agree to waive a particular rule on a particular
occasion, a like concession cannot be claimed on another similar occasion.

[58]

81. These rules shall be binding on all players, unless a departure from
them has been agreed upon unanimously before play begins, and if one or
more rules he abrogated by common consent, such abrogation shall hold
only for that sitting, and for that sitting only so long as there is
no change of players, and it shall not apply to any future sitting.

[59]

VINGT-UN.

Vingt-un, or twenty-one, is another game we find described in books
published at the commencement of the present century. Its name would seem
to imply that it is of French origin; but in reference to this, as well
as in regard to the date of its introduction into the country, we have
no definite details. The manner of playing it at the present time is
very little different from that practised at the earlier date mentioned,
although modifications have been introduced in some minor points, and
the tendency is to make yet further departures from the methods adopted
in years gone by.

The game is well suited for a large number of players, and may also be
engaged in by smaller parties; its practice, with even only two competing,
being both interesting and exciting. It is purely a game of chance,
and little or no skill is required in playing it, although a little
judgment may often prove of advantage to the player who exercises it.

Vingt-un is played with an ordinary pack of fifty-two cards, which count
in accordance with the number of pips on each, the ace reckoning as either
one or eleven, at the option of the player, and each of the court cards
counting ten. No distinction is made during any part of the game in the
various suits, each of the four sorts being of equal value in counting
the points.

A player may retire after the completion of any hand, [60] and the game
itself may be concluded at the same period, although it is desirable
to arrive at some understanding, previous to the commencement of play,
as to the method to be adopted in closing it, as, from the fact of the
deal being an advantage, it is unfair to conclude until each of those
engaged has had a turn, or equal number of turns, as dealer. This is
assuming that the deal goes round in rotation, which is the arrangement
now generally adopted, in lieu of the old-fashioned method of transferring
the privilege to the player throwing the dealer out by