The most popular variation from the foregoing game is for the winner,
_i.e._ the one who first plays out his cards, to only take the stake
for Game from the board, the players paying to the pool the penalty for
their unplayed card or cards, and distributing them on whichever chance
they prefer, except that all the eight must be covered. In such a case
the regular dressing of the board by the players at the commencement of
each deal as previously described is omitted, the dealer alone paying a
single stake, which he may also place where he chooses.
_FIVE-POOL POPE_.
The board or pool may be made with five divisions only, in which case
Pope Joan, Matrimony, Intrigue, Ace, and Game are retained, King, Queen,
and Knave being omitted. In other respects the game is conducted on the
ordinary lines, except that twelve coins or counters are sufficient to
dress the board.
_POPE JOAN WINS_.
In this variation, when Pope Joan is turned up the dealer at once wins
the game, and takes the stake standing to Game on the board, in addition
to that on Pope and the payment from each of the players already
referred to. This is by no means a desirable innovation, and simply
causes extra trouble for dealing, etc., with little or no recompense.
_LIMITED STOPS_.
In lieu of the spare hand being dealt, with the object of making extra
stops, it may be arranged that a definite [86] number of cards be taken
from the pack, either from the top or the bottom, for the purpose, or
the remainder, after dealing the cards round as far as possible equally
among the players, may be so set apart. The best way, however, is to
deal a spare hand with the others, as then the number of stops bears an
equitable proportion to the number of players engaged in the game.
_LOOKING AT THE SPARE HAND_.
Among amateurs and inexperienced players it is sometimes agreed that the
dealer shall look at the spare hand, so as to see what cards are stops;
but after a few rounds have been played, the absurdity of this rule will
be manifest. It gives so much advantage to the dealer, who can play
cards which he alone knows to be stops, that in such a case he ought to
stand out, no cards being dealt him that round. It is an altogether
objectionable variation, and not at all a necessary one.
Pope Joan is sometimes allowed to be played at any time in lieu of
a stop, thus: suppose a player has Pope and (say) knave of spades.
In the course of the game the nine of spades is played, and proves to
be a stop. The holder of Pope may play it in lieu of the ten of spades,
and then continue with his knave of that suit, first taking his winnings
on Pope.
[87]