SNIP-SNAP-SNORUM.
The point aimed at in this game by each player is to be the first to get rid of his cards, as the one who is first out is the winner, and can claim from all the other players the same number of counters as they have cards left in their hands.
We cannot recommend to young people fond of noise and excitement a game more likely to suit them; it is easily learnt, although at the same time the learner will soon perceive that a certain amount of thought and judgment must be exercised in order to play to the best advantage.
Any number may play, from six or seven upwards.
First of all, a whole pack of fifty-two cards is dealt out to the players, the first of whom, after the hands have been examined, begins by putting down any card he likes, at the same time calling out Snip.
Any one holding the next higher card of the same suit now places it upon the first card, and cries Snap; while the person possessing the higher card still calls out, as he plays it, Snorum.
The person holding the next card cries Hi-cockalorum; and should a higher card still be out, the possessor plays it, and cries Jig.
The last word signifies a stop; therefore no one afterwards can continue the sequence.
The ace counts as one (the lowest card); therefore kings are stops.
The player who first succeeds in getting out receives in some instances not only the separate contribution of each player, but also the contents of the pool, which has been formed by united donations from all the players.
When pools exist, by way of enlarging them it will be found advisable to institute fines, the excitement of the game being, of course, heightened by the winner of a sequence coming in for a good large reward.
As it is desirable that the player should keep the lead as long as possible in his own hand, he will find that in order to do so he must not play his cards at random, but must use discretion and forethought.
Cards that cannot be led to, such as aces, or cards immediately following those that have been played, should be brought out early; while kings and all stops should be withheld as valuable until there is the chance of disposing of two or three of them together.
The above is the most common method of playing this game, though another very amusing way is the following:—
Every one places before him five counters, which are considered as stock.
The aim of every one then is to play a card of equal value with that of the next player, which is called snipping. A third player, having a card of like value, snaps; and a fourth player, being equally fortunate, snorums.
By way of illustration, we will imagine the elder hand to have played a queen. The second player also plays a queen, in consequence of which the first player is snipped, and has to place a counter in the pool. The third player then also plays a queen, when his predecessor (the second player) is snapped, and must put two counters into the pool; then if the fourth player also has a queen, the third player is snorumed, and pays three counters.
As each player becomes bankrupt by having had to pay all his counters, he must go out of the game, the pool falling to the lot of the player whose stock holds out the longest.
Every one must snip or snap if he possibly can do so, though no one must play out of turn.
Sometimes the cards are dealt three or four times before the game is decided.