Evening star., 1896-02-22
THE GAME OF vARIQUE.
Played by the SwngEer Set In Eng
land and Is Quite New.

Played by the SwngEer Set in Eng
land and Is Quite New.
From the New York Press.
Among the swagger set of all England a
new game has been introduced, and 1t Is
said to be a close rival to whist.
The game is called Varique. and, although
one of cards. its nature is more clearly akin
10 the games Of checkers and chess The
rules are easily within the comprehension
of child. yet there is sufficient variety of
position and possibility Of development to
tax a mature and active mind. The cards
differ from the ordinary pack in number
and pips-by the way. not every one is
aware that the strictly correct term for
the spots" on the cards is "pips.
The Varique pack numbers forty cards,
having no face cards, and the pips are all
in the form of the Maltese cross, and in-
dentured. The difference of suit is simply
the difference of color, red. black, green
and yellow being the shades used.
The numerical arrangement of the spots
is the same ordinary cards-from one
10 ten, fncluSive-and the game can be play
ed by two. three or four hands, using
many suits coiCrs as there are players.
Then, besides the cards, there are four
boxes of pips, which fit into those on the
cards, and arc of tho same colors, but in
a lighter shade. Throughout the game each
player uses one set, or color, Of pips. the
set, dealer ana partner being determined by
cutting. After sEuffing, the cards are dealt
face upward, one at q time, and placed in
rows in the center of the table the number
OF lows and the cards in each row depend
ing upon tho number Of players. For In
stance, in the game of two, twenty cards
are in use, and are placed in five rows of
four cards each. The first player who sits
at the left of the dealer, has what is called
an open field. That Is. he can play or any
card of his suit, which ne does by placing
one pip on the card which he considers
holds the most adyanta geoIIs position This
card becomes the controlling card for the
opponents turn. and prevents his playing
upon any card In line with 1t. either yerti-
oally, horizontally or obliqueIy, so 1t will
be seen that a card in the center will gen.
, orally restrict mcie than a corner Or out.
side card.
Thu restriction is for one turn only. The
second player can place his pips upon any
OF the unrestricted cards. and SO in his turn
controls the play of number one.
As soon as card has all its pips COW
cred it becomes full card, and Is of
great assistance IN filling others Suppose
IN Ine three spot to be the first card filed.
The PLAYER may continue his turn if any of
his cards can be completed by using ex-
hctiy the same number of pips as the full
card contains. In this case, If four has
tnIy one pip covered he can complete that
card with three pips taken from his stock,
ard any other card lacking three pips can
be filled in the same turn.
Also the numbers on the controlling card,
IL
card to ne played upon at each turn may
be added to any other full card of ones
suit to complete or fill another card As the
thTee-the controlling carI-adEed to the
four-thc completed card-equals seven that
number of pipS can be used to entirely fill
n seven spot or to complete any card which
lacks just seven pips.
Only the unrestricted cards can be PLAYED
upon. and the turn continues as long as
any cards can be filled. A full card pro-
tects from restriction any card lying be
ycnd 1T, but in the same line with the con-
trolling card.
II will be seen that after a few plays the
controlling card may block the player in
which case he loses his turn, and the sue
ceedinS player has an open field
The player first filling his card wins the
, game. and thereby certain number of
points from each opponent In order to
become successful player 1t is necessary
10 calculate several moves in advance The
element OF chance is evident in the relative
position of the suits, by the deal The eIe-
pnent of skill is displayed by the selection
of each controlling card. But the great ad-
vantage of tine game, perhaps, to the young
woman proud of her Snowy hand ali
qCeenly with its rings" as Thomas Bailey
Aldrich puts IT, is the glorious opportunity
afforded her for poising that dainty hand
bird-lke. holding the bit of Maltese cross
above the card several seconds before MAX
ing her play.
The original material used for the games
was that of which the ordinary PLAYING
cards are manufactured. but the later sets
are being made In ceIIulojd