Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...But mark the difference of a single hole, and never again say, "Oh! its only one hole!" The pegs being even, at sixty holes each, is 2 to 1, or even more, in favor of the dealer. In every stage of the game, until you come within the last twenty holes, if the non-dealer ia three points ahead, it ia even betting; but when you gat nearer towards the close, a point cr two makes a material difference. For example, suppose the dealer wants twenty holes of game, and the non-dealer, seventeen, --in thi3 case the dealer ha3 nearly 5 to 4 the worst of it; for tho non-dealer being so nearly at home for lib next deal, may break hi3 hand, in order to throw a powerful baulk into his adversary's crib; or may play his cards so as to prevent his opponent's scoring in play. The game becomes again equal, when the dealer wants fourteen, and the non-dealer nine points; and also when tho dealer requires eleven, and tho non-dealer but seven of the game. But when the dealer wants only three points of game, and his adversary, who of course has tho first show, wants four, the dealer has 5 to 4 the best of it, onaccount of the many chances he has of playing out; in addition to the more remote contingency of his adversary's not holding four points. Here, the dealer will observe, that it is his play not to hold a single point in hand, should he in so doing, detract from his best chance, which is to keep three small card3 for play, to have the greater probability of securing at least the end hole. It is in cases of delicacy like this, which frequently turn on the winning or losing of a single hole, that play tells most, and the importance of that single hole is made the more fully manifest. In all parts of the game, until within about fifteen holes of out, if...
