Cassino, s. A game at cards.
Cassino is generally played by four persons, but occasionally by three or two; the points consist of eleven, and the lurch is six.
The points are thus calculated:—
| That party which obtains the great cassino, or ten of diamonds, reckons | 2 points. |
| Ditto little cassino (the deuce of spades) | 1 |
| The four aces one point each | 4 |
| The majority in spades | 1 |
| The majority in cards | 3 |
| A sweep before the end of the game, when any player can match all on the board, reckons | 1 |
In some deals at this game, it may so happen that neither party wins any thing, as the points are not set up according to the tricks, &c., obtained, but the smaller number is constantly subtracted from the larger, both in cards and points, and if they both prove equal, the game commences again, and the deal goes on in rotation; when three persons play at this game, the two lowest add their points together and subtract from the highest; but when their two numbers together amount to or exceed the highest, then neither party scores.
LAWS.
The deal and partners are determined by cutting, as at whist. The dealer gives four cards, by one at a time, to every player, and either regularly, as he deals, or by one, two, three, or four at a time, lays four, face upwards, on the board, and after the first cards are played, four others are to be dealt to each person till the pack is out; but it is only in the first deal that any cards are to be turned up.
The deal is not lost when a card is faced by the dealer, unless in the first round, before any of the four cards are turned up on the table: but should a card be faced in the pack before any of the said four are turned up, then the deal must be begun again.
Any person playing with less than four cards must abide by the loss, and should a card be found under the table, the player whose number is deficient is to take the same.
Each person plays one card at a time, with which he may not only take, at once, every card of the same denomination on the table, but likewise all that will combine therewith; as, for instance, a ten takes not only every ten, but also nine and ace, eight and deuce, seven and three, six and four, or two fives; and if he clear the board before the conclusion of the game, he scores a point. When a player cannot pair or combine, he is to put down a card.