In reckoning on the possibilities of the starter, it must never be forgotten that there are sixteen tenth cards in the pack, and that they are therefore the most probable starters of all. It is better to keep sequences open at both ends than those open in the middle. With two Sevens and two Eights, either a Six or a Nine will make your hand worth 24; but with two Eights and two Sixes, nothing but a Seven will improve your hand more than 4 points. Sequences are the best to keep, especially those of three cards with a duplicate. After them pairs royal are valuable, and next to them cards which will make a number of fives in various combinations, such as two Threes and two deuces. _=Leading.=_ There are two systems of playing, known as _=playing off=_, and _=playing on=_, and they are selected according to the player’s position in the score. Long experience has shown that in six-card Cribbage the average expectation of the non-dealer for his hand and play is 12 points; and for the dealer, in hand, crib, and play, is 17. This being so, each player having had a deal, their scores should be about 29. If a player is 29 or more, he is said to be _=at home=_; and if he is seven or more points ahead of his adversary on even deals, he is said to be _=safe at home=_.
The American game is played in the same way as the English one. Mr. Newell gives the tune to which the game was sung. The words are almost identical. This game is played in the same way as Jolly Miller, which see. Johnny Rover One boy is chosen to be Johnny Rover. The other players stand near him. Rover cries out-- A [I] warn ye ance, A warn you twice; A warn ye three times over; A warn ye a t be witty an wise An flee fae Johnny Rover. While the words are being repeated all the players are putting themselves on the alert, and when they are finished they run off in all directions, with Rover in full pursuit. If a player is hard pressed he has the privilege of running to Parley, the place from which the players started, and which in all games is an asylum.
In came F---- S---- and gave her a kiss. E---- made a pudding, she made it nice and sweet, F---- took a knife and fork and cut a little piece. Taste of it, taste of it, don t say nay, For next Sunday morning is our wedding day. First we ll buy a money box, Then we ll buy a cradle; Rock, rock the bottom out, Then we ll buy another. Bread and cheese all the week, cork on Sunday, Half a crown on Saturday night, and a jolly good dance on Monday. --Cowes, Isle of Wight (Miss E. Smith). II. Down in the meadows where the green grass grows, To see ---- blow like a rose. She blows, she blows, she blows so sweet.