CRIBBAGE, a game at cards, wherein no cards are to be thrown out, and the set to make sixty-one : and as it is an ad vantage to deal, by reason of the crib, itis proper to lift for it, and he that has the least card deals.
There are only two players at this game, wherein the cards are dealt out one by one, the first to the dealer's anta gonist, and the next to himself; and se on, till each have five : the rest being set down in view on the table.
This done, the dealer lays down the two best cards he can for his crib ; and his antagonist lays down the other two, the very worst in his hand, by reason the crib is the property of the dealer. They next turn up a card from the parcel left after dealing, and then count their game thus : any fifteen upon the cards is two ; as king and five, ten and five, nine and six, eight and seven, &c. A pair is also two ; a pair royal, or three aces, kings, &c, six ; a double pair royal, or four aces, &c. twelve. Sequences of three cards, , as four, five, and six, is three ; sequeftces A of four, four ; five, five, &c. and the same holds of a flush. Knave noddy, or of the suit turned up, is one in hand, and two to the dealer. If, after the cards for the ^ crib are laid out, you have in your hand a nine and two sixes, that makes six ; be cause there is two fifteens, and a pair : 4 and if a six chance to be turned up, then you have twelve in your hand, viz. the
pair royal, and three fifteens. These are to be marked with pegs, counters, or otherwise. If you happen to have se quences, as of four, five, and six, in your hand, and six be the turned up card, they are counted thus : first, the sequen ces in your hand make three ; and the se quences of the four and five in your hand, added to the six turned up, make other three : there is likewise two fifteens, counting first with the six in your hand, and then with that turned up.
This done, the antagonist to the dealer plays first, suppose a six ; and if the deal er can make it fifteen, by playing nine, he gains two ; and he that reaches thirty one exactly gains two, or comes nearest under it gains one. Here too, in playing of the cards, you may make pairs, pairs royal, flushes, &c. which are all counted as above.
As to the crib, it is the dealer's, who may make as many as he can out of them, together with the card turned up ; count ing as above : if he can make none, he is said to be bilked.
Thus they play and deal, by turns, till the game of sixty-one is up ; and if either of the gamesters reach this before the other is forty-five, this last is said to be lurched, and the other gains a double gaine.