ntains the highest card (ace being the
lowest) shall be held to be the best hand; and if there be two or more
sequences of cards of equal value, a sequence in hearts, _ceteris paribus_,
shall be the best hand.

71. The ace shall only begin a sequence; it shall not end a sequence after
a king, nor shall it be an intermediate card between a king and a two.*

*This law, and the others which are involved in it, has
only the authority of custom in this country. Some American
writers permit of the ace being used at the beginning or
end of a sequence, making ten to ace the highest sequence.

72. If there be two or more threes shown, threes being the best hand, the
hand containing the threes highest in value shall be the best hand.

73. If there be two or more two-pairs shown, two-pairs being the best hand,
the hand containing the pair highest in value shall be the best hand; and
if two two-pair hands contain pairs equally high in value, such pairs being
the [57] highest, the value of the other pair shall decide which is the
better hand.

74. If there be two or more pairs, pairs being the best hand, the hand
containing the pair highest in value shall be the best hand; and if two
hands contain equally high pairs, the hand containing the highest card
which is not tied by an equally high card in the other hand shall be the
better hand.

75. If no pair hand nor any better hand be shown, the player whose hand
contains the card highest in value which is not tied by a card of similar
value in another competing hand, shall be held to have the best hand.

76. If, when the final call is made and the hands shown, two or more
players hold hands identical in value, such players shall share the pool
equally between them.

_Disputes_.

77. Any dispute shall be referred to the dealer, unless he be one of the
disputing persons; and if on a matter of fact his decision shall be final
and binding; and if on a matter of law, he shall interpret these laws
literally, and not by implication.

78. If the dealer be one of the disputing persons, the dispute shall
be referred to the person on the left of the dealer, and if he be one
of the disputing persons, it shall be referred to the person on the
tight of the dealer.

79. In a dispute, the dealer, or any player appointed to settle such
dispute, may appeal to any person at the table for evidence, and if such
person can give evidence, he shall do so.

80. If the players