Catlin's historic origin of the playing cards : $b Their original design and subsequent use — John Shaqi
Catlin's historic origin of the playing cards : $b Their original design and subsequent useCatlin, H. D. (Homer D.)
History
Catlin's historic origin of the playing cards : $b Their original design and subsequent use
Catlin, H. D. (Homer D.)
Guest (Game); Playing cards -- History
The game of "Whist" is too lengthy, too fatiguing and too exhausting.
The game of "Euchre" is too short, repeats itself too often, and soon
becomes too monotonous and uninteresting. Catlin's game of "Guest"
continues with unabated interest, does not fatigue and never exhausts.
It is based on an exact even divide between the two games of "Whist" and
"Euchre" in every particular. In the original game of "Whist" the full
pack of fifty-two cards are used, and in the original game of "Euchre"
thirty-two cards are used, just twenty cards less than in "Whist," and
with the same number of twenty cards held in the four "Euchre" hands. In
the present game of "Guest" thirty-six cards are held in the four
hands—sixteen less than in "Whist" and sixteen more than in "Euchre."
Twenty-one points constitute the original "Whist" game, thirteen points
constitute the present "Guest" game, and five points constitute the
original "Euchre" game—a difference of eight points in each of the three
games. Thirteen cards are held in each of the four hands in "Whist,"
nine cards are held in each of the four hands in "Guest," and five cards
are held in each of the four hands in "Euchre"—a difference of four
cards in each of the three games.
Four is one-half of eight.
Eight is one-half of sixteen.
Sixteen is one-half of thirty-two.
In recognition of the two numbers 20, and in remembrance of the twelve
idle cards on the table out of use, unknown and embarrassing to the
players of "Euchre," the fifty-two card pack, from which the game of
"Whist" derived its origin, may be accounted for with special favor on
the side of Catlin's new, ingenious and scientific game of "Guest." It
is a very genteel game, a very simple game, a very practical game;
strictly mathematical, educating mental culture as an accomplishment.
The law of the game of "Guest" is fixed, arbitrary, abiding and
unchangeable; otherwise it could not be the superior, scientific and
mathematical game designed by the author, and must of necessity be at
the mercy of many devices of many players, and soon would cease to be
the only law-abiding game known to the historic origin of the playing
cards, and sustained by the law of the game which prompted the basis of
its origin. The law is fully defined by the following sections:
_First_—The name "Guest" is fixed, arbitrary and unchangeable,
signifying its origin, as expressed in the published game.
_Second_—The peculiar selection of the thirty-six cards—from ace to six
spot, inclusive—as expressed.
_Third_—The introduction of the "Joker" as the required odd card and
commanding trump, as expressed.
_Fourth_—The thirteen points required to make and constitute the full
game, as expressed.
_Fifth_—The method of count, by subtracting the less number of tricks
from the greater number, giving credit, balance only, to the side of the
greater number, as expressed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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