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156 The Book of Indoor and Outdoor Games |
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Cut for deal as in all card games, and the holder of the lowest card is the dealer.
While the cards are being dealt the player at the dealer's left "dresses" the cards, placing four counters on the Ace, three on the King, two on the Queen, and one on the Knave. The player at the left of the dealer begins the game, laying the card down, face upward, in front of himself—the object of the game being to get rid of the cards in hand. One should lead from one's longest suit, beginning with the lowest of a sequence. Whereupon the player holding the next card of the suit lays it down before him on the table, and so on until the Ace is reached, which is a "natural stop," there being none higher. The player of the Ace may then begin a new suit.
It is important to remember the cards that have been played in relation to those in one's own hand. Any card may be a "natural stop" provided the one next above it has been played. If, for instance, the Eight of Hearts has been played and the card above it, the one holding the seven of hearts should know that it is a "natural stop," and when played entitles him to another lead. If he hold smaller hearts he should begin with them, and lead up to the seven, and so get rid of more cards.
"The "stop-cards" are the Five and Seven of Diamonds—because the Six and Eight have been removed. They are the most desirable cards to hold, for they control the lead.
If at the end of a sequence played one is about to lose the lead, the holder of a "stop-card" may place it quickly on the table, instantly following his last play, and saying "Stop!" before an opponent can play the next card of the suit. He then may lead again with |
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