Game of Skill and Chance.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Game of Skill and Chance.
I, ALFRED WILLIAM PHILLIPS Musicseller of 41 Windsor Road Ealing in the
County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The application of the principles of Bézique to a card game of skill and chance
in which five picture cards-ri. a crown, a lion, a unicorn, a shield and a motto
scroll are used instead of ordinary court cards and a uniform system of scoring
is observed.
Dated
Cun
May
1831.
ALFD. WM. PHILLIPS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Game of Skill and Chance.
ALFRED WILLIAM PHILLIPS 8 Oxford Market, London, W. Music Publisher
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The application of the principles of Bézique to a card game of skill and chance,
in which five picture cards, viz.: a crown, a lion, a unicorn, a shield, and a motto
scroll are used instead of ordinary court cards, ace, and ten.
1. The game is played by two persons. There are sixty-four cards: sixteen
yellow, and an equal number of red, blue, and black. The yellow cards are called
royal" and in most cases count double. The cards are numbered according to
their value, the " crown card being the highest. The numbering is as follows:
crown 25 lion 20 unicorn 15: shield 10: motto scroll 5.
:
There are in addition
33
to these picture cards, three cards numbered respectively 4. 3. and 2. making
altogether eight varieties of cards. Of cach variety there are two yellow, two red,
two blue, and two black thus making altogether the sixty four cards aforesaid.
The game is to see who can first score 1000.
2. After mixing the cards, each player draws one, and the player obtaining the
highest number ("royal "cards in this case counting as others) is the dealer.
Afterwards the dealing is taken in turn.
3. The dealer gives out eight cards to each, the remainder being placed between
the players, face downwards. Each having examined his cards, the non-dealer
commences by laying one down (face upwards) which the dealer can take with a
higher card, if he wishes to do so. This is called "taking a pair." Pairs thus
taken are placed in a pile, face downwards, in front of the player taking them.
4. A card can only be taken by a higher one of the same colour, excepting in
the case of "royal" cards, which; however small in value, will take a different
coloured card of any value. When two cards of equal value are played, the
first wins.
"
5. After each pair taken, an additional card must be drawn from the top of
the pack by each player, the player who has just won to draw first and also to play
the next card, and so on until the pack is finished.
6. Players are not obliged to follow with a card of the same colour as their
opponent has played, until the pack is finished and the "after-play" begins.

page_text: THE AFTERPLAY:
7. The last two cards of the pack when taken up are retained in the hand
for the afterplay which proceeds as follows: The players gather up their
"proclamations" (see later on) remaining on the table. Each will now hold in his
hand eight cards. The last winner then proceeds to play one of his cards. His
opponent must follow with the same colour, and is compelled to take, if it possible
to do so. If he has not one of the same colour, a "royal" card must be played in
order to take.
8. When all the cards have been played, each player proceeds to count up the
number of "crowns" and "shields" lic possesses altogether, scoring ten for each of
these cards.
PROCLAMATIONS :-
9. A "proclamation" is the exhibition on the table of any combination of cards
as follows:
"
"Four crowns of any colour
"Four lions" of any colour
"Four unicorns" of any colour –
"Four shields" of any colour
"Four motto-scrolls" of any colour
66
"A battle," lion and unicorn of same colour
Royal battle," lion and unicorn both yellow
"Ransom," red lion and black motto-scroll
"3
"Royal arms complete yellow set of a crown, lion,
unicorn, shield and motto-scroll
scoring 100
scoring 80
-
scoring 60
scoring 40
scoring 20
scoring 35
scoring 70
scoring 50
scoring 150
10. Immediately after taking a pair (see paragraph 3) the winner can make a
"proclamation," but he must do so and score it before drawing another card from
the pack. Only one "proclamation can be made at the time.
11. Cards forming the "proclamations" are placed on the table for the opponent
see they are properly combined and scored, and left there, but they may be
afterwards played as if in the hand.
12. Cards proclaimed" cannot be used again for the same kind of "procla-
mation," but may be used in other kinds. For example: Neither a lion or unicorn
that has already been "in battle" can be used to score another "battle," but they
can be included in a "four lions" or "four unicorns" proclamation. In no case
can a further "proclamation" be made if it be formed only by cards already
proclaimed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The sole right to use such picture cards viz. a crown, a lion, a unicorn, a shield,
and a motto-scroll in any game founded on the principles of Bézique, which
principles have been set forth in this statement.
Dated this Nineteenth day of October 1891.
ALFRED WILLIAM PHILLIPS.