other players may make one more exchange
(if they have not previously passed), and then the whole of the hands are
exposed, just as described in connection with the modern game. There is
no pool in this variation, the winner receiving instead the amount of the
stake from each of the other players. In case of absolute equality between
the two best hands, which may be regarded as an almost impossible event,
then each of the winners receives a stake from all the other players.

[75]

_POOL COMMERCE_.

This is a variation of the old method of conducting the game, and is played
on somewhat similar lines, except that a pool is made up, by each player
paying in an equal sum, for which he receives three counters. Play then
proceeds in the manner just described as the old game. The winner of
the hand, instead of receiving a stake from each of the players, takes a
previously arranged sum from the pool, while the player who has the worst
hand puts one counter into the pool. The game continues until all but one
of the players have exhausted their three counters, when the player who
remains with the last counter or counters takes the amount left in the
pool. As soon as a player has exhausted his counters he has to stand
out of the game, and no cards are dealt to him, so that the adoption of
this variation makes the game very tedious for those who are first out,
as they may have to wait a considerable time before the stock of the
other players is exhausted.

The player who is first out has the option of buying one counter from
the pool, which is termed "buying a horse." He has to pay for the same
into the pool such sum as may be agreed upon--usually one-third or one-half
the amount of the original stake.

_LIMITED COMMERCE_.

It may be agreed that only the Tricon, Sequence, Flush, and Point shall be
recognised in the game, or even Tricon, Sequence, and Point only; but the
greater the number of combinations permissible the greater the enjoyment
to be derived from the game, so that limitations of this character have
little to recommend them.

[76]

_PENALTIES FOR THE DEALER_.

It is sometimes agreed that when the dealer holds a Tricon, Sequence,
Flush, or Pair, and his hand is beaten by either of the others, he has
to pay the amount of a stake to each player, or only to those who have
better hands than his. The former course will be found to be a severe
tax on the dealer, and is not to be recommended. T