P R E F A C E .

GAMING is become so much the Fashion amongst the Beau-
Monde, that he who, in Company, should appear ignorant of the Games in Vogue, would be reckoned low-bred, and hardly fit for Converfation.

Therefore I have taken the Pains to compile this little Treatife, in order to teach the principal Court Games, viz. OMBRE, PICQUET, and the Royal Game of CHESS.

I think the Method laid down is so plain and easy, that a Person of a very common Capacity may quickly learn these most entertaining Games.

First,

vi PREFACE.

First, As to OMBRE. This Game is
variously played, according to the Hu-
mours of the Company, or the Stakes
they play for; therefore, that the Rea-
der may not be ignorant of any Part of
it, he will find it here described in all
its Branches: And we have reduced it
to Chapters, or Heads, that he may not
be puzzled, by running from Article to
Article, without Method.

It may be objected, perhaps, that we
enlarge in some Places upon Things that
have been touched on before: But it
must be considered, that this Treatise is
wrote in favour of those who have no
Notion at all of the GAME; and to
those we conceive, nothing can be made
too plain. Besides, it will be found,
that we never speak of a Thing a second
Time, but where it has not been suffici-
ently explained before..

As for those who have already some
Notion of the Game, this easy Method
will soon make them Masters of it.

They

P R E F A C E .

vii

They who play it well, will find the
*Rules* here laid down so exact, and with
so much Justice, as readily to decide
thofe frequent Disputes which happen
about the *Laws* of the *Game*.

There is likewife, for the Use of
Learners, a Table of all such *Games* as
may with Prudence be played.

But becaufe the *Terms* may found a
little barbarous to some Ears, and left the
Ignorant fhouid think they are *Terms*
of *Magic*, we have placed them all in
a feparate Table, with their Explanations.

*Secondly, The Games of PICQUET, BASSET, and FARO, are defcribed, as they are now played in the beft Companies. The Method is fo eaſy, that I think nothing can be added to explain them farther.*

*Thirdly, The Royal Game of CHESS (which some maintain to be as old as *Troy*, and that it was invented by the Grecian Captains, to divert their tedious Evenings at the Siege of that famous City) requires *Art* and *Stratagem*, and relieves*

viii PREFACE.

relieves the Mind, when wearied with
the Fatigue of Butinefs.

John de Vigney, in his Book, called
The Moralization of Chefs, says, that
the Game of Chefs was invented by
Xerxes the Philosopher, to improve
and correct the Mind of that famous
Tyrant Merodack, King of Baby-
lon, 614 Years before the Birth of
Christ.

In the Practice of this Game, a Per-
son meets with a great many odd
Events, which give the fame Sort of
agreable Surprize, that we are moved
with at the happy Incidents in a Co-
medy: by the concife Account we
have given of it, any Person, that once
fees the Men placed upon the Board,
may learn to play; but to be excellent
in it, requires a fuitable Genius, and
good Obſervation.

The Second and Third Parts of this
Treatife, were originally written by
Charles Cotton Esq; some Years ſince,
but are now rectified according to the
present Standard of Play.

Richard Seymour.

The CONTENTS.

Of La Espadilla por Fuerca, i. e. Force Spadille; or Espadille Force. p. 41

— Gafcarilla; or, Gafcarille. p. 42

— The Whim. p. 43

— QUADRILLE. ibid.

— OMBRE by two Persons. p. 44

— QUINTILLE, the old Way. p. 46

— New Quintille. p. 50

New Decisions upon the difficult Points and Incidents which may happen at Quadrille, and p. 55

I. Of the Deal. p. 55

II. The Method of Calling. p. 56

III. The Manner of playing the Cards. p. 57

IV. Of Mistakes and Accidents. p. 58

V. Of Renounces. p. 59

VI. Of the Faults of discovering One's Game. p. 60

VII. Of the Faults of Speaking. p. 61

VIII. Of the Beefste. p. 62

IX. Of the Sans-prendre. p. 63

X. Of forced Games. p. 64

XI. Of the Contre, the Vole, and the Devole. p. 65

Terms peculiar to the Game of Ombre. p. 69

The Laws relating to Ombre. p. 72

Mr. Pope's Description of the Game of Ombre. p. 78

The Laws of Quadrille. p. 80
The

(I)

THE
Compleat Gamefter.

PART I.

Containing the Court Games, viz. OMBRE,
PICQUET, BASSET and CHESS.

THE Game of OMBRE owes its In-
vention to the Spaniards *, and has
in it a great deal of the Gravity
peculiar to that Nation. It is called El
Hombre, or, The MAN. It was so named,
as requiring Thought and Reflection, which
are Qualities peculiar to Man; or rather,
alluding to HIM who undertakes to play
the Game against the *reft* of the Gamesters,
and is called, The MAN. To play it well,

* It is an Improvement of a GAME called PRIMERO, formerly in great Vogue among the Spaniards. Primero is played with Six Cards, Ombre with Nine; that being the material Difference; for as to the Terms, they are mostly the fame. HE who holds Cinquo Primero (which is a Sequence of Five of the best Cards, and a good Trump) is sure to be successful over his Adversary. From whence the Game takes its Denomination.

B

re-

2 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
requires a great deal of Application; and
let a Man be ever so expert, he will be apt
to fall into Mistakes, if he thinks of any
thing else, or is difturbed by the Converfa-
tion of thofe that look on.

Attention and Quietneſs are absolutely ne-
ceſſary, in order to play well. Therefore, if
the Spectators are diſcreet, they will be fa-
tisfied with the Pleasure of seeing it played,
without diſtraeting the Gameſters.

What I have faid, is not to perſuade any
who have a mind to learn it, that the Plea-
fure is not worth the Pains: On the contra-
ry, it will be found the moſt delightful and
entertaining of all Games, to thofe who have
any thing in them of what we call the *Spirit
of Play*.

There are many Ways of playing at Om-
bre; it is sometimes played with Force Spa-
dille, or Espadille Force; sometimes by Two Per-
fons, sometimes Three, sometimes Four, and
sometimes Five; but the general Way is by
THREE. Of this kind of Play we ſhall treat
first, the reſt we ſhall explain in their Turns.

The Number of the CARDS.

THE Game is played with 40 Cards:
You may buy Packs made up on pur-
pole for this Game; otherwife you may
take

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

3

take an entire Pack, which confifts of 52
Cards, and throw out all the Eights, Nines,
and Tens, of the Four Suits, which make
12, and there will remain 40; this is an
Ombre Pack.

The Natural Order of the CARDS.

What I call the natural Order of the
Cards, is, their feveral Degrees when
they are not Trumps.

The Term *Trump* comes from a Corrup-
tion of the Word *Triumph*; for wherever
they are, they are attended with Conqueft.

Of Cards there are two Colours, *Red* and
*Black*; the Black are *Spades* and *Clubs*.

The Order of *Spades* and *Clubs* is the fame
as in other Games, in a natural Descent:
King, Queen, Knave, Seven, Six, Five,
Four, Three, Two.

It is to be obferved, that the Two *Black Aces* are not reckoned in their natural Order of the Cards among their own Suits, because they are always *Trumps*; as we shall explain hereafter.

The Two *Red* Colours are *Hearts* and *Diamonds*, which in their Order are quite contrary to the *Black*; but this Difference is foon underftood.

The King, Queen, and Knave, keep their

B 2

natural

4 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
natural Ranks, but the reft are quite re-
verfed; for the loweft Card in the Red Suits
ftill wins the higheft.

To comprehend this at one View, and to
see every Card's Value, perufe this Table.

<table><thead><tr><th>RED.</th><th>BLACK.</th><th>Obferve, that there</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>King</td><td>King</td><td>are Ten Cards in</td></tr><tr><td>Queen</td><td>Queen</td><td>Red, and but Nine</td></tr><tr><td>Knave</td><td>Knave</td><td>in Black, by rea-</td></tr><tr><td>Ace</td><td>Seven</td><td>fon, the Black Aces,</td></tr><tr><td>Duce</td><td>Six</td><td>which are always</td></tr><tr><td>Three</td><td>Five</td><td>Trumps, are not</td></tr><tr><td>Four</td><td>Four</td><td>to be reckoned.</td></tr><tr><td>Five</td><td>Three</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Six</td><td>Duce</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Seven</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

The Order of the CARDS when they are Trumps.

IT is neceffary to remember, that the
Black Aces are always Trumps, let us
play in what Colour we will: Thus whe-
ther Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs or Spades be
Trumps, the Ace of Spades is always the
firſt Trump, and the Ace of Clubs the third.

The Ace of Spades is called *Spadille*, or
*Espadille*; the Ace of Clubs *Baſto*.

Thus the firſt and the third Trump are
conſtantly fixed, then the only Difficulty is
to find out the ſecond.

It

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

5

It is to be observed, that whatever Colour we play, that which is the worst Card in its natural Order (that is to say, when it is not Trumps) becomes the second Trump; as the Duce of Spades, when we play in Spades, is the second best Trump, and is called *Manille*; and the Duce of Clubs, when Clubs are Trumps.

When we play in *Red*, the Seven of Hearts, or Seven of Diamonds, is the second best Card; that is to say, the Seven of Hearts when we play in Hearts, and the Seven of Diamonds when we play in Diamonds; and is likewise called *Manille*.

There are, as we have shewn, four Manilles upon the Cards; that is to say, two in *Red*, and two in *Black*; but they are never called Manilles, but when the Suits to which they belong are Trumps: As for Example, when we play in Spades, the Duce of Spades is *Manille*; if in Clubs, the Duce of Clubs; if in Hearts or Diamonds, it must be the Seven.

There is one Observation remains; which is, concerning the *Red Aces* when we play in *Red*, we must take notice that they change their Place.

Thus when we play in Hearts, the Ace of Hearts takes place of the King, and is the fourth Trump; as likewise does the Ace of Diamonds when we play in Diamonds; and are called *Puntoes*.

B 3

Of OMBRE, by THREE. 7

How the Trump is made.

THE Trump at Ombre is not made by turning up a Card, as at other Games.

But after the Cards are dealt, every one examines his Game, and speaks in his Turn.

For Example, we will fuppofe that you are Eldeft Hand, and that you have for Game, *Spadille* the Ace, and *Manille* the Duce of Spades; *Bafto* the Ace of Clubs, the 7 and the 3 of Spades; you will find, upon Examination, that you have three *Matadores* and two *Trumps*, which is a very good Game: We will fuppofe that the other two have no Game at all; you are to ask *if they play*, that is underftood if they play without *taking in*; which we ſhall explain hereafter. They anſwer, No: Then you are to ſay, *Spades* are *Trumps*, and make your *Discard* accordingly. This is the Manner of making the Trump. What I ſay of the Eldeſt Hand, is the fame with the other two, when thofe that are to ſpeak firſt, have ſaid, *Pafs*.

Thus the Trump is made by him who undertakes the Game, in whatsoever Suit he finds his Game the ſtrongest.

But the Person who plays muſt always name the Trump, before he looks at the Cards he takes in; for if he ſhould happen

B 4

to

to turn them up, tho' he should not see them
before the Trump is named, then either of
the other Two may name it; and he shall
be obliged to play in that Suit, let it be
what it will.

If the Ombre should name two Colours at
the fame time, then the Person who fits at
his Right Hand shall chuse which of thofe
two Colours he thinks fit, and the Ombre
shall be obliged to play in that Suit.

In this Cafe the Ombre shall have the Li-
berty of looking at his Difcard; and if he
has put out any of that Suit which is named
for him, he may take them in again, pro-
vided the Cards he took in are not joined to
the reft of his Game: If so, he has not this
Liberty.

The Person who undertakes the Game,
is called the Ombre.

It is neceffary to be very exact in naming
the Trump: For Example; if a Person who
intends to play in Clubs, should shew three
Cards that he puts out, a Heart, a Spade,
and a Diamond; and fay, You may know
my Trump by what I put out; this will not
be sufficient, and the others may name it,
as if he had not spoke at all: For fome-
times in that Cafe a Man may put out a
Trump to deceive others.

All thefe Formalities are grounded upon
Reafon, therefore Miftakes muft fall to the

Preju-

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

Prejudice of him who makes them; becaufe it is sometimes difficult to discern between Miftake and Deſign, and if these were per-mitted to be retracted, it would give Occaſion to a great deal of unfair Play, therefore all Equivocations are disallowed.

If after the *Ombre* has looked at the Cards he takes in, he recollects that he did not name the Trump; if the other two should forget to speak before him, he may name it then without incurring any Penalty.

Of the Matadores, and their Privilege.

THE Word *Matadore*, in Spanifh signifies *Murderer*; they are so called because they never give Quarter.

There are but three Cards that are properly called *Matadores*; these are *Spadille*, *Manille*, and *Baſto*; which are three principal Trumps in whatever Suit we play.

*Spadille* is always the Ace of Spades.

*Manille*, as we observed, is not fixed, but changes according to the Colour we play in, as in *Red* it is the Seven, in *Black* the Duce.

*Baſto*, is always the Ace of Clubs.

The Privilege of a *Matadore*, is, that it is not obliged to pay Obedience to an inferior Trump; that is, you are not obliged to play it, tho' a Trump lead: One Example will make this plain.

B 5

Sup-

10 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

Suppose I have in my Hand Baſto, without any other Trump, and the Leader should play the King of Trumps, I am not obliged to play my Baſto, but may play any other ordinary Card that is not a Trump.

Here the King is inferior to Baſto; but if the Leader should play Spadille, or Manille, there Baſto must come down, if you have no other Trump; for every Card must pay Respect to its Betters.

But you must observe, that Spadille, or Manille, must be the Card first played.

For Example; if I have Baſto unguarded in my Hand, and am to play last; if the Leader should play the King, and the second Spadille; here I am not obliged to play Baſto, because Spadille did not lead.

Another Privilege of Matadores, is, that whoever has them shall be paid a Counter for each, by the other two Gamesters.

But it is only the Ombre that can be paid for Matadores, nor is he to be paid for any Number less than Three.

Formerly, if the Ombre was Beasted, and the Matadores were in another Hand, he was obliged to pay to that Person who had them; but this is out of Use now.

So if I lose the Game with three Matadores in my Hand, I am to pay three Counters to each of my Antagonists.

Hitherto we have only spoke of these three

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

15

obliged to lay out one Card more than they take in; for if they have ten Cards after they have taken in, they are Beasted, and so they must be likewife, if they should take in without declaring they have ten Cards.

As to those who pafs with ten Cards in a Hand, it is differently played; with some it is a Beafte, with others it is not.

When a Man at the fight of his Cards fees nothing good in his Hand, he is apt to examine no farther; therefore I think it a little severe to be Beasted only for not discovering one's Cards.

The Spaniards play it with so much Severity, that if a Man should say, I have ten Cards, I pafs, he is Beasted; but We play more tenderly, and I think it is the most equitable Way; viz. a Man is never Beasted, unlefs he has ten Cards after he has taken in.

If the Person who has ten Cards dealt him, has a mind to play Sans-prendre, he must shuffle his Cards, and one of the Company shall draw out a Card at Hazard, and put it amongst those which they discard.

The Rules we have laid down for ten Cards, are the fame with eight, because the Reason is the fame.

He that has but eight Cards, and would play Sans-prendre, must with eight Cards win enough for his Game: If he takes in with eight Cards, he may take in one Card more than he lays out. The

16 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

The Manner of playing Solo, or Sans-prendre.

TO play Solo, or Sans-prendre, is to play without discarding; for this you must have a Game by which you may propofe to win five Tricks.

If the Ombre wins his Game when he plays Sans-prendre, he is to receive three Counters a-piece from each of the others.

If he loses it, he must pay Them three Counters a-piece, for in all Things there must be an Equality between the Loses and the Gain.

Observe, that the Sans-prendre and the Matadores must be asked for, before the Cards are Cut, for the next Deal; for after that, no Demand can be made.

But it is otherwife concerning the Beafte, which may be demanded at any time, while you are playing the next Deal.

The Meaning of this is, that the Beafte belongs to the Board, and the others are paid immediately to the Gamesters.

If it be the Eldeft Hand that plays Sans-prendre, he only names his Trump, and the reft make their Difcards, as we have faid before. If he has an infallible Game, as, for Example, five Matadores, he may shew them upon the Table, and that is sufficient, without naming the Colour.

If

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

37

If the Eldeft Hand fhould ask the Quef-
tion, *Do you give me Leave?* and one of the
others intending to play *Sans-prendre*, an-
fwers, *No, you muſt do more*; in this caſe he
is not allowed to diſcard, but ſtill has the
Preference of playing *Sans-prendre*, as be-
ing firſt.

But if the Eldeſt paſſes Sans-prendre, he
who anſwered him is obliged to play ſo.

If one ſhould name his Trump without
firſt having asked Leave, he ſhall be obliged
to play Sans-prendre, tho' he did not intend
it.

But this Severity does not reach to the
Youngeſt Hand, becauſe the other two muſt
pafs, before it is his Turn to ſpeak.

If before the Eldeſt Hand has ſpoke, ei-
ther of the other Two ſhould diſcard, and
without asking Leave, name a Trump; if
he has not ſeen his Cards, the Eldeſt Hand
may oblige him to play Sans-prendre, or
keep his Preference of playing ſo himſelf,
or elfe ask Leave, as he ſhall think fit: If
he has ſeen the Cards he takes in, he may
either oblige him to play, or have the Cards
dealt over again; for the Eldeſt Hand muſt
not loſe his Preference.

The

18 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

The Manner of Discarding.

When the Ombre plays Sans-prendre, it
is very easy for the other Two to
discard: He that is first may take eight or
nine; but those that understand the Game
take care to discard so that the Game should
not be divided.

Therefore when the Ombre does not play
Sans-prendre, he that discards next to him,
oward not to go to the Bottom of the Cards,
unless he has a Matadore, or else some strong
Trumps, with Kings.

What I mean by going to the Bottom, is,
that he ought to leave at least five Cards to
him that takes last; otherwife he will spoil
all, by dividing the Trumps, which is a fure
Way of giving the Game to the Ombre.

Then, it lies upon the Discretion of him
who discards next to the Ombre, to judge
whether he has a Probability of winning
three or four Tricks; otherwife, he should
leave five Cards to the last, as I have said
before.

Therefore I do not think a Matadore,
without any other Trumps, or Kings, a
Pretence for taking in a great many Cards:

When this happens, the five Cards should
be left to him who is to discard last.

It is to be considered, that the two who
play

Of OMBRE, by THREE. 19

play againſt the Ombre are in the Condition
of Partners at Whisk, and are to affiſt each
other all they can.

I ſaid before, that he who goes to the
Bottom of the Cards ſhall propoſe to win
four Tricks; I do not mean by this, that he
ſhould have four, as ſure Tricks, as if he
were Ombre, for that ſcarce ever happens :
All that I mean, is, if he has a good Ap-
pearance; for the Third Perſon is to affiſt
him in making the Gano of his Kings, and
forcing the Trumps of the Ombre.

If the Ombre does not play Sans-prendre,
he diſcards firſt, the Perſon upon his Right
next, and ſo the third; if he plays Sans-
prendre, the Diſcard is to begin at the Right,
and ſo on.

In diſcarding there no Regard had to
the eldeſt Hand; but after the Ombre, it
goes on to the Right.

The Ombre ſhould be very attentive in ob-
ferving how the others diſcard, and remem-
ber which of them takes in moſt Cards, for
he may judge by that where the Strength of
the Game againſt him lies: In this caſe, if
he finds he is not ſtrong enough to win five
Tricks, he muſt endeavour to give Two
Tricks to him whom he judges the weakeſt
of the Two.

If after they have all taken in, there ſhould
be a Card left, he who diſcarded laſt may ſee
it,

20 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
it, if he pleases; in which case, all the rest
have the fame Liberty: But if he does not,
and either of the other Two should look at
it, that Person is Beheaded.

If one of the Gamesters should take in a
Card more than he lays out, he is not Beauf-
ed for this. If he has not looked at his
Cards, he is to return the last Card.

If they are mixed with the rest of his
Cards, one of the other Two shall draw a
Card at Hazard out of his Game, and put
it into the Stock.

If he should take one too few, it is much
the fame thing; if the Stock is still upon the
Board, he may take a Card; if they are all
taken in, he must draw one by chance out
of the Discard.

The Manner of Playing the Cards.

When all have discarded, the eldest
Hand plays first. After that, who-
ever wins the last Trick, plays next, as it
is practised at all other Games.

And as I observed that you deal at this
Game contrary to all other Games, you
play so too; the Play always takes its Course
from the Right.

If you have not a Card of that Suit which
leads you are not obliged to play a Trump,
but

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

21

but you may do it for the Convenience of your Game.

When one of thofe that defend the Stake demands Gano of his Comrade, he ought to give it, if he can.

The meaning of Gano is, I Win; or, Let it paſs; fo that he who demands Gano, may be ſuppoſed to have the beſt Game, and the other ſhould paſs the Trick to him.

For Example; if the Ombre ſhould play a Spade, and one of thofe that defend the Stake ſhould play the Queen, and ſay Gano, or Gano del Re, his Comrade ought not to play the King; but in this cafe he ought to have a ſmall Spade in his Hand, otherwife he muſt play the King, upon the pain of being Beaſted.

If after one has called Gano, his Comrade seems to heſitate, or make a Difficulty of it; he may call to him three times very earneſtly, Yo Gano ſi ſe puede; which is, You muſt let me have it if you can.

It muſt be obſerved, that the Formality of the Game is ſuch, that no Terms muſt be made uſe of but theſe; all Words that are equivalent are forbid: But Gano muſt never be demanded, but to defend the Stake; for he that ſhould call it with a deſign to win Codille, would in Spain be thus anſwered, No ſe deve por Dios; i. e. It is not loſt, by G—.

When

22 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

When one of thofe who defend the Stake,
wraps his Hand upon the Board in delivering
his Card, it is to be underftood as a Signal
to his Comrade to play a high Trump to
force out the Ombre's Trumps. Note, That
this is not held unfair, for the Game allows
it.

Formerly, if a Man played out of his
Turn, he was Beafted; but at prefent it is
not so, unlefs it be so agreed.

If you fshould feparate one Card from the
reft of your Game, so that the Ombre fshould
fee it, he may, if he pleafes, oblige you to
play it; provided that in playing it you do
not make a Renounce.

As it is of great Consequence in this Game
to know the Number of Trumps, and how
many are out; every one has the Liberty
of examining his own Tricks, and thofe of
others: This is permitted on all Sides, as
often as any fhall think fit, though there be
no Trump played.

If the Pack fshould not be true, the Game
goes for nothing, if it be discovered in play-
ing the Cards; but if it be not found out till
after the Game is played, it stands good.

Of

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

Of the BEASTE.

THE Beafte is made whenever he who undertakes the Game (that is to fay, the Ombre) does not win.

To win the Stake, the Ombre ought to make five Tricks.

Except five Tricks are divided betwixt his two Opponents; that is, when one wins three, and the other two; in this cafe four Tricks are sufficient.

He is likewife beafted, who plays with more or lefs than nine Cards.

A Man is beafted that makes a Renounce; but it is not a Renounce, when one by Surprise has thrown down a wrong Card upon the Table: Even when the Person who wins the Trick, has played again for a fecond Trick, if he has not folded up the firſt, he who played wrong, may recover his Card, and play again; but after the Trick is folded up, it is too late, and he muſt fubmit to the Beafte.

When one finds out that another has Renounced, and that it is a Prejudice to his Game, he may oblige every one to take their Cards back, and play over again, beginning with that Trick where the Renounce began.

But if the Deal be finifhed, the Cards muſt not be played over again. Who-

24 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

Whoever *Renounces* several times in a Deal, suffers a *Beaſte* for every *Renounce*.

All the *Beaſtes* that are made in one Deal, muſt lie together upon the Board, and be played for the next.

If one ſhould be *beaſted* for playing with ten Cards, and the *Ombre* for not winning his number of Tricks; theſe are two *Beaſtes*, which, with the Stake upon the Board, make three Stakes; and they are to be laid together, and played off the next Deal, unleſs they are ſeparated by Agreement.

He who makes many *Beaſtes* in one Deal, may put them all to one Stake, if he pleaſes, and the others cannot hinder him.

He who in taking his Cards from the Stock, ſhould, by letting a Card drop, or otherwife ſhew one, is *beaſted*.

Obſerve, that all *Beaſtes* which are made, of what Nature ſoever, muſt be of the fame Value with that which the *Ombre* is to take up, if he wins, whether it conſiſts of one, two, or more Fifeſes: Therefore thoſe Gameſters who play with Caution, take care not to ſuffer by Overſights; and after they take in the Cards from the Stock, always tell them before they look at them, left they ſhould have more or leſs than Nine.

Obſerve alſo, that the Tricks may be variously divided, according to which, One either ſaves, or makes a *Beaſte*.

There

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

25

There are but two ways for the *Ombre* to win, which we have spoke of already: Now we are enumerating how many ways he may lose, or be *Beasted*.

When the Players win three Tricks a-piece, the *Ombre* is *Beasted*; and this is what is called the *Remife* by Three.

When the *Ombre* wins four Tricks, and one of those that Defend four Tricks, the *Ombre* is likewise Beasted; and this is also called, *Remife*, *Rispoſte*, or *Repueſte*.

Therefore he who Defends the Stakes, and has not a Game by which he may almost depend upon winning at least three Tricks, should avoid winning above one; but affift his Comrade in getting four Tricks, in order to Beaſte the *Ombre*.

When there are many *Beaſtes* upon the Board, that which was laid down firſt, is to be taken up firſt; afterwards, that which is of the highest Value.

When the *Ombre* makes but four Tricks, and one of the Defendants five; or when the *Ombre* makes but three Tricks, one of the others four, and the third two, the *Ombre* is Beasted; and he who wins more Tricks than the *Ombre*, takes up the Stake: And this is what is called winning the *Codille*, of which we ſhall treat by it ſelf.

C

Of

26 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

Of the Codilla, or Codille.

THE *Codille* is, when one of those who Defend the Stake wins more Tricks than the *Ombre*; in this cafe the *Ombre* is not only Beasted, but he who wins *Codille*, takes up that Stake which the *Ombre* played for.

He who aspires at *Codille* should play with Honour, and, as I observed before, never demand *Gano*, when he is sure of winning four Tricks; but as there is no Penalty in this cafe, all the Defence we can have against such People, is to play with them no more.

If the *Ombre* should demand *Gano*, though it were to hinder the *Codille*, he is Beasted.

Some, as soon as they have discarded, and seen the Cards they take in; if they find a very bad Game, will give it up, and yield themselves Beasted, in order to prevent the *Codille*: But this does not seem fair; and as it is not any Part of the Game of *Ombre*, there is no Rule provided in this Cafe: However, it is never done among those who would value themselves upon their good Manners.

Therefore in Honour, I think there is but one way of disappointing a *Codille*, and that is by good Play.

When

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

27

When it happens that one of the Game-
fters by his Play may either give the Ombre
his Game, or give the other the Codille, he
fshould chufe rather to give the Codille, and
let the Ombre be Beafted: The Reafon is,
that when the Ombre wins, he robs the Board
of the Stake; but in the other cafe, he lays
one down, for that which the Codille takes
up.

If he who aims at Codille, fshould call Ga-
no at his fourth Trick, when he is fure of a
fifth, he ought not to draw the Stake; and
upon fuch Occafions, I have often ſeen when
it has been left; but, as I faid before, there
being no Law for it, it depends upon the
Honour of the Gamefters.

The Manner of Marking *at this Game*.

I Have obſerved before, that a Fifth is ge-
nerally valued at Ten Counters, or fome-
times Twelve, juſt as the Gameſters pleafe;
but this Variety can never puzzle any Per-
fon. There are likewife other Degrees of
Counters, ſome of which are valued at
three Counters, ſome fix, &c. which are
contrived for the greater Eafe of paying at
Play; but we ſhall only ſpeak of the Filthes
and Counters here, for it is but ſeldom that
any other Sort are uſed at this Game.

C 2

When

28 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

When you begin to play, every one is to
stake a *Fish*, placing it just before him;
these are *Three* Stakes, which are to be play-
ed for at three Deals: As for Example;
when the *Ombre* wins his Game, he takes
up a *Fish*; if the *Ombre* wins a second Game,
he takes up another; then there remains one
upon the Board; the Person who is *Ombre*
the third time, though he wins his Game,
takes up nothing, but plays to enrich the
Board, and has only the Advantage of ob-
liging the other two to lay down a *Fish* each,
without laying down himself; so that it may
be said, he plays upon the Prospect of a fu-
ture Gain.

But now we will suppose it another Way;
as for Example, if he that is first *Ombre*
should be *Beasted*, then he is to lay down a
*Fish*, which he is to place a-crofs one of
those that lay upon the Board before :
Then it is called a double Stake, and will
appear in this Manner.

So if there should be *Three* successive
Beasts, there will be as many double Stakes,
which must be all crofted as this above.

Whenever the *Ombre* plays for a double
Stake, if he loses his Game, he is doubly
Beasted.

When

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

29

When several Beasts happen in one Game,
we have given Directions already how they
are to be disposed of.

You must observe, that the single Stakes
must be played off before the double ones, in
regard they were first laid down.

When all have examined their Cards, and
no-body undertakes the Game, that is, when
all pafs, every one must lay down a single
Counter, and this as often as all pafs.

When the Passes increafe, and every one
has a Number of Counters before him, so
many of them must be put together as will
make a Stake, either Ten, or Twelve, ac-
cording to the Value of a Fish; and this is
to be done as often as the Passes increafe to
a Number sufficient for a Stake.

Of the VOLE.

When one Person gains all the Nine
Tricks, it is called winning the Vole.

The Advantage of winning the Vole, is,
that he who is so happy as to gain it, sweeps
the Board, let there be ever so many Stakes
upon it.

But suppose there is but one Stake upon
the Board, either double or single; in this
Cafe, he who wins the Vole, gains double
what lies upon the Table.

C 3.

As

30 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

As for Example; if there be a Stake of two Fishes, and two Counters before each Player, which were laid down for the Passes, each of the other two shall pay him who wins the Vole, one Fifth and three Counters, which makes the Stake upon the Board double: But, as I said before, if there be more Stakes than one upon the Board, he who wins the Vole must be content with them, without receiving any thing from the other two Gamesters.

If many Beasts were made in one Deal, which by Consent, or by him who made the last Beafte, are put together, this is but one Stake, and he who wins the Vole, shall have it made up double to him by the other two, as was hinted before.

It is very difficult to win the Vole, and therefore it should never be undertaken but upon a very good Title; for he who once engages in it is obliged to go forward.

When the Ombre has won his five Tricks, and plays down one Card more, without saying any thing, he engages for the Vole; in this Cafe his two Adverfaries have their Liberty of shewing each other their Game, and confulting how to defend it.

If he who undertakes the Vole should carry, the other Two shall divide between them what lies upon the Board, but he shall pay them nothing; on the contrary, if he plays

Of OMBRE, by THREE. 31

plays Sans-prendre, or has Matadores in his
Hand, he is to be paid for them, though he
does not take up any thing.

What I have said concerning the Advan-
tage of winning the Vole, is not always fixed,
for sometimes it is a great deal more; but
that depends upon the Humour of the Game-
sters, and according as they agree to it be-
fore they begin to play.

Of the Continuance of the Game.

AS this Game requires a great deal of
Application, it is necessary to set
some Limits to the Continuance of the Play;
therefore the Gamesters generally agree be-
forehand how many Tours or Stakes they
will play for, as ten, twenty, thirty, forty,
more or less: After which, if any of them
be dispoſed to leave off, he may throw up
the Cards without Offence.

Every Stake you play, you fet aſide a
Counter to mark the Tours, and ſo on, till
they amount to the Number you agreed to
play; but you muſt obſerve that a Codille is
not to be marked as one.

After you have played your Number of
Tours, you may go on to the firſt Beaſte,
and this is often practiſed; but if any of
the Gameſters ſhould refuse this, you have
no Reaſon to complain of him. C4 If

32 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

If one of the Gamesters, thro' Peevishnefs,
or for any other Cause, fshould throw up the
Cards, before the Tours agreed upon are
played out, he is obliged to pay, not only
his own Losings, but likewise what either
of the others lofe, and the Cards.

These Rules are always practifed among
Persons of Honour; but when a Man finds
himself engaged with two Sharpers, it will
be no Wonder if he meets with other Usage.

The different Games that may be Played.

Nothing puzzles Beginners so much, as
to know when they may venture to
play, and when they fshould paſs. To remove
this Doubt as much as we can, I have mark-
ed down here all the ſmall Games which a
Man may venture to play.

The general Rule is, that to undertake
the Game, a Man ſhould have three ſure
Tricks; for the moſt that can be expected
from taking in three or four Cards, is to
win two Tricks more; and, as I have be-
fore obſerved, for the generality you muſt
have five Tricks to win.

But when a Man is perfect Maſter of the
Game, and can by his Addreſs manage it ſo
as to divide the Tricks between his Adver-
faries, he may venture to play a bold Game.

Here

40 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
play laft, than when he is fecond, as I ob-
ferved before of Difcarding.

Now I have laid down every Rule of Ombre; but notwithstanding all my Directions, let a Person play with ever so much Judgment and Caution, he will often find himself disappointed in his Game; for Fortune will have a Hand in Small Things, as well as Great, so that it is not to be expected that the best Gamesters shall always win; you may lose upon a very good Game, when all the Trumps that are againft you fall into one Hand; on the contrary, when they happen to be divided, you may win a very small Game. I once saw a very good Player lose a Game with four Matadores and three Kings: You will imagine the Cards must be very strangely dispoſed; for it happened that the Eight Trumps which were againſt him (I fay, Eight, for he played in Red) were all in one Hand; so that his Kings being all trumped, he won but four Tricks.

As there are frequent Disputes arise at Ombre, and People are feldom satisfied with the Judgment of the Standers-by, I have subjoined a Table of all the Rules and Articles of the Game; which will decide Disputes very impartially.

I shall now speak of the different Sorts of Ombre.

Of

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

41

Of La Efpadilla por Fuerca, that is, Force
Spadille, or Efpadille Forcé.

This Manner of playing at Ombre may
be diverting enough where People do
not play for any thing, becaufe Beaftes hap-
pen almoft continually, and the Codille is of-
ten Won when it is leaft expected; but where
People play for Money, it is quite different:
For Ombre, which is a Game of Art and
Judgment, when it is thus played, degene-
rates into a Game of Chance; and Conduct
can be of no Use to a good Player, who
finds Spadille in his Hand very ill attended.

It is played like the Game at Ombre we
have defcribed; every one ſpeaks in his
Turn, and if all pafs, then he who has Spa-
dille in his Hand is obliged to play, let his
Game be ever ſo bad; therefore when the
others have pafled, he has nothing to do
but to name his Trump, and to Difcard.

But he who has Spadille may pafs, to fee if either of the other Two will put him out of his Pain, and Play; if they do not, he muſt Play, as is ſaid before.

When all pafs, and no-body owns Spadille,
the Cards that are left muſt be examined;
and if it be not in the Stock, it muſt be in
fome Hand: In this Cafe, he who has it,
and did not own it, incurs a Beaſte, and the
Deal:

42 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
Deal is not to be played, becaufe the Cards
were seen.

This is all that can be faid of this Sort of
Ombre, which is feldom played for Money,
becaufe indeed it spoils the Game.

Of GASCARILLA, or GASCARILLE.

This is a new Way of playing at Ombre,
and is feldom practifed but where
People play for Trifles. The Method of
it is thus: When all have paffed, one Per-
fon declares to play Gafcarille; then that
Perfon lays out eight Cards, and after hav-
ing taken in, and examined his Game, he
names the Trump of that Suit in which he
is the ftrongeſt.

Sometimes he who plays Gafcarille lays
out all nine; and obſerve, that he is obli-
ged to lay out at leaſt eight.

If he wins his Game he is to receive
three a-piece for Gafcarille; if he loſes it,
he pays them three a-piece.

He pays, or receives, for Matadores, as
at the other Games of Ombre.

Of

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

Of the WHIM.

This is another odd Way of playing at Ombre, and seems to be invented for Variety fake; it is thus:

When all have passed, one declares to play the *Whim*; that Person is to turn up the Top-Card of the Stock, and whatever Suit that happens to be of, is his Trump, and he is obliged to abide by it.

Then he Discards, and takes in what Number he pleases, and the Card turned up must be one of them.

The Person who plays thus, if he wins his Game, receives nothing for playing the *Whim*, nor pays any thing if he loses it.

He pays, or receives for *Matadores*, as at the other Games of *Ombre*.

Of Quadrille, Quintille, and Single Ombre *between* Two.

THE *French*, ever fond of Novelty, and equally fickle in their Dreffs and Diversions, have inoculated several Cyons upon the *Spanish* Root of this *Game* of OMBRE.

QUADRILLE, or *Ombre* by FOUR, varies from *Ombre* by THREE, in having all the forty Cards dealt out; to each Person ten a-piece,

44 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
a-piece, thus: Twice *Three*, and Once *Four*;
or Once *Four*, and Twice *Three*, as the
Dealer pleafes; but the Cards muft not be
dealt out *One* and *One*, or *Two* and *Two*, as
fome raw Players irregularly practice.

If any Card whatever be *turned*, the Deal
is loft, becaufe no *Discarding* is allowed in
this Game.

There is no *Forfeit* upon loſing the *Deal*,
the Dealer being only obliged to deal the
Cards over again. *Quadrille*, in moſt Re-
ſpects, follows the Laws and Rules of the
other Kinds of *Ombre*, excepting one Varia-
tion, called, *Au Roy rendu*, (*the King given
up*,) which is, that the Person who has the
King that was *called*, is at Liberty to furren-
der his *Majesty* to the *Ombre*, who in return
muſt give him another *Card* out of his
Game.

There are fome Perſons who will play at
this Branch of *Ombre*, by dealing out Ten
Cards a-piece, between *Three*, and this, in
downright - *Irish* - Phraſeology, they call
*Three-handed* - *Quadrille*; which in plain-
*English* is *Four-handed-Ombre* played by *Three*
Perſons. But this filly Manner rather de-
ferves our Ridicule, than any other Notice.

It is a Game of very little Entertainment,
and cannot be at all agreeable to thofe who
underſtand three-handed *Ombre*: It is how-
ever proper enough to give an Idea of the
Game

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

Game of *Quadrille*, to those who are defi-
rous of learning it.

This Game is difadvantageous to the Om-
bre, who has always two Adverfaries to con-
tend with. It is seldom or never played,
but when a Fourth to make a Match at the
genuine Quadrille is wanting, the Laws and
Rules of which it obferves in all Points,
except in the following Particulars which
are peculiar to This.

I. To play this Game, no more than thirty Cards are uſed : One of the whole Red Suits muſt therefore be laid aside, it matters not which of them ; and the Ombre, whether he plays Sans-prendre, or calls a King, muſt, to win, make 6 Tricks ; if he makes but 5, it is Remife; and he loſes Co-dille, if he makes but 4, or leſs.

II. The Game is marked and payed as at
Quadrille, but the Beafte is of 14 Counters,
tho' there are but 13 down.

III. He who plays by *Calling* a King,
having firſt named the Trump, *Calls*, or
indeed, rather *Demands*, whatever King he
judges moſt convenient for his Game; and
he of his two Adverſaries who has it, is ob-
liged to deliver it to him, and to take in
lieu thereof whatever Card the Receiver
thinks fit to give him, and which the third
Player is free to look upon; with this Af-
fiftance the *Ombre* muſt make fix Tricks,
or

46 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
or lose. The Law is the fame in regard to
him who is forced to play with Spadille, the
others having paffed.

IV. It is not permitted to name for
Trumps the Suit that is laid out; for it
that was suffered, with Spadille alone, and
Kings, Queens, &c. any one might make
the Vole, without the Defendants being able
to oppose it.

In every other Respect this Game fol-
lows the Laws of Quadrille, to which Re-
course must be had for all Accidents that
may intervene.

We next come to QUINTILLE, or Ombre
by Five, from whence Quadrille has its Ori-
ginal. It is very entertaining when well
played. I shall give an Account of the
Manner how this Game was played at first,
and then proceed to the present New Me-
thod, as it is brought nearer to Quadrille,
which is also rendred much more agreeable
and amusing than formerly.

In playing the Old QUINTILLE, no Fishes
are given out: Each Player only takes 20
or 30 Counters, which are valued at 5, 10,
15, 20, or 30 Pence a-piece; in a Word,
what they please themselves, according to
the Agreement they make when they be-
gin the Party.

They draw the Places, and when they
have seen who is to deal, every one lays
down

Of OMBRE, by THREE.

down a Counter before him, and has 8
Cards *dealt* him, and no more, which is the
usual Way of *dealing* at this Game, there be-
ing no Cards left, and by consequence no
*Discard* to be made.

The Manner of speaking and beginning
to play, is the fame as at *Quadrille*, or *Om-
bre* played by *Four*; and to win, *Five* Tricks
muft be made.

He who plays Sans-prendre muft name
the Trump, and, to win, muft make five
Tricks: If he wins, he has two Counters
paid him for the Sans-prendre, by each of
the Defendants, and as much for each of the
three Matadores, if he had them; but
fshould all his eight Cards have been Sequents
of Matadores, he muft expect no more.

If several Beasts are at once upon the
Board, and he who plays Sans-prendre
makes the Vole, he has no more than what
is down, and two Counters from each of the
Players.

If there are only single Stakes upon the
Board, he who plays Sans-prendre and wins,
of the five Counters that are down, befides
his Due for the Sans-prendre, draws only
two of the Counters, and by consequence
there remain three.

Whoever of the Players, except the
youngeft Hand of all, plays, after having
asked, *Does any body play?* and is anfwered,

No,

48 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

No, he must name the Trump, after which,
he may call to his Affiftance any King, ex-
cept that of Trumps.

He who has the King which has been
called, affifts the Ombre; and if between
them they make five Tricks, they have joint-
ly won, and the principal Player, that is,
the Ombre, takes up two of the three Coun-
ters, and the Friend one. When the Counters
happen to be even, they equally divide them.

It is *Remife* when the *Ombre* and the auxiliary King make but four Tricks between them: In such case the first puts down two *Counters*, and the other one.

They lose *Codille*, if they make but three,
and in this Case the other three Players have
Right to take up each of them one *Counter*.

The Laws of this five-handed Ombre ap-
point, that the four eldeft Hands having
paſſed, the fifth, let him have ever so bad a
Game, is obliged to play, calling however a
King to his Affiftance.

If *Codille* is won, and there are four, or
five *Counters* down, each of the Three who
defended the *Game* are to take up one: By
conſequence there are either one or two re-
maining upon the Board. If there is but
one, it belongs to him who has the higheſt
Trump; if two, the other is for him, of the
two remaining Defendants, who has the next
beſt Trump.

If

Of QUINTILLE.

49

If Codille is lost the first Time, the three Defendants, who win it, take up, each of them, a Counter, and the remaining two are to be played for in the following Deal.

If the Ombre, having called a King, happens to win the Vole, he receives two Counters from each of the Defendants; and if the Number chances to be odd, the auxiliary-King has one.

It may sometimes happen that there are more to be divided by Reason of the Beetles that have been made; in such Case, the Ombre and the auxiliary King equally divide the Spoil; and if the Number is odd, (except in Case of the Vole) the odd one belongs to the Ombre.

In this five-handed Ombre, he, who undertakes to play the Vole and miscarries in his Enterprize, incurs no Penalty, having nothing to pay to the other Players.

He, who is beefled, lays down as many Counters as he should have taken up, had he won the Game.

The Matadores are to be paid for, only when they are found in one Hand, and the auxiliary-King has no Share in that Payment when they were in the Ombre's Hand; to whom they are to be paid.

If, on the contrary, they are in the auxiliary-King's Hand, they are to be payed to him; but if the Ombre and the Friend are

D]

beefled

50 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
beefled, he of the two, who had the Mata-
dores in his Hand, is to pay them to the reft,
except to his fellow Lofer. This Law is
to be understood in the fame Senfe when
they win jointly.

The pleafanteſt and moſt diverting Part
of this Game, is, Concealing the King the
Ombre has called; inaſmuch as the Ombre
is all the while in Pain, and at a Loſs to
know what he has to do, and very often
gives the Advantage to his Adverſaries,
imagining he does it to his Friend.

For wrong Dealing there is no Penalty;
the Cards muſt only be shuffled and dealt
over again.

These are the Rules of the Old Quintille.
We next come to the New Quintille,
which is now brought as near as poſſible
to the Laws of Quadrille. The firſt Thing
we are to take Notice of, in laying down
the Rules of the New Quintille is, that it
follows the Laws of Quadrille in every Point,
except where there is a Necessity of deviating
from them. So that it ſhall ſuffice, with
the Laws, which are peculiar to it, to
mention ſome Rules abſtracted from Qua-
drille, by Reaſon that they are wholly con-
trary to the old Manner of playing this
Game.

The

Of the NEW QUINTILLE.

51

The Stakes, Marking, and Paying the Game, are the same as at Quadrille.

When you have agreed upon the Value of each Fish, the Places drawn, and when it is known who must deal, the Dealer is to take down one Fish, and each of the others one Counter for the Game, after which the Dealer, having caused the Cards to be cut by his left-hand Man, is to give 8 Cards a-piece, 4 at a Time, nor must he deal any other Way.

The Cards, being dealt, every one is to speak in his Turn, beginning at the end of the Hand. If any one has a Hand to be played with the Assistance of a King, he is to ask the Question, saying, Does any Body play? If he is answered in the Negative, he is to name the Trump and call a King, who in Conjunction with him, to win, must make 5 Tricks; and they lose it by Remise if they make but four, and by Codille, if they make less.

If they win, they are paid the Rewards, and the Matadores, in Case they had them; and if they lose, they equally pay the Rewards, and Matadores, if they had them, whether they are beheaded by Codille or Remise.

Observe that there is no mention made of paying the Game, as at Quadrille; because we said at first, that every one must

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52 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
Stake down, and by Consequence thofe who
win muſt draw the Stakes, whether the
Ombre alone, or with the Help of a King;
or the Defendants if they won Codille.

The Beefte, and whatever else is to be
paid, is done one half by the Ombre,
and the other by the King his Ally; if in
the Payment there happens to be an odd
Counter, the Ombre is to pay it; as in the
Winnings they divide equally, and the odd
Counter falls to the Ombre's Share.

This Game is not so rigorous towards
the Ombre as Quadrille, since he can never
be beefted alone when he calls a King, even
if he makes but one Trick, but the auxiliary
King is always to contribute one half.

If all the five Players have passed, and he,
who has Spadille, is obliged to play, calling
a King, he follows all the Laws of thofe,
who play voluntarily.

In Regard to playing Sans prendre, the
Laws of Quadrille are to be obſerved in all
Points ; the other four Players being united
againſt him, who plays Sans prendre ; who,
to win, muſt alone make 5 Tricks ; being
beefted by Remife, if he makes but 4, and
by Codille it leſs than 4.

When he, who plays Sans prendre, or
calls a King he has in his own Hand, loſes
Codille, the four Players his Adverſaries
divide amongſt them what was played for;
and

Of the NEW QUINTILLE. 53

and if there are any odd Counters, as it often happens, He of the four, who had the highest Trump takes up one, the second is for Him of the three others, who had the next best Trump; and if there are 3 odd Counters, the third is for Him of the remaining two, who had the best Trump; but in Cafe they had neither of them any Trump at all, it is let alone till the next Deal.

The first Beefte is always of 15 Counters, the second of 45, except the Game, in which the first Beefte was made, was won by Codille, in which Cafe the second is but of 30. In either Cafe you must add the Number of 15 for each Beefte, according as they are made.

The Matadores are payed all one as they are at Quadrille; it is indifferent whether they are all in the Ombre's Hand, or whether divided between him and the King his Ally, they part what is paid for the Matadores, as well as the rest of the Winnings.

The Vole is likewise paid, according as has been at first agreed upon, to thofe, who win it; and thofe, who jointly make it, are jointly to divide the Gain.

There is no Risque in undertaking the Vole, there being no Penalty for thofe, who undertake and mifs it; nor is there any for thofe, who, undertaking to play, make the Devole; that is, are flammed by not winning one Trick, as it sometimes

D 3.

hap-

54 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
happens; they are only obliged equally to
pay the Vole to their Adverfaries, ſtill ob-
ferving that the odd Counter, as it belongs
to the Ombre, if he wins, muſt be paid by
him when he loses.

He who calls a King, and makes not
one Trick muſt be Beefted alone, provided
that the auxiliary King makes any; but if
he likewife makes none, the Beefſe muſt
be equally paid between them.

The Vole draws no more than what was
played for; the Cards are cleared by a cer-
tain Number of Counters, as has been at
first agreed upon, to be paid by each
Player.

As to the Renounce, and all the reſt, ex-
cept in the foregoing Particulars, the Rules
and Laws of Quadrille are obſerved.

It is the best Way for the Ombre to trump
about as soon as he can, and likewife for
the Friend, when the King that was called
has appeared, or even before, if he can, the
better to accommodate the Ombre's Game,
that his Kings may paſs, which otherwife
run the Hazard of being trumped.

These Rules, make New Quintille much
more entertaining than the Old Way of play-
ing it, which is now quite out of Use, except
in some petit French Provinces, where
they likewife play Quadrille, almost after
the fame Manner.

New

New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE. 55

*New Decisions upon the Difficult Points and Incidents which may happen at QUADRILLE.*

THERESE new Decisions contain only Part of the Laws of *Quadrille*, and are neither unpleasant, or unnecessary, because they show the Reason of their Institution.

I. Of the Deal.] If in Dealing, any Card happens to be faced, the Deal is lost. The Reason is, that it is neither just nor equitable that any of the Players should lose under the disadvantage of having one of his Cards known, which may prove prejudicial, whether he plays Sans-prendre, with an auxiliary-King, or defends the Stake. Besides, the Law would not be equal, if a faced Card belonging to one Player should be received, and the Deal cards for good, when, at the same Time, if a second should come to another of the Players, and a third to another, the Deal would be reputed false, and would cards for nothing; and yet this second or third faced Card dealt to different Players could produce no other Effects to their Game, than the first faced Card would do to his, to whom it had been dealt. So, by Consequence, if for two or three faced Cards occurring in a Deal, thus

D 4

in

56 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
in different Hands, the *Deal* is counted *foul*,
it is very reasonable that it should be like-
wise counted so, when there is one *faced*
*Card*.

It is not permitted to *deal* the Cards after
any other Manner than by 4 and 3 at a Time,
tho' some Players erroneously pretend that
every Player is at Liberty to *deal* as he
pleases; for since this Game follows, as
near as possible, the LAWS of OMBRE, at
which Game the Cards are not to be *dealt*
any otherwise than 3 at a Time, it is not
just to deviate from that LAW, which has
nothing in it but what is very reasonable,
and which is directly contrary to the Abuses
which might be introduced, had every one
the Liberty of *Dealing* according to his
Fancy, by some sharping Players, thro' the
Knowledge they might have of the Cards
by marking them.

II. *The Method of Calling.*] As the Opi-
nion of some Players, who are for having
Him, who has the four *Kings* in his Hand,
*pafs*, except he will play *Sans-prendre*, is
repugnant and contrary to the Liberty of
*Quadrille* ; and it is but reasonable that it
should be free for him to play, either *cal-
ling a Queen*, or one of his own *Kings*; it
being generally received, that he who is
unwilling to run the Hazard of *Sans-prendre*,
may

*New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE.* 57

may call one of his own *Kings*, or any
*Queen*, except That of Trumps.

Obferve that, to call a *Queen*, you muſt
have the four *Kings*; ſo that if you want
the *King of Trumps*, notwithstanding you
have the other three, you are obliged ei-
ther to call one of thoſe *Kings*, or to paſs.

III. *The Manner of playing the Cards.*]
As Penalties upon the Faults committed in
all Games, are impoſed with no other
View than to prevent the Abuſes, which
might be introduced by Sharping, it has been
thought neceſſary to uſe Severity in Re-
gard to the following Particulars; becauſe
it would be no difficult Matter to abuſe
them, if they were otherwife judged, or
decided.

He who draws from his *Game* a Card,
and preſents it openly as if he was going
to play it, is obliged to do, if his retain-
ing it can do the Game any Prejudice, or
give any Knowledge or Intimation to the
*Friend*, especially if it is a *Matadore*.

This Cafe equally regards the *Defendants*
as well as the *Ombre* and the *Friend*.

He who plays *Sans-prendre*, or has called
his own King, is not ſubject to this Law,
by Reaſon that by diſcovering his Card he
can reap no Advantage.

D. 5

He

58 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

He, who, not being eldeft Hand, and
has the King, which the Ombre called,
shall trump about with Spadille, Manille,
or Bafto, or shall even lead out the King,
which was called, to give Intelligence that
he is the Friend, having other Kings in
his Hand that he fears the Ombre should
trump, cannot pretend to lay the least
Claim to the Vole; nay, and in Cafe any
indirect Meaning appears in his having so
done, he ought to be Beefted.

IV. Of Mistakes and Accidents.] The
Liberty allowed in Quadrille, of looking
over the Tricks each Player has before him,
to see what has been played, may cause a Fault
in two of the Players at once, the one in
committing, and the other in occasioning it;
which has occasioned that Point to have
been decided after the following Manner :

He, who, instead of turning up the
Tricks of any one of the Players, shall
turn up his Game, which may be laid down
before him, and shall look upon it, or cause
it to be seen by the other Players, shall be
Beefted, together with him, whose Game
he has discovered, each paying half the
Beefte; the one paying for his Mistake and
little Attention, and the other for his Neg-
ligence in leaving his Cards upon the Board,
when he ought to have kept them in his

Hand

New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE. 59

Hand till the *Deal* was played out. The Establishment of this *Law* is by so much the more equitable, because it prevents several Abuses. First, the Snares and Baits, which might be laid for Thofe, who want to count the Cards, by placing the *Game* near the Tricks on Purpose to entrap them. Secondly, the knavish Designs of such, who, making as if they were going to see what had been played, should turn up the Cards of the other Players, which by Chance or Neglect they might have laid down before them.

V. Of Renounces.] He, who renounces, is not to be *Beefled*, even if the Trick is taken off the Board, in Case he recollects and perceives it before the Trick is turned down by the Person, who won it; but if it is turned down, he must be *Beefled*.

He is likewise *Beefled*, if the Trick be covered with another Card by the Person who won it; except he immediately recollects himself before the next Card is played; in which Case he may recover his Card, and must not be *Beefled*.

He does not renounce, who, having forgotten the Trump, has been told by any Body that the Trump is in such a Suit, and who, having none of the Card which is Led, shall trump it with one of that

D 6

Suit

60 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
Suit he has been told was Trumps; but
he cannot take up his Card again, and the
Trick must belong to him, who won it;
it being unjust to punish Honesty after the
fame Manner as one would Knavery, or
what might look like such.

He, who, without asking what is Trumps,
shall trump with a Card, which is not so,
and shall have turned down the Trick, must
be Beefted, if it appears, or may be suspected,
that he did it with a fraudulent Design.

He, who renounces several Times in one
Deal, if it is not perceived till after the
Tricks are turned down upon the Board,
is to be Beefted but once; but if after he has
been made sensible of the first, he is still
thewed a second, and then a third, he
must be Beefted for every Renounce he made,
and he must take up all his Cards and play
them over again, as they ought to be played;
and the other Players must observe to play
their Cards as they played them before.

VI. Of the Faults of discovering one's Game.] The Fault of discovering one's Game is not the least considerable for its being common, since the Toleration thereof might introduce many Abuses.

It is not therefore permitted either to
Those, who undertake to play, or to
those who defend the Stake, to discover
their

*New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE.* OR their Cards before the Game is won, by Reason that the *Friend* of him, who has shewed his Cards, may make his Advantage of it. So that he, who does it, must be *Beefted*.

This Cafe does not regard him, who plays *Sans-prendre*, or who has *called* his own *King*, because his Game can be favour'd by none.

Thofe, who defend the Stake, tho' they have made fix Tricks, are not to expose their Cards, but to continue playing till the last, to see whether the *Ombre* can win his three Tricks to avoid being *Beefted* alone.

VII. Of the Faults of Speaking.] It is not permitted at *Quadrille* to speak at all, not even to say, *That is the King*; since the Person who is to play next, either ought to know That, or may find it out by the Tricks already made. Neither ought any one to say, *such*, or *such Cards have been trumped*; even he, who is to play, must not ask it, but may look in the Tricks, which have been played before.

He, who speaks a Word in playing, to encourage his *Friend*, must not pretend to the *Vole*.

He, who says a Word to make him destit, must be *Beefted*.

It

62 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

It is not even permitted to say, we have
fix Tricks.

The Liberty each Player has to look over
the Tricks whenever he pleases, ought to
be understood only when his Turn comes to
play, having no Occasion to know what
has past, but only when he is to deter-
mine what he is to play.

By this Means are prevented the Abuses,
which frequently happen, when he, whose
Turn to play is either past, or not come,
counts such and such Suits; because by so
doing, he determines him, who is in Su-
spence, whether to play this, or that Card;
and besides the Prejudice it may do the
Game, it is unseemly, and does not look
well so to do.

VIII. Of the Beefte.] There is no Time
prescribed when the Beefte is not to be for-
feited; it may be demanded several Deals
after, if he, who won it can prove that he
won it in the same Deal, wherein it na-
turally should have been played for; but
it is not so of the Mistakes that may have
been made in reckoning the Beetles. As
for Example; if a Beefte, which should
have been counted for 56 Counters, went
but at 42, and he, who won it, has re-
ceived them, without demanding the Over-
plus of this Mistake, it must not be paid
if.

*New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE.* 63

if the next *Deal* has been played out, to avoid the Confusion such Disputes might occasion; neither would it be Justice, since the Party runs no Hazard of losing more than what he may win.

IX. Of the Sans-prendre, and the Matadores.] The Sans-prendre and Matadores are to be demanded before the Cards are cut for the next Deal, otherwise they are not to be paid.

It has been nevertheless judged necessary to make Exception to this Rule, to punish the Knavery of such, who occasion those that have a Right to demand this Due from them, to lose it by shuffling the Cards, and causing them to be cut before they are aware, and by Consequence, before they had demanded what they ought to have had as Winners.

If he, who plays Sans-prendre, either with, or without Matadores, has not received from any one of the Players what he was to have had for winning the Game, he may, notwithstanding the Cards are cut, demand, together with the Rewards, &c. the Sans-prendre, and Matadores, if he had them.

If he, who played Sans-prendre, has not demanded it, and has himself either cut or dealt the Cards, there is nothing due to him but the Stake and Rewards for the Game he won. If

64 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

If he, who played *Sans-prendre*, with the *Matadores*, demands thro' *Mistake* the one for the other, he must have nothing paid him, except he recollects himself before the Cards are cut; this Game requiring a formal Explication of every thing in its proper Terms.

He, who plays, *calling a King*, is not obliged to observe this Distinction, because there being two of them concerned, either of them may demand what is their Due before the Cards are cut; this Law only regarding those, who play either *Sans-prendre* or *calls* their own King.

He, who, playing *Sans-prendre*, shews his Game, which he has sure in his Hand, without naming the Trump, is obliged to play in the Suit, which one of his Adverfaries shall name. So having taken up his Cards again, he lets the eldest Hand play; to whom it belongs to name the Trump before he throws down his first Card; or if, being himself eldest Hand, he Leads the Board with *Spadille*, or *Bafto*, without declaring the Suit he plays in; this Game, as has been already observed, requiring an intire Explication.

X. Of forced Games.] When all the Players have passed, he, who has *Spadille*, is forced to play. It is to be presumed that having

*New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE.* 65

having *paffed* he has no good Game; and
by Consequence Justice demands that he
should not be ſubject to the Laws of thofe,
who play of their own Accord, which
obliges them either to win three Tricks,
or be *Beefted* alone. For this Reaſon he,
who is *forced* to play by having *Spadille*,
muſt not be *Beefted* alone, tho' he makes
but one Trick.

XI. Of the Contre, the Vole, and the Devole.] *Quadrille* may very well admit of the *Contre*, which ſome were about introducing into *Ombre*, as uſed in the Game of *La Bête* (The *Beefle*.) Thoſe therefore, who are willing to admit it ſhould follow this RULE.

He, who would play Sans-prendre, and
engage himſelf to undertake the Vole,
ſhould be ſuffered to play in Preference to
him, who, tho' he is to ſpeak before him,
only offers to play ſimply Sans-prendre, or
*without Calling*.

He, who having played Sans-prendre, and
undertaken the Vole, but miffed it, muſt
pay to every one of the Players the Forfeit
of the Vole he has loft, and muſt not be
paid for Sans-prendre; Matadores if he had
them; or the Rewards; nor muſt he even
draw the Stake nor the Beefſes that were
played

66 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
played for; but he must not be beefled himself except he lost the Game; in which
Cafe he must pay all that is due for the
Rewards, the Sans-prendre, the Vole, and
the Matadores, if he had them.

As This is a Circumstance, which very
rarely happens, there can be no great Hazard in admitting it.

He, who is forced to play with Spadille,
cannot pretend to the Vole, by Reason of
the Advantage Spadille discovered may procure him.

The auxiliary-King must have appeared
before there is any Right to undertake the
Vole; otherwife, as no Risque is run, so no
Recompence is to be expected.

He, who plays and wins no Tricks makes
the Devole, (is flammed) which he must pay
to the two Defendants, and not to his
Friend, left the Desire of Gain should induce the Friend to play againft him, whom
he should affift, when the Game becomes
desperate.

This Law, rigorous as it is, cannot well
be too much so, since it tends to prevent
playing upon low Games.

It is a Rule generally received and approved
of, that Thofe, who discover their Game,
must not pretend to the Vole. Neverthe-
lefs, if any one of the Players has in his
Hand five or fix fure Tricks, and exposes
his

New DECISIONS on QUADRILLE.

67

his Cards, saying that he undertakes the *Vole*, notwithstanding his *Friend* is to play first, he is admitted without its being in his Adversary's Power to hinder him; but they are at Liberty to compel the *Friend* of him, who undertakes it, to lead the Board with what Card they please, to the End that he may make no Advantage of his having seen his *Partner's* Hand; but This is only allowable before fix Tricks are already won by those, who play; for if they have made fix Tricks, none but he, who is to play next, has a Right to undertake the *Vole*, or to deft, according to the ordinary *Rules*. Thus, has this Point been justly mitigated; because he, who shews his *Game* can, from so doing, reap no other Advantage than only shortening the Length of the *Deal*; and is yet sentenced to have undertaken the *Vole* whether he makes it or not.

This is all that concerns the Games of *Quadrille* and *Quintille*. If any Difficulty or Dispute should arise, you are to follow the same Rules that are observed at *Ombre* Played by Three or Four. *Laftly,*

*Single-Ombre*, as played between Two Persons only; is a Method of Play, that has very little in it diverting: Nevertheless it is sometimes played, when a *Third Person* is wanting, and People do not know how

68 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
how otherwife to divert themselves. It may
be of some Use to teach Beginners how to
discard and play the Cards.

The Manner of Play, is exactly the fame
with the other Ombre.

First, You must take an entire Suit out
of the Pack, either Diamonds, or Hearts,
it is indifferent which; then there will re-
main Thirty.

You are to deal 8 Cards a-piece, beginning with 3 and 3, and last of all with 2 a-piece; when this is done, there will remain 12 in the Stock, out of which the Ombre is to take as many as he pleases, the other may take the rest.

When the Trump is named, you are
paid for Matadores, and lay down for your
Passes here as you do at Ombre with Three,
and in every Respect it is just the same.

The Ombre is to win 5 Tricks to gain
the Stake: When the Tricks are divided
by 4 a-piece, it is a Remise; if he who
defends wins 5 Tricks, he wins Codille.

To conclude, you are to take Notice that
the general Rules of Ombre are the same,
whether you play the Game between Two,
Three, Four, or Five Persons, or Espadille
Force, only with these Differences that we
have explained; so that the following
Terms will serve for All.

I can

Of OMBRE between Two. 69

I can only say, that by these Directions
any Person may learn to play, but I can-
not promise them that they shall play
well, for that must depend upon Genius
and Experience.

Now after all that is said, the Original
Ombre by Three, is much more agreeable,
than any of these new Grafts with which
the old Stock has been loaded.

Terms peculiar to the Game of OMBRE.

I. TO go to the Bottom: That is, when he who takes in, next to the Ombre, takes four Cards, that he does not leave 5 to him who is to take in last.

II. The Bafto: is the Ace of Clubs, which
is always the third Trump, in whatsoever
Suit you play.

III. The Codille: is when one of those that
defend the Game against the Ombre wins
the Stake.

IV. To name the Trump: is when the
Ombre says, I play in Hearts, Diamonds,
Spades, or Clubs.

V. The Discard: are the Cards laid out,
which are always to be placed at the
Right-hand of the Dealer.

VI. Spadille,

70 *The COMPLEAT GAMESTER.* Part I.

VI. *Spadille*, or *Espadille*: is the Ace of Spades, which is always the first Trump, in whatever Suit we play.

VII. *Espadille Force*, or *Forced Espadille*: is, when it is agreed before you begin, that he who has *Spadille*, shall be obliged to play, if the rest will not.

VIII. To force the *Ombre*: is, when he that plays before the *Ombre* plays a High Trump, in order to force the *Ombre* to play a Higher to win it

IX. The *Gano*: is as much as to say, Pals it, or leave it to me.

X. *Ombre*: is not only the Name of the Game, but also the Person who names the Trump and plays; for the Stake is called The *Ombre*.

XI. *Manille*: is either the Duce in Black, or the Seven in Red, and is always the second Trump.

XII. *Matadores*: are the Three principal Trumps so called, which are *Spadille*, *Manille*, and *Baño*.

XIII. *Matadores Single*: is when they are to be paid single; for Example, when you are to be paid but one Counter for each.

XIV. *Matadores Double*: is when you agree to pay two a-piece for *Matadores*.

XV. *Falso Matadores*: Two *Matadores* without the Third, are so called, but are never paid.

XVI. *Punto*:

The TERMS of OMBRE.

71

XVI. Punto: is the Ace of Hearts, when Hearts are Trumps; and the Ace of Diamonds, when Diamonds are Trumps.

XVII. Sans-prendre : is to play without Discarding, or taking any in.

XVIII. Sans-prendre Single : is when you are to receive but 3 Counters, for playing Sans-prendre. ||

XIX. Sans-prendre Double : is when you agree to pay 6 for playing Sans-prendre.

XX. *Remife*: is when the *Ombre* is Beefted, and no Body wins *Codille*.

XXI. *Remife* by Three: is when the *Ombre* is Beefted by your winning 3 Tricks a-piece.

XXII. To Renounce : is when you do not follow Suit, and have some of that Suit in your Hand.

XXIII. To make Renounces : is when in Discarding, you lay out an entire Suit, to be able to Trump a King.

XXIV. *Repuefta, Repofte*: is the same thing as *Remife*.

XXV. The Stock : are the Cards that are left, which you take in after, and Discard others.

XXVI. The Tours : are the Number of Deals you agree to play: But, remember that a Pafs or a Codille, is not reckoned for a Tour.

The

72 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

*The LAWS relating to OMBRE.*

I. If the Ombre forgets to name his Trump, and has looked at the Cards he took in, one of the others may name it for him.

II. If the two Defendants should speak both together, and one name one, and the other another Suit, you must play in that Suit which was named by him who fits upon the Right-hand of the Ombre.

III. When the Ombre forgets to name his Trump, or names one Suit for another by Mistake, he may take in his Discard again, provided, the Cards he took in from the Stock, are not mixed with the rest of his Game.

IV. Though the Ombre has seen his Cards, if he prevents the others, and names a Trump before them, it is good.

V. The Ombre must be very exact in naming his Trump.

VI. You are not obliged to play a Matadore upon a small Trump, and may Renounce if you have not an inferior Trump.

VII. A Superior Matadore forces an Inferior, if you have no other Trump to play to it.

VIII. You cannot Renounce with any Trumps in your Hand, except the three Matadores.

IX. A

The LAWS of OMBRE.

IX. A Superior Matadore does not force an Inferior, unlefs it leads.

X. Matadores are not to be paid, unlefs they are in the Hands of the Ombre.

XI. You cannot demand to be paid for Matadores, or Sans-prendres, alter the Cards are cut for the next Deal.

XII. There is no Time preſcribed for the Beefe, and it may be taken while the next Deal is playing.

XIII. The Cards muſt be dealt no way but by 3 and 3.

XIV. If one of the Black Aces be turned up in dealing, there muſt be a new Deal.

XV. If the Card ſeen be any thing but a Black Ace, the Deal is good.

XVI. Whether the Dealer, or another, turns up the Card, it is the ſame Thing.

XVII. If a great many Cards are turned up in dealing, they muſt be dealt again.

XVIII. He that has ten Cards dealt to him, cannot play.

XIX. He that has but eight Cards dealt to him, cannot play.

XX. He that has eight or ten Cards dealt to him, may play, if he gives Notice that he has too many, or too few.

XXI. He that paſſes with ten Cards in his Hand, is not Beefeſt; unleſs he has ſo many,

74 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.
many, after he has taken in, when ano-
ther plays the Game.

XXII. He that has ten Cards, may play *Sans-prendre*, if he did not deal; but one of the others is to draw a Card out of his Hand at hazard.

XXIII. He that has but eight Cards, may play *Sans-prendre* with his eight Cards, if he gives Notice.

XXIV. If one of the Players turns up a Card of the Stock, and looks at it, he cannot play, but the others may.

XXV. If he that has a sure Game, and plays Sans-prendre, shews his Game without naming his Trump, he may take up the Stake.

XXVI. He who names his Trump, with-
out first having asked Leave, is obliged
to play Sans-prendre, let his Game be e-
ver so bad.

XXVII. If the youngest Hand names his
Trump without asking Leave, he is
not obliged to play Sans-prendre, if the
others have passed.

XXVIII. If any Cards remain after all have taken in, he who left them may see them; and if he does, the other may.

XXIX. If any of the others should look at
the Cards left, when he who left them
did not, he is Beefsted.

XXX. He

[The LAWS of OMBRE.] 75

XXX. He that in taking in his Cards,
should take more than he laid out, is
not *Beefted*, if he has not looked on them,
but he is obliged to put them back.

XXXI. If he has mixed them with the
reft of his Cards without seeing them,
one of the others shall draw out of his
Cards at hazard, as many as he took a-
bove his Due.

XXXII. He who takes lefs than his Num-
ber, may take the reft at any time while
the Stock is upon the Table; but if they
are all taken in, he muſt draw as many
as he wants from among the Difcard.

XXXIII. He that has none of the Suit
that leads, is not obliged to play a
Trump.

XXXIV. He that plays out of his Turn,
is not *Beefted*, but it is reckoned bad
Play.

XXXV. If the Ombre sees a Card in either
of the others Hands, he cannot oblige
him to play it; no Card is played, till
it is upon the Board.

XXXVI. Every one has the Liberty of
examining another's Trick, to see what
is out.

XXXVII. If the Pack be false, and it is
found out in playing, the Deal goes for
nothing.

E 2 XXXVIII. Tho'.

76 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

XXXVIII. Tho' the Pack be false, if the
Deal be played out, it is good.

XXXIX. He who Renounces is Beefted.

XL. When any one has renounced, every
one is to take back his own Cards, and
it is to be played over again, provided
the Cards are not played out.

XLI. Several Beefles made in one Deal,
may be played off the next.

XLII. When there are several Beefles upon
the Board, the highest Beefte is played
off first, after the first Stake.

XLIII. He that can win four Tricks with-
out calling Gano, ought not to call it.

XLIV. The Ombre is never to call Gano.

XLV. The Ombre ought not to give up,
without playing the Cards, let his Game
be ever so bad.

XLVI. When the Players mark different-
ly either for their Stakes, or Passes, all
are obliged to mark equal with the highest;
and the Beefles must be accordingly.

XLVII. He that gains a Vole, wins twice
as much as lies upon the Board, if there
be but one Beefte.

XLVIII. If there are many Beefles, upon
the Board, he takes all, and is to be paid
no more.

XLIX. If there are a great many Beefles,
which, by Consent, or because they
were made in one Deal, are put together,
he

The LAWS of OMBRE.

77

he that wins the Vole shall be paid as much more.

L. The Vole is undertaken, if after one has won his five Tricks, he plays down another Card.

LI. If he who undertakes the Vole does not win it, the two others are to divide betwixt them what lies upon the Board.

LII. When the Vole is undertaken, the two who defend it may look in each other's Hands, the better to disappoint it.

LIII. If he who undertakes the Vole plays Sans-prendre, or has Matadores, he is to be paid for them if he faves his Beefle, tho' he does not win the Vole.

LIV. A Codille won, is not marked for a Tour.

LV. When a Number of Tours is agreed to be played, he who will not play to the End, ought to pay all that is loft.

LVI. He who discards and takes in before his Turn, is Beefled, if what he takes in is mixed with his Game.

Thus have we given the Laws relating to Ombre (in all its Branches, either between 2, 3, 4, or 5 Persons) but cannot conclude this Article, without reciting Mr. Pope's beautiful Description of the Manner of playing this Game between Belinda and her Two Knights at Hampton-Court.

E 3

BELINDA

78 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

BELINDA now, whom Thrift of Fame invites,
Burns to encounter Two advent'rous Knights
At OMBRE singly to decide their Doom,
And swells her Breast with Conquefts yet to come.
Strait the Three Bands prepare in Arms to join;
Each band the Number of the sacred Nine.
Soon as she spreads her Hand, th' Aerial Guard
Descend, and fit on each important Card:
First Ariel perch'd upon a Matadore,
Then each, according to the Rank they bore;
For Sylphs, yet mindful of their antient Race,
Are, as when Women, wond'rous fond of Place.

Behold, four Kings in Majesty rever'd,
With hoary Wiskers, and a forky Beard: (er,
And four fair Queens, whose Hands suftain a Flow-
Th' expressive Emblem of their softer Power,
Four Knaves in Garb succinct, a trufty Band,
Caps on their Heads, and Halberds in their Hand;
And party-colour'd Troops, a shining Train,
Draw forth to Combat on the Velvet-Plain.

The skilful Nymph reviews her Force with Care;
Let Spades be Trumps she said; and Trumps they
were.

Now move to War her fable Matadores,]
In show like Leaders of the fwarthy Moors.
Spadilla first, unconquered Lord!
Led off two Captive Trumps, and swept the Board.
As many more Manillia forc'd to yield,
And march'd a Victor from the verdant Field.
Him Bafto follow'd, but his Fate more hard,
Gain'd but one Trump, and one Plebeian Card.
With his broad Sabre next, a Chief in Years,
The hoary Majesty of Spades appears;
Puts forth one manly Leg, to fight reveal'd;
The rest, in many colour'd Robe conceal'd.

The

The GAME of OMBRE.

79

The Rebel-*Knave*, who dares his Prince engage,
Proves the just Victim of his Royal Rage.
Ev'n mighty *Pam*, that Kings and Queens o'erthrew
And mow'd down Armies in the Fights of *Lue*;
Sad Chance of War! now, defitute of Aid,
Falls undistinguish'd by the Victor *Spade*.

Thus far both Armies to *Belinda* yield;
Now to the Baron, Fate inclines the Field.
His warlike *Amazon* her Hoſt invades,
Th' imperial Confort of the Queen of *Spades*.
The *Club*'s black Tyrant firſt her Victim dy'd.
Spite of his haughty Mein and barb'rous Pride!
What boots the Regal Circle on his Head,
His Giant Limbs, in State unweildly ſpread;
That long behind he trails his pompous Robe,
And, of all Monarchs, only graſps the Globe.

The Baron now his *Diamonds* pours apace;
Th' embroider'd King who ſhowſ but half his Face,
And his refulgent *Queen*, with Powers combin'd,
Of broken Troops an eafy Conqueſt find.
*Clubs*, *Diamonds*, *Hearts*, in wild Diforder ſeen,
With Throngs promiſcuous ſtrew the level Green.

The *Knave* of *Diamonds* tries his wily Arts,
And wins (O ſhameful chance!) the *Queen of Hearts*
At this, the Blood the Virgin's Cheeks forſook,
A livid Palenefs ſpreads o'er all her Look;
She fees and trembles at th' approaching Ill,
Juſt in the Jaws of Ruin, and *Codille*.
And now (as oft in ſome diſtemper'd State)
On one nice Trick depends the gen'ral Fate;
An *Ace* of *Hearts* ſteps forth: the King ſunſen
Lurk'd in her Hand, and mourn'd his captive *Queen*;
He ſprings to Vengeance with an eager Pace,
And falls like Thunder on the proſtrate *Ace*.
The Nymph exulting, ſfills with Shouts the Sky,
The Walls, the Woods, and long Canals Reply.

E 4

80 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

The LAWS of QUADRILLE.

I. IT is not permitted to *deal* the Cards any otherwise than by 4 and 3, the *Dealer* being at Liberty to begin with which of those Numbers he pleases. If in *dealing* there happen to be one or more faced Cards, the *Deal* goes for nothing.

II. If the Pack of Cards has more or less than it ought to have, the Deal goes for nothing.

III. If there chance to be two Cards of the fame Sort, and it is perceived before the *Deal* is played out, it is null; but if the Cards are all played, the *Deal* is good, as well as all those which may have preceded it.

IV. He, who misses *Deal*, must *deal* again; but is not to be *Beefsted*.

V. If he who plays either *Sans-prendre*, or *calling* a King, names a Trump of a different Suit from That his Game is in, or names two several Suits, That, which he first named, must be the Trump.

VI. He, who plays, must name the Trump by its proper Name; as he like-wife must the King he calls.

VII. He, who has said *I pafs*, must not be again admitted to play, except he plays *by Force*, upon Account of his having Spadille.

VIII. He, who has *asked the Question*, and has *Leave* given him, is obliged to play.

IX. He,

The LAWS of QUADRILLE.

8I

IX. He, who has asked to play, must not play Sans-prendre, except he is forced so to do.

X. He, who has asked to play, may play Sans-prendre, in Preference to him, who forces him to it.

XI. He, who has the four Kings, may call the Queen of either of his Kings.

XII. Neither the King nor Queen of the Suit, which is Trumps, must be called.

XIII. He, who has one, or several Kings, may call any King he has in his Hand; in such Case, to win, he must make alone six Tricks. If he wins, it is all his own; and if he loses, he pays all by himself.

XIV. You must not demand Gano, of your Friend; nor cause him, by any indirect Means, to favour you.

XV. Every one ought to play in his Turn, but for having done otherwise, no one must be Beefted.

XVI. He, however, whose Turn it is not to play, having in his Hand the King, the Ombre has called, and shall trump about with either Spadille, Manille, or Bafla, or shall even play down the King, which was called, to give Notice of his being the Friend, must not pretend to undertake the Vole; nay he must be condemned to be Beefted, if it appears that he did it with any fraudulent Deftig.

E 5

XVII. He,

82 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

XVII. He, who has drawn a Card from his *Game*, and presented it openly in order to play it, is obliged to do, if retaining it may be either any Ways prejudicial to the Game, or may give any Intimation to the *Friend*; and more particularly if the Card is a *Matadore*. He, who plays *Sans-prendre*, is not subject to this Law; nor is he, who *calls* his own King.

XVIII. He, who has none of that Suit of the Card that leads, is not obliged to trump it; nor to throw a higher Card of the same Suit upon it, if he has one.

XIX. It is lawful to look upon every one's Tricks to see what Cards have been played.

XX. None ought to look upon the Tricks, nor to count aloud what has been played, except when it is his Turn to play; but to let every one reckon for himself.

XXI. He, who instead of turning up the Tricks before any one of the Players, shall turn up and discover his *Game*, must be equally *Beefted* with him, whose Cards he has so discovered, one paying one half, and the other the like.

XXII. He, who renounces, must be *Beefted* as many Times as he has so done, if he is made sensible of every *Renounce* he has made; but if the Cards are mixed, he is to pay but one *Beefte*, tho' he has made several *Renounces*.

XXIII. To

The LAWS of QUADRILLE.

83

XXIII. To have renounced, the Trick must have been turned down; or he who renounced must have played his Card for the next Trick; otherwise he may recall his Card without incurring any Penalty.

XXIV. If the Renounce prejudices the Game, and the Deal is not all played out, every one may take up his Cards, beginning at the Trick where the Renounce was made, and play them over-again; but if the Deal has been all played out, the Cards may not be re-taken.

XXV. He, who having asked what is Trumps, shall trump with a Card of that Suit he has been told was Trumps, tho' in Effect it is not so, must not be Beefled.

XXVI. He, who, without having required what is Trumps shall trump with a Card which is not Trumps, if he has taken up and turn'd down the Trick, must be Beefled.

XXVII. He, who shews his Game before the Deal is out, must be Beefled, except he played Sans-prendre.

XXVIII. Several Beetles made in one Deal ought to go all together; unless it has been otherwise agreed before.

XXIX. The greatest Beetles should be always first played for.

XXX. None of the Three Matadores can be commanded down by an inferior Trump.

E 6

XXXI. A.

84 The COMPLEAT GAMESTER. Part I.

XXXI. A superior *Matadore* forces
down an inferior, when it is played by the
Leader.

XXXII. A superior *Matadore* does not command down an inferior, if it is played upon any other Trump that led the Board.

XXXIII. The *Matadores* and *Sans-prendre* cannot be demanded after the Cards are cut for the next *Deal*, except when they are designedly cut and dealt so hastily that the Winner has not been allowed Time to demand his Due; in which Case, if he has not taken up the *Stake*, nor been paid the *Rewards* by any of the Players, he may lawfully demand the *Sans-prendre* and *Matadores* together with his other Dues; but if it was he himself, who either cut or dealt the Cards, he has no farther Right to demand them.

XXXIV. If he who plays *Sans-prendre* with the *Matadores* in his Hand, demands only one of them, he must receive only That, which he mentioned.

XXXV. He, who, instead of *Sans-prendre*, shall demand *Matadores*, not having them; as likewise he, who shall demand *Sans-prendre* instead of *Matadores*, cannot compel the Players to pay him what is really his Due; this Game requiring a formal Explication of every Point in its proper Terms. He, who plays with the