ECARTE, rkar-ti', from the French, mean ing discard, a game at cards for two persons. The game is played with a piquet pack, that is 32 cards, the small cards, from 2 to 6, being ex cluded. For convenience of dealing, two packs are generally used. The players cut for the deal; the lowest card (in France the highest) deals. The dealer gives 5 cards to each player, 3 and 2 at a time, and turns up the 11th card as trump (French, atout). If the turn-up is a king the dealer scores 1, and if a king turns up in the hand of either player the holder may score 1, but in each case this must be announced before the first trick by saying, "I mark king." The king is the highest card, the queen next, then knave, ace, 10, etc. Trump takes all other suits. The non-dealer leads, if satisfied with his hand. If not, he proposes, i.e., he states that he wishes to exchange some of his cards for new ones in the stack. The dealer may or may not accept the proposal. If he does, each one discards as many cards as he chooses and takes fresh ones, the non-dealer receiving them first. This may continue until the non-dealer
is satisfied. After the non-dealer had led the other player must follow suit, and take the trick if he can; if he cannot follow suit, he must play trump, if he holds one. The winner of the trick leads again till the 5 tricks are exhausted. Three tricks count 1 point, 5 tricks 2 points. Five points make a game. The player, ac cording to the French game, must announce the suit he plays, and if he plays differently, can be compelled to play as he announces, or if he cannot, as his adversary pleases. If the non dealer fails to score 3 tricks, the dealer scores 2. The rules of the game are varied in different countries. Pool ecarte is played by more than two players; the extra player serving in the capacity of adviser and replacing the loser in turn, until one player wins two or three success ive games. The loser must always leave the game, unless he has guaranteed to take all bets, which is called playing "la chouette.*