rvice as the other two ways, and only practised in its turn to
amuse you.

'The next thing to be considered is, who deals the cards, you or your
adversary; because that is a main point, and from whence your advantage
must arise. Suppose, for example,

{Sharpers,
A and B {
{Partners,

{Bubbles, or Flats,
C and D {
{ Partners.

After a deal or two is formally played, A and B will begin to operate in
the following manner:--

'When A or B is to deal, they observe the PRECEDING DEAL to take up the
tricks thus:--

1. A bad card. 2. A good card.
3. A bad card. 4. A good card.

(Meaning the best and worst that fall in that list).

'When C or D deals, they must be taken up thus:--

1. A good card. 2. A bad card.
3. A good card. 4. A bad card.

'By this rule it is plain that the best cards fall to A and B every
deal. How is it possible, therefore, that C and D should ever win a game
without permission? But it would be deemed ill policy, and contrary to
the true interest of A and B, to act thus every deal. I will, therefore,
suppose it is practised just when they please, according as bets happen
in company; though the rule with gamesters, in low life, is at the first
setting out to stupify you with wine and the loss of your money, that
you may never come to a perfect understanding of what you are doing. It
may be truly said that many an honest gentleman has been kept a month in
such a condition by the management and contrivance of a set of sharpers.

'Now you may imagine it not in the power of A and B to cause the tricks
to be taken up after the manner aforesaid: there is nothing so easy nor
so frequently practised, especially at Three poll One; for in playing
the cards the confederates will not only take care of their own tricks,
but also of yours, for the cards may be so played, and shoved together
in such a manner, as will even cause you to take them right yourself;
and if a trick should lie untowardly on the table, A or B will pay you
the compliment of taking it up for you, and say--"Sir, that's yours."
This operation will the more readily be apprehended by seeing it
practised half a score times; when once you are aware of it, it will
otherwise (I may say fairly) pass upon any person that has not been let
into the secret. This being allowed, the next point and difficulty is to
shuffle and cut.

'I