s
right to increase it by a sum not exceeding the limit.

_C_, whose turn it now is again, adds two shillings to his stake,
raising _B_ a shilling.

_A_ will not stake more, so relinquishes the game and his stake,
placing his cards face downwards on the table.

_B_ adds one shilling to his stake, making it equal to _C's_,
and _C_ is therefore compelled to show his hand. It happens to be
better than _B's_, so _C_ claims _B's_ stake (two shillings and sixpence)
and the pool (five shillings and sixpence); and the game is over.

_VALUE OF THE_ "_HANDS_."

The "hands" at Poker are as follows, in order of value:--

No. 1. _Sequence Flush_, or _Straight Flush_.--A sequence of five cards
of the same suit. In sequences the ace is the lowest card, and therefore
ace to five is the lowest possible sequence. Nine to king is the highest
possible sequence, and if a "flush," _i.e._ all the cards of the same
suit, is the best possible hand in Poker.

No. 2. _Fours_, or _Four of a kind_.--Four cards of equal value, and one
other card of no value. Four aces take precedence, then four kings, etc.

No. 3. _Full Hand_.--Three cards of equal value, and two [39] cards of
equal value (for instance, three queens and two aces). The relative values
of two or more "full hands" are fixed by the threes they contain, the
highest three taking precedence, without regard to the value of the other
two cards. Thus, a "full hand" consisting of three tens and two fours,
is better than a "full hand" consisting of three nines and two kings.

No. 4. _Flush_.--Five cards of one suit. The relative values of two
or more "flush" hands depend upon the value of the cards they comprise,
--the highest card taking precedence.

No. 5. _Sequence_, or _Straight_.--A sequence in value of cards,
not being all of one suit. Nine to king is the highest sequence,
and wins, of course, against any lower sequence.

No. 6. _Triplets_, or _Threes_.--Three cards of the same value,
and two other cards which are of no value. Three aces are highest,
then three kings, three queens, etc.

No. 7. _Two Pairs_.--Two sets of two cards each, of equal value (_i.e._
2 knaves and 2 fours for instance), and one card of no value. The relative
values of two or more "two pair" hands is decided by the highest pair. If
two hands have equally high pairs, the value is decided by the second pair.

No. 8. _A Pair_.--Two cards of equal value, and three of no value