New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-24

THE GAME is CALLED PEDRO.-This en-
PERTAINING parlOr game has grown popular
recently, but as no set rules to govern it
have been given, players in different houses
have adopted all sorts of styles, and con-
sequently the game is played many ways.
For the benefit of all who delight in pedro
the following established rules are pub
ilshed:
I. Pedro is all fours, or as commonly
known in this country, old s!edge or seven
up, combined with commercial or auction
pitch. Its distinguishing feature is that
pedro and giving name to the game, has
qualities assimilated to the jack when
trump, and counts tive 1t can be takenfby
trump card of any higher denomination,
az the jack may be.
2. The deal, when play begins, is decided
by shutting and cutting the cards (which
may be done by any of the party playing),
the centre of the table, and then throwing
around from the right to the left, one card
to each player, also face upward. The
person who receives the highest card Of the
same suit with that at the center OF the
table is entitled to the deal, together with
the sale of the trump. In the succeeding
games the deal goes to the loser.
3. The trump is determined by auction of
points. the bidding commencing at the left
of the dealer If the highest offer is IN
satisfactory the dealer will announce that he
declines it; if. in his Judgment, it is equal
to or exceeds the value OF his hand, he will
say that he accepts it, provided he is offered
no more. In either event the bidding goes
around again. and continues until the sale
is concluded by successful bid or the re-
fusai of the dealer to accept the best offered
No person who has "passed," i. g., declined
to bid in his turn, is allowed a second Op-
portunity. He is tout" for the DEAL
4. The successful bidder, or the dealer, if
he has finally refused to sell, then names or
pitches the trump and leads it. The win
ner of the trick is not required to follow the
lead with trumps, if he should have them,
but may, as he prefers, lead from any other
suit in his hand.
5. IT the person pitching the trump fails
to make the number of points he has either
offered to give or refused to accept, he is
S'set back" in his score or count for the
number so offered or refused; that ia. the
points he fails to make shall be deducted
from those he has already won; and if he
has won nothing it will be charged against
him. and withheld from any future win
nings.
i. The trump cards rank as follows: |,
high; ., low; 3, lack; 4, Pedro; 5, game.
Some players insist upon placing the pedro
discounrenances this, and approves the
order I have named. The value of the
pedro is wholly adventurous: that Of the
ace and deuce is absolute. The jack, under |
any circumstances, counts one for game;
the pedro counts nothing. The jack, when |
of the trump suit, can be taken by three |
cards only, while the pedro is at the mercy |
of thrice that number, besides laborlng
under other weighty disadvantages, like AL |
fonso, of Spain, for the amusement of whose
crazy ancestorj cards are said to have been
invented Therefore, it is properly sdjudged |
that the jack 10 entitled to the precedence.
Then, too, he is of ancient lineage, end has
been of the royal household for many gem
erstions; and though usually mentioned - |