r of the other
players if each of those in front of him has decided to stand on his own
cards, as it may be assumed that in such cases there is strength. With
five playing, two of whom have thrown up, miss may be taken, but with three
players standing on their own cards, miss should not be attempted.

_II_.--_Playing_.

The laws of the game define what shall be led with two or three trumps,
or with ace only (or king only, if ace is turned up), and therefore the
only hints necessary are when the leader has but one trump.

With one trump and high cards of other suits, the trump should be led if
several players remain in, but if only two or three are standing,
either of the others should be led, the higher of the two for
preference.

With one high trump and small other cards, we prefer leading the
smallest, relying on the second and third tricks for opportunities of
making our single trump.

[31]

POKER.

_DESCRIPTION_.

The game of Poker is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards.

The number of players is limited only by the number of cards,
but in practice it is found better to limit each table to five,
or at most six, players.

The cards have the same values as at Whist, _i.e._ ace is the highest
in each suit; then follow king, queen, knave, ten, etc., down to two.

In "sequences," however, the ace is the lowest card, and the king the
highest.

The suit of hearts, _ceteris paribus_, takes precedence of other suits.

Before beginning play, it is customary and advisable to agree upon a
sum (technically called the "limit" or "rise") which shall be the maximum
stake permitted to be made by a player at one time; or, in other words,
which shall be the greatest sum by which he may increase the stake at
any one time.

The "limit," of course, does not refer to the total amount of a player's
stakes, and it is understood that a player may stake _less_ than the limit
at any time, but not _more_.

After being seated, the players cut for the deal, and the player who
cuts the lowest card deals first. If two or more players cut equal
lowest cards, these players must cut again for the deal.

[32]

The duty of dealing in each game after the first, devolves upon the
player to the left of the previous dealer.

Before beginning play, every player has a right to shuffle the pack;
the dealer has a right to the last shuffle. After being shuffled,
the pack must be cut by the player to the right of