example, if those in hand make 14 exactly, it is 7 to 6 that the one next drawn does not make the number of points above 21, but if the points be 15, it is 7 to 6 against that hand; yet it would not therefore always be prudent to stand at 15, for as the ace may be calculated both ways, it is rather above an even bet that the adversary's two first cards amount to more than 14. A natural Vingt-un may be expected once in seven coups when two, and twice in seven when four people play, and so on according to the number of players.

All Fours.

THIS game, usually played by two people, sometimes by four, with a complete pack, derives its name from the four chances therein, for each of which a point is scored, namely, high, the best trump out; low, the smallest trump dealt; jack, the knave of trumps; game, the majority of pips reckoned from such of the following cards as the respective players have in their tricks, viz.: every ace is counted as 4; king, 3; queen, 2; knave, 1; and ten for 10. Low is always scored by the person to whom it was dealt; but jack being the property of whoever can win or save it, the possessor is permitted to revoke and trump with that card and when turned up as trump the dealer scores; it is also allowable for the player who lays down a high or low trump to inquire at the time whether the same be high or low.

After cutting for deal, at which either the highest or lowest card wins, as previously fixed, six cards are to be given to each player, either by three or one at a time, and the thirteenth turned up for trump; then if the eldest does not like his card, he may, for once in a hand, say, I beg, when the dealer must either give a point or three inore cards to each, and turn up the seventh for trump; but if that should prove of the same suit as the first turned up, then three cards more are to be given, and so on il a different suit occurs. The cards rank as at Whist, and each player should always strive to secure his own tens and courtcards, to take those of the adversay, to obtain which, except when commanding cards are elu, it is usual to play

low one to throw the lead into the opponent's hand. Usually seven points form the game, which may be set up as at Whist, though a very customary method is to draw two cards from the pack, and lay them one on the other, so as to exhibit only the number of pips the player has gained.

When the dealer shows any of his adversary's cards a new deal may be demanded, but in showing his own he must abide by the same.

If discovered, previous to playing, that too many cards are given to either party, a fresh deal may be claimed, or the extra cards drawn out by the opponent; but should even a single card have been played, then there must be another deal.

With strict players, the adversary may score a point whenever his opponent does not trump or follow suit, and each calculates his game without inspecting the tricks, which when erroneously set up must not only be taken down, but also the antagonist either scores four points or one, as shall have been agreed on.

Speculation.

THIS is a lively round game, that several may play, using a complete pack of cards bearing the same import as at Whist, with fish or counters, on which such a value is fixed as the company agree; the highest trump, in each deal, wins the pool; and whenever it happens that not one is dealt, then the company pool again, and the event is decided by the succeeding coup. After determining the deal, &c., the dealer pools six fish, and every other player four; next three cards are given to each by one at a time, and another turned up for trump; the cards are not to be looked at, except in this manner,—the eldest hand shows the uppermost card, which, if a trump, the company may speculate on or bid for; the highest bidder buying and paying for it, provided the price offered is approved of by the seller. After this is settled, or if the first card does not prove trump, then the next eldest shows the uppermost card, and so on, the company speculating as they please,

till all are discovered; when the possessor of the highest trump, whether by purchase or otherwise, gains the pool.

The holder of the trump card, whether acquired by purchase or otherwise, has the privilege of keeping his cards concealed till all the rest have been turned up.

To play this game well, little more is requisite than recollecting what superior cards of that particular suit have appeared in the preceding deals, and calculating the proba bility of the trump offered proving the highest in the deal then undetermined.

Loo.

Loo or Lue, subdivided into limited and unlimited Loo, a game, the complete knowledge of 'which can easily be acquired, is played two ways, both with five and three cards, though most commonly with five cards dealt from a whole pack, either first three and then two, or by one at a time. Several persons may play together, but the greatest number can be admitted when with three cards only.

After five cards have been given to each player, another s turned up for trump; the knave of clubs generally, or sometimes the knave of the trump suit, as agreed upon, is the highest card, and styled Pam; the ace of trumps is next in value, and the rest in succession, as at Whist. Each player has the liberty of changing for others from the pack all or any of the five cards dealt, or of throwing up the hand in order to escape being looed. Those who play their cards either with or without changing, and do not gain a trick, are looed; as is likewise the case with all who have stood the game, when a flush or flushes occur, and each, except any player holding Pam, or an inferior flush, is required to deposit a stake to be given to the person who sweeps the board, or divided among the winners at the ensuing deal, according to the tricks which may then be made. For instance, if every one at dealing stakes halfa-dollar, the tricks are entitled to ten cents apiece, and whoever is looed must put down half-a-dollar, exclusive of the deal; sometimes it is settled that each person looed shall pay a suin equal to what happens to be on the table

at the time. Five cards of a suit, or four with Pa.n, compose a flush, which sweeps the board, and yields only to a superior flush, or the elder hand. When the ace of trumps is led, it is usual to say "Pam be civil," the holder of which last-mentioned card is then expected to let the ace pass.

Any player having a flush, or five cards of a suit in his hand, looes all the parties then playing, and sweeps the board.

When Loo is played with three-cards, they are dealt by one at a time, Pam is omitted, and the cards are not ex changed nor permitted to be thrown up.

In different coinpanies these games are frequently played with a few trifling variations from the manner as before stated.

One of the most usual variations in three-card loo is the laying out of two or three extra hands, which are called Misses. These may be exchanged with their own hands by any of the players, the elder having the first choice, and the others according to their turn, the dealer being last. It commonly happens that the first two or three players avail themselves of their option, so that it rarely comes round to the dealer. The Miss, which is to be taken at a venture, without previous inspection, must be played.

Lottery.

Or the minor games of cards, Lottery is without doubt one of the most amusing. A great excellence of this game is, that it is most agreeable when there is a great number of players; for it may be played by ten, twelve, or more; but not well with less than four or five players. Two entire packs of cards are employed, one of which serves for the tricks, and the other for the lots or prizes. Each player should take a certain number of counters, more or less, that and their value depending on the will of the players. These points being settled, every one gives the counters he has, for his stake, and these being collected into a box or purse, on the middle of the table, compose the fund of the Lottery.

The players being all ranged round the table, two of them take the two packs of cards, and as it is of no importance who deals, as there is no advantage in being eldest or youngest, the cards are commonly presented in compliment to some two of the players. The dealers, after well shuffling the cards, have them cut by their lefthand neighbors, and one of them deals a card to each player; all these cards are to remain turned, and are called the lots; each player then places on his lot what number of counters he thinks proper; they should observe, however, to make them one higher than the other, that there may be as few as possible of the same value. The lots being thus prized, he who has the other pack deals likewise to each player one card, which are called the tickets; each player having received his card, the lots are then turned, and each examines whether his ticket answers to any of the lots; for example, if any of the lots are the knave of clubs, the queen of hearts, the ace of spades, the eight of clubs, the six of diamonds, the four of hearts, the three of spades, and the two of diamonds; he or they whose cards correspond to any of those, take up the lot or prize that is marked on that card.

The two dealers then collect those cards that belong to their respective packs, and after having shuffled them, deal again in the same manner as before, the lots being laid down and drawn by the tickets, in the manner we have just mentioned; and such lots as remain undrawn, are to be added to the fund of the lottery. This continues till the fund is all drawn out, after which each player examines what he has won, and the stakes are paid in money by him who drew the lottery; whose business it is to collect and divide it.

If the party should last too long, instead of giving only one card to each, for his ticket, you may give two, three, or even four, one after the other, according as you would have the party continue; the increasing the value of the lots likewise, helps greatly to shorten the party.

Another method is, to take at random three cards out f one of the packs, and place them face downward, on board or in a bowl on the table for the prizes, then every player purchases from the other pack any number of cards for tickets as may be most agreeable, paying a fixed sun or cerain quantity of counters for each, which sums o