This is a family version of Poker. Each player puts in the pool an agreed
amount by way of ante. Five cards are then dealt to each player, with an
extra hand, known as "the widow." The elder hand may either play his own
hand, pass, or take the widow. If he adopts either of the former
alternatives, the next player has a similar option, and so on till some one
elects to "take the widow." He takes the spare hand, and lays his own on
the table face upwards. The next in order is entitled to take in either of
the exposed cards, discarding in its place one of his own, which is added
to the remaining four on the table. The next player has a like choice, and
so on round and round, till some player is content with his hand, which he
signifies by a knock on the table. Each of the other players may still make
one more exchange, after which the cards are exposed, and the best hand
takes the pool.
Should any player knock before the widow is taken, the five cards are
turned up, and each player (other than the one who knocked) has one draw
from them. Should the round of the table have {136} been made without any
one taking the widow, the five cards are turned up, and the players draw
from them in rotation until some one expresses himself content.
There is in this case no "raising" or betting on the hands, the stakes
consisting solely of the amount originally placed in the pool.