Amusement may be caused by this game to all those playing, and at the
same time it is supposed that some curious particulars may be learned
concerning the future fates of the consultants.
Several may play at the game, it requiring no special number, only
leaving out nine cards on the table not exposed to view; each person
puts a trifling sum in the pool, and the dealer double. The ace of
diamonds is made principal, and takes all the other aces, etc.; twos
and threes in hand are said to show luck; fours, a continuance in the
present state; fives, trouble; sixes, profit; sevens, worries; eights,
disappointment; nines, surprises; tens, settlements; jacks,
sweethearts; kings and queens, friends and acquaintances; ace of
spades, death; ace of clubs, a letter; and the ace of diamonds with
ten of hearts, marriage.
The ace of diamonds being played first, or should it be amongst the
nine, the dealer calls for the queen of hearts, which takes next. If
the ace be not out and the queen conquers, it is supposed that the
person who played her will be married that year without a doubt,
though it may perhaps seem unlikely at that time; but if she loses her
queen, she must wait longer. The ace and queen being called, the rest
go in rotation as at whist; kings taking queens, queens jacks, and so
on, and the more tricks taken, the more money the winner gets off the
board on the division; those who hold the nine of spades are to pay a
penny to the board, and it is said they will have some trouble; but
the fortunate fair one who holds the queen and jack of hearts in the
same hand is supposed soon to be married, or if she is already within
the pale of matrimony, a great rise in life by means of her husband;
those who hold the ace of diamonds and queen of hearts clear the money
off the board and end that game; it also professes to betoken great
prosperity.