The player should not only be thoroughly familiar with the relative value of the various combinations which may be held at Poker, but should have some idea of the chances for and against better combinations being held by other players, and should also know the odds against improving any given combination by drawing to it. The value of this technical knowledge will be obvious when it is remembered that a player may have a hand dealt to him which he knows is comparatively worthless as it is, and the chances for improving which are only one in twelve, but which he must bet on at odds of one in three, or abandon it. Such a proceeding would evidently be a losing game, for if the experiment were tried twelve times the player would win once only, and would lose eleven times. This would be paying eleven dollars to win three; yet poker players are continually doing this. _=RANK OF THE HANDS.=_ The various combinations at Poker outrank one another in the following order, beginning with the lowest. Cards with a star over them add nothing to the value of the hand, and may be discarded. The figures on the right are the odds against such a hand being dealt to any individual player. Five cards of various suits; not in sequence, and without a pair. [Illustration: đĄ* đ* đś* đ´* đ˘*] Even _=One Pair.
55. If the dealer declare himself unable to recollect the trump card, his highest or lowest trump may be called at any time during that hand, and unless it cause him to revoke, must be played; the call may be repeated, but not changed, _i.e._, from highest to lowest, or _vice versa_, until such card is played. CARDS LIABLE TO BE CALLED. 56. All exposed cards are liable to be called, and must be left on the table; but a card is not an exposed card when dropped on the floor, or elsewhere below the table. The following are exposed cards:-- I. Two or more cards played at once. II.
Holding the _=Highest=_ trump. 4th. Holding the _=Lowest=_ trump. 5th. Winning a trick with the _=Jack=_ of trumps in it. 6th. Making the majority of the pips that count for what is called _=Game=_. _=Turning the Jack=_ is entirely a matter of chance, and should not occur more than once in thirteen deals. If a Jack is turned every few deals, you may be sure that unfair methods are being used. Nothing is more common among advantage players than turning up Jacks every few deals.
They are not permitted to look at the score-card until the hand has been overplayed. Then they enter the result, which should be 6 tricks. If the total of the tricks taken by the same team on the N & S and the E & W hands is not 13, it must be a loss or a gain. At the end of the 24 hands, the result of the match can be immediately ascertained by laying side by side the score cards of the East and West hands played at the same table. The North and South scores are not compared, because the laws say they may be incorrect, but the East and West must be, officially, right. We give on the two preceding pages an illustration of the full score of a match. The check marks in the 6th column show that the N & S players compared the score with the E & W before turning down their cards. The figures in the 2nd column are the gains on the various hands. The figures in the 7th column show which of the four players whose names appear at the top of the score-card were partners for that series of hands. The result shows that the O team had a majority of one trick at table No.
=_ Both players having discarded for the crib, the non-dealer cuts the remainder of the pack, and the dealer lifts the top card from the portion left on the table, turning it face up. The two portions being again united, the turned card is placed face up on the pack, and is known as the starter, because it forms the starting-point in the count for every hand and crib. At least four cards must be left in each packet in cutting for the starter. If the starter is found face up, there must be a new deal. If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately pegs two points _=for his heels=_. If he does not peg these two holes before he plays a card the score is lost. If the Jack of the same suit as the starter is found in the hand or crib of any player, it is called _=his nobs=_, and when the hand is reckoned up after the play is over, one point may be scored for it. If the dealer exposes more than one card after the pack has been properly cut, his adversary may choose which of the exposed cards shall be the starter. In order to understand the motives which govern the players in discarding, and the influences which the starter has upon the value of the hands and crib, it will be necessary to describe the objects of the game, before giving the method of play. _=OBJECTS OF THE GAME.
What colour are they? Red, white, and grey. Then turn about, and twist about, and catch whom you may. --Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 57, 58). IV. Antony Blindman kens ta me Sen I bought butter and cheese o thee? I ga tha my pot, I ga tha my pan, I ga tha a I hed but a rap ho penny I gave a poor oald man. --Cumberland (Dickinson s _Glossary_). (_b_) In the Deptford version one of the players is blindfolded. The one who blindfolds ascertains that the player cannot see by putting the first question. When the players are satisfied that the blindfolding is complete, the dialogue follows, and the blind man is turned round three times.
There is no score for the last trick when the game is closed, because the number of tricks played will then be less than twelve. As closing gives peculiar advantages to the closer, there are certain forfeits if a person closes and fails to reach 66. There are three varieties of closing, which are as follows:-- If, during the play of the hand, either player thinks he has reached 66, he closes, and turns over the tricks he has already won. If he is correct, he scores one, two, or three points, according to the condition of his adversaryâs count. But if he is not correct, and has not quite reached 66, his adversary scores two points in any case, and if the non-closer had not won a trick up to the time the stock was closed, he scores three; because that is the number the closer would have won if he had been correct in his count. If a player thinks he would have a better chance to reach 66 first if his adversary was compelled to follow suit, he may close the stock. For instance: Aâs mental count is 35, and he holds in his hand a marriage, and the Ace of another plain suit; but no trumps. If he closes at once, and leads the Ace, his adversary will have to follow suit, and the 11 points will put the closing player to 46. He can then show his marriage, without leading it, and claim 66. But if the adversary should turn out to have none of the suit led, and should trump the Ace, A might never reach 66, and B would count two points.
SEC. 5. A revoke cannot be claimed if the claimant or his partner has played to the following deal, or if both have left the table at which the revoke occurred. If the revoke is discovered in season, the penalty must be enforced and cannot be waived. SEC. 6. At the end of the play of a deal the claimants of a revoke can examine all of the cards; if any hand has been shuffled the claim may be urged and proved if possible; but no proof is necessary and the revoke is established if, after it has been claimed, the accused player or his partner disturbs the order of the cards before they have been examined to the satisfaction of the adversaries. LAW XI.--MISCELLANEOUS. SEC.
If he moves his King you check again with your other Bishop, which will force him to take your black Bishop, and lose his Queen. BxQ K-K2 7 ------ 8 ---------- BxP ch K-Kt5 mate If the beginner will examine the position, he will find that there is no way of escape for the King, and Black wins. Openings are usually divided into five principal classes: Those in which the first piece developed is the _=Kingâs Knight=_; those in which the _=Kingâs Bishop=_ is the first piece brought into play; those in which a _=Gambit=_ is offered on the second move, usually a sacrificed Pawn; those which are called _=Close=_ openings, securing a good defensive game for the black pieces; and those which are _=Irregular=_. In the following outline of fifty of the openings, only the first four moves are given, and usually only one variation is selected, the object being more to give the student an idea of the development than to exhaust the subject. The arrangement is alphabetical, that being more convenient in a book of reference. For the continuations the student is recommended to study âFreeborough,â or the âHandbuch des Schachspiels.â Allgaier Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 P-KR4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 ----- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 P-Kt5 Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit:-- P-K4 B-B4 Kt-KB3 Kt-B3 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ------ 4 ----- P-K4 Kt-KB3 KtxP KtxKt Berlin Defence:-- P-K4 B-B4 Q-K2 P-QB3 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ------ 4 ----- P-K4 Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 B-B4 Blackmar Gambit:-- P-Q4 P-K4 P-KB3 KtxP 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ------ 4 ----- P-Q4 PxP PxP B-B4 Calabrese Counter Gambit:-- P-K4 B-B4 P-Q3 P-B4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 ---- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 P-Q4 Centre Gambit:-- P-K4 P-Q4 QxP Q-K3 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 -------- P-K4 PxP Kt-QB3 B-Kt5 ch Centre Counter Gambit:-- P-K4 PxP Kt-QB3 P-Q4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 ------ P-Q4 QxP Q-Q sq Kt-KB3 Classical Defence, to K. B. opening:-- P-K4 B-B4 P-QB3 P-Q4 1 ---- 2 ---- 3 ------ 4 ---- P-K4 B-B4 Kt-KB3 PxP Cunningham Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 ------- P-K4 PxP B-K2 B-R5 ch Cochrane Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ------ 4 ----- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 P-Kt5 Danish Gambit:-- P-K4 P-Q4 P-QB3 B-QB4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ------ P-K4 PxP PxP Kt-KB3 English Opening:-- P-QB4 P-B4 P-Q3 Kt-QB3 1 ----- 2 ---- 3 ------ 4 ------ P-QB4 P-B4 Kt-KB3 P-Q3 Evansâ Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 P-QKt4 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ---- 4 ------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 BxKtP Evansâ Gambit Declined:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 P-QKt4 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ---- 4 ------ P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 B-Kt3 Fianchetto Opening:-- P-K3 P-QB4 Kt-QB3 PxP 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ------ 4 ------ P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-Q4 KtxP Fianchetto Defence:-- P-K4 P-Q4 B-Q3 Kt-K2 1 ------ 2 ---- 3 ----- 4 ------ P-QKt3 P-K3 B-Kt2 Kt-KB3 Four Knights:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 Kt-B3 B-Kt5 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ----- 4 ------ P-K4 Kt-QB3 Kt-B3 B-Kt5 French Defence:-- P-K4 P-Q4 Kt-QB3 B-KKt5 1 ---- 2 ---- 3 ------ 4 ------ P-K3 P-Q4 Kt-KB3 B-K2 From Gambit:-- P-KB4 PxP PxP Kt-KB3 1 ----- 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ------ P-K4 P-Q3 BxP Kt-KB3 Giuoco Piano:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 P-B3 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ---- 4 ----- P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 Kt-B3 Greco-Counter Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 KtxP P-Q4 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ------ 4 ------ P-K4 P-KB4 Q-B3 P-Q3 Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-B4 Kt-B3 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ----- 4 ------ P-K4 Kt-QB3 PxP P-KKt4 Hungarian Defence:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 P-Q4 1 ---- 2 ------ 3 ---- 4 ------ P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-K2 P-Q3 Irregular Openings:-- P-K4 P-QB3 Kt-B3 KtxP 1 ---- 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ------ P-K4 P-Q4 PxP B-Q3 P-K4 P-Q4 B-Q3 P-QB3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-Q3 Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 P-K4 P-K4 P-Q4 PxP B-Q3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-QB3 P-Q4 PxP Kt-QB3 P-K4 P-Q4 PxP P-KB4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- Kt-QB3 P-K4 KtxP Kt-Kt3 Jerome Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 BxP ch 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 KxB Kieseritzky Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 P-KR4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 P-Kt5 Kingâs Bishopâs Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 B-B4 K-B sq 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP Q-R5 ch B-B4 Kingâs Bishopâs Pawn Game:-- P-KB4 Kt-KB3 P-K3 B-K2 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K3 Kt-KB3 B-K2 P-QKt3 Kingâs Knight Opening. Irregular Defences:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 KtxP Kt-KB3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 P-KB3 Q-K2 P-Q4 P-K4 Kt-KB3 Kt-B3 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Q-B3 P-B3 PxP P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 B-Q3 Kt-KB3 Kt-B3 P-K4 Kt-KB3 KtxP P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 B-B4 Q-K2 B-Kt3 Kingâs Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 P-Q4 K-K2 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP Q-R5 ch P-Q4 P-K4 P-KB4 P-KR4 PxP 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP P-Q4 QxP P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 B-Kt2 P-K4 P-KB4 P-KR4 Kt-KB3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP B-K2 Kt-KB3 Kingâs Gambit Declined:-- P-K4 P-KB4 PxQP Kt-QB3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 P-Q4 QxP Q-K3 Max Langeâs Attack:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 Castles 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 Kt-B3 Muzio Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 P-Kt5 Petroffâs Counter Attack:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 KtxP K-KB3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-Q3 KtxP Philidorâs Defence:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-Q4 KtxP 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 P-Q3 PxP P-Q4 Pierce Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-B4 Kt-B3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 PxP P-KKt4 Queenâs Pawn Counter Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 PxP P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 P-Q4 B-Q3 P-K5 Queenâs Gambit:-- P-Q4 P-QB4 P-K3 BxP 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-Q4 PxP P-K4 PxP P-Q4 P-QB4 P-K4 P-Q5 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-Q4 PxP P-K4 P-KB4 P-Q4 P-QB4 Kt-KB3 P-K3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-Q4 PxP P-K3 Kt-KB3 Queenâs Pawn Game:-- P-Q4 P-K3 Kt-KB3 B-K2 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-Q4 P-K3 Kt-KB3 B-K2 Ruy Lopez:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-Kt5 B-R4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-QR3 Kt-B3 Salvio Gambit:-- P-K4 P-KB4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 PxP P-KKt4 P-Kt5 Scotch Game:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-Q4 KtxP 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 PxP B-B4 Sicilian Defence:-- P-K4 Kt-QB3 Kt-B3 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-QB4 Kt-QB3 P-K3 PxP Stauntonâs Opening:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-B3 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-B4 P-Q3 Steinitz Gambit:-- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-KB4 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 PxP Q-R5 ch Three Knightsâ Game:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 Kt-B3 P-Q4 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-KB3 P-Q3 PxP Two Knightsâ Defence:-- P-K4 Kt-KB3 B-B4 Kt-Kt5 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 Kt-QB3 Kt-B3 P-Q4 Vienna Opening:-- P-K4 Kt-QB3 P-B4 Kt-B3 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K4 B-B4 P-Q3 Kt-KB3 Zukertortâs Opening:-- Kt-KB3 P-Q4 P-K3 B-K2 1 ------ 2 ------ 3 ------- 4 -------- P-K3 Kt-KB3 P-QKt3 B-Kt2 _=GAMES AT ODDS.
After it gets down to two men, they shake for the best two out of three hands, and if each wins a hand they are horse and horse, and throw a third to decide it. The last person to throw on each round follows his lead, throwing the first hand on the next round. TEN PINS WITH DICE. Any number can play, and the score sheet is ruled off for ten frames, just as in ten pins. Only two dice are used, and they are rolled from a box. Sixes count nothing, and are âoff the alley.â Each player has three balls or rolls, and he can leave either one or both dice at the end of any throw. If he leaves one he picks up the other and throws it again, but he must abide by the figures appearing on the two dice at the end of his third throw. Suppose he throws double fives on his first throw; that is a _=strike=_, and is so scored, and the total pips appearing on the two dice at the end of his second throw on the next frame will count on the strike. Suppose he rolls five-deuce the first time.
The stakes are commonly pins. One player conceals a pin, or more if agreed on, in one of his (her) hands. He then closes both hands and twirls them over each other, in front of the other player, and repeats the words-- Nivvie, nivvie-neek-nack, Filk (which) (or filk han ) ill ye tack? Tack the richt, tack the left, An a ll deceave ye gehn (if) I can. The other player chooses. If he chooses the hand having the stake, he gains it. If he does not, he forfeits the stake. Another form of words is-- Nivvie, nivvie-neek-nack Filk (which) will ye tick-tack? Tack ane, tack twa, Tack the best amo them a . And-- Nivvie, nivvie-nick-nack, Which han will ye tack? Tack ane, tack twa, Tack the best amo them a . Dickinson s _Cumberland Glossary_ describes this as a boyish mode of casting lots. The boy says-- Neevy, neevy-nack, Whether hand will ta tack, T topmer or t lowmer? Mr.
Libbety, Libbety, Libbety-lat A child stands before a hassock, and as if he were going up stairs, he puts on it first his right and then his left foot, gradually quickening his steps, keeping time to the words-- Libbety, libbety, libbety-lat, Who can do this? and who can do that? And who can do anything better than that? --Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 59). Limpy Coley A boy s game undescribed.--Patterson s _Antrim and Down Glossary_. Little Dog I call you A number of girls stand in a line with their backs to a wall. One of their number is sent away to a distance, but remains within call. Another girl, who stands in front of the line, asks the girls one by one what they would like if they could obtain their desires. After she has asked every one, she tells them to turn their faces to the wall, and calls after the girl who was sent away, saying, Little Dog, I call you. The girl replies, I shan t come to please you. I ll get a stick and make you, is the rejoinder.
(_c_) It seems very clear from both the versions given that this is a ceremonial dance, round or at a place sacred to such ceremonies as betrothal and marriage. The version given by Chambers suggests this the more strongly, as the child in the centre acts as mistress of the ceremonies, or go-between, the person who was the negotiator between the parents on either side in bringing a marriage about. The courtesying and bowing of those in the ring to her may show respect for this office. On the other hand, there is the more important office of priest or priestess of the stones suggested by the action of the game, and the reverence to the centre child may be a relic of this. The fact that she asks a girl to tell her her sweetheart s name, and then announces the name of the girl s choice for approval or disapproval by the ring in both versions, points to the time when consent by relations and friends on both sides was necessary before the marriage could be agreed upon--the inquiry regarding the qualifications of the proposed wife, the recital of her housewifely abilities, and the giving of the ring by the boy to the girl are also betrothal customs. It is to be noted that it was a popular belief in ancient times that to wed with a rush-ring was a legal marriage, without the intervention of a priest or the ceremonies of marriage. Poore, Bishop of Salisbury (circa 1217), prohibited the use of them-- With gaudy girlonds or fresh flowers dight About her necke, or rings of rushes plight. --Spenser s _Queen_. And Shakespeare alludes to the custom in the lines-- As fit as ten groats for the hand of an attorney, as Tib s rush for Tom s forefinger. --_All s Well that Ends Well.
Another form of words is-- Nivvie, nivvie-neek-nack Filk (which) will ye tick-tack? Tack ane, tack twa, Tack the best amo them a . And-- Nivvie, nivvie-nick-nack, Which han will ye tack? Tack ane, tack twa, Tack the best amo them a . Dickinson s _Cumberland Glossary_ describes this as a boyish mode of casting lots. The boy says-- Neevy, neevy-nack, Whether hand will ta tack, T topmer or t lowmer? Mr. W. H. Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) gives the rhyme as-- Nievy, navy, nick nack, Which han will ye tak , The right or the wrang? I ll beguile ye if I can. Chambers (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 117) gives the rhyme the same as that given by Mr. Patterson.