In this trick, which is done in the presence of his adversary, and without any previous preparation, the Greek can win the game with a first hand, by a hundred and sixty-three points.[L]
In perusing the following details of the different manipulations, which serve as the basis of all sorts of cheating at games of cards, I hope my readers will take this warning, which is the real purpose of my work:—that it is dangerous to hazard large sums of money on chances which can be so easily turned against them.
PART I.
THE "COUP DE PIQUET."
How to Repique and Capot one's Adversary.
The trick I am about to describe, dates from the last century. It was the invention of a juggler named Comus, who performed it with his eyes bandaged.
From this interesting combination, have originated all the other coups de piquet, so often displayed by jugglers.
I shall here give a description of how it is done, as it will make what I have mentioned in the preceding chapter, more easy to understand.
In taking up the pack of cards, the juggler, with a pretended awkwardness, shuffles the cards in such a manner, that many of them are turned face to face. This enables him, under the pretext of turning them the right way about, to select and place at the bottom of the pack a sequence of eight cards in any suit, a king and three aces.
Once in possession of these twelve cards, he slightly bends the corners, which leaves a ridge that he can easily discern. (See [part vii.], [chapter ix.])
He then hands the cards to his adversary to shuffle.