he number
in his hand five, when the game is played on the regular lines.

_NINE-CARD NAP_.

This may be described as the last innovation in the game. It is conducted
on exactly similar lines to the five card method, except that nine cards
are held by each player, none being discarded as in the last mentioned
variation, but it has not yet become popular, and in view of the fact that
even with only three players more than half the pack is in use, its scope
is far more limited than any other variety. In this variation the person
calling Nap would have to make all nine tricks, a most difficult and
very unfrequent occurrence. It will be found to be a pleasing variety
for two players who are of about equal skill at the ordinary game,
its possibilities being so different from that method, but we doubt
its ever being made as popular as the five card game.

[16]

LOO.

Loo (or, as formerly it was sometimes called, Lue) is a very lively and
popular round game, justly described as one of the best and yet one of the
simplest known. Indeed, until the introduction of "Nap," it was the most
fashionable of its class in this country. The date of its origin is not
on record, but that some amount of antiquity can be claimed for it may be
inferred from the fact that a description of the game appears in works
published at the beginning of the present century, when the method of
playing it was virtually the same as is recognised at the present day,
except that then the five-card variation was the most popular,
whereas now the three-card game is in vogue.

Loo is usually played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards, but in
some variations the thirty-two card pack is used. The number of players
who can take part in it is practically unlimited within the range of the
pack played with. A writer of thirty years since justly remarks that
the game is good for any number up to a dozen, although the best game
is played with five, or not more than seven persons. Five players
are sometimes regarded as the limit, and if more than that number
desire to take part, relief is sought by the dealer standing out of
the play, neither paying nor receiving on the tricks of that hand.
This arrangement, however, is one that can be decided at the option
of the company playing.

[17]

As is the case with Nap, a very short time is necessary for completing
the hands in the game, and a finish may be made at any moment, either
by an equal