but is only set back theusual40 if he fails.However, if he findshimself forcedtobid“25,”hecandoso,with theunderstandingthathemustplayalonehand,withtheexchangeprivilegeifhechooseseuchre.Ifhemakeshisbid,hescores25;ifhefails,heissetback25 25 50.To illustrate this interesting situation: The trump suit consists of the

jack(rightbower),jackofthesamecolor(leftbower),followedbyA,K,Q,10,9,8inthatorder.Assumethatthebidderholds J, J, A, Q, Kashisbestpossiblehand,andnamesspadesastrump.Hedecidestoplaya“lonehand,”discardingthe K,inthehopethathispartner’sbestcardisaspade,becauseafifthtrumpwillmeanasurewinforthebidder.However,hispartnerhasno spade.Hisbest card, though, is the A,

and upon gaining that, the bidder still has this chance: If the fourremaining trumps, K, 10, 9, 8, are evenly divided between hisopponents,theopponentgainingtheother’sbestcardstillwillonlyhavethreetrumps.Sothebidderplayshisbowersandace,clearingthetrumps,andtakes thenext twotrickswiththeremainingtrumpandtheoddace.Butifoneopponentholds K,9,8andtheotherholdsthe 10,hecantakethe 10ashispartner’sbestcard,givinghimanoddcardinreturn.Holding K,10,9,8,heissuretowinthefourthtrickwiththe Kandprobablythefifthtrickaswell,thussettingthebidderback40,ifhisbidwas20,or50ifhewasforcedtobid25.Asifallthiswerenotenough,anyonebiddingupto50hasstillanother

option; namely, to declareHearts, this page, as the game for that hand.Thebidderleads,andifhisteamavoidstakinganyhearts, theyscore50pointsandtheopponentsaresetback1pointforeachheart,or13inall.Ifthe bidder’s team takes any hearts, it is set back the amount of its bid(which may be anything from 5 to 50) and 1 point for each heart.Opponentsarealsosetback1pointperheart.Game is 100 points. If a team scores a big slam in grand, it wins the

game,eventhoughitmayhaveaminusscoreat thetime.If thedealer’steamreachesa scoreof70, theplayeratdealer’s left can simplydeclareheartsasthegame,withnootherbidsallowed.Inanycase,a“pass”bythefirstplayerindicatesthathewouldliketoplayatheartsbutisleavingthe

choicetohispartner.Ifnobodybids,thedealermusttakeitataminimumof“5,”choosingwhatevergameheregardsastheleastdeadly.Scoring involves other angles in grand. Often, when the bidding is

spirited,opposing teamsare setback sooften that they frequently go intheholeandneverclimboutsufficientlytoreachthegoalof100.Soitisfrequentlydecidedtoterminateplayafteraspecifiednumberofadditionalhandsoratacertaintime.Thentheteamwiththehighestscoreiscreditedwithafinaltotalof100,justasifithadactuallyreachedthatfigure.Thelosingteam’sscoreissubtractedfrom100toestablishthewinner’smarginofvictory.Examples:TeamAgoesoutwith108whenTeamBhasonly45points. TeamA is credited with 100–45 55 points. But if TeamA hadonly48pointsagainstB’s45,TeamAwouldstillbecreditedwith100–4555.However, that still isnot final.Setbacks also figure in the score.Each

time a team is set back, an “X” ismarked beside the deduction. At thefinish,eachteam’ssetbacksarecountedandthelesserdeductedfromthegreater.Thedifference ismultipliedby10andcredited to the teamwithlesssetbacks.Thatmarginiseitheraddedordeductedtoplayingscore,asthe casemaybe.Examples: In the casegivenabove, ifAhad5 setbacksandB had7, thedifferencewouldbe inA’s favor—2× 10 20—and thatwouldbeaddedtoA’sscore,givingAawinningmarginof75.ButifAhad12setbacks—someverysmall—againstB’s7,thedifference

would be inB’s favor–5 × 10 50—which would be deducted fromA’splayingscoreof55,reducingA’smarginofvictorytoamere5points.Thisis both a unique and important feature of grand, when settlements aremadeinchipsorotherwise.

Note:DetailedrulesforWhist,Euchre,andHeartswillbefoundunderthose heads, and are followed in the play of grand, with the importantexceptionthatingrandthebidderalwaysleadstothefirsttrick.

GRANDDEMON:AvariantofFascination—Solitaire,thispage.

GRUESOMETWOSOME:Poker.Seethispage.

GUTS:Poker.Seethispage.

HALF-POTLIMIT:Poker.Seethispage.

HASENPFEFFER: A cross betweenEuchre, this page, andFive Hundred,thispage,playedwitha twenty-five-cardpack,acesdowntonines,withjoker included as highest trump or “best bower”; followed by jack oftrumpasrightbower,jackofsamecolorasleftbower,thenA,K,Q,10,9asineuchre.PlainsuitsrankA,K,Q,(J),10,9.There are four players, those seated opposite being partners. Each is

dealtsixcards,theoddcardalsobeingdealtfacedownasa“widow.”Eachplayerhasasinglebidastothenumberoftricks(fromonetosix)thathethinkshis teamcantake ifhenamesthetrump.Highestbiddertakesupthewidowwithoutshowingitanddiscardsanycardhedoesnotwant.The high bidder then names trump and opens play, with others

followingsuitasineuchre;ifoutofsuit,theymaytrumpordiscardfromanothersuit.Ifapartnershipmakesitsbid,itscores1pointforeachtrickwon.Ifitfails,itissetbacktheamountbid,itsscorebeingmarkedwithaminussignifneedbe.Gameis10points,andifbothteamsgooutduringthesamehand,theonemakingthebidisthewinner.During the bidding, if all players pass, whoever holds the jokermust

showitandbid3points.Ifallpassandthe joker is in thewidow,anewhandisdealt.See:DoubleHasenpfeffer,thispage.

HEARTS:Thoughbasicallyverysimple,thispopulargamehasbeensteppedupwithsomeintriguingelaborationsthatwillbedescribedinduecourse,makingitamongthemostexcitingofroundgames,witheachparticipantplayingforhimself.

ThePack,Thestandardfifty-twocards,running indescendingvaluesA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Inthebasicgame,onetofourcardsoflowervaluesareremoved,asthe 2, 2, 3, 3(forsixplayers),intheordergiven,sothedealwillcomeouteven,accordingto:

NumberofPlayers:Fromthreetoeight.Thefullpackisusedwithfourplayers; with three, one card ( 2) is removed; with more players,additionalcardsareremovedasspecified.

BASICHEARTS:TheDeal:Thecardsaredealtsingly, facedown, inclockwiseorder. Each player looks at his hand and the player at the dealer’s left

leadstothefirsttrick.Othersmustfollowsuitifpossible,otherwisetheydiscardfromanothersuit.Thehighestcardofthesuitledtakesthetrick,whichtheplayerlaysfacedowninfrontofhimandleadstothenexttrick.Thiscontinuesuntilallcardsareplayed.There is no trump suit in hearts, nor do tricks have any value in

themselves.Thewholepurposeofthegameistoavoidtakinganyhearts,astheyscore1pointeachfortheplayertakingthem,andinthisgametheplayerwiththehighestscoreistheloser.Aftereachhand,thedealmovestotheleft,andgameitselfisusually50points.Whenoneplayergoesoverthat, the player with the lowest score at the finish of the hand is thewinner,unlesssomeotherformofsettlementisused,aswillbespecifiedlater.Hearts, in modern form, can best be described under the head of

“omnibushearts,”atermthatincludesanyoralloftheelaborationsthathaveaddedtothepopularityofthegame.

OMNIBUS HEARTS: Foremost among the features that enliven the play ofmodernheartsisthedesignationofapenaltycard:

BlackLady:This refers to the Q,which in itself countsas 13pointstowardthescoreoftheplayerwhoisunfortunateenoughtotakeit,asthatlone card is as bad as all the hearts together. This adds greatly to thestrategyofthegame,asthe Aand Kthoughaddingnocountoftheirown,aredangeroustohold,astheymayforcetheplayertotaketheblacklady,withits13points.Tooffsetthepenaltycard,atleastpartially,thegeneralruleistoinclude

a:BonusCard:Thisisusuallythe J,thoughmanygroupspreferthe 10,

sothechoiceshouldbespecifiedbeforehand.Eitherway,theplayerwhotakesatrickcontainingthebonuscarddeducts10pointsfromhisscore,sometimesputtinghimselfintheminuscolumn(belowzero),whichisallforthebetterinthisgame.Useofthebonuscardalsoaddstothestrategy,asplayersholdinghighdiamonds( A, K,or Q)havemorechanceofcapturingthebonuscardandcangoverntheirplayaccordingly.

PassingtheCards:Asafurtheraidtogoodstrategy,immediatelyafterthedealeachplayerisallowedtolaythreeofhiscardsfacedownandpassthem to the player on his right, thus improving his own hand until hepicks up the three cards from the player on his left, which may prove

worse.Hencehemustpasshisthreecardsbeforelookingatthosepassedtohim.Good policy here is to pass high hearts and also the A and/or K,

unlesstheplayerisholding Qaswell.Sometimesitissmarttopassclubsordiamonds, to go short in those suits andmake it easy tounloadhighhearts or the Q on unfortunate opponents during play. With five ormoreplayers, thenumberofcardspassedmaybereducedfromthree totwo,byagreement.

TheThirdTrick:Bythisexcellentrule,noplayercanleadaheartuntilthethirdtrick;otherwise,aplayercouldpassalonghighheartsandleadlowhearts,gaininganundueinitialadvantage.

TheWidow: Instead of reducing the pack so that all hands come outeven, the full fifty-two-pack isused,andanycardorcards leftovercanthenbelaidaside,facedown,asa“widow.”Whoevertakesthefirsttrickgets thewidowwith itandcan lookat itscontentswithout showing it toanyoneelse.Generally,itiswisetododgethefirsttrick,asthereismorechanceofgettingaheartorthe Qinthewidowthanthereisofcatchingthedesired J.

ScoringinHearts:Scoringincludesthefollowingvariations:Insteadofgamebeingsetat50or100pointswithlowestscoredenoting

thewinner,itcanbelimitedtoaspecifiednumberofhands.Allscoresarethen added and divided by the number of players to strike an average.Playersaboveaveragecontributechipsorcounterstoapoolaccordingtotheirscores;andthosebelowaveragecollectonthesamebasis.

Example:Attheendoffivehands,fourplayersstand:

A, 5.B, 11.C, 20.D, 44.Total, 80.

Dividing 80 (the total) by 4 (the players) brings an average of 20.Dthereforeputs24chipsinthepool.Acollects15,B,9,andC,0.Heartsmayalsobescoredona“hand-to-hand”basis.Aftereveryhand,

eachplayercontributesachipforeachheartthathetookinplay.Thepooliswonbytheplayerwiththelowestscore.

Examples:A, 5.B, 3.C, 2.D, 6.

Cwins14chips,ashecontributed2ofthe16.

A player with a minus score would gain additional chipsproportionately,as:

A, 6.B, 2.C, 2.D, 18.

Beinglessthanzero,Anaturallycontributesnothingbuttakesthechipsputinthepoolbytheotherplayers,forawinof22.

PINK LADY: Though comparatively little known, this unusual option addsmuchzesttothegameofheartsandisthereforehighlyrecommended.Itconsistssimplyofcounting the Q (orpink lady)as 13points, so that itbecomesacompanionpenaltycardalongwiththe Q(orblacklady).Thisraisesthepointlevelfrom26(with13heartsat1each,plus Qas13)to38(with12heartsat1each,plus Qand Qat13each).Inbothcases thebonuscard(as J)reducesthecountby10.Theadvantageofcountingthe Qas13isthataplayerwhotakesthe

Q (withits13points)canfrequentlyretaliateinthesamedealbyfoistingthe Qonsomeoneelse.Occasionally,too,aplayerwithaverylowscoremaybe saddledwithbothqueens, thusputtinghimon close termswiththeothers.Whenthe“pinklady”optionis included,gamecanberaisedfrom50to100pointstoallowfortheheavierscoring.Also included under “omnibus hearts” but worthy of individual

discussionis:

TAKE-ALL HEARTS: This feature, which may be included with any type ofhearts, provides that if a player takes all of the hearts, as well as anypenalty or bonus cards,hemay subtract all points that ordinarilywouldhave been added to his score. Thus a high-card hand that wouldordinarilybeclassedasasurelosercansometimesbeadroitlytransformedintoabigwinner.Thisvaries,however,withthetypeofgame,asfollows:Originally “take-all” was incorporated with a form of hearts termed

“black lady,” inwhich the Q figures as apenalty card,but there isnobonuscard(as J).In“blacklady,”aplayerholdingthe Qwasforcedtounloaditatthefirstopportunity;namely,whensomeoneelseplayedtheAor K;orwhenthe Qcouldbediscarded.Thusaplayertakingthe Qinanearlyroundcouldgoafteralltheheartsinordertogetclear,butifhemanagedthat,thescorewasmerelynullified,givingeveryonezerofor

thehand.Such heroic effort deserved a greater reward, so the rules were

amended.Todayaplayermayholdthe Quntilhewantstoplayit;andaplayerwhotakesallheartsandthe Qsubtracts26pointsfromhisscore,as already stated.However,when the J is rated as a bonus card (as iscustomary inmodernhearts) itmust also be taken by the playerwho isendeavoring to “take all,” though taking it doesnot affect his score onewayortheother.Shouldaplayerfailtotakealltheheartsandthe Qand Jaswell,the

handisscoredintheusualmanner.Hence,whenplayingwithawidowitisadvisableforaplayertotakethefirsttrickinordertogoafter“take-all,”asa loneheart in thewidowcould ruinhis chances, if takenbyanotherplayer.

Note:Whencountingboththe Q(blacklady)and Q(pinklady)as13pointseach,aplayertakingallhearts(andthe J)deducts38pointsfromhisscore.Thisincreasestheincentivebutaddstotheriskaswell.

Otherformsofthegamewillbefoundunder:AuctionHearts,thispage,

CancellationHearts,thispage,DiscardHearts,thispage,DominoHearts,this page, Draw Hearts, this page, Joker Hearts, this page, and SpotHearts,thispage.

HEARTSETTE:Heartsplayedwiththewidow.Seethispage.

HEARTSOLO:AnothernameforFrog,thispage.AlsoatypeofbidinSix-BidSolo,thispage.

HEINZ:AwildformofSeven-CardStud.Seethispage.

HIGHFIVE:AnothertermforCinch,thispage.

HIGH-LOWDRAW:Poker.Seethispage.

HIGH-LOWJACK:AoncecommonnameforPitch, thispage,andsimilargames in which high, low, and jack of trumps represent three of thepoints. Also called High, Low, Jack and Game, to include the fourthpoint.

HIGH-LOW POKER: A popular,modern form ofPoker, in which “high”and“low”handssplitthepot.Seethispage.

HIGH-LOWRUMMY:Seethispage.

HIGH-LOW STUD: Poker, played with five, six, or seven cards. See thispage.

HIGHPOKER:Seethispage.

HIGHSPADESPLIT:Seethispage.

HILO:InPoker,atermforAutomaticLowball,thispage.

HILOPICOLO:TakeItorLeaveIt,thispage.

HITTHEMOON:AnEnglishtermforOmnibusHearts.Seethispage.

HOCorHOCK:AnobsoletegameresemblingAmbigu,thispage.

HOGGENHEIMER: An English card game resembling roulette, with anynumberofplayersusinga thirty-three-cardpack (joker included)andaspeciallayout,asfollows:

AKQJ10987AKQJ10987AKQJ10987AKQJ10987

Players place bets on individual cards (at equal odds); on two adjacentcards(2to1);onanentirecolumnoffour(4to1);orarowofeight(8to1).Cards are then dealt face up from the shuffled pack, each on its properplaceinthelayout,withanywagersonthosecardsbeingpaidoffbythedealer. But if the joker turns up, payoffs end and the dealer collectsoutstandingbets.Insteadofaspeciallayout,cardscansimplybedealtfacedowntoform

therowsindicated,withthelastcardplacedtooneside.Afterbetsarelaid,theoddcardisturnedup(asthe 4)andisputinitsproperpositioninthelayout,thecardalreadytherebeingremovedandturnedupnext(say

the J),whichisputwhereitbelongs;andsoon,withappropriatepayoffsforturned-upcards,columns,androwsuntilthejokerappearsandwinsforthedealer.

HOKUM:SimilartoHole-CardStud.SeeHokum,thispage.

HOLD’EM:AformofDealer’sChoice.Seethispage.

HOLE-CARDSTUD:AformofFive-CardStudPokerwithafirstroundofbettingontheholecardalone.Seethispage.

HOLLYWOOD:Poker.Seethispage.

HOLLYWOODCANASTA:AcrossbetweenSamba, thispage,andBolivia,this page, played according to the general rules of samba, as describedunderthathead,butwiththeseadditionsormodifications:Asequencecanastacancontainonewildcard,thusbecomingamixed

sequence, which reduces its value to 1000 instead of the 1500 for anatural sequence. Each meld must contain at least three natural cardsunless a player goes for a wild-card canasta, which is allowable, andscores2000points.Everycanastaislimitedtosevencards.A natural matching pair can always take the discard pile; and this

appliestoapairofdeucesorapairofjokers.Unlessthepackisfrozen,thetopcardcanbetakentolayoffonanymeldexceptawild-cardmeld.

HOLLYWOODGIN:SeeGinRummy,thispage.

HONESTJOHN:AnothernameforBankerandBroker,thispage.

HONEYMOON BRIDGE: A two-handed game with a standard fifty-two-cardbridgepack,inwhichthirteencardsaredealttoeach.Opponentleadsfirstanddealer followssuit ifhecan,exactlyas inno-trump.Winnerofeachtrickdrawsacardfromtopofpackandthelosertakesthenextcard.Thewinnerleadstothenexttrick,andthiscontinuesuntilthewholepackhas beendrawn.No count is kept of those tricks, each player’s purposebeingtogetridofunwantedcards.Butnow,witheachplayerholdinghisfinal 13 cards,biddingbeginswith thedealer as inContractBridge, thispage. Highest bidder becomes declarer; the other player leads and the

handisplayedandscoredasincontract,eachplayerrepresentingateam.Dealthenmovestotheopponent.

HOUSEINTHEWOODS:AnothernameforLaBelleLucie.SeeHouse intheWoods,thispage,andTrefoil,thispage.

HOUSEONTHEHILL:AvariantofHouseintheWoods.SeethispageandTrefoil,thispage.

HURRICANE:AformofTwo-CardPoker.Seethispage.

IDIOT’S DELIGHT: Another name for Aces Up Solitaire, this page. Seeentrybelow.

IDIOT’S DELIGHT: A name appropriately applied to a game of tossing,skimming, or scaling cards one at a time into a waste-basket or somesimilar receptacle from a predetermined distance of five feet or more.Each playermay toss an entire pack; or with two players onemay tossreds,theotherblacks;withfour,eachmaytossaseparatesuit.Whicheverlandsthemostcardswins.Seeentryabove.

IDLEYEAR:AvariantofAccordionSolitaire,thispage.

IDOUBTIT:A fifty-two-cardpack isdealt singly to threeor fourplayersuntil all cards have been dealt. Player at dealer’s left takes one to fourcards from his hand, lays them face down and declares, “Aces.” Nextplayer does the same, declaring “Twos”; the next, “Threes,” continuingaroundto“Kings,”afterwhichitbeginsagainwith“Aces.”Each player’s aim is to discard his entire hand; and he can bluff by

miscallingcardswhenhelacksthevaluenamed,ordeemsitexpedienttoretainsome.However,immediatelyafteranydiscard,thenextplayer—oranother following—may assert, “I doubt it.” The cards are then shown,andiftheyprovetobemiscalled,theplayerwhodiscardedthemmusttakethemintohishandalongwithallothercardssofardiscarded.Should the call be correct, the burden is on the player who said, “I

doubtit,”andhemusttakeallthediscardsintohisownhand.Whenoneplayersuccessfullydisposesofhisentirehand,playends,andhecollectsachiporpointforeachcardheldbyanotherplayer.Withfour toeightplayers,adoublepack isused,allowingdiscardsof

onetoeightofeachvalue.Witheighttotwelveplayers,useofatriplepackallowsdiscardsuptotwelve.

IMPERIAL:AgamesimilartoPiquet,thispage,butplayedwithtrumpsuitandwithcardsrankingK,Q,J,A,10,9,8,7.

IRISHLOO:Seethispage.

ITALIAN CANASTA: A variety of Samba. See Three-Pack Canasta, this

page.

JACKPOTS:AhighlypopularformofDrawPoker,requiringjacksorbettertoopenthebetting.Seethispage.

JACKSBACKorJACKSON:Poker.Seethispage.

JACKSHIGH:Poker.Seethispage.

JAMBONEand JAMBOREE:Special rulingsoptionallyapplied to thegameofRailroadEuchre,describedunderEuchre,thispage.

JASS:Agamesimilar to two-handedPinochle, thispage,butwitha singlepackofthirty-sixcards,rankingasinKlaberjass, thispage;Trump:J,9,A,10,K,Q,8,7,6(dix).Othersuits:A,10,K,Q,J,8,7,6.Jackoftrumpis“Jass”;9,“Nell.”Each player is dealt nine cards; the next, turned up and laid aside as

trump,may be exchanged by player holding the dix, but with no scoreinvolved. Opponent leads to the first trick, but dealer does not have tofollow suit or trump. High card of suit led wins unless trumped; andwinneroftrickdrawsthetopcardofthepack;loserdrawsthenext.Whenall have been drawn, the hands are played out; but now a player mustfollow suitor trump the trick ifoutof suit ifhe can. If trump is led,hemustplayahighertrumpifhehasone.However,suchrulesdonotapplytotheJass.Aplayermayholdit(thejackoftrump)aslongashewants.Points are scored for the following cards taken during play: Jass, 20;

Nell,14;aces,11each;tens,10;kings,4;queens,3;ordinaryjacks,2;lasttrick,10.Aplayerwinningatrickandmakinghisdrawmaymeldoneofthefollowingscoringcombinations:fourjacks,200;fouraces,tens,kings,orqueens,100;fivecardsofasuitinsequence,100;fourinsequence,50;three insequence,20;kingandqueenof trump,20.Thedealalternatesandgameis1000,withaplayer“callingout”whenhereachesit.Inthree-handedJass,eachisdealtninecards,andthenextisturnedup

as trump. Dealer may exchange his hand for the nine left in the pack;otherwise, succeeding players have that privilege. All melds are madebeforeplaybeginsatdealer’sleft,andatrickmustbetakenforaplayer’smeld to count. Four can play, each on his own, the dealer showing hisfinalcardastrump.

JIG:AvariationofEarlofCoventry, thispage,orSnipSnapSnorem, thispage,with thisdifference:Whenacard is led (as 3), insteadofaddingothersofthatvalue(as 3or 3),playersmustaddthenexthighervalueof the same suit (as 4, 5, 6).Butwhen four suchcards havebeenplayed,thesequenceends;andanewonemustbestarted.

Note:Asequencebeginningwith Q, K, Acanbecontinuedinto2.

JOKEREUCHRE:Seethispage.

JOKERHEARTS:RegularHearts, thispage,butwitha joker added to thepack,rankingbelow Jandabove 10,butalsorepresentingthehighestcardinanyothersuit,andcounting5pointsagainstaplayer’sscoreifhetakes itduringplay.Tounload it,hemustplay itona trickheadedbyahigherheart,as A, K, Q, J.

JOKERPOKER:AnyformofPokerwithajokeraddedtothepackasawildcard.Seethispage.

JOKERRUMMY:AnyformofRummyutilizingajoker.Seethispage.

KALOOCHIorKALUKI:AnelaboratedformofRummy, thispage,playedwith two fifty-four-card packs, containing four jokers as wild cards.Either two, three, or four players are dealt fifteen cards each; a card isturnedupforthediscardpile,andplayproceedsasinrummy,withanaceranking either high or low and a joker representing any card a playerchooses. Cards are valued: ace, 11; face cards (K, Q, J), 10 each; othersaccording to their spots, with joker whatever value named inmeld, butcounting 25 points against a player if he is caught with it unmelded.Playersmaymeld“sets”of threeor fourof the samevalue,providedallsuits are different, as J, J, J, J; or “sequences” of three ormorecardsinthesamesuit( 8,7,6).However,specialrulesapplyasfollows:Aplayercannottaketheupcard

ofthediscardpileunlesshecanuseitinanopeningmeldofmorethan50points(as Q, Q, Q, Qand 987),oruntilafterhehasmadesuchameld.Norcanhe“layoff” cardsonanopposingmelduntil afterhehasmade his own openingmeld. But any time a joker appears in ameld, aplayerholding the card it representsmay,duringhis turn, exchangehiscard for the joker. (Example: PlayerX melds 10, 9, joker, 7 as asequence.PlayerY,holdinga 8,insertsitinX’smeldandtakesthejokerintohisownhand.)Aplayer“goesout”bymeldingallhiscardsandmakingafinaldiscard

if necessary. He then collects a chip per point from each opponent forunmelded cards in theopponent’shand; and thedealmoves to the left.Kaloochicanbeplayedbyfiveplayers,eachbeingdealtthirteencards;orbysix,withelevencardsdealttoeach.

KANKAKEE:Aformof“dealer’schoice.”SeePoker,thispage.

KINGALBERT:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

KINGRUMMY:AnothernameforContractRummy.Seethispage.

KINGSBACKorKINGSTON:Poker.Seethispage.

KINGS INTHECORNERS: A game for two to six players. Each is dealt aface-downhandoffivecards;then,alayoutoffourcardsisdealtfaceupwithcornerspacesreservedforkings;andthepackisplacedfacedownin

thecenter.Forexample:

(K) 9 (K) 8 (Pack) 8(K) 2 (K)

Beginningatthedealer’sleft,eachplayermaybuildonthelayoutcardsindescendingorder,andinalternatingcolors,as 8on 9; 7(or 7)on8;andsoon,downto Aor A.Buildsmaybemadefromtheboardor

from the player’s hand; and whenever a space becomes vacant on theboard(aswhen 8isplacedon 9),thespacecanbefilledbyacardfromthehand.Wheneverakingappears,eitherintheoriginallayout,orintheplayer’shand, it isplaced inoneof thecorners (K) tostartanew layoutpile that is then built downward in the samemanner (as red queen onblackking,thenblackjackonredqueen)asfaraspossible.When a player is unable to play further from the board or from his

hand,hedrawsacardfromthetopofthepackandmayuseittocontinuehis turn, including anotherdraw from thepack;butwhenadrawncardcannot be played, the turnmoves to the next player. The first player todisposeofhisentirehandwinsthegame.

KLABERJASSorKLOB:Highlypopular alongBroadwayduring the “guysand dolls” era, this two-player game utilizes a thirty-two-card pack,rankingasfollowsduringplay:Trump:J,9,A,10,K,Q,8,7.Othersuits:A,10,K,Q,J,9,8,7.Sixcardsaredealt toeachplayerand thenext is turnedupunder the

pack.Theopponentmayeitheraccept itas trumporpass, inwhichcasethedealermayacceptitorpass.Iftrumpisaccepted,aplayerholdingtheseven,ordix,mayexchangeitfortheturned-uptrumpcard.Asanotheroption, either playermay announce, “Schmeiss,” pronounced “shmice,”signifying that he is willing either to accept the turned-up trump orabandonthehand,astheotherplayerchooses.Ifbothpass,theopponentmay “make” another trumpby simplynaming a suit; if hepasses again,thedealermaymaketrump,orpass,whichcallsforanewdeal.Ifatrumpisacceptedormade,threemorecardsaredealttoeachplayer

for a total of nine. Each player then considersmelding certain cards, insequencesofthreeorfourinindividualsuits,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,

7.Afour-cardmeld,as 10,9,8,7,isworth50points;athree-cardmeld,as A,K,Q,isworth20points.However,onlytheplayerwiththehighestsequenceisallowedtomeld,theopponentfirstannouncing“50”or“20”or saying that he has no meld. If the dealer cannot equal it, he says,“Good”andtheopponentmeldsandscoreswhateversequencesheholds.Ifthedealercanbeat“20”witha“50,”orhas20whentheopponenthasnomeld,thedealersays,“Nogood”andproceedstomeld.If thedealermerelymatches theopponent’s figure,he askshowhigh

thesequenceis.Theopponentnameshistop-rankingcard,as“ten”with 10, 9, 8, 7, and if thedealer’s sequence is higher, as Q, J, 10, 9, hegains themeldingprivilege.Witha tie,a trumpsequencehaspriority: ifbothsequencesare inplainsuits,neitherplayermelds.However,duringtheplay that follows,anothermeld—knownas“bella”—maybemadebyeitherplayer.Thisconsistsofthekingandqueenoftrumpandscores20points,provided theplayerwhoholds it announces, “Bella”afterhehasplayedbothofthecards.In the play, the opponent leads any card to the first trick; and the

winner leads to the next. A playermust follow suit if he can; if not, hemust trump if possible; otherwise, he discards from any suit. The highcardofasuitledwinsunlesstrumped.Wheneveratrumpisled,theotherplayermusttrumphigherifhecan.Theobjectistotakecardswithpointvaluesasfollows:Jackoftrump,orJass,20.Nineoftrump,orMenel,14.Anyace,11;ten,

10;king,4;queen,3;ordinaryjack,2.Another10isscoredfortakingthelast trick.These are added towhatevermeld a playerhas alreadymade,whichisgenerallyanadvantage.However:Theplayerwho“accepted”or“made”trumpmustscoremorethanhis

adversary in order for each score to stand. But if the adversary scoresmore,he gets the total of both scores,while theplayerwho acceptedormadetrumpgetsnothingandissaidto“gobate.”Ifthescoreistied,theusualruleisfortheadversarytoscorehisownpoints,againstnoneforthetrumpmaker.Thisiscalled“halfbate.”Gameiseither300or500points;preferably500.

KLONDIKE:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

KNOCKPOKER:Thisgame,playedwitha fifty-two-cardpackby three to

five players, is practically Knock Rummy, this page, but with handsrankedas inpoker.Each isdealt fiveface-downcardsas indrawpoker;and the top card of the pack is turned up alongside. Beginning at thedealer’s left, each player draws either the top card of the pack or theturned-upcard,whichrepresentsapileonwhichhemustmakeadiscard.Players continue this in rotation, each trying to improve his hand withevery draw, in conformity with poker combinations, which run inascendingorder:pair,twopair,threeofakind,straight,flush,fullhouse,fourofakind,straightflush.(SeePoker,thispage.)When aplayer thinkshehas awinninghand,he knocks on the table

after discarding, and all other players may make one more draw anddiscard before the hands are shown, as in poker,with the highest handwinning. The deal then moves to the left. In this game, each playercontributesanequalnumberofchipsatthestartandthepoolgoestothewinner;hencethereisnobetting,asinpoker,oranyscoringorlayingoff,asinrummy.Soitbelongsinitsowncategoryandshouldnotrightfullybeused in “dealer’s choice,” though that is allowable if thedealermakes ausual ante of his own and all players agree. See Dealer’s Choice (thispage).Thegamehasslightvariations,whichmaybespecified,asrequiringa

player to have aminimumholding, as a pair of jacks, two pair, or evensomethinghigher,beforeknocking. It canalsobeplayedwithdeucesorothercardswild,bringingitmoreintothepokerrealm.Somegroupsplaythathandsareshownimmediatelyafteraknock,withoutfurtherdrawsordiscards.

KNOCKRUMMY:AfastformofRummy,thispage,thatratesasagameinitsownright.Cardsrankinthecustomarydescendingorder:K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.With two players, each is dealt ten cards, but it is usually played by

three,four,orfive,withsevencardseach.Playersdrawfromthepackordiscardpileasinrummyandarrangetheirhandsinsets(threeorfourofonevalue)orsequencesofthreeormorecardsofthesamesuit,buttherearenomeldswhateveruntiloneplayer,aftermakingadraw,knocksonthe table to signify that play is over.The knocker thendiscards, and allplayersmeldwhatevertheycanbutarenotallowedtolayoffextracardsonothermelds.

Eachthenaddsthepointsonhisunmeldedcards,or“deadwood,”eachfacecardcounting10andothersaccordingtotheirnumericalvalue,witheachacecounting1.Theknockercollectsthedifferencebetweenhiscountandthatofeachopponent,plus25pointsfromeachifhe“goesrummy”bymeldinghisentirehand.Aplayerwhotiestheknockercollectsinstead,according to a long-accepted rule; but in modern play, the knocker isgenerallyspecifiedasthewinner.Shouldtheknockerbebeatenforlow,hepaysthedifferenceincount,

plus 10 points. No knock is allowed if the pack is reduced to the samenumberofcardsasplayers.Drawscontinueuntilallcardsaregone,whenhandsaremeldedandtheonewiththesmallestcountindeadwoodwins.As an optional ruling, when the pack is reduced as described, a playercannottakeanupcardunlesshecanuse it inameldandshowscardstoprovethefact.

PokerRumisanearlyformofknockrummywhichcarriestheprovisothataplayercannotknockuntilhisdeadwoodisreducedtoa totalof15points or less. Poker rum is also a progenitor ofGin Rummy, which isdescribedunderthathead.Seethispage.

KONTRASPIEL:Anold-timetrumpgame.

KREUTZ-MARIAGE:Aformoffour-handedSixty-six.Seethispage.

LABELLELUCIE:AvariantofTrefoilSolitaire,thispage.

LALAPALOOZA:Poker.Seethispage.

LAMEBRAIN PETE: Another name forCincinnati Liz, inPoker. See thispage.

LAMEBRAINS:ThesameasCincinnati,inPoker.Seethispage.

LANSQUENET:Afamousolddealinggame.Twocardsofdifferentvalueareturnedup,onefortheplayers,onwhichtheyplacebets,theotherforthedealer.More cards are turneduponebyone, and if they representnewvalues, players can wager on them as well. As soon as a card appearsmatchingaplayer’scard,thedealerpaysoffallbetsonit;andcardsofthatvaluearerejectedfromthenon.Butifthedealermatcheshisowncardinvalue, he collects all outstanding bets, and the deal ends. The game isfrequentlyplayedwithtwoormorepacksshuffledtogether.Sometimesitisplayedinreverse,withthedealerwinningwhenhematchesaplayer’scardandpayingallremainingbetswhenhematcheshisown.

LANTERLOO:SeeLoo.

LAPS:A formofEuchre, thispage, inwhich thewinnerofagameapplieshisexcessscoreasastart tothenext.Thismodeofscoringissometimesusedwithothergames.SeethispageforLaps.

LASTIN:Atypicaltrumpgamewithafifty-two-cardpackrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Withsixplayers,eachisdealt fourcards; fiveplayers,fivecards;fourplayers,sixcards.Thelastcardisdealtfaceuptoestablishtrump,thenistakenintothedealer’shand.Playeratdealer’sleftleadsanycard;othersfollowsuitifpossible;otherwisetheytrumporplayanothersuit.Highestcardofsuitledwinsthetrickunlesstrumped;thenhighesttrumpwins.Nowcomestheimportantfeature:The playerwhowins the trick draws a card from the top of the pack

before leading to the next trick; but nobody else draws. This applies toevery trick that follows. So the game narrows down to the point whereonlyoneplayerisleft,automaticallybecomingthewinner.Ifdowntotwo

playersonthelasttrick,whoevertakesthetrickwins.Hencethegameisusuallyplayedwithallplayerscontributingtoapooltostart.

LAZYEDNAorLAZYLUCY:Popular terms forOne-CardPoker.See thispage.

LEFTYLOUIE:Poker.Seethispage.

LEGINPOT:SeethispageforLeginPot.

LIFTSMOKE:AnoldandsomewhatdebatabletitleforthegameofLastIn,whichisdescribedunderthathead.Seethispage.

LIVERPOOLRUMMY:AnothernameforContractRummy,thispage.

LONGWHIST:SeeEnglishWhist,thispage.

LOOorLANTERLOO:Highlypopulararoundtheyear1800,thisisstillanintriguing, fast-moving trump game, involving any number of playersfromfourorfive,uptoadozen,orevenmore,usingafifty-two-cardpackwitheachsuit rankingA,K,Q, J, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2 indescendingorder.Thedealerplacesthreechipsorcountersinapool,whichistermeda “simple” or “single” pool, and deals three cards face down to eachplayer. The first player on the dealer’s left leads any card, and the restfollowsuitinrotation,withtheprovisothateachmustplayahighercardifhehasone;otherwise,heplaysfromanoddsuit.Highcardofthesuitledwinsthetrick,andthewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext,makingthreeinall.However,eachplayermustkeephis tricks faceup infrontofhimbecause:Any time a player is unable to follow suit, the top card of thepack is

turneduptodesignateatrumpsuit.Ifaplayerhappenedtodiscardfromthatsuit,hewinsthetrick,unlessanotherplayerdiscardedhigherinthesamesuit.Thatsuitstandsastrumpforthenexttrick,ortricks,iftwoarestilltobeplayed;andthewinnerofatrickmustleadatrumptothenexttrick, ifhehasone;andothersmustovertrumpiftheycan.Ifaplayerisoutofthesuitled,hemusttrumpifable.Foreachtrickwon,aplayertakesonethirdofthepool.Anyplayerwho

failedtotakeatrickis“looed”andmustcontributethreechipstothenext

pool,alongwiththecustomarythreeputupbythenewdealer.Thedealmovestotheleftandistermeda“double”pool,althoughitmaycontainfarmorethantwicetheusualthree.Example:Inaseven-player“simple”pool,fourplayersaresuretobelooed,whichmeansthattwelveadditionalchipsmustbeputintothedoublepoolthatfollows.

Play with a Double Pool follows a special pattern. An extra hand isdealt, termed the “miss,” which serves as a “widow”; and following thedeal,thetopcardofthepackisturnedupastrump.Eachplayer,inturn,maythen“pass,”puttinghishandfacedown;orhemay“stand”andplayoutthehand.Ifhestands,hecanexchangehishandforthewidow,ifhewants;butonlyoneplayerhasthatprivilege.Ifallplayerspassuntil thedealer,hesimplystandsandwins thepool

automatically.Ifonlyoneplayerstandsandtakesthewidow,hewinsthepool; but if he does not take thewidow, the dealermust do one of twothings: (a) Stand and play his own hand, also ignoring the widow; (b)Exchange his hand for the widow and play against his lone opponentmerelytodefendthepool,bypreservingasmuchofitaspossibleforthenextdeal.Inthiscase,thedealerneitherwinsnorloses,butsimplyactsinbehalfoftheplayerswhopassed.Rulesvaryregardingplaywitha“doublepool,”thesimplestbeingthata

playermustalwaysleadatrumpifhehasone;andthatifheholdstheaceoftrump,hemustleadit,ortheking,iftheacehappenedtobeturnedupastrump.Otherwise,theplayisthesameaswithasimplepool,includingthe rule that each succeeding player must try to take each trick by“heading”it,evenwhenthenextplayerisapttogohigher.Thewinnerofeach trick takesone thirdof thedoublepool,and ifno

oneislooed(asmayhappenifonlythreeplayersorlessdecidedtostand),thenextdealrevertstothesimpleorsinglepool.Ifanyplayersarelooed,theymusteachputuptheusualthreechipsforthenextdeal,sothatthedoublepoolstillholds.Ifaplayer isdealta“flush,”consistingof three trumps,or ifhe takes

thewidowandfindsaflushtherein,hewaitsuntileveryonehasdecidedtopass or stand, and then shows his hand. The flush gives him the entiredouble pool automatically, and each player who decided to stand isautomaticallylooedandforcedtoputthreechipsintoanewdoublepool.Inthecaseoftwoormoreflushesduringthesamedeal,theplayernearestthedealer’sleftisthewinner.

Populardevelopmentsoflooincludethefollowing:

IrishLoo:Thisis“doublepool”withoutawidow.Thedealerputsupthreechips and deals three cards to each player, finally turning up trump.Playerspassorstand,andwhoeverstandscandiscardanycardshedoesnotwant,drawingreplacementsfromthetopofthepack,theturned-uptrumpbeinglaidasidetofacilitatethataction.Playthenproceedsaswithadoublepool,theflushrulebeingoptional.

Five-Card Loo: Played like Irish loo, but with the dealer putting up fivechipsanddealingfivecardstoeachplayer.Playerspass,stand,draw,andplayasusual,withthewinnerofeachtricktakingonefifthofthepool.Inthisgame,the J,knownas“Pam,”mayberatedasthehighesttrumpbypreliminary agreement. As another option, a flush in any suit wins thepool,withPamcountingasacardofthatsuit;andinsomecircles,ablaze,consisting of any five cards, has equal rating with a flush. For furtherratingsseePam-Loo,thispage.

Unlimited Loo is any form of the game in which any player who is looedmustputupanamountequaltotheexistingpool.

Irregularities in Loo, if serious, carry the simple penalty of having theoffenderputthreechipsintothepool,orfiveinfive-cardloo.Thisappliestobothdealandplay.

LOUISNAPOLEON:ASolitairegame,variantofNapoleon’sFavorite.Seethispage.

LOWBALL:AhighlydevelopedformofLowPoker,withspecialrulesofitsown.VerypopularinCalifornia.SeeLowball,thispage.

LOWPOKER:AnyformofPokerinwhichthelowhandwinsinsteadofthehighhand.Seethispage.

LUCAS:AformofSolitaire,thispage.

MACAO: Similar toBlackjack, this page,with cards valued by their spots,fromace,1,uptonine,9.Tensandfacecards(J,Q,K),0.Playersbetandeachisdealtonecard;ifaseven,hecollectstheamounthebetfromthedealer;ifaneight,hecollectsdouble;ifanine,triple,unlessthedealer’scardishigher,whenhecollectsonthesametermsfromeveryplayerwithalowercard.Ifthedealer’scardisunderseven,anyplayersundersevenmaycallformorecards,hopingtoapproachninewithoutgoingover.Anythatdoesgooveris“bust”andpaysthedealer,whothencandrawcardsforhimselfinanefforttobeatanyotherswhodrewextracards.Incaseofties,betsareoff.Allcardsaredealtfaceup.

MAFERGUSON:Poker.Seethispage,thispage.

MARRIAGE: A game played like Sixty-six, this page, but with an addedbonusof60pointsforholdingtheaceandtenoftrumps;and30forthesame in another suit; also 20 extra points for taking the last six tricks.Eachdealconstitutesacompletegame.

MATCH’EM:Poker.Seethispage.

MATRIMONY:AnoldEnglishgameplayedbyanynumberofplayers—uptotwodozen!—anda fifty-two-cardpack.Asimple layout isalso required,markedwith these divisions:matrimony (anyK andQ); intrigue (anyQand J); confederacy (anyK and J); pair (any pair); and best ( A). Eachplayerputsupaspecifiednumberofchips,distributingthemamongthesections as hewishes. Each is then dealt two cards; one face down, theotherfaceup.Anyplayerreceivingthe A faceupimmediatelytakesallthe chips, not only from “best” but fromevery other section. If the Adoesnotappear,eachplayer,beginningat thedealer’s left, turnsuphisdowncard;andifhistwocardsformanycombinationnamed,hecollectsthechipsfromthatsection.The Ahasnovalueasadowncard.Anychipsnotwon remain for the next deal,whichmoves to the left,with playersputtingupthesamenumberthattheydidbefore,sothatsomeverysizablepotsareoftenbuiltbeforethe Aappearsasanupcard,totakeall.

MAW: The earliest form of Five Cards, which later developed into SpoilFive.SeeSpoilFive,thispage.

MEDIATOR: A variation of Tresette, this page, without melds or regularpartners,inwhichaplayermayplayaloneforaddedstakes.

MEMORY:AnothernameforConcentration,thispage.

MENAGERIE: A juvenile game, best with a dozen or more players. Eachtakesthenameofawildanimal—fromantelopetozebra!—andcardsaredealtarounduntil theyrunout.Eachplayerholdshispacketfacedown,and, starting at dealer’s left, each turns a card face up in front of him.Whentwomatchinvalue(as Qand Q),eachplayercallsthe“animalname”oftheother.Firsttocallwinstheother’sface-upcardsandplacesthem face downbeneathhis ownpacket. Play resumeswhere it left off,andwheneveraplayerhasdealtallhiscardsfaceup,heturnsthepacketoverandbeginsagain.Winneristheplayerwhoeventuallygarnersallthecards.

MEXICANAorMEXICANCANASTA: A three-pack formofCanasta, thispage,withsix jokers(152cards),withthirteendealt toeachplayer.Afterhisopeningmeld,aplayercandrawthirteencardsfromthepack,addingthem tohishand;but in teamplay,onlyonemembercando so. Inoneacceptedmode of scoring, a canasta of seven counts 1000, but a playercannotmatchasevenwhenit isanupcard.Togoout,ateammusthavetwoormorecanastas,witharedthreetogowitheach.

MEXICANSTUD:Five-orseven-cardstud,involvingaspecialmodeofplay.Seethispage.

MEXICANWILD:AwildversionofMexicanstudwith fivecards.See thispage.

MICHIGAN: A modern game of the “stops” type, played with a standardfifty-two-cardpack,withcardsrunninginascendingvalue,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K,A.Aspecialrequirementisa“layout”consistingoffourcardsfromanotherpack,usuallythe J, Q, K, A,whicharelaidfaceup as “pool” or “boodle” cards.Eachplayer puts four chips on these inwhateverwayhewants,asfouronone,twoontwo,etc.The pack is dealt singly to from three to seven players,with an extra

handatdealer’sleft,untilcardsrunout,asanaddedcardinahanddoes

not matter. The dealer may exchange his hand for the extra hand—or“widow”—layinghisownhandfacedown;orhemayauctionthewidowtothehighestbidder,beginningathisleft,ifanyonewantsit.Thefirstplayerthenplaceshislowestcardinanysuitfaceupinthecenterofthetableandfollowswith others of that suit in ascending sequence (as 4, 5, 6)untilhestrikesagap,whentheturnmovestothenextplayerandsoon,untilplayreachestheaceorisstoppedbyamissingcard.Theplayerthenbegins a new sequence with his lowest card in another suit; if all arereducedtothesuitjustplayed,theplayerwhowasstoppedcanresumeitwhentheturncomesaroundtohim.Whenever a duplicate of a boodle card is played, either in proper

sequenceorastheplayer’slowestcardinthatsuit,theplayercollectsallthechipsthatwereplacedonthecorrespondingcardinthelayout.Whenaplayer“goesout”bybeingthefirsttogetridofhisfinalcard,hecollectsone chip from each player for each card that player holds. If any chipsremain on a boodle card, they stay there as a bonus for the next deal,whichmovestotheleft,unlessit ispreviouslyagreedthattheyaretobetakenbytheplayerwhogoesout.

AdditionalBoodleCardsandCombinationsmaybeusedonthelayout,as the J and the 10,which function like the regularboodlecards;ortwocardsinsequence,as 10J,whichoneplayermustholdandplayinordertocollect.A layoutcombinationof7–8–9meansthatbyplayingacardofeachvalueduringonedeal,aplayercollects,regardlessofthesuitsortheorderinwhichthethreecardsareplayed.Othercombinationsareoptional,suchaswinningonalayoutof 10JQ,byplayingtwoofthosethreecards.Atthefinishofagame,anychipsstillleftonboodlecardsaredividedamongtheplayers.

MICHIGANRUMMY:AtransitionalformofRummy,thispage.

MIKE:Studpokerwithallcardsdealtfacedown.Seethispage.

MISSMILLIGAN:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

MISTIGRIS:AnoldnameforJokerPoker.Seethispage.

MONTE:AnothernameforThree-CardPoker.Seethispage.

MONTEBANK:Amoneygameinwhichthedealerdrawstwocardsfromthebottomofthepackandturnsthemfaceup;thentwofromthetop,whichareturnedfaceup.Playersbetoneitherpairandthebanker-dealerturnsthe entire pack face up, revealing the bottom card,which is termed the“gate.”Ifapairshowsacardofthesamesuitasthegate,thedealerpaysoffthatpair; ifnot,hecollects.Cardsaregathered,packisshuffled,andthedealrepeated.

MONTECARLO:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

MORTGAGE:Poker.Seethispage.

MUGGINS:AnameappliedoccasionallytoCribbage,thispage,whenplayedwithapenaltyforanoversight;alsotovarioussimplegames.

MULTIPLE KLONDIKE: Klondike played by three or more persons;procedureasinDoubleSolitaire,thispage.

MUSTACHEDJACKSorKINGSWILD:Poker.Seethispage.

MYBIRDSINGS:Asimplegamewithuptoadozenplayers.Eachisdealtahandoffourcards;andifthefirstplayerfindsthathisareallonesuit,heannounces, “My bird sings,” shows his cards, and wins the deal.Otherwise,hepassesanoddcardfacedowntotheplayeronhisleft;ifhecan show four of one suit, he makes the announcement and wins;otherwisehepassesacardalong;andsoonandon,untiloneplayergainsa“flush”offour.Dealmovestotheleft,andthegamecontinuesuntiloneplayer gains a specified total of wins. Variants are played under similartitleswithdifferentnumbersof cards,onepopularnamebeingMyShipSails.

NAPOLEON: A popular English game for the past two centuries and stillgood.Afifty-two-cardpack,withvaluesrunningA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5, 4, 3, 2, is used by two to six players, each being dealt a hand of fivecards.Eachplayerbidsfromonetofive—unlessheprefers topass—andthehighesthastheprivilegeofnamingtrumpbyleadingacardofthesuitheprefers.Others followsuit ifpossibleand thehighest trumpwins thetrick.Fromthenon,thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext,usinganysuit; all must follow suit if they can; otherwise, they may discard fromanother suit or trump the trick. Highest card of suit led wins the trickunlesstrumped;thenthehighesttrumpwins.Ifthebiddertakesthespecifiednumberoftricks,hecollectsthatmany

chips fromeachopponent. Ifhe fails,hemustpayeach thatnumber.Abid of “five” is a “napoleon,” and the bidder collects double—ten chipsfromeach—ifhewins;butheonlypayssingly—fivetoeach—ifheloses.By agreement, a special bid of “wellington” may outbid a “nap,” the

bidderagreeing togo for“double”—twentychips fromeachopponent ifhetakesallfivetricks,butpayingtentoeachifhefails.Astillhigherbidof “blucher” can be added for triple stakes: thirty chips from eachopponent forawin,orapaymentof fifteen toeach fora loss.This is atleasthistoricallycorrect,sinceWellingtondefeatedNapoleonatWaterloo,butonlybecauseBlücherarrivedintimetosavetheday.A “nullo” bidmay also be included in “Nap,” rating above three, but

below four; but paying only three chips, win or lose. Such a bid, alsocalled“misere,”isplayedasno-trump,andthebiddermustlosealltrickstowin.

NAPOLEONATST.HELENA:AnothernameforLucasSolitaire,thispage.

NAPOLEON’SFAVORITE:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

NAPOLEON’SSQUARE:AvariantofNapoleon’sFavorite.Seethispage.

NESTOR:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

NEWGUINEASTUD:Poker.Seethispage.

NEWMARKET: TheEnglish counterpart ofMichigan, this page, the only

difference being that the extra hand, or “widow,” is never taken up forplaybutis“dead”fromstarttofinish.Thishelpspilechipsontheboodlecards(traditionally J, Q, K, A),soifanyareunclaimedatthefinish,the pack is shuffled and cards simply dealt around face up, the boodlegoingtotheplayerswhoreceivethepropercards.ThisdeviceisapplicabletoMichiganaswell.

NEWYORKSTUD:AvariantofFive-CardStudPoker.Seethispage.

NINE-CARDSTUD:Seethispage.

NINETY-NINE:Poker.Seethispage.

NODDY:AnearlierandsimplerformofCribbage.Seethispage.

NODRAW:APokergame,thispage.

NOLIMIT:Poker.Seethispage.

NOLOWCARDS:Poker.Seethispage.

NORWEGIAN WHIST: A form of no-trump Whist, this page. Players,startingatdealer’sleft,may“pass”untilonedecideshisteamwillplayat“grand,”whichmeanstakingoddtricksat4pointseach,or“nullo,”losingoddtricksat4pointseach.Ifateamfails,theopponentsscore8pointsforeachoddtricktheytake.Gameis50points.

OH,HELL!:Auniquegameforfourplayers,eachonhisown,usingafifty-two-card pack in thirteen successive deals. On the first, each player isdealtonecard; thenext is turnedupas trump.After thehand isplayed,the deal moves to the left, and each player is dealt two cards, the nextbeing turned up as trump. Again, the dealmoves to the left, and threecards aredealt to each; and so on, onemore cardbeingdealtwith eachdealandthenextcardbeingturnedupastrump.Playisthesameasinwhistorbridge.Playertodealer’sleftleadstothe

firsttrick.Highestcardinsuitledwinsthetrickunlessitistrumped,whenhighest trumpwins.Thewinnerofeachtrick leads to thenext,andplaycontinuesinthatwise.However:Immediatelyafteradeal,eachplayerinturnmuststatethenumberoftricksheexpectstotake.Thus,onthefirstdeal, which consists of a single trick, it would be either 0 or 1. On theseconddeal,itwouldbe0,1,or2;onthethirddeal,0,1,2,3;andsoon.Iftheplayer’sstatementiscorrect,hescores10points,plusthenumber

stated.Example:On first deal, hemight score 10 0 10or 10 1 11; ontheseconddeal,10 0 10,10 1 11,10 2 12.Thisincreaseswitheverydeal,sothatthegamebecomesmoreintriguingasthehandsbecomemorecomplex. On the final deal, all fifty-two cards are dealt (thirteen to aplayer),soinsteadofturningupatrump,thehandisplayedatno-trump.Theplayerwiththehighestscorewins.

OKLAHOMA:AnothernameforArlington.Seethispage.

OKLAHOMAGIN:AnadvancedformofGinRummyinwhichtheminimumpoints fora“knock”aredeterminedby thespotsof theupcard.See thispage.

OLD MAID: A popular children’s game using a fifty-two-card pack fromwhichthe Qisremoved,sothatthe Qbecomesthe“oldmaid.”Cardsaredistributedaboutequallyamongtwotofiveplayersandeachlaysasideanypairofcardsthatarethesameinvalueandcolor(as 6and 6or 9and 9).Theneachinturnspreadshishandfacedownsothat thenextplayercantakeacardforhisownhand,pairingitifpossible,soastolaytwo more cards aside. This continues until one player is left with theunpaired“oldmaid”andbecomestheloser.

Note: If desired, a fifty-three-card pack may be used, including the

joker,whichbecomestheequivalentofthe“oldmaid.”

OLDSLEDGE:AnameforSevenUp.SeeAllFours,thispage.

OMAHA: A compact version ofSeven-CardStud crossedwithCincinnati,enablingasmanyastwenty-threeplayerstoparticipateineachhand.Seethispage.

OMBRE:A famousoldSpanish game for threeplayers, using a forty-cardpackwithcardsrankingasfollows:

Redplainsuits( or ):K,Q,J,A,2,3,4,5,6,7Blackplainsuits( or ):K,Q,J,7,6,5,4,3,2

Note theabsenceofaces in theblackplainsuits.That isbecauseboththosecards( Aand A)alwaysbelongtothetrumpsuit,whichrunsinthefollowingorder:

astrump: A; 7; A; A,K,Q,J,2,3,4,5,6astrump: A; 7; A; A,K,Q,J,2,3,4,5,6astrump: A,2; A; K,Q,J,7,6,5,4,3astrump: A; 2,A,K,Q,J,7,6,5,4,3

Nine cards are dealt to each of the three players, to the right, orcounterclockwise, as customary in Spanish games. The first playermaypassorannouncehimselfasOmbre,allowinghimtonamethetrumpsuitandtodiscardanycardshedoesnotwantanddrawreplacementsfromthepack.Ifhepasses,thesecondplayercanannouncehimselfasOmbre;ifhepasses,thethirdcan.Ifallpass,thedealmovesalongtothenextplayer.Assuming that one player’s announcement is made and stands, the

othershavetheprivilegeofdrawingfromthepackashedid;andthelastofthethreecanlookatanyleftovercardstoseewhattheothersmissed.PlaystartswiththeplayeronOmbre’sright,wholeadsanycardhewants,andtheothersmustfollowsuitiftheycan;otherwise,theycandiscardortrumpthetrick.Highestcardofsuitledwinsthetrickunlesstrumped;inthat case the highest trump wins. Play proceeds to the right, orcounterclockwise.There is,however,anexception to therule justgiven.

Thetopthreecardsoftrumparecalledmatadoresor“mats”;andaplayerholdingonemayrenege—thatis,refusetoplayit—unlessahighermatisledandhehasnoothertrump.Thematadoresareknownrespectivelyasspadille,manille,andbasto;

when a red suit is trump, its ace ( A or A) is calledponto but is notclassedasa“mat.”The game’s purpose is this: Before cards are dealt, each player puts

threecountersorchips intoapool. If there isnoOmbreon thatdeal, itmoves along,with each player adding a chip.Whoever becomesOmbremusttakemoretricksthaneitherfoe;itissacardoandhewinsthepool.IfOmbreistiedbyeitherfoeintrickstaken,hemustdoublethepoolforthenextdeal;thisiscalledpuesta.IfeitherfoetakesmoretricksthanOmbre,itistermedcodille;andOmbrepaystheplayerinsteadofthepool,whichremains intact. If Ombre takes the first five tricks, he naturally scoressacardo;andplayends,unlesshedecidestogoforvole,bytakingallninetricks.Ifhewinsit,hecollectshalftheamountofthepoolfromeachfoe;ifhefails,hepaystheminstead.However,hissacardostillstands.There is one important proviso in announcing oneself as Ombre, by

stating,“Iwillplay.”Anotherplayermayoverrideitbydeclaringinturn,“Iwill play sans prendre,”meaning that hewill play asOmbrewithoutdiscarding.However, theoriginalannouncercanoverride thatbysayingthat he too is willing to be Ombre, with no discard. The game thenproceedsonthatbasis.OtherminorrulingsmaybeintroducedinOmbre.

OMNIBUSHEARTS:ThemodernformofHearts,whichincludesanyorallpopularinnovations.SeeHearts,thispage.

ONE-CARDPOKER:KnownasLazyLucy.Seethispage.

ONE-EYED JACKS or KING: A form of wild-card Poker, usually inconjunctionwithotherwildgames.Seethispage.

OPENGIN:AtermcoveringthedoublingfeatureinGinRummy,thispage.

OPENPOKER:Seethispage.

OPTION:Poker.Seethispage.

PAFERGUSON:Wild-cardPoker.Seethispage.

PAM-LOO: The modern development of Five-Card Loo, this page, withPam( J)ashighesttrump.Theseholdingsautomaticallywinwithoutanyplay,inthefollowingorder:Pamflush( Jwithfourofonesuit)orPamblaze( Jwithfourotherfacecards);trumpflush(fivetrumpcards);plainflush(fiveofoneordinarysuit);blaze(fivefacecards).Iftwoplayerstie,firstondealer’sleftwins.

PANGUINGUEPopularlyKnownasPAN:AnelaborationofConquian,thispage,playedwithhalf-a-dozentoadozenpacksofcardsfromwhichthetens,nines,andeightshavebeenremoved,sothatthecardsarerankedK,Q, J, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A. The packs are shuffled together by asmany asfifteenplayers,whokeeptradingclumpsuntiltheyarethoroughlymixedandgatheredintoonehugepack,fromwhichthedealertakesabatchanddealseachplayer tencards (usually twogroupsof five),utilizing furtherbatches if required and replacing any leftovers on the pack. Originally,cardsweredealttotheright,nottheleft;butthatisoptionaltoday.Thepurposeofthegameistomeldsetsandsequences,someofspecial

value.Eachplayerputstwochipsintoapool,andifanyoneisnotsatisfiedwithhishand,hecanturnitdownanddropfromplay.Thedealerturnsup the topcardof thepackand lays it alongside tobeginadiscardpile.Each player in turn,with the exception of anywho dropped out, drawseitherthetopcardofthepackortakesupthecardshowingonthediscardpile.Hemaythenmakeanymeldshecan,keepingsuchcardsinfrontofhim.After that,hediscardsanoddcardfromhishand,placingitonthediscardpileasanewupcard.This continues, with players melding and adding extra cards to their

melds,untiloneplayer“goesout”withatotalmeldofelevencards,whichincludestheonehejustdrew.Ifhecanmeldonlytencards,hestillmustdiscard the eleventh and continue to drawwhenever his turn comes, inhopeofaddingafinalcardtohismeld.Theplayerjustaheadofhimisnotallowedtomakeadiscardthatwillenablethemanwiththeten-cardmeldtogoout,unlessthatprecedingplayerhasnootherdiscard.Meldsareofthefollowingtypes:Anysequenceofthreeormorecardsinthesamesuit,as J76or 76

543.

Threeormoreidenticalcardsofthesamevalueandsuit,as 444or666666.Threeorfourcardsofthesamevalue,buteachofadifferentsuit,as 7,

7, 7or 2, 2, 2, 2.Threeormorekingsofanysuits,as K, K, K;orThreeormoreaces

ofanysuits,as A, A, A, A.Among the above are certain combinations known as “conditions,”

which,whenmelded by a player, entitle him to collect chips from eachplayerexceptthosewhodroppedout,asfollows:A“high”sequence,as KQJ,ora“low”sequence,as 32A,onechip

fromeach.Ifinspades,as KQJ,twochips.Foreachcardaddedtosuchasequence,onechipinordinarysuits,twochipsinspades.Anysetofthreeidenticalcards,as QQQ,onechip.Ifinspades,as J

JJ,twochips.Foreachordinaryextra,onechip;spades,twochips.Ifthesesetsarecomposedofthrees,fives,orsevens,theyareknownas

“vallecards,”andtheholdercollectsdoublefor theoriginalsetof three,withonechipforeachordinaryextra,twoforeachextraspade.Asetofthreevallecards,withalldifferentsuits,onechip;forthefourth

cardofadifferentsuit,onechip.Allconditionsarepaidoffastheyoccur;henceaplayermakingstrong

meldsinspadesmaypileupaniceprofitduringthecourseofplay.Asfornonpayingmelds, a player may “borrow” from those to make up othersequences or sets, whichmay bemade into conditions. For example: Aplayermelds Q, Q, Q, Q,anonpayingmeld.Heholdsthe Jandlater draws the K. He promptly borrows the Q, leaving a legitimatemeldofthreequeens( Q, Q, Q)ontheboard,andaddsthe Qtothe K and J, making a high sequence in spades, which brings him two

chipsfromeachopposingplayer.Ifhealsoheldthe 7,hecouldincludethatinthemeld,as KQJ7,andcollecttwomorefromeach.When a player goes out, he collects one chip from each of the

participating players, plus the pool contributed by the players whodroppedout.Healsocollectsagainfromeachparticipatingplayerfortheconditions thathemelded.Thedeal thenmovesonto thenextplayer inrotation.Specialrulingsareoftenusedinpan.Oneisthataplayercantakethe

upcard fromthediscardpileonly ifhe isableandwilling tomeld it.Toprove that,hedoesnot take theupcard intohishand,but lays theother

meldable cardswith it.Another such rule is that a carddrawn from thepackmustbemeldedinthesamemannerordiscarded,neverbeingtakeninto the hand, and that only such a discard may be taken by the nextplayer,andthenonlytowardameld.Aplayerwhocanusetheupcardasanadditiontoameldisforcedtodo

soifanotherplayerinsists.

PAPILLON: A French forerunner of Cassino, very similar in play. SeeCassino,thispage.

PARLIAMENT: TheEnglish formofFan-Tan, following exactly the sameruleswith theexception that the 7mustbeused for theopeningplay.Seethispage.

PARTNERSHIPGAMESasCanasta, thispage,Cassino, thispage,Euchre,thispage,Gin, thispage,Pinochle, thispage, andvariousotherswill befoundundergeneralheadingsforsuchgames.

PASSALONG:Poker.Seethispage.

PASSANDBACKIN:Poker.Seethispage.

PASSONHEARTS:StandardHearts,thispage,incorporatingthefeatureofpassing cards along to the next player.Often used interchangeablywithOmnibusHearts.

PASSOUT:AformofDrawPokerinwhichaplayermustbetordrop.SeeBetorDrop,thispage.

PASSTHEGARBAGEorPASSTHETRASH:Awild-cardformofPokerinwhichplayerspasscardsalong.Seethispage.

PATIENCE:AnEnglishtermforgamesofSolitaire,thispage.

PEDRO: This covers developments ofAuctionPitch (seePitch, this page),which include two interrelated features: Simplification of play, andadditionalpointsforvarioustrumpcardstakeninplay,asfollows:High, low,andjackcount1pointeach,but lowmustbetakeninplay.

The single point of game is represented by the ten of trump, thus

eliminatingany“counters.”Thefiveoftrump,knownas“pedro,”scores5points when taken in play. Thus there are nine possible points in eachdeal,andatotalof21isneededtowinthegame.

Pedro Sancho is the same game, but with the nine of trump, called“sancho,”alsoscoring9pointswhentakeninplay,makingapossible14pointsineachdeal,withatotalof50neededtowinthegame.

DomPedroincludesthethreeoftrump,called“dom”asascoringcard,foranadditional3points,makingapossible17 ineachdeal.Usually thejokerisaddedasanextratrumpknownas“snoozer,”whichranksbelowthetwobut isnotregardedas“low,”andscores15pointswhentakeninplay.Sincethatmakesapossible32points ineachdeal,a totalof100isusuallyrequiredtowinthegame.Biddingisunrestrictedinallformsofpedro,continuinguntilallplayers

but the bidder have passed in succession. In “going out,” points arecounted in the order: high, low, jack, game (ten), dom, pedro, sancho,snoozer.Sometimes,byagreement, thesinglepointfor“game”isscoredlast.Thesedependonthetypeofpedrobeingplayed,andanythatdonotappearinthecourseofplayarenaturallynotcounted.

PEDRO:APokergame.Seethispage.

PEEKPOKER:TheoriginalformofSeven-CardStud.Seethispage.

PEEPANDTURN:AnameforMexicanSeven-CardStud.SeeSeven-CardFlip,thispage.

PEEP NAP: Napoleon, this page, with an odd card dealt face down as a“widow.”Anyplayercanpeepatthecardbeforepassingorbiddingifhecontributesone chip to thepool.Thewidowgoes to thehighest bidder,whocanthendiscardanycardfromhishand.

PENCHANT:AgamesimilartoCinqCent,thispage.

PENNIESFROMHEAVEN:AnamegiventoMexicana,thispage,andothervariantsofCanasta.

PENNYANTE:AformofPoker.Seethispage.

PERSIANPASHA:AnothernameforPishaPasha,thispage.

PERSIAN RUMMY: The partnership form of Five Hundred Rummy, thispage.

PIG:Ajuvenilegameinvolvinguptothirteenplayers,withsetsoffourcardsof thesamevalue,according to thenumberofplayers.Example:Apackforafive-playergamecouldincludefourkings,fourjacks,fourtens,foursevens,fourfives,makingtwentycardsinall.Theseareshuffledandfourcardsaredealt toeachplayer,whopasscards to the left inunison,eachpickingupthecardfromtherightandaddingit tohishand.Thefirsttomatchasetof four laysdownhishandandmakesanestablishedsignal,such as tapping his nose with his finger. Others must immediately laydowntheirhandsandmakethesamesignal;thelasttodosois“pig”andlosesthehand.

PIGINPOKE:AnothernameforWildWidowinPoker.

PINKLADY:AnextensionofHearts,withthe Qor“pinklady”counting13 points against the player taking it, like the Q or “black lady.” SeeHearts,thispage.

PINOCHLE: In its early form, pinochlewas a two-handed trump game inwhich half the pack was dealt out and the remaining cards drawnprogressively during the play. Later, other elements were incorporatedinto it, so it became practically a new game, which in turn producedstrikingoffshoots.Auctionpinochle is themostpopularof these;butallforms of pinochle have two features in common, the special pack and apreliminaryproceduretermeda“meld.”Sothosetakepriority,asfollows:

The Pack: This contains forty-eight cards, with two of each value ineach suit fromaces down tonines, butwith the ten rankingnext to theace.Hencetheirvaluesrun:A,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9.Duplicationof values createsnoproblemduringplay, aswhichever is played first isregardedashigherthantheonethatfollows.

The Meld: Before playing certain cards from his hand, a player isallowed to lay them face up on the table, thus “melding” them to formspecialcombinations,whichscoreasfollows:

150

TrumpSequence(A,10,K,Q,Joftrump) 150RoyalMarriage(K,Qoftrump) 40OrdinaryMarriage(K,Qofanysuit) 20FourAces,allofdifferentsuits 100FourKings,allofdifferentsuits 80FourQueens,allofdifferentsuits 60FourJacks,allofdifferentsuits 40Pinochle,consistingof Qand J 40Dix,pronounceddeece,the9oftrump 10

A card from one meld may be used with a meld of another type.Example:Aplayercouldmeld Q, Q, Q, Qfor60points;thenaddKtothe Qandcallitamarriagefor20points,or40foraroyalmarriageif hearts happened to be trump.He could then add the J to the Q,scoring40forapinochle;andhecouldeventack J, J, Jontothe Jandscore40pointsforfourjacks.Buthecannotmeld the K and Q foramarriageand thenadd the

other K to the same Q for anothermarriage, as bigamy is not legaleveninpinochle.Nor,aftermeldingacombinationlike A, A, A, Afor100points,woulditbeallowabletoaddthreeotheraces(as A, A,A) to an ace already melded and score another 100 points. For such ascore,hewouldhavetomeldanothercompletesetofaces;andthesameappliestofourkings,fourqueens,andfourjacks.A few special rules apply tomelds according to the particular type of

pinochlebeingplayed;thesewillbementionedundertheirproperheads.In addition to points scored by melding, there are points that can bescored during play by taking tricks containing cards of certain value.Therearethreetypesof“count”usedwithsuchcards,asfollows:

OriginalCountEachace, 11points.Eachking, 4points.Eachjack, 2points.Eachten, 10points.Eachqueen, 3points.Eachnine, 0points.Fortakinglasttrick 10points.

SimplifiedCountEachace,ten,orking,10points.Nootherscount.

Fortakinglasttrick10points.ModifiedCount

Eachaceorten,10points.Eachkingorqueen,5points.Nootherscount.Forlasttrick,10points.Note: In all typesof “count,” the total of the counters, including “lasttrick,”comesto250points.

TWO-HANDED PINOCHLE: In this original form, utilizing the forty-eight-cardpinochlepack,twelvecardsaredealttoeachplayerbythreesorfours.Thenext card is turned faceup to represent trump and thepack is laid facedownacrossit,withthedealergivinghimself10pointsonascoresheet,ifthecardisthedix,ornineoftrump.Theopponentleadswhatevercardhewantsandthedealerplacesanycarduponit,asatthisstageofthegameitisnotnecessarytofollowsuitortrump.However,thehighestcardofthesuitledwinsthetrick,unlesstrumped,

whichisimportantbecausetheplayerwinningthetrickisallowedtomakea singlemeldby laying theproper cards faceup in front of him and itstotalisimmediatelyenteredinhiscolumnofthescoresheet.Ifheholdsadix,hemaymelditalso,byplacingitfaceupbeneaththepackandtakingthetrumpalreadythereasareplacementinhishand.Whetherornothemelds,thewinnerdrawsthetopcardfromthepack,addingittohishand;andtheloserdrawsthenextcard,tomaintainhisquotaoftwelve.Thewinnerofthetrickleadstothenexttrick;eitherfromhishandor

hismeld,andplaycontinuesinthisfashion.Anewmeldmaybemadebythewinnerofatrick,anditmayincludecardsthathealreadymelded,butonlyifheaddsafreshcardfromhishand.Forexample,ifheshouldmeldfourqueensfor60andlatermeldfourjacksfor40,hecouldnotsimplypointtothe Qand Jandcallthecombinationa“pinochle”for40.Theproperwaywouldbetofirstplacethe Jwiththe Q,scoring40;thenlateraddthethreeremainingjackstothe Jfortheother40.However,ifaplayermeldsaroyalmarriage—as KQ,withdiamondsas trump—hecanlatermeldthe A10Jasadditionalcardsforatrumpsequenceof150,overandabovethe40gainedfortheroyalmarriage.This goes onuntil all cardshave beendrawn from thepack,with the

face-updixbeing the last taken into thehandof theplayerwho lost thetwelfth trick. From then on, the hands are simply played out, with thewinner of each trick leading to thenext, but during this phase, a playermustfollowsuitifhecan;ifnot,hemusttrump,ifhecan;andifatrumpis led, he must play a higher trump if he can. Originally, a player wasrequiredtoplayahighercardtoaplainsuitled,ifpossible;butthisrule,thoughstilloptional,isseldomusedbymodernplayers.A running score ofmelds is kept during play and at the finish of the

hand,eachplayeraddshiscounter,usingthe“originalcount”(A 11,1010,K 4,Q 3,J 2)with10for last trick.This isaddedtohis total;andthedealmovestotheotherplayer.Thegamecontinues,with1000pointsas the objective; and during play, a player may announce that he hasreached 1000. Play then stops, and if he has actually taken sufficientcounters,hewins;butifheoverestimatedhistakeandisshort,heloses.Ifbothplayersgoover1000,playiscontinuedwith1250asthegoal,or

1500 if both pass thatmark; and so on. In some circles, a player is notallowedto“callout,”inwhichcasethehandisplayedtothefinishandtheplayerwiththehigherfinalscoreiswinner.

SpecialMeldsinTwo-HandedPinochle:Originally,aplayerwhomeldedapinochle( J Q)for40pointscould

later add another pinochle to it and call the combined meld a doublepinochle( JJ QQ)for80points,making120inall.Thisruleisseldomusedtoday,butinmanycirclesaplayerholdingadoublepinochle( JJQQ)isallowedtomelditasaunitfor80pointsinsteadofbeingforcedtomaketwomeldsofsinglepinochles.Similarly,inmanycircles,aplayermaycombineaspademarriage( K

Q)withapinochle( Q J)asanindividualmeld( KQ J)for60points,or80 if spadeshappen tobe trump.This combinationwasonce termedgrandpinochle and counted for80,whetherornot spadeswere trump.Bothcombinations,doublepinochlefor80andgrandpinochlefor60or80, are recommended, as they enable a player to meld more rapidly,which is an important adjunct in this game. However, they should bespecifiedbeforehand.

AUCTIONPINOCHLE:ThePack:Thestandardforty-eight-cardpinochlepack.Number of Players: Three, four, or five, but only three are active in

each deal.With four, the dealer stays out; with five, the dealer and the

player tohis left stay out. Since the dealmoves to the left, each “extra”playerbecomesactiveinrotation.

TheDeal:Fifteencardstoeachactiveplayer;threeroundsoffourcardseach,withanoddroundof three;orsimplyby threes.At theendof thefirstround,threecardsaredealtasideasa“widow.”

Bidding:Afterlookingattheirhands,theactiveplayers,beginningfromthedealer’s left,beginbidding thenumberofpoints that each thinksorhopeshishandcantake.Thisistermedan“auction,”aseachplayermayincrease his bid if an opponent bids higher. If a player wishes he can“pass”anddropoutofthebidding;whenonlyonebidderremains,hisbidstands.Ifallpasstostart,thehandisabandonedandthedealgoestothenextplayer.Usually, 250 is decided upon as theminimumopening bid, though a

player can go higher if he wants. Some groups prefer 300 as theirminimum.Bidsareincreasedby10pointsormore;here,again,abidmaybejumpedtoanyheight.Thehighestbidderhastheprivilegeofnamingthetrumpsuit;hencebidsarebasedonthehand’spotentialmeldandtheprobablenumberofcountersthatitcantakeduringtheplaythatfollows.Notethishandasabiddingsample:

AA10KQ AKQ KQJ A1010Q

Figuringonclubsastrump,thishandcanmeld40foraroyalmarriage( KQ), 40 for two ordinarymarriages ( KQ and KQ), 60 for four

queens(eachofadifferentsuit),and40forapinochle( Jand Q),whichaddsupto40 40 60 40 180.Inplay,itshouldbegoodfor80pointsorbetter,soitisdefinitelywortha250openingbid;andifsomeoneelseshouldopenat250,thishandcouldgoto260oreven270.Manyplayerswould regard this as an almost sure 300 opener, as the bidder has theprivilegeof:

Turningup theWidow: Beforemelding, the highest bidder turns thethreewidowcardsfaceup,thenaddsthemtohishandinordertoimproveitsmeldorplayingstrength.Hethendiscardsanythreecardsfacedownandproceedstomeld.Whenplaybegins,headdsthediscardtowhatevertricks he takes. Usually, a bidder can depend on a few points from thewidow.Forexample,withthehandgivenabove:Assumethebidderturnsup

9, A, K.The 9(dix)adds10pointstohismeld;the Aisasuretrickandisa“counter”initself;hecandiscard 10, 10,andtheunneededK that he drew, all three being counters that will help his score duringplay.However, with many hands, the widow represents much greater

possibilitiesonwhichkeenbiddersoftenbank.Oursamplehandisafineexample,because itoffers threechances fora“fill,”whichwouldenabletheplayertojumpthebidtoashighas400.(1)Ifthewidowcontainsthe J,itwillgivethehandasequenceorrun

in trump( A,10,K,Q, J) for150points.Hewill lose the40points forroyalmarriage ( KQ) as inauctionpinochle; it is consideredsimplyaspartofthesequence;buthegains110pointsinall.(2)Ifthewidowcontains A,itwillgivethehandfouraces(ofdifferent

suits)for100pointsandhelpitsplayingstrength.(3) If the widow contains K, it will give the hand four kings (of

differentsuits)for80pointsandaspademarriage( KQ)for20points,atotalof100points.

Note: In that case the hand would have four kings and four queens,whichistermeda“roundhouse”andratesasaspecialmeldof240pointsin auction pinochle, reducing to 200 if the hand also has a trumpsequence,whicheliminatestheroyalmarriagefromtheroundhouse.Thefactthatabidderdoesnothavetonamethetrumpsuituntilafter

heturnsupthewidowisalsoagreatadvantage,asshownbythefollowingexample:

A10QJ A10KJ A10QJ AJ9

Thishandhasfouracesfor100,fourjacksfor40,andapinochle( QJ)for40,atotalof100 40 40 180.Withanestimatedplayingstrengthofabout80, it isa sure250opener.But ithasn’ta singlemarriage,noranychanceforfourkingsorfourqueens.Still,anykeenplayerwouldbid400withit.Why?Becausetherearethreepossiblefillsforatrumpsequenceof150;

namely,the K, Q, K.Ifoneofthoseshouldturnupinthewidow,thebidderwouldsimplydeclareitssuitastrumpandbecomea400winner.Incontrast,suchglitteringsnaresasthefollowingshouldbeavoided:

1010KKQJ99 AAQ AA AJ

Thishandholdsaroyalmarriage( KQ)for40,two“deeces”( 99)for20, andapinochle ( J Q) for40,makinga total of40 20 40 100.Butlookatwhatjustonekeycard,the A,willdo!Itwillgivethebidder150foradiamondsequenceand100forfouraces.Add10foreachdix,40forthepinochle,andthemeldaloneis310,whileinplay,byforcingtheopposingtrumpace,190morepointsareassuredforagrandtotalof500.A fine hand, if there is a A in the widow, but with only that one

possible fill, the chances are about five to one that itwon’t be there.Atleast two possible fills are needed to bid beyondwhat the hand alreadyshows;andthreepossibilitiesareneededforamustbid.Only thehighest biddermakes ameld in auctionpinochle.Nomatter

what the other players hold, it does not count. They are not allowed toshowanyoftheircards;whilethebiddershowsonlytheturned-upwidowandthecardsthathemelds.

PlayingtheHand:Thebidder,afterdiscarding,takeshismeldedcardsintohishandandleadstothefirsttrickwithanycardhewants.Thetwootherplayers followsuit in clockwiseorder. If aplayer isoutof suit,hemustplayatrumpcardifhehasone;ifnot,hediscardsfromanothersuit.Ifatrumpisled,thenextplayermustplayahighertrumpifhehasone;and the third player must go still higher if he can. Otherwise, a lowertrump isplayed;and ifoutof trump, theplayerdiscards fromanyothersuit.

Thishandhasthehighestpossiblemeldinauctionpinochle,consistingofsequencewithdix(160),fouraces (100), fourkings (80), fourqueens (60), threemarriages (60),andapinochle (40), foratotalof500.

Inplay,however, thehandisweak.Evenif theplayercandiscardthreetopspades,A,10,10,asshown, for30points (simplifiedcount),hewillbe lucky topickupmore than100points inplay,makingthisabouta600hand—orperhaps650atbest.

Note:Thisruleofplayingahighertrumpistermed“headingthetrick,”anditisveryhelpfultothebidder,asitenableshimtoforcehightrumpsfrom the opposing hands, thus making his lower trumps sure winners.Theruleappliesonlywhentrumpsareled;ifthesecondandthirdplayersarebothoutofasuitthatisled,bothmusttrumpiftheycan,butthethirdplayerdoesnothavetoovertrumpthesecond.Originally,eachsucceeding

playerhadto“headthetrick”ifhecould,nomatterwhatsuitwasled,butthatruleisrarelyusedtoday,ifever.Duringtheplay,thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext;andthetwo

nonbidders pool their tricks into a single pile, forming a temporarypartnershiptopreventthebidderfrommakingthepointsheneeds.Atthefinish of the hand, the bidder goes through his tricks and adds anycounters(including10forthelasttrick)tohismeld.Hisdiscard(asstatedearlier)isincludedwithhistrickpile.

Conceding the Hand: Often, a conservative bidder turns up enoughfavorablecardsinthewidowtoincreasehismeldtotheamountofhisbid,or to come so close that he is sure to make the few additional pointsneededinplay.Inthatcase,theopposingplayers,bymutualagreement,canconcedethehandtothebidderwithoutgoingthroughtheformalityofplayingitout.Conversely,ifthebidderfailstoturnupcardsthatheneedstomakehis

bid,orifhefeelsthathishandlacksenoughplayingstrengthtotakethecounters that he requires over and abovehismeld, hemay concede thehand to his opponents before starting play. This option on the bidder’sparthasaspecialbearingon:

ScoringtheHand:Inauctionpinochle,eachhandordealisagameinitself,andthesimplestwaytosettleitiswithtokensorchips.Inthebasicscoringmethod,thebidderwinsonechipfromeachoftheotherplayersifhe bids 250 andmakes it; two chips each, if he bids 300 andmakes it;three chips each for 350; and upward in the same ratio. These scoringbrackets are shown inColumnAbelow;other systems,mostly involving“steeper”jumps,appearintheotherletteredcolumns:

However,ifthebidderseesthatplayisuselessandconcedesthehandasbeinglost,eachoftheotherplayerscollectsfromhimonthesameterms.Ifhedecides toplay thehandout and loses,hemustpaydouble to theothers. Thus, if scoring by the basic method, a player bidding 370 andmaking it would collect three tokens from each opponent; if he shouldconcede thehand,hewouldpay them threeeach; and ifhe shouldplayandlose,sixtokenseach.Whentherearefourorfiveplayersinthegame,thosewhoareinactive

duringthehandstillparticipateinthesettlement,payingthebidderifhewinsandcollectingfromhimifheconcedesorloses.Pinochle canbe scoredwithpaper andpencil by giving eachplayer a

columnandmarkinghimplus( )orminus(–)foreachhand.Hereisanexample,usingSystemC,withthreeplayers(X,Y,andZ)inthegame:

Here is what many auction pinochle players would regard as the “perfect hand.” Its meld of twosequences,eachwithadix(160 160),withfouraces(100),comestoonly420points,butnomatterhowitisplayed,itwillbringinallthecountersfor250points,makingatotalof670.

Whenscoreiskeptinthismanner,settlementcanbemadeafterplaying

aspecifiednumberofhandsorattheendofadesignatedtime.Spades Double:When a bidder declares spades as his trump suit, he

collectsdouble ifhewinsthehand;hence ifheplaysandloses,hemustpay each player four times the usual number of tokens.However, if heconcedes the hand, he only pays the single amount to each opponent,sincehisdeclarationoftrumpisabandonedalongwiththehanditself.This is now an established rule of auction pinochle and is a very

importantfeaturebecauseoftheimpetusitgivestothebidding.Aplayerwho holds a spade sequence or has a good chance of filling one, willnaturally take greater risks in bidding, since he stands to win twice asmuchifhecanmakehispointsorifthewidowholdsakeycard;whileifhefails,hecanconcedethehandwithonlyasingleloss.

Hearts Triple: To stimulate the bidding still further, the players, byagreement beforehand, can count hearts (or some other chosen suit) aspayingtriple,butstillwiththeprivilegeofconcedingthehandandtakingalossoftheamountbid.Ifthebidderplaysoutsuchahandandloses,hehastopaysixtimestheordinaryamount.Inmanycircles,“heartstriple”isclassed as too “wild” or freakish, hence it is not an established rule ofpinochle.

PlayingwithaKitty:Whenplayingwithchipsortokens,thegamecanbe stepped up by forming a pool called the “kitty,” towhich all playerscontributeequallyattheoutset.Theplayeratthedealer’sleftisrequiredto bid 300 nomatter how poor his handmay be; and if the other twoplayerspass,heisallowedtodropwithoutturningupthewidow.Inthatcase, he must pay the kitty the amount of a 300 bid (according to thescheduleused),buthedoesnotpayanythingtotheotherplayers.Onall otherbids,where thebiddernaturally turnsup thewidow, the

kitty functions as an extra player where settlements are concerned,collecting the regular amount if the bidder loses and paying him if hewins.Any time the kitty runs short, the playersmust “feed” it an equalamounttomakeupthedeficitandprovideitwithfurtherfunds.

This auction pinochle hand tops those previously shown. Its two sequences (150 150), four aces(100),andadoublepinochle(80),cometo480.Iftheplayercandiscardthreetopspades(A,10,10)for30points,hehassimplytoleadwithtrumpsandhecanbesureof210pointsinplay,foratotalof690.Ifoneopponentholds K, K,withnootherspades,thehandwilltake230for710;andiftheopponentdiscardsbothkingsduringplay(preferringtoholdcardsinothersuits),thehandwilltake

250inplay,hittingahighof730.

If anyplayer leaves thegame, thekittypool isdividedequally amongthose who remain, and a new pool is immediately provided by thoseplayers and any newcomers. At the end of the game, a final division ismade on the same equal basis. Various optional rulesmay apply to thekitty,oneofthebestbeingtohavethekittycollectfromalllosingbidders,butneverpayoffawinnerunlessthebidishigherthan350.Thishelpstofeedthekittyandatthesametimespursthebidderstogreaterrisks.

THREE-HANDEDPINOCHLE:ThisisthegamefromwhichAuctionPinochle,thispage,isderived,andisstillpopularinmodernizedform,asfollows:The entire pack is dealt by fours, giving sixteen cards to each of the

threeplayers,therebeingnowidowinthisgame.Thefinalcardisturnedfaceuptorepresenttrump.Beginningwiththefirstplayeronthedealer’sleft,whoeverholdsadix(thenineoftrump)istemporarilycreditedwith10pointsbyexchangingthedixfortheturned-uptrump,whichthengoesinto his hand, while the dealer’s hand retains the dix. All players thenmeld and each is credited according to the established trump. Forexample:Supposethatthe K isturnedupastrumpandthatthethreeplayers,

X,Y,andZ(thedealer),holdthesecards:

SincePlayerYhasthefirstdix( 9),hegivesittoPlayerZandtakestheturned-up K inreturn,scoringa tentative10points.The KdoesnothelpY’smeld,however,ashehasnothingtogowithit.Themeldsareasfollows:

X: KQ,40(royalmarriage). K,Q,20(marriage).J, Q,40(pinochle).Total,100.

Y: J, J, J, J,40(fourjacks). K,Q,20(marriage).KQ,20(marriage).Dix(exchangedfor K)10.Total,90.

Z: KQ,20(marriage).Dix( 9)fromdeal,10.Total,30.

NotethatXholdsasequence(A,10,K,Q,J)inheartsandthatZholdsthesameinclubs,butthatneitherofthoserunscanbecountedbecauseadiamondwasturnedupastrump.Play begins at the dealer’s left and proceeds exactly as in auction

pinochle.Highestcardofsuitledwinsthetrickunlesstrumped;ifoutofsuit,aplayermusttrump;whentrumpisled,eachsucceedingplayermustplayahigher trumpifhecan.Countersareadded toeachplayer’sscore(according to the typeof countused),with 10pointsgoing to theplayertakinglasttrick.Here,animportantruleshouldbenoted,namely:Ifaplayerfailstotakeanytricks,hescoreszeroforthathand,hismeld

beingwipedoutalongwithit.Inthehandshownabove,Y’sholdingissoweakthathewouldbeindangerofgoingtricklessifXandZshouldguesshisplightandcombinetheirplayto“blank”him.Buttwoplayersseldomganguponathirdinthree-handedpinochleunlessheissofaraheadthatdrasticmeasuresmustbe taken tokeephimfromreaching1000points,whichwinsthegameinthree-handedpinochle.

ScoringtheGame:Ineachhand,thecounterswoninplayareaddedtoeachplayer’smeldashisscoreforthehand.Thedealmovestotheleft,anewhandisplayedandscored.Thiscontinuesuntiloneplayerreachesorpasses1000,thusbecomingthewinner.Thereare twooptionshere:Originallyaplayerwasallowed todeclare

“out”aftertakingsufficientpointsinplaytoreach1000.Amoremodernruleisthatthehandmustbecompleted,andifmorethanoneplayergoesover1000,thegamecontinueswith1250asthegoal.Iftwoplayerspassthatmarkinthesamehand,itgoesonto1500,thento1750,andsoonifrequired.Thisshouldbespecifiedbeforeplaybegins,aswithalloptions.

Four-handedPinochlecanbeplayedinthesameway,witheachplayeronhisown,butreceivingonlytwelvecardsinthedeal.Thisreducesthemelds proportionately and at the same time increases the chance of aplayerbeingblankedwithaweakhand,asheisfacedbythreeopponentsinsteadof twoand thereare four less tricks in thedeal.Asa result, thisgame promises plenty of competition before the chief contendersapproach the 1000mark.However,when four players are in the game,they usually prefer the more modern form of “partnership pinochle,”whichwillbedescribedunderitsownhead.

PARTNERSHIP PINOCHLE: Basically, this game is almost the same as three-

handed or four-handed pinochle, the main difference being that theplayersseatedoppositearepartners.Thus,ifwetermthemA,B,C,D inclockwiserotation,withDrepresentingthedealer,playersAandCwouldbeteamedagainstplayersBandD.Cardsaredealtbyfours,givingeachplayertwelvecards,andthefinal

cardisturnedupfortrump,withthefirstplayerwhoholdsadixclaimingthe turned-up trump and scoring 10 points for the exchange, as in thethree-handedgame.Playersthenmeldindividually,butinthiscasetheirmeldsgotoateamscore.Forexample,withspadesastrump:

Amelds: Bmelds: Cmelds: Dmelds:

J, Q,40(pinochle).Total40.

KQ,40(royalmarriage).Dix(exchanged)10.Total50.

K, K, K, K,80(fourkings)with Q, Q, Q,60(threemarriagesat20each)Dix,10.Total150.

J, J,J, J,40(fourjacks).Total40.

Note thatAcannotputhismeldwith thatofhispartner,C, toadd40morepointsforaroyalmarriage( KQ)and60moreforfourqueens,or,inotherwords,aroundhouse.Eachpartner’smeldismadeseparatelyandmustremainso.Similarly,Bcannotusethe JmeldedbyDtogowiththeQas40pointsforpinochle.

Manypinochleexpertsoverlookthehigh-scoringpossibilitiesintheoldthree-handedgame,duetothesixteenthcardthataplayerreceives.Hereisahandsonearlyperfectthatitispracticallysureof750.Itsmeldconsistsoftwosequences(150 150)andeightaces(100 100)foratotalof500.Byleadinganytwotrumps,theplayercanthentakeall250pointsinplayforhis750.

Hereisasixteen-cardhandthatishighinmeldbutdisappointinginplay.Withtwosequences(150150),fourkings(80),fourqueens(60),threemarriages(60),andapinochle(40)ithitsatotalmeldof540.Butitcanleavesonly100fortheplayerholdingthehand,whichisthereforewortha640andnomore.

However,themeldsareaddedastheystand,sothattheteamofAandCwould score 40 150 190; while the opposing team of B andD wouldscore50 40 90.

Inplay, thesameprocedureapplies.Playstartsat thedealer’s leftandcontinuesclockwise.Asinauctionpinochle,highcardofsuitledwinsthetrick,unlesstrumped;andaplayermusttrumpifoutofsuit.Whentrumpisled,eachsucceedingplayermustheadthetrickifhecan.Gameis1000points(unlesscertainbonusmeldsareallowed,aswillbe

described later), but with certain options that should be specifiedbeforehandtosettleanyclosedecisions;namely:(a)Ifbothteamsgoover1000 in thesamehand,gamebecomes1250; ifbothgoover that, 1500;then2000;andsoon. (b)Ifbothgoover1000,whicheverteamhasthehighertotalwins,(c)If,duringplay,oneteamtakeatrickwithsufficientcounters tobring its total score to 1000, the twomembersmayagree todeclareout,winningthegamethenandthere,regardlessoftheopposingteam’sscore.Ifthecountfallsshortofthe1000mark,theteamdeclaringoutautomaticallyloses.

Partnership Pinochle with Bids: This modernized version of “partnershippinochle” has largely superseded the original game and is played withseveral variations. In all forms, players bid for the privilege of namingtrump,insteadofturningupthefinalcarddealt.

The “One Bid” Version: Here, twelve cards are dealt to each of theplayers,whoareallowedonebideach,beginningwithaminimumbidof100by theplayer at thedealer’s left.Naturally,playersbidaccording tothe strength of their possible melds and the number of counters theyexpecttotake.Meldsandscorefollowthepartnershipprocedure,butwiththisproviso:If the bidder’s team fails to make its bid, it loses its meld and the

amountofbidisdeductedfromtheteam’sscore,puttingtheteamintheminuscolumnifneedbe.Ifthebidder’steammakesitsbid,itiscreditedwiththefullamountthat

itscoresinmeldsandcounters.Thebiddingteam’sscoreisalwayslistedfirst; hence if both teams go over the 1000mark in the same deal, theteamthatmadethebidisthewinner.

“Auction” bidding is amore popular procedure in which players cancontinue toraise thebid,usuallybyamountsof tenormore,butonceaplayerpasses,hecannotre-enterthebidding,thoughhispartnerisfreetocontinueunlesshehasalsopassed.Inbothversions,theleadordinarilyismadebytheplayeratthedealer’sleft,butthemoderntrendistohavethe

bidder lead, as this encourageshigherbiddingbecauseof the advantagethusgained.Thisrule,ifused,shouldbespecifiedbeforethestartofthegame.

Auction with Widow: Only eleven cards are dealt to each player, thebest procedure being to deal them singly, laying aside a fifth card for a“widow”offourcards;fromthenon,thedealcontinuessinglywitheachplayer.Biddingproceeds asusual and thehighest bidder turnsup thewidow

and adds it to his hand before naming trump, unless he prefers to startmelding then and there. Trumpmust be named, however, before otherplayers meld. After the dealer has melded, he discards four cards facedown, these being included with his team’s tricks so that any “buried”countersareaddedtotheteam’sscore.As with three-handed auction pinochle, this page, the generally

acceptedprocedureisforthebiddertoleadtothefirsttrick,althoughtheold rule of opening on the dealer’s left is allowable by agreement. (See“PlayingtheHand,”thispage.)

VariationwithWidow:Here,thehighestbidderistheonlypersonwholooksatthewidow.Hekeepsonecardforhimselfandhandseachoftheotherplayersasinglecardfacedown.Hethennamesthetrump,meldsaremade,andplayfollows,eachplayerhavingtwelvecards.Thisdoesnotdeterhighbidding,asasoundbidderneverneedsmore

thanonekeycardfromthewidowto“fill”hishand;henceothers,thoughhelpful,arereallysuperfluous.Often,hecangivehispartneracardthatmayincreasethelatter’smeld,whilehandingworthlesscards(asnines)totheopponents.

BonusMelds: Special bonusmelds are frequently used in partnershippinochle.Thesemustappearinanindividualhandandscoreasfollows:

Doublesequence(A,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,Joftrump) 1500Eightaces 1000Eightkings 800Eightqueens 600Eightjacks 400Doublepinochle( J, J, Q, Q) 300

When these are used, game should be at least 3000, but preferably

5000orevenmore,byagreement.Itwouldberidiculoustoplayforonly1000whenoneplayer’shandmightmeldmore than thatamountat theverystart,thoughthisseldomhappens.

InformativeBiddinginPartnershipPinochle:Specialbidscanbeintroducedinpartnershippinochle,toinformapartnerhowtobid.Inagamewhereeachplayerislimitedtoasinglebid,thesimplestprocedureisforA,thefirstplayer,toevaluatehishandandbidanevenfigure,as200,240,280,unlessheholdsasequence(A,10,K,Q,J)inonesuit.Inthatcase,hebidsanoddfigureof270orhigher,tellinghispartner,C,topass,sothatAcantakethebidandnamethetrump.However,ifCalsohasasequenceandthinkshishandisstrongerthanA’shenaturallycanbidhigher.Theopposingteamcanbidonthesamebasis,withBnaminganeven

figure tooverbidA,orbiddinganodd figure (270orhigher) so thathispartner,D, will know that B has a sequence enablingD to pass or bidaccordingly.

With a Continuous Auction: Here, the first bidder, A, can make aminimumbidof100toindicatethathehasnomeld.Ifhehasameld,headds it to theminimum,bidding120 ifheholdsa simplemarriage (20);140ifheholdsapinochle(40);160ifheholdsboth(20 40);andsoon.This tells C the exact amount of A’s meld, so that C can raise by theamount of his ownmeld, plus any special playing strength.A can thenpassorbidhigherifheseesfit.

Here is a twelve-cardhand inpartnershippinochle thatmelds sequence anddix (160), fourkings(80),fourqueens(60),threemarriages(60),andapinochle(40)foratotalof400.Givetheplayer’spartneranidenticalhandandtheywillmeld800together.However,thehandsaresureofonly100pointsinplay,foratotalof900.

Theevenandoddformofbiddingappliesinthiscasealso,butaspecialexceptionmay be included, particularlywhere the opposing bidders areconcerned.SupposethatAopenswithabidof180,tellingC thathehas80points inmeld.B, thefirstopposingbidder,eitherhasameldof160with a strong playing hand, or a 180meld that equalsA’s. Rather thanpass,asifhehada“nothing”hand,Bcouldbid190,tellinghispartner,D,thathehasahandalmostasgoodasA’s.Otherbiddersmayusethissamedevice,with the understanding that amere 10-point raise from even tooddhasnothingtodowithnamingtrump.Whenpartnershipauctionisplayedwithawidow,anewfactorenters;

namely,thechanceofasuccessfulbidderpickingupanoddcardthatfillsan important meld. Bidding proceeds normally, with each bidder

signifyinghisactualmelduntilonebecomesstymiedandstudieshishandforwidowprospects.Ifheseestwoormorechancesforimprovement,hemayjumphisbidaccordingly,naminganoddfiguretotellhispartnertopassandlethimtakethewidowashisbiddependsonit.Takethisexample.PlayerAholds:

AKQQJ AK AQ K9

Biddinggoesasfollows:A—140.B—Pass.C—200,indicatinga60meldofhisown,D—310,showingthathehasasequence,therebytellingBnotto bid higher for a few more points. Here, A appraises his prospects.Already, he and his partner have a combined meld of 100.With clubstrump,A is strong enough to take the majority of the counters, whichmeans130more,asuretotalof250.Nowforhisprospectsofafill.Ifhefindsthe Kinthewidow,hewill

gain100pointsforfourkings(80)andaplainmarriage(20).Ifthe Aisthere,hewillpickup100for fouraces. Ifhegets the 10, itwillmean150 for a trump sequence less 40 for the royal marriage that will beabsorbed, or a gain of 110. Counting on one of these three chances,Ajumpshisbidto350.Sohispartner,C,passes,unlessheshouldhavestillbetterwidowprospectsofhisown,thenhecouldbid370,orahigheroddfigure.Too,thereisachancethattheopponent,D,mayjumphissolidbidof310tospeculativeheights.Other conventionalbidshavebeen injected intopartnershippinochle.

One of the simplest is to set a specific figure—say 250—to represent ahandthathasfouraces,butlittleornothingelseinwayofameld.Ifthisisusedasanopener,particularly in thesingle-bidgame, it isan invitationforthebidder’spartnertogohigherandnamethetrump,asfouracesareworth100asameldandshouldeasilyhelpa teamscore160ormore inplay,inconnectionwithalongtrumpsuit.In some circles, bidding values are allotted to sequences in specific

suits,asspades,260;hearts,270;clubs,280;diamonds,290.Suchatip-off enables the partner to go the limit with a bid of his own, as he cannametheoriginalbidder’strumpandcanoftenleadintoit.Ofcourse,theoriginal bidder can still go higher, after sounding out his partner’sreaction. All such informatory bidding should be agreed upon by bothteams,beforehand.

FIREHOUSEPINOCHLE:Thisformofpartnershippinochlefollowsthe“onebid”version,butwithinformativebidsestablishedforeverylevelfrom200to300inclusive.Theseapplyonlytothefirsttwoplayers,AandB,astheirrespectivepartners,C andD, arenaturally free togo to the limiton thestrengthoftheinformationgiven.

Atypicalbiddingscheduleruns:Ahandoflittleornovalue:Passorbid 200Astrongtrumpsuit,butlessthan60meld: 210Ameldfrom60to120(withoutfouraces): 220Asimilarhandbutwithastrongtrumpsuit: 230Ameldfrom140to220(withoutfouraces): 240Ameldoffouraces(100)andmaybe20more: 250Ameldoffouraces(100)withstrongtrump: 260Ameldoffouraces(100)with40or60more: 270Ameldoffouraces(100)with80more: 280Aroundhouseoranothermeldof240ormore: 290Anyhandcontainingatrumpsequence: 300

(Here, a sequence with little else would be worth only the 300minimum, with higher bids according to additional melds and extraplayingstrength,basedonthepremisethatthebidder(AorB)mustmakethe final bid in order to name the trump suit and thus cash inhis 150-pointsequence.)

Thispartnershiphandmeldsasequence(150),fouraces(100),fourkings(80),amarriage(20),andapinochle(40)foratotalof390.Givethepartnerthesameholdingandtheywillhave780betweenthem.Inplay,however,theycantakeeverytrickbutone,losingonly20counterswheneachplayshis Q.Sothehandsareworthaphenomenal1010!

Inthisgame,ifthefirstthreeplayerspass,thedealer,D,isforcedtobid200.Sothefirstplayer,A,willnormallypassonapoorhand,hopingthedealerwillhave to take it. In contrast,B, the secondplayer,willusuallybid200onanything, thus informinghispartner,D, thathehas little toofferandatthesametimegivingDachancetobowoutifhefeelsthathisown hand may be worse. This is like giving information in reverse.Otherwise,thegamefollowstheacceptedrulesofpartnershippinochle.

CHECK PINOCHLE: A development of firehouse pinochle which includesauctionbiddingandspecialrulespeculiartoitself.Eachteamisprovidedwith“checks”intheformofchipsorcounters,andaftereachmelds,onesidecollectsfromtheotheraccordingtothefollowingmelds:

Trump sequence, four checks; four aces, two checks; four kings,queens, or jacks, one check; roundhouse (four kings and four queens),five checks;doublepinochle ( QQ J J), twochecks. If a team fails tomakeitsbid,itmustpaytheseback.Thehighbidderleads,andifthebiddingteamwins,itcollectsfromthe

losersasfollows:Forabidof200andup,twochecks;250,fourchecks;300, seven checks; 350, ten checks; 400, fifteen checks; 450, twentychecks;500,twenty-fivechecks;andsoon,fivemorechecksforeach50points.However, if a team loses its bid, the opponents collect twice thenumberofchecksspecifiedatthebiddinglevel.Ateamcollectsadditionalchecks,asfollows:Fivechecksforwinningall

twelvetricksinthehand;fourchecksforwinninglessthantwelvetricksbuttakingall250counters;tenchecksforwinninggameof1000points;plusonecheckforeach100-pointmarginoverthelosingteam;andfivechecksiflosershaveaminusscore.Attheendofahand,eachteamscoresitsmeldpluspoints taken inplayandapplies themtowardgame,exceptthatifthebiddingteamfailstomakeitsbid,itlosesitsmeldandplayingcountandissetbacktheexactamountthatitbid.Aspecialbiddingruleapplies incheckpinochle,namely, thataplayer

cannotbidunlessheholdsamarriage,but if thefirst threeplayerspass,thedealermustbidtheusual200minimum.Originally,hecouldbidnohigherwithoutamarriage,but thatrulehasbeenmodified,allowingthedealertogoashighashewantswhenforcedtobid200.ThusifA,B,andCpass,andthedealer,D,findshimselfwithfouraces(100)andastrongtrumpbutnomarriage,he could easilybid250, inorder to collect fourchecksatthe250level,insteadofonlytwochecksforabidof200.Animportantpenaltyruleshouldbenotedhere:Afterthemeld,ifany

player who participated in the bidding fails to show a marriage, theopposing team can demand redress because of the illegal bid, whichnaturallycouldhaveaffected theentirebiddingprocedure.Thesimplestactionisfortheopposingteamtocallforanotherdeal,particularlyiftheyhavepoorhands.Instead, theycantakethebidthemselves,ateitherthehighest or the lowest level that they bid, or they can demand that theoffendingopponentstakethebidatthehighestlevelthatitnamed.Biddingconventionsvarybecauseofthemarriagerequirementandthe

unlimitedauction.Iftwopartnerseachhaveamarriagebutlittleelse,theycanbidupwardbydegrees,butnaturallywon’tgoveryhigh. If the first

bidderhasastronghand,hemaydowelltogothelimit,asinthesingle-bid game, rather than restrict himself to a low,unprofitable level, if therest pass, includinghis partner,whomay lack amarriage and thereforehavetopass.Bidsof250tosignify fouraces,290foraroundhouse,300orhigher

fora trumpsequenceareacceptedopeners;but somegroupshavemoreexactingconventionsandanygroupisfreetoadoptitsown.Thesimplestresponsetoanyopeningbidistoraiseitamere10points;thisshowsthatthe responderhas the requiredmarriagebut generallynotmuchelse. Italso gives the original bidder a chance to keep the bidding open withanother 10-point raise, or go as much higher as he judges his hand isworth.A jump response to show a strongmeld is also a popular procedure,

suchasa raiseof 100 toshowfourkings (80)and themarriage (20);or120toshowfouraces(100)andthemarriage(20).Here, theodd-figurebid,asdescribedunderInformativeBiddinginPartnershipPinochle,thispage,canbeused,beginningwiththe310level, to informapartnerthatthebidderhasasequenceorsostrongasuitthathemusttakethebidtonamethetrump.

Note: A sequence fulfills themarriage requirement of this game, as ameldof150foratrumpsequenceincludesthekingandqueenthatwouldotherwisebemeldedasaplainmarriage.

SIX-HANDED PARTNERSHIP PINOCHLE:An excitingmodern formof partnershippinochlewith six players forming three teams of two each, those seatedoppositeactingaspartners.Adoublepackofninety-sixcardsisused,soin the simple game, inwhich the final card is turnedup as trump, eachplayerisdealtsixteencards.Thatnotonlygivesaplayermorecardsthatmay prove meldable; it increases the frequency of “double” melds andallows multiple melds in the form of “triples” and in some instances“quadruples.”Thesearescoredaccordingtotheschedulegivenbelow.Thepackisdealtbyfoursandthe lastcardis turnedupas trumpand

given to the first player on the dealer’s left who holds a dix, or nine oftrump. That player scores 10 and gives the dix to the dealer instead.However,ifthedealerturnsupadix,heautomaticallyscoresthe10pointshimself.All playersmeld separately, but themembers of each teamaddtheirmelds,asintheusualpartnershipgame.However:

Sincetherearethreeteams,playfollowstheprocedureofthree-handedpinochle, thispage,witheach teamplayingasan individual.Since therearetwiceasmanycountersinthedoublepack,480pointscanbetakeninplay, with 10 for the last trick, making a total of 490. Modern playersfrequentlycountthelasttrickas20,makingatotalof500,sothatshouldbesettledbyagreementbeforehand.Gameshouldbesetat3000orhigher (as4500or6000) toallowfor

both the heaviermelding and the frequent bonusmelds, as well as theextrapointsscoredineachdeal.

SIX-HANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH BIDS: This more popular version follows thepatternjustdescribed,butinsteadofturninguptrump,playersbidfortheprivilegeofnamingit,beginningatthedealer’sleft.Aswithfour-handedpartnership pinochle, this can follow the “one bid” version, with eachplayerbiddingatfullstrength;or“auctionbidding”canbeagreedupon.(Seethispage.)Eitherway,abiddingteamis“setback”ifitfailstomakeits bid, so play follows the general rules of auction pinochle, the three-handed game described on this page, each team acting as an individualplayer.

(Alleights,twelves,andsixteensmusthaveanequalnumberineachsuit.)

Pinochle( Qand J) 40TriplePinochle 600Dix(9oftrump) 10DoublePinochle 300QuadruplePinochle 1200EachextraDix 10

Note: Six-handed Pinochle is often played by two teams of three players each, instead of threeteams of two players each. Similarly, Eight-handed Pinochle can be played by four teams of twoplayerseach,ratherthanthecustomaryformoftwoteamsoffourplayerseach.

The same applies to six-handed partnership auction with a widow,whichiscloseindeedtothepopularthree-handauctionwithawidow,butheretwohighlyimportantfactorsshouldbeconsidered:First, inorder that the cards should comeout evenly, only fifteen are

dealttoeachplayer,leavingsixcardsforthewidow.Thisgivesthedealeraremarkableopportunityfor“fills”iftheruleisusedthathecanpickupallsix,whichiscustomary.Second, since eachplayer’s hand is limited to fifteen cards (including

thedealer’safterhehasdiscardedsix),itisimpossibleforanyonetomakea quadruple meld of sixteen aces, kings, queens, or jacks. So in thisversion, a player holding fifteen cards in any of those denominations iscreditedwithaquadruplemeld.Ifpreferred, thealternaterulemaybeused,wherein thebidderkeeps

only one card from thewidow and hands one face down to each of theotherplayers. In thiscase,nobodydiscards, so thehandsarebrought totheusualsixteen-cardquotainwhichaquadruplemeldmustbecompletetobeallowed.Aswith three-handed auction (this page) play customarily starts with

the bidder, and since teams frequently go deep into theminus column,gameof3000pointsisusuallysatisfactory,asabigbonusmeldmaydonomorethanmerelypullateamoutofthehole.

EIGHT-HANDED PINOCHLE: Played with the double pack of ninety-six cards,eight-handed partnership pinochle involves two teams of four playerseach, with the “odd” players forming one team, the “even” players theother. Since each is dealt only twelve cards, no quadruple melds arepossible. When played with a widow of eight cards, with the bidder

picking up eight, each player is dealt only eleven cards, so a hand ofeleven aces, kings, queens, or jacks counts as a triplemeld. It is better,however,tofollowtherulethatthebidderkeepsonecardforhimselfandhandsoneeachtotheotherplayers,sothateachhastwelvecards,withnodiscard.Here,allproceduresarethesameasinfour-handedpartnershippinochle(thispage),sinceonlytwoteamsareinvolved;butthescoringisthesameasinsix-handedpinochle.

EIGHT-HANDED PINOCHLE WITH THREE PACKS: In this elaboration of the eight-handedpartnershipgame,atriplepackof144cardsisused,sothateachplayerisdealteighteencardswhennowidowisinvolved.Withawidow,eachgetsseventeencards,whileaneight-cardwidowgoestothebidder,whoselectsanddiscardsasusual;or,ifsoagreed,hekeepsoneandgivesoneeachtotheotherplayerssothatallhaveeighteencards.Rulesarethesame as with the double-pack version, but due to the additional pack,certain quintuple and sextuple combinations are possible; and thefollowingbonusscoresareapplicable,ifsoagreed:

QuintupleMarriage(fivekingsandqueensofsamesuit) 1800SextupleMarriage(sixkingsandqueensofsamesuit) 2400QuintuplePinochle1800SextuplePinochle 2400Highervalues,as2400forquintuplesand3600or4800forsextuples,maybeusedifpreferred.

Sincethereareseventy-twocountersinthetriplepack,730pointscanbetakeninplay,withthelasttrickcounting10points;or750points,ifthelasttrickisratedat30points,whichispreferable.Withtheaddedscoringopportunities,5000isalogicalminimumforgame,with7500or10,000acceptablealternates.

ARMYANDNAVYPINOCHLE:Ahighlypopulardevelopmentofmodernpinochle,playedbythreeorfourplayerswithaneighty-cardpackconsistingoftwopinochlepackswithoutthenines;orplayedbysixplayerswitha120-cardpack consisting of three pinochle packs without the nines. The terms“double-packpinochle”and“triple-packpinochle”aresometimesusedtodesignate these games, but this is apt to confuse them with regularpartnership pinochle played by six or eight players (as previouslydescribed),hencethetitle“armyandnavy”ispreferable.

With the eighty-card pack, the standard melds are used—with theexceptionofthedix,whichisabsent—andcertainmultiplemeldsmaybemade,asinthetableonthispage.Itwillbenotedthattherearenospecialscoresformultipletrumpsequencesormarriages;onlyformultipleaces,kings,queens,jacks,orpinochles.Inthecourseofitsevolution,thegamewas at one time played on a single-bid basis, but unlimited auction hasbecomethegenerallyacceptedrule,with,ofcourse,theprovisothatonceaplayerpasseshecanbidnolonger.

FOUR-HANDEDARMYANDNAVYPINOCHLE:Thisisthemostpopularversionofthegame,hencewillbetreatedfirst.Eachplayerisdealttwentycardsandtheauctionbeginswiththeplayeratthedealer’sleft,500beingtherequiredminimum,whichislowindeed,consideringthelargepotentialmelds(dueinpart to theabsenceof theuselessnines),and the fact that theeighty-cardpackholds forty-eight counters,worth480points, plus 20 for thelasttrick,makingatotalof500points.Bidscanbe“cued”totellapartnerthatthebidderholdsasequenceand

thereforewants the finalbid.Thesimplestway is tousean“odd”bid toindicate the presence of a sequence; an “even” bid for a nonsequencehand. After the high bidder announces trump, all players meldindividuallyandeachteamscores its total,but thebiddingteamloses itsmeldif itfailstomakeitsbid,beingsetbacktheamountofitsbid,asinotherformsofpartnershippinochle.Always,thebiddingteamscoresfirstandthereforewinswheneverbothsidesscoreenoughtoreachgame.Game can be fixed as low as 3500 points, but 5000was the original

“army and navy” figure and is still the best, unless players prefer anextended game and therefore agree upon 7500 or 10,000. If desired, afour-cardwidowcanbeused in this game,with eachplayerbeingdealtnineteencardsinsteadoftwenty.Theusualrulesofpartnershippinochleapplywhereawidowisinvolved.

MELDSINARMYANDNAVYPINOCHLEWITHEIGHTY-CARDPACKTrumpSequence(A,10,K,Q,J) 150RoyalMarriage 40OrdinaryMarriage 20

(Nomultiplemeldswiththeabove.)FourAces 100TwelveAces 1500

FourKings 80TwelveKings 1200FourQueens 60TwelveQueens 900FourJacks 40TwelveJacks 600Pinochle( Q, J) 40TriplePinochle 600EightAces 1000SixteenAces 2000EightKings 800SixteenKings 1600EightQueens 600SixteenQueens 1200EightJacks 400SixteenJacks 800DoublePinochle 300QuadruplePinochle 3000

Note:Six-handedArmyandNavyPinochlecanbeplayedbytwoteamsofthreeplayerseach,insteadofthreeteamsoftwoplayerseach.

Informative Announcements: If so agreed, rules may be introducedallowingplayers tomake specific announcements regarding theirhands,theseservingasbiddingcues.Aspreliminary to theactualbidding,eachplayer,startingatthedealer’sleft,maynameafigurerepresentingpartorallofhisforthcomingmeld,thusgivinghispartneranideaofwhathecandependupon.Somegroupsallowaplayer tonameany figurehewants,eveninexcessofhisactualmeld,asameansofconfusingtheopposition.Butthisisnotrecommended,asitisapttoconfusethepartneraswellandifoverdonecanbecomenonsensical.In the actual bidding, each player may announce a potential trump

sequenceifheholdsone,orhecanstatethatheisbiddingontheplayingstrengthofalongnonsequencesuit.Eitherway,thiscueshispartnertolethimhave the finalbid,unlesshispartnerrespondswithasimilarcueorthinks he can do better. In such an announcement, the bidder cannotname the suit involved, either as a sequence or otherwise. He can,

however,announceameld,overandabovethepotentialsequence,whichnaturally does not count unless its suit becomes trump. This figure cancoverpartorallofaplayer’sactualmeld,butnotmore,thoughheisfreetobidashighashewants.Any infraction of these rules—such as naming a suit, or specifying a

typeofmeldbyname—gives theopponents theprivilegeofcalling foranewdeal if theyare so inclined.However,noplayer is compelled tobidafter making a preliminary announcement, as one of its functions is todetermine if a hand is biddable at all. If all players pass, the hands arethrown in and the deal moves to the left. This applies whether or notannouncementsareallowable; inshort,noone isever forcedto take thebidatthe500minimum.

Note:Originally, themultiplemeldsused insix-handedpinochlewiththeninety-six-cardpackwerealsousedwiththeeighty-cardpack.Inthatschedule (given on this page), additional sequences and marriagesincreaseproportionately,asdoothermultiplemelds,withtheexceptionofpinochles. The original schedule can still be used with the eighty-cardpack, if so agreed, but the one given here is better geared to the addedscoringopportunitiesintheeighty-cardgame.

SIX-HANDED ARMY AND NAVY PINOCHLE: This elaboration of the four-handedeighty-cardgame is very similar in rules andprocedurebut involves sixplayers,usinga 120-card“triple”pack, fromwhich thenineshavebeenremoved. Hence there are three teams of two players each, the playersseated opposite acting as partners; and each player is dealt the usualtwenty cards. However, due to the fact that there are six cards of eachdenomination,insteadofonlyfour,additionalmultiplemeldsarepossibleandscoreasfollows:

Bidding is the sameas in the four-handedgame, andannouncementscanbemadeifagreedbeforehand,buttheminimumbidinsix-handedis750, as the 120-cardpack contains 72 counters,making 720points thatcan be taken in play,with the last trick as 30, for a total of 750 points.

Eachteamisonitsown,butoccasionallytwoganguponthethirdiftheyseeanopportunitytodefeatabidandputthebidderinthehole.Meldingandplayareexactlyasinfour-handed.Gamemaybeas lowas4500,but5000isabetter figureand7500is

more realistic. It canbe extended to 10,000or 12,500 if so agreed. If awidowisused,onlynineteencardsaredealttoeachplayer,withsixforthewidow.Players candecidebeforehandwhether theentirewidowgoes tothehighbidder,whodiscardsaccordingly,orwhetherhekeeps justonecardandgivesonetoeachofthefiveotherplayers,sothehandswillhavetheirfullquotaoftwentycardseach.If each player is dealt only nineteen cards, a player will need only

nineteenaces,kings,queens,orjackstoscoreas“twenty.”

THREE-HANDED ARMY AND NAVY PINOCHLE: A high-powered version ofArmyand Navy Pinochle, utilizing the eighty-card double pack and themultiplemeldsthatgowithit(thispage).Eachplayerisdealttwenty-fivecards,withfiveextraforaface-downwidow.Playersbidbeginningatthedealer’sleft,with500asthelowestbid;andthedealermusttakeitatthatfigure if the twootherspass.Asmultiplebidsarecommonwith twenty-five-card hands, continuous auction is preferable to single bids, thougheithertypemaybeagreedupon.The high bidder must name trump before taking up the widow. All

threemeld,thehighbidderdiscardsfivecardsandleadstothefirsttrick,addinghisdiscardtoanytrickshetakesinplay.Ifhefailstomakehisbid,he loseshismeldand is setback theamountof thebid.There is a totalcountof500pointsinplay,including20forthelasttrick;andanyplayerwhofailstotakeatrickcontainingacounterloseshismeldforthathand.Game is 4500 or 5000, preferably the latter. The bidder’s score is

alwayscountedfirstattheendofthehand,butsometimeshemaywindupshortofgamewhiletheotherplayersbothdriftout.Thebestprocedureinthatcaseistoextendthegameanother1000points,withallthreeplayersstayinginit.Certainvariantsmaybeintroducedifdesired.Oneistodealeachplayer

twenty-six cards, leaving only two for thewidow instead of five. In thiscase, thehighbiddermaypickup thewidowbeforenaming trump.Theotheristoallowthehighbiddertothrowinhishandifhehasoverbidit,withoutwastingtimeinplay.Heloseshismeldandissetback,asusual,

whileeachof theotherplayers iscreditedwith100points inadditiontohismeld.

CONTRACT PINOCHLE: A unique form of partnership pinochlewith a biddingsystemborrowed from contract bridge. Four players,A,B,C,D, in thatorder, formtwopartnerships,A–CandB–D.Eachplayer isdealt twelvecardsfromthestandardforty-eight-cardpack.Beginningwiththedealer,D, each playermay pass or bid, theminimum being 100 points; but inbidding,hemustalsonamea trumpsuit.Thus,aspiritedbiddingmightrun:

D, the dealer: “100 clubs.”A, the next bidder: “Pass.” B, next: “120hearts.”C,next:“150diamonds.”D,backagain:“160spades.”A,finally:“300 diamonds.”And that settles it, with everybody passing from thereon.SoA’sbidstands.By the rules, only the high bidder’s teammelds; and each can add to

whatevertheotherlaysdown.So,inthisinstance,supposethatPlayerA,the high bidder, melds Q J K Q, which amounts to 40 20 60points.PlayerC,hispartner,merelymelds KQfor20points,whichisratherdismal.ButPlayerA respondsbyaddingthe Q for fourqueens,worth 60 points; and Player C adds the K to score 20 more for anordinarymarriage:60 60 20 140.Fairlygoodforamutualmeld.Butatthispoint,A,thebidder,canask

hispartner,C,forasinglecardthatwillcompleteameld.SoA,holdingAK,asksCforthe 10;andCdeliversit.ThatenablesAtolaydowntheA10KontheQJforameldof150,whichclinchesthebid,since140 150290isonly10pointsshortofthe300thatthetwopartnersmusttake.Thebiddercankeepaskingformeldablecards—oneatatime—aslong

ashispartnercandeliverthem.Butoncethatstops,thepartnerisallowedto ask the bidder for ameldable card; and then another, as long as thebiddercandeliver.Duringallthis,eithermemberoftheteamcanaddtothemutualmeldwhenevertheopportunityarises.SupposethatPlayerChappenedtobeholdingthe A, A, A,when

the bidder, Player A, completed the trump sequence in diamonds.Withoutevenasking,PlayerD couldhave laidhis threeaceson the Aand announced “100 aces,” even though by that time they were totallyunneeded. But they could have been if the bidding had been forcedhigher.Therefore:

Oncetheteam’smeldhasbeencounted,eachplayerpicksuphisowncardsandthehandisplayedout.Thebidderleadstothefirsttrick,withplayproceedingasinpartnershippinochle.Often,playisunnecessary—asin the example just cited—because themeld approaches or exceeds theamountrequiredbythebid.Butconversely,therearetimeswhenateamoverbidsanditsmutualmeldfallssofarshortofexpectationsthatitmayaswellconcedewithoutplayingoutthehand.Ateamscorestheamountthatitbid;nothingmore.Intheexamplejust

given, the partnersA andCmight easily have taken 160 points in play,which, added to their 190meld, would have given them 350. But theywouldhavehadtobecontentwith300forthathand,since300wastheirfinalbid.Ifateamfailstomakeitsbid,theopposingteamaddsthattotalto itsscore. Ifabid isdoubled,so is thescore for thathand—whicheverteamgetsit.Ifredoubled,thescoreisquadrupled.Thefirstteamtoreach3000winsthegame.

PINOCHLEPOKER:Seethispage.

PINOCHLERUMMY:Seethispage.

PIQUET: An outmoded French game for two players, using a thirty-two-cardpack, rankingA,K,Q, J, 10,9,8, 7.Each isdealt twelve cards (bytwosorthrees),leavinga“stock”ofeight.Iftheopponent’shandcontainsnofacecards(K,Q,J),heannounces“carteblanche”andscores10points.Regardless of that, he discards from one to five cards and drawsreplacements from the top of the stock, looking at any that he does notdraw.Thedealermaythenannounceandscorefor“carteblanche”—ifhehasit!—andthendiscardanddraw.Otherscoringcombinationsarethen“called”asfollows:Point:Opponentnamesthenumberofcardsinhislongestsuit,scoring

1pointforeachcardifdealercannotequalit.Ifdealerhasmore,hescores1point foreachcard.Ifequal,opponentanddealer tallyupthevalueofthecardsintheirrespectivelongsuits:Ace,11;facecards,10each;othersaccordingtotheirspots.Whicheverishigherscorestheusual1pointforeachcardofhislongsuit.

Sequence: Opponent names the number of cards in his longest suitsequence of three or more, counting 1 for each card, plus 10 for anysequenceof fiveormorecards,unless thedealerhasa longersequence,

enablinghis toscore instead. Ifequal in length, the topcarddeterminesthewinner, Q J 1098 overpowering J 10987. If absolutelyequal,neither wins. But where there is a winner, hemay also score for lessersequencesinothersuits.Example:Playerscoring5 10 15for QJ1098,wouldadd3for 1098and3morefor AKQ.

FoursandThrees:Opponentnameshis longestandhighest setof thesamevalue,provided theyconsistof tensorhigher,with fourofakind,termedaquatorze,counting1foreachcard,plus10(4 10 14)andtakingprecedence over three of a kind, termed a trio,which counts 1 for eachcard, or 3. A pair does not count. Player declaring the highest of suchcombinationscanscorethemall.Example:Playerholding10–10–10–10andJ–J–Jwouldscore14 3 17,whiletheotherplayer,holdingA–A–AandK–K–K,wouldscore0.Aswith“point”and“sequence,” thedealerrespondstoopponent’sdeclarationbynamingahigherholdingifhehasit.Thesetwohandswillillustratetheprocedure:

Opponent: AKQJ KQJ7 QJ10 QDealer: J10987 1098 10987

Opponentcalls,“Four”ashislongestsuit(in )forpoint.Dealer,havingfive(in ),responds,“Nogood.”Opponentcalls,“Fourinsequence”( AKQJ)(seenotebelow).Dealer,whohasfive( J10987),responds,“Nogood.”Opponentcalls,“Quatorze”or“Fourqueens.”Dealer,whohasonlyatrioofthreetens,says,“Good.”Opponentannouncesthathehasatrio(J–J–J),andscoresaremadeas

follows: Opponent 10 4 14 for quatorze; plus 3 for trio, a total of 17.Dealer5 forpoint;plus10 5 15for five insequence;plus4for four insequence;plus3forthreeinsequence,atotalof27.

Note:Inpiquetparlance,asequenceofthreeistermedatierce;offour,a quatrieme or “quart”; of five, a quinte; of six, a sixieme; of seven, aseptieme;ofeight,ahuitieme.Opponentopensplayby leadinganycardhechooses; thedealermust

followsuitifhecan.Highestcardofsuitledalwayswinsthetrick,asthereis no trump suit in piquet.Winner of each trick leads to the next, andpointsarescoredduringplayasfollows:Forleadinganhonor(A,K,Q,J,

10)aplayerscores1point.Ifthenonleadertakesatrickwithanhonor,hescores1point.Forwinningthelasttrick,1extrapoint.Forwinningmorethan six tricks, 10 points for “cards.” For winning all twelve tricks, 40pointsforcapot,whichincludesthelasttrickandcards,makingitactually29 1 10 40.If a player can score 30 or more points prior to play and before the

otherplayermakesanyscorewhatever,hecanclaimrepique,adding60pointstohisscore.Asanexample:

QJ1098 J9 J87 KJ

Assuming that all the player’s calls are “good,” he would score asfollows:5forpoint;15forquinzesequence;14forquatorze,atotalof34.Add60forrepique,making94.If short of the needed 30, the opponent can sometimesmake up the

differencebyscoringpointsinplaybeforethedealerregistersanyscore.Inthatcase,theopponentclaimspique,whichadds30pointstohisscore.Game consists of 100 points, with the deal alternating until a player

reachesthattotal.Iftheotherplayerfailstoreach50,heis“lurched,”andthewinner is creditedwithadoublegame.Aplayercan“callout”asheapproaches 100, scores being registered in the following order: carteblanche, point, sequence, four or three, repique. Leading or winningtricks;pique;cards,capot.

PIRATEBRIDGE: A briefly popular formofAuctionBridge, this page, inwhichanindividualbidbyoneplayercouldbeacceptedbyanother,whotherebybecamethebidder’spartnerforthathand.

PISHA PASHA: A fast but simple two-player game with a fifty-two-cardpack,suitsrankingindescendingorder:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.The pack is equally divided in two face-down heaps, and the playerssimultaneously turnup cards to form individual piles until two cards ofthesamesuitappear(as Jand 7).Playerwiththehighercardtakesorcaptures the other player’s pile and lays it aside with his own. Playcontinues until the pack runs out, when player with greater number ofcards wins. As an option, cards thus taken can be placed beneath thewinner’soriginalpacket,asinWar,thispage,andwhenapacketrunsout,itcanbeturnedfacedowntocontinueplayasinthatgame.

PISTOLPETE:AlsoknownasPistolorPistolStud,allbeingtermsforHole-CardStud,thispage.

PITCH: This modern game developed from those of the High-Low Jacktype,whichdatebacktoAllFours.ItsmostpopularformisAuctionPitch(alsocalledSetback),whichisdescribedherewith,withnotesonStandardPitchtofollow.

ThePack:Thestandardfifty-twocards,runningindescendingvalues,A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.

NumberofPlayers:Twotoeight,eachforhimself.TheDeal:Sixcardstoeachplayer,usuallybythrees,inclockwiseorder.TheBidding:Beginningatthedealer’sleft,eachplayereither“passes”

orbidsfromonetofour,accordingtothenumberofpointshethinkshecan gain during play. Each new bid must top the one before; but thedealer, as final bidder, may take it for the amount of the previous bid,provideditislessthanfour.

Examples,withfourplayers,A,B,C,andD(dealer):(1)A,“One.”B,“Three.”C,“Pass.”D,“Three.”(2)A,“Pass.”B,“Two.”C,“Four.”Dmust“pass.”If all players pass, the cards are gathered and shuffled by the dealer,

whothendealsanotherroundofhands.Playing and Scoring: The highest bidder names trump by playing or

“pitching”acardofthatsuitfaceuponthetable.Theotherplayersmustfollowsuittothetrumpleadiftheycan;otherwise,theymaydiscardfromanysidesuit.Highesttrumpplayedtakesthetrick,andthewinnerleadstothenexttrick.Ifatrumpisled,theoriginalruleapplies;ifanothersuitisled,players

mayeitherfollowsuitortrumpthetrick,astheyprefer.Ifoutofthesuitled, they may discard from another side suit or trump the trick. Thehighestcardofsuitledwinsthetrickunlessitistrumped;inthatcase,thehighesttrumpplayedwinsit.Eachplayer’spurposeistoscoreasmanypointsashecan,thepossible

pointsbeingfourinnumber;namely:High:Gainedbytheplayerwhoholds(andplays)thehighesttrumpin

thatparticularhand.Low:Gainedby theplayerwhosimplyholds the lowest trump in that

hand.

Jack: Gained by the player whowins a trick that includes the jack oftrump,regardlessofwhoheldit.

Game: Gained by the player who takes the highest count in “honorcards,” which are valued as follows, regardless of suit: ace, 4; king, 3;queen,2;jack,1;ten,10.Importanttowardthebiddingisthefactthatifnobodyholdsthejackof

trumpitcannotbetaken,andthereforethejackpointislostinthathand.Also, if the highest game count results in a tie between two or moreplayers,thereisnogamepointinthathand.

Pointsarescoredattheendoftheplay;andifthebidderfailstogainthenumberthathespecified,heis“setback”(hencethename“setback”)thatmanypoints,whichwillputhimintheminuscolumn—or“inthehole”—ifthisoccursintheopeninghand,orwheneverhistotalscorehappenstobelessthantheamountofhislosingbid.

TheGameitselfiswonbythefirstplayerwhogainsatotalof7points,unlessahighertotal(as9,10,11,21)isspecifiedbeforehand.Allhandsareplayed to completion, so if the bidder “goes out” along with any otherplayers,he isdeclaredtobe thewinner.Ifonlynonbiddersgoout, theirpoints are reckoned in the order, high, low, jack, game; and the first toreachtherequiredtotalisthewinner.

Smudge: A name applied to a widely accepted rule whereby a playerwho bids “four” andmakes it gains a “smudge” or “slam” and is givenenoughpoints towin the game immediately, unless he is already in thehole. In that case, he gains only the four points that he bid. This ruleshouldbespecifiedbeforehand.

Low-Card Variant: Another option often used is that the point for“low” goes to the player taking the lowest trump instead of the playermerely holding it. This rule (if specified) greatly encourages higherbidding,henceoftenisincludedwith“smudge.”

JokerasFifthPoint:Somemodernplayersincludethejokerinauctionpitch, ranking it either above the highest trump in play or, preferably,belowthelowest.Eitherway,theplayertakingthejokergainsonepoint;hence thebidding canbe increased from four to five,with “smudge” (ifused)requiringa“five”bid,sothatitbecomeshardertomake.Somegobytherulethat,ifthebidder“pitches”thejoker,itestablishes

spades as trump; but unless that is agreed upon, the bidder should beallowedtonamehisowntrumpwhenleadingthejoker.

Settling the Score:When players are using tokens or chips, themostpopularmethodisforeachlosertopayachiptothewinner,plusonechipfor each time the loser was set back, with an extra chip from any loserwhosefinalscoreiszeroorbelow,makingitaminusscore.

StandardPitch:Intheearlierorstandardformofpitch,thereisnoauctionandthereforenosetback.Theplayeronthedealer’sleftestablishestrumpbypitchingwhatevercardhewants.Theplayfollowstherulesasalreadydescribed,andeachplayeriscreditedforwhateverpointshescores,high,low,andpossiblyjackorgame.Thefirstplayertoreachatotalof7points(oranyotherspecifiedtotal)becomesthewinner.Thisisstillanintriguinggame,eventhoughitrepresentsatransitional

stage.With two players, it gives the opponent an opportunity to balk astronger hand held by the dealer; while with seven or eight players, itproduces action at times when mediocre holdings might lead to asuccessionof“passed”dealsintheauctionversion.Most interesting is the fact that the player making the “pitch” can

occasionally win all four points with a single card; namely, the jack oftrump,ifneitherhenoranyotherplayerholdsanothertrumporcountercard.Inthatcase,theleadbecomeshigh,low,jack,andgame.Withonlytwo players, this becomes a well-calculated risk on the part of theopponent.

PIVOTBRIDGE:Aformofpartybridgeinwhichplayerschangeseatsaftereachrubbersothatpartnershipsareequalized.SeeContractBridge, thispage.

PLACEPOKERandPLACEANDSHOW:Seethispage.

PLAFOND: A French game similar toAuction Bridge, this page, but withspecialfeaturesthatwereutilizedinthetransitiontoContractBridge,thispage,whichlatersupplantedit.

PLAYORPAY:Aname applied to an early and simple formofFan-Tan,this page, withwhich it is often identified. From three to seven playerscontribute equally to apool and aredealt cards singly froma fifty-two-cardpackuntilallaredealt.Playeratdealer’sleftplaysanycardfaceup,andheorothersaddcardsofthesamesuitinascendingorder,as 6,7,8,

9,10,J,Q,K,A,2,3,4,5;andwhoeverplaysthefinalcardbeginsanothersuit, with any card he wants, on the same ascending scale. Any playerunable toplay in turnmust addonechip to thepool,whichgoes to thefirstplayerwhogetsridofallhiscards,exactlyasinfan-tan.

PLUSORMINUS:Agameplayed likeDrawPoker butwithhandsvaluedaccordingtothespotsonthecards,ace 1;two 2,etc.,withfacecards(J,Q,K)at10each.Redcardscountplusandblackcardsminus.Eachplayeris dealt five cards and can discard any number, drawing others instead.Thehandwiththehighestplustotalwins,unlessthegameisplayedwithhighandlowsplittingthepot,whichisusuallypreferred.Eitherformcanbecalledforin“dealer’schoice.”SeeDrawPoker,thispage.

POCHEN: An old-time game with a thirty-two-card pack (aces down tosevens)andalayoutwitheightsectionsmarkedA,K,Q,J,10,marriage,sequence, and pochen, which is a central section termed “poche” or“pool.”Eachplayerputsachip ineachsectionand isdealta face-downhand, consisting of nine cardswith three players; seven cardswith fourplayers; six cardswith five players; five cardswith six players. Thenextcardisturneduptosignifythetrumpsuit.Playersthencollectfromthelayoutautomaticallyasfollows:Anyhigh

trump, as ace, king, queen, jack, ten, wins from A, K, Q, J, 10,respectively;andaplayerholdingbothkingandqueenof trumpcollectsfromthe“marriage”section.Sequencesofthreeormorecardsofasinglesuit are next shown, and the player with the longest collects from the“sequence”section.(ThusJ,10,9,8,7wouldwinoverA,K,Q,J.)Withsequencesofthesamelength,thehighestwins.(ThusK,Q,JwouldbeatQ,J,10,whichinturnwouldbeatJ,10,9.)Next, high hands are shown as in poker, four of a kind outranking

threes,whichinturnoutrankapair.Hereagainthehighestbreaksatie(asJ–J–Jbeating10–10–10,or9–9beating8–8),andthewinnertakesthepool.Thehandsareplayedout,withtheplayeratthedealer’sleftleadinganycard(as 9)andtherestfollowingsuitinascendingorder(as 10,J,Q,K,A)untilplay in that suit is stopped,when theplayer can leadanyothercard.During thatprocedure,anyoneunable toplaysimply letshisturngoby.Thefirstplayertodisposeofhisentirehandcollectsachipforeachcardremaininginanopponent’shand.

Whenahighcardisturnedupastrump,orifahightrumphappenstoremain undealt, no one collects from that section, so the chips remainthereforthenextdeal,whichismadebytheplayerontheoriginaldealer’sleft. The same applies when there is no “marriage” or a winning“sequence,”thoughwithtiedsequences(as J,10,9,8and J,10,9,8),theplayersdividethatsection,theonenearestthedealer’s left takinganoddchip.Byagreement, thedealmaybe limitedtoaspecifiednumberofcards,

usuallyfivetoeachplayer,regardlessofhowmanyareinthegame.Also,the handsmay be played out as tricks, each player following suit to thefirst player’s leadbut passinghis turn if out of suit.High cardwins thetrickandleadstothenext;andtheplayerwhofirstclearshishandcollectsachippercardfromtherest.Foramoremodernversionof thisgame,playedwitha fifty-two-card

pack,seeTripoli,thispage.

POKER: Primarily a simple game, poker through the years has developedmoreelaborateversions,allsuitedtoseriousplay;whilefromthesehavestemmed innumerable offshoots, some with rules as fanciful as theirnames.Thesecanbe readilyunderstoodandappreciated if taken indueorder,fromstandardtypestothosethathavegainedwideacceptanceandfinally listing a grand array that comes under the head of “dealer’schoice,”inwhichalmostanythinggoes.Generally,pokerisplayedwithafifty-two-cardpack,rankingA,K,Q,

J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,theacesometimesbeinglowinsteadofhigh.Suits are important but none takes precedence over the others. Players,usuallyfromthreetosevenbutinsomegamesmore,aredealthandsthatarecustomarilyreducedtofivecardseach.Bettingandsometimesbluffingarefollowedbya“showdown”inwhichallhandsarefullyrevealed;andtheonewith thebestcombinationbecomes thewinner,according to thefollowingtableofstandardpokerhands,giveninorderfromhighestdowntolowest:

Examplesofpokerhands

Examplesofpokerhands

Examplesofpokerhands

Examplesofpokerhands

ROYALFLUSH:Thefivehighestcardsinonesuit,as:

A K Q J 10

This can be tied by a similar hand in another suit. It is sometimestermeda“royalstraightflush”toidentifyitasthehighesthandinthenextgroup,namely:STRAIGHTFLUSH:Asequenceofanyfivecardsinonesuit,as:

J10987or 5432A

Insuchhands,thetopcardofthesequencegivesoneanadvantageoveranother,asa“jackhigh”over“tenhigh,”andsoondownto“fivehigh,”in which an ace serves as lowest card. If the top cards are the same invalue,thenexthighestisthetiebreaker,andsoon.Onlyidenticalhandsaretiesandshareequally.

FOUROFAKIND:Fourcardsofthesamevalue,withanextra:

A A A A 5or 3 3 3 3 9

Withtwosuchhands,thehighestsetoffourswins.

FULLHOUSE:Threecardsofonevalue;twoofanother:

9 9 9 6 6or 7 7 7 K K

Thehigherthetrio,thehigherthe“fullhouse,”whichisalsotermeda“fullhand”orbyitstrio,as“acesfull,”thehighestinthiscategory(A–A–A–J–J). In the examples, 9–9–9–6–6 beats 7–7–7–K–K, as the kingsaremerelysecondary.FLUSH:Fivecardsofthesamesuit,notinsequence,as:

A8532or QJ986or Q10986or Q10985

Thehandwithhighest card takes precedence,with a tie for high, thesecondhighest;thenthird,fourth,orfifth.Aceisalwayshigh.

STRAIGHT:Fivecardsinsequence,ofdifferentsuits,as:

A KQ J 10or 5 43 2 A

Highestisan“acehighstraight,”popularlytermeda“Broadway,”goingdownthescaletoa“fivehigh,”inwhichanaceislowestcard.

THREEOFAKIND:Threecardsofthesamevaluewithtwoextras:

J J J 8 3or 6 6 6 K 10

Aswith“fourofakind,”thehighestsetwins.

TWOPAIR:Twosetsoftwoalikeinvaluewithanextracard:

A A 5 5 10or K K J J 8

Thehandwiththehigherpairwins,“acesup”beating“kingsup.”

Q Q 4 4 6or Q Q 3 3 J

However, with top pairs equal (Q–Q), the lower pair denotes thewinninghand,inthiscase4–4takingprecedenceover3–3.

9 9 7 7 10or 9 9 7 7 5

Withtwopairsequal(9–9,7–7),theextracarddecides,thehandwiththe 10beatingtheonewiththe 5.

ONEPAIR:Asinglepairalikeinvalue;othercardsdifferent:

J J K 43or J J Q10 6

Witheachpairalike(J–J),thehighestoddcardwins(KbeatsQ).

A A 874or A A 86 5

Witheachpairalike(A–A)andalsothehighestoddcard(8and8),thenext-highestodddecides( 7vs. 6).Ifthosetie,thelowestoddcardmaysometimesdecideas9–9–5–4–3beating9–9–5–4–2.

HIGHCARD:Ahandofmixedsuitsandvalues;nocombinations.

AK Q J9or J 96 53or 75 4 32

These range from highest (A–K–Q–J–9) to lowest (7–5–4–3–2) ofsuchhands.Tiesaredecidedbyhighest,secondhigh, thirdhigh,andsoondown.

Othertypesofcombinationsarepossibleinspecialformsofpokerthatwillbediscussedundertheirrespectiveheads.

STANDARD FORMS OF POKER: Starting from “straight poker,” in which eachplayerwas simplydealt a handof five cards and forced to bluff hiswayfromthenon,variousimprovementswereintroducedtoenliventhegame.Firstandforemostoftheseinnovationswas“drawpoker,”whichbecameso dominant that most persons have come to regard it as the originalgame,althoughittoohasundergonesomedefinitechanges.Itisdescribedhereinmodernform:

DrawPoker:Preferablyplayedbythreetosevenpersons,“draw”utilizesthefifty-two-cardpackasalreadydescribedandvalued.Eachplayerputsupan“ante,”oraspecifiednumberofchips,toformapoolor“pot,”oreachdealer, in turn, puts up an ante for the entire group, which is essentialwhenplaying“dealer’schoice.”Fivecardsaredealtsinglytoeachplayer,andthefirstonthedealer’sleft,afterlookingathishand,hastheprivilegeof“opening”thepotbyaddingoneormorechips.Instead,hemay“pass,”lettingthenextplayeropenifhewants;andsoon.Ifallpass, thehandsare gathered and the deal moves to the dealer’s left, a new ante beingaddedtotheonealreadyinthepot.After one player opens a pot, each in turn may pass, or, in poker

parlance,“drop”bythrowinginhishandfacedown;orhemay“call,”alsotermed“stay,”byputtingupthesamenumberofchips;orhemay“raise,”popularly styled “bump,” by calling and adding some extra chips of hisown.Otherplayers, successively,mustmeet the rise in order to stay, orelsedrop;andanythatstayscanmakeafurtherraise.Thiscontinuesuntilallsurvivingplayershavefinallycalledanyraiseorraises.Nowcomes thedistinctive featureofdrawpoker.Againstartingat the

dealer’sleft,eachplayermaydiscardwhatevercardshedoesnotwant,by

laying them face down and drawing others to replace them. The term“draw” is slightly amisnomer; actually, the fresh cards are dealt by thedealer insteadofbeingdrawnby theplayer, but it amounts to the samethingwhereimprovingthehandsisconcerned.Anotherroundofbettingfollows, exactly like the first but usually with the added proviso that aplayercan“check” insteadofbetting,meaning thatheputs thedecisionup to the next player, who may do the same. When everybody haschecked,betandcalled,ordropped, theactiveplayersshowtheirhandsandthebestwinsthepot.Ifonlyoneplayerremains,nobodybeingwillingtocallhisbet,hewinsautomaticallyanddoesnothavetoshowhishand.

Note:Theplayerwhoopensisfirsttobetafterthedraw.Ifhedrops,thenextplayerbets,andsoon.Somegroupsdonot allowaplayer to check; stillmoregoby the rule

thataplayercannotdrawmorethanthreecards.Mostincludeaso-called“jackpot” ruling, meaning that a player must hold a pair of jacks orsomething better to open the pot originally, though othersmay stay onanything.Aplayerdoesnothavetoopenifhewants;butsometimeswhenhedoes,hemaydecideto“splithisopeners”;forexample,holding KK Q J 10,hemightopenonhispairofkings,thendecidetodiscardoneanddrawasinglecard,hopingthatanAora9willgivehimastraight(A–K–Q–J–10orK–Q–J–10–9).Inthatcase,heshouldkeephisdiscardseparatefromothers,sothathecanlatershowitandprovethatheopenedon“jacksorbetter.”

Five-CardStud:Incontrastto“draw,”inwhichnocardsareseenuntilthe“showdown,”theformofpokerknownas“five-cardstud”seemsvirtuallyagiveaway, thoughsuch isnot thecase.Originally thisgamewasplayedwithout an ante, but one is now customary, particularly in “dealer’schoice.”Aroundofface-downcardsisdealt,thenaroundofcardsfaceup,so

thateachplayerhasa“downcard”andan“upcard.”Eachplayerlooksathis “hole card,” as the “downcard” is termed; and the player with thehighestupcardeitherbetsordrops,byturningdownhisupcard,whichistermed “folding” in stud. Others call, raise, or fold, in turn, until allsurvivorshavecalled.Anotherupcardisthendealttoeachactiveplayer,andanotherroundof

betting follows, beginning with the player who shows the best upcards,

withapairbeingbetterthanjustahighcard.Thisplayermaycheck,bet,ordrop.Athirdupcardisdealttoeachplayerandbetinthesamemanner,this

timebeginningwiththeplayerwhoshowsthethreebest.Finally,afourthupcardisdealtandbetonthesameterms;andafterthefinalcall,theholecardsareturnedupandthebesthandwins.Expertpokerplayersreallygofor thisgame,becauseof the intriguing

situationsitmayproduce,suchastwohands,XandY,shownbelow.Theasterisksareholecardsdealtfacedown.

X: J K J 3Y: Q 9 7 3

Here,PlayerXhasapairofjacksshowing,thatPlayerYcanoutmatchonlybyapairofqueens,whichhemayhavehadtostart.Asitnowstands,X couldhave three jacks,or twopair—askingsover jacks,or jacksoverthrees.Butmeanwhile,Ymayhavebeensittingbackwith Ainthehole,hoping for a pair of aces, or a pair of queens, only to find himself theproud possessor of a flush, running AQ 9 7 3, which beats all ofX’schances.Unfortunately,suchhandsaretoofewandfarbetween;hencefive-card

studbecame tooslow formodernplay.Asa result, thegameunderwentexpansions,thebestofwhichwas:

Six-CardStud:ThisissimplyFive-CardStudwithanaddeddealofaface-downcardandanotherbettinground.Theresult is twoholecards—firstand last—with fourupcards in between.But the important factor is thatthe player is given choice of his five best cards, with the privilege ofdiscardingtheextra.Asaresult,thehiddenpossibilityofthesixthcardistremendous. In the example given under five-card stud, such an extraholecardcouldalmostclinchadiamondflushforPlayerY,yetatthesametimeenablePlayerXtowinwithafullhouse(asK–K–KJ–JorJ–J–JK–K).Butsix-cardstud,muchthoughithasbeenextolledbyveteranpokeraddicts,stillfellshortoftheactionthatmostplayersdemanded.Thathasbeenmetby:

Seven-Card Stud: This spells action from the start, as indicated by itsnickname,“downtheriver.”Eachplayerisdealtthreecardstostart;two

holecards,facedown,andanupcard.Thatlivensthebettingsothatmostplayers are apt to stay, as twohiddencardsmaydomuch toward futureprospects.Theplayerwhohasthehighestupcardstartsthebetting;thenthreemore upcards are dealt to each player,making four in all, with abettingroundoneach;andfinally,anotherholecard,withitsownbettinground.In contrast to the extremely limited prospects at the conclusion of a

five-cardhand, almost anything ispossible after the final cardhasbeendealtinseven-cardstud.Asanexample:

K 6 J 3

Here, the only impossible holding is a flush—or a straight flush—because the four upcards are each of a different suit. But this hand, initself,couldrepresentanythingelsefromapairtofourofakind;andiftheJhappenedtobethe J,itcouldstandforaflush—orevenaroyalflush!

—as well. Sometimes, in contrast, a hand that already looks sure haslimitations,as:

7 Q Q 7

Withtwopairondisplay(Q–Q–7–7)thislooksfineforafullhouse(Q–Q–Q–7–7or7–7–7–Q–Q),or fourofakind (Q–Q–Q–Qor7–7–7–7).Butanythingelseisout.Nostraightispossible,astheQand7aretoofarapart; nor can the player hold a flushwith four different suits showing.Usually,ahandlikethiswindsupnobetterthanitlooks;merelytwopair(Q–Q–7–7).Inbothexamplesgivenabove,therealcluetoaplayer’sholdingsmay

begainedbystudyingtheupcardsofotherhands.Inparticular,whereaQor7 isneeded,onlyfoursuchareavailable( Q, Q, 7, 7),andifallthose were visible elsewhere, the player’s chances would be nil. Sincemanyplayersaremoreaptto“stay”than“drop”duringahandofseven-cardstud,suchsurveysareoftenhighlyproductive.

Eight-CardStud:Thismaybeplayedwiththeseventhcardasanupcardandan eighth card as a hole cardwith an added betting round; or both theseventh and eighth cards may be hole cards, either bet separately ortogether, as agreed upon beforehand. Other variants are also allowable.

Thisgameisgenerallyregardedastooliberalforseriousplay,but itstillhas well-defined limitations and therefore comes within the fringe ofstandardgames.Anythingbeyondit,however,canbeclassedasa“wild”game.

Important Note on Standard Poker: In games involving an unusualnumber of players, thedealermay runout of cards if toomany stay in.The remedy is simple: The dealer gathers any hands that have beendroppedorfolded,shufflesthem,andusesthemastheremainderofthepack.Examples:DrawPokerwitheightplayers,whoaredealtfortycards.Twodropandfourdemandthreecardseach,makingatotaloffifty-two,with two more players to be heard from. Dealer uses the ten cardsbelongingtothefirsttwoplayerstoservethelasttwo.

Seven-CardStudwithnineplayers.Onefoldsafterthethirdcard;anotherafterthefifth.Thereststaythroughthesixth,sothedealerhasdealt3 542 50cards.Thesevenplayers remainingeachwanta seventhcard, sothedealershufflesthetworemainingcardswiththeearlydiscardsandhas2 3 5 10cardsforthefinalround.

BettingLimits: In thevastmajorityofpokergames, specific limits areagreed upon, ranging from “penny ante” to “dollar limit” or higher. In“draw,”therearethreefactors:Theante,theminimumbet,andthelimit;allthesecanbeestablishedasdesired.Thusinthehighlypopularformof“five-tenpoker,”witheachchipworthfiveunits,theantecouldbesetatasinglechip,withabetofonechipandaraiseoftwo.Sometimesthelowerfigure is used to represent the limit before the draw; while the higherfigureappliesafterthedraw.Often,threefiguresmaybenamed,as“Five-ten-twenty-five,”tomeanthataplayermustbetatleastfiveunits,butcanonlygoashighastenbeforethedraw;whileafterthedraw,hisminimumbet would be ten units, but he could go fifteen, twenty, or as high astwenty-five.Summarized, players may decide among themselves what the betting

proceduresandlimitsshouldbe.Thesameappliestostudpoker;butsinceit hasmore betting rounds, the tendency is to keep them all the same,thoughmanygroupsliketodoublethebetsonthefinalcard.Sometimes,ahighanteisadvisable,sinceitencouragesaplayerto“stay”becausehealreadyhassomethingatstake;butthatappliesonlywhenallplayersputupanante,ratherthanthedealeralone.

Bettinglimitsalsofigurestronglyin:

SPECIALFORMSOFPOKER:Manyeffortshavebeenmadetospeedtheactioninpoker by offering more players inducements to “stay” with hands thatwouldordinarilyberegardedasworthless.Byfarthemostpopularofsuchdevicesandperhapsthesoundestis:

High-Low Poker: This differs from standard poker in one very importantrespect, which does not change the comparative values of the game;namely:Insteadofthehighesthandwinningtheentirepot,itsplitsitwiththe lowest hand. Thismay stem from the universal rule that when twohands are tied—as can occasionally happen with flushes, straights, andpairs—the pot is divided; but whatever its origin, once the notion ofsplittinghighandlowwasintroduced,ittookovertostay.Inallformsof“high-low,”handsareratedexactlyasinstandardpoker,

from a royal flush—as A K Q J 10—down to a seven-five high, or“seventy-five,” as 7 5 4 3 2. For clarity, the game will bedescribedon thisbasis;but it shouldbenoted that in fairly recentyearscertain important options have been introduced in regard to low handsandshouldbegivendueconsiderationastheyoccur.Otherwise,thegamefollowsthesegeneralpatterns:

High-LowDraw:TheprocedureisalmostidenticalwithDrawPokerexceptthatmoreplayersstaybecauseofextraobjectives.Asanexample,supposethattwoplayersholdthesehands:

X: J J 7 7 9Y: Q 7 64 2

PlayerXmakestheusualone-carddraw,discardingthe 9inhopeofmakingafullhousewithajackorseven,for“high.”PlayerYdiscardsthe Q and makes a one-card draw, hoping for something lower, which

wouldgivehimagoodhandfor“low.”Evena9oran8mightdo,butofcoursea5ora3wouldalmostbeaclincher.Y’srealworryisthathemay“pair”acardalreadyinhishand,bydrawinga7,6,4,or2.Betterstillarehandslikethefollowing:

X: 8 8 7 6 5

Y: 9653 K

By discarding an eight and making a one-card draw, X may make astraight(9–8–7–6–5or8–7–6–5–4)for“high,”orbydrawinga3or2,comeupwithafairlygoodbidfor“low.”InY’sturn,adiscardofthe Kmightresultindrawingafifthdiamondtoproduceaflushfor“high”oran8, 7, 4, or 2 for a possible “low.” Even a doubtful hand is often worthbetting, because sometimes two or more players may all be going for“high” without the others knowing it, so the worst hand automaticallywins“low”whentheshowdowncomes.Conversely,allcouldbegoingfor“low,”onlytohaveonewin“high.”By the original rules of “high-low draw,” the hands “speak for

themselves”attheshowdown,whichisanoldpokercustom.Theirvaluesarenotedandthepotisdividedbetweentheplayerswiththehighandlowhands; if there is an odd chip, it goes to the playerwith the highhand.This is still a good way to play the game, but in a moremodern form,playersmustdeclarewhethertheyaregoingfor“high”or“low.”Thiscanbeaprogressivedeclaration,beginningwiththelastplayerwhoraisedorbet; but a preferablemode is a simultaneous declaration, with a playersecretlytakingaredchipinhishandfor“high”orawhitechipfor“low.”Fistsareraisedandopenedalltogether,toestablishthechoices.Bettingfollowstheusualprocedure,butwithanaddedproviso:Often,a

playerwithanalmost certain “high”andanotherwithanequally strong“low”willkeepraisingeachotherindefinitely.Athirdplayermaytherebybe“caughtbetween”withonlya fairhand,beingforcedtostay,becausebothhisopponentsmightbegoingfor thesamething—“high”or“low.”So in fairness to such “in-betweeners,” players are allowed only threesuccessiveraisesduringabettinground.

High-LowFive-CardStud:The regulargame,butwithplayersbettingoneither “high” or “low” prospects on each round,with hands decided by“cards speak” or “declarations,” as preferred. It is productive of somesharply competitive results, but some players are often obvious losers.Hence the game often includes a feature termedOption, whereby eachplayer, beginning with the highest hand showing, can discard one cardanddrawanotherinstead;aholecardforaholecard,oranupcardforanupcard, as the case may be, immediately after the final betting round.

Additionaloptionsor“twists”maybeincludedifsoagreed;butalwaysaplayercan“standpat,”keepinghishandintact,ifpreferred.Withasingleoption,thisgameismuchlike:

High-Low Six-Card Stud: This is coming into popularity and wisely so.After five cardshavebeendealt, a sixth is dealt, facedown,with a finalbettinground,asinthestandardgame.Butthatleadsinto:

High-LowSeven-CardStud,mostpopularofall.Exactly likeSeven-CardStud,butgivingtheplayerachoiceoffiveoutofsevenwhenhedeclareshishandaseitherhighorlow.Takethishandasanexample:

PlayerX:( 6)( 3) Q Q 7 8( 4)

Here,aplayercanchoosebetweenadiamondflushfor“high”andaneight-highhandforlow,asfollows:

Q7643or 8 7643

Possible straights also figure heavily in such hands, as with thefollowing:

PlayerY:( 6)( 4) 7 8 10 2( 9)

Fromthese,aplayercouldmakeupeitheraten-highstraightforhigh,oraneight-sevenhandforlow,as:

10 9 8 7 6or 8 7 6 42

Ifplaying“cardsspeak,”eachplayercouldmakeuphisbesthighhandandhisbestlowhand,withtheprospectofwinningwithoneortheother.Example:SinceX’sflushbeatsY’sstraightforhigh,Y formsan8–7–6–4–2 for lowandwins in thatdepartment.Neitherwouldsuffer fromthepresenceofanin-betweener,suchas:

PlayerZ:( 8)( 2) 5 5 5 6( 9)

Thishandwouldsimplyloseeitherway,whenarrangedthus:

5 5 5 9 8or 9 8 652

However,with“declarations,”anewsituationarises.IfXshouldpanicatsightofZ’sthreefives—whichcouldmeanafullhouseorfourofakind—Xmight declare low, likeY, whileZ, knowing his hand looks strong,mightdeclarehigh.Inthatcase,Zwouldwin“high,whileX,whohasthebesthighhand,wouldbebeatenbyYfor“low”(X8–7–6–4–3vs.Y8–7–6–4–2).Conversely,ifbothXandYshoulddecideonhigh—eachthinkingthat

Z had only three of a kind—and Z, feeling they both had him beaten,shouldgoforlow,X’sflushwouldbeatY’sstraightforhigh,andZ’s9–8–6–5–2wouldwinlow,eventhoughXandYbothheldlowerhands.If two hands are tied for either high or low, they simply split that

portionofthepotbetweenthem.Onlyfivecardscanfigureinahand;anyextrasdonotcount.Inbrief,alldecisionsconformcloselytotherulesofstandard poker. However, complexities can develop when a new andhighlypopularfeatureisincluded;namely:

DeclaringBothHighandLow:Here,anyplayerwhosochoosescangofor both high and low either in his proper turn, if declarations areprogressive,orbyholdingabluechipinhisfistiftheyaresimultaneous.Suchaplayermayuseanyfiveofhissevencards toformhishigh, thenuseanyfiveforhislow.Hemustwinbothtotaketheentirepot;iftiedforeitherhighor low,hedivides thatportionwith theplayerwhotiedhim.Butifhemisseseitherhighorlow,heisautomaticallyeliminated;andthecontest is restricted to the other players. If only one player remains, hetakestheentirepot.Incheckingbacktothesamplehandslistedonthispage,thefollowing

resultswouldapply:X declares “high and low.”Y declares high.X wins both as his flush

beatsY’s straight. Z’s declaration does not matter, asX beats him bothways.

Xdeclareshighandlow,Ydeclareslow.XlosesbothasY’s8–7–6–4–2beatsX’s8–7–6–4–3 for low. IfZ declared high, hewouldwin itwiththree fives, sinceX iseliminated.But ifZdeclared low,his9–8–6–5–2wouldbebeatenbyY’s8–7–6–4–3.SinceYisstillinthegame,Zwouldbe eliminated and Y would take the high half of the pot as the onlyremainingplayer.

X and Y each declare high and low, thereby literally canceling eachotherout.So ifZ declared eitherhighor low—butnotboth!—hewouldwinwhicheverhedeclaredandtaketheotherhalfastheonlyremainingplayer,gaining thewholepot.But ifZ alsodeclaredhighand low, therewouldbeatripleelimination.Inthatcase,thehandwouldbesettledona“cardsspeak”basis,withthedeclarationsbeingdisregarded.Similar situations may be decided in much the same manner. Some

groupsagreeuponspecialrulesforspecificcircumstances;butgenerallyitboilsdowntosimpleterms,withlogicthefinalfactor.However,anotherelementhascometotheforeinmodern“seven-cardhigh-low,”namely:TheSwingingOption:Initsmostwidelyacceptedform,thisallowsaces,which are classed as high in a high hand, to be classed as low in a lowhand.Theruleisfair,indeed,becauseaceshavelongbeentreatedashighor low, in straights (as A–K–Q–J–10 or 5–4–3–2–A). Thus the“swingingace”wasintroducedtohigh-lowpokerandisnowpracticallyafixtureofthegame.Itmeanssimplythis:With theswingingace, the lowesthand, insteadofsimplybeing7–5–

4–3–2, includes the following lower hands: 7–5–4–3–A, 7–5–4–2–A,7–5–3–2–A, 7–4–3–2–A, 6–5–4–3–A, 6–5–4–2–A, 6–5–3–2–A,and,lowestofall,6–4–3–2–A.Butitalsoinfluenceshighhands,becauseanacetakesonnewstaturewheretheyareinvolved.Intheolddays,thesetwoholdings, A763or K763,werealmostequalwhengoingforaflush, because each needed a fifth heart to “fill.” But today, if the cardshouldbeanothersuit,thedifferencewouldbegreat:

A763 5wouldbeabeautiful7–6–5–3–Aforlowwhereas K763 5wouldbeanutterbustforeitherhighorlow.Soanaceisavitalcardinthegameasplayedtoday.Hencetheruleoftheswingingaceshouldbedefinitely established before play begins. The same applies to other“swingingoptions”thathavebeenintroducedandshouldbespecifiedasfollows:

A“swingingstraight”—thesamefivecardshighorlow:

7 6 5 4 3or7–6–5–4–3

A“swingingflush,”shownherewithaswingingace,as:

A7532or7–5–3–2–A

Andbestofall,the“swingingstraightflush”:

5432Aor5–4–3–2–AObviously,whenonetypeisallowable,allshouldbe.Thisisparticularly

applicabletothemodernandpopulargameof:

Lowball:WhenHigh-LowPokerwasintroduced,itwasplayedatintervalsbetween standard formswhere the “high hand” alonewaswinner. As anovelty, that procedure was reversed, resulting in occasional games of“low-handpoker”whereonlylowcounted,with7–5–4–3–2asthebesthandinthegame,whichisstillplayableforthosewhowantit.Butfromitdevelopedanewergame,“lowball,”basedonthispremise:In poker, only pairs, triplets, and four of a kind were recognized

originally. Straights and flushes were injected later to increase thepossibilitiesofhighhands.Ingoingfor low,nobodycouldaffordtostayonastraightorflushinagameofhigh-lowdraw,sothosecombinationswere relegated to the limbo from which they had emerged; and theultimate result was “lowball,” in which an ace is always low; and sincestraightsandflushesareignored,thelowestpossiblehandisany5–4–3–2–A,whichistermeda“wheel”or“bicycle.”Lowball is essentially a form of Draw Poker, played exactly like the

standardversionof thatgame,except for theratingof thehands. Itcan,however, be adapted to any other form of the game, particularly Five-Card Stud, in which low hands are ordinarily all too frequent, andtherefore can pep up the play. Many legalized “poker parlors” featurelowball,withhouserulesformingapartofthegame.

Pokerwith theStrippedDeck:Apopularwayof steppingup theaction instandard“high-hand”pokeristostripthelowcardsfromthepack,asthetwos,threes,andeventhefours,ingameswhereonlythreeorfourplayersare involved.WithDraw orFive-Card Stud, this improves the chancesfor high hands, although it greatly alters the usual probabilities towardcertain hands. In “straights” an ace still rates as high or low; thus in aforty-cardpack,theloweststraightwouldbe8–7–6–5–A.

PokerwiththeBug:Thisgameutilizesthestandardfifty-two-cardpackplusajoker,termedthe“bug,”whichservesasanextraaceina“high-hand”game,sothatthejokerandtwoaceswouldrankasA–A–A;whileahand

containing the jokerandandall fouraceswouldbecountedas fiveacesandassuchishigherthanaroyalflush.Thebugcanalsobeusedtofillastraight,suchas:

Qjoker 10 9 8countsasQ–J–10–9–8

Thebugcanalsofillaflush,as:

joker KJ75countsas AKJ75

LowballwiththeBug:Here,thejokeralsocountsasanacetowardlow,butiftheplayeralreadyhasanace,hecangivethebuganyvaluehewants,as:

7 6joker 2 Acountsas7–6–3–2–A

JokerPoker:Originally termed “mistigris,” this game includes the joker asrepresentinganycardthatitsholderwants.HenceitistheforerunnerofWild-Card Poker, which today has spread like wildfire. Since mostmodernpackscontaintwojokers,bothmaybeused.Anyfiveofakind(asjoker6–6–6–6)beatsaroyalflush.

WILD-CARDPOKER: Inthisever-expandingcategoryareall formsofpoker inwhichcertain“wildcards”canbeusedtorepresentothercards,bothrealand imaginary. Thus such a card can belong to a “fifth suit,” giving aplayer“fiveofakind,”ahandthatoutranksaroyalflush.ThishasalreadybeenmentionedunderJokerPoker,butthegamethatreallysetsthepaceforalltofollowis:

DeucesWild:ThismaybeplayedasDraw,anyformofStud,orevenHigh-Low.Eachdeuceiswild,makingthehighesthandfiveaces,as:

2 A A A Aor 2 2 2 2 A

Any variation of deuces and aces counts as A–A–A–A–A; and so ondown,fromK–K–K–K–K to3–3–3–3–3,whichisthelowest“fiveofakind.”Deucescanalsobeusedtocompletea“straightflush,”sothat:

A 2 2 J 2represents AKQJ10

Thesameappliestoa“fullhouse”butwitha“Flush,”anoddsituationmaydevelop.AssumethatPlayersXandYholdthesehands:

X: A 2 874Y: AK874

Thiscouldbeatie:heartflushvs.clubflush(eachA–K–8–7–4).But according to another school of thought, X’s hand would be the

winnerbythisinterpretation:

X: A 2 874represents AA874Y: AK874represents AK874

Bytherulethatawildcardcanrepresentanycard,Xholdsa“double-aceflush,”whichtakesprecedenceoverY’s“ace-kingflush.”This should be agreed upon in advance, as otherwise another rule

wouldtakeprecedence;namely,thata“natural”handwinsovera“wild”hand.Hereisanexample,involvingstraights:

X: J 10 9 8 7 J–10–9–8–7Y: 2 10 9 2 7 J–10–9–8–7

Each is a “jack-high straight,” but PlayerX, with the “natural,” winsoverY’s“wild-cardstraight.”However,amootquestionariseswithlesserhands,as“threeofakind.”Takethesesamples:

X: K K K 9 4 K–K–KY; 2 2 K 9 5 K–K–K

Here,XandYeachhavethreekings,butX’s“naturals”aresupportedbyanineandafour,whereasY’swildholdingisbackedbyanineandafive,makingYthewinner.IfX’s 4hadbeenthe 5,Xwouldhavewonon the strength of naturals over wild cards. Here, again, is a rule thatshouldbeunderstoodbeforehand.Allthisaddsuptothefactthat“deuceswild”isagoodgameinitsown

right.Farfrombeingunpredictable,itcanbeplayedquitescientifically.Aplayer holding all four deuces is a sure winner; a player holding threedeuces is nearly so. Holding just a pair of deuces gives a player anexcellent edge, since he automatically has three of a kind, which is

generally good enough to win. But with only one deuce—or none—aplayer’schancesmaybeshakyunlessheholdsahighstraightoraflush.From “deuces wild” have developed many Wilder games along with

othervariantsthatcomeundertheheadof:

Dealer’sChoice:Thisrepresentspokerinitsultramodernandmostsociableform,inwhichthedealerdecideswhattypeofgameistobeplayedinthenextdealorround,subjecttoanyrestrictionsagreeduponbeforehand.Asaresult,“dealer’schoice”canbelimitedtostandardgames,whereseriouspokeraddicts are concerned,but thegeneralpractice is to let thedealercall for any game he wants and even invent a few variations. Usually,however,itiscustomaryforeachdealertoputupthesameamountasanante;and insomecases,aspecifiedgameshouldbeplayedforanentireround,ratherthanasingledeal,ifthemajorityoftheplayerswantitthatway.These games run the gamut frommere variants of standard games to

thosethatarewildbeyondbelief.Sincemanyreadersmayrecognizemanyofthembyname,ratherthanbytype,theyhavebeenlistedalphabetically,rather than ingroups,withreference to theparentgamesonwhichtheyarebased:

ACEPOTS:RegularDrawPoker,thispage,withacesorbetterasopeners.

ANACONDA:Eachplayerisdealtahandofsevencardsfromwhichhediscardstwo without showing them. Each then lays a card face down; these areturnedupandbetas inFive-CardStud, thispage.This isrepeatedwiththeremainingcards,onebyone,withplayersdroppingiftheythinktheyarebeaten.SimilartoSeven-CardReverse,thispage.

ANACONDAWITHPASSALONG:InthisadditiontoAnaconda,above,eachplayerfirstlaysthreeofhiscardsfacedown;andwhenallareready,eachpasseshistriototheplayeronhisleft,asinthegameofHearts,thispage.Thismaycauseaplayertobreakupa“pathand”orotherwiseupsethisplans.ThegamethenproceedslikesimpleAnaconda,thoughasageneralrule,aplayerisrequiredtoarrangehisfinalfivecardsintheexactorderinwhichhe intends to turn themup.ScrewyLouie, this page, is a similar game;andbothcomeundertheheadofPasstheGarbageorPasstheTrash,thispage.

ANYCARDWILD:UsualDraw,thispage,orStudPoker,startingonthispage,untiltheshowdown,wheneachplayermayuseanycardinhishandasawildcard.Example:

K Q 10 9 6Make 6wildtoformK–Q–J–10–9

ANYSUITWILD:Allthecardsofaspecifiedsuitaredeclaredwild,makingitawildgameindeed.AlsotermedWildSuit,thispage.

ANYTHING OPENS:DrawPoker, this page,with no opening requirement andusuallywiththeprivilegeofenteringthebettingafterapreliminarypass.

ANYVALUEWILD:AnextensionofAnyCardWild,above,withanyextracardsofthesamevalueintheplayer’shandalsobeingclassedaswild.

Example: K J 9 7 7Makesevenswildtoform KQJ109

AROUNDTHEWORLD:Eachplayerisdealtahandoffourcardsandaroundofbettingfollows.Asinglecardisdealtfaceupandregardedaspartofeachplayer’shand.Betting followsand threemorecardsaredealt faceuponthesamebasis,eachwithitsbettinground.Activehandsarethenshownandplayerwith thebest fivecardswins.Similar toSeven-CardMutual,thispage,Omaha,thispage,andHold’Em,thispage.

AUSTRALIAN POKER: Another term forBlind Opening, this page. Also calledEnglishPoker.

AUTOMATIC LOWBALL: Playedwith Jackpots (orAcepots), this page, inDrawPoker,thispage.Ifnooneopens,theplayersretaintheirhandsandplaythemasinLowball,thispage.

BANKNIGHT:High-LowFive-CardStud,thispage,withtworeplacementsortwists, as described underOption, this page, and Five-Card Stud withReplacement,thispage.

BASEBALL:AformofSeven-CardStud,thispage,withthreesandnineswild;butaplayerwhoisdealtathreefaceupmusteitherputchipsinthepotequalingtheamountalreadythereorfoldhishand.Aplayerwhoisdealta

four face up is immediately dealt an extra downcard as a bonus.SometimesplayedHigh-Low,thispage.

BEATYOURNEIGHBOR:Eachplayerisdealtfivecardsinaface-downpacketandcannot look at them. First player turns his top card face up and bettingfollows.Secondplayerturnsupcardsonebyoneuntilhetopsfirstplayerwith a higher card or pair. Third player turns up cards until he showssomethingbetterthanthesecond;andsoon,withbettingfollowingeachplayer’s turn.Anyplayerrunningoutofcardsdropsandthenextplayercontinues.Whenonlyoneplayerremains,hewins.

BEDSPRINGS:Fivecardsaredealttoeachplayer,butnodrawfollows.Instead,tworowsoffivecardsaredealtfacedown.Cardsoftoprowareturneduponebyone,withbettingaftereachturnup;thoseofbottomrowareturneduponthesamebasis,sorowsmightstand:

K 3 9 8 24 4 A Q 6

Eachplayermayaddonecardofthetoprowandthecarddirectlybelowtothe five he already holds, giving him seven from which he chooses hisfinal five, as in High-Low Seven-Card Stud, this page, toward either“high”or“low.”Ifhegoesforbothhighand low(see thispage),hecanusethesametwofromthelayout,oranothertwo,asheprefers.

PlayerA: K K 8 5 4

Choicesfromthelayoutwouldbe Kand 4toward“high”(K–K–K–4–4)with 2and 6toward“low”(8–6–5–4–2).

PlayerB: J 10 7 5 2

Choicewouldbe 8and Qtoward“high”( QJ1085)with 3and4toward“low”(7–5–4–3–2).

BESTFLUSH:Anygameinwhichonlyflushesorpartialflushescount.Handsrankinfollowingorder:royalflush;regularflush;four-flush;three-flush;two cards of one suit. Ties are decidedbyhighest card (or cards) of the

flush;ifstilltied,highestcardinanyothersuitdecides.

BET OR DROP: Draw Poker, this page, with the rule that a player cannot“check”afterthedraw,butmusteitherbetordrop.

BETTYHUTTON:Seven-CardStud,thispage,inwhichfivesandninesarewild.

BIMBO:ApopularnameforDouble-handedHigh-Low,thispage.

BLIND OPENING OR BLIND AND STRADDLE:A formofDrawPoker, this page, inwhichtheplayeratdealer’sleftmustopenthepotwithoutlookingathishand; and the next player must raise under the same condition. AlsoknownasAustralianPokerandEnglishPoker.

BLINDSTUD:AnyformofFive-CardStud,thispage,inwhichnoonelooksataholecarduntilallupcardshavebeenbet.Canalsobeplayedbydealingtheholecardlast.

BLINDTIGER:AnothertermforBlindOpening,above.

BOBTAIL OPENER: Standard Jackpots, this page, butwith a player allowed toopenwith a “bobtail straight,” or four cards in sequence but not of thesame suit; and alsowith the privilege of opening on a “four flush.” SeeFour-FlushStud,thispage.

BOBTAIL STUD: Five-Card Stud, this page, with a bobtail straight rankingabove an ace-high and a four flush ranking above the bobtail. SeeCanadianStud,thispageandFour-FlushStud,thispage.

BUTCHERBOY:Cardsaredealtfaceup,onetoeachplayerinturn,untiloneisduplicated in value. Example: First player, 8; second, J; third, 4;fourth, J.Thelastcardisgiventotheplayerwhohasthatvalue(inthiscase,thesecondplayer)andhestartsaroundofbetting.Thedealisthenresumed,beginningwith theplayerwhostillhasacardduehim(in thiscase the fourth player), andwhen a value is again duplicated, the sameruleapplies.Thiscontinuesuntiloneplayeracquiresallfourcardsofonevalue and wins the pot. Betting rounds can be numerous, hence manyplayersfinditadvisableto“check”or“drop”intheearlystages.

CALIFORNIALOWBALL:AnothernameforLowball.Seethispage.

CANADIANSTUD:Five-CardStud,thispage,withthespecialrulethatabobtailoropen-endstraight(asK–Q–J–10)beatsapair;andthatafourflush(asJ763)beatsafour-straight.SimilartoNewYorkStud,thispage.

CHICAGO:Seven-Card Stud, this page, with the player holding the highestspadesplittingthepotwiththeplayerwhohasthehighesthand.Absenceof high spades among the upcards may encourage players to stay withweakhands.

CINCINNATI:Fivecardsaredealttoeachplayer,asinDrawPoker,thispage,alongwithanextrahandthatremainsfacedown,likea“widow.”Afteraroundofbetting,insteadofadraw,thecardsoftheextrahandareturnedup one by one,with a betting round on each, as those cards are sharedmutuallybyallplayerswhostay.Intheshowdown,eachplayermakesupa five-card hand from his own cards and those on the table; and thehighest hand wins. This game, with slight variants, is also known asLamebrains,Tennessee,andUtah.Italsoformsthebasisforseveralothergames.

CINCINNATI LIZ: Also known as Lamebrain Pete, this is simply Cincinnati,above(orLamebrains)withtheaddedfeaturethatthelowestcardintheface-upcentergroupiswild,asareallothersofitsvalue,includingthoseheldbyindividualplayers.

CLOSED POKER:Any game likeDrawPoker, this page, inwhich eachplayeralone sees his own cards prior to the showdown. The opposite ofOpenPoker,thispage.

COLDHANDS:Eachplayerisdealtfiveface-upcardsandthebestpokerhandwinsthepot.Apurelyautomaticgamedependentonlyonluck.

COLD HANDS WITH DRAW: After cold hands are dealt, each player openlydiscards unwanted cards and calls for others to be dealt face up. Here,judgmentcanbeusedindecidingonthetypeofdraw.Example:Aplayerholding 9 9 8 6 5wouldnormallykeephispair(9–9)anddrawthree cards, hoping to make three nines (9–9–9). But if he sees that

anotherplayeralreadyhas three jacks (J–J–J),hewoulddiscard the 9(or 9)anddrawonecard,hopingforaseven,whichwouldfillhis“insidestraight,”enablinghimtowinwith9–8–7–6–5.

CRISSCROSS:Exactly thesameasCrossOver,below,but thecentercardandanyothersofthesamevaluearewild,whethershowingontheboardorinaplayer’shand.

CROSSOVER:ThisisCincinnati,thispage,withtheextrahandformingacross:

Bettingfollowstheturningupofeachcard,thecentercardbeingturneduplast.Aplayercanonlyaddonecross-rowtohisfivecardsinforminghisfinalhand,thuslimitinghimtoatotalofeightcards,insteadoften,asinCincinnati.SeeCrisscross,above.

CROSSWIDOW:AnameappliedtoCrisscrossorCrossOver,above,sinceeachinvolvesa“widow”offivecardsdealtincrossformation.

DEUCESWILD:Anygameinwhichallfourdeucesarewildcards.Seethispage.

DEUCES WILDER: Games in which deuces and other specific cards are wild,suchas:DeucesandJokerWild,orDeucesandJokersiftwoofthelatterareused;DeucesandOne-eyedJacksWild, thosebeingthe Jand J;also One-eyed King Wild, namely the K; Deuces and Treys Wild,makingeightwildcardsinall;oranyothercardsaschosenbythedealer,onefavoritebeingDeucesandPothooksWild(nines).

DOCTOR PEPPER: Deuces, fours, and tens all wild in Seven-Card Stud, thispage.

DOUBLE-BARRELEDSHOTGUN:AnothernameforTexasTech,thispage.

DOUBLE-HANDEDHIGH-LOW:A formofHigh-LowFive-CardStud, thispage,withtwohandsbeingdealttoeachplayer,whobetsthemseparately,withprivilegeoffoldingoneandcontinuingtoplaytheother.

DOWNTHERIVER:AnothernameforSeven-CardStud,thispage.

DRAWPOKER:Seespecialdescription,thispage.

DYNAMITE: An appropriate name for Two-Card Poker, especially whenplayedwithdeuces(orothercards)wild.Seethispage.

EIGHT-CARDSTUD:Seven-CardStudwithanextracard,asdescribedon thispage. In “dealer’s choice,” the last two are usually hole cards, andwildcardsarefrequentlyspecified.

EIGHTY-EIGHT:Eight-CardStud,above,witheightswild.

ENGLISH POKER: Another name for Blind Opening, this page. Also calledAustralianPoker.

ENGLISH STUD: This is Seven-Card Stud, this page, as widely played inEngland.Eachplayer isdealt twoholecardsandanupcard, followedbytwo upcards singly, with a betting round after each deal, making threeroundsasintheAmericangame.Thencomesthedifference:Toreceivea

sixthandlateraseventhcard,aplayermustdiscardonehealreadyhas.Ifhediscards ahole card,he is dealt a face-down card; for anupcard,hereceives another face up. A betting round follows each deal, and in theshowdowneachplayerhasexactlyfivecards,asinDrawPoker,thispage.

FIERYCROSS:ThisisdealtlikeCrisscross,thispage,butplayedasHigh-Low,thispage,withnowildcards.Aplayercangoforbothhighandlow,usingadifferentcross-rowforeach.

FIVEANDDIME:Seven-CardStud,thispage,withfivesandtenswild.Usuallyplayed in thestepped-upformofWoolworth, thispage.Alsorefers toafreakhandwithatenhighandafivelow.

FIVE-CARD FINAL: Five-Card Stud, this page, with the last card dealt facedown, giving aplayer twohole cards.Maybeplayedwithwild cards, asagreed;orasHigh-Low,thispage.

FIVE-CARDSTUD:Seedescriptiononthispage.Whenplayedas“deuceswild”oranysimilargame,awildcardisthefirsttobet,takingprecedenceoverthehighestcardshowing.Apairofwildcardstakesprecedenceoveranyotherpair;andapairwithonewildcardtakesprecedenceoveranaturalpairofthesamevalue(as2–KoverK–K).

FIVE-CARDSTUD,LASTUPORDOWN:Here,eachplayercancallforhislastcarddown,turninguphisholecardinstead;orhemayhaveitdealtfaceupasusual.Seethispage.

FIVE-CARD STUD WITH REPLACEMENT:Theusual game, thispage,butwith theaddedprivilegeofdiscarding any card anddrawing another in its place;facedowniftheholecardisinvolved,otherwisefaceup.Thisistermeda“twist” and is followed by another betting round. When played High-Low, thispage, thisgame is commonly termedOption.Also seeEnglishStud,thispage.

FLIP:SeeMexicanStud,thispage,andSeven-CardFlip,thispage.

FLIPSTUD:AnothernameforMexicanWild,thispage.

FOOTBALL:AformofSeven-CardStud,thispage,withfoursandsixeswild;withtherulethataplayerdealtafourfaceupmusteitherputchipsinthepot,equalingtheamountalreadythere,orfoldhishand.Aplayerwhoisdealt a two face up is immediately dealt an extra downcard as a bonus.Similar toBaseball, this page, and can be playedHigh-Low, this page,likethatgame.

FOUR-CARD POKER: Either Draw, this page, or Stud, this page, with anyvariants, such as “wild cards” or “high-low,” but with only four cardsdealt to each player.Hands rank in the following order: four of a kind,straightflush,flush,straight,threeofakind,twopair,pair,highcard.InDraw,aplayermaycallforanynumberofcardsuptofour;inStud,thefirstcardiscustomarilyaholecard;therest,upcards.

FOUR-FLUSH OPENER: Standard Jackpots, but with the special privilege ofopeningwitha“four flush” (as Q976 K).SeeBobtailOpener, thispage.

FOUR-FLUSHSTUD:AnytypeofFive-CardStud,thispage,witha“fourflush”ranking above an ace-highhand, but below a pair. SeeCanadianStud,thispage,NewYorkStud,thispage,andBobtailStud,thispage.

FOURFORTY-FOUR:AformofEight-CardStud,thispage,withfourholecards,fourupcards,andallfourswild,alleasilyrememberedbythetitle.

FOURFORTY-TWO:AvariantofFourForty-four,playedthesameway,butwithdeuceswildinsteadoffours.Seeabove.

FREAK HANDS: Any form of pokerwith added action in the form of “freak”combinationsnotincludedinthestandardgame.Alistofthesewiththeircomparativevaluesisgivenonthispage–thispage.

FREEWHEELING:AnothernameforPovertyPoker(thispage).

FREEZEOUT: Special poker games where any player must drop completelyfromplayoncehehasexhaustedhisoriginalsupplyofchips.

GRUESOME TWOSOME:Two-Card Poker, played likeDraw Poker, this page,

butwitheachplayerhavingthreechancestodiscardonecardorstandpat,with a round of betting on each occasion. For rank of hands, seeTwo-CardPoker,thispage.

GUTS: StandardDraw Poker, this page, with a player allowed to open onanything.

HALF-POTLIMIT:Anygameinwhichaplayermaybetuptohalftheamountatpresentinthepot.

HEINZ:Seven-CardStud,thispage,withfivesandsevenswild;butifaplayerisdealtoneasanupcard,hemustcontributeaspecifiedamounttothepotorfoldhishand.SimilartoWoolworth,thispage.

HIGH-LOWPOKER:Seespecialdescriptiononthispage.

HIGHPOKER:Anyformofpokerinwhichonlythehighhandwins.

HIGHSPADESPLIT:Anygameinwhichtheplayerwiththehighesthandsplitsthepotwiththeplayerholdingthehighestspade.InDraw, it isusualto“openonanything”; inFive-CardStud, thevariantcalledMexicanStudenablesaplayertokeephishighspadehidden.InSeven-CardStud,thegameiscalledChicago,thispage.

HILO:AtermforAutomaticLowball,thispage,appliedparticularlytogamesinwhichapairofkingsorbetterisrequiredtoopenon“high”;otherwise,thegamebecomes“lowball.”

HILOPICOLO:TakeItorLeaveIt.Seethispage.

HOKUM: Each player is dealt a face-down card as a start toward a hand ofFive-CardStud,thispage,butisallowedtolookatitbeforereceivingthenextcardfaceup.Ifhewants,hecanturnitfaceupandbedealtthenextcardashisholecard.Bettingand furtherdealsof singleupcards follow,exactlyasinFive-CardStud.Canbeplayedwithfirsttwocardsdealtfacedown, letting the player turn up whichever he chooses, as in MexicanStud,thispage.Therestaredealtfaceupalreadyspecified.

HOLD ’EM:A speeded-upversionofOmaha, thispage.Eachplayer is dealttwoface-downcardsandaroundofbettingfollows;thenthreecardsaredealt face up in the center for another betting round; next, two cardssingly, each with a betting round; so that there are only four bettingroundsinall.

Thecentergroup, termed the“flop,” iscommontoeveryhand.Soare thelasttwocards.

HOLE-CARDSTUD:Eachplayerisdealtaface-downholecard,whichhelooksatandbets,beginningatthedealer’sleft,witheachplayerinturnhavingtherighttocall,raise,ordrop.Anupcardisthendealttoeach,followedby another betting round, beginning with the highest showing, thoughthatplayermaydropifhepleases.Threemoreupcardsaredealtandbetsingly,exactlyas inFive-CardStud, thispage, theonlydifferencebeingthatthisgamehasanearlierorpreliminarybettinground.

HOLLYWOOD: An elaboration ofCincinnati, this page, with ten cards beingdealtonthetableandturnedupsingly,withabettingroundoneach.Allare mutual, giving each player fifteen cards (including his own) fromwhichtoformhishand.

HURRICANE: A popular name for Two-Card Poker, this page. See alsoDynamite,thispage.

JACKPOTS: RegularDrawPoker, this page,with the rule that a playermusthaveapairofjacksorhigherinordertoopenthebetting.Otherwise,thedealmovesalongandthepotremainsintact.

JACKSBACKorJACKSON:ThesameasAutomaticLowball,thispage.

JACKSHIGH:RegularDraw,thispage,orFive-CardStud,thispage,playedasHighPoker,thispage,butwithapairofjacksthehighesthandallowable,anything above that being disqualified, which produces some intriguingsituations.Avalueotherthanjackscanbespecifiedifpreferred.

JOKERPOKER:Anyformofpokerwiththejokerasawildcard.Canbeplayedwithmoderntwo-jokerpackswithbothwild.Seethispage.

KANKAKEE: A game wherein a joker is dealt face up as a wild card foreverybody’shand.Fromthereon,cardsaredealtasinSeven-CardStud,this page, with the usual betting rounds. The player with the best fivecards(countingthewildjoker)isthewinner.

KINGS BACK or KINGSTON: The same as Jacks Back (orAutomatic Lowball)above,exceptthatapairofkings(orbetter)isneededtoopen;otherwisethehandisplayedasLowball,thispage.

KNOCK POKER: A form of Rummy, utilizing Poker combinations (see thispage).Not actually a formofPoker, but allowable as a formofDealer’sChoice,ifallplayersagree.

LALAPALOOZA:Agameinwhichanoddbutfairlycommonhandisgiventoprating—abovearoyalflush—forthefirstplayerwhoisdealtone;butfromthenon,itrevertstoitsusualrank,duringtheremainderofthatsession.

LAMEBRAINPETE:AnothernameforCincinnatiLiz,thispage.

LAMEBRAINS:ApopulartermforCincinnati,thispage,oftenappliedtoanyofitswild-cardvariants.

LAZYLUCY:AnothernameforOne-CardPoker,thispage.

LEFTYLOUIE:Allpicturecardswithfaceslookingtowardtheleftarewild.Anintriguinggame,becausetheportraitsvarywithdifferentmakesofplayingcards.

LEGINPOT:AroundofHighPoker,thispage,inwhichthewinnerofeachpotmustleaveituntilsomeonewinsasecondpotandtherebytakesall.

LOWBALL:Seespecialdescription,thispage.

LOWCARDWILD:Anytypeofgameinwhichaplayer’slowestcardiscountedaswild,alongwithanyothersofthatvaluethathehappenstohold.

LOW ENGLISH STUD:Playedexactly likeEnglishStud, thispage,butwith thelowhandwinninginsteadofthehigh,anacebeingrankedas“low.”Canalso be played with cards ranking as in Lowball, this page, thuseliminatingstraights,flushes,etc.

LOWHOLECARDWILD:StudPoker,thispage,withaplayer’slowestholecardwild,asareanyothercardsofthatvalueinhishand.EspeciallypopularasSeven-CardStud,thispage.

LOWPOKER:Agameinwhichthelowesthandwins,butwithhandsrankedasusual, so that 7–5–4–3–2 was originally the lowest possible. Usuallyplayed with “ace low” so that 6–4–3–2–A is lowest. If straights areeliminated, making 5–4–3–2–A the lowest, the game takes on thecharacterofLowball,thispage.

MAFERGUSON:NicknameforSeven-CardStud,LowUpcardWild,thispage.

MATCH’EM:Five-CardStud,thispage,inwhichaplayer’sholecardbecomeswildifhematchesitinvaluewithanupcard,whichalsobecomeswild,asdo any more of the same value that he holds. Any pair thus matchedautomaticallygivesaplayerthreeofakind.Example:( 7) 9 K 7J=K–K–K.Hencecompetitionisoftenkeentothelastcard.

MEXICANLOWCARD:MexicanStudwithLowCardWild,below.

MEXICANSTUD:Basicallya formofFive-CardStud, thispage, inwhicheachplayerisdealttwocardsfacedownandafterlookingatthemisallowedtoturnupeithercard,keeping theotherashisholecard.Eachsucceedingcardisdealtfacedownwiththesameprivilegeofretainingitasholecardorturningitup,aspreferred.Allturnupsaremadesimultaneouslybytheplayers, so thatnone can changehismindafter another showshis card;hence the game is popularly and appropriately calledFlip.WithSeven-CardStud,itiscalledSeven-CardFlipandisdescribedunderthathead.Seethispage.

MEXICAN STUD WITH LOW CARD WILD:The regular gameuntil thehole card isfinallyshown.Then,eachplayer’slowestcardiswildforhishand,alongwithanymoreof the samevalue thathehappens tohold.Agame filled

withsurprises.

MEXICAN WILD:MexicanStud, thispage,witheachplayer countinghisholecard wild, as well as any others of that value in his hand. This appliesspecifically to the five-cardgamebutcanalsobeusedwithSeven-CardFlip,thispage,thefinalholecardbeingthewildvalue.

MIKE:StudPoker, this page,without anyupcards.Eachplayer is dealt twocards face down, looks at them, and bets, beginning at the dealer’s left.Single cards are then dealt, each followed by a betting round. Can beplayed with any specified number of cards, like various forms of Stud,witheachplayermakinguphisbest five cardhandand showing it afterbetting ends. Can also be played as “high-low,” this page, with playersmakingupseparatehandsfor“high”and“low.”

MISERE:TheEnglishversionofLowball.Seethispage.

MISTIGRIS:TheoldnameforJokerPoker,thispage.

MONTE:AnothernameforThree-CardPoker,thispage.

MORTGAGE: Another name for Leg in Pot, this page, frequently used withSeven-CardStud,thispage,whenplayedonthatbasis.

MUSTACHEDJACKSWILD:SameasOne-eyedJacksWild,thispage,asitreferstothesametwocards( Jand J).Usuallydesignatedas“mustachedjacksand kingswild,”making fivewild cards ( J, J, K, K, K) in thegame.

MUSTACHEDKINGSWILD:Anygameincludingthethreemustachedkings( K,K,and K)aswildcards.

NEWGUINEASTUD:Eachplayerisdealtfourface-downcards,fromwhichhechooses twoand turns themfaceup.Aroundofbetting followsand thegameproceedsas inSeven-CardStud, thispage, twomoreupcardsandanotherholecardalldealtsingly,withabettingroundaftereach.

NEWYORKSTUD:Five-CardStud,thispage,withafourflushrankinghigher

than a pair but below twopair. SeeCanadianStud, this page, a similargame.

NINE-CARDSTUD:Eight-CardStud,thispage,withanaddedholecard,whichmay be dealt singly and bet accordingly, or the last two may be dealttogether.Game shouldbe limited to fiveplayers, and the exactmodeofdealingandbettingshouldbespecified.

NINETY-NINE:Nine-CardStud,above,withnineswild.

NO DRAW:Fivecardsdealt facedown toeachplayer,witha single roundofbettingandapromptshowdown,withoutadraw.

NO LIMIT: Any game in which betting is unlimited. The same as Sky’s theLimit,thispage.

NOLOWCARDS:Five-CardStud, thispage, inwhichaplayermayrejectanyhole card lower than a four and call for another instead, repeating theprocedureifneedbe.Ifagreed,therulemayapplytoupcardsaswell.ItmayalsobeusedwithvariantsofFiveCardStud,suchasCanadianStud,thispage,MexicanStud,thispage,andothers.

OMAHA: A highly popular cross betweenCincinnati, this page, andSeven-Card Stud, this page. Two cards are dealt face down to each player,followedbyabettinground,thenfivecardssinglytothecenter,faceup,each followed by a betting round. Where Cincinnati can accommodatenineplayers (fivecards toeachplus fivecenter cards), thisgamecanbeplayed by as many as twenty-three (two cards to each plus five centercards), though it is seldom that somany participate. For closely relatedgames,seeHold’Em,thispage,andSeven-CardMutual,thispage.

ONE-CARDPOKER:Eachplayer isdealt a single face-downcardandbets thatthehighestwillwin.Canalsobeplayedwithlowtowin;orhigh-lowsplitsthepot.Ace isalwayshighanddeuce low.There isnodraw (ofa singlecard)unlesssospecifiedbythedealer.

ONE-EYED JACKS WILD: Any game inwhich the J and J,which appear inprofile, are classed as wild cards. Sometimes specified asAll One-Eyes

Wild,toincludethe K.

ONE-EYED KING WILD: The K, the only king appearing inprofile, as awildcard.

OPEN POKER: Any game inwhich some of the cards are dealt face up, as invariousformsofStud,thispage,asopposedtoClosedPoker,thispage,inwhichallcardsaredealtfacedown.

OPTION:High-LowFive-CardStud,thispage,witha“twist”orreplacementat the finish—either foraholecardoranupcard—followedbyanaddedbettinground.Thetwist isoptional,hencethename,andsometimesthegame is beefed up further by allowing two twists, each with a bettinground. In that form thegameclosely resemblesEnglishStud, thispage,withwhichitisfrequentlyconfused,thedifferencebeingthatEnglishstudhastwoholecardstostartandisgenerallyplayedfor“high,”likeregularstud,thoughLowEnglishStud,thispage,isalsopopular.

PAFERGUSON:NicknameforSeven-CardStud,LowUpcardWild,thispage,withhighupcardwild.

PASSALONG:Seven-CardStud,HighandLow,thispage,withtheprivilegeofpassing along an upcard on each round, as inPush Poker; but with noexchangeofholecards.

PASSANDBACKIN:Anygameinwhichaplayercanenterabettingroundafterhehaspassed.

PASSOUT:ThesameasBetorDrop,thispage.

PASSTHEGARBAGEorTRASH:Anygameinwhichface-downcardsarepassedtothenextplayer,asAnacondaorScrewyLouie.Seethispageandthispage.

PEDRO:AnothernameforMexicanStud,thispage.

PEEKPOKER:TheearlyformofSeven-CardStud,thispage,inwhichonlythefirst two cards were hole cards, a rule still followed in certain modern

games,asOmaha,thispage.

PEEP AND TURN:Anothername forMexicanSeven-CardStud, this page, orSeven-CardFlip,thispage.

PENNYANTE:Agamecostingonlyacenttoopen,withlimitsproportionatelylow.

PIGINPOKEorWILDWIDOW:DrawPoker,thispage,withanextracardturneduptoestablishallcardsofthatvalueaswildforthatparticulardeal.Theextracarddoesnotfigureintheplay.Thus,ifthe 6shouldbeturnedupasthe“piginpoke,”therewouldbethreewildcardsinthegame: 6, 6,and 6.SeeWildWidow,thispage,foravariation.

PINOCHLEPOKER:PlayedwithaPinochlepack, thispage,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9withall cardsduplicated.Fiveofakind is thehighesthand,andaflushwith two pair takes precedence over a one-pair flush,which ratesaboveanordinaryflush.

PISTOL,PISTOLPETE,orPISTOLSTUD:AllnamesforHole-CardStud,thispage.

PLACEANDSHOW:SimilartoPlacePoker,below,butinthiscasethepotissplitbetween the second-best and the third-best hands, all others beingeliminated.

PLACE POKER: Any type of game with the special rule that the second-besthandwinsthepot,insteadofthebesthand.

POKER SOLITAIRE: Five rows of five cards each are dealt at random; thenrearranged so that each cross-row represents apokerhand rankingas astraightorhigher.Example:

In competition, players can be dealt twenty-five cards each from

differentpacks,andthefirsttocompletealayoutwins.

POTHOOKSWILD:Agamewiththeninesaswildcards.

POTLIMIT:Anygameinwhichthesizeofthepotorpooldeterminesthelimitofanimmediatebet.

POVERTY POKER: A game in which a player is allowed to continue withoutpayingafterlosingallhischips,untilhewinsapotandisthusbackinthegame.Eachplayerbeginswiththesamenumberofchips,ortherulegoesintoeffectafterlosingaspecifiednumber.AlsocalledFreeWheeling.

PRIMERO:AnalmostforgottenSpanishantecedentofpoker,fromwhichbothAmbigu,thispage,andOmbre,thispage,werepartiallyderived.

PROCTERANDGAMBLE:AcrossbetweenCincinnati,thispage,andOption,thispage,inwhicheachplayerisdealtahandoffourcards,thenthreemutualcardsaredealtfacedown.Eachcentercardis“rolled,”orturnedup,andaround of betting follows,making three rounds in all, with the last cardwild,alongwithallothersofitsvalueinaplayer’shandorontheboard.Playerformingthebestfive-cardhandfromhisownandthoseturnedupiswinner.

PROGRESSIVEJACKPOTS:ThisbeginsasJackpots,thispage,withapairofjacksor better to open; but if a deal is passed, a pair of queens becomes theminimum. Another pass boosts it to a pair of kings; then to aces, as inAcepots, thispage,where itnormallystaysuntilapot isopened, thoughbyagreement,twopairmaythenbesetasopeners.Afterapotisopened,therequirementrevertstoapairofjacksonthenextdeal.

PUSHPOKER:AformofFive-CardStud,thispage,butonlythefirstplayerisdealtanupcard,whichhecanpushalongtothenextplayerifhedoesnotwant tokeep it. In thatcasehe isdealtanotherupcard,whichhekeeps.Thesecondplayercandothesame;andsoontothedealer,whocankeepacardpushedtohim,orputitunderthepackanddealhimselfanother.Asecond upcard is dealt to the first player, who again either keeps it orpassesitalong;andsoonwithsuccessiveplayers.Thiscontinueswiththeusualbettingrounds,andafterbettingonthefifthcard,eachplayermay

discardanycard—evenhisholecard—andbedealtanotherinstead,asinSixthCardOptional,thispage.Thereisafinalroundofbetting,thentheshowdown.ThisgameisalsoknownasShove’EmAlongandasTakeItorLeaveIt,

which is usually played as High-Low, this page. Another name isRothschild.Topepupthegame,aruleisgenerallyincludedthatallowsaplayerto

push along any upcard, not just the one dealt to him. As that is anadvantage,itisoftentemperedbyafurtherrule,requiringaplayertoaddachiptothepoteverytimehedecidesto“push”insteadof“keep.”Othervariationsmaybeintroduced.SeePassAlong,thispage.

PUSSYCAT:PushPoker, thispage,playedHigh-Low, thispage,with theslyinclusionofanextracarddealtfacedown,insteadofSixthCardOptional,thispage.This“freeride”notonlycanimproveaplayer’shand,butmayenablehimtogofor“highandlow”insteadofonlyone,inwhichcasehebecomes the cat, while the other players are the mice. Since no playerwantsthatextrasixthcardunlessheneedsit,anotherrulemaybeadded,requiringapaymentinchipsforsuchacard.

QUEENCITYPOKER:AnothernameforCincinnati.Seethispage.

RANGDOODLES:AroundofRoodles,below,afteraspecifiedgoodhand.

RICKEY DE LAET:A formofMexicanStud (thispage),buteachplayer’sholecardiswildinhishand.

ROODLES: Any game in which antes or limits are increased by agreement,sometimesforasinglehand,butmoreoftenforaroundofdealsormore.Thus,aroundofroodlesmayautomatically followanypotwonbyafullhouse; or two rounds after any pot won by four of a kind or better.Sometimesroodlesareintroducedspontaneouslyonanypretextthatwillstepup a slow-movinggame. Itsmore conservative forms arepopularlyknownasRangdoodles,above,orWhangdoodles,thispage.

ROTHSCHILD: Another name for Push Poker, particularly when extrapaymentsaredemandedforeachpush.Seethispage.

ROUND OF JACKS:A gameofDrawPoker, this page, inwhich eachplayer isrequired todealahandof Jackpots, thispage,until anentire roundhasbeendealt.AformofWhangdoodles,thispage.

ROUNDTHECORNER:Agameinwhichanacemaybebothhighandlowwhenforminga straight, as4–3–2–A–K,3–2–A–K–Q,2–A–K–Q–J,whichshouldproperlyberatedinthatorder,allbelow5–4–3–2–A.

ROUNDTHEWORLD:SeeAroundtheWorld,thispage.

SCREWYLOUIE:LikeAnaconda, thispage,withthe“passalong”feature,butonly two cards are passed to the player on the left. Thus each player isdealtfive,passestwo,androllsfive,bettingaftereachturnup,thosebeingmadeinasetorder.Theonlydifferenceisthataplayercanretaina“pathand” (as J–10–9–8–7), which is not possible when three cards arepassedasinanaconda.

SECONDHANDLOW:AnyformofLowPoker,thispage,orLowball,thispage,inwhichthesecond-lowesthandwinsthepotinsteadofthelowest.

SEVEN-CARDFLIP: Inbasic form, this isexactly likeMexicanStud, thispage,butwithsevencardsinsteadoffive.Eachplayerisdealtthreefacedownandkeepstwoasholecards,turningupthethird.Eachsucceedingcardisdealt facedown, againgiving choiceof anyoneout of three to turnup.Last card, however, stays face down, as inSeven-Card Stud, this page.Bettingisthesameasinthatgame.

SEVEN-CARD FLIP,MODERN FORM: This popular version speeds and simplifiesthe action. Each player is dealt four cards face down, flips two, givinghimself two upcards, so the first round of betting involves four cards.ProcedureisthenthesameasSeven-CardStud,thispage,twomorecardsbeingdealt facedownwitha roundofbettingaftereach. If sospecified,the two cards can be flipped singly at the start, with a round of bettingafter each,making the samenumber as in seven-card stud. Eitherway,thegamecanbeplayedhigh-loworwithwildcards.

SEVEN-CARD HOKUM: A name occasionally applied to the modern form ofSeven-CardFlip,seethispage,duetoitssimilaritytoHokum,thispage.

SEVEN-CARD MUTUAL: A fast, practical form of Seven-Card Stud, this page,thatcanaccommodateasmanyasfifteenplayers.Eachisdealttwoface-downhole cards, then a single card is dealt faceup in the center of thetable,servingasamutualupcardforeveryhand.Abettingroundfollows,then three more mutual upcards are dealt, each followed by a bettinground.Finally,eachplayerisdealtaseparatedowncard,givinghimatotalofseven,counting themutuals, fora finalbettinground.Thisgame isasimplification ofCincinnati, this page, but is actuallymore likeSeven-CardStud.SuchgamesasHold’Em,thispage,andOmaha,thispage,arederivedfromit.Thegameissuitedtohigh-lowandwild-cardvariants.

SEVEN-CARDPETE:AtermforSeven-CardStud,thispage,whenplayedwiththesevenswild.

SEVEN-CARD REVERSE: Each player is dealt a hand of seven cards, which heholdsasinDrawPoker,thispage.Eachchoosesonecardandlaysitfacedown.TheseareflippedfaceupandbetsaremadeasinStudPoker,thispage.This continues cardby carduntil the fifth,which is betwhile stillfacedown,exactlylikethefinishofahandofFive-CardStud,thispage.Thefifthcardisthenturneduptodecidethewinninghand,thetwoextracards being discarded. An alternative procedure is to discard the twoextrastostart;thenutilizethefivecardsasdescribed.Asavariant,playersmayberequiredtoarrangetheirfivecardsintheorderinwhichtheyplantoturnthemup,thuspreventinganychangesafterseeinganotherplayer’supcards.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD:Forthebasicgame,seethispage.

SEVEN-CARD STUD, DEUCES WILD: A highly popular game that has become aclassicinitsownright.PlayedexactlylikeSeven-CardStud,thispage,butwitheachdeucerepresentinganything,thegameisrepletewithsurprises,withcomparativelylowhandssometimeswinningunexpectedpots.Itcanbeplayedhigh-low,aswiththestandardgame.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD,HIGHANDLOW:FormofHigh-LowSeven-CardStud, thispage, inwhichaplayer cango forboth,using fiveofhis sevencards toform a high hand, then taking those back and using five of his originalseven to form a low hand. Applicable to most variants of Seven-Card

Stud,thispage.

SEVEN-CARD STUD, LOW CARD WILD: Each player counts his lowest card wildalong with any others of that value in his hand. See this page. Can beplayedwithplayer’sHighCardWild,ifpreferred.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD,LOWESTCARDWILD:Aftertheshowdown,thelowestcardinanybody’shandbecomeswild ineverybody’shand,alongwithallothersofitsvalue.CanbeplayedwithHighestCardWild,ifpreferred.

SEVEN-CARD STUD, LOWEST HOLE CARD WILD: After the showdown, the lowestholecardinplayiswildineverybody’shand,asareallothersofitsvalue.CanbeplayedwithHighestHoleCardWildifpreferred.Seethispage.

SEVEN-CARD STUD, LOW HOLE CARD WILD: Each player counts his lowest holecardwild,alongwithanyothersofthatvalueinhishand.Canbeplayedwithplayer’sHighHoleCardWild,ifpreferred.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD,LOWESTUPCARDWILD:Justbeforetheshowdown,thelowestupcard in any remaining hand becomes wild, along with others of thatvalue in anybody’s hand. Often, only one player has an upcard of thelowest value; if he should fold his hand, cards of that value would nolonger be wild, as the rule would apply to the lowest upcard still ondisplay.After the showdown, all cards of that value are “wild,”whether“up”or“down,”whichmeansthatthiscanbeagrimgame,indeed.ThiscanalsobeplayedwithHighestUpcardWild.

SEVEN-CARD STUD, LOW UPCARD WILD: Each player counts his lowest upcardwild,alongwithanyothersofthatvalueinhishand.This isalsotermedMa Ferguson. It can be played with each player’s High Upcard Wild,whenitbecomesPaFerguson.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD,OPTIONALWILDCARD:Aplayermaydeclareanyofhiscardswildwith others of its value.This canbe restricted to anOptionalHoleCard,thoughofcourseanyupcardofthatvaluewillalsobewild.Alsoitcanberestrictedtoanoptionalupcard, thoughaholecardof thatvaluewillalsobewild.

SEVEN-CARD STUD,WILD VARIANTS: If desired, this game can be played withsome value other than the deuces representingwild cards. (as threes orsevens,etc.).Also,addedvaluesmaybespecified,asOne-eyedJacks,thispage,MustachedKings,thispage,etc.,ortwovaluesmaybespecified,asinFiveandDime,thispage.Othervariantsaregivenbelow.

SEVEN-TOEDPETE:AnothernameforSeven-CardStud,thispage,particularlyapplicablewhenplayedwithDeucesWild,thispage.

SHIFTINGSANDS:AnothernameforMexicanWild,thispage.

SHOTGUN:ThisisDrawPoker,thispage,butwithapauseforabettingroundaftereachplayerhasbeendealtonlythreecards,whichhelooksat.Twomorearedealt,followedbyabettinground.Thentheusualdrawwithitsbetting round and showdown. As a variant, a betting round may beinsertedafterthefourthcard,withanotherafterthefifth.SeeTexasTech,thispage.

SHOVE’EMALONG:PushPoker,thispage,alsotermedTakeItorLeaveIt,thispage.

SHOWDOWNPOKER:StraightPoker, thispage,withoutthedraw.ThesameasNoDraw,thispage,butthetermisalsoappliedtoColdHands,thispage,dealtfaceup.

SIX-CARDSTUD:Five-CardStudwithanextracarddealtasasecondholecard,with the best five cards winning. Often played high-low. See specialdescriptiononthispage.

SIX SIXTY-SIX:Cincinnati, this page, with six cards dealt to each player, sixcardsinthecenter,andsixeswild.

SIXTHCARDOPTIONAL:Five-CardStud,thispage,withtheprivilegeoftakingasixth card in exchange for ahole cardor anupcard from thepack,withanotherbettinground.SeeOption,thispage;alsoPushPoker,thispage.

SIXTY-SIX:Six-CardStud,thispage,withsixeswild.

SKY’STHELIMIT:Agamewithunlimitedbetting.SameasNoLimit,thispage.

SLIPPERYELMER:Five-CardStud,thispage,butbeforetheshowdown,anoddcardisdealtfaceup,asinSpit,seelistingbelow,makingallcardsofthatvaluewild,thoughthecarditselfdoesnotfigureinplay.Thisisfollowedbyanotherbettinground.

SOUTHERNCROSS:AgameoftheCincinnatitype,thispage,playedexactlylikeCross Over, this page, but with nine cards instead of only five, thusenablingaplayertochooseeitheroftwofive-cardcross-rows:

Maybeplayedwithcentercardwild,alongwithanyothersofitsvalue,asin Crisscross, this page. Also can be playedHigh-Low, this page, withplayersgoingforboth.Inallforms,thecentercardisturneduplast.

SPADES AS SPOILERS:Six-,Seven-, orEight-CardStud, thispage,withwildcards(astwosandthrees;orfivesandtens),butifahandcontainsaspade,other thanawildcard,noneof itswildcardscount.Example, inSeven-CardStud,twosandthreeswild:( K)( Q) 3 K 10 2( 10).Thiswouldrateasaroyalflush AKQJ10untiltheseventhcardbutthe 10killsthewildcards,reducingittotwoPair:K–K–10–10.

SPIT:ThesimplifiedtermforSpitintheOcean,whichisdescribednext.

SPITINTHEOCEAN:A“wildgame”thathasbecomestandard,withmanywildergamesdevelopingfromit.Basically,“spit” isa formofDrawPoker, thispage,inwhichonlyfourcardsaredealttoeachplayer,afterwhichanoddcardisdealtfaceuponthetable,torepresentafifthcardineverybody’shand. That card and any others of its value automatically becomewild.Thus,with 8dealtasthecentercard,aplayerholding 8 A 10 4wouldhavethreeaces, intheformof8–8–A.Hecould(a)keepthe 8anddiscardthethreeothercards,hopingtocatchanotherwildeightforasurefourofakindorbetter;(b)hecouldkeepthe 8and A,hopingforfouracesorbetter,bydrawingeitheraneightoranace;or (c)hecoulddiscardonlythe 4,sinceaone-carddrawof 8, 8, K, Q, Jwouldgivehimaroyalflush: AKQJ10.Fiveofakindisthehighesthandinthisgame,anditusuallytakessomethingbetterthanaflushtowinapot.

SPIT,NOCARDWILD:TrulyaconservativedevelopmentofSpit in theOcean,see above, or see above. The loner upcard, though belonging to eachplayer’s hand, is not wild, nor are any other cards wild. Much likestandardDrawPoker,thispage,exceptthataplayerisunabletogetridofthatonemutualcard,muchthoughhemightliketodoso.

SPIT, OTHER VARIANTS: These include the following: (1) The center card iscountedasawildcardforeachhand,butnoothercardsarewild.(2)Thecentercardservesasafifthcardforeachhandbutisnotwild,thoughallothersof itsvalueare. (3)Fivecardsaredealt toeachplayeras inDrawPoker,thispage,whileanextracard,dealtfaceup,establishesallcardsofthat value wild, though it does not form part of any hand. For otherelaborationsofSpitintheOcean,seebelow.

STORMYWEATHER:ThisisSpitintheOcean,thispage,withnowildcards;butthreecardsaredealtfaceupandeachplayercanchoosetheonehewantsaspartofhishand.Asavariant,thecentercardscanbeturnedupsingly,withabettingroundoneach,insteadofsimplyonallthree.Eitherway,adrawfollowsafterthecardsare“rolled,”orturnedup;andthereisafinalbettinground.

STRAIGHT POKER:Originally, thebasicgameofShowdown, thispage,orNoDraw,thispage.GenerallyextendedtoincludeDrawPoker,thispage,inits basic form, later Five-Card Stud, this page, and in many groups,Seven-Card Stud, this page; but always limited to the standard type ofgame,withoutspecialrulesorwildcards.

STRIPPED PACK: Any form ofPoker, this page, with a pack of less than thecustomaryfifty-twocards.

STUDPOKER:VarioustypesofOpenPoker,inwhichsomeofaplayer’scardsare seen by others prior to the Showdown. See special descriptionsbeginningonthispage.

STUD WITH SPIT: SimplySpit in theOcean, thispage, converted fromDrawPoker, this page, to Five-Card Stud, this page. It begins like five-cardstudandstaysthatwayuptothefifthcard,whenalonecardisdealtfaceupinthecenterofthetableasamutualcardforeachplayer’shand.Thatcardiswild,asareanyothersofitsvaluealreadydealt,whichencouragesmanyplayerstostaytotheend.Certainvariantsoffive-cardstudarealsoadaptabletoSpitintheOcean,andviceversa.

SUDDEN DEATH: An appropriate nickname for Five-Card Stud, this page,whenplayedHigh-Low,thispage.

TABLESTAKES:Agameinwhichaplayer’sbetsarelimitedtothechipshehasonthetableatthebeginningofahand.HemayincreasehisstakebeforethenextexceptinFreezeout,thispage.Forspecialbettingprocedure,seeTapOut,below.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT:PushPoker, this page, played asFive-Card Stud, thispage,usuallyasHigh-Low.

TAPOUT:AnygamelikeTableStakes,above,inwhichaplayerrunningshortof chips is allowed to raise or call with whatever he has left. If otherplayers raise, they bet among themselves from that point on, with theplayerwho“tappedout”participatingintheoriginalpot,withachanceofwinning it in the showdown. If he wins, the next best hand takes thesurplus.

TEN-CARDSTUD:LikeNine-CardStud, thispage,butwithanextracard thatmay be dealt down or up, as decided beforehand.Dealer can announceanyothervariations.

TENNESSEE:ThesameasCincinnati,thispage,butinsteadofdealinganextrahand, cards are dealt face up from the top of the pack, with a bettingroundfollowingeach.Oftenplayedwiththelastcardwild,alongwithallothers of its value, either in individual hands or showing on the board.Thisshouldbespecifiedbythedealer.

TENNESSEE JED: Tennessee, above, with “last card wild” automaticallyspecifiedorunderstood.

TENS HIGH: Any form of Poker in which any hand above a pair of tens isdisqualifiedandthehighesthandremaininginplaybecomesthewinner.This produces keen competition where low Pairs are concerned, withplayers“standingpat”withholdingslike8–8–J–10–4and7–7–A–K–3.

TEXASTECH:PlayedlikeShotgun,thispage,untilafterthebettingroundthatfollowsthedraw.Then,insteadofashowdown,eachplayerlayshishandface down and flips or turns one card face up.A betting round follows;then another flip and a betting round; and so on, until only one cardremainsfacedown,likeaholecardinFive-CardStud,thispage.Aftera

final betting round, eachplayer turnsuphishole card todetermine thewinner,orthewinners if thegameisplayedhigh-low.ThisgameisalsoappropriatelyknownasDouble-BarreledShotgun,thispage.

THIRDHANDHIGH:AnyformofPokerinwhichthethirdhighesthandwinsthepot,thetwohigherhandsbeingeliminated.Goodingameswithsevenormoreplayers.

THREE-CARDMONTE:ApopularmisnomerforMonte,thispage,orThree-CardPoker,below.

THREE-CARDPOKER:Draw,thispage,orStud,thispage,withonlythreecardsdealt to each player. Hands rank in the order: straight flush, three of akind, flush, straight,pair,high card. InDraw, aplayermay call for anynumberofcardsuptothree;inStud,thefirstcardisdealtfacedown;thenext two, faceup.OftenplayedasHigh-LowPoker,withothervariantsallowable,asspecified.

THREE FORTY-FIVE: Eight-Card Stud, this page, with three cards dealt facedown,followedbyabettinground;thenfourfaceup,eachfollowedbyabettinground;thanafinalholecard,withitsbettinground;andanyfivespotcountingasawildcard.

THREE OUT OF FIVE: Played like Five-Card Stud, this page, until theshowdown.TheneachplayerthrowsawaytwocardsandthoseremaininginthehandareratedasinThree-CardPoker,thispage.

THREEPAIRHIGH:AgameofSix-,Seven-,orEight-CardStud,thispage–thispage,inwhichaplayermaykeepasixthcardfortheshowdowninordertoformthreepair(as K K 9 9 7 7).Suchahandwinsthepot,even beating five of a kind. Can be played as aLalapalooza, this page,withonlyonesuchhandtoasession.

THREE-TOEDPETE:AnameforeitherThree-CardPoker,thispage,orSeven-CardStud,thispage,withthreeswild.

THROWAWAYTWO:Here,cardsarethrownawaytostart.Eachplayerisdealtaclosedhand of five cards, but instead of drawing, he throws away three

cardsandlaystheothertwofacedownandthegameshiftsfromDrawtoStud,thispage–228.IfFive-orSix-CardStudisdesignated,eachplayerkeepsonecardasaholecardandturnsuptheother,withabettingroundtofollow.IfSeven-orEight-CardStud,botharekeptasholecardsandeachplayerisdealtanupcardtostartthefirstbettinground.Seealsothispage–thispage.

TIGER:AnothernameforBlindOpening,thispage.

TNT: A combination ofTexas Tech, this page, and Seven-Card Stud, thispage. Each player is dealt a closed hand of three cards and a round ofbettingfollows.Foursinglecardsarethendealtfacedown,eachfollowedbyabettinground.Twocardsarediscardedandfouroftheremainingfiveare flipped or turned up singly, eachwith a betting round, endingwithfourupcardsandaholecard,asinTexastech.

TWIN BEDS: Dealt like Bedsprings, this page, but cards are turned upalternately in top and bottom row, with a betting round after each. Informing hands for “high” or “low,” a playermay choose those from anentire cross-row togowithhisownholdings, thusgivinghim ten cardsfromwhichtopickeachhand.Asaresult, thehandsrunmuchstrongerthaninbedsprings.

TWINBEDSWILD:Inthisversion,thelastcardturnedupinitsrowiswild;orthelowestcardturnedup;orthelowestcardinaplayer’sownhand.Thepreferred arrangementmust be stated before the deal; and as usual, allcardsofthatvaluebecomewild.Seeabove.

TWO-CARDPOKER:PlayedasDraw,thispage,orStud,thispage,withoneholecardandoneupcard,eachdealtsinglyandfollowedbyabet.Highestpairwins; otherwisehighest card.AsHurricane, it is oftenplayedhigh-low;and as Dynamite, with wild cards. See also Gruesome Twosome, thispage.

UPANDDOWNTHERIVER:ThoughnotaformofPoker,thisgameissometimesintroduced as “dealer’s choice.” It is similar to Put and Take. Seedescriptiononthispage.

UTAH:Practically the sameasCincinnati,witha rowof five“mutual”cardsbeing turnedupsingly,withabettingroundoneach.Sometimesplayedwiththecentercardbeingturneduplast,asawildcard,withallothersofits valuewild.This shouldbe specifiedbeforehand.SeeCincinnati, thispage.

VICE PRESIDENT: Draw Poker, this page, with the second highest handwinningthepot.AformofPlacePoker,thispage.

WHANGDOODLES: The same asRangdoodles, this page, though occasionallylimitedtoasinglehandratherthanaround.

WHISKEYPOKER:Seedescriptiononthispage.Thoughnotactuallyaformofpoker,handsarerankedinthesameorder;hencebyagreement,whiskeypokermaybeintroducedasa“dealer’schoice.”

WILD-CARD POKER: Any formofPoker inwhich certain cards are classed aswild,therebyrepresentinganycardtheholderwants,eventhoughitmayduplicateacardheldbysomeoneelse.Seethispage.

WILDCOURTCARDS:AnyformofPokerwithallkings,queens,andjackswild,makingtwelvewildcardsinall.OthercardsarerankedA,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,withacealsolowinastraight.Highestpossiblehandisfiveaces,with A10987thehigheststraightflush.

WILDFACECARDS:SameasWildCourtCards,above.

WILDSUIT:Anentiresuitisdeclaredwild,andthegameisaccordinglyplayedwith thirteenwild cards.Bymaking thewild suit eitherC,D, orH, thisgamecanbeplayedveryeffectivelywithSpadesasSpoilers,thispage.

WILDWIDOW:DrawPoker,thispage,andavariationofPiginPoke,thispage,withanoddcardturnedfaceupafterthedealtoestablishallcardsofthatvalueaswild,thoughtheturned-upcarddoesnotfigureinplay.Actually,thegameisanextensionofSpitintheOcean,asdescribedundervariantsofSpitonthispage.Theterm“wildwidow”issomewhatofamisnomer,asthesinglecardisunlikeanordinarywidow.

WOOLWORTH: LikeFive andDime, this page, this isSeven-CardStudwithfivesandtenswild,butwiththeaddedfeaturethataplayerwhoreceivesonemusteitherfoldorputfivechipsinthepotforafiveandtenchipsforaten.

XMARKSTHESPOT:Thisis likeCrossOver, thispage,butalsoplayedinwildform like Crisscross, this page. The only difference is that instead offormingacrossthecardsarelaidoutasanX:

A player is dealt five cards of his own and can use any cards from onediagonalrowtoimprovehisfinalhand.

YOUROLLTWO:ThesameasNewGuineaStud,thispage,thenamesignifyingthataplayer“rolls,”orturnsup,twooffourcardsdealttohimasthestartofaspecialformofSeven-CardStud,thispage.

ZEBRAPOKER:AgameofDraw,thispage,inwhichtheonlyhandsthatcountare“zebras,”consistingoffivecardsalternatingincolor(red,black,red,black,red;orblack,red,black,red,black)indescendingvalues,withaceeither high or low (Example: A Q 6 3 A). The zebrawith thehighestcardorcardswinsthepot.Byagreement,aStraightofalternatingcolorscantakeprecedenceoveranyotherhand(Example: 10 9 8 76).

ZOMBIE:Draw Poker, this page, with an extra hand dealt as a zombie, ortemporarily“deadhand.”Anyoneopensandgameproceedsasusualuntiltheshowdown.Then,insteadoftheplayerwiththehighesthandwinningthepot,hemustwaitwhilethesecondbestplayerexchangeshishandforthezombie,whichimmediatelycomestolife.Thesecondplayercandrawtoimprovethezombie;andifitbeatsthehighesthand—withorwithoutadraw—thesecondbestplayerwins.

LISTOFPOKERGAMESPREVIOUSLYDESCRIBEDUNDER“DEALER’SCHOICE”

Acepots Double-BarreledShotgun Hole-CardStud

Anaconda Hollywood

AnacondawithPassAlong

Double-HandedHigh-Low Hurricane

Jackpots

AnyCardWild DowntheRiver JacksBackorJackson

AnySuitWild DrawPoker

AnythingOpens Dynamite JacksHigh

AnyValueWild Eight-CardStud JokerPoker

AroundtheWorld Eighty-Eight Kankakee

AustralianPoker EnglishPoker KingsBackorKingston

AutomaticLowball EnglishStud

BankNight FieryCross KnockPoker

Baseball FiveandDime Lalapalooza

BeatYourNeighbor Five-CardFinal LamebrainPete

Bedsprings Five-CardStud Lamebrains

BestFlush Five-CardStud,LastUporDown LazyLucy

BetorDrop LeftyLouie

BettyHutton Five-CardStudwithReplacement LeginPot

Bimbo Lowball

BlindOpeningorBlindandStraddle Flip LowCardWild

FlipStud LowEnglishStud

BlindStud Football LowHoleCardWild

BlindTiger Four-CardPoker LowPoker

BobtailOpener Four-flushOpener MaFerguson

BobtailStud Four-flushStud Match’Em

ButcherBoy FourForty-four MexicanLowCard

CaliforniaLowball FourForty-two MexicanStud

CanadianStud FreakHands MexicanStudwithLowCardWild

Chicago FreeWheeling

Cincinnati Freezeout MexicanWild

CincinnatiLiz GruesomeTwosome Mike

ClosedPoker Guts Misere

ColdHandsDraw Half-PotLimit Mistigris

ColdHandswith Heinz Monte

High-LowPoker Mortgage

Crisscross HighPoker MustachedJacksWild

CrossOver HighSpadeSplit MustachedKingsWild

CrossWidow Hilo

DeucesWild HiloPicolo NewGuineaStud

DeucesWilder Hokum NewYorkStud

DoctorPepper Hold’Em Nine-CardStud

Ninety-nine Seven-CardFlip Spit,OtherVariants

NoDraw Seven-CardHokum StormyWeather

NoLimit Seven-CardMutual StraightPoker

NoLowCards Seven-CardPete StrippedPack

Omaha Seven-CardReverse StudPoker

One-CardPoker Seven-CardStud StudwithSpit

One-EyedJacksWild Seven-CardStud,DeucesWild SuddenDeath

One-EyedKingWild TableStakes

OpenPoker Seven-CardStud,HighandLow TakeItorLeaveIt

Option TapOut

PaFerguson Seven-CardStud,LowCardWild Ten-CardStud

PassAlong Tennessee

PassandBackIn Seven-CardStud,LowestCardWild TennesseeJed

PassOut TensHigh

PasstheGarbage Seven-CardStud,LowestHoleCard TexasTech

Pedro ThirdHandHigh

PeekPoker Wild Three-CardMonte

PeepandTurn Seven-CardStud,Low Three-CardPoker

PennyAnte HoleCardWild ThreeForty-five

PiginPoke Seven-CardStud,LowestUpcardWild ThreeOutofFive

PinochlePoker ThreePairHigh

Pistol,PistolPete,orPistolStud

Seven-CardStud,LowUpcardWild Three-ToedPete

ThrowAwayTwo

PlaceandShow Seven-CardStud,OptionalWildCard TNT

OptionalWildCard

PlacePoker TwinBeds

PokerSolitaire SevenCardStud,WildVariants TwinBedsWild

PothooksWild Two-CardPoker

Potlimit Seven-ToedPete UpandDowntheRiver

PovertyPoker ShiftingSands

Primero Shotgun Utah

ProcterandGamble ShoveThemAlong VicePresident

ProgressiveJackpots ShowdownPoker Whangdoodles

PushPoker Six-CardStud WhiskeyPoker

PussyCat SixSixty-six Wild-CardPoker

QueenCityPoker SixthCardOptional WildCourtCards

Rangdoodles Sixty-six WildFaceCards

RickeydeLaet Sky’stheLimit WildSuit

Roodles SlipperyElmer WildWidow

Rothschild SouthernCross Woolworth

RoundofJacks SpadesasSpoilers XMarkstheSpot

RoundtheCorner Spit YouRollTwo

RoundtheWorld SpitintheOcean ZebraPoker

ScrewyLouie Spit,NoCardWild Zombie

SecondHandLow

RANKSOFHANDSINPOKER,INCLUDINGFREAKHANDS

(SeedescriptionsofStandardhands,startingonthispage)Thisincludesstandardhands,wildcardhandsusedinwildcardgames,specialhands,used in specific games, and freak hands, which are either standard incertain limitedcirclesorcanbe introducedasdesired.Theyaregiven indescending order, and starred hands ( ) are sometimes rated higher orlowerthaninthepresentlisting,theirexactevaluationbeingdeterminedbyagreement.

FIVEOFAKIND,withfourwilddeuces: A 2 2 2 2.Thisrepresentsfive aces and, since a wild deuce can be any suit, the hand can beannouncedas A, A, A, A, A,givingittheaddedvalueofaflush,thus beating anyhandwith fewer than fourwild cards, in gameswhereothercardsbesidesdeucesarealsowild.

FIVEOFAKIND,withdeuceswild:Q Q Q 2 2

or 9 9 9 2 2Here,fivequeens,beinghigherthanfivenines,wouldwinthehand.

ROYALFLUSH(royalstraightflush):Seethestandardhands.

STRAIGHTFLUSH:Seethestandardhands.

SKEETFLUSH: 97542or 95432

A freak hand that must contain a 9, 5, and 2 of one suit, with twointerveningcardsofthesamesuit.Insomecircles,onemustbebetweenthe 9 and 7, the other between the 5 and 2, as shown in the upperexample.Suchahandissometimesrankedabovearoyalflush.

SKIPFLUSH: J8642

An alternating sequence consisting of every other card in descendingorder,allofthesamesuit.Withtwosuchhands,theonewiththehigher

sequencewins.

FOURACES(highestfourofakind):A A A A 7

K K K K AA standard hand, once the highest (before the straight flush was

recognized).Fourkingswithanoddace (as shown) is just asgood,as itpreventsanyotherplayerfromholdingfouraces.

BLAZEFOURS:K K K K JQ Q Q Q KJ J J J Q

Afreakhand,regardedasspecialinsomecircles,consistingofallfacecards,hencetheterm“blaze,”butwithfourofakind(kings,queens,orjacks),asshown.Properly,ablazefourshouldrankhigherthanfouraces,asthereareonlytwenty-fourwaysofformingablazefouragainstforty-eightforfouraces.

FOUROFAKIND:Seethestandardhands.

BIGBOBTAILwithpair: QJ109 JQJ109 9

Fourcardstowardastraightflush,withonepairingwiththeoddcard.Ahighersequencewins,butincaseofatie(asshown),thehigherpairisthedecidingfactor.

BIGBOBTAIL:10987 47654 K7654 J

Four cards toward a straight flush, with top card decidingwinner, as“tenhigh”over“sevenhigh,”as shown.Witha tiedsequence, thehandwiththehigheroddcardwins,as Kover J,whenbothsequencesare“sevenhigh.”

BLAZEFULL: K K K Q QJ J J Q Q

Ahandfullof facecards, threeofonekind, twoofanother.With two“blazefulls,”thehighertriowins.

FULLHOUSEORFULLHAND:Seethestandardhands.

FLUSH:Seethestandardhands.

BIGCATORBIGTIGER: K J 10 9 8

Afreakhandofmixedsuitswithkinghigh,eightlow,andthreecardsofinterveningvalues;butalldifferent,nopairs.

LITTLECATORLITTLETIGER: 8 7 5 4 3

A junior edition of “big cat” with eight high and three low, withintermediatecardsofdifferentvalues.

BIGDOG: A K J 10 9

Afreakhandwithacehigh,ninelow,mixedsuits,andnopairs.

LITTLEDOG: 7 5 4 3 2

Afreakhandwithsevenhigh,twolow,mixedsuits,andnopairs.Note:Insomecircles,“bigdog”and“littledog”arerankedabove“bigcat”and “little cat”; hence the comparative rating of such hands should bespecifiedbeforehand.

FIVEANDTENORFIVEANDDIME: 10 9 8 6 5A freakhandwith tenhigh, five low,mixed suits, andnopairs.Note:

Thisissometimesrankedbelowastraight.

STRAIGHT:Seethestandardhands.

ROUNDTHECORNERSTRAIGHT:4 3 2 A K3 2 A K Q2 A K Q J

Thesearespecialhands,allowing theformationof“fourhigh,”“three

high,”and“two-high”straights,byclassingtheaceasbothlowandhighin thesamehand, thusservingasa linkbetweendeuceandking,whichbecomeslowerthantheace.Inclusionofsuchstraightsshouldbeagreeduponbeforehand.

SKIP,SKIPSTRAIGHTORDUTCHSTRAIGHT:

A Q 10 8 69 7 5 3 A

A freak straight composed of alternating values, skipping thosebetween.Thelowest(9–7–5–3–A)issometimescalleda“kilter.”

SKEETORPELTER: 9 8 5 3 2or 9 7 6 5 2

A freak hand of mixed suits, containing a nine, five, two, with anintervening card in each bracket, as shown in the upper example. Thatruleissometimesrelaxed,allowingthetwo“inbetweeners”tobeineitherbracket, as in the lower example. This should be decided uponbeforehand.

KILTERORPELTER: 9 7 6 5 38 6 4 3 2

These terms also denote a freak hand that consists of nothing higherthananineorlowerthanatwo,withmixedsuitsandnosequenceorpairs.Truly a “nothing” hand, which is its great merit, as players stay in thegame, hoping to catch one.With two such kilters in play, thewinner isdecidedonahigh-cardbasis.

STRIPEDSTRAIGHTORZEBRA: J 8 7 5 4

Ahandwithoutapairorbetter,inwhichcolorsalternate,redandblack,orblackandred,indescendingorder.

BLAZETHREES: K K K Q JQ Q Q K J

A freak hand full of picture cards, with three of one kind (as kings,

queens, or jacks) and one each of the other. In case of a tie, thehighervaluewins,as threekingsover threequeens.Thishandshouldproperlyratejustbelowblazefours.

THREEOFAKINDORTRIPLETS:Seethestandardhands.

LITTLEBOBTAIL:

K Q J 10 4or K Q J 9 8

9 8 7 8 3or 9 8 7 A K

A freak hand containing three cards toward a straight flush, rankingfrom“acehigh”downward.Iftied,thehandwithhighestextracardwins,as shown in theupper example,unless onehand contains a pair,whichtakesprecedenceoverahighcard,asinthelowerexample.

FLASH: K 10 7 6JokerQ J 8 6 2

Aspecialhandthatcanbeintroducedwhenplayingwiththejokerasawildcard.Here,thejokerrepresentsa“fifthsuit,”withthe“flash”ahandof fivedifferent suits.Byagreement, the samerulecanbeappliedwhenplaying“deuceswild,”witheachdeuceclassedasafifthsuitcardwhensodesired.

SIMPLEBLAZE: K K J J QQ Q J J K

Afreakhandofpicturecards,formingtwopairswithanoddcard.Withtwo suchhands, the onewith the highest pairwins; or if both have thesame, the next highest wins. Properly, a simple blaze should be rankednextinvaluetoblazethrees.

TWOPAIR:Seethestandardhands.

FOURFLUSHwithpair:Q643 39765 99765 5

Aspecialhandwithfourcardsofonesuitandanoddcardtomakeupapair.Thehandwiththehighestcardinthe“fourflush”wins;iftwohandstie,theonewiththehigherpairiswinner.

FOURFLUSH:K983 JK975 4K975 3

Aspecialhandwithfourcardsofonesuitandanoddcardofanother.Withtwoormoresuchhands,theonewithhighestcardinits“fourflush”wins;ifthosearethesame,thenexthighest;andsoon,down.Iftwo“fourflushes”areidentical,thehandwiththehigheroddcardwins.

FOURSTRAIGHTwithpair: J 10 9 8 9

8 7 6 5 78 7 6 5 5

Aspecialhandwithasequenceoffourcardsinmixedsuits,withanoddcard pairing up. Highest sequence, wins; if two are tied, the hand withhigherpairwins.

FOURSTRAIGHT: K Q J 10 6K Q J 10 4

Aspecialhandwithfourcardsofmixedsuitsinsequence,withanodd,unpairedcard.Highestsequencewins; if tied(asshown), thehigheroddcardmarksthewinninghand.

ONEPAIR:Seethestandardhands.

HIGHCARD:Seethestandardhands.

LOWESTSTANDARDHAND: 7 5 4 3 2

Commonlytermeda“seventy-five,”thisisthelowestpossiblehandin“high-lowpoker,”sincehandsarerankedfromthehighestdown;andthetwoisthelowestvalue.

LOWESTwithswingingace: 6 4 3 2 A

This special hand is allowable by including the “swinging ace” rule,wheretheplayercandeclareanace“low”insteadof“high,”makingthisthelowest“high-low”hand.

WHEELORBICYCLE: 5 4 3 2 Aor 5432A

In the standard game of “lowball” the ace is always low, andcombinations like straights and flushes are ignored; hence5–4–3–2–Abecomesthelowestpossiblehandandthesurewinner!

POKERRUM:AnearlyformofKnockRummy,thispage.

POKERSOLITAIRE:Seethispage.

POLIGNAC: An oldFrench game very similar toHearts, this page, exceptthat players avoid taking jacks instead of hearts. With four players, athirty-two-cardpackisused,eachsuitcustomarilyrankingK,Q,J,A,10,9,8,7.The J,knownas“Polignac,”counts2pointsfortheplayertakingit;other jacks, 1pointeach.Playbeginsatdealer’s leftandplayersmustfollow suit if possible,with thewinnerof each trick leading to thenext.The first to reach10points losesandmustpay thedifference toeachoftheothers.As a special rule, a playermay announce, “Capot” before play starts,

meaningthatheintendstotakeeverytrick.Ifhedoes,5pointsareaddedtoeachoftheotherscores; ifhefails,scoringisthesameasinaregularhand.Withthree,five,orsixplayers,theblacksevensareremovedfromthepacksothatthedealwillcomeoutevenly.Byagreement,cardsmayberankedA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7.ThisgameisalsoknownasFourJacksandQuatreValets.

POLISHBEZIQUE:SeeBezique,thispage.

POLISHRUMMY:Seethispage.

POPEJOAN:AoncepopularbuttransitionalelaborationofMatrimony,thispage,with a special division on the layoutmarked “Pope,” representingthe 9.The 8isfirstremovedfromthepack,forminga“stop,”sothat

the 9canbeplayedonlytowardstartinganewsequence.Othersectionsareincludedfor“boodlecards”ofatrumpsuit(J,Q,K,A),andanextrahand is dealt to providemore stops. From those added features, gameslike New Market, this page, and eventually Michigan, this page, weredeveloped.

POTHOOKSWILD:Seethispage.

POTLIMIT:AformofPoker,thispage,inwhichthesizeofthepotorpooldeterminesthelimitofanimmediatebet.

POUNCE:ApopularnameforDoubleSolitaire,thispage.

POVERTYPOKER:Seethispage.

PREFERENCE:SimplifiedVint, thispage, for threeplayersusinga thirty-two-cardpack,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7indescendingorder.Playerscontribute equally to a pool and each is dealt ten cards with two for a“widow.” Eachmay bid for trump in ascending order of suits: ,guaranteeing to take at least six tricks in the suit named; no-trumpnotincluded. If no one bids, each has one turn to add chips to the pool;whoever puts in the most takes up the widow, discards two cards, andannouncesthetrump.PlayfollowsasinVintorWhist,thispage,butfortricks only. Values are established beforehand for each trick over fivetaken by the bidder, these being scaled according to the trump. Ifsuccessful,thebiddercollectsfromthepool;ifhefallsshort,hemustpayasetpenalty.

PROCTERANDGAMBLE:Seethispage.

PROGRESSIVEBRIDGE:A seriesofbridgegames inwhichplayersmovefrom table to table in progressive order, according to establishedprocedure. Applicable to other games, as Euchre, this page, FiveHundred,thispage,Hearts,thispage,andWhist,thispage.

PROGRESSIVEJACKPOTS:Poker.Seethispage.

PROGRESSIVERUMMY:AnameforContractRummy,thispage.

PUSHPOKER:Seethispage.

PUSSYCAT:Poker.Seethispage.

PUTANDTAKE:Agameforaslargeagroupasnineplayers.Usingafifty-two-card pack, the dealer gives five cards face up to each of the otherplayers. He then turns up a card for himself, say the 5. Every playerholdingacardofthatrankmustpayonechiptothedealer.Heturnsupanother card, calling for two chips from anyone holding a card of thatvalue; then another for three chips; for four chips; then five. Followingthat, the dealer turns up five more cards in succession. A player whomatches the first in value takes one chip from the dealer; two for thesecond;threeforthethird;fourforthefourth;fiveforthefifth.Thesamegame is sometimesplayedona“doubling”schedule,“puts”

and“takes”running1,2,4,8,16.Eitherway,itisoftenusedasa“dealer’schoice”inPoker.

QUADRILLE: A once highly popular French game closely resemblingOmbre,thispage,utilizingthesameforty-cardpack,butwithfourplayersinsteadofonlythree.

QUATREVALETS:AnothernameforPolignac,thispage.

QUEENCITYRUM:PlayedlikeRummy,thispage,withsevencardsdealttoeach player. A player must “go rummy” to “go out,” with or without adiscard;buthe ispaid thepoint valueofhis cards fromeachopponent;nottheotherwayabout.

QUINELLA: A four-pack form ofSamba, this page,with four jokers (212cards)oreightjokers(216cards).Playersaredealtelevencardseach(asinCanasta, thispage,orfifteeneach(as insamba).Amixedcanastascores300;anaturalcanasta,500.Wild-cardmeldsareallowedandcanbebuiltintoan“allwild”canasta,scoring2,000.Sequencescanbemeldedasinsamba,withoutwildcards,scoring2,000foraseven-cardsamba;butthiscanbeextendedtoformaspecialeleven-card“escalera,”scoring3,000.Ajoker has the usual 50-point value, but can be cut to 30 by agreement,whichmaybedesirablewheneightjokersareused.Openingrequirementis 50, going up to 90 at 3,000; and to 120 at 6,000. Game is 10,000points.Variousoptionsmaybeintroducedifdesired.

QUINOLA: A variant of Reversi, this page, in which the J, known as“quinola,”isgivenaspecialvalueasapenaltycard.

QUINZE: A two-player simplification of Blackjack, with 15 as the goalinsteadof21,hencethegameisalsoknownasFifteen.Anacecountsonly1point;othercardsarevaluedaccordingtotheirspots,withfacecards(J,Q,K)10each,asinBlackjack,thispage,orTwenty-one,thispage.Dealergives a face-down card to opponent and one to himself; opponentmaystandorcallformoreface-downcards,onebyone.Dealerdoesthesameandhandsareshown.Playernearest15winsapredeterminedstakeunlesshealonegoesover15,inwhichcaseheloses.Ifcountistied,orbothgoover15,thestakeissimplydoubledforthenexthand.Thedealalternateswitheachhand.

RACEHORSE:AnothernameforAirplane(thispage).

RAILROAD EUCHRE: Partnership Euchre with a variety of options. SeeRailroadEuchre,thispage.

RAMS:Anold-timegameforthreetofiveplayers,usingathirty-two-cardpackinwhicheachsuitoncerankedK,Q,J,A,10,9,8,7;butinmodernplayA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7iscustomary.Thedealerputsfivechipsinapoolanddealsfivecardstoeachplayerusuallydealingtwo,thenthree,orviceversa.Healsodealsanextrahandfacedown,toserveasa“widow,”andturnsupthetopcardofthepacktodesignateatrumpsuit.Theplayeratdealer’sleftmay“pass,”bylayinghishandfacedown;orhemay“play,”eitherwiththehanddealttohimorbylayingitfacedownandtakingupthe“widow”instead.Theremainingplayersmaydecidetopassorplayinturn,butoncethe

widowhasbeentakenup,nofurtherexchangeisallowed.Ifallpassuntiltheplayer justbefore thedealer, thatplayermustplayorpay thedealerfivechips.Ifonlyoneplayerdecidestoplay,thedealermustplayagainsthim;butalwaysthedealercandiscardonecardandtakeuptheturned-uptrumpinstead.The firstplayerwhodecides toplay leadsanycard, and the restmust

followsuitiftheycan;ifnot,theymusttrumpiftheycan;ineithercase,always playing higher, if possible. Highest card of suit led wins unlesstrumped.Winnerof each trick leads to thenext, and for each trickwonthewinnertakesone-fifthofthepool.Anyactiveplayerwhofailstowinatrickmustcontributefivechipstothenextpool;andthedealmovestotheleft,thenewdealerputtinguptheusualfivechips.“GeneralRams”maybeannouncedbyaplayerwhothinkshecanwin

all five tricks. Anywho passed pick up their hands or exchange for thewidowifavailable.Allthenplayagainsttheannouncer,whocollectsfivechips fromeach, plus the pool, if hewins. If he loses, hemust pay fivechips to each player and double the total chips in the pool. The playerannouncing“GeneralRams”leadstothefirsttrick.

RANA:AformofFrog(thispage),playedinMexico.

RANGDOODLES:Poker.Seethispage.

RANTER-GO-ROUND:Afastbutsimplegameplayedbyuptoafewdozenplayerswithafifty-two-cardpack,rankingK,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.Eachisgiventhreecountersandisthendealtasingleface-downcard.The lowest card is a loser and each player, in turn, can say, “Stand,”keeping a card that he thinks is high enough to be safe; or he can say,“Exchange” and pass a low card face down to the player on his left,receivingthatplayer’sface-downcardinreturn.Thiscontinuesaroundtothedealer;ifheisdissatisfiedwithhiscard,hecanreplaceitinthepack,drawinganotherinstead.

Cardsarethenshownandplayerwiththelowestputsacounter intoapool.Thedealmovesonandthegamecontinueswithaplayerdroppingoutafterlosingallhiscounters,untilonlyoneplayerremainsinthegameand wins the pool. In case two or more are tied for low, each loses acounter.Kingsareimmune;anyplayerholdingoneturnsitfaceupandispassedbyintheplay.Thegamemaybeplayedwithminorvariationsandis also known as “chase the ace,” because an ace is chased around thetable.

RAPPOKER:SeeKnockPoker,thispage.

RAZZLEDAZZLE:AnothernameforAuctionCinch.SeeCinch,thispage.

REDANDBLACK:AnameforTrenteetQuarante,thispage.

RED AND BLACK: Each of several players announces a bet of “red” or“black.” Each is dealt five face-up cards, and the dealer pays off if themajority are the colornamed. Ifnot, thedealer collects.With all fiveofonecolor, theamount isdoubled.Thisgamemaybeplayedas“dealer’schoice,”inPoker,thispage.

REDDOG:Abettinggameplayedwithastandardfifty-two-cardpack,witheachsuitvaluedindescendingorder,A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Allplayerscontributeaspecifiednumberofchips toacommonpool,orpot,andfivecardsaredealtfacedowntoeachplayer.Uponlookingathishand,eachplayerinturnbetsfromonechipuptotheentirepotthathishandcontainsacardhigherinvaluethanthetopcardofthepack,andofthesamesuit.

Thedealerturnsupthenextcard,andiftheplayerbeatsit,hetakestheamountofhisbetfromthepot.Ifheloses,hisbetgoesintothepot.Forexample,aplayerholding K, 5, 10, 9, 4,mightbetfivechips.Ifthe 7shouldturnup,theplayerwouldwin;butifthe Jshouldturnup,hewould lose. Inwinning, theplayershowsonly thecard thatbeats theone turnedup by the dealer; if he loses, he throws in his handwithoutshowingit.Despite its simplicity, red dog can build up to high stakes if several

playersinsuccession“betthepot”andlose.Wheneveraplayerwinsapot,allmust contribute to a new pot, so that play can resume. Obviously, ahandwithfouracesisasurewinner;butsomehandswithveryhighcardscanlose,particularlythosethataretotallylackinginonesuit;foranycardof that suit canbeat them.Avariantof reddog isplayedwithonly fourcardsbeingdealttoeachplayer,makingitmoredifficulttoholdawinninghand.Itcanalsobeplayedwithonlythreecardsperplayer,sothata“surewin”handisimpossible.

REDORBLACK:AnothernameforPlusorMinus,thispage.

REVERSI: A forerunner of Hearts, this page, in which players avoidedtakinganytricks,notjustanyhearts,orelsetriedtotakeallthetricks.

RICKEYDELAET:AformofPoker.Seethispage.

ROLLING STONE: Another name for Enflé, this page. Also calledSchwellen.

ROODLES:Poker.Seethispage.

ROTHSCHILD:AformofHigh-LowFive-CardStud.SeeRothschild. thispage.AlsocalledPushPoker,describedonthispage.

ROUGEETNOIR:AnameforTrenteetQuarante,thispage.

ROUNCE: A modernized version of Rams, this page, with three to nineplayersusingafifty-two-cardpack,rankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3, 2. Players are dealt five cards each with six to the widow. Afterexchanginghishandforthewidow,aplayerdiscardsonecard.Trumpis

turnedupasinramsandthefirstplayermayleadanycard;butothersarenot required to play higher or to trump if out of the suit led.However,whoeverwinsthefirst trickmust leada trumptothenext trick ifhehasone.Thereisno“generalcall”asinRams.Inallotherrespects,playisthesame.

ROUNDTHECORNERGIN:SeeGinRummy,thispage.

ROUNDTHECORNERRUMMY:Seethispage.

ROUNDTHEWORLD:AnabbreviatedformofCincinnati,thispage.

ROYAL CASSINO: StandardCassino, this page, but with face cards givennumerical values: jack, 11; queen, 12; king, 13.This allows “building” tothosetotals,exactlyaswithspotcards.Asanoption,anacecanbevaluedat either 1 or 14, thus allowing further builds or combinations. Royalcassinoisalsoplayedwithspecialpackscontainingcardswithelevenandtwelvespots.Inthatcase,facecardsarevalued:jack,13;queen,14;king,15;withanoptionoface,1or16.

ROYALDRAWCASSINO:Royal Cassino playedwith a draw instead of arepeateddeal.SeeDrawCassino,thispage.

ROYALMARRIAGE:AnothernameforBetrothalSolitairethispage.

ROYALSPADECASSINO:AcombinationofSpadeCassino,thispage,andRoyalCassino,thispage,playedwiththerulesofboth.

ROYALTON:A formofAuctionBridgewith special scoring rules.See thispage.

RUBICONBEZIQUE:AmodernformofBeziqueplayedwithadoublepack(128cards)andspecialscoringrules.Seethispage.

RUBICONPIQUET:ThemostpopularformofPiquet,playedonabasisofdeals,ratherthanscore.SeePiquet,thispage.

RUFFSANDHONORS:AnearlyformofWhist,thispage.

RUMMY: One of the most popular of all card games, rummy forms thenucleusformanyothers,whichwillbedescribedundervariousheads,butknowledgeofthebasicgamewillprovehelpfulinunderstandingall.Theplayersnumberfromtwotosix,eachonhisown,utilizingastandardpackoffifty-twocards,valuedindescendingorder:K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.With twoplayers each isdealt ten cards singly, facedown;withthreeor fourplayers, sevencards inclockwiseorder;withmoreplayers,sixcards.Thepackisplacedfacedowninthecenterofthetable,andthetopcardisturnedupbesideittostartadiscardpile.Theplayeratthedealer’sleft(oroppositehimwhenonlytwoareinthe

game)looksathishandanddrawsacardfromthetopofthepack,orfromthediscardpileifheprefers.Headdsthistohishand,whichhearrangestoward the formation of melds composed of three or four of the samevalue(asJ–J–J–J)orsequencesofthreeormorecardsofthesamesuit(as543or QJ10987).Heplacesanysuchgroupsfaceupinfrontof

him, thus “laying down” a meld. Whether or not he melded, he thendiscardsasinglecardfaceuponthediscardpile,thisbeingknownasthe“upcard.”Thenextplayerthendrawsfromthepackortakestheupcard,andlays

downwhatevermeldhecan.He isalsoallowed to“layoff”oneormorecardsonanymeldsmadebythepreviousplayer.Forexample,ifthefirstplayermeldeda“set”composedof 9, 9, 9,thenextplayercouldaddthe 9 for “fournines.”Or, if the first playermelded 7 6 5, thenextcould add 98 to one end and 4 3 to theother,noneof thesebeingsufficient formelds in theirownright.Theplayer thendiscardsand thenexttakeshisturn.Thiscontinuesplayerbyplayeruntilone“goesout”bydisposingofhis

lastcardbymeldingit,layingitoff,ordiscardingit,thusbecomingwinnerofthatdeal.Hethencollectschipsorscorespointsforcardsremainingineach opponent’s hand: 10 for each face card; 1 for each ace; othersaccordingtotheirnumericalvalue.Ifaplayerholdsbackonhismelds,sothathecandisposeofallhiscardsatonce,bygoingoutinasingleturn,he“goesrummy”andcollectsdoublefromeachopponent.That,ofcourse,isa calculated risk,because if someoneelsegoesout in themeantime, theplayer hoping to go rummy must pay for all the cards he holds, eventhoughsomearereadytobemelded.Occasionally, theentirepack isdrawnbeforeanyonegoesout. In that

case, thenextplayermay take the finalupcard, thenturn thewholepileface down as a newpack anddiscard alongside it.Or he can ignore thefinal upcard by turning the pack, drawing the top card, and making adiscardaswiththefirstplay.

SIMPLEVARIANTSOFRUMMY:Specialrulesapplicabletoregulationrummywillbefoundintheformslistedbelow,somebeingusedincombinationwithothers.

BlockRummy: Ingoingout,aplayermust finishwithadiscard.Hencehecannotmeldifdowntotwocards,butcanonlylayoff.Also,iftheentirepackisdrawn,playerscandrawonlyfromthediscard,untilonedeclines;hands are then shown, and the player with the lowest count wins thedifference from each of the others. In case of a tie, winners split theprofits.

BoathouseRummy:Whenever a player takes the upcard from the discardpile,hemustdrawfromthepackaswell;buthecanonlymakeasinglediscard. As an optional rule, the two top cards can be drawn from thediscardpile.Towin,aplayermust“gorummy”bylayingdownhisentirehand;noearliermeldsareallowed.

Call Rummy: If a player inadvertently discards a card that he could have“laidoff”onanexistingmeld,anotherplayercancall,“Rummy!”andlayitoffhimself,thenmakeadiscardfromhisownhand.Playthenresumesin proper order. If two players call, “Rummy” simultaneously, the oneclosertothediscarder’slefttakesprecedence.

High-LowRummy:Regularrummybutwithanacerankinghighaswellaslow,soitcanbeginasequencerunningA–K–Qaswellasoneending3–2–A.Eachacecounts11pointsinsteadofonly1.

One-Meld Rummy: No one is allowed to meld until one player canannounce,“Rummy”andlaydownhisentirehandinmelds,discardinganoddcardifnecessary.Hecollectsthetotalpointsrepresentedbythecardsinhisownmeldfromeachopponent.

Round theCornerRummy:Here, an ace can be both low andhigh in the

samemeld,allowingasequenceof2–A–K,withadditionsateitherend.Anacecounts11pointsasinHigh-LowRummy.

Two-Meld Rummy: The standard game, but no one can “go rummy” bymeldinganentirehand.Topreventthis,aplayermustmakeapreliminarymeld, or lay off, holding back a final meld until his next turn, thuswarningopponentsthattheyhadbettermeldorbecaught.

Wild-CardRummy:Aplayermust“gorummy”bymeldinghisentirehand,asinone-meldrummy,butdeucesare“wildcards”representinganycardtheholderneedstofillasetorsequence.(Thus9–9–2 9–9–9;or6–2–4 6–5–4.) Each deuce counts 25 points and winner collects his totalpointsfromeachopponent.Oneortwojokerscanbeaddedtothepackasadditionalwildcards,ratingasextradeuces.

MICHIGANRUMMY:Anelaborationofrummyinwhichthediscardpileisspreadsothatplayerscankeeptrackofcardstheywant.Aplayermaytakeupanycardbutmustalsotakeupallthoseaboveit;andhemustusethatcardinan immediate meld, either with cards from his hand or from the pile,unlesshecanlayitoffonameldthatsomebodyhasalreadymade.Cardsrankindescendingorder:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,withtheacecounting15pointsexceptinalowsequenceas3–2–A,whenitcountsonly1.Facecardsareworth10each,andallothersarevaluedaccordingtotheirspots.A running score is kept of each player’s meld, and whoever first

disposes of his entire hand becomes the winner. As such, he scoresadditionalpointsforallcardsremaininginthehandsoftheotherplayers.The game proceeds deal by deal until one player’s total passes the 500mark,whenhewinsthegameandcollectsfromeachopponentaccordingtothedifferenceintheirindividualscores.Ifsoagreed,settlementcanbemadeattheendofeachdealinsteadofplayingto500.

PolishRummyisanameappliedtoavariantinwhichaplayercanpickuptheentirediscardpilewheneverhewantstotakeit.Inallforms,ifthepack is exhaustedbefore anyonegoes rummy, thebestplan is to turn itface down and continue.Otherwise, there is nowinner and each playersimplyscores the totalofhismeld lesswhateverpointsareremaining inhishand.

FIVE HUNDRED RUMMY:Knownalso asPinochleRummy, this is an advancedform of Michigan rummy, involving special scoring features. Cards arevaluedaccordingtothesameschedule:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A,withacecounting15points,exceptwhenlowestcardofasequence(as3,2,A)whenitcountsonly1.Facecardsare10each,withothercards

accordingtotheirspots.However,noscoreiskeptduringplay;instead,aplayerkeepshismelds

infrontofhim,andalthoughhecanlayoffonanother’smeld,hemerelyindicatesthathehasdoneso,stillkeepingallhiscardsintact.Ifaplayer“goes rummy,”playendsbefore thepack isexhausted.Eitherway,eachplayer then adds the total of his meld and from that deducts whateverpointshestillhasinhishand.Thusaplayermelding92pointsmighthave61inhand,givinghimagainof31points;oranothermightmeld46pointsandstillhave80inhand,givinghimalossof34points.Suchgainsorlossesaretotaleddealbydeal,withplaycontinuinguntil

one player reaches 500 and becomes the winner, collecting from eachopponentindividuallyaccordingtothedifferenceinthescores.Thegamecan be played by four players, with those seated opposite operating aspartners,keeping theirmelds separatebut combining their scores at theendofeachdeal,untiloneteamreaches500andwins.

PERSIANRUMMY:Originallyknownas“fivehundredjokerrummy,”thisgamegained a new name by getting away from the old scoring method. Itincorporatesthesespecialfeatures:Fourplayersparticipateastwoteamsofpartners,eachbeingdealtseven

cardsfromafifty-six-cardpackthat includesfour jokers,eachvaluedat20points,whiletheothersrank:A,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,withacesvaluedat15each;facecards10;therestaccordingtotheirspots.Notethatanaceishighonly,nothighorlow,asinearliergamesofthistype.The jokers are not wild cards, but simply form a value of their own,enablingthemtobemeldedinsetsofthreeorfour.The gameproceeds as in partnership five hundred rummy,with each

playermelding individually,butwithpartners adding their scores at theendofeachdeal.However,ifasetoffourismeldedintact(as8–8–8–8),itcountsdouble,soplayersgivepreferencetosuchmelds.Ifaplayergoesrummy,endingtheplayforthatdeal,histeamscores25pointsasabonus.Thegameendsaftertwoorthreedeals,whicheverisagreedupon,and

thewinningteamcounts thedifferencebetweenitsscoreandthatof thelosingteamtodeterminethemarginofvictory.Otherwise,therulesoffivehundredrummyprevail.

PINOCHLERUMMY:SeeFiveHundredRummy,thispage.

RUSSIANBANK: A highly popular game resembling double solitaire, thispage, with two players each using a fifty-two-card pack, with each suitrankingA,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K,inascendingorderforbuildingpurposes only. From his shuffled pack, each player deals twelve face-downcards,placing theminapacketathisright toserveashis“stock.”From there he deals a column of four face-up cards toward the otherplayer.Heplaces the remainder ofhis cards facedown at his left ashis“hand.”Thespacebetweenthecolumnsisreservedforbuilding,withacesasbases(seediagramthispage).Whoeverdealsthelowestface-upcardplaysfirst,asPlayerX,theother

beingPlayerY.Ifbotharetiedforlow,thenextlowestcardisthedecider,andsoon.Ifallfourcardsareidenticalinvalue,whoeverdealtthelowestfirstbecomesPlayerX,andplayproceedsasfollows:Ifanace isshowing in the layout,PlayerXmustplace it in thecenter

space, and followbybuildingothersof the same suit if available. In theexamplegiven in thediagram,PlayerXwouldput the A in thecenterandthenbuildthe 2andthe 3uponit.Theplayercanthenmovecardsfrom one layout pile to another, in descending sequence, alternate incolor, as red on black, or black on red.This is optional but it the usualprocedure.Thus,intheexamplegiven,PlayerXwouldputthe Qonthe Kand

the Jonthe Q.Hecouldnotputthe 5onthe 6,astheybothareredandthereforedonotalternateincolor.

PlayerXnextturnsupthetopcardofhisstock.Ifitisanace,hemuststartanotherbase,oracardofanothervaluemustbebuiltonanexistingbase if possible. In the example, if the 4 turned up,X would have tobuild it on the 3. If unable to build,X can add a turned-up card to alayoutsequenceifsuitable(as 10on J),orhecanfillalayoutvacancywith any card that cannot be built, and canmove a suitable layout cardonto it,makinganothervacancy in the layout.Hethenturnsupanothercardfromthestock,treatingitthesameway.Intheexample,therewouldbefivegapstofill,enablingXtoturnupat

least six cards on the stock, but due to builds and moves, he mightcontinuetoturnupcardsonthestockalmostindefinitely.When this good thing comes to an end, Player X is still not fully

frustrated.Henowturnsupthetopcardofhishandandusesitinbuildsormovesifpossible.Ifthisenableshimtousethecardthatisshowingonthestock,hedoesso,andcontinuesturningupthestock,revertingtothehandlater.Whenunable touseacardturneduponthehand,he lays itface up between the hand and the stock, to begin a discard pile, fromwhichnocardcanbeplayed.Histurnendsthere,withthetopcardofthestockfaceup,thetopcardofthehandfacedown,andaface-upcardonthediscardpile.ItisthenPlayerY’sturntogothroughthesameprocedure,butwithan

added privilege.He can “feed” or “load” cards fromhis stock, hand, orfromthelayout,ifavailable,ontoPlayerX’sstockordiscardpile,providedit is the same suit and in sequence, either up or down. As a simpleexample:Xendshisplaywiththe 8showingonhisstockandthe Qon

hisdiscardpile.Yturnsupthe 7onhisstockandpromptlyfeedsitontoX’s 8,thenfeedsthe 6and 5fromthelayout.ThisnotonlyloadsXwith three cardshedoesn’twant; it givesY two vacancies in the layout,whichhecanfillbyturninguphisstock.AssumethatYfinisheshisplayby turning up the K on his hand.He could load it on the Q thatXdiscardedandthenturnupanothercardonhisownhand.Inhisturn,XcansometimesretaliatebyfeedingcardsontoY’sstockor

discard pile. So it goes, turn after turn, and as the game progresses, aplayermayhaveachanceto“unload”fromhisstock.Ifabaseshouldbestartedwiththe Aandfollowedbybuildsof 2, 3, 4,PlayerXwouldbuild 5, 6, 7, 8 fromhis stock, thus getting rid of those surpluscards.Whenaplayerusesuphisentirestock,hesimplyturnsupthetopcard

ofthehandinstead.Whenheusesuphisentirehand,heturnshisentirediscard pile face down and uses it as a new hand. This gives him anopportunitytounloadanycardsthatwerefedtohisdiscardpile.Allthisisinkeepingwithaplayer’smainpurpose;namely,togetridofallhiscardsby building them onto bases, placing them on layout piles, or feedingthemtohisopponent.Theplayerwhodoesthatbecomesthewinner.Scoreforwinningthegameis30points,plus2pointsforeachcardthat

anopponentstill isholdinginhisstock;and1pointforeachcardstill inthe opponent’s hand or discard. If neither player can get rid of all hiscards,thegameisadraw,regardlessofhowfaraheadoneplayermaybe.ThefollowingproceduresgoverntheplayinRussianbank:Aplayermustbuildonabasewheneverpossible; first from the stock

insteadoffromthelayout,ifthereisachoice—asispossibleiftheplayerhasjustbuiltfromhishandtoabase.Also,abuildmustbemadeonabasebeforeplayingontothelayout,ormovingcardsthere,orfeedingcardstotheopponent.Spaces in the layoutmaybe filledeither from the stockorbymoving

theuppermostcardofanother layoutpile intothevacancy.However,allsuch vacancies must be filled before a card is turned up on the hand,unless the stock is exhausted. In that case, the hand serves as the stockandallvacanciesmustbefilledbeforediscardingfromthehand.Ifaplayerviolatesanyofthoserulesorstartsoneplayandswitchesto

another,hisopponentcancall,“Stop!”andbeginhisownturnfromthere.Ifaplayerturnsuptwocardsonhisstockatthesametimeorturnsupa

cardonhishand too soon, the stop rule also applies.However,modernrulesallowaplayertoturnupthetopcardofhisstockbeforeplayingormovingfromthelayout,sincethecardonthestockmightbeplayableonabaseandthereforetakeprecedence.Dedicated devotees of Russian bank are sticklers on the stop rule,

demanding its enforcement on the slightest provocation, which is quitejustifiable, because oversights are common to the game and should bepenalizedaccordingly.Incontrast,minorinfractionscanbeoverlookedifso agreed, but that should be determined beforehand. However, thefollowingrulesarenowgenerallyaccepted:Afterplayingfromhisstock,aplayermayturnupthenextcardbefore

making layoutmoves or any plays from there. This is because that nextcardmayhavesomebearingonthelayoutmoves;andifplayabletoabase,itwilltakeprecedenceoveranythinginvolvingthelayout.Although layout moves are normally optional, the opponent may

demandthattheplayeraddtosequencesinordertoprovideaspacethattheplayermaythenfillfromhisstock;forexample,byputtingalone 8inthelayoutontoa 9.Anopponentmayalsodemandthataplayershiftlayoutcardsinorder

tofreeacardthatisplayableonabase.Supposeabasehasbeenbuiltupto 8,leavingaspaceinthelayout.Thereisalayoutsequencerunning9, 8, 7,andanother, 10, 9.Bymovingthe 7 to thespace, thentransferringthe 8tothe 9,the 9isfreedandbuiltonthe 8.The reason the opponent is allowed to “spell out” such procedures is

that,whenaplayerisfarbehind,hemaytrytoblocktheplayinordertoproduce a drawn game. That is contrary to the philosophy of Russianbank,andbylettingtheopponent“calltheshots”itcanbenullified.Also,therearetimeswhentheopponentissimplycallingattentiontoaseriesofmovesthattheplayerhashonestlyoverlooked.A cardbuiltuponabase canneverbewithdrawn, and aplayer isnot

allowed to take a face-up card from his opponent’s stock, though aftercalling,“Stop,”hecandemandthatitbeplayedtoabasewhereitshouldhave gone. Bymodern rules, no card can be drawn from either discardpile.Ifaplayerwantstolookbackthroughhisdiscardpile,hemaydoso,butmustshowthosecardstohisopponentifthelatterwantstoseethem.

SAMBA:Derivedfromthree-packCanasta,thispage,thisisagamewithitsown distinctive features, from which still other games have beendeveloped.Itrequiresapackof162cards,includingsixjokers,withfourplayers, those seated opposite being teamed as partners. Each is dealtfifteen cards, and play begins at the dealer’s left, following the rules ofcanasta,butwiththeseadditions:In drawing, the player takes two cards from the top of the pack but

discardsonlyoneasanewupcard.Thepot,ordiscardpile,canbetakenuponlybymatchingtheupcardwithanaturalpairfromthehand,unlessthepotisnolongerfrozen.Then,aplayercantakethepotifhecanaddtheupcard to anymeld alreadymadebyhis team, short of a completedcanasta. In forming a mixed canasta, only two wild cards are allowedinsteadoftheusualthree,buttheextracardsinthetriplepackareahelptowardthat.Most important, the game allows a special scoring combination in the

formofsequences,consistingofthreeormorecardsofthesamesuit,as10 9 8 or K Q J 10 9. These are called escaleras, or “ladders”; andthoughwildcardscannotbeincluded,asequenceofseven,as QJ109876,becomesasamba(orcanastaescalera).Nomorecardscanbeaddedtoasamba,butitcarriesabonusof1500,inadditiontothepointvaluesofitscards;andasambaisturnedfacedowntodistinguishitfromacanasta.Goingoutrequirestwocanastas,asambraratinginthatcategory,witha

fixed bonus of 2000, regardless ofwhether a player goes out openly orwith a concealed hand. Game is 10,000 points, and the opening meldrequirementjumpsto150pointsatthe7000level.Redthreescount100eachuptofive; thesixth, ifheldby thesameteam,countsanadditional500.

SARATOGA: A form of Michigan, this page, in which each player putsexactlythesamenumberofchipsoneachpayoffcard,sothatallareequal.

SCHAFKOPF:TheearlyformofSheepshead.Seethispage.

SCHWELLEN:AnothernameforEnflé,thispage.AlsocalledRollingStone.

SCOOP:FromtheItalianScopa,similartoCassino,thispage,usingaforty-cardpack,valuedK 10,Q 9,J 8,7,6,5,4,3,2accordingtotheirspots;

A 1.Withtwoplayers,eachisdealtthreecards,withfourfaceuponthetable.Opponentcantakeupanycardwithoneofthesamevalue(as 8takesup 8).Ifpossible,hecantakeupcardswithoneoftheirtotalvalue(as 2, 2, 3beingtakenupwiththe 7).Buthecannottaketwobuildsasone.Ifunabletotakeupanycards,heputsoneofhisownfaceuponthe table, but if he can takeup all the cards, it is a “scoop.”Theplayermaking the final “take” cangather anyextra cardswith it, but those arenotratedasascoop.Eachplayerthenscores:1pointformostcards;1formostdiamonds;1

fortakingthe 7;1foreachscoop;1forthehighestcountinallfoursuits,ratedthus:Any7 21;a6 18;A 16;a5 15;a4 14;a3 13;a2 12;aK,Q,or J 10.Game is 11points, aplayerdeclaring“out”whenhe reachesthattotal.Scoopcanbeplayedbyfourplayers,asteamsoftwoeach;orbysix,asteamsofthreeeach.

SCOPONE:Scoop (seeabove), for fourplayers,butwith tencardsdealt toeachplayer,sothatthefirstmustbeginbydiscardingonetothetable.Theteamfirstscoring15pointswinsthegame.

SCOTCHWHIST:A fast-movinggameplayedwitha thirty-six-cardpack,thetrumpsuitrankingJ,A,K,Q,10,9,8,7,6andplainsuitsA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6.Withfourplayers,thoseseatedoppositearepartners.Eachis dealt the samenumber of cards, the dealer turns up the final card astrump, then takes it in his hand, play starts at the dealer’s left andproceedsexactlyas inwhist,oneplayergathering the tricks takenbyhisteam.The difference is that tricks do not count in this game. The main

purpose is to take trump honors during play, each counting as follows:jack, 11, ace, 4; king, 3; queen, 2; ten, 10. In addition, the team takingmorethanhalfthecardsscores1pointforeachcardovereighteen.Dealscontinueinrotation,asinwhist,withgamesetat41points.Ifbothteamsgoover,astheyareapttodoonthethirddeal,theycountoutintheorder:Tenoftrump,extracards,A,K,Q,J.Sincetakingthetenisimportant,thegameisalsocalled“catchtheten,”

and itmay be played by three, five, or seven players, each on his own.Withfiveorseven,theoddcardisturnedupastrump,withoutbeingusedinplay.Incountingcards,aplayerscores1pointforanyoverthenumber

dealttohim:Inthree-handed,12;five-handed,7;seven-handed,5.The game can also be played by six players,with two partnerships of

three each or three partnerships of two each. In the variant known asFrenchWhist,thispage,the 10alwayscounts10whetherornotitssuitistrump.

SCREWYLOOEY:Seethispage.

SELLOUT: Known asCommercial Pitch, this is an early form ofAuctionPitch, this page, with the first player selling the bidding privilege toanother,thusaddingpointstowardhisownscore,orretainingthebidbygoingashighasanyone.SeePitch,thispage.

SETBACK:AnothernameforAuctionPitch.SeePitch,thispage.

SETBACKBIDWHIST:Amodeof scoring inBidWhist, describedunderWhist.Seethispage.

SETBACK EUCHRE: A mode of scoring used in Euchre, this page. Eachplayer starts with ten chips and disposes of one each time he makes apoint.If“euchred”hemustaddtwochipstohisquota.Firsttodisposeofallchipsisthewinner.

SEVENANDAHALF:Similar toBlackjack, thispage, thisgame isplayedwith a forty-card pack, with ace up to seven valued according to thenumber of their spots,with face cards (J,Q,K) counting onehalf each.One card is dealt facedown to eachplayer,whomay “stand”or call forfurthercards, tobedealt faceup,onebyone.Theaimis toapproachorreach 7½;without going over that total.A seven and a face card forma“natural7½;,”andtheplayernotonlywinstheamountofhiswager,butgainsthedealaswell,unlessthedealeralsogetsa“natural.”Anatural(as7 Q)beatsanyother7½;(as2 A K 4).Any7½;beatsanylessertotalonwhichaplayermaydecidetostand(asasimple7;orA K 5 6½;).Dealerwinsanyties,asinBlackjack,andcandoublethebetsafterlookingathisface-downcard.Sevenandahalf isalsosimilar toQuinze, thispage, itscountbeingjusthalfthe15usedinthatgame.

SEVEN-CARDgamesofPoker.Thesearetoonumeroustoincludeherebut

areindexedintheGlossary-Index.

SEVEN-CARDFLIP:MexicanStudwithsevencards.Seethispage.

SEVEN-CARDREVERSE:AvariantofSeven-CardStud.Seethispage.

SEVEN-CARDSTUD:AhighlypopularformofPokernowrecognizedasastandardgame.SeethisPage.

SEVENS:AnothernameforFan-TanorCardDominoes.Seethispageandthispage.

SEVEN-TOEDPETE:AnicknameforSeven-CardStud.Seethispage.

SEVENUP: TheAmerican version ofAll fours, this page, a forerunner ofPitch,thispage.

SHAMROCKS:AvariantofTrefoilSolitaire.Seethispage.

SHANGHAIRUMMY:SeeContractRummy,thispage.

SHASTA SAM:California Jack, this page, with drawsmade from a face-downpack.Trumpisdeterminedbycuttingthepackbeforetheshuffle.

SHEEPSHEAD:AgameakintoSkat,thispage,usingthesamethirty-two-cardpack,withthesamevalueforcounters:EachA,11;10,10;K,4;Q,3;J,2.Initsmostpopularform,thegamehasafixedtrumpsuit,runningindescendingorder: Q, Q, Q, Q, J, J, J, J,A,10,K,9,8,7.Plain suits runA, 10,K,9, 8, 7.Threeplayers aredealt ten cards each,withtwofora“widow,”or“blind.”Eachplayer,inturn,hastheprivilegeoftakingupthewidow,discardingtwocardswhichgowithanytrickshetakes,andplayingagainstbothopponents.Playeratdealer’s left leadstothefirsttrick,andothersmustfollowsuitifpossible;otherwisetheymaydiscardorplaytrumpifanordinarysuitwasled.Highestcardofsuitledwins unless trumped, when highest trump wins. Winner of each trickleadstothenext.If the lone player takes more than 60 points, he scores 2 points for

“game.”Ifhetakesinmorethan90points,hescores4fora“schneider.”Ifhetakeseverytrick,hescores6fora“schwarz.”Iftheloneplayertakes

60pointsorless,heissetback2points,unlesshescores30orless,whenhe is set back 4 points;while if he fails to take a trick, he is set back 6points. If all the players refuse to take the widow, the hand is playedwithout it, thewidow cards going to the player taking the final trick. Inthis case, however, they play for “least,” the player taking the fewestpointsscoring2towardgame;or4ifhetakesnopointsatall.Thefirstplayertoreachatotalscoreof10becomesthewinnerunless

somehighertotalisagreeduponbeforehand.Two playersmay be tied for “least”; in that case, whichever took his

final trickbefore theotherbecomesthewinner.Incaseofa triple tie,at40 points each, the dealer is the winner. Another rule provides that aplayertakingnotricksatallscores4points,whileifaplayertakesallthetricks,heissetback4points,andtheothersdonotscore.Anotherandpopularmodeofscoring is toplayaspecifiednumberof

deals,theplayerwiththehighesttotalbecomingthewinner.

FOUR-HANDEDSHEEPSHEAD:With fourplayers,each isdealteightcards,withno widow or blind. The long-accepted rule is to treat each deal as aseparate game,with the player holding the Q automatically becomingthe partner of the holder of the Q, though neither may state that heholds his black queen until he actually plays it.Hence it often becomesgoodpolicyforaplayertoleadhightrumpsassoonaspossibleinordertodeterminewhohispartneris.Ifaplayerholdsbothblackqueens,hemustsayso,andthennamean

aceotherthanthe A,whichisthethirdhighesttrump.Whoeverholdstherequestedacebecomestheplayer’spartner.Inthiscase,althoughtheholderofthe Qand Q isknown,hispartnermustremainsilentuntilhe plays the ace in question. Sometimes a player holds the two blackqueensandallthreenontrumpaces( A, A, A).Whenthatoccurs,hemust state the fact, and the first of the other players to win a trickautomaticallybecomeshispartner.Asinthree-handedgame,theplayeratthedealer’sleftleadstothefirst

trick,enablinghimtoshowablackqueenifhehasone.Byleadingalowtrumpnext,hegiveshispartneranopportunitytorevealhimselfbytakingthe trick with the other black queen. Conversely, an opening lead ofanythingelseusuallymarkstheplayerasamemberoftheopposingteam.Thesimplestmodeofscoringistreateachdealasagameinitself,since

the partners may fluctuate with every deal. For scoring more than 60points,eachmemberof thewinning teamcollectsa specifiednumberofchipsfromoneopponent;formorethan90points,twicethatnumberforschneider; for taking all tricks, three times that number for schwarz.Byagreement,aschwarzcanberatedatfourtimestheordinaryscore.

AUCTION SHEEPSHEAD: In thismodernized form, the partners are permanentandareseatedopposite.Each isallowed topassorbid,beginningat thedealer’s left, usually with a single bid the limit. Each bidder names anumberabove60asthetotalpointshisteamwillguaranteetotake.Iftheteammakesgood,itscoresasinthestandardthree-handgame,beingsetback accordingly if it loses, gamebeing 10points.Or, if preferred, eachdealcanconstituteagame,asinregularpartnership.However, there isno regular trumpsuit in this typeofgame. Instead,

thehighestbidderchooseshistrumpsuit,whichgivesmoreleewaytothebidding.While queens and jacks can head the trump suit, in the orderalready given, a more popular procedure is to demote the queens toordinarystatus,usingonly the jacksas tops.Thus, thetrumpsuitwouldrun J, J, J, J,followedbyA,10,K,Q,9,8,7ofthesuitnamed,withplainsuitsA,10,K,Q,9,8,7.Asacompromise,thetwoblackqueensmayberetainedastoptrumps,

followedbythejacksintheirusualorder,whiletheredqueenseachrankjustbelowthekingintheirrespectivesuits.Inanyoftheseforms,insteadofbidding, theplayerholding thehighest trump—whether Q or J—mustnamethetrumpsuit.Inanothervariant,diamondsarealwaystrumpasintheparentgame,andplaysimplybeginsatthedealer’sleft,withtheteamtakingthemajorityofthe120pointsscoringaccordingly.Incaseofatie,neitherscores.AlltheserepresenttheevolutionoftheoldGermangameofschafkopf

into itsmodern equivalent of sheepshead. The process can be extendedstill further by playing the four-handed partnership game—with orwithout bidding—with a forty-eight-card pinochle pack, containing twocardsofthesamevalueineverysuit,fromacesdowntonines.Ifidenticalcards are played in the same trick—as 10 and 10—the first takesprecedence.Each player is dealt twelve cards, and since the pack contains 240

points, more than 120 are needed for game; and more than 180 for

schneider.Conversely,abidding teamloses if it takes120or less,and isschneidered if it takes 60 or less. In a six-handed game, there are twoteamsof threeplayers, those seatedalternatelybeingpartners; andeachplayerisdealteightcards.With a sixty-four-card bezique pack, containing duplicate cards from

acesdowntosevens,aneight-handedgamecanbeplayed,withtwoteamsoffouralternatingpartners,eachplayerbeingdealteightcards.

FIVE-HANDEDSHEEPSHEAD:Aninterestingcrossbetweenthethree-handedandfour-handedgames,thisisplayedwiththeregularthirty-two-cardpack,with the four queens and four jacks heading the diamonds as thepermanent trump suit. Each player is dealt six cards, with two for a“widow” or “blind,” and each, beginning with the dealer’s left, has thechoice of picking up thewidow or passing it up.Whoever takes it thencalls for an ace in any suit but trump, and the player holding that acebecomeshispartnerforthedeal,identifyinghimselfduringplay.Ifthecallerhasallthreeaces,hesaysso,andthefirstofthethreeother

playerstotakeatrickbecomeshispartner.Thewidowgoeswiththetrickstakenby the temporarypartners,and if theywin, theplayerwhopickedupthewidowcollectschipsfromtwooftheopponents,whilehispartnercollects fromonlyone. If allpass, thegame isplayedat “least”with theplayer scores the fewest points collecting from each of the three others.Theuntouchedwidowgoeswiththelasttrick.Substantially, the rules are those of the three-handed game,with the

provisions simply making it two players against three, instead of oneagainst two. However, a variation may be played without a widow byaddingsixesandfivestothepack,makingfortycardsinall.Eachplayerisdealteightcards,andwhoeverholdsthe QcallsfortheplayerwiththeQashispartner;orwithboththe Qand Qhecallsforanontrumpace,and so on. Those two then play the three others, with the Q playersettlingwithtwoothersandhispartnersettlingwithone.

SHIFTINGSANDS:AformofMexicanStud,thispage.

SHIMMY:AnicknameforChemin-de-Fer.Seethispage.

SHOTGUN:DrawPokerwithextrabettingrounds.Seethispage.

SHOVE’EMALONG:Another termforTakeItorLeaveIt, thispage.SeePushPoker,thispage.

SHOWDOWN POKER: Straight Poker, this page, without the draw. SeeShowdownPoker,thispage.

SIRGARNET:ThisisNapoleon, thispage,withtheadditionofafive-card“widow.”Biddingisasusual,butinmakingthelimitbidoffivefor“Nap,”aplayercanaddthewidowtohishand,discardfive,andplaythosethatremain.Hecollectstheusualtenchipsfromeachopponentifhewins;butifhe loseswith thewidow,hemustpayeach ten insteadofonly five,aswith an ordinary bid of “Nap.” Additional bids of “Wellington” or“Blucher”arenotallowedinthisgame.

SIX-BID SOLO: Based on the old German game of “heart solo,” whichbelongstotheskatfamily,six-bidsologainsitsnamefromthefactthatsixdifferent types of bids are allowed. Known in some localities simply as“solo,” it is a three-player game in which a fourth may participate asdealer,utilizingathirty-six-cardpack,inwhicheachsuitranksA,10,K,Q,J,9,8,7,6.Eachplayerisdealtelevencards,preferablyinroundsoffour,three,four,withathree-card“widow”beingdealtattheendofthesecondround.Biddingthenbeginswiththeplayeratthedealer’sleft,whomaypassor

bidatanyofthefollowinglevels,eachrankinghigherthantheonebeforeandhavingitsownspecialrules:

Solo: The bidder names any suit trumps except hearts andmust takemorethan60pointsduringplay,suchpointsconsistingofaces,11each;tens,10;kings,4;queens,3;jacks,2,asinskat.Regardlessofwhogainedthebid,theplayeratdealer’sleftleadstothefirsttrick.Othersfollowsuitif they can; if not, they must play trump if possible, but they are notrequiredtogohigher.Otherwise,aplayersimplydiscardsfromasidesuit.Thewidow is not takenup by the bidder, but is added to the tricks thebidder takes.Bidderdoesnotnamea trumpunlessoruntilhegains thebid.For winning “solo,” the bidder collects two chips from each active

opponentforeachpointover60.For losing,hepaysthemtwochipsforeachpointunder60.

HeartSolo:Here, thebiddermustnameheartsashis intended trump

whenhemakeshisbid.Play isexactlyas insolo.Forwinningor losing,biddercollectsorpaysthreechipsinsteadoftwo.

Misere:Thereisnotrumpinthisformofplay.Thebiddermustavoidtakinganycountersinordertowin;otherwise,heloses.Thewidowisnotused; its counters (if any) are simply ignored. For winning, the biddercollects thirtychips fromeachactiveopponent; for losing,hepays themthirtychipseach.

Guarantee,orGuaranteeSolo,isplayedlikesolo,butthebiddermusttake80pointstowin,unlesshenamesheartsastrump,whenherequiresonly74.Forwinning,hecollectsfortychipseach;forlosing,hepaysfortychipseach.

SpreadorSpreadMisere:Exactlylike“misere,”butthebidderspreadshishandfaceupandtheplayertohisleftleadstothefirsttrick.Sincetheopponentsgainagreatadvantagebyseeingthebidder’shand,hecollects60chipseachifhewins;andpays60eachifheloses.

Call Solo: Like “guarantee solo,” but the bidder must take all 120points, those in the widow being added to his score. Since this is verydifficult, he may precede play by calling for any card that he needs orwantstoimprovehishand,andtheplayerholdingitmustgiveittohim,receivingsomeuselesscardfromthebidderinreturn.Ifthecalledcardisinthewidow,itsimplystaysthere.Forwinning,thebidderreceives100chipsfromeachopponent,unless

henamesheartsastrump,whenhereceives150.Forlosing,hepays100chipseach,or150withheartstrump.

Note:Originally,callsolorequiredthatthebiddertakeeverytrick,notjust all the “counters” ( A, 10,K,Q, J),whichmade the bid stillmoredifficult. But since such counters are the points of contention at everyotherbiddinglevel,itismoreconsistentandthereforepreferabletolimitcall solo to the taking of all 120 points, any in the widow going to thebidderasinallsolobids.

With a fourth player in the game, a question arises regarding thedealer’sparticipation in thepayoff.Here, thereare threeoptions,oneofwhichshouldbeagreeduponinadvance:(1)Thedealerdoesnothavetopayifthebidderwins,butcollectslike

thetwootherplayersifthebidderloses.(2)Theaboveruleappliestobidsofsoloandheartsolo,butathigher

levels,thedealermustpayorcollectlikeanactiveplayer.

(3)Thebiddercollectsorlosesatalllevels.Ofthethreeoptions,thishasthemeritofbeingthesimplest.

SIX-CARDSTUD:Poker.Seethispage.

SIX-SPOTREDDOG:AnothernameforSlipperySam(thispage).

SIXTHCARDOPTIONAL:Poker.Seethispage.

SIXTY-FOUR-CARD PINOCHLE: A two-handed game, using a beziquepack,runningA,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J,9,9,8,8,7,7.Eachplayerisdealtsixteencardsandtherulesoftwo-handedpinochlearefollowed,butthesevenoftrumpbecomesthedixinsteadofthenine.SeePinochle,thispage.

SIXTY-SIX: An abbreviated, fast-moving game similar to two-handedpinochle,usingahalf-packoftwenty-fourcards,rankinginorderA,10,K,Q,J,9ineachsuit.Sixcardsaredealttoeachplayer—bytwosorthrees—and the next is turned up for trump, the pack being laid face downacross it.Opponent leads to the first trickwith any card, and thedealeralsoplaysanycardhewants.Highcardofsuitledtakesthetrick,unlessaplainsuitleadistrumped.Winnerofthetrickdrawsthetopcardfromthepack, adding it to his hand; and the loser draws the next card.Winnerthenleadstothenexttrick.When all cards have been drawn, ending with the turned-up trump,

play is “closed,” and a playermust follow suit if he can. If not, he caneitherdiscardfromanothersuitortakethetrickwithatrump.Iftrumpisled, he does not have to play a higher trump. (This differs from two-handedpinochle,inwhichaplayermusttrumpanopposingleadwhenhecan andmust gohigher, if possible,when trump is led.)Cards taken inplayarevaluedas follows:Eachace, 11; each ten, 10;eachking,4; eachqueen,3;eachjack,2;lasttrick,10.Thismakesatotalcountof130,hencethe first player to reach 66 wins the hand and scores 1 point (ormore)towardagameof7points,eachdealalternatingbetweentheplayers.Aplayerholdingordrawingthenineoftrumpmayexchangeitforthe

turned-up trump (as with the dix in pinochle) provided he has alreadytakenatrick,butthereisnocountforthis.However:Aplayermaymeldaroyalmarriage(KandQoftrump)foracountof

40,oranordinarymarriage(KandQofaplainsuit)foracountof20,bysimply leadingone cardof thepair and showing theother.Thismaybedone at any time, even after play is “closed” and the last six tricks arebeingplayedout.Hedoesnothavetotakethetricktoscorethemarriage.However,iftheopponentdeclaresamarriageontheopeningplayofthehand,hemusttakeatrickbeforeitcanbecounted.At any time, a player may announce that he has reached sixty-six,

whereuponplay isended.Thecounters thathe took in tricksareadded,plushiscountinmelds;andheisallowedtomeldoneadditionalmarriage—ifhehasitinhishand—bysimplyshowingthekingandqueen,withoutplaying either. If the announcer’s count totals 66 ormore, he wins thehandandscores1point towardgame.If the loser’scount, includinganymeld,comes to less than33, it isa“schneider,”and thewinnerscores2pointstowardgame.Iftheloserfailstotakeasingletrick,itisa“schwarz”andthewinnerscores3points.Incontrast,iftheannouncer’scountfallsshortof66,hisadversaryscores2pointstowardgame.Asanadjuncttowardannouncingsixty-six,aplayerisallowedtoclose

theplaybeforemakingalead,bysimplyturningdowntheface-uptrump.Thismeansthatnomorecardsaretobedrawnfromthepack,withplaycontinuingona“closed”basisuntilbothhandsareplayedout,unlessoneplayerannouncessixty-sixbeforethen.Eitherway,thereisnocountof10for“lasttrick,”astheplaydoesnotcontinueuntilthepackisexhausted.Aplayerwhoclosestheplayscorestheusualpointorpointsifhiscount

reaches66ormore.Ifhefailstomake66,hisadversaryscores2points.Ifheshouldclose theplaybeforehisadversaryhas takena trick,andthenfailtoreach66,hisadversaryscores3pointstowardgame.Whenever the pack is played completely through,with neither player

announcing sixty-six, each addsuphis counters, and if only one playerhas reached 66, he scores 1 or 2 points toward game, according to hisadversary’scount.Ifbothreach66,asfrequentlyhappens,neitherscores;buttheplayerwinningthenexthandisgivenabonus,or“carry-over,”of1point.Occasionally,whentherearenomelds,theplayersfinishinatieof65pointseach.Inthatcase,neitherscores.

Three-handedSixty-six:This is the two-handedgamewith threeplayers,each taking his turn at dealing to the two others. The dealer scores thesamenumberofpointsas theplayerwhowins thehand,buthecannot

score a seventh point for game except during a hand inwhich he is anactive player. If two active players tie at 65, or bothmake 66 ormore,neitherscores,butthedealerisgiven1pointtowardgame.

Four-handed Sixty-six involves a thirty-two-card pack, which includeseightsandsevens.Playersseatedoppositearepartnersandeightcardsaredealtclockwisetoeachplayer,usuallybythrees,thentwo.Thefinalcardisshowntorepresenttrumpandthengoesintothedealer’shand.Leadismadebytheplayeratthedealer’sleft.Eachplayermustfollowsuitandplayahighercardifpossible.Ifoutof

suit,hemusttrumpthetrickifhecanandovertrumpanytrumpalreadyplayed.Otherwise,aplayermaydiscardfromasidesuit.Thisismorelikeold-time pinochle than sixty-six, except that there is no meldingwhatever.Countersarevaluedasusualwithacountof10forthelasttrick.Partners pool their counters, and the teammaking 66 scores 1 point

toward game; making more than 99 scores 2 points; taking every trickscores3points.Gameis7points.Withtiesof65each,thegamepointiscarriedovertothenextdeal,madebytheplayeronthedealer’sleft.

Auction Sixty-six is a four-handed partnership game in which playersbeginningat thedealer’s leftbid for theprivilegeofnaming trump.Theminimumbidis60,butaplayermaypassifhechooses,re-enteringthebidding only if his partnermakes an intervening bid. Play begins at thedealer’s left and partners pool their counters, which in this case areregardedaspointstowardgame,whichis666points.Ifateammakesitsbid,itscoresallsuchpointstakeninplay.Ifitfallsshort,theotherteamscores the amount of the bid, plus all the points that it takes in play.Highestpossiblebidis130andateammakingitscores260;otherwisethedefending team scores 260. Further deals follow and scores are addeduntiloneteamreachestherequired666.Inplay,insteadofrequiringplayerstoplayhigheroneachtrickandto

trump when out of suit, the rules used in the two-handed game aregenerally followed;namely: Ifoutof thesuit led,aplayermay trumpordiscardashepleases;andinnocaseisherequiredto“headthetrick”byplayingahighercardthanoneplayedearlier.

SIXTY-THREE: A form of Cinch with additional trump points making atotalof63,andwithunlimitedbiddingallowed.SeeCinch,thispage.

SKAT:Athree-handedgameofGermanorigininwhichtheparticipantsaredesignated as V for Vorhand, the leader; M for Mittlehand, or middlehand; andH forHinterhand, the lastman,who serves asdealer.Skat isuniqueinthatitactuallyconstitutesagroupofgames,orvariations;andfromthese,asuccessfulbidder,termedthePlayer,canchoosetheonehewantsforthatparticularhand.Intheplaythatfollows,thetwoopponentsactaspartnersinanefforttodefeatthesuccessfulbidder,orplayer.Thepackconsistsofthirty-twocards,thesevensbeingthelowest.The

trumpsuit is alwaysheadedby the J, J, J, J, in that exactorder,followedbytheA,10,K,Q,9,8,7ofthesuitnamed.TheothersuitsrunA,10,K,Q,9,8,7.But incertaingames, the jacks,whichareknownaswenzels,formatrumpsuitoftheirownintheordergiven.Thisfifthsuitis called “grand” to distinguish it from the side suits of clubs, spades,hearts,anddiamonds.Tencardsaredealt toeachplayer,usually in tworoundsof threeand

oneoffour.Afterthefirstround,twocardsaredealtaside,facedown,toformawidow,which in thisgameiscalledtheskat.Players thenbidfortheprivilegeofnamingthetypeofgametobeplayed,aswellasthetrump.Insteadofopeningthebidding,VallowsM tobidfromaminimumof

10pointsup.HhasnosayinthebiddingaslongasViswillingtomatchanybidthatMmakes.Butifeitherpasses,Hcanmakeahigherbid,whichmustbematchedbytheremainingbidder,eitherVorM,asthecasemaybe.OtherwiseH’sbidstands.Regardlessofwho isbidder,Vorhandstarts theplayby leading to the

first trick. The others follow suit if possible; if not, theymay discard orplaytrump.Thehighestcardofsuitledwinsthetrickunlessitistrumped;iftrumpedtwice,thehighertrumpwins.ThepurposeofthePlayer(orbidder)istotakeincountercards,valued

asfollows:ace,11;ten,10;king,4;queen,3;jack,2.Ifhetakesatotalof61ormore,hescores1point for“game”;a totalof91ormore,1additionalpointfor“schneider”;fortakingeverytrick,1pointmorefor“schwarz.”Acounter in the skat goes toward the Player’s total. The nonbidders,operating as partners, pool any counters that they take in an effort tothwartthePlayer’saim.In addition, thePlayer scores 1 point ormore for “matadores,”which

consist of a sequence of trumps running from the highest ( J) down

without interruption. If these are in the Player’s hand, he is said to beplaying “with” that number of matadores. For example, with spadestrump, if thePlayerholds J, J, J, J, A, 10, 8,he isplaying“withsix”matadores,asthetopsixtrumpsareinsequence.However, if thematadores are in the opposinghands, they still count

for the Player (or bidder), the only difference being that he is playing“without” matadores, since he does not hold them. For example, withheartstrump,aPlayerholding 10Q97wouldbe“withoutfive,”asallthewenzelsandthe Aareintheotherhands,formingafive-cardtrumpsequencedowntothePlayer’s 10.Inshort,thePlayeralwaysscoresformatadores,eitherwithorwithout.

He is sure of scoring at least 1 such point; and since there are eleventrumps (counting the wenzels) he can score as high as 11 points, as thecardsintheskatareregardedasbelongingtohishand.Bykeepingthosefactorsinmind,thematterofthematadoresbecomesquitesimple.Suits also have special point values, which vary in different types of

games, so thosemustbe considered in thebidding. Inall cases, the suitpointsaremultipliedbythetotalofallotherpoints,inordertodeterminethe Player’s score. To clarify this, the various forms of skat will bedescribedinorder:

Tournee: Upon gaining the bid, the Player looks at either card of theskat,andifhewantsitssuitfortrump,heshowsthefaceofthecardandaddsit tohishand,thenaddstheotherskatcardwithoutshowingit.Hethen discards any two cards face down to replace the skat, which goesalongwithanytrickshetakes.Playproceedsasalreadydescribed,andif thePlayertakes61counters

ormore,headdshispoints(forgame,schneider,schwarz,andmatadores)andmultipliestheirtotalbythevalueofthetrumpsuit.Thesevaluesrun:diamonds(D),5;hearts(H),6;spades(S),7;clubs(C),8.Ifthiscomestomore thanhisbid,hescoreswhateverpointshemakes; ifhe falls short,either in counters or points, he loses the amount of his bid, which ischargedagainsthisscore.Example:Aplayerholding J, J, J, J, A9turnsupthe 7and

takes 98 counters in play. He scores the following points: game, 1;schneider, 1;with (matadores), 5,multipliedby6 forhearts giveshim atotalof42points(1 1 5 7×6 42).

PasstMirNicht:Thisistourneewitha“secondturn,”whichmeansthat,

ifthePlayerdoesnotwantthetrumprepresentedbythefirstcardhetakesfromtheskat,hecanputthatcardinhishandwithoutshowingitandturnup theother skat card for trump.Playproceedsas in tournee, and ifhemakeshisbid,hescoreshispointsasusual;butifhefailstomakeit,heissetbackdoubletheamountofthebid.

Tournee Grand: Although jacks, as wenzels, are the top cards of anytrumpsuit,ifthePlayerturnsupajack—oneitherhisfirstorsecondturn—hecannameitssuitastrump,andoftendoes.However,ifheprefers,hecan name “grand” as trump, thus playing with a fifth suit consisting ofwenzelsintheirusualorder( J, J, J, J)astrump.Grand,astrump,hasamultiplevalueof12pointswhenthehandisplayedasintourneeorpasstmirnicht.

GuckiGrand:IfaPlayerwantsgrandfortrumpwithoutturninguptheskat,hecandeclare“guckigrand”bysimplypickinguptheskatcardsandaddingthemtohishand,thenmakingaregulardiscard.Playisexactlyasintourneegrand,butthetrump(grand)hasamultiplevalueof16points;andifthePlayerfailstomakehisbid,heissetbackdouble.

Solo:Abidderwithonlyonelong,strongsuitcanseldomaffordtheriskofturningupthewrongcardfortrump,sohisrecourseistoplay“solo,”by naming the trump “out of hand” and ignoring the skat until play isended.Then,itscardsareaddedtothePlayer’stricks,sothatanycountersof matadores it may contain can be considered in the final reckoning.Valuesoftrumpsuitsinsoloare:diamonds(D),9;hearts(H),10;spades(S),11;clubs(C),12.Theseserveasmultipliers,asusual.

Grand Solo: This is solo with “grand” as trump, its value being 20points. It is riskier than gucki grand, as the Player has no chance todiscardhighcountersfromhishand.

Grand Ouvert: With a very strong hand—indeed, one that is all butinvincible—the Player can ignore the skat and lay his hand face up,playing grand solo “openly,” as the name implies, but with theunderstandingthathemust takeeverytrick,as inschwarz.Themultiplevalueofgrandinthisgameis24points.

Schneider Announced: In any solo game, the Player may announcebeforehand that he will schneider his opponents by taking trickscontaining 91 counters ormore. If successful, he scores 1 point extra; ifnot,helosestheamountbid.

Schwarz Announced: In solo, the Playermay also announce schwarz

beforehand, and by taking every trick he scores 1 point extra (plus thepoint for schneider announced). Otherwise, he loses his bid. Note thatwithgrandouverttheseannouncementsareautomatic.

Ramsch:When all threeplayerspass, the leader,Vorhand,declares aspecialgameinwhichgrandis trumpandeachplayer isonhisown,thepurpose being to take the fewest counters.The skat is ignoreduntil theplayisfinished,whenitisgiven(withitscounters)totheplayerwhotookthe last trick. The only score in ramsch is 10 points for smallest count,whichisdoubledto20ifthewinnertakesnotricksatall.However,ifoneplayer takes every trick, it is regarded as a lost game and 30 points arechargedagainsthim,withnoscorefortheotherplayers.Iftwoplayerstiefor lowcount, theonewho tooka later trick is the loser; if all three tie,Vorhandisthewinner.

Nullo: In thisdifferent typeofgame, thebiddermust loseevery trick.ThereisnotrumpandcardsofallsuitsrankA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7.Thereare no matadores and the skat is not used. Any bid up to 20 allows adeclarationofnullo,asthePlayerscores20pointsifhemakeshisbidandhas20chargedagainsthimifhefails.

NulloOuvert:This isnullowith thePlayer layinghis cards faceup tostart.Beingmoredifficult thannullo, it scores40points,plusorminus,according towhetherhewinsor loses.Often,aplayerwithagoodnullohandmayhave tobidhigher than20, inwhichcase,nulloouvert ishisonlyrecourse.In skat, each individualhand is regardedasagame,andsettlement is

usually made on that basis. A cumulative score may be kept during anextendedsession,withtheplayerscoringthemostpointsoveraspecifiedperiodbecomingthewinner.

SLAM:Anold-timeformofWhist,thispage.

SLAPJACK: A childish game with a pack divided among two or moreplayers,whohold theirpackets facedownanddeal cards faceup to thecenterofthetable, inregularrotation.Whenajackappears,eachplayerslapsahanduponthecenterpile;andthefirsttolandwinsit.Thewinnerputs thosecards facedownbeneathhispacket,andplayresumeson thesamejack-slappingtermsuntiloneplayergainsallthecardsandwinsthegame.Foralargegroup,anadditionalpackorpacksmaybeused.

SLIPPERYELMER:Formoffive-cardstud.Seethispage.

SLIPPERYSAM:AlsotermedSix-SpotRedDog,thisisplayedwithafifty-two-cardpack,withsuits ranking fromacedownto two,as inRedDog,thispage.Playersformapool,withequalcontributionsofchips;andthreecards are dealt to each, face down; these remain untouched. The dealerthenturnsupcardsfromthetopofthepackuntilhecomestoonewithsixspotsorless(asthe 4).Eachplayerbetsinturnuptothesizeofthepool,thenturnshishandfaceup.Ifhehasahighercardofthesuitturnedupbydealer,hetakestheamountbetfromthepool.Ifnot,hepaysthepool.Allbetagainstthesameturned-upcard,unlessoneplayerwinstheentirepot, which calls for a new pool and a new deal. Players may also berequiredtoaddchipstothepoolbeforeeachdeal.

SLOBBERHANNES:Agameof theHearts family, thispage,butmore likePolignac, thispage,as ituses thesamethirty-two-cardpack,rankingA,K,Q, J, 10,9,8, 7.With fourplayers, each isdealt eight cards, and thefirst player leads any card he wants, while the rest must follow suit ifpossible. The winner of each trick leads to the next until all have beenplayed.Therearenotrumpsinthisgame,andeachplayer’spurposeistoavoidtakingthefirsttrick,thelasttrick,orthe Q,aseachcounts1pointagainsthim.Takingallthosepointsis“slobberhannes”andcounts1pointmore. A revoke (playing the wrong suit) is usually counted as 1 pointagainsttheplayer,asitcouldaffecttheentirehand.Theplayerwhofirstreachesatotalof10adversepointslosesthegameandmustpaytheothersthedifferencebetweenhispointsandtheirs.Sinceeachplayerisonhisown,thegamecanalsobeplayedwiththree,

five, or six players; but on such occasions, the 7 and 7 must beremovedfromthepacksothecardswilldealevenly.

SLOUGH:AlsotermedSluff,thisisaformofFrog.Seethispage.

SMUDGE:Anamefrequentlyapplied toAuctionPitch,when the“smudgebid”isincorporatedintotherules.SeePitch,thispage.

SNIPSNAPSNOREM:Exactly likeEarlofCoventry, thispage, inplaybutsomewhat faster, as the players, whenmatching a face-up card, simplysay,“Snip,” then“Snap,”andfinally,“Snorem” in thatorder, insteadof

makingrhymingstatements.

SNOOZER: A name very often applied toDom Pedro, when the joker, or“snoozer,” is included in thegame.Thisdistinguishes it fromtheearlierformofDomPedro,withonlythe“Dom”asaspecialcounter.SeePedro,thispage.

SOLITAIRE: The term “solitaire” applies to any card game played by onepersonwho usually deals out cards and then assembles them in specialgroupsaccordingtoestablishedrules.Astandardpackoffifty-twocardsisgenerally used, withmore elaborate forms requiring two packs or evenmore.Cardsarerankedinascendingsequence,A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,

K,orindescendingsequence,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,A.Eitherway, the ace is low and the king high, unless otherwise specified. Thesuits, ,playapartinmostgamesofsolitaire;andthecolors,redandblack,alsofigureincertaingames.Generally, the player first deals a group or groups of cards to form a

layout,ortableau,alwaysfaceup,unlessotherwisestipulated.Thesemaybedealtinpiles,withonlythetopcardvisible;orincolumns,fromtoptobottom,orinrows,runningcrosswise.Columnsandrowsaresometimesdealtinoverlappingfashion,sothatonlythefinalcardisfullyseen.Thesameappliestofansorclusters,whichareusedinafewgames.These final cards are free or available for transfer to other groups,

under conditions pertaining to individual games. Inmost instances, theultimateobjectistoestablishbasesorfoundations,uponwhichavailablecards can be built in sequence according to their values and also theirsuits, if so specified.With aces as bases, builds are made in ascendingsequenceuptokings;withkingsasbases, indescendingsequencedowntoaces.Withdoublepacks,bothtypesofbuildsareoccasionallyused.Inmanygames,whenanavailablecardcannotbeusedinabuild,itmay

be transferred to another group in the layout proper, being placed insequenceontheavailablecardthatisshowingthere.Thecardsonwhichsuch temporary builds are made are termed auxiliary cards; andgenerally,therulesforbuildingonauxiliariesaremoreliberalthanthosethat apply to builds on bases, always specifying whether such auxiliarysequencesmustbedonebysuits,alternatingcolorsorsimplybyvalue.

Inoldergames,onlytheavailablecardcouldbemovedtoanauxiliary,but in more modern solitaires, moves are made with entire sequences.Thus, if a vertical column shows a descending sequence in alternatingcolors,as 7, 6, 5, 4,thefourcardswouldbetransferredasagrouptothe 8,butonlythe 4wouldstillbeavailableforbuildingonabase.Here,again,rulesvaryindifferentformsofsolitaire.Insome,thesingleavailable card may also be moved on its own without the sequence; inothers,partialsequencesmaybemoved.Ingameswherecardsareoriginallydealtfacedown,withface-upcards

uponthem,assoonastheface-upcardsaretransferredtootherpilesorbuiltuponbases,thetopcardofeachface-downgroupisturnedfaceup,thereby becoming available for further play.This continuesuntil all thecardsinapileorcolumnhavebeenturnedupandmoved,leavingaspaceor vacancy, which in most games may be filled by an available card,subject to certain restrictions. In a few games, however, spacesmust beleftempty,andthishasanimportantbearingontheplay.Insolitaireswhereonlypartofthepackisdealtanextragrouporpileis

sometimesdealttoonesideasareserve,fromwhichcardsmaybeplayedwithincertain limitations;hence the reserve,whenused, is technically apart of the layout, but it figures in only a very few games. In the greatmajority of games, any cards left over from the layout are retained as apack,orstock,fromwhichcardsaredealtwhennofurtherplayispossiblefromthelayout,whichissaidtobeblocked.Usually,thepackisheldfacedown,witheachcardbeingturnedfaceupwhendealtfromthetop.If such cards can be built on bases or auxiliaries, they are used

accordingly; otherwise, they go into a discard or waste pile, which isusually kept face up, with its top card—the one just discarded—stillavailable,likethetopcardofalayoutpile.Onceplayed,itrevealsanotherface-up card, which is also freed for use, so sometimes it is possible tobringbackseveraldiscardsinsuccession.Insomegames,aftertheentirepackhasbeendealtout,itisallowabletoturnthediscardpilefacedownand deal through it again, as with the original pack. Another redeal issometimesallowed,makingthreedealsinall.Since solitaire isbasically aone-persongame, aplayermay introduce

minorrulesofhisown,whichaccountsformanyvariantsthathavecomeintovogue.Individualsolitaireswillbefoundunderthefollowingheads:

ACCORDION:Asimpleformofsolitaireinwhichtheentirepackisfirstdealtinonelongface-uprow.Anycardmaythenbeplacedonthecardtoitsleftifitmatchesitinsuitorvalue;thusthe 6couldbeplacedonanydiamondor any six.The rule also applies to the third cardon the left, theplayerbeingallowedtojumpthetwocardsinbetweentomakeamatch.Aspilesareformed,theyarematchedinthesameway,thetopcardrepresentingthesuitandvalueoftheentirepile.Theobjectofthegameistogathertheentirepackinonebigfifty-two-

cardpileat theextremeleft.Tosavespace,whichisoftenlimited,manyplayers go by the rule that piles can be formed as the deal progresses,usually after the first dozen cards or so. From then on, a player keepsmovingorjumpingtotheleftanddealingtotherightasheseesfit.Inamoredifficultvariant,IdleYear,movesandjumpsarecompulsory,

beginningwith thedeal of the second card, the only choice beingwhenthechanceforeitheramoveorajumpoccurs.Example:Dealbeginswith8, J, 3, J, 4, K, J.Here,theplayercaneithermovethe Jonto

the Kor jump the Jonto the J.The jump ispreferable,as thepilethusformed,beingtoppedbythe J,couldthenhejumpedontothe 8.

ACESUP:AsimplesolitaireinwhichcardsrankA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2indescendingorder.Fourcardsaredealtinaface-uprow,as 8, J,10, 5.Iftwoofthesamesuitaredealt,theloweroneisdiscarded,in

thiscase, the 8.Fourmorecardsaredealt faceupon those, includingthespaceifthereisone.Again,thelowercardorcardsofaduplicatedsuitarediscarded.Asthisisrepeatedinsucceedingdeals,theeliminationofacardmaymeantheuncoveringofanotherthatcanalsobediscarded.Aspilesincreaseinsize,theirtopcardsmustalsobemovedintospaces

prior to thenextdeal,andthisoftenaids infurtherdiscards.Theaimofthegameistofinishwithonlythefouracesinthelayout,aseliminationofall other cards constitutes awin.This game is also appropriately knownunderthenameofIdiot’sDelight.

AULDLANGSYNE:Asimplesolitairethat iseasytoplaybutveryhardtobeat.Thefouracesareplacedfaceupinarowtoserveasbases;belowthat,theplayerdealsarowoffourface-upcardsandbuildsanythathecanontheaces, as2 onA,3 on2, and soon, inascending sequence, regardlessofsuits. Another four cards are dealt on the same row, covering the cards

already there and filling any spaces; this is followedby further builds ifpossible. Four more are dealt in the same fashion, and this continuesthroughtheentirepack.Sincekeycardsareeasilyburied,thisgameisoftenblockedbeforethe

basescanbebuilttokings,sopausesshouldbeallowedduringthedealifthere is a chance to build a card already showing on a pile. Example:Abasehasbeenbuiltup to 5.The 7 is showingon the thirdpile.Theplayerdealsthe 6onthesecondpile.Hepausesandbuilds 6on 5and 7 on 6, before finishing the four-card deal; otherwise, the 7mightbeburiedforever.Evenwiththatprivilege,thegameissodifficultthat the real object is to seehowmany cards canbe built before play isfinallyblocked,ratherthantryingtobuilduptheentirepack.

Tamo’Shanter isa tougherversionofAuldLangSyne, inwhich theentirepackisshuffledandthendealtbyfours,sothatacesaren’tavailableuntiltheycropupinthedeal.Easiervariantsareknownunderavarietyoftitles that are not worth listing, because so many better and brightersolitaires are willing, waiting, and wanting for whosoever would like toplaythem.

AUXILIARYSEQUENCES:SeeStorehouse(thispage).

BELEAGUEREDCASTLE:Asolitaireinwhichthefouracesaredealtinaface-upcolumn to serve as bases. Then, more columns are dealt face up,alternating left and right, to form eight cross-rows of six cards each,alternatingoutward.Theoutermostcardsareavailableforbuildingontheacesinascendingorderuptokings,accordingtotheirsuits.When—andif!—theentirepackissobuilt,thegameiswon.Toaidthataim,anavailablecardmaybemovedtotheoutermostcard

ofanotherrow,butindescendingorder,as Jon Q, 7on 8,withoutanyregardtosuits.Cardsmayonlybemovedsingly,neveringroups;butwheneveraspaceoccurs,anyavailablecardmaybeplacedtherein.Henceit ispossible towanglecardsbackand forth fromonerow toanother inordertogetatthoseneededforbuilds,makingthegamebothintriguingandingenious,thoughoftendifficulttowin.InthevariantcalledCitadel,theentirepackisshuffledtostart,andthe

sidecolumnsaredealtasalreadydescribed.Wheneveranaceappearsitisdealtbetweentherowsasabase;andasthedealcontinues,othercardsof

thatsuitcanbebuiltuponitiftheyappearinascendingsequence,2,3,4,etc., putting the player that far ahead when the deal is finished,particularlywhenitreducesthenumberofcardsincertainrows,whichishelpfultowardgainingaspace.Anothervariant,StreetsandAlleys, issimplyBeleagueredCastlewith

theacesshuffledintothepack,whichisthendealtintheusualrowsbutwithsevencardsinthefourrowsontheleft.Acentralspaceiskeptclearforplacementoftheacesastheybecomeavailableforbases.

BETROTHAL:AsolitairesimilartoAccordion,thispage.Thekingandqueenofany suit are removed from a pack, which is then shuffled and the kingplacedonthebottom,thequeenonthetop.Cardsarethendealtinaface-uprowfromlefttoright.Anytimeoneortwocardsareflankedbytwoofthesamesuitorrank,theyarediscardedandthespaceisclosed.Example:Dealruns Q, 7, 6, 9, 6, 7, 10, Q.Discard 6 (between two spades), the 9, and 6 (between two

sevens), the 7 and 10 (between two spades), the 7 (between twoqueens). The object is to eliminate all cards except the Q and K,bringingthemtogetheratthefinish.ThisgameisalsocalledCoquetteorRoyalMarriage.

LayoutforBeleagueredCastle,indicatingsuitablemoves.

BIGFORTY:SeeLucas,thispage.

BISLEY:Anovelformofsolitaire,inwhichthefouracesaredealtinarowtoserveasbases,followedbynineface-upcards.Belowthat,theentirepackis dealt in three cross-rows of thirteen cards each and a fourth of ninecards,toformoverlappingcolumns.Thecardatthefootofeachcolumnisavailable for building on an ace in upward sequence toward a king,accordingtosuit,whichfreesthenextcardforsimilarplay.However,when a king becomes available, itmay be placed below the

layout to serve as a base on which cards may be built in downwardsequence towardanace.There isno limit to theextentof either typeofbuild,upordown,theplayer’spurposesimplybeingtobuildallhiscards.Movesmayalsobemade fromoneauxiliary column toanother, cardbycard,eitherupordown,according tosuit,withanynumberof transfersallowable.Thus the 9 couldbeputon the 10and laterremovedandputonthe 8.Butonceacolumnhasbeencleared,thespaceisdeadand

nocardcanbemovedintoit.Thisgamemustbestudiedwellaheadtoseeifthereareanyautomatic

blocks that will prevent its completion; if so, it should be abandonedtherewith. The great hazard is that of blocking your own builds bytrapping cards in layout columns, so they cannot be built in theneededdirection.Afewtrialswillmakethisevident.

CALCULATION:Asimplebutintriguingsolitaireinwhichsuitsaredisregardedandvaluesalonearecounted,withace 1;jack 11;queen 12;king 13;allothercardsaccordingtothenumberofspots.Anyaceisfirstdealtfaceup,next to it any two, then any three and any four. These serve as bases,representing1,2,3,4respectively.The remainder of thepack is shuffled, and from this stock theplayer

turns up cards one by one, placing each on a base if he can, the buildsrunninginascendingvalues,butaccordingtothefollowingprogressions:

OnPile1: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13.OnPile2: 2,4,6,8,10,12,1,3,5,7,9,11,13.OnPile3: 3,6,9,12,2,5,8,11,1,4,7,10,13.OnPile4: 4,8,12,3,7,11,2,6,10,1,5,9,13.

Anycardsthatcannotbebuiltareplacedfaceupindiscardpilesbelowthebases.Thesearefoursuchpilesandtheplayermayplacehisdiscardsas he chooses, though he cannot transfer them from one such pile toanother.However,theuppermostcardofeachdiscardpilecanalwaysbebuiltonabase,shouldsuchanopportunityoccur.The object is to build the entire pack onto the bases, which requires

studiedplacementofthediscards;hencetheplayermayspreadadiscardpilewhenheneeds to check back on it; but only theuppermost card isbuildable.

CANFIELD: A popular name for the most popular of solitaires, originallyknownasKlondikeanddescribedunderthathead.Seethispage.

CITADEL:SeeBeleagueredCastle,thispage.

COQUETTE:SeeBetrothal,thispage.

DEMON:SeeFascination,below.

FASCINATION: This solitaire, which is simply a development of Storehouse,thispage,wasfrequentlyplayedatCanfield’sgamblingcasino,atthetimewhenanothersolitaire,Klondike,thispage,sprangtopopularity.Thetwobecameconfusedinthepublicmind,sothatKlondikegainedthenameof“Canfield” andhas been called that ever since, though some authoritiesclaim, with good reason, that the title properly belongs to Fascination,whichisheredescribedunderthathead,strictlyasitself.

SamplelayoutusedinBisley,indicatingsuitablemoves.

Thirteencardsaredealtfacedownandsquaredintoapilethatisturnedfaceuptobeusedasareserve,asinstorehouse.Thenextcardisdealtfaceup,slightlyaboveandtotheright,asasimplebaseonwhichcardsaretobebuilt inascendingorder,accordingtosuit.Thus, if the 8 shouldbeturnedupasabase,thebuildingsequencewouldrun 8,9,10,J,Q,K,A,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.Any other base cards—in this case, eights—that becomeavailable during play are promptly placed alongside the sample, so thattheytoocanbebuiltupaccordingtotheirrespectivesuits.

Next,fourcardsaredealtinaface-uprowtotherightofthereserve,asauxiliarypiles,onwhichdescendingsequencesmaybebuiltinalternatingcolors,redandblack,as 3on 4; 2on 3; Aon 2; Kon A; Qon K; and so on down. Such sequences can be moved only in theirentirety,neverinsectionsorassinglecards;thisisalsoaruleinKlondike.Thusthesequence 4, 3, 2, A, K, Qwouldhavetobeplacedonthe 5or 5.Wheneveraspaceoccursinthelayout,itmustbefilledbythetopcard

of the reserve,never fromanotherauxiliarypile; this is a ruleheldoverfrom storehouse. The top card of the reservemay also be built directlyonto a base; and cards from an auxiliary pile are built in the sameway.Thusinthesequencejustshown,the Qwouldbeavailableforbuildingonthe J;andthatwouldfreethe K forbuildingonthe Q;andthatwouldfreethe Aforbuildingonthe K;andsoon.Whenplayisblocked,thepackcomesintoaction.Holdingitfacedown,

theplayerdealsaclusterofthreecardsfaceupasadiscardpile;andthecard showing there is available for building on a base or placing on anauxiliary sequence, just as if it came from the reserve. The card thenshowingonthediscardpileautomaticallybecomesavailableforplay.Thesame deal is continued by threes, through the entire pack,with the topcard of the discard pile always available; after that, the discard pile isturnedfacedownandagainisdealtthroughbythrees,asapack.Thismaybecontinuedasmanytimesasdesired.However,aspaceinthelayoutcannotbefilledbyacardfromthepack

until after the reserve pile is exhausted, then it becomes allowable, butwiththisdifference:Wherealayoutspacemustbefilledfromthereserve,theplayerdoesnothavetofillitfromthepackafterthereserveisusedup.Thismay enablehim to keepdealing throughuntil he comes to amoresuitablecard;andtheruleappliestoanyotherplaysfromthepack.Nonearemandatory.Nocardscanbeplacedonthereserve,norreturnedthere.Similarly,no

cardcanbetakenbackintothepack.Auxiliarysequencesmustremainasformed;andonceacardhasbeenbuiltuponabase,itcannotberecalledfor use in an auxiliary sequence, even though it may be badly neededthere.InavariationofthisgamecalledDemon,whenthepackisdowntoless

thansixcards,theplayerisallowedtodealthroughthemonebyone.This

isagoodrule,whichmanyplayersapplytofascinationasthoughitwerepartofthestandardgame.Inanothervariant,GrandDemon,theplayerisallowedtobringbackonecardthathehasbuiltuponabase,ifneededforanauxiliary sequence.Someplayers liberalize this to theextent thatanynumber of cards may be brought back from their bases. In the finalanalysis,choiceinthismattershouldbeuptotheindividualplayer,sinceheisthepersonmostconcerned;infact,usuallytheonlyoneconcerned.Actually, a strict interpretation of the rules of Fascination suggest an

innovation that has been almost entirely overlooked and is thereforeworthy of consideration by solitaire addicts who dislike repeatedfrustration. The rule says to “deal through the pack by threes,” sowheneverthedealfinisheswithanoddcard,itisregardedasafinaltrio;and the sameapplies if twocards are leftover.But this rule canalsobeinterpreted tomean that one or two extras are not part of the “deal bythrees”andthereforeshouldbelaidasidefacedownandplaceduponthepackafteritisturnedover.Then,thenext“dealbythrees”isapttobringupcardsthatwouldotherwisebehopelesslyburied,puttingnewlifeinthegame.Byusing the“olddeal”until thegame is finallyblocked, aplayer can

follow the accepted pattern of fascination to the limit; then, rather thangiveup,hecanswitchtothe“newdeal”andseehowfaritwillcarryhim,resortingtoitwheneverthedealcomesoutunevenly.

FLOWER GARDEN: An excellent one-pack solitaire in which all the cards aredealtinaface-uplayoutasfollows:Shufflethepackanddealthirty-sixcardsinsixoverlappingcolumnsof

sixcardseach.Theserepresentthe“garden,”andthefinalorbottomcardofeachcolumnisavailableforplay.Dealtheremainingsixteencardsinaface-up row below the columns to serve as a reserve, termed the“bouquet,”andallofitscardsareconstantlyavailable.In play, as aces become available, they are placed in a row above the

layout,andcardsarebuiltontheminascendingvalueaccordingtosuits.Availablecardsmayalsobeplacedonthebottomofauxiliarycolumnsindescendingvalue,accordingtosuits.Whenacolumnbecomesvacant,anyavailablecardmaybemovedintothespacetorenewthecolumn.Thisisimportant,becausecardscanonlybemovedsingly,sospacesare

needed to dismantle downward sequences that have been placed on

auxiliarycolumns,inordertoreleasecardsforbuilds.

FORTYTHIEVES:SeeLucus,thispage.

GRANDDEMON:SeeFascination,thispage.

HOUSE IN THE WOODS: The same asLa Belle Lucie (described underTrefoil(thispage)butplayedwithadoublepackof104cards.Eachoftheeightacesservesasabasewhenreleased.

HOUSEONTHEHILL:Atwo-packsolitairesimilartoHouseintheWoods,butusingonlyfouraces,eachofadifferentsuit,asbases,whicharebuiltupintheusualascendingorder.Theotherfourbasesconsistofkings,eachofadifferentsuit,whicharebuiltdownwardindescendingorder.

IDIOT’SDELIGHT:SeeAcesUp,thispage.

IDLEYEAR:SeeAccordion,thispage.

KINGALBERT:AhighlyintriguingsolitaireoftheCanfield-Klondiketype.Theentire pack is dealt face up, beginning with nine cards in a cross-row;then,startingwiththesecondcolumn,eightinacross-row;then,startingwith the third column, seven in a cross-row, and so on, each rowoverlappingtheoneabove.Theresultisninesuchcolumnsoffromonetoninecards,orforty-fiveinall.Theremainingsevencardsareplacedinaface-uprowtoserveasareserve.Thefinalcardatthefootofeachcolumnisavailableforimmediateplay,asareallthereservecards.Theaim is toplaceacesasbasesandbuild themup tokingsby suits.

Available cards may be moved from one column to another, and eachmustbeplacedonacardofthenexthighervalueoftheoppositecolor,asredjackonblackqueen,blacktenonredjack,etc.,butallmustbemovedsingly,neverasasequence.Reservecardscanbebuiltonbasesorplacedonauxiliarycolumns,butnocardcanbereturnedtothereserve.Aspacemaybefilledwithanyavailablecard,butit iswisetokeepthemopeninorder to transfersequences fromonecolumntoanother,cardbycard,agreatfeatureofthegame.Often,thegameistotallyblockedinitsearlystage,butoncethatispast,

new opportunities frequently arise, making it possible to build up the

entirepackquiterapidly.Toaidthisworthycause,someplayersincludeaspecialrule,allowingacardalreadybuiltonabasetobebroughtbacktoacolumn,butnevertothereserve.

TypicallayoutinFlowerGarden.Bottomrowrepresentsbouquet.

KLONDIKE: More generally but incorrectly known as Canfield (seeFascination, this page, for explanation), this is far and away the mostpopularofAmericansolitaires,almost to theexclusionofallothers.It isplayedasfollows:Acardisdealtfaceup,witharowofsixfacedowntotherightofit.On

thesecondcard,acardisdealtfaceup,withfivemoretotheright.Onthethird,aface-upcard,withfourmoretotheright;andsoon,resultinginatwenty-eight-cardlayoutsuchas:

Anyacesaretakenfromthelayoutandusedasbasestobebuiltupwardin each suit, 2, 3, 4, to J, Q, K. Cards may be shifted from one layoutcolumn to another, to form descending sequences in alternating colors(red-black or vice versa). Such sequences can only be shifted in theirentirety.Thisremovalofaface-upcard(orcards)allowsaface-downcardtobeturneduponitscolumn,thusbecomingavailableforplay.Whenacolumn is completely cleared, a kingmay bemoved into the space thusleft.Example,withthelayoutshown:Build Aandturnupacard,as Q.

Move Qonto Kandturnup 9.Move 9onto 10andturnup A.Build A.Move K– Qintothespaceandturnup 2.Build 2on Aandturnup 6.Whenplay isblocked,as itnow is in theexample, the topcardof the

remainingpack(or“stock”)isturnedupandbuiltoraddedtoasequenceif possible. (Example: 8 could be placed on 9.) Otherwise, it is laidaside face up to form a discard pile. The next card of the pack is thenturnedup;andsoon.Always,thetopcardofthediscardor“wastepile”isavailable for play; and may uncover a previous discard that may alsobecomeavailable.In the original game, a player can deal out the pack only once, so to

buildasmanyastencardsisbetterthanaverage.Apopularprocedureisto turn the discard pile face down and again turn up cards one by one,repeating this a third time if necessary before abandoning the game.Another way is to begin by turning up three cards in a group andcontinuing thus through the pack, time after time. Each play from thediscardpilewillbringothercardsintoviewthenexttimethrough.Asanaddedrule:Whendealingbythrees,ifthepackgetsdowntosixcardsor

less,theymaybegonethroughsinglyindefinitely.

LABELLELUCIE:SeeTrefoil,thispage.

LOUISNAPOLEON:SeeNapoleon’sFavorite,thispage.

LUCAS:Astandardtwo-packsolitairethatformsapatternforseveralothers.Theeightacesareremovedfromtwofifty-two-cardpacksandplacedinarowasbases.Thepacksareshuffledandthirteencolumnsofthreecardseacharedealtfaceupbelowthebases.Forexample:

Onlythelowermostrowisavailable,soitisbesttooverlapthecolumns.To play, build upward on the bases by suits; and downward on theauxiliarycolumns,alsobysuits.Example:Build 2.Put 10on J, 7on 8, 7on 8, 7on 8, Qon K.Build 3.Put 3on 4.Thisleaves a space at the extreme right,which can be filled by any availablecard.Byputting Qinthatemptycolumn 5canbeputon 6,leavingaspaceattheextremeleft.

Play is now blocked, so the player must deal from the pack, turningcardsfaceupandplacingthemindiscardpileifnotusable.Assumingthatthe 6 turnsup,hecouldput iton the 7 andput the 5on the 6,givinghimtwospaces.Hewouldputthe 7inone,the 8intheother,freeing the 4 so it couldbebuilt on the 3, followedby 5 and 6.Putting the 7 on the 8would again givehim two spaces for furthermoves.Naturally,moredeals arenecessary toproduceneededcards like aces

fornewbases,butalways the topcardof thediscardpile isavailable, sowithreasonableluck,itispossibletobringbacktheentirediscardpileandthusachieve theultimateaimofbuildingalleightbases fromacesup tokings. This adds zest to all solitaires of this type, which include thefollowing:

BigForty,inwhichtheentiretwopacksareshuffled,acesincluded,andthendealt in tencolumnsof fourcardseach.Playproceedsas inLucas,with theacesbeingplacedasbaseswhen theybecomeavailable.All this

makesthegamemoredifficultandthereforemorepopularwithadvancedplayers,whoalsorefertoitasFortyThievesandNapoleonatSt.Helena.Otheroffshootsareknownundertitlestoonumerouseventomention,

differing only in number of cards or columns, whether certain rowsshould be face down instead of face up, or the formation of auxiliarysequences in alternating colors instead of suits. These are points thatplayerscoulddecideforthemselvesiftheysochose,naminggamestosuittheirownfancy.

MISSMILLIGAN:Atwo-packsolitairethatbeginswithadealofeightcardsinaface-uprow,suchas:

3 K 7 J A 6 9 2

Anyacesareremovedandcanbebuiltupward in thesamesuit, so inthiscasethis Aisplacedasideasabaseandthe 2wouldbeputonit.Cardscanalsobemoved in the layout, to formdescendingsequences inalternating colors, so the 6 would be placed on the 7, partlyoverlappingit.Therowwouldthenstand:

3 K 7 J 9 6

Asecondnewrowofeightcardsisdealtfaceup,fillingspacesandgoingoncardsalreadythere,slightlyoverlappingthem.Onlytheseareavailableforbuildsorlayoutmoves,butassoonastheyareplayed,thecardstheypartly covered again become available. When play becomes blocked, athirdrowofeightisdealtinthesameoverlappingfashion;andsoonuntilthirteendealshavebeencompleted.Asdescendingsequencesareformedonlayoutpiles,theycanbemovedinwholeorinpart,aswellascardbycard,providedtheyareformedbyalternatingcolors.Followingthethirteenthdeal,playsimplycontinuesuntilallbuildsare

completeduptokings,whichisverydifficultiftoomanykeycardshavebeen buried. So the player is allowed to “waive” a card by removing itfrom the foot of the column, to get at thenext card.Thewaived card iskeptasideuntil itcanbeplayed,thenanothermaybewaived.Thegamecanbefurtherliberalizedbyallowinganentiresequencetobewaivedandlaterplayedback,cardbycardorasaunit.

MONTECARLO:Afast-movingsolitairedependentonvaluesonly,suitsbeingofnoconsequence.Arowoffivecardsisdealtfromlefttoright,asecondrow below that, a third below that, and a fourth below that, making alayoutoftwentycards.Forexample:

If two cards of the same value are touching, either horizontally,vertically,ordiagonally,theyareremovedfromthelayout.Inthesample,the cards thus eliminatedwouldbeK–K, J–J, 10–10,A–A,6–6. Cardsarethenmoveduptofillthespaces,sothesamplewouldbecome:

88297

5375Q

Morecardsarethendealtintheusualordertorestoretherequiredtotaloftwenty,andtheeliminationprocedureisrepeated.Thiscontinueswithfurtherdeals,theaimbeingtopairuptheentirepackasdescribed.Onlypairsmayberemoved;ifthreecardsofthesamevalueareadjacenttooneanother,theplayermustchoosetwoandleavethethirduntillater.

NAPOLEONATST.HELENA:SeeLucas,thispage.

NAPOLEON’SFAVORITE:Atwo-packsolitaireinwhichfourkingsandfouracesareplaced faceup in separate rows to serve asbases.From the shuffleddoublepack,alayoutisthendealtfaceupasfollows:Fourcardsinarow,lefttoright,abovethekings.(Positions1,2,3,4.)

Twocardsdowntheright. (Positions5,6.)Fourcardsrighttoleftbelowtheaces. (Positions 7,8,9, 10.)Twocardsup the left. (Positions 11, 12.)Continue thus until the entire pack has been dealt into twelve face-uppilesofeightcardseach.Thelayoutthenappears:

Toprowcards(1,2,3,4)canbebuiltindownwardsequence,accordingto suits, upon the kings. Bottom row cards (7, 8, 9, 10) can be built inupwardsequence,accordingtosuits,upontheaces.Siderowcards(5,6,11,12)canbebuilteitherway.Cardsmaybemovedfromonelayoutpiletoanotheraslongastheyare

placedinsequence,eitherupordown,asjackonqueen,orqueenonjack;fiveonsix,orsixonfive.Aplayercanswitchfromoneto theotherandsuitsdonotmatterinsuchplacements.Whenplayisblocked,basesareleftastheystand,andthelayoutpiles

are gathered, shuffled, and redealt so that play can continue. A secondredeal is allowed,making three deals in all. The game iswonwhen theentirepackisbuiltdowntoacesanduptokings.In the variant calledNapoleon’s Square, the center is left empty and

onlyfourcardsaredealtineachofthetwelveface-uppiles,makingforty-eight in all. Any available aces are placed in the center and built inascending sequence, according to suits. Cards may be moved from onelayoutpiletoanother,butonlyindescendingsequence,andtheymustbethesameinsuit.Whenspacesoccur, theymaybefilledbyanyavailablecard.Assequencesareformed,theymaybemovedinwholeorinpart,aswell as cardby card.Cardsmay alsobedealt singly from the remainingpack of fifty-six cards and built on bases or layout piles. If not usable,thesegointoaface-updiscardpile,withitstopcardalwaysavailable.Anothervariant,LouisNapoleon,useskingsandacesasbases,asinthe

parentgame,butsinglecardsaredealt intheface-uplayout.Thesemaybebuiltontobases,downwardonkings,upwardonaces,alwaysfollowingsuit,butwithnorestrictionastowhichpilestheycomefrom.Layoutcardscanalsobemovedontooneanotherinimmediatesequence,eitherupordown,aswithNapoleon’sFavorite,but inthisgametheymustbeofthesamesuit,as 8on 7,or 7on 8.Whenspacesoccurinthelayout,cards are dealt from thehand to fill them. If play becomesblocked, theentire pack is dealt face up, card by card, around the square withoutpause, andplayproceeds from there. If play is again blocked, all layoutpilesaregathered,shuffled,andtheentirepackisdealt inrotation,withallcardsfaceup,andplayagainproceeds.Ifablockoccursagain,anotherredealispermitted.

NAPOLEON’SSQUARE:SeeNapoleon’sFavorite(above).

NESTOR: A fast, card-matching solitaire in which values alone count, suitsplayingnopartwhatever.Deal sixcolumnsofeightcards, faceup, fromtoptobottom,overlappingthemasyoudo,butifanyvalueisduplicatedinthesamecolumn,buryoneofthecardsinthepackanddealanotherinits place. The result will be eight columns, each composed of differentvalues,plusfourextracards,whicharelaidaside,faceup,asareserve.Thegamenow is topair cardsof the samevalue, the final cardat the

foot of each column being available for that purpose. Thus if a jackappearsatthefootofColumn3andanotheratthefootofColumn7,bothwould be removed and turned face down. That makes the next card ofeach column available for pairing with those at the foot of every othercolumn.So theplayer simplykeepsworkingup,pair bypair, hoping toclear the columns entirely. The four reserve cardsmay also be used forpairingwith the column cards, often coming in very handilywhen playwouldotherwisebeblocked.Although eight cards are constantly available with four extras in the

earlystages, thepairingprocess is farmoredifficult than itwouldseem,andmanydealsmayberequiredbeforeclearingtheboardcompletely,soit is better simply to aim for as high a score as possible,whichmakes agoodcompetitivegamewhenseveralplayersareinvolved.

ROYALMARRIAGE:SeeBetrothal,thispage.

SHAMROCKS:AvariantofTrefoil,thispage,playedintheusualway,butwithtwo special rules: (1) In moving cards from one cluster to another indescending sequence, thecardsdonothave tobeof the samesuit.Thismakesthegameeasier.But:(2)Atnotimecanaclustercontainmorethanthreecards.Thismakesthegameharder,asacardmustfirstbebuiltonabase in order to reduce a cluster to two cards. Hence one rulecounterbalancestheother.

SPIDER:An intriguing two-pack solitaire inwhich therearenoactualbasesandno discard pile. Shuffle twopacks together anddeal ten face-downpiles,eachwiththenumberofcardsindicatedhere:

Turn up the top cards and move cards from pile to pile, formingdescendingsequences,whichcanbeofmixedsuits,turningupanewcardaftereachmove.Supposetheoriginaltopcardsare:

Youwouldput Aon 2; 6on 7;followingthat, 10on Jand 9on 10.Thisispreferabletoputting 10on Jand 9on 10,fortwospecificreasons:Asequencecomposedofthesamesuit,as J,10,9,canbemovedasa

unit,whereasmixedsequences,as J, 10, 9,canonlybeshiftedcardbycard.Thus,ifthe Qand Kshouldbeturnedup,the Qcouldbeputonthe Kandthethree-cardsequence J,10,9,couldbeplacedonthe Q.Theotherreasonisthattheultimateaimistoformcompletesequences

ofindividualsuits,as fromKdowntoA.Thesecanberemovedfromthelayoutandplacedaside,untiltheentirepackhasbeensotreatedandthegameiswon.Whenallcardsofapilehavebeenturnedupandmoved,thespacecan

be filled by any available card or sequence in the same suit.Wheneverplay is blocked, ten cards are dealt faceup from thepack, one for eachpile; these go on the cards already showing there, and play is thencontinued.

STOREHOUSE: An old-time solitaire with elements ofmodernCanfield. Thefour twos areplaced faceup in a row to serve asbases,which are tobebuiltinascendingsequence;2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K,A,accordingtosuit.Next,thirteencardsaredealtinaface-downpile,whichissquaredandturnedfaceup,belowandtotheleftof thebases,whereitservesasthestorehouse,or,moreproperly, thereserve.Fourcardsarethendealtfaceupbelowthebasestoformalayoutofauxiliarypiles.Playproceedsasfollows:Thetopcardofthereserveoranauxiliarypile

maybebuiltonabase.Anyspace resulting in the layout is immediatelyfilled by the top card of the reserve. A card may be moved from oneauxiliarypiletoanother,toformadescendingsequence,accordingtosuit,as Kon A, 10on J, 3on 4,etc.Thetopcardofthereserveisalsoavailableforplacementonanauxiliarypile.

Whenplayisblocked,thetopcardofthepackisturnedupandmaybebuiltonabaseorplacedonanauxiliarypile,bythesamerule.Ifnoplayispossible,thecardisputinaface-updiscardpile,fromwhichthetopcardisalwaysavailableforplay.Butaspaceinthelayoutcannotbefilledfromthepackor thediscardpileuntil theoriginal reserve isexhausted.Aftertheentirepackhasbeendealt,onecardatatime,thediscardpileisturnedface down and is again dealt through, singly, as a pack. Another suchredealispermitted,makingthreedealsinall.In an early form of this game calledAuxiliary Sequences, aces were

usedasbases.Foralaterandmorepopulardevelopment,seeFascination,thispage.

STREETSANDALLEYS:SeeBeleagueredCastle,thispage.

TREFOIL:Auniqueformofsolitaireinwhichthefouracesareplacedfaceupasbasesandtheremainderofthepackisdealtfaceupinfansorclustersof threecardseach,resemblingclover leaves,makingsixteen inall. (Seesamples in the accompanying diagram.) The uppermost card of eachclustercanbebuiltinupwardsequenceonabaseofthesamesuit,as 2on A, 3on 2,continuingupto K.Togetatburiedcards,theplayermayalsomove the topcardofonecluster toanother,but indescendingsequence in the same suit, as 9 on 10, 4 on 5. It is not wise,however, tomove the last or lowest card of a cluster, as in this game aspacecannotbefilled,butmustremainvacant.

Whenplayisblocked,thecardsleftinthelayoutaregathered,shuffled,and redealt into new groups as far as theywill go,with one or two oddcards being treated as an abbreviated cluster, playable like the rest.Thebuilds are left as they are, so the game resumes, and if blocked again,anotherredealofthelayoutcardsispermitted,makingthreedealsinall.Onthefinaldeal,ifakingblocksalowercardofthesamesuit,as Kover 9, the player is allowed to move the king beneath the other card;

otherwise it would be impossible to complete the game. Even with thatprivilege,thissolitaireisoftenhardtowin.InthenewergameofLaBelleLucie,therulesarethesame,exceptthat

the entire pack, aces included, is dealt in clusters,making seventeen ofthree cards each, with a single card for the final cluster. Aces must befreedinplayinordertoserveasbases.ThegameisalsocalledMidnightOil.

WASHINGTON’SFAVORITE:AnothernameforNapoleon’sFavorite,thispage.

WEDDINGS:Solitaire.AnothernameforMonteCarlo,thispage.

WESTCLIFFE:Solitaire.AvariantofLucas,thispage.

WHISTLER: A type of solitaire played exactly likeCanfield orKlondike butwithout the rule of using alternating colors when forming descendingsequencesontheauxiliarypiles inthe layout.Acesarestillbuiltupwardby suits, but the layout is concernedwithvaluesonly,making thegamemuchfasterandeasier.SeeKlondike,thispage.

WHITEHEAD:AnadaptationofCanfieldorKlondike, thispage, inwhich theentire layout is dealt face up instead of face down. In its simplest form,builds and layout moves follow the pattern of the parent game, but as

descending sequences are formed on auxiliary columns, the cardscomposingthemcanbemovedeithersinglyorasagroup;andwheneveraspace occurs, it can be filled by any available card or sequence. As avariant, basesmay be built upward in alternating colors;while auxiliarycolumnsareformedindescendingsequencesoftheindividualsuits.

WHITEPASS:Solitaire:AvariantofYukon,below.

YUKON:Asolitaireinwhichthefirsttwenty-eightcardsaredealtexactlyasinCanfield or Klondike, this page, and, following that, the remainingtwenty-four are dealt in six columns of four cards each, which areoverlapped face up upon all the original columns except the first (seediagramonthispage).If the final card of any column (including the first) is an ace, it is

immediately placed as a base above the layout; and any final cards areavailable forbuildingonsuchbases, inascendingsequenceaccording tosuits,as 2on A, 3on 2,andsoonupto K.Whenallsuchbuildsarecompleted,thegameiswon.Meanwhile, the final card of any column serves as an auxiliary, on

whichanyface-upcardintheentirelayoutmaybeplacedindescendingsequence,alternatingincolor,as Qon K, Jor Jon Q,andsoondown.Inplacingsuchacard,allthosethatoverlapitareliftedwithit,asagroup,thusincreasingthelengthoftheauxiliarycolumn.When all the face-up cards are lifted from a column, the face-down

card thus freed is turned face up and becomes available for building orauxiliaryuse.Whenanentirecolumniscompletelycleared,anykingmaybe placed in the space, along with all the cards that overlap it. Playcontinuesintheusualmanner.

White Pass is a novel extension ofYukon, which follows the regularrulesuntilplayiscompletelyblocked.Theplayermaythensquareupanycolumn and turn it completely over, so that its face-up cards are facedownandawholenewsetof face-upcardsareavailable forplay,whichproceedsuntilanotherblocknecessitatesanotherturnover.

SOLO:AnameappliedtovariousgamesrelatedtoSkat,thispage,thechiefform being Six-Bid Solo, this page, described under that head. ThesimplergameofFrog,thispage,isalsosometimestermed“solo”;andthe

name has been applied toOmbre, this page, in itsmodern form.HeartSolo,thispage,isalsoatypeofbid,describedunderSix-BidSolo,alongwithlesservariants.

SOLO WHIST: This is a modern development of Boston, this page, andother obsolescent games derived fromWhist, with the usual fifty-two-cardpackrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2indescendingorder.Cards are dealt singly to four players, and the last is turned up as aprospective trump, and later taken into the dealer’s hand. The type ofgametobeplayed isdecideduponbybidding;andeachplayer isonhisown, except at the lowest bidding level, when two act as temporarypartners.Bidsandtheirvaluesareasfollows:

Proposal, to win at least eight tricks, subject to Acceptance by asubsequentbidder, the twobeingpartners for thatdeal,with turned-upcardastrump..…5points.

Solo, to win at least five tricks playing alone with turned-up trump..…10points.

Nullo (originally Misere), to take no tricks, playing alone without atrump..…15points.

Abundance, towin at least nine tricks alone, butwith a trumpof thebidder’schoice(otherthantheoneturnedup)..…20points.

Abundance in Trumps is the same, but with turned-up trump..…20points.

Spread (orOpenMisere), to takeno tricks, alone andwithout trump,butwithbidder’shandspreadfaceup..…30points.

DeclaredAbundance,orSlam,towinalltricksalone,butwithbidder’sprivilegeofnamingthetrumpandleadingtothefirsttrick..…40points.If a player passes, he cannot re-enter the bidding, except to declare“acceptance” to another’s “proposal.”Anybid is ruled out by a bid in ahigherbracket;andabidderovercalledbyanothercanmakeahigherbidinhisnextturn,untilallbutthefinalbidderhavepassed.Ifallpassattheoutset,thedealeithermovesalongor:By previous agreement, Grand may be declared and played. This is

simplyahandwithnotrump,andtheplayerwhotakesthelasttricklosestoeachofthethreeothers,atthe“solo”valueof10points.Play is almost identical with Whist, with the high card of suit led

winning the trick, allplayers following suit if they can.A trumpmaybeplayedwhenaplayer isoutthesuit led,andthehighesttrumptakesthetrick;oraplayercansimplydiscardfromasidesuit.Thisdoesnotapplyin cases where there is no trump; then, players simply follow suit ifpossible.Inallcases,thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext.Inalldeclarationsexcept“slam,”theplayeratdealer’sleftleadstothe

firsttrick,butin“spread,”thebidderdoesnothavetoshowhishanduntilafterthefirsttrickhasbeenplayedandtaken.In“slam,”thedealerleadsto the first trick and can name any suit as trump, including the oneoriginallyturnedup.

Each deal is a game, and for convenience, instead of marking scoresplus ( ) or minus (–), they can be paid with chips or counters. In

“proposal and acceptance” each partner collects or pays 5 points to oneotherplayer,accordingtowhetherthehandwaswonorlost.Inallotherbids, the loneplayerwinsor losespoints to eachopponent according totheschedule.Foreachextratrick,overhisbid,aplayercollectsonechip;for each extra trickunder, hepays one.This doesnot applywithnullo,spread,orslam.

SPADE CASSINO: In this high-scoring version ofCassino, this page, thesingle point usually given to the player taking the most spades goesinsteadtotheplayerwhotakesthe J.Also,anyspadetakenbyaplayercounts1pointinitsownright.Thisproducesthefollowingscoringtable:

Cards:Forthemostcardstaken 3pointsSpades:Fortakingthe J 1pointBigCassino:Fortakingthe 10 2pointsLittleCassino:Fortakingthe 2 1pointEachAce:1point.Total 4pointsEachSpade:1point 13pointsTotal(notcountingsweeps) 24points

Notethatthe J, 2, Aeachcounttwopoints,oneintheirownright,theotherforbeingaspade.This game may be played with a cribbage board, pegging points as

scored,except for “cards,”whichmustbecountedat theendofahand.Thefirstplayertopeg61points(asincribbage)isthewinner.Ifhepegs61beforehisopponentpegs31,themarginofvictoryisdoubled.

SPADESROYAL:ThisisacombinationofSpadeCassino,above,andRoyalCassino,playedexactlylikeroyalcassino,butwiththesamescoringasinspadecassino.Ifasixty-cardpackisused(including11’sand12’s,2morepointsarescoredfor 11and 12,making26pointsinall.Otherwise,therulesareidentical.

SPIDER:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

SPINorSPINADO:AspecialfeaturedatingfromearlyformsofBoodle,thispage,nowusedingameslikeMichigan,thispage,NewMarket,thispage,andSaratoga,thispage,thusgainingrecognitionofitsown.Therulesof

anysuchgamesare followed inSpinado,butonecard, the A—termed“spin” or “spinado”—can be used to end any sequence that its holderhappenstobeplaying.Thatenableshimtoswitchtoanothersuitinwhichhecanplaya“boodlecard”orblocksomeotherplayer’schanceatcashingone.Sincethe A is“wild,”the Kbecomesthehighestcardofitssuit,unlessa joker isusedasspinado, so that the A can functionnormally.Thegamecanbesteppedupbyusingtwojokers,eachasaspinado.

SPITE AND MALICE: An ultramodern development of Double Solitaire,thispage,with twoplayersutilizing twopacksofcards:One, the“payoffpack,” containing the standard fifty-two cards running from ace up tokinginvalue;theother,the“mutualpack,”withtheusualfifty-twocardsplus four“wild” jokers,making fifty-six inall.Valuesalonecount, suitsbeingdisregardedinthisgame.Thepayoffpackisshuffled,andtwenty-sixcardsaredealtfacedownto

eachplayer,toserveashispayoffpile.Eachlayshispiletohisrightandturnsupitstopcard.Ifthesameinvalue—astwonines—theyareturneddown,andeachpile isshuffledseparatelysoanothercardcanbeturnedup.WhoeverfinallyhasahighercardbecomesPlayerXandplaysfirst,hisadversarybeingPlayerY.Priortoplay,themutualpackoffifty-sixcardsisshuffledandlaidface

downinthecenterofthetableasa“stock.”PlayerXdrawsfivecardsfromthisstock,keepingthefacestowardhimasaplayinghand,thenPlayerYdrawsfiveinthesameway.Playthenproceedsthus:IfXhasanaceshowingonhispayoffpile,hemustputitfaceupnear

thecenterofthetableasabase.Ifheisholdinganyacesinhishand,hecanusethemtoformbasesifhechooses.IfanacehasbeenplayedandatwoisshowingonX’spayoffpile,hemustbuilditontheace.Ifhehasatwoinhishand,hecanbuilditifhechooses.Anythinghigherthanatwodoes not have to be built at all, except as a matter of choice. Havingfinishedhisbuilds—ifany—PlayerXlaysacardfaceupinfrontofhimtobeginadiscardpile.He thendrawsoneormorecards fromthestock togivehishanditsoriginalquotaoffivecards,puttinghiminreadinessforhisnextturn.PlayerYdoes the same,either startingnewbases fromhispayoffpile

and hand, or building on any started by Player X. Play continuesalternately fromthenon,butwithnewfactors tobeconsidered;namely:

Indiscardingtoendhisturn,aplayercanstartanewdiscardpile,butwithalimitoffoursuchpiles.Orhecandiscardacardofthesamevalueasthecardshowingthere,asplacinganeightonaneight.Orhecandiscardindescending sequence on a card showing there, as putting a sevenon aneight.As play proceeds, a player can extend his turn by building from a

discardpiledirectlyontoacenterpile,exactlyasfromhispayoffpileorhishand.However, it isoftenbetter tobuild fromthehand,as thatenableshimtodrawanextracardattheendofhisturn.Bestofallisabuildfromtheplayer’spayoffpile,ashismainpurposeistoplayouthisentirepayoffpileandtherebywinthegame.Two importantpoints shouldbenoted: Ifaplayermanages toplayall

five cards fromhishandbeforediscarding,he candraw fivemore fromthestockandcontinuewithhis turn.Also,when thestock is reduced toless thanadozencards,playstopsuntil theplayersgatherall thecenterpilesthathavebeenbuiltuptotheking.Theseareshuffledalongwiththestock,whichagainbecomesasizablemutualpilefromwhichtheplayersdraw.If thestockrunsoutbeforeanycenterpileshavebeenbuiltup totheking,allcenterpilesaregatheredandshuffledasanewstock.Thefactthatthetwooriginalpacks(“payoff”and“mutual”)becomemixedduringplaydoesnotinanywayaffectthegame.In building, a player may use a wild joker by calling it any value he

wants;and it remainsas suchuntil its centerpilehasbeenshuffled intothe stock,when it becomeswild forwhicheverplayer draws it.Aplayermayalsodiscardajokertoendhisturn,bysimplyplacingitonanyofhisdiscard piles, without naming its value until a later turn. Thus, if hediscardsajokeronhisjack,inhisnextturnhecouldcallthejokerajackanddiscardeitherajackoratenonit.Instead,hecouldcallthejokeratenanddiscardanineonit.Betterstill,

he could discard a joker on a joker, calling them as he deems best.Example: Starting with a jack, player discards one joker, then anotherjoker. When ready for his next discard, he can term them “jack, jack,jack”—“jack,jack,ten”—“jack,ten,ten”—or“jack,ten,nine.”Also,whenajokerisuppermostonadiscardpile,aplayercanbuilditontoacenterpile,callingitanyvaluehewants,asinbuildingajokerisalwayswild.When a player can neither build nor discard, his hand becomes

“frozen” and his adversary takes over, sometimes continuing through

several turns until the frozen player is free to play again. However, aplayermayfreezehishandpurposelybyrefusingtobuildordiscarduntilhe feels that it is advantageous, which is a fine point of the game.However,aplayermustalwaysuseanace fromhispayoffpile,ora twofromeitherhispayoffpileoradiscardpile,providedthereisacenteraceonwhichhecanplayit.Aplayerdoesnothavetobuildanaceortwofromhisconcealedhandunlessbothplayersbecomefrozen.Inthatcase,eachmaydemandthattheotherbuildanaceortwofromhishandifabletodoso.Atnotime,however,isaplayerforcedtobuildordiscardajoker.Hecangetoutofthatbysimplydeclaringthewildjokertobeacardofsomeunplayablevalue.As already stated, theplayer’sobject is to get ridofhispayoffpileby

buildingallofitstwenty-sixcardsintocenterbuilds.Hethenbecomesthewinner,andtheotherplayer’spayoffpileisthencountedtodeterminethemargin of victory, the winner scoring 1 point for each of the loser’sremainingcards.Whenever both hands become frozen, stopping all further play, the

payoff piles are left as they stand; and all the other cards are gathered,shuffled,andformedintoanewmutualpack.Fromthisstock,eachplayerin turn draws five cards, as if starting a new game. This, to a markeddegree, offsets any freezingon thepart of eitherplayerby turning suchtacticsintopartoftheover-allstrategy.

SPIT INTHEOCEAN:Oneof themostpopular formsofwild-cardPokerfromwhich others have been derived and used inDealer’s Choice. Seethispage.

SPOILFIVE:Afamousoldtrumpgamewithuniquerankingofthesuitsandsome odd rules of play that add intriguing complexities to an otherwisesimpleprocedure.

ThePack:Thestandardfifty-twocards,withthecompleterankofsuitslisted on the opposite page, showing exactlyhow they vary according towhichsuitistrump.A trump suit ranks 5, J, then A (which is always the third-highest

trump),A,K,Q, followed by spots in descending order (from 10 down,skippingthe5) if trumpisaredsuit;but inascendingorder(from2up,skippingthe5)iftrumpisablacksuit.

OrdinarysuitsrankK,Q,J,thenfrom10downwardinredsuits,cleartoA indiamonds,butonly to2 inhearts, as the A belongs towhicheversuit is trump.ThecardsrankK,Q, J, thenAup to10 inordinaryblacksuits.Theorderofthespotcardscanberememberedbythesaying,“Highest

inred,lowestinblack.”Asforthe A,itcanberegardedasasimpleformofjoker,asitfunctionsmuchlikeone,butthegamedatesbacktoaperiodbeforejokerscameintocommonuse.

NumberofPlayers:Fromtwototen,eachonhisown,butthree,four,orfivearethemostsuitablenumbers.

The Deal: Five cards to each player, usually by threes, then twos, inclockwiseorder.Thenextcardisturnedfaceuponthepacktodesignatethe trump suit. If it is the ace, the dealer can take it into his hand anddiscardanothercard,facedownunderthepack.Ifanothervalueisturnedupastrump,anyplayerholdingtheaceofthatsuitcantakeupthetrumpcardfromthepackandmakeaface-downdiscardinitsplace.Hemustdothisbeforehisturntoplay;andifhewishes,hecanrejecttheturned-upcardbyturningitdown,butineithercase,hemustshowhisace.

Playing the Hand: Any card is led by the player at the dealer’s left.Othersmayfollowsuit,orplayatrumpeveniftheyareabletofollowsuit.If out of the suit led, they can trump or discard from another suit. Thehighestcardof suit ledwins the trickunless trumped, inwhichcase thehighesttrumpwins.Thewinnerofeachtrickleadstothenext.When a trump is led, other playersmust follow suit, except with the

threehighesttrumps(5,Joftrump,or A).Aplayercanrenege,orholdback any of those cards, unless a higher trump is led. Example: Withspadestrump,ifthe 5isled,aplayerwouldhavetofollowwiththe JorAifhehadnoothertrump;orifthe Jshouldbeled,hewouldhaveto

playthe A ifhehadnoother trump.But leadsof lowertrumpscanbeignored.

Purpose of Play: Each player’s main aim is to win a majority of thetricks, that is, at least three, and if possible all five. Since that is oftendifficultandsometimesimpossiblewithapoorhand,hemayresorttotheimmediatepurposeofspoilingsomestrongerplayer’schances,bytakingat least one trick that his adversary needs; hence the expression “spoilfive.”Thus a hand is generally played defensively throughout, with weaker

players letting one another take tricks, rather than waste two winningcardsonthesameplay;yetat thesametimewatchingforanybreakthatmay enable one of them to gain a surprise win. A stronger player mayoften feigndefensive tactics for that samepurpose, rather thanoverplayhishandatthestart.

ScoringtheGame:Theusualprocedureisforeachplayertocontributeonechipor token toacommonpool,which is takenbyanyonewinningthehand. If thehand is spoiled, thedealmoveson,with thenewdealercontributing an extra token. This continues until a hand is won, then anewpoolisformed.

TheJinkOption:Assoonasaplayerhastakenthreetricks,thehandisfinished,unless thosehappen tobe the first three tricks and thewinnerdecidestogofortwomore.Thisiscalled“jinking,”and,toannouncehisintention,theplayersimplyleadstothenexttrickinsteadofthrowinginhishandandcollectingthepool.Ifhetakesall fivetricks,hecollectsanadditionaltokenfromeachplayerforthejink.Ifhefails,thepoolremainsintact and the deal moves on, with the new dealer contributing thecustomarychip.

SPOTHEARTS:AvariantofHearts, thispage, inwhicheachheartcountsagainstanyonetakingitaccordingtothenumberofitsspots:2,3,4,andsoonuptojack,11;queen,12;king,13;ace,14.

STEALING BUNDLES: A juvenile form of Cassino, this page, for twoplayers, inwhichall cardsare treatedas facecardsandcan thereforebetakenonlybyacardoftheirownvalue,as J taking J; 3 taking 3;and so on. In short, no “builds” are allowed, though a playermay lay acardlikeaneightonaneightshowingontheboard,announcingthatheintendstotakethemwithanothereight,whichhealsohasinhishand.The deal is the same as in cassino: Four to the opponent, four to the

dealer,andfourmorecardsfaceuponthetableasalayout.Aftertakingincards,ordiscardingoddcardsonthelayout,fourmorearedealttoeach;and play continues. However, each player must keep all the cards hematchesinaface-uppileinfrontofhim,intheexactordertaken.Iftheotherplayercanmatch the topcardof thepacket,hecanadd theentire“bundle”tohisown,hencethenameofthegame.Often,bundlespassbackandforthwithrapidityandhilarity.Whoever

takes in the last “match” from the layout also takes any odd cards leftthere.Playersthencounttheirbundles,andtheonewiththemostcardswins.Aplayershouldbecompelledtotakeinanycardthathecanmatch;otherwise,oncehisbundlehasthefourthcardofitskindontop,hecouldkeepdiscardingtothelayout,makingthegamepointless.

Players follow suitwhen trump is led, butmay renegewith the threehighesttrumps(5orJoftrump,or A)unlessahighertrumpisled.

STOPS: Any form of game in the general category of Eights, Fan-Tan,Michigan, etc., in which cards are played in sequence until blocked bymissingcardsorthosewithheldbyotherplayers,thusactingas“stops”toimmediateplay.

STOREHOUSE:AtypeofSolitaire.Seethispage.

STORMYWEATHER:Poker.Seethispage.

STRAIGHTPOKER:Seethispage.

STREETSANDALLEYS:AvariantofBeleagueredCastleSolitaire.Seethispage.

STRIPPEDPACK:Poker.Seethispage.

STUDPOKER:Seethispage,thispage.

STUDWITHSPIT:Poker.Seethispage.

STUSS:Faro, thispage, reduced tosimplest terms.Playersplacebetsonalayoutshowingcardsranginginvaluefromaceuptoking,ormerelystatetheirchoices.Fromafifty-two-cardface-downpack,thedealerturnsuponeandplacesittotherightashiscardandcollectsallbetsmadeonthatvalue.He turnsup thenext card andplaces it to the left as the player’scard,payinganywhobetonthatvalue.Allbetsareevenmoney,butthedealer has an “edge” because he wins whenever two cards of the samevaluearedealtinthesameturn.Thedealendsaftertwenty-fourturns(orforty-eightcards),withnoplayontheremainingcards,asiscustomaryinfaro.

SUDDENDEATH:Poker.Seethispage.

SUITVALUEWHIST:StandardWhist,thispage,butwithaspecialscoringsystem. Tricks vary in value according to the suit turned up as trump:Each trick 1, with spades trump; 2 with clubs; 3 with diamonds; 4 withhearts.Eachteamscoreswhateveritwins,andthefirsttoreach10pointswinsgame,with10pointsbonusforrubber.Honorsarenotcounted.

SUPER CONTRACT BRIDGE: Almost identical withContract Bridge, thispage,butwitha jokeraddedtothepacktorepresent thehighestcard inwhateversuittheholdercallsit,providedhehasnotdiscardedtothatsuit.Thejokeralsoratesasanhonorineithertrumporno-trump,andaplayerholding all honors scores 300points. In the deal, the fifty-third card is

turned face up, and the declarer may openly exchange any card in hishandfor it;hence if the joker isdealtas theoddcard, it is sure tobe inplay.Allotherrulesfollowthoseofcontractbridge.

SWEDISHRUMMY:AgamesimilartoEights,thispage.

TABLESTAKES:AformofPokerinwhichaplayer’sbetsarelimitedtotheamountofchipshehasonthetable.Seethispage.

TAKE-ALLHEARTS:AformofHeartsinwhichabonusisgivenfortakingallthecardsofthatsuit.OftenincorporatedasaspecialruleinOmnibusHearts,itisdescribedunderTake-AllHearts,thispage.

TAKEITORLEAVEIT:AlsocalledShove’EmAlong.Aformof“dealer’schoice” inwhichcardsarepassed fromoneplayer toanother.SeePushPoker,thispage.

TAMO’SHANTER:AvariantofAuldLangSyne,thispage.

TAMPA:AnoutgrowthofCanasta,thispage,usingthreepacks—162cardsincluding six jokers—with wild-card melds allowed and a wild canastacounting2000pointsas inUruguayanCanasta, thispage.Beyondthat,however,therulesofSamba,thispage,takeover,butwithoneimportantexception; namely, the sequence melds, or escaleras, are not allowed.Thus Tampa can be simply defined as “samba without the samba,” butwithwildcanastasallowableinstead.

TAPOUT:Poker.Seethispage.

TAROC or TAROK: An ancient game played with the seventy-eight-cardtarotpack (usuallyused for fortunes),with twenty-two trumpcards andfoursuitsoffourteencardseach.ItisstillplayedinmodifiedforminafewpartsofEgypt,anditsmoderndevelopmentsaregamesoftheSkat type,thispage,wherecertaincardsserveaspermanenttrumps.

TENNESSEE:AvariantofCincinnati.SeeTennessee,thispage.

TENNESSEEJED:AvariantofTennessee.

TEXASTECH:AnelaborationofShotgun.SeeTexasTech,thispage.

THIRTY-FIVE:SeeTrenta-cinque,seebelow.

THIRTY-ONE:Half-a-dozenplayersareeachdealtthreecardsfromafifty-

two-card pack; and three are dealt face up as a “widow.” Beginning atdealer’sleft,eachmaytakeonecardfromthewidowanddiscardanotherfaceupinitsplace,thepurposebeingtoformatotalasnearthirty-oneaspossible,inasinglesuit,anacecounting11;facecards(K,Q,J)10each;othersaccordingtotheirspots.(Examples: K,8,7 25; A,Q,10 31.)Oraplayermayassemblethreecardsofonerank(as 6, 6, 6),whichhas a special value of 30½;. In case of two such trios, the higher takesprecedence, cards ranking A, K, Q, J, 10 down to 2. Drawing anddiscarding continues around the table until one player knocks, thinkinghis hand is best. The rest have one more chance to draw and discard;hands are then shown, and the highest wins a pool to which allcontributed.Incaseofatie,thepoolissplit.Often,afairlyhighhand,asJ, 8, 5 23, isworth a quick knock rather than allow opponents time toformahighertotaloratrio.

THREE-CARDMONTE:Agamewithaqueenandtwospotcards,whicharethrownfacedownonatable,thedealerofferingoddsoftwotoonethataplayercannotpickthequeen.AlsoknownasFindtheLady, thegameisoftenused by deft sharpers to trimunwary victims, as a skilled throwercaneasilyconfuseanonlooker.

THREE-CARD POKER: Also termed Monte, this is an abridged form ofPoker.Seethispage.

THREEFORTY-FIVE:Aformofwild-cardPoker,thispage.

THREE-HANDEDGAMES:AsBridge,Canasta,Cassino,Cribbage,Euchre,Five Hundred, Pinochle, and others, these will be found under theirgeneralheads.

TIGER:AnothernameforBlindOpening,thispage.

TOWIE:Awell-developedbut littleplayedformofThree-HandedBridge.Seethispage.

TREFOIL:AformofSolitaire,thispage.

TREIZE: A variant of theConsolation round in Five in One orGarbage.

Thirteen cards are dealt face up (instead of only ten) with the dealercountingaceas1,andsoonupto11,12,13forjack,queen,andking.Ifhehits a number, he collects that many chips from each opponent; if hemissescompletely,hepayssevenchipstoeach.SeeFiveinOne,thispage.

TRENTA-CINQUE: A fast Italian game requiring a forty-card pack (noeights,nines,ortens)withfourplayers,eachonhisown.Ninecardsaredealt to each with four as a face-down “widow.” Each player puts fivechips in apool and after looking athishandmaypass or bidup to fivechipsfortheprivilegeofstayingonthechanceofhavingthehighestcountinasinglesuit,withanaceas1,spotsaccordingtotheirnumber,andfacecards (J,Q,K)at 10each.Twoormoremay“stay”onabidof five,andwhicheverhasthehighestcountwinsthebid,putsfivechipsinthepool,andtakesupthewidow.Ifhecanthenhitatotalof35ormore,hewinsthepool;otherwise it stays to thenextdeal.Anyplayerwho“stays”andshowsanoriginalhandwithoutafacecard,orahandwiththeK,Q,Jofasinglesuit,immediatelycollectstwochipsfromeachofhisopponents.

TRENTEETQUARANTE: InEnglish,Thirty andForty, this game is alsocalledRougeetNoir,orRedandBlack. It isplayed ingamblingcasinossuch as Monte Carlo and requires a special layout, where players placebets of two types. The first andmore important go on diamond-shapedspacesrepresenting“red”and“black,”whichfunctionasfollows:Adealershufflessixfifty-two-cardpacksintoonebigbatchanddealsa

face-uprow,whichhedesignatesas“black.”Onlythevaluesarecountedin ascending order: ace for 1, others according to their spots, with facecards (J,Q,K)at10each.Hekeepsondealinguntil therowtotalsmorethan30,butnotmorethan40.Hethendealsarowfor“red”onthesamebasis.Therowthattotalsclosestto31iswinner.Example:

Black:8–4–J–3–4–5 34Red:Q–A–2–2–5–6–K 36

In this case, blackwins, and the dealer pays the amountswagered toplayerswhochoseblack,whiletakinginallbetsthatwereplacedonred.The layout also has a square marked “color” and a triangle for

“inverse.” Even-money bets can be placed on color, on the following

terms: If thevery first carddealt isblack—as the 8 or 8—theplayerwinsiftheblackrowwins;butifitisred—as 8or 8—hewinsiftheredrowwins.Withinverse,itisjusttheopposite;theplayerwinsifthecolorloses.Ifbothrowsadduptothesametotal,betsareoff,unlessitisexactly31,whenthebanktakeshalfoftheamountwagered.

TRESETTE:AgameofItalianorigin,withfourplayers,oppositespairedaspartners,usingaforty-cardpackwiththeuniquerankingof3,2,A,K,J,Q,7,6,5,4.Eachplayerisdealttencards,andthefirstplayerleadsanycardhewants,othersfollowingsuitiftheycan,orelseplayingfromasidesuit, as there is no trump in this game.Thehighest card of the suit ledwinsthetrick,andthewinnerleadstothenext.However: In leading,aplayermayorderhispartnereither toplayhis

best card in that suit, or to play the ace if he has it. Also, a player, infollowingalead,maytellhowmanycardshehasinthatsuit.Inaddition,in leading or playing, he can state that he has a blank, singleton, ordoubletoninsomeothersuit,thoughheisnotallowedtonameit.Theseclueshelpmateriallyinpartnershipplay.If a player holds a high-card sequence; namely, 3–2–A of the same

suit,hecanannounceitasa“meld”afterplayingallthreecards.Similarly,hecanmeldasetofthreeorfourhighcards(as3–3–3;2–2–2–2;A–A–A–A).Everycardsomeldedcountsas1pointtowardtheteam’sscore.Forevery three high cards or face cards taken during play, a team scores 1point,anyextrasnotbeingcounted.The last trickcounts 1point for theteamtakingitinplay.Gameis31points.Thedealmovesonaftereachhand,butinthisgameitcustomarilygoes

totherightinsteadoftheleft,withplaystartingonthedealer’srightandcontinuinginthatdirection.

TRIANGLECONTRACT:A three-handedgamewith thedealerandplayeropposite as partners. They bid and play as inContract Bridge against asingle player on the dealer’s right, who is dealt two hands, a face-updummyandhisown,sohecanbidandplayboth.Seethispage.

TRIOMPHE, TRIUMPH, or TRUMP: An early trump game from whichÉcarté,thispage,Euchre,thispage,Napoleon,thispage,andotherswerederived.AlsocalledFrenchWhist.

TRIONFETTI:AgameverysimilartoGileorGilet.Seethispage.

TRIPOLI:Amodern formofPochen, thispage,using thesame layoutbutwith one suit—as hearts—designated for payoffs, and with a fixedsequence in another suit, as 7 8 9. A fifty-two-card pack is used anddealtequallyamongfourtosevenplayers,withatleastsixcardsleftforadeadhand.Thus, fourplayerswouldhave11cardseach;five,nineeach;six,seveneach;seven,sixeach.Inthefirstphase,playerscollectforpayoffcardsasinpochen;for A,

K,Q,J,10;heartmarriage;or 789sequence.Eachthenshowshisbestfive cards as a modern poker hand, including straights, flushes, fullhouses,andstraightflushes,forthesecondphase,thewinnertakingapotto which all contributed, as in pochen. The third phase is a game of“stops,” beginning at the dealer’s left, with each player using his entirehand and with the dead hand left on the table, as inNew Market, thispage.Thereareno“boodle”cards,however;firstplayertogooutcollectsone chipper card fromeachof the others, according to their individualholdings.Anychipsremainingonlayoutcardsgotothewinnerofafinalhandthatisspecifiedassuch.

TUNK:AcrossbetweenGin,thispage,andKnockRummy,thispage,with“wilddeuces”representinganyneededcard.Fromtwotofourplayersareeachdealt seven cards, and thenext is turnedupbeside thepack.Eachplayerinturndrawsfromthepackortakestheupcardandthendiscardsas inknock rummy,but cannotknockuntil the countofhisunmatchedcards is down to 5 points, as in gin.He then lays downhis hand, usingdeuceswhenneededtomeldsequencesofthreeormorecardsinonesuit;orsetsofthreeorfourofakind,whichmusthavetwo“natural”cards(asJ–4–2or9–9–2–2).Aftertheknockerhasdiscarded,eachplayerhasonechance to draw,meld, and lay off on the knocker’s hand,unlesshehasmatched it entirely. Each player’s unmatched cards are scored againsthim;andifanyoneundercutstheknocker,theknocker’scountisdoubled.Dealscontinue in theusualorder,andaseachplayer reaches 100,he iseliminateduntil only one remains and is thewinner.With five ormoreplayers,adoublepackof104cardsisused,witheightwilddeuces.

TWENTY-FIVE: A simplified form ofForty-five with game limited to 25points.Seethispage.

TWENTY-NINE:Asimplebutfast-movinggamewithafifty-two-cardpackin which cards are valued numerically; face cards and aces one each,othersaccordingtotheirspots.Therearefourplayers,withthoseseatedopposite teamed as partners. Each is dealt thirteen cards; play begins atdealer’sleft.Firstplayerlaysacardfaceup;nextaddsonetoit;andsoon,until aplayermakes the totalexactly29andwins the trick forhis team.Theplayeronhisleftleadstothenexttrickandplaycontinues.Ifunabletoplaywithoutgoingover29,aplayermustpasshisturn.Theteamtakingthemostcardswinsthegame.Ifthelasttrickfailstototal29,itscardsaredisregarded.

TWENTY-ONE: Another term for Blackjack, this page, particularly thegame as played in gambling casinos, which have their own dealers andhouse rules as to when the dealer must “stay” or “draw,” and specialpayoffsonstipulatedbonushands.

TWINBEDS:AnelaboratedformofCincinnati.SeeTwinBeds,thispage.

TWO-CARDPOKERorTWO-CARDHIGH-LOW:Atwo-cardgamebasedonPokeranddescribedthereunder.AlsoknownasHurricane.SeeTwo-CardPoker,thispage.

TWO-HANDED GAMES: As Bridge, Five Hundred, Pinochle, and othersappearundertheirgeneralheads.

TWO-MELDRUMMY:Seethispage.

UNLIMITED LOO: A form of Loo, this page, in which players who are“looed” must put up an amount equal to the pool, which sometimespyramids to fantastic proportions.A game to be avoided. SeeUnlimitedLoo,thispage.

UPANDDOWNTHERIVER:AnamefrequentlyappliedtoPutandTake(thispage),butsometimesplayedonthebasisthataplayerpaysorcollectsanamountequaltothespotsonthematchedcards,withfacecardsratingattenchipseach.Seethispage.

URUGUAYAN CANASTA or URUGUAY: Regular Canasta, this page, butwithwild-cardmeldsofthreetosevencardsallowed.A“wildcanasta”(ofsevencards)scores2000points.Thepot,ordiscardpile,isalwaysfrozeninthisgame.

UTAH:AnothernameforCincinnati.SeeUtah,thispage.

VAN JOHN: A corruption of the French termVingt-un, hence a popularnameforthatgame.Seebelow.

VARIETY:AnothernameforFiveinOne.Seethispage.

VINGT-ET-UNorVINGT-UN:TheoriginalformofTwenty-one,thispage,as played in France, the wordsVingt-et-un being French for “twenty-one.” In its early form, the game had several variations now seldomplayed. From it developed the highly popular game of Blackjack, thispage.

VINT: A Russian antecedent of Auction Bridge, this page, with a similarmodeofbidding.Theplayer athighbidder’s left leads to the first trick,but play ismore like that ofWhist, this page, as there is no dummy.Afifty-two-cardpack isused,rankingAdownto2;andthirteencardsaredealt to each of four players, as opposing teams. The dealer opens thebidding,whichrunsfrom“one”upto“seven,”accordingtothenumberoftricksover“book,”suitsrating inascendingorder: , , , ,no-trump.However, in scoring:With a bid of one, each team scores 10 points foreverytrickittakes;with“two,”20points;andsoonupto“seven,”whichscores70pointspertrick.Theseareentered“belowtheline,”asinbridge,andthefirstteamtoreach500winsthegame,declaring“out”incourseofplay,thoughthehandisfinishedtoregisteradditionalscores.Bonuspoints go “above the line” as follows:Forwinninggame, 1000

points;winningrubber(twogames),2000;fortakingtwelvetricks(smallslam),1000 5000if“six”wasbid;forthirteentricks(grandslam),20005000 if “six”was bid, or 10,000 if “seven”was bid. If a team fails to

makeitsbid,opponentsscore100timesthetrickvalueforeachtrickshortof it.Honors consist ofA,K,Q, J, 10 of trump, anda teamholding themostscorestentimesthevalueofatrickforeach,theloser’shonorsbeingdisregarded.Thefouracesarehonors inno-trump,at twenty-five timesthevalueofatrick;andifeachteamholdstwoaces,theteamtakingthemosttricksscoresitspair.Ifoneplayerholdsthreeaces,orathree-cardsequenceinanysuit(as J109),hescores500pointsfora“coronet.”Afourth ace, or any extra cards in sequence, counts 500 in addition. Atrump sequence doubles in value; and when playing at no-trump, allcoronets—acesorsequencesinanysuit—aredoubled,ratingtheoriginal

trio at 1000 1000 for each extra. All are scored above the line. Finalsettlementsaremadeasinbridge.

VIVEL’AMOUR:Anold-timegameinwhichapackisdealtequallyamongfourplayers,whosimultaneouslypasscardsfacedowntothenextplayerin rotation. This continues until one player acquires all the cards of asinglesuitandannounceshimselfaswinner.

WAR: Primarily a two-player game, preferably for juveniles, with a fifty-two-card pack ranking A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 with suitsdisregarded.Eachisdealttwenty-sixcardsfacedown,andeachturnshistopcardfaceup.Thehighervaluetakesthelowerandthecardsareplacedfacedownbeneaththewinner’spacket.Thiscontinuesindefinitely,untiloneplayerhaswonalltheother’scards.Iftwocardshappentobetied—astwotens—theyarelaidasideandgotothewinnerofthenextturnup.Theplayerwhogathersinallthecardswinsthegame.Asanaddedrule,aftera tie,eachplayer laysacard facedownbefore

turning up another; and these cards also go to the winner of the nextturnup.Thismayenableaplayertocaptureanopposingacewhenhehasnoneofhisown.Thegamecanbeplayedwiththreeormoreplayers,eachonhisown,utilizingadoublepackifdesired.Iftwoaretiedforhigh,anyplayer turningupa lowercard is included in the tieandhasachanceofwinningthemallwiththenextturnup.Aplayerdropsoutwhenhiscardsare gone, and others continue until one player wins. This game is alsocalledEverlasting,duetoitsduration.

WASHINGTON’SFAVORITE:Solitaire.Seethispage.

WEDDINGS:AnothernameforMonteCarloSolitaire,thispage.

WELLINGTON:Napoleonwithanextrabid.Seethispage.

WESTCLIFFE:AvariantofLucasSolitaire,thispage.

WHANGDOODLES:Poker.Seethispage.

WHISK:AformernameforWhist.Seethispage.

WHISKEYPOKER:Thoughadistinctivegameofitsown,thiscanbeplayedasaformof“dealer’schoice.”Playerscontributeequallytoapoolandfivecardsaredealttoeach,withanextrahandasa“widow,”facedown.Firstplayermaytakeupthewidowandlayhisownhandfaceupinitsplace;orhemaysimplyrefuseit.Inthatcase,theoptionmovesaroundthetable,andifnobodytakesthewidow,thedealerspreadsitfaceup.Onceahandis thusdisclosed, thenextplayermayexchangehis entirehand for it or

drawjustonecardfromit,discardingoneofhisowncardsfaceupinthewidow. This continues around until some player knocks the table,signifying thathe is satisfiedwithhishand.The remainingplayers eachhaveonemorechancetodrawasbeforeortostandwithwhattheyhave.Therearenobetsorraises;handsaresimplyshownandthehighesttakesthepot,accordingtostandardpokerhands.

Note:Whiskey poker was originally played with hands of three cardseach, as an outgrowth of Commerce, this page, using the evaluationscommontothatgame.

WHIST:ThisisthegamethatmadeHoylefamous,orviceversa,sincebothhave left indelible impressions upon the real silent majority, the card-playingpublic,whistbeingtheforerunnerofBridge,thispage,andHoyletheall-timeauthoritywhotriggeredit.Whistisafour-playergame,withthoseoppositeaspartners;andthestandardfifty-two-carddeckisused,eachsuitrankingA,K,Q,J,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2.Theentirepack isdealt, one cardat a time, in clockwise rotation, the

last card being turned up to designate trump. The dealer adds it to hishandbeforemakinghis firstplay.Theplayeratdealer’s left leads to thefirst trick,andtheothersmustfollowsuit ifpossible;otherwisetheycanplayfromasidesuitortrumpthetrickifanordinarysuitisled.Highestcard of suit led wins unless trumped, when the highest trump wins.Winnerofeachtrickleadstothenext.Sixtricksaretermeda“book,”andateamscores1pointforeachtrick

takenbeyondthat.Thedealmovesaroundthetable,andthefirstteamtoreach 7 points wins the game, according to American rules. The loser’sscoreisdeductedfromthewinner’stoestablishthemarginofvictory;anditisusualtoplayoutthefinalhand,sothewinnersmayaddextrapointstotheirscore.Inofficialorseriousplay,7isthelimit.TheEnglishmodeof scoring is more complex and is described underEnglish Whist, thispage.Whist has many conventional plays, such as always leading a trump

whenholdingfiveormore;leadingthefourthhighestofthelongestsuit;showingaholdingofA–KbyleadingtheK;playing“low”insecondhandand“high”inthirdhand.Manyofthesehavebeeninheritedbybridgeandelaboratedinthatgame.InBidWhist, insteadof turningup trump, eachplayer canannounce

thenumberoftricks,plusthetrumphonors(A,K,Q,J)thathethinkshisteamcantakeduringplay,withtheunderstandingthathedecidesonthetrumpsuitandleads to thefirst trick.Sincethereare thirteentricksandfourhonors,thepossiblepointstotal17.Usually,playersarepermittedtokeep raising bids until three pass in succession; and in that generallyacceptedform,thegameistechnicallyknownasAuctionBidWhist.If the bidder is successful, his team’s points are counted and the

opposing team’s points are deducted to determine the winningmargin,each deal constituting a game. For example, a player on Team A bids“eleven”andhisteamtakesninetricksandthreehonors(AQJ)foratotalof12points,whileTeamBtakesfourtricksandonehonor(Q)foratotalof 5. The bidder’s team thereby wins by 5 points. However, if a bidderfails,histeamscores0andtheopponentsscorewhattheymake.Thusintheexamplecited,ifTeamAtakesonlyeighttricksandtwohonors(AJ)whileTeamBtakesfivetricksandtwohonors(KQ),TeamBwouldwinbyitsfullscoreof7points.This game has several variations: In one, honors are credited to the

teamholding them,not to the team taking them; inanother,honorsaretotallydisregarded,sothereareonlythirteentricks.Inscoring,sometimesonly the tricks over “book” are counted,making 7 possible points (plusfourhonorsifused).Inacontinuousgame,thiscanbeplayedasSetbackBidWhist,alosingbidbeingdeductedfromateam’sexistingscore,whilethenonbiddingteamalwaysscoreswhateverpointsitmakes.

English Whist: This long-established form of whist differs from theAmericanversion chiefly in themodeof scoring,which runs as follows:Gameis5points.Eachtrickoversixcounts1pointfortheteamtakingit.Aftertricksarescored,eitherteammayscoreforholdingamajorityofthehonorcards,consistingoface,king,queen,jackoftrump.Allfourhonorscount4points;anythreehonors,2points.Therefore:Assuming that team scores standA–C, 2 points;B–D, 3 points.A–C

takes eight tricks, scoring2points for a total of 4; butB–D holds threehonors, thereby scoring 2 points for a total of 5 and winning game.However, ifA–C takesninetricks,scoring3pointsforatotalof2 3 5,A–Ctherebywinsgame,asthehonorsheldbyB–Ddonotcount.Ateamwithastandingscoreof4cannotcounthonorpoints,butmust

score1trickormoretowingame.Example:ScoresstandA–C,2;B–D,4.A–Ctakeseighttricks,scoring2pointstoreach4;whileB,holdingthree

honors,cannotscore,sotheteamsstand4-all.However,ifA–Chadheldthosethreehonors,A–Cwouldhavescored2pointsfor tricksand2forhonors,which,addedtothestandingscore,wouldwingame(2 2 2 6).Ateamwinningtwogameswins“rubber,”whichistheultimateaim.A

teamiscreditedwitha“treble,”or3gamepoints,forwinningagamebyascore of 5 (or more) to 0. It gains a “double,” or 2 game points, forwinningby5(ormore)to1or2.Itgainsa“single,”or1gamepoint,forwinningby5(ormore)to3or4.Ateamthatwinsrubberadds2“rubberpoints”toitsscore.Thehighestpossiblescoreistwotreblesandarubber,3 3 2 8againstanopposing0.Thelowestpossibleistwosinglesandarubber,1 1 2 4againstanopposingtrebleof3,givingthewinningteamavictoryby1point.

WHISTLER:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

WHITEHEAD:AformofSolitaire.Seethispage.

WHITEPASS:AvariantofYukon.SeeSolitaire,thispage.

WIDOW CINCH: Six-handed cinch with three teams of partners seatedopposite.Eachplayer isdealteightcards,andtheremainingfouraresetasideasa“widow”thatgoestothehighestbidder,beforehenamestrump.All hands then discard down to four cards each, and play follows as inCinch.Seethispage.

WIDOWNAP:AformofNapoleon,thispage,withanextrafive-cardhanddealt as a face-down “widow” that goes to a player bidding “Nap.”Thisenableshimtoimprovehishandbychoosingthefivebestcardsfromhisown hand and the widow, a privilege that encourages high bids. AlsoapplicabletobidsofWellington,thispage,orBlucher,thispage.

WILD-CARDCANASTA:AdevelopmentofUruguayanCanasta(thispage)butwiththirteencardsdealttoeachplayer.Thepotisalwaysfrozenandcan be taken only bymatching the upcardwith a natural pair from thehand. Wild cards can be melded in sets of three or more, each jokerscoring50;eachdeuce,20.Awildcanastacounts2,000points; formedbyfourjokersandthreedeuces,3,000;bysevendeuces,4,000.Gameis7,500andtherequiredopeningmeldisraisedto150pointsatthe5,000

level.Blackthreescannotbediscardeduntilafterthefirstround,andaplayer

takingapotmustweedthemfromit,eachcounting5pointsforhisteam;allfourareweededormelded,scoring100.Redthreesscore100forthefirst;200eachforthenexttwo;500forthefourth,buttheseareminusifthe team fails to form a canasta. This game is commonly calledCubanCanasta, and, as a popular variant, black threes may be treated as redthrees,eachformingaspecialsetscoredthesameway.

Wild Card Canasta represents a transition from Canasta (this page)toward still wilder games as Bolivia, this page, Samba, this page,Mexicana,thispage.Forafulllist,seethispage.

WILD-CARDPOKER:AnyformofPoker inwhichcardsofcertainvaluescan represent other cards that the players decideupon. Such games arecommoninDealer’sChoice,thispage.SeethispageforWild-CardPoker.

WILD-CARDRUMMY:Seethispage.

WILD WIDOW: Wild-Card Poker in which a single card or “widow” isturneduptoestablishawild-cardvalue.Seethispage.

WOOLWORTH:AformofPokerdescribedonthispage.

XMARKSTHESPOT:SimilartoCrisscrossorCrossWidow,butwithfivecardsdealttoformanX,givingthemspecialusage.Seethispage.

YASS:AnothernameforJass,thispage.

YERLASH:AnothertermforVint,thispage.

YUKON:AformofSolitaire,thispage.

ZEBRAPOKER:AformofDealer’sChoice.Seethispage.

ZIGINETTE:Amodernandhighlypopular formofLansquenet, thispage,usingaforty-cardpack(noeights,nines,ortens)fromwhichtwocardsofdifferentvaluearedealtfaceup,eachasaplayer’scard.Anothervalueisdealtfaceupasthedealer’scard.Playersplacebetsonthefirsttwo,andmorecardsareturnedup,witheachnewvalueopenforbetsasaplayer’scard.But if a card turnsup tomatch aplayer’s card, thedealerwins allwagerson that card; andwhenhematcheshisowncard,hepaysoff allexisting bets, and the deal moves on. If the dealer wins all bets beforematching his own card, he can retain the deal. If any of the first threecardsmatch,thereisnoplay,andthesamedealerdealsagain.

ZIONCHECK: The original form ofContract Rummy, this page, in whichonlythefirstfivetypesof“deals”arerequired,insteadofallseven.

ZOMBIE:AformofDealer’sChoice.

GLOSSARY-INDEX(Gamesareitalicized.)Abandon:Giveupahandordeal.

Abovetheline:PremiumscoreinBridge.Abundance:TypeofbidinSoloWhist.Acceptance:Agreementtoaproposedbid.Accordion(Solitaire)Ace:Acardwithonespot.Acehigh:Pokerhandwithaceashighestcard.Aceinthehole:Anaceasdown-cardinStudPoker.Acekicker:AnoddaceretainedwithapairofanothervalueinDrawPoker.AcepotsAcesUp(Solitaire)Acesup:Ahandwithtwopairincludingaces.Poker.Activeplayer:Oneparticipatinginbidding,betting,oractualplay.Adversary:Anopponent.Ageoredge:Playeratdealer’sleft.Agreement:Acceptanceofspecifiedoptionsinanygame.AirplaneAlbanylead:InWhist,aleadindicatingthataplayerholdsfourtrumps.AllFivesAllFoursAlone:Playingwithoutapartner’saidasinEuchre.AlsosAlternatestraight:AtermforaDutchstraightinPoker.AmbiguAmericanBragAmericanleads:SpecialleadsinWhistshowinglengthoftrumpsuit.AmericanPinochleAmericanSkatAmericanWhist:1.1,1.2Anaconda(Poker)AnacondawithPassAlong(Poker)AnimalsAnnounce:Tonameatrumporagame.

Announce:Tonameatrumporagame.Ante:Apreliminarybetorapoolofsuchbets.Anteup:Tomakeapreliminarybet.AnyCardWild(Poker)AnySuitWild(Poker)AnythingOpens(Poker)AnyValueWild(Poker)Approachbid:InBridge,anearlybidofaninformativetype.Apres:TermdenotingatieinTrenteetQuarante.ArlingtonArmyandNavyPinochleAroundthecorner:Asequenceofcardsinwhichanacelinksthelowestwith

thehighest,as3–2–A–K–Q.AroundtheWorld(Poker)AsorAsNasAsk:TomakealegitimateinquiryingameslikeCanastaorSkat.Askingbid:InContractBridge,abidseekingaresponsethatmayleadtoa

slam.Assist:ToorderuptrumpinEuchre.Auction:Continuousbiddingtowardmakingatrump.AuctionBidWhistAuctionBridgeAuctionCinchAuctionEuchreAuctionForty-fiveAuctionHeartsAuctionHighFiveAuctionPinochle:1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4AuctionPinochlewithPartnersAuctionPitchAuctionSheepsheadAuctionSixty-sixAuldLangSyne(Solitaire)AustralianPokerAuthorsAutomaticLowball(Poker)AuxiliarySequences(Solitaire)

BaccaraorBaccaratBackin:TobetafterhavingcheckedinPoker.Backtoback:Aholecardandup-cardofsamevalueinStudPoker.Bait:Anothertermforbate.Balk:InCribbage,givingcardstothecribthatmaybeuselesstothedealer.BangoBankerandBrokerBankerorbank:Playerwhotakesallbetsorbuysandsellschipstoothers.BankNight(Poker)BarnyardBaseball(Poker)BassetBasta:Thethirdhighesttrump, A,inOmbre,orthe Qinamoremodern

versionsometimestermedGermanSolo.Bateorbete:FailuretowinabidinPinochle.BattleRoyalBeastBeatYourNeighbor(Poker)Bedsprings(Poker)BeerPlayBeg:InAllFours,aproposalbyfirstplayerthateachbedealtthreemore

cardsandanewtrumpbeturnedup.BeggarMyNeighborBeleagueredCastle(Solitaire):1.1,1.2BelotteBelowtheline:EntriesoftrickscoresinBridge.Bestbower:ThejokerashighesttrumpinEuchreorFiveHundred.BestFlush(Poker)Bet:Astakeplacedonacomingplayorshowdown.Bete:Sameasbate.BetorDrop(Poker)Betrothal(Solitaire)Betthepot:Tomakeawagerequaltotheamountinthepotorkitty.BettyHutton(Poker)BeziqueBezique:The Qand J(orsimilarcombination)inthegameofBezique.

Bicycle:5,4,3,2,A,thelowesthandinLowball.Bid:Toagreetotakeacertainnumberoftricksorpointsinahand.Common

tomanygames.Bidder:Anyplayermakingabid,but,morespecifically,thehighestbidder

afterbiddingisconcludedandplaybegins.BidEuchreBidWhistBierspielBigcassino:The 10inCassino.Bigcat:Afreakpokerhand,rangingfromkingdowntoeight.Bigdog:Afreakpokerhand,rangingfromacedowntonine.BigForty(Solitaire)Bigtiger:Anothertermforthebigcat.Bimbo(Poker)Binage:Atermforthe Qand Jinahalf-packvariantofBezique.BinochleBinochle:AnothertermforPinochle,nowpracticallyobsolete.Bisley(Solitaire):1.1,1.2BlackJackBlackJack:InHearts,the Jwhenusedasapenaltycardinsteadofthe Q.BlackjackBlackLadyBlackLady:The Q,particularlyasa13-pointpenaltycardinHearts.BlackMariaorBlackWidowBlackMaria:AnothernameforBlackLady.BlackoutBlackQueensPartnership:InSheepshead,arulemakingholdersofthe

blackqueens( Qand Q)partnersforthatdeal.BlackwoodConvention:InBridge,amethodofusingcuebidstoreacha

slam.Blanksuit:Asuittotallyabsentfromaplayer’shand;avoid.Blaze:InPoker,aspecialhandconsistingentirelyoffacecards.Blind:Apreliminaryante;alsoanothertermforwidow.BlindAllFoursBlindandStraddle(Poker)BlindCinchBlindEuchre

BindHookeyBlindOpening(Poker)BlindStud(Poker)BlindTiger(Poker)Block:Anythingthatpreventsoneormoreplayersfromcontinuingtoplay

thehand.BlockRummyBlucherBlucher:AnadditionalbidinNapoleon.BluffBluff:BettingaweakPokerhandasifitwereastrongone;alsoanearlyterm

forthegameitself.BoathouseRummy:1.1,1.2Bobtailflush:InPoker,fourcardsofasinglesuit.BobtailOpener(Poker)Bobtailstraight:InPoker,fourcardsofmixedsuitsinasequence,excluding

anace.BobtailStud(Poker)BoliviaBonuscards:InHearts,cards(asthe J)thatdeductpoints.Bonusmelds:InPinochle,specialmeldsingameswithextrapacks.BoodleBoodlecards:PayoffcardsingamesoftheBoodletype.Book:InWhistorBridge,thequotaofsixtricksthatateammustwinbefore

itcanscore.Boost:InPoker,toraiseabet.Borrow:InsomeformsofRummy,theprivilegeofmovingacardfromone

meldtoanother.BostonBostondeFontainebleauBouillotteBourreBourre(pronounced“boor”;sometimesmisspelled“bouré”—pronounced

“booray”).Bower:InEuchre,eachjackofthesamecolor,providingthatoneoftheir

suitsistrump.Box:AwonhandinGinRummy.Boxthepack:Inadvertentlygatherface-upcardswithface-downcards

Boxthepack:Inadvertentlygatherface-upcardswithface-downcardsbeforeorduringshuffling.

BoysfromBrooklyn:InPinochle,anicknameforameldoffourjacks.BragBrazilianCanastaBrelanBridge:SeeAuctionBridgeandContractBridgeBridgeWhistBrisque:AnaceandateninBezique.Buck:AnobjectusedinPokertodesignatethedealer.Buckthetiger:PlayagainstaFarobank.Bug:Thejoker,whenusedinPokerasanextraaceorawildcardwitha

flushorstraight.Build:Addingacardtooneonthetable,asinCassino.Build-UpBullet:Anace.Bump:Toraise,asinPoker.Bumper:Ascoreof8points,thelargestpossibleinEnglishWhist.Bunch:Togiveupadealbymixingthehandstogether.Burn:Toputacardonthebottomofthepack,usuallyfaceup.Bury:Toputacarddeepinthepack.Bust:TooverdrawinBlackjackorsimilargames;also,aworthlesshandin

anygame.ButcherBoy(Poker)Buy:Todraworcallforcards;topayforaprivilegesuchastherighttodeal

incertaingames.Bye:Topassachancetobetorbid.

CalabrasellaCalabrellaCalculation(Solitaire)CaliforniaJackCaliforniaLooCaliforniaLowball(Poker)Call:Equalizeabet,asinPoker;makeabidinBridge;demandacertain

card.Call-AceEuchreCallRummy

Calltheturn:NametheorderofthelastthreecardsinaFarogame.CanadianStud(Poker)CanastaCanasta:InCanasta,sevenormorecardsofonevalue.CancellationHeartsCanfield(Solitaire)CansCapot:InPiquet,abonusscoredbyplayerwinningallthetricks.Captain:Playerhavingfinalsayincertainpartnerships.CardDominoesCards:A3-pointscoreforhavingmostcardsinCassino.CarouselCarteblanche:Ahandwithnofacecards,asinPiquet.Casecard:Theonlycardofanyspecificvaluestilltobedealtorplayed.Cash:Toleadawinningcard;toturninchips.CassinoCat:Afreakpokerhand.SeeBigcatandLittlecat.Catch:DrawaneededcardinPoker;orfindsuchacardinawidow.CatchtheTenCat-hop:TermdenotingthattwoofthelastthreecardsinaFarodealarethe

samedenomination.CayenneorCayenneWhistCedarhurstCentChasetheAceCheck:TopassthebettothenextplayerinPoker;alsoachiporcounter

usedforscoring.CheckPinochleChemin-de-FerChicagoChicago(Four-DealBridge)Chicago(Poker)Chicane:Anothertermforcarteblanche.ChileorChileanCanastaChineseBeziqueChineseBridge(Solitaire)ChineseFan-Tan

ChineseWhistChip:Atokenorcounterusedinscoringgames.Chipin:Toputchipsinthepot.ChouetteCientosCinchCinchhand:AnunbeatablehandinPoker.Cincinnati(Poker)CincinnatiLiz(Poker)CinqCentCitadel(Solitaire)ClabberorClob,Clobber,Clobberyash,ClubbyClear:Driveoutadversecardsofasuit.CloborClobber:TermsforKlaberjass.Close:Toendtheprivilegeofdrawingfromthepackincertaingames.ClosedPokerClosedpoker:AnyformofPokerinwhichnocardsarediscloseduntilthe

showdown;particularlyDrawPoker.Clubs:Asuitofplayingcards.Coffeehousing:Usingunethicalpracticesinacardgame.ColdHandsorColdHandPokerColdhands:Pokerhandswhendealtfaceup.AlsoaformofDrawPoker.ColdHandswithDraw(Poker)Color:Redorblackcards;alsoaspecialsuitinSolo.Column:Solitaire.Cardsarrangedinverticalorder.Combination:Cardswithspecialvalueasagroup.Combine:TakingcardsbyaddingtheirvaluesinCassino.Comein:ToenterthebettinginPoker.CometorCommitCommand:Holdingthebestcardinagamewheretricksaretaken.CommerceCommercialPitchCommit:AnothernameforComet.Commonmarriage:KingandqueenofanontrumpsuitinPinochle.Completehand:APokerhandcontainingitsfullquotaofcards.Completeorcompletedtrick:Onetowhicheverybodyhasplayed.Concealedhand:Onethatgoesout“allatonce”inCanastaorRummy.Concede:Giveupahandwithoutplayingit.

Concede:Giveupahandwithoutplayingit.ConcentrationConditions:CertaincardcombinationsinthegameofPanguingue.Condone:Toignoreaninfractionoftherulesinanycardgame.ConquianConsolationConsolation:ThefinalhandinFiveinOne;alsoatermusedinOmbre.Contest:Anytypeofcardgame.Contestant:Aplayer,team,orparticipant.ContinentalRummyContract:Numberoftricksneededtomakegoodabid.Also,ashortname

forContractBridge.ContractBridgeContractPinochleContractRummyContractWhistConvention:Abidorplayaccordingtoasystem,especiallyinBridge.CoonCanCopper:TobetonacardtoloseinFaro.Coquette(Solitaire)Couleur:AbetinvolvingcolorinTrenteetQuarante.Count:Valuegiventospecificcardswhenbiddingorplaying.Counter:Cardwithaspecialpointvalue;alsoachiportoken.Countout:Tokeepscoreofpointsortrickswhengoingforgame.Coup:Atermforabetordealincertaingames.Courtcard:Anyking,queen,orjack.Cover:Playahighercardofasuitonatrick.CrapetteCrazyAcesCrazyEightsCrazyJacksCrazyjoker:Thejokerwhenawildcard.Crib:AnextrahandformedfromdiscardsinCribbage.CribbageCribbidge:OriginalnameforCribbage.Crisscross(Poker)Cross:InEuchre,naminganewtrumpoppositeincolortotheoriginal.CrossOver(Poker)

Crossruff:TotrumpalternatingleadsbackandforthinBridgeorWhist.CrossWidow(Poker)CubanCanastaCuckooCuebid:InBridge,abidshowingthebidder’scontrolofasuit.Cut:Placingthelowerportionofthepackontheupper.Cutthroat:Agamewithmorethantwoplayersinwhicheachplaysfor

himself.CutthroatBridgeCutthroatEuchre

DardaDeadcard:Onethathasbeenplayed,discarded,ormadeunavailable.Deadhand:Onethatisoutofplay.Deadman’shand:InPoker,twopairconsistingofacesovernines.Deadwood:Cardsleftoverinahand,especiallyinRummy;ordiscardsin

othergames.Deal:Distributionofcards,oftenashandstoplayers;alsotheplaythat

follows.Dealer:Thepersonwhodealsthecards,whetheraplayerornot.Dealer’sChoice(Poker)Dealout:Excludeaplayerfromadeal.Deck:Apackofcards.Declare:Tonameatrump,makeameldorsomeotherannouncement.Declareout:Announcementduringplaythataplayerorhisteamhas

sufficientscoretowinthehandorgame.Declarer:InBridge,theplayeroriginallynamingthesuit(orno-trump)that

histeamfinallydecidestoplay.Deece:Apopulartermfordix.Defenders:InBridge,theteamopposingthedeclarer.Defensivebid:Abidmadetobluffopponentsintobiddinghigher.Demandbid:InBridge,abidcallingforaresponsebybidder’spartner.Demon(Solitaire)Denomination:Rankorvalueofacard.Deuce:Atwo-spot.DeucesandJokers(Poker)DeucesandJokerWild(Poker)

DeucesandOne-eyedJacksWild(Poker)DeucesandPothooksWild(Poker)DeucesandTreysWild(Poker)DeucesWild(Poker)DeucesWilder(Poker)Diamondjack:Abonuscard( J)inHearts.Discard:Disposeofunwantedcards,ofteninexchangeforothers;or,in

trumpgames,toplayfromanoddsuit.DiscardHeartsDiscardpile:InCanastaandRummy,aface-uppilewhereplayersplace

unwantedcards,orfromwhichtheydrawdesiredcards.AsimilartermappliesinvariousSolitaires.

Distribution:Divisionofcardsinaplayer’shand,bysuits.DivisionLooDix:AnineoftrumpinPinochle,orsevenoftrumpinBezique.DoctorPepper(Poker)Dog:Afreakpokerhand.SeeBigdogandLittledog.Dom:ThethreeoftrumpinDomPedro.DominoHeartsDominoWhistDomPedroDonkeyDouble:InBridge,abidthatmayaddtotrickvaluesorpenalties;also,to

playahandatdoublevalueinvariousgames.Double-BarreledShotgun(Poker)Doublebate:PenaltyforlosingbidifthehandisplayedoutinAuction

Pinochle.DoubleDummyBridgeDouble-HandedHigh-Low(Poker)DoubleHasenpfefferDoubleHeartsDouble-PackPinochleDoublepairsroyal:InCribbage,fourcardsofthesamerank.DoublePedroDoublepinochle:Ameldof JJand QQ.DoubleRumDoublerun:InCribbage,asequencewithonecardduplicated,as10,10,9,

8;inPinochle,adoublesequence.Doublesequence:InPinochle,theA,A,10,10,K,K,Q,Q,J,J.DoubleSolitaireDoubleton:InWhistorBridge,aholdingofonlytwocardsofasuit.Doubleup:Tobetwiceasmuchasbefore.Downtheboard:Peggingscorestowardthefarendofacribbageboard.DowntheRiver(Poker)Draw:Totakecardsfromthepack;inPoker,tobedealtcardstoreplace

someintheoriginalhand.DrawCassinoDrawgame:Anytypeofgameinwhichneitherplayerorteamwins.DrawHearts:1.1,1.2DrawPokerDummy:InBridgeorWhist,thedeclarer’spartner,orhishand,whichhe

laysfaceupsothedeclarercanplayit.Inothergames,anextrahand,whichissometimesplayed.

Dummywhist:FormofWhistwithdealer’spartnerservingasdummy.DuplicateBridgeorWhist:Gamesinwhichidenticalhandsaredealtto

differentteamssotheresultscanbecomparedintournamentplay.Applicabletoothergamesaswell.

DutchBankDutchstraight:AfreakhandinPoker;sameasskipstraight.Dynamite(Poker)

Eagles:Afifthsuitonceincludedinpacksofplayingcards,withgreeneaglesassymbols.SimilartoRoyals.

EarlofCoventryÉcartéEcho:InWhistorBridge,aplayofahighcardfollowedbyalowinthesame

suitasasignalforthepartner’snextlead.Edge:Anadvantageintheplayofahand,usuallyheldbyplayeratdealer’s

left.Eight-CardStud(Poker)EightsEighty-eight(Poker)Eightykings:Ameldoffourkingsfor80pointsinPinochle.Eldesthand:Playeratdealer’sleft.

Endgame:InBridge,playsmadewiththelastfewcards.Endhand:ThelastplayertobedealtcardsinSkat.EnfléEnglishPokerEnglishStudEnglishWhistEnter:Tojoininbiddingorplay.Entry:Intrumpgames,acardstrongenoughtobringtheleadintothe

player’shand.Escalera:Aseven-cardsequenceinBoliviaandotherformsofCanasta.Establish:Togainfullcontrolofasuit.EuchreEverlastingExposedcard:Anycardshownaccidentallyorillegallyduringplay.Exposedhand:Ahandplayedfaceupforabonusscoreincertaingames,or

asadummyinBridge.

Facecards:Kings,queens,andjacks.Facedcard:Oneturnedfaceupward.Falseopeners:InDrawPoker,aninsufficientcombinationonwhicha

playerfalselyopensthepot,asanythinglessthanapairofjacks,whenapairofjacksorbetterisrequired.

Fan:Aspreadofface-upcards.Tospreadcardsfanwise.Fan-TanFarmorFarmerFaroFascination(Solitaire)Fatten:Tothrowcountercardsonatrick;alsotoputmorechipsinapool.Feed:Tocontributetoapool,pot,orkitty.FelsosFieryCross(Poker)FifteenFifteen:CardsaddingtofifteeninCribbage.File:Averticalrowofcards,especiallyinSolitaire.Fill:InPoker,todraworbedealtcardsthat“fill”thehandbycompletinga

desiredcombination.FindtheLady

Finesse:Inpartnershipplay,particularlyinWhistorBridge,anattempttowinatrickwiththeloweroftwocards,whenanopponentisholdingoneormoreofinterveningvalue.

FirehousePinochleFirsthand:Eitherthehandatdealer’sleftorthehandthatleadstoatrick

duringthecourseofplay.FishFishhook:Anicknameforaseven-spot.FiveandDime(Poker)FiveandDime,orFiveandTen:AfreakPokerhandtenhigh,fivelow,with

nopair,as10–9–8–6–5.FiveandTenFive-CardFinal(Poker)Five-CardLooFiveCardsorFiveFingersFive-CardStud(Poker):1.1,1.2Five-CardStud,LastUporDown(Poker)Five-CardStudwithReplacement(Poker)FiveHundredFiveHundredRummyFiveinOneFiveofakind:HighestcombinationinDeucesWild,inwhichQ–Q–Q–2–2

wouldrepresentQ–Q–Q–Q–Q.Thesameappliestoothertypesofwild-cardPoker.

FiveorNineFive-suitpack:Aspecialsixty-five-cardpackwithanextrasuit—either

eaglesorroyals—thatenjoyedbriefpopularity.Five-suitpoker:Playedwithafive-suitpack,withfiveofakindthehighest

hand.Flash:AhandcontainingacardofeachsuitinagameofFive-SuitPoker.Flip(Poker)FlipStud(Poker)Flop:InPoker,agroupofcommonupcards.SeeHold’Em.FlowerGarden(Solitaire):1.1,1.2Flush:InPoker,ahandwithallcardsofthesamesuit;inPinochle,atrump

sequence(A–10–K–Q–J).Fold:ToturndownahandinStudPoker.Followsuit:Toplayacardofthesuitledingameswheretricksaretaken.

Followsuit:Toplayacardofthesuitledingameswheretricksaretaken.Football(Poker)Forcingbid:InContractBridge,aconventionalbidthatautomaticallycalls

uponapartnertorespond.SeeDemandbid.Forcingplay:Tomakeanopponentuseatrumptowinatrick;inCanasta,a

discardthatanopponentisforcedtotake.Forehand:Thefirstplayertodealer’sleftinSkat.Forty-fiveFortyjacks:InPinochle,ameldoffourjacksfor40points.FortyThieves(Solitaire)Foulhand:APokerhandthatisshortofthepropernumberofcards.Four-CardPokerFour-DealBridgeFourflush:Pokerhandwithfourcardsofonesuitandoddcardofanother.Four-FlushOpener(Poker)Four-FlushPokerFour-FlushStud(Poker)FourForty-four(Poker)FourForty-two(Poker)FourJacksFourofakind:InPoker,aholdingoffourcardsofthesamevalue,asA–A–

A–Aor10–10–10–10.FourstraightFrageFreakhand:Anyveryunusualhand,particularlyinatrumpgame.Freakhands:SpecialcombinationsallowableinsomePokergames.FreakHands(Poker)Freeride:InPoker,stayinginapotwithoutbetting,afterotherplayershave

checked.Freetrip:SameasFreeride.FreeWheeling(Poker)Freezeout(Poker)Freezethepack:TodiscardawildcardinCanasta,makingitmoredifficult

totakeupthediscardpile.FrenchBostonFrenchEuchreFrenchRuffFrenchWhist

FrogFullhand:InPoker,thesameasafullhouse.Fullhouse:APokerhandconsistingofthreecardsofonevalueandtwoof

another,asQ–Q–Q–6–6or5–5–5–9–9.Fullpack:Aregulationpackoffifty-twocards.

GaigelGame:Anycardgameorthepointsortricksrequiredtowinit.InPitch,a

scoringpointdependentontakingcountercards,or,insomevariants,thetenortrump.

GarbageGentlemen’sAgreementGermanSkatGermanSoloGermanWhistGift:InAllFours,apointgiventotheopponentbythedealer,whenthe

latterisallowedtonamethetrumpanddoesso.GileorGiletGin:ShortforGinRummy.Also,aginrummyhandmeldedwithout

deadwood.GinRummyGleekGo:AchancetoscoreoneortwospecialpointsinCribbage.GoBoomGodown:Intrumpgames,failuretomakeabid,withthecorrespondingloss

inscore;inRummy,toplaceleftovercardsfromthehandfaceuponthetable.

GoFishGoout:Inmanygames,totakeenoughtricksorpointstowin.InRummy

andCanasta,tomeldorlaydownallthecardsstillinahand.Goover:Tomakeahigherbidorplayahighercard.Gorummy:TomeldanentireRummyhandallatonce.Goulash:AnicknameforSixty-fourCardPinochle.GrandGrandDemond(Solitaire)Grandpinochle:The KQ Jwhenscoredas80pointsinPinochle.Grandslam:TakingallthirteentricksinBridge.

Group:InRummy,threeorfourcardsofthesamevalue.GruesomeTwosome(Poker)Guarantee:OneofthebidsinSix-BidSolo.Guards:InBridge,lowcardsprotectingthoseofhighervalue.Gucki:AtypeofbidinSkat.Guckigrand:AtypeofbidinSkat.Guts(Poker)

Half-PotLimit(Poker)Hand:Cardsdealttoaplayer;ortheplayerhimself.Alsousedasthe

equivalentof“deal.”Handsasgames:ScoringeachhandasagameinPinochleandinother

games.HasenpfefferHeartsHeartsetteHeartSoloHeartstriple:InPinochle,aspecialrulegivingtriplevaluetoabidinhearts.Heinz(Poker)Help:Anybidthatenablesapartnertobidhigher;oranyhandthatprovides

neededstrengthforapartner’splay.High:InPitch,thehighestcarddealt;also,apointscoredforholdingit.In

manygames,thehighestcardplayedonatrick.InPoker,thehighesthand.

Highcard:InPoker,thehighestcardinahandthatcontainsnopairoranythingbetter.

HighFiveHigh,Low,JackandGameHigh-Low,Jack(AllFours)High-LowDraw(Poker)High-LowFive-CardStud(Poker)High-LowJack(Pitch)High-LowPokerHigh-LowRummyHigh-LowSeven-CardStud(Poker)High-LowSix-CardStud(Poker)HighPoker

HighSpadeSplit(Poker)Hilo(Poker)HiloPicolo(Poker)Hisheels:Ajackturnedupas“starter”inCribbage.Hisnobs:Thejackofthesamesuitasthe“starter”inCribbage.Hit:TodealaplayeranothercardinBlackjack.HittheMoonHocorHockHock:TermforthefinalcardinaFarodeal.HoggenheimerHokum(Poker)Hold’Em(Poker)Holding:Thecardscomposingaplayer’shand.Holecard:AnycarddealtfacedowninStudPoker.Hole-CardStud(Poker)Hollywood(Poker)HollywoodCanastaHollywoodGinHonestJohnHoneymoonBridgeHonors:Thetopfivetrumps(AKQJ10)inWhist;thesameinBridge,but

includingthefouracesinno-trump.Honortricks:Specialcombinationsofhighcardsusedinevaluatingahand

inBridge.HouseintheWoods(Solitaire)HouseontheHill(Solitaire)Houserules:Specialrulesapplyingtogamesasplayedingamblinghouses.Howellsettlement:AwayofscoringinHearts.Eachplayercountsthehearts

hehastaken,multipliesitbythenumberofopponents,andputsthatmanychipsintoapool.Hethensubtractshisheartsfromthirteenandtakesbackthatmanychips.

Hoyle:Astandardreferenceworkoncardgames.Hundredaces:APinochlemeldof100pointsforfouracesofdifferentsuits.Hurricane(Poker)

Idiot’sDelightIdiot’sDelight(Solitaire)

IdleYear(Solitaire)IDoubtItImmortalhand:Anunbeatablehand.ImperialImprove:TobetterahandbyadrawinPoker.Incorrectpack:Anypackthatisshortofnecessarycardsorthatcontainsany

extracards.Index:Thecornerofaplayingcardthatshowsvalueandsuit.Indifferentcard:Acardthatisofnousetoahand.Informatorydouble:InBridge,afalsedoublethatnotifiesthepartnerasto

thebidder’sholding.Initialbid:Anopeningbid.Insidestraight:APokerhandcontainingfourcardstowardastraight,but

withanin-betweenvaluemissing,as10–8–7–6,whichneedsa9forastraight.

Insufficientbid:Anybidlowerthanapreviousbid.Inthehole:Aminusscore,particularlywhensoindicatedbydrawinga

circlearounditasa“hole.”Also,inStudPoker,anycarddealtfacedownward.

Invitationbid:AbidinBridgethatencouragesbutdoesnotcompelpartnertobidhigher.

Invite:ToleadalowcardofthelongestsuitinBridge.IrishLooIrregularity:Aslightorcarelessinfractionoftherulesofagame,often

condonedbyotherplayers.Irregularlead:Anyleadatvariancewithformalprocedure,asincertain

trumpgames.ItalianCanasta

Jack:Afacecard,usuallyoutrankedbythekingandqueenbutgivenahigherratingincertaingames.InPitch,apointscoredfortakingthejackoftrumpduringplay.

Jackpots(Poker)JacksBackorJackson(Poker)JacksHigh(Poker)JamboneJamboree

JassJeuxderègie:HandsthatgivemathematicaladvantagesinÉcarté.JigJoker:Anextracardaddedtothepackoffifty-twoandgivenspecialrating,

oftenasthehighesttrump,andtermedthe“bestbower”inFiveHundred.Twoormorejokersareusedinsomegames.

JokerEuchreJokerHeartsJokerPokerJokerRummyJumpbid:AbidgoingbeyondconventionalrequirementsinBridge.

KaloochiorKalukiKankakee(Poker)Kibitzer:Anonlookerduringacardgame.Kicker:InPoker,anoddorunneededcardkeptinthehandwhilemakinga

draw,oftenasabluff.Kilter:AfreakPokerhandwithcardsrangingfrom9downto2.Alsothe

lowestskip.King:Inmostgames,thehighestfacecard;andusuallythehighestcardin

gameswhereacesarerankedaslow.KingAlbert(Solitaire):1.1,1.2KingRummyKingsBackorKingston(Poker)KingsintheCornersKitty:Apoolorpartofit;alsoatermforwidow.KlaberjassorKlobKlob:AtermforKlaberjass.Klondike(Solitaire):1.1,1.2Knave:Britishtermforajack.Knock:Toendahandormakeanannouncementbyknockingonthetable.KnockPokerKnockRummyKontraspielKreutz-Mariage

LaBelleLucie(Solitaire)

Lalapalooza(Poker)LamebrainPete(Poker)Lamebrains(Poker)LansquenetLanterlooLaps:1.1,1.2Laps:AformofEuchre;alsoamodeofscoringinothergames.Last:ScoreforthelastpointinCribbage.LastInLasttrick:Aspecial10-pointscoreinPinochle.Lastturn:AbetontheorderofthelastthreecardsinaFarodeal.Layaway:TomakediscardsinacribinCribbage;orinawidowinPinochle.Laydown:Makeameldorrevealawinninghand.Layoff:Todisposeofcardsbyplacingthemonanopponent’smeldin

Rummy.Layout:ArrangementofcardsontableinSolitaireandgameslikeRussian

BankorSpiteandMalice.AlsoextracardsplacedonatabletoindicatepayoffsinFaroandMichigan.

LazyEdnaorLazyLucy(Poker)Lead:Playacardfromthehandfaceupasthestarttoatrick.Least:AnoptiontotakethefewestpointsinSchafkopf.Leftbower:IngamesoftheEuchretype,thejackofthesamecolorasthe

jackoftrump,orrightbower.Leftpedro:InCinch,thefiveofthesamecolorasthefiveoftrump,orright

pedro.LeftyLouie(Poker)LeginPot(Poker)LiftSmokeLight:DrawingchipsfromthepotinPokertoshowhowmanytheplayer

oweswhenoutofchipshimself.Limit:Theceilingplacedonbets,particularlyinPoker.Littlecassino:The 2,valuedasapointinCassino.Littlecat:FreakhandinPoker,witheighthighandthreelow,butnopair,as

87653notofthesamesuit.Littledog:FreakhandinPoker,withsevenhighandtwolow,as76532not

ofthesamesuit.Littleslam:TakingtwelveofthethirteentricksinBridge.Littletiger:Sameas“littlecat.”

Littletiger:Sameas“littlecat.”LiverpoolRummyLonehand:Aplayerwhoplaysonhisownagainsttwoormoreopponents.Longgame:Anyinwhichtheentirepackisdealttostart.Longstud:AStudPokergameinwhichaplayerisdealtmorethanfive

cards.Longsuit:Predominantsuitinhand,oranyexceedinglength.LongWhist:SeeEnglishWhistLooorLanterlooLooed:TobepenalizedforfailingtotakeanytricksinLoo.LouisNapoleon(Solitaire)Low:Anylowcardorhand;inPitch,thelowestcardinplay;alsoapoint

scoredforholdingortakingit.Lowball(Poker)LowCardWild(Poker)LowEnglishStud(Poker)Lowesthand:InstandardPoker,fivecardswithvalues7–5–4–3–2.Lowestwithswingingace:InHigh-LowPoker,thefollowing:6–4–3–2–A.LowHoleCardWild(Poker)LowPokerLucas(Solitaire)Lurched:Tobebeatenbeforereachinghalfthescoreforgame;aplayerso

defeatedisleft“inthelurch.”

MacaoMaFerguson(Poker):1.1,1.2Majorsuits:SpadesandheartsinBridge.Make:Nameatrump;also,towinanamountbid.Manilla:ThesevenoftrumpinSolo;inafewothergames,thesecond

highesttrump.Manille:SimilartoManilla.March:TowinallfivetricksinEuchre.Marker:Atokenorchip.MarriageMarriage:Themeldofakingandqueenofthesamesuit,inBeziqueand

Pinochle;inSolitaire,anauxiliarybuild.Matadors:UnbrokensequenceofhighesttrumpsinSkat.Matchedcards:ThoseformingasetinRummy.

Match’Em(Poker)MatrimonyMawMediatorMeld:Tolaycombinationsofcardsfaceupandscoretheirvalue.MemoryMenagerieMenel:ThenineoftrumpinKlobandJass.MexicanaorMexicanCanastaMexicanLowCard(Poker)MexicanStud(Poker)MexicanStudwithLowCardWild(Poker)MexicanWild(Poker)MichiganMichiganRummyMiddlehand:SecondofthreeplayersinSkat.MidnightOil(Solitaire):NicknameforLaBelleLucieMike(Poker)Minorsuits:DiamondsandclubsinBridge.Misdeal:Todealcardsincorrectly,usuallyrequiringanewdeal.Misere(Poker)Misere:Thesameas“nullo.”Misery:Atermappliedtovariantsofstandardgamesinwhichplayerstryto

losetricksinsteadoftakingthem.Miss:UnsuccessfulattempttoimproveahandinDrawPoker.Alsothe

“widow”inLoo.MissMilligan(Solitaire)Mistigris(Poker)Mittelhand:SameasMiddlehand.Mixedcanasta:Ameldofsevenormorecardsconsistingofbothwildand

naturalcards.Monte(Poker)MonteBankMonteCarlo(Solitaire)Mort:FrenchtermforadummyhandinWhist.Mortgage(Poker)Mouthbet:PromisetocontributetothepotinPoker.

MugginsMultipleKlondike:Klondikeplayedbythreeormorepersons,whocanadd

tobuildsofopposingplayers,asinDoubleSolitaireMustachedjacks:The J, J,andMustachedJacksWild(Poker)Mustachedkings:Allthekingsexceptthe K.MustachedKingsWild(Poker)MyBirdSingsMyShipSails

Nap:AnicknameforNapoleon.NapoleonNapoleonatSt.Helena(Solitaire)Napoleon’sFavorite(Solitaire)Napoleon’sSquare(Solitaire)Natural:APokercombinationmadewithoutwildcards.Naturalcanasta:Sevenoreightcardsofthesamerank,withnowildcards

included.Nestor(Solitaire)NewGuineaStud(Poker)NewMarketNewYorkStud(Poker)Nine-CardStud(Poker)Ninety-nine(Poker)NoddyNoDraw(Poker)NoLimit(Poker)NoLowCards(Poker)NorwegianWhistNo-trump:Inatrumpgame,ahandplayedwithoutatrump.Nullo:Ahandorgameinwhichaplayertriestolosealltricksorpoints

insteadofwinningthem.

Oddtrick:Onethatgivesaplayerorteamamajority.Oh,Hell!OklahomaOklahomaGinOldMaid

OldSledgeOmaha(Poker)OmbreOmnibusHeartsOncearound:ACribbagegamefor61pointsinsteadof121.One-CardPokerOne-eyedjacks:The Jand J.One-EyedJacksWild(Poker)One-eyedking:The K.One-EyedKingWild(Poker)One-MeldRummyOnepair:ThelowestPokercombination,asJ–Jor8–8.Open:Tomakethefirstbetorfirstbid;alsothefirstlead.Open-endstraight:InPoker,abobtailstraight,orfourcardsinsequence,as

10–9–8–7,butnotofthesamesuit.Openers:CardsneededtoopenaPokerpot,asapairofjacksorbetter.OpenGinOpeningbid:Firstbidinanyauctiongame.Openinglead:Thefirstleadafterhandsaredealt.OpenPokerOpenpoker:AnytypeofPokerinwhichcardsaredealtfaceup;chieflyStud

Poker.Opponent:Anopposingdealer;particularlythenondealerinatwo-handed

game.Option(Poker):1.1,1.2Option:AformofHigh-LowFive-CardStudPoker.Orderitup:InEuchre,thenondealer’sacceptanceoftheturned-upcardas

trump,saidcardgoingtodealer.Ordinarysuit:Anynontrumpsuit.Originalbidder:Theplayermakingthefirstbid,orthefirstbidforhisteam.Originalhand:Ahandasfirstdealt.Overbid:Bidtoohightowin.Overcall:Bidhigherthanthepreviousbid.Overhandshuffle:Todrawoffgroupsofcardswithonehandandthrowthe

restontopwiththeother,likeaseriesofrapidcuts.Overruff:Thesameasovertrump.Overtrick:Onemorethanneededtowin,particularlyinBridge.Overtrump:Toplayahighertrumponatrickalreadytrumped.

Overtrump:Toplayahighertrumponatrickalreadytrumped.

Pack:Allthecardsusedinagame.Packet:Aportionofthepack.PaFerguson(Poker):1.1,1.2Paint:ToforceaheartonanopponentinHearts.Pair:Twocardsofthesamevalue,especiallyinPoker.Pairsroyal:ThreecardsofthesamevalueinCribbage.Pam:The JinLoo.Pam-LooPan:ApopulartermforPanguingue.PanguingueorPanPapillonParliamentPartner:Amemberofateamoftwoandsometimesmoreplayers.PartnershipGamesPass:Torefusetobid,alsotoexchangecardswithanotherplayer.PassAlong(Poker)PassandBackIn(Poker)Passandbackin:InPoker,theprivilegeofpassingandcomingbackinthe

gamelater.PassonHeartsPassOut(Poker)Passout:TopassanddropfromthebettinginPoker.PasstheGarbageorPasstheTrash(Poker)Pathand:APokerhandthatcannotbeimprovedbyadraw.PatiencePedro(Pitch)Pedro(Poker)Pedro:ThefiveoftrumpinPedro.PedroSanchoPeepPokerPeepandTurn(Poker)PeepNapPeg:ToscorepointsonaCribbageboard.Pelter:Thesameaskilter;alsoanoccasionaltermforskeet.PenchantPenniesfromHeaven

PennyAnte(Poker)Pennyante:APokergamewithaone-centlimit.PersianPashaPersianRummyPicturecard:Afacecard.PigPiginPoke(Poker)PinkLadyPinklady:The QwhengivenspecialpenaltyvalueinHearts.PinochlePinochle:Ameldof Jand Qfor40points.PinochlePokerPinochleRummyPip:Aspotonaplayingcard.PiquetPirateBridgePishaPashaPistol,PistolPete,PistolStud(Poker)PitchPivotBridgePlaceandShow(Poker)PlacePokerPlafondPlainsuit:Anynontrumpsuit.Play:Putacardonatrick.Player:Activeparticipantinacardgame.Playoff:PreventinganopponentfromscoringinCribbage.Playon:InvitinganopponenttoscoreinCribbageinhopeofgoinghimone

better.PlayorPayPlusorMinusPochenPoint:Scoringunitinvariousgames.Pointcount:AsystemofevaluatingbidsinBridge.Pointvalue:Thenumberofpointsacountercardisworth.PokerPokerGin

PokerRumPokerSolitaire(Poker)PolignacPolishBeziquePolishRummyPone:Nondealerinatwo-handedgame;thedealer’sopponent.Pontoon:AnicknameforTwenty-one.Pool:Commonfundofchipsortokens.PopeJoanPost-mortem:Analysisofahandordealafterithasbeenplayed.Pot:Atermforapool,consistingofchipsortokens.InCanasta,the“pozo”

ordiscardpile.PothooksWild(Poker)PotLimit(Poker)PouncePovertyPokerPozo:ThediscardpileinCanasta.Pre-empt:Tobidsohighthattheopponentsareunabletooverbid,

particularlyinBridge.Pre-emptivebid:Onepreventingtheopposingteamfrombidding.PreferencePremium:Abonuspaidtohighwinninghands;inBridge,anyscores

registeredabovetheline.Primero(Poker)Prizepot:Acanastadiscardpilecontainingawildcard.ProcterandGamble(Poker)ProgressiveBridgeProgressiveJackpots(Poker)ProgressiveRummyPrussianWhist:AvariantofWhistinwhichacardiscutfromanotherpack

toestablishtrump.Psychicbid:AnunconventionalbidinContractBridge,intendedtodeceive

theopposingteam.Punto:Thefourthhighestcard,whenaredaceinOmbreorQuadrille.PushPokerPushPoker:AcommontermforTakeItorLeaveIt.PussyCat(Poker)

PutandTake

QuadrilleQuatreValetsQueen:Nexthighestcardtoakinginmostgames,butofspecialimportance

incertaingames,asdescribedunderthoseheads.QueenCityPokerQueenCityRumQuicktrick:AhighcardholdinginBridge,promisingafastwin.QuinellaQuinolaQuint:AsequenceoffivecardsinPiquet.Quinze

RacehorseRailroadEuchreRaise:Bidhigheroraddchipstoapot.Rake-off:Ashareofpotstakenbyagamblinghouseoradealer.RamsRamsch:Atermfor“nullo”inSkat.RanaRangdoodles(Poker)Rank:Relativevalueofacard.Ranter-Go-RoundRapPokerRazzleDazzleRebid:Anewbidbyaformerbidder.RedandBlackRedandBlack(TrenteetQuarante)RedDogRedeal:Ahanddealtoveragainbythesamedealer.InSolitaires,dealing

throughthediscardpileasanewpack;orgatheringcardsfromthelayoutanddealingtheminneworder.

RedorBlackRedouble:TodoubleadoubleinBridge.Re-entrant:Playerwhocomesbackintoagametoreplacealoser.Re-entry:AcardusedbyaplayertoregaintheleadinBridge.

Reject:Aformof“nullo”inDutchWhist.Renege:Failuretofollowsuitorplayarequiredcard.Renounce:Discardonthesuitled.Reserve:AspecialpileofcardsdealtinsomeformsofSolitaire.Response:Supportforapartner’sbidinBridge.ReversiRevoke:Thesameasrenege.RickeydeLaet(Poker)Ridealong:KeepcallingbetsinPoker.Riffle:Ashuffleinwhichtheendsofthepackareinterlaced.Rightbower:Thejackoftrumps,whenhighesttrump,asinEuchre.Rob:Exchangeacardforaturned-uptrump.Robthepack:Totakecardsfromthepacktoreplacethoseinthehand.RollingStoneRoodles(Poker)Roodles:AroundofPokerhandswithstakesincreasedbyagreement.Rothschild(Poker)RougeetNoirRounceRound:Aseriesofhandsinwhicheverybodydeals.Roundgame:Agamewithoutpartnersandwithavariablenumberof

players.Roundhouse:MeldoffourkingsandfourqueensinPinochlefor240points.RoundofJacks(Poker)RoundtheCorner(Poker)RoundtheCornerGinRoundtheCornerRummyRoundthecornerstraight:AnoptionalPokerhandinwhichanaceisboth

lowandhighinasequence,a2–A–K–Q–J.RoundtheWorld(Poker)Roundtrip:SameasroundhouseinPinochle.RowCardsdealtsidebysideinSolitaire.RoyalCassinoRoyalDrawCassinoRoyale:AholdingofK,Q,JofonesuitinTrenta-Cinque.Royalflush:theA–K–Q–J–10ofthesamesuit,anunbeatablehandin

standardPokerwhenwildcardsarebarred.

RoyalMarriage(Solitaire)Royalmarriage:KingandqueenoftrumpinPinochle,scoring40points.Royals:Afifthsuitinspecialpacksofcards,withcrownsassymbols.Similar

toeagles.Royalsequence:Atrumpsequence,A–10–K–Q–JinPinochle.RoyalSpadeCassinoRoyalstraightflush:SameasaroyalflushinPoker.RoyaltonRubber:BestofthreegamesinBridgeorWhist.Rubicon:Tobebeatenbeforereachingarequiredscore;similartolurch.RubiconBeziqueRubiconPiquetRuff:Totrumpaleadfromanothersuit.RuffsandHonorsRuleofeleven:Amathematicalrulethatifaplayerleadshisfourthhighest

card,inBridgeorWhist,subtractionofitsvaluefromelevenrevealsthenumberofcardsofthatsuitintheremaininghands.Example:Playerleadsthe 7.Hewillhavethreehigherhearts;theotherplayerswillhavefourhigherheartsamongthem.

Ruleoffourthhighest:AcustomaryleadfromthelongestsuitinaBridgehand.

RummyRummy:DisposeofthefinalcardinaRummyhand;alsotolaydowna

matchedhandallatonce.Run:AsequenceofthreeormorecardsinCribbageorRummy;oratrump

sequenceinPinochle.Runthecards:TodealthreeextracardstoeachplayerinSevenUp.RussianBank

SambaSaratogaSchafkopfSchmear:AdefensiveplayinPinochle.Schmeiss:AgreementtoabandonadealinKlob.Schneider:TofallshortofhalftheneededpointsinSkat.Schwarz:FailuretotakeanytricksinSkat.Schwellen

ScoopScopaScoponeScore:Totaltricksorpointswonbyplayerorteam.ScotchWhistScrewyLouie(Poker)SecondHandLow(Poker)See:TocallabetinPoker.SelloutServe:Atypeofdeal.Set:Loseabid;also,ameldofthreeormorecardsinRummy.SetbackSetback:Loseascoreorgointhehole.SetbackBidWhistSetbackEuchreSettlement:Balancingupofscores,particularlywithchipsinvolved.SevenandaHalfSeven-CardFlip(Poker)Seven-CardFlip,ModernForm(Poker)Seven-CardHokum(Poker)Seven-CardMutual(Poker)Seven-CardPete(Poker)Seven-CardReverse(Poker)Seven-CardStud(Poker):1.1,1.2Seven-CardStud,DeucesWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,HighandLow(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowCardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowestCardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowestHoleCardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowHoleCardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowestUpcardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,LowUpcardWild(Poker)Seven-CardStud,OptionalWildCard(Poker)Seven-CardStud,WildVariants(Poker)SevensSeven-ToedPete(Poker)SevenUp

Shamrocks(Solitaire)ShanghaiRummyShastaSamSheepsheadShiftingSands(Poker)ShimmyShortgame:Agameinwhichonlypartofthepackisdealt.Shortsuit:Anysuitinahandwithlessthananaveragenumberofcards;

particularly,theshortestsuit.ShortWhist:AgameofWhistplayedforonly5points.Shotgun(Poker)Shove’EmAlong(Poker)Show:Meldorlaydowncardsoftenforscoringpurposes.Showdown:Disclosureofallhands,particularlyinPoker,ShowdownPokerShuffle:Mixthecardsofapack.Shutout:Keepopponentsfromscoring.InBridge,topre-empt.Shy:Owingchipstoapot.Side:Ateam.Sidebets:Privatebetsamongindividualplayers,particularlyinPoker.Sidecard:HighestcardnotformingpartofacombinationinaPokerhand.

Example:J–J–A–7–3wouldbeapairofjackswithanaceassidecard,defeatingJ–J–K–Q–9,withonlyakingassidecard.Alsoanycardofanordinarysuitinatrumpgame.

Sidepot:AspecialpotinTableStakes.Sidestrength:Highcardsotherthantrumps.Sidesuit:Anysuitexceptthetrumpsuit.Signal:Conventionalbidorplayinpartnershipgame.Simplegame:Oneplayedatthelowestbiddinglevel,particularlyinSkat.Singleton:InWhistorBridge,alonecardofasuitinthehandasoriginally

dealt.SirGarnetSix-BidSoloSix-CardStud(Poker)SixSixty-six(Poker)Six-SpotRedDogSixthCardOptional(Poker)Sixty-fourCardPinochle

Sixtyqueens:FourqueensinPinochle,scoring60points.Sixty-sixSixty-six(Poker)Sixty-threeSkatSkeet:AfreakPokerhand,containing9–5–2withtwoothervalues

between.Skiporskipstraight:AfreakPokerhandwithalternatingvalues,asK–J–9–

7–5.Skunked:Badlydefeated,particularlywhenheldscoreless.Sky’stheLimit(Poker)SlamSlam:TakingtwelveorthirteentricksinBridge.SlapjackSlipperyElmer(Poker)SlipperySamSlobberhannesSloughSluffSmear:Sameasschmear.SmudgeSnipSnapSnoremSnoozer:1.1,1.2SolitaireSoloSoloWhistSouthernCross(Poker)Space:AnopeninggainedbyremovalofapileofcardsfromaSolitaire

layout.SpadeCassinoSpades:Ascoreof1pointformakingthemostspadesinCassino.Spadesdouble:ApopularrulegivingaspadebiddoublevalueinPinochle.SpadesasSpoilers(Poker)SpadesRoyalSpadilla:Thehighesttrump QinGermanSolo.Spadille:Thehighesttrump AinOmbre.Spider(Solitaire)

SpinorSpinadoSpin:Shortfor“spinado.”Spit(Poker)Spit,NoCardWild(Poker)Spit,OtherVariants(Poker)SpiteandMaliceSpitintheOcean(Poker)Split:InBlackjack,toseparatetwocardsofequalvalueandplayeachasan

individualhand.Splitopeners:TodiscardpartofanopeningcombinationinDrawPoker,

usuallyoneofapair.Example:HoldingK–Q–J–J–10,aplayerwoulddiscardonejack,hopingtofillastraight,consistingofA–K–Q–J–10orK–Q–4–10–9.

SpoilFive:1.1,1.2Spotcard:Anycardotherthananaceorafacecard;anace,whenrankedas

low,mayberegardedasaspot.SpotHeartsSpread:Tospreadoutcardsonthetable,eitherasameldorasashowdown,

ortoprovethatthehandisasurewinner.Squeeze:AseriesofplaysinBridgethatforceanopponenttodiscarda

winningcard.Squeezers:Modernplayingcards,withanindexateachupperleftcorner.Stack:Apileofchipsorcounters.Stake:Theamountofchipsthataplayeriswillingorabletoexpendduringa

game.Stand:Toagreeuponaturned-upcardastrump;ortoplayoutadealorput

requiredchipsinapot.Standardpack:Fifty-twocardsinthemajorityofgames;varyingnumbersin

others.Standpat:ToplayahandasdealtinDrawPoker,withoutdrawingany

cards.Stay:TocallinPoker.StealingBundlesStock:Portionofpacknotyetdealt.Stop:Interruptionofplayincertaingames.Stopcards:BlackthreesandwildcardsinCanastathatpreventthenext

playerfromtakingupthediscardpile.

Stopper:AcardhighenoughtokeepanopponentfromwinninganentiresuitinBridgeandsomeothergames.

StopsStorehouse(Solitaire):1.1,1.2StormyWeather(Poker)Straddle:InPoker,tofollowablindbetwithablindraise.Straight:InPoker,asequenceofmixedsuits,asQ–J–10–9–8.Straightflush:APokersequenceinonesuit,as 9–8–7–6–5.StraightPokerStreetsandAlleys(Solitaire)Stripedstraight:AfreakPokerhandwithcardsalternatingredandblack

whenarrangedindescendingorder,as J 7 6 4 2.StrippedPack(Poker)Strippedpack:Apackwithsomeofthelowcardsremoved,usedinPoker

gamestoproducestrongerhandswhenthegameisshortofplayers.StudPoker:1.1,1.2StudwithSpit(Poker)StussSuddenDeath(Poker)Suits:Thefourdistinctivegroupsofastandardpack: .SuitValueWhistSuperContractBridgeSwedishRummySweep:Totake1pointinCassinobyclearingtheboard.Sweeten:Toaddanewanteorputextrachipsinapot.System:AnyrecognizedorestablishedbiddingmethodinBridgeandcertain

othergames.

Tableau:AnoldtermforaSolitairelayout.TableStakes(Poker)Take:Toagreetoplaywiththeturned-uptrumpinKlob.Take-AllHeartsTakein:Towinatrick.InCassino,togathertheleftovercards.TakeItorLeaveIt(Poker)Takeout:InBridge,tomakeabidatvariancewithapartner’sbid.Takeoutdouble:AninformatorydoubleinBridge.Takeup:Thedealer’sprivilegeofexchangingacardforthetrumpcard

turnedupinEuchre;alsotopickupthediscardpileinCanastaandcertainformsofRummy.

Tamo’Shanter(Solitaire)TampaTap:Toannounceanintentionbytappingonthetable,suchasforgoingthe

privilegeofcuttingthepack,orpassingachancetobid.InPoker,aplayertapswhenhebetsallhisremainingchipsinTableStakes.

TapOut(Poker)TarocorTarokTeam:Apartnership.Tenace:InBridgeorWhist,honorcardswithagapbetween,asA–Q(major)

orK–4(minor).Ten-CardStud(Poker)Tennessee(Poker)TennesseeJed(Poker)TensHigh(Poker)Tenthcard:Acardcountingfor10inCribbage;namely,K,Q,J,10.TexasTech(Poker)ThirdHandHigh(Poker)Thirdhandhigh:AcustomaryprocedureinWhist,wherethethirdplayer

putshishighestcardonatrick.Applicabletoothergames.ThirtyandFortyThirty-five:SeeTrenta-CinqueThirty-oneThree-CardMonteThree-CardMonte(Poker)Three-CardPokerThreeForty-Five(Poker)Three-HandedGamesThreeofakind:InPoker,aholdingofthreecardsofthesamevalue.ThreeOutofFive(Poker)ThreePairHigh(Poker)Three-ToedPete(Poker)ThrowAwayTwo(Poker)Throwin:Tothrowahandfacedownasunplayable,particularlyinDraw

Poker.Throwoff:Tomakeadiscard.

Tierce:Athree-cardsequenceinPiquet.Tiger(Poker)Tiger:AfreakPokerhand,thesameascat;alsoasymbolusedtoadvertisea

Farogame.TNT(Poker)Touching:InBridge,twosuitsnexttoeachotherinvalue.TowieTrail:TolaydownanoddcardinCassino.Trash:Worthlesscards.Trefoil(Solitaire):1.1,1.2TreizeTrenta-CinqueTrenteetQuaranteTresetteTrey:Athree-spot.TriangleContractTrick:Cardsplayedsinglybyeachplayer,formingagroupthatoneplayer

wins.Trickscore:PointsfortricksbidandwoninBridge,goingbelowthelineon

thescoresheet.Tricon:Frenchtermforthreeofakind.Triomphe,TriumphorTrumpTrionfettiTripleton:OnlythreecardsofasuitinaBridgehandasoriginallydealt.Triplets:Threeofakind.TripoliTrips:Nicknamefor“triplets.”TrumpTrump:ModernnameforTriomphe.Trump:Cardofaspecialsuitthatrankshigherthantheothers;also,toplaya

trumpcardonanothersuit.Trumpsuit:Thesuitnamedastrump.TunkTwenty-fiveTwenty-nineTwenty-oneTwicearound:ACribbagegameof121pointsasscoredonaspecialboard.

TwinBeds(Poker)TwinBedsWild(Poker)Twist:TodraworsubstituteaddedcardsattheendofaPokerhand,inhope

ofimprovingholdingsbeforetheshowdown.Two-CardPokerorTwo-CardHigh-LowTwo-HandedGamesTwo-MeldRummyTwopair:APokerhandwithtwopairsofdifferentvalues,withanoddcard,

asK–K–4–4–8.Twosuiter:Ahandinanylonggame(inwhichtheentirepackisdealt)

composedchieflyoftwosuitsofaboutthesamelength.

UncleDoc:AnicknameforFive-CardStudwithaspit.Undercut:TofinishahandofGinRummywithacountlowerthanthe

knocker’s.Underplay:Temporarilyretainahighcardbyplayingoneoflowerrank.Undertheguns:Theplayertotheleftofthedealer.Undertrick:Eachtrickbelowabidder’srequiredcontractinBridge.UnlimitedLoo:1.1,1.2UnlimitedPoker:AtermappliedtoanyPokergamewhereplayersmaybet

ashighastheywant.Unload:Togetridofhigh-countcardsinRummy.Unmatched:AnyleftovercardinRummy.Up:ToraiseaPokerbid,also,thehigheroftwopair,asexample,ahand

containing9–9–5–5wouldbetermed“ninesup.”UpandDowntheRiver:1.1,1.2Upcard:AcarddealtfaceupinStudPoker;alsothetopcardofthediscard

pileinRummyandCanasta.Uruguay:ShortforUruguayanCanasta.UruguayanCanastaorUruguayUtah(Poker)

Vacancy:AspaceinaSolitairelayout.Valet:Frenchtermforajackincertaingames.Valle:Termfor“value”inPanguingue,thethrees,fives,andsevensbeing

knownas“vallecards.”Value:Therankordenominationofacard.

VanJohnVarietyVicePresident(Poker)Vigorish:Percentagetakenbyagamblingcasino.Vingt-et-unorVingt-unVintVivel’AmourVoid:Ablanksuit,particularlyinBridge.Vole:TermforwinningallfivetricksinÉcarté.Vorhand:ForehandinSkat.Vulnerable:AteamwithonegametowardrubberinContractBridge.

WarWashington’sFavorite(Solitaire)Waste-pile:DiscardpileinSolitaire.Weddings(Solitaire)WellingtonWenzel:AjackoftrumpinearlySkat.Wescliffe(Solitaire)Whangdoodles(Poker)Wheel:Any5–4–3–2–AinLowball.WhiskWhiskeyPokerWhistWhistdeGand:AnothernameforSoloWhist.Whistler(Solitaire)Whitehead(Solitaire)WhitePass(Solitaire)Widecards:ACribbagetermfortwocardsspacedatleasttwovaluesapart,

as9and6,8and4,7and2,etc.Widow:Aspecialdealofextracards,whichaplayermaylaterpickup.

Similartoblind,kitty,skat,talon,equivalenttermsusedindifferentgames.

WidowCinch:1.1,1.2WidowNapWildcard:Acardrepresentinganyother.Wild-CardCanasta

Wild-CardPokerWild-CardRummyWildCourtCards(Poker)WildFaceCards(Poker)WildSuit(Poker)WildWidow(Poker)Wired:Cards“backtoback”inStudPoker.With:ToholdacertainnumberofmatadorsinSkat.Without:TobewithoutacertainnumberofmatadorsinSkat.Woolworth(Poker)

XMarkstheSpot(Poker)

Yarborough:AWhisthandwithnothinghigherthananine.Betsof1000to1havebeenofferedagainstholdingit,buttheactualoddshavebeencalculatedat1827to1.ThetermissometimesappliedtoBridgehands.

YassYerlashYouRollTwo(Poker)Yukon(Solitaire):1.1,1.2

Zebra:SameasstripedstraightinPoker.ZebraPokerZiginetteZioncheckZombie(Poker)ZsaZsa:Averylovelyhand.