Ecarte is a card game for two players, first played in Paris in the 19th century. A deck of 32 cards is used, all the cards below 7 being removed. The ace ranks between the 10 and the jack. Spectators are allowed to bet on the game.
In the English mode of playing the game the players cut for the deal, which is decided by the lowest card. The dealer gives five cards to either player, three and two at a time, and turns up the eleventh card for trump. If he turns up a king he scores one, and if a king occurs in the hand of either player he may score one by announcing it before the first trick. The cards rank as follows: king (highest), queen, knave, ace, ten, etc. The non-dealer leads; trumps take all other suits, but the players must follow suit if they can. Three tricks count one point, five tricks two points; five points make game. Before play begins the non-dealer may claim to discard (ecarter) any of the cards in his hand, and have them replaced with fresh ones from the pack. This claim the dealer may or may not allow. Should he allow he can discard as many as he pleases. Sometimes only one discard is allowed, sometimes more. Research Ecarte
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Abbreviations
Research Ecarte
