Nap is played by any number of persons, from two to six, with a full pack
of fifty-two cards, ranking as at Whist, ace highest and deuce lowest. The
original deal is determined by turning up a card in front of each of the
players, when the lowest turned up indicates the first dealer. The ace is
in this case regarded as the lowest card.
When it is ascertained who is to deal, the player on his left shuffles the
cards, and the dealer may shuffle them after him if he chooses. They are
then cut by the player on the dealer's right, and the dealer distributes
them face downwards, one by one, beginning of course to the left.
There is no turn-up, and the undealt cards must be placed in a heap face
downwards in the middle of the table, and not touched until the round is
over, except at Purchase Nap, when the dealer retains possession of the
pack until the purchases have been effected.
Then follows the process of calling, which has been already described.
We have gone upon the principle of calling the stake a penny per trick, but
of course it can be sixpence, or any other amount. It may, however, be
observed that "Penny Purchase" is really as expensive as threepenny
ordinary Nap.