t. Straddling the ante
gives the straddler (or the last straddler, if there be more than one)
the advantage of the last say before the draw.

_Straight_.--A sequence, a series of five cards in regular order
(see p. 38).

_THE STAKES_.

As before stated, the ante and limit should be fixed before play begins,
and once fixed should not be altered in any circumstances. Players who
have lost sometimes apply to have the limit raised. This should be
refused.

The ante should be a small sum, the smaller the better. It must not exceed
half the limit, and for general play a much lower proportion is desirable.
If the limit be one shilling, the ante may be fixed at one penny.

Counters are desirable for play in all cases; they are in every
way more convenient, and avoid the constant trouble of giving change.
They should be circular in form, and all of one size, but of three values,
represented by different colours:--

1, say Red; the value of ante.

2, say White; treble the value of ante.

3, say Blue; the value of the limit. [45]
The counters should be sold to each player before the game begins,
and be bought back at the same rate after play.

_HINTS TO PLAYERS_.

A few words of advice to the tyro may not, in conclusion, be out of place.
They will not make him into a good player--practice and experience alone
can do that,--but they may prevent him paying for his experience more
than is necessary:--

Do not play with folk you do not know.

Never play with a man you cannot implicitly trust. The game needs all
your attention, and it becomes a toil instead of a pleasure if you have
to be on the watch for unfair play.

Never play for a stake you are not prepared to lose.

Fix a limit to your losses and cease play at once when they reach it.
The temptation to continue is greater when losing than when winning.

Fix a time to cease play--and keep to it.

Perfect self-control is, it is needless to say, essential to
successful play.

The man whose losses make him ill-tempered, must not play at all.
He certainly cannot win, since loss of temper involves loss of judgment.
A game like Poker, which it must be confessed is not calculated to rouse
the finer feelings of humanity, is only tolerable when played under the
severest self-imposed restraint.

Avoid playing, moreover, with an opponent who cannot keep his temper.
You will beat him, no doubt, but anger is infectious, and, unless you
are blessed with ex