acing it face downwards on the table, and takes the turn-up card
into his hand. He must do this when it is his turn to play, and before
showing his first card, otherwise he forfeits the privilege, and is,
moreover, prohibited from winning the pool that round, no matter how many
tricks he may secure. The same penalty is attached to the player who robs
the turn-up card without holding the ace.

As a variation, it may be agreed that robbing shall be optional,
or shall not be recognised as a part of the game.

_RENEGING_.

The holder of the five of trumps, the knave of trumps, or the ace of
hearts, enjoys the privilege of not being obliged to play them when a trump
is led; but this privilege (which is called reneging) only holds when the
trump led is a lower one. For instance, if the knave be led, the holder
of the ace of hearts is obliged to play it.

VARIATIONS.

A very good game may be played by allowing the cards to retain their
ordinary sequence. As this avoids confusion, it is more suitable for
family play.

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_TWO TRICKS WIN_.

If five or more players are taking part in the game, it may be found
desirable that the winner of two tricks shall take the pool, or
partnerships can be formed; otherwise a long continuation of spoils
may occur.

_FIVING_.

This variation is sometimes played when two persons, or two sets of
partners are engaged in the game. It consists in allowing the non-dealer,
providing he is not satisfied with his cards, to ask the dealer to "five"
it, when, if the dealer agrees, the trump card is removed, and the next
card is turned up for trump. If that proves to be of the same suit as
the original turn-up, the next is taken, and so on until a change occurs.
The right to five can only be exercised once each hand.

_JINKING_.

A variation is sometimes made by the introduction of "jinking." The winner
of all five tricks receives from each player his original stake in addition
to the amount in the pool; if, however, any player who has won three tricks
goes on playing, thinking he can jink, and fails to do so, he loses the
pool which he would otherwise have won for his three tricks.

_TWENTY-FIVE AND FORTY-FIVE_.

Instead of the game being finished in one hand, it may continue until one
player makes twenty-five, or forty-five. In this case there are no spoils,
and every trick scores five to the winner. Any player "jinking," _i.e._,
winning the five tri