The deal is usually determined by fixing on a card, and dealing
round, face upwards, until such card appears. The dealer then
places in the pool an _Ante_, or certain agreed-upon sum, and
proceeds to deal to each person five cards. The player next to
the dealer, before looking at his cards, has the option of
staking a certain sum. This is called the `blind,' and makes him
the elder hand, or last player; and when his turn comes round he
can, by giving up his first stake, withdraw from the game, or, if
he pleases, by making good any sum staked by a previous player,
raise the stakes to any sum he pleases, provided, of course, that
no limit has been fixed before sitting down. The privilege of
raising or doubling on the _blind_ may be exercised by any one
round the table, provided he has not looked at his cards. If no
intervening player has met the original _blind_, that is, staked
double the sum, this must be done by all who wish to play, and,
of course, must be made good by the last player. Each person
then looks at his cards, and decides on his plan of action. It
should be understood that every one, except the _blind_, may
look at his cards in his turn before deciding if he will
meet the _blind_. Before speaking of the manner of drawing it
will be better to give the relative value of the hands, which
will much simplify the matter, and make it more easily
understood. Thus: four aces are the best cards that can be held;
four kings next, and so on, down to four twos; four cards of the
same value beating anything except four of a higher denomination.

The next best hand is called a _full_, and is made up thus:--
three aces and a pair of sixes; three nines and pair of twos; in
fact, any three cards of the same value and a pair constitute a
full hand, and can only be beaten by a full hand of a higher