division of the amount in the pool among the players, or by
releasing those who failed to win a trick in the previous deal from the
penalty which usually attaches to such a result, and which is known as
a "loo." In this case all "stand" on the last round, and there is no
"miss." It is usual, however, to play on until what is known as a "single"
occurs, _i.e._, when each of the players who declared to stand has
secured a trick, and, as a consequence, no one has been looed. If,
however, a finish is desired before a single occurs, it is best to
arrange it so as to fall immediately before the original dealer's turn
to deal comes round again, as, in that case, all the players will have
paid for an equal number of deals.

A player may withdraw from the game at any time when it is his turn
to deal. In that case he pays for his deal (as explained later on),
and also for his loo, if he was looed the previous hand, but he does not
deal any cards to himself, or take any part in the play of that round.

_DESCRIPTION_.

Three-card Loo being the most popular at the present day, we shall devote
ourselves more particularly to that game, leaving the five-card variety to
be considered later on, under the heading of Variations. The object of
each player is to win one, two, or all of the three tricks into which each
deal is divided, and in doing so he is opposed by all the other players
who have elected to stand, and who, in turn, try to secure the tricks for
themselves.

The stakes are first decided on--usually three counters [18] or coins for
the deal, and six for a loo. It is desirable that the amount in the pool
should be divisible by three, so as to allow of its equal apportionment
among the winners of the three tricks. The first dealer is then chosen,
and he, having paid to the pool the agreed amount for his deal, proceeds
to distribute the cards for what is termed a single, a term denoting that
merely the dealer's stake is to be played for.

The pack having been duly shuffled and cut, the dealer turns the top card
face upwards in the middle of the table, and then distributes one card,
similarly exposed, to each player. If either of the players receives a
higher card of the same suit as the one turned up, he wins the amount in
the pool. If two or more receive superior cards, the higher takes the
stake. The others are looed, each having to contribute the agreed amount
of a loo to the pool, for the next deal. It is us