ECARTE

(a-kar’ta), a card-game for two players, is played with thirty two cards, the smaller ones, from two to six inclusive, not being used. The remaining cards rank as follows; king (highest), queen, knaye, ace, ten, . In the English mode of playing, the players cut for the deal, which is decided by the lowest card. The dealer gives five cards to either player, three and two at a time, and turns up the eleventh card for trump. if he turns up a king he scores one; and if a king occurs in the hand of either player, the holder may score one by announcing it before the first trick. The non-dealer leads; trumps take all other suits, but the players must follow suit if they can. Three tricks count one point, five tricks two points; five points make game. Before play begins, the non-dealer may claim to discard (écarter) any of the cards in his hand, and to replace them by fresh ones from the pack. This claim the dealer may or may not allow. Should he allow it, he can himself discard as many cards as he pleases. Sometimes only one discard is allowed, sometimes more.— Of. Cavendish, The Laws of Ecarté adopted by the Turf Club.