The deal and partners are determined by cutting, as at whist. The dealer
gives four cards, by one at a time, to every player, and either
regularly, as he deals, or by one, two, three, or four at a time, lays
four, face upwards, on the board, and after the first cards are played,
four others are to be dealt to each person till the pack is out; but it
is only in the first deal that any cards are to be turned up.
The deal is not lost when a card is faced by the dealer, unless in the
first round, before any of the four cards are turned up on the table:
but should a card be faced in the pack before any of the said four are
turned up, then the deal must be begun again.
Any person playing with less than four cards must abide by the loss, and
should a card be found under the table, the player whose number is
deficient is to take the same.
Each person plays one card at a time, with which he may not only take,
at once, every card of the same denomination on the table, but likewise
all that will combine therewith; as, for instance, a ten takes not only
every ten, but also nine and ace, eight and deuce, seven and three, six
and four, or two fives; and if he clear the board before the conclusion
of the game, he scores a point. When a player cannot pair or combine, he
is to put down a card.
The number of tricks are not to be examined or counted before all the
cards are played, nor may any trick but that last won be looked at, as
every mistake must be challenged immediately.
After the pack is dealt out, the player who obtains the last trick
sweeps all the cards remaining unmatched on the table.