The compleat gamester, or, Instructions how to play at billiards, trucks, bowls, and chess together with all manner of usual and most gentile games either on cards or dice : to which is added the arts and mysteries of riding, racing, archery, and cock-fighting.

CHAP. XXIII.

POST and PAIR.

POst and Pair is a Game on the Cards very much play'd in the West of England, as All-Fours is play'd in Kent, and Fives in Ireland.

This Play depends much upon da∣ring; so that some may win very con∣siderably, who have the boldness to ad∣venture much upon the Vye, although their Cards are very indifferent.

You must first stake at Post then at Pair; after this deal two Cards apiece, then stake at the Seat, and then deal the third Card about. The eldest hand may pass and come in again, if any of the Gamesters vye it; if not, the Dealer may play it out, or double it.

The Ace of Trumps, as at Ruff and Honours, is the best Card of all, and so of the rest in order. At Post the best Cards are one and twenty, viz. two Tens and an Ace, but a Pair-royal wins all, both Post, Pair, and Seat. Here

note, that he who hath the best Pair or the best Post is the winner. A Pair is a pair of any two, as two Kings, two Queens, &c. A Pair-Royal is of three, as three Kings, three Queens, &c. The Vye is what you please to adventure upon the goodness of your own hand; or if it be bad, and you imagine your Adversaries is so likewise, then bid high couragiously, by which means you daunt your Antagonist, and so bring him to submission. If all the Gamesters keep in till all have done, and by con∣sent shew their Cards, the best Cards carry the Game. Now according to a∣greement those that keep in till last, may divide the stakes, or shew the best Card for it.

Observe, where the Cards fall in se∣veral hands of the same sort, as a Pair or Pair-Royal, and so forth, the eldest hand carries it.