ing hand numbers approximately only 500 to
1,000.

On this account the Chinese use a lower scoring system and set limits on
the hands whenever placing stakes on the game, with a view of limiting
losses between all players.

This setting of a limit changes the game considerably, for while the
procedure of the play is similar to that of the unlimited hand, the
scoring is almost totally different and the actual playing of the hand
is changed.

A player in a limited hand gains nothing by completing a hand scoring
high in the thousands when held down to the limit which is comparatively
low. This changes entirely the playing of hands, making each player's
object no longer to score as high a hand as possible and win, but to
score as closely to the limit as possible and win, which in practice
amounts to completing the hand as quickly as possible, mixing sequences
and sets of all suits and taking all good scoring sets as they come,
planning for none.

It can be seen that there is a larger element of fortune or "luck" in
this method of playing than there is in playing the unlimited hand,
though in either case the best player will win consistently.

THE PROCEDURE OF PLAY

[Illustration:

Indicators Wind Box]

In playing this sort of a game the wind indicators in their container,
the Cheung Huen or wind box, are always used, and their use changes the
method of commencing the game.

To start the game when using the wind markers the seats are
preliminarily chosen and any one of the four players throws the two dice
once, the result of this throw deciding which player is to throw again
for playing position. Counting of players being done in a
counter-clockwise direction as previously explained.

The players thus designated will shuffle the wind indicators thoroughly
face downward and places any one of them still face downward on top of
wind box. He then arranges the whole lot in a perpendicular straight
line in front of them all face downward, placing the box with the wind
indicator still on top of it in any order he pleases. (See Illustration
No. 1.)

[Illustration: Illustration No. 1]

In this illustration, C first threw the dice; the number was seven,
deciding A as the player who was to throw again for playing position or
seat. A has shuffled the markers and arranged them perpendicularly in
front of him, placing the wind box in second position. He had the
privilege of placing it in 1st, 3rd or 4t