ings, as the chance of success or failure be for or against; and
then begins the betting or gambling part of the game. The player next
the _blind_ is the first to declare his bet; in which, of course, he is
entirely governed by circumstances. Some, being the first to bet, and
having a very good card indeed, will 'bet small,' in hopes that some one
else will see it, and 'go better,' that is, bet more, so that when it
comes round to his turn again he may see all previous bets, and bet as
much higher as he thinks proper; for it must be borne in mind that a
player's first bet does not preclude him from coming in again if his
first bet has been raised upon by any player round the table in his
turn; but if once the original bet goes round and comes to the _blind_,
or last player, without any one going better, the game is closed, and it
becomes a _show of hands_, to see who takes the pool and all the bets.
This does not often happen, as there is usually some one round the table
to raise it; but my informant has seen it occur, and has been highly
amused at watching the countenance of the expectant _small better_ at
having to show a fine hand for a mere trifle. Some players will, in
order to conceal their method of play, occasionally throw their cards
among the waste ones and abandon their stakes; this is not often done;
but it sometimes happens where the stakes have been small, or the player
has been _trying a bluff_, and has found some one whom he could not
_bluff off_. The foregoing is a concise account of the game, as played
in America, where it is of universal interest, and exercises great
fascination. It is often played by parties of friends who meet regularly
for the purpose, and instances can be found where fortunes have been
lost in a night.

The game of Pokers differs from the one just described, in so far that
the players receive only the original five cards dealt without drawing
fresh ones, and must either play or refuse on them. In this game, as
there are more cards, as many as ten persons can play.

LANSQUENET.(91)

Lansquenet is much played by the Americans, and is one of the most
exciting games in vogue.

The dealer or banker stakes a certain sum, and this must be met by
the nearest to the dealer first, and so on. When the stake is met, the
dealer turns up two cards, one to the right,--the latter for himself,
the former for the table or the players. He then keeps on turning up
the cards until either of th