r to their partners
what honours they have, or by the wink of one eye it signifies one
honour, shutting both eyes two, placing three fingers or four on the
table, three or four honours. FOR WHICH REASON ALL NICE GAMSTERS PLAY
BEHIND CURTAINS.

'Dealing the cards out by one and one to each person is the best method
of putting it out of the dealer's power to impose on you. But I shall
demonstrate that, deal the cards which way you will, a confederacy of
two sharpers will beat any two persons in the world, though ever so good
players, that are not of the gang, or in the secret, and "THREE poll
ONE" is as safe and secure as if the money was in their pockets. All
which will appear presently.

The first necessary instructions to be observed at Whist, as principals
of the secret, which may be likewise transferred to most other games at
cards, are:--

Brief or short cards,

Corner-bend,

Middle-bend (or Kingston-bridge).

'Of brief cards there are two sorts: one is a card longer than the
rest,--the other is a card broader than the rest. The long sort are such
as three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine; the broad sort are
such as aces, kings, queens, and knaves. The use and advantage of each
are as follows:--

'Example:--When you cut the cards to your adversary, cut them long, or
endways, and he will have a three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or
nine at bottom. When your adversary cuts the cards to you, put them
broadside to him, and he will naturally cut (without ever suspecting
what you do) ace, king, queen, or knave, &c., which is sufficient
advantage to secure any game.

'And in case you cannot get cards of proper sizes ready-made to mix with
others, you may shave them with a razor or penknife from the threes to
the nines each side, and from the aces to the knaves each end; then put
them up in the same case or cover, and if they are done as they ought to
be, they will pass upon anybody.

'As Whist is a tavern-game, the sharpers generally take care to put
about the bottle before the game begins, so quick, that a BUBBLE cannot
be said to see clearly even when he begins to play.

'The next is the corner-bend, which is four cards turned down finely at
one corner--a signal to cut by.

'The other is vulgarly called Kingston-bridge, or the middle-bend. It is
done by bending your own or adversary's TRICKS two different ways, which
will cause an opening, or arch, in the middle, which is of the same use
and se