o have lower numbers; but nothing is paid or
received by such players as have similar numbers to the dealer. When
the dealer draws more than twenty-one, he pays to all who have not
thrown up. In some companies ties pays the dealer.

[IGNORANCE TALKS LOUD.]

115. Natural Vingt-un.

Twenty-one, when dealt in a player's first two cards, is styled a
_Natural_. It should be declared at once, and entitles the holder to
double stakes from the dealer, and to the deal, except it be agreed to
pass the deal round. If the dealer turns up a natural he takes double
stakes from all the players and retains the deal. If there be more
than one natural, all after the first receive single stakes only. Aces
count either eleven or one; court cards, ten; the rest according to
their points.

116. The Odds of natural Vingt-un

depend upon the average number of cards likely to come under or exceed
twenty-one; for example, if those in hand make fourteen exactly, it is
seven to six that the one next drawn does not make the number of
points above twenty-one; but if the points be fifteen, it is seven to
six against that hand; yet it would not, therefore, always be prudent
to stand at fifteen, for as the ace may be calculated both ways, it is
rather above an even bet that the adversary's first two cards amount
to more than fourteen. A natural Vingt-un may be expected once in
seven coups when two, and twice in seven when four, people play, and
so on, according to the number of players.

117. Quadrille.

This game, formerly very popular, has been superseded by Whist.
Quadrille, the game referred to by Pope in his "Rape of the Lock," is
now obsolete.

118. Ecarte.

This game, which has lately revived in popularity, is played by two
persons with a pack of cards from which the twos, threes, fours,
fives, and sixes have been discarded. In the clubs it is usual to play
with two packs, used alternately. The players cut for deal, the
highest card deals. The pack is shuffled and the non-dealer cuts. The
dealer then from the united pack gives five cards to each, beginning
with his adversary, by twos and threes, or threes and twos; and always
dealing in the same way throughout the game. The eleventh card is
turned up for trump. If the turn-up be a king, the dealer marks one
point; five points being game. The non-dealer looks at