Puts forth one manly leg, to sight reveal'd; Ev'n mighty Pam, that kings and queens o'erthrew, Thus far both armies to Belinda yield; The baron now his diamonds pours apace; And now, (as oft in some distemper'd state) ECARTE. THE following treatise, for which we are indebted to the kindness of the Author, was written ten years ago; in the first instance merely for the use of a circle of friends among whom he was at the time residing, and by whom the game was frequently played. A long residence on the Continent, where it was in very general esteem, and a personal aptitude for games of calculation, peculiarly fitted him for the selfimposed task. The spirit and style of his essay are evidences that it is the production of one on the best of terms with his subject, and by no means without confidence in himself. "For convenience of reference," as he tells us, "it is divided into parts. The first Part lays down clear and concise Rules for the Game, as played and acknowledged by the Académie de Paris.' "The Second Part relates to the probabilities of chances, with tables for calculating the relative value of any card. The reader by studying these tables, which are extremely simple, may acquire, in a short period, a scientific method of play. The Third Part gives some examples of difficult games, and the method of playing them: by an attention to which the reader may get an insight into the niceties of Ecarté. There are a few passages marked, which refer to rules necessary to be observed when playing with Foreigners; but which scarcely apply to the game as played in our clubs and drawing-rooms. Further notice will be taken of this peculiarity. "The Author confidently offers this little treatise to the public as a safe guide-long experience of the game having made him acquainted with all its mysteries. Said a worldly Parisian to his son, whom he discovered lamenting over an empty purse, My son, until you have four eyes in your head, risk not your gold at Ecarté.'-The Author has but one better counsel to offer 'PLAY NOT AT ALL!'" PART ION THE RULES. Of all Games of Commerce, the most fashionable at this moment is Ecarté; yet, strange to say, we have never yet been furnished with a complete Treatise on its Rules-still less has any writer indicated the method of playing, or explained its niceties and different combinations.* Hence was the author determined to compile a Treatise, in which should be layed down, not only the rules recognized and adopted by the clubs, but also be pointed out, how to detect and punish the different errors which might be committed in the course of the rubber. It became necessary to give an example of the ordinary games, and the manner of playing them; hence he has added to this Treatise directions how the cards ought to be played in different games, whether with a view to win points, or to avoid losing them,-taking for his basis, every probable combination which the doctrine of chances presents in a game composed of thirty-two cards. ON THE GAME OF ECARTE. 1. Ecarté is played by two persons, with a pack or game of thirty-two cards, the deuce, three, four, five, and six of each suit being discarded. 2. Five points scored are game,-unless there be any mutual agreement to the contrary. 3. The score is always marked on the side of the stakes. 4. The money, whether stakes or bets is always put on the table. 5. Whoever wins three tricks, scores one point: whoever wins all the tricks, scores two. This is called in French, making the "vole." 6. Only two points can be scored in a single deal, unless one of the parties hold or turn up the king. 7. It may be either played in games or rubbers. A rubber consists in winning two games out of three. * No person really understanding cards will aver that there is "no play in Ecarté." This is a silly sophistry, arising from the false data that it is easier to manage five cards than thirteen; and a person acting on this principle will soon find his mistake to his cost. 8. The winner cannot refuse giving "a revenge;" the loser is not obliged to accept it. 9. It is usual to have two packs of cards, used alternatively: to prevent mixing them, the backs of one are generally dotted or coloured: the latter method is preferable. 10. The king is the highest card; the ace ranks next after the knave. ON CUTTING, AND CUTTING for deal. 1. First see who is eldest hand: at this game the eldest hand deals: there is a slight advantage in dealing, because the king turned up, scores a point, as we shall see presently. 2. Many players imagine it is as advantageous to be younger, as elder hand; in other words, as advantageous to play first, as to be played up to;* they are in error,-for it is only 7 to 1 against the king being turned up and it is more than 7 to 1 against the first player making the point, from the sole reason that he is first player, i. e., with cards which win because he is first, and which would lose were he last. 3. Another advantage in dealing is, that if the first to play (younger hand)proposes, the dealer presumes that his adversary has a weak hand, and can profit by this knowledge by refusing to give cards, whilst the younger hand, playing without throwing out, (écarté, signifies "thrown out,") can have no clue to the strength of the dealer's cards. 4. The eldest hand has choice of cards: this choice once made must last throughout the game, unless fresh cards be called for, which is allowable. 5. The deal is decided by cutting into the pack and showing the last card of the cut; highest deals. 6. If in cutting for deal, several cards are shown, the lowest of those turned up is accounted the cut. 7. Whoever neglects to show his cut, is supposed to have cut lowest of all. 8. The cut holds good, even if the pack be incomplete. As in Ecarté the eldest deals, and consequently plays last, (contrary to the usual mode,) to avoid the confusion which the terms "elder hand" and "younger hand" would make, the two players are throughout this work called the one "dealer," the other "player,"-the latter designating him who leads the first card. 9. When a pack of cards is discovered to be incorrect, all preceding deals-even that in which the discovery is made, provided the deal be already played out-hold good. 10. A cut must consist of more than one card. ON DEALING. 1. The cards are dealt by two and three, or by three and two. Five are given to each player, and the eleventh is turned up. 2. The turned up card indicates the suit of the trumps. 3. A trump is superior to every other card of a different suit. 4. When once the cards are dealt by two and three, or by three and two, this order cannot be changed during the game, unless by giving notice to the adversary previously to his cutting. 5 If this order of dealing should be changed, the adversary has a right to call a fresh deal, provided he has not seen his hand. Once, however, the hand seen, the deal holds good. 6. The residue of the pack (Fr. talon) is placed on the right of the dealer, and the écart (or cards rejected) on the left, both to avoid confusion, and to show, if forgotten, which party was dealer. 7. The dealer ought always to shuffle the cards, and the adversary always cut; but the latter is entitled to shuffle also before cutting, and the dealer to re-shuffle afresh, or to present the pack for the cut without re-shuffle, or to call for fresh cards. 8. It is allowable to shuffle the cards each time they are presented for cutting, but not to do so twice following in the same deal. 9. The party receiving cards plays first. 10. The king counts as one point in favor of the person either turning it up or holding it. [Note. The following rule is important, and ought to be read with attention, as an ignorance of it gives rise to frequent discussions.] 66 11. It is not sufficient that the holder of the king mark it; he ought to distinctly announce that he has the king." If the holder is also "the player," he ought to make this announcement before he leads his first card, except when he plays king first, and in that case it is allowable to announce it after it is on the table, but before it is covered by the adversary's |