The Greek, whilst shuffling the cards with apparent indifference, has quietly introduced underneath the pack a sixième-major, or sequence of six cards from the king (the highest card at écarté) downwards.
This done, nothing is easier than for him to arrange the cards, so that they will fall to him in the deal.
To effect this, while pretending to shuffle, he puts alternately on the pack—
- 1. Four cards from beneath (good).
- 2. Three cards from the middle (bad).
- 3. Two cards from beneath (good).
- 4. Two cards from the middle (bad).
This performance ended, he makes a false cut, as described in the first chapter, and deals.
Contrary to his principles, he will turn up the king, and hold in his own hand a sequence from the queen of trumps downwards.
PART V.
A JEU DE RÈGLE.[M]
From the preceding tricks, it will be seen that it is necessary for the Greek, before he begins playing, to put a certain number of cards into the pack, both at the top and underneath, all of which he arranges in readiness to be dealt to him.
This he does whilst pretending to shuffle them, and almost always in the midst of an animated conversation about the hand which has just been played. All this he performs so naturally that it is never observed.
A sharper, who understands his business, never amuses himself with essaying "tours de force," but is content with a few good cards, of which he knows how to make the best use.