SPIN.
¯¯¯
Spin may be regarded somewhat as a variation or offshoot of Pope Joan, which game it very much resembles. The dealer will therefore do well to refer to the description given of that game, on pages 81 to 87, for further and more extended details.
At Spin the two of hearts is taken out of the pack, in addition to the eight of diamonds, but in distributing the cards no spare hand is dealt, so that there are always six regular stops in the game. In addition, the ace of diamonds, which is called Spin, may also be used as a stop, if the player chooses to make it one, and he has the necessary card with which to follow, as explained later on.
There are only three pool chances to play for in this game: Matrimony (king and queen of diamonds), Intrigue (queen and knave of diamonds), and Game, or first out. In addition to these three chances, the holder of Spin receives a stake (usually three counters) from the other competitors, provided the card is played out in the ordinary course of the game; while each king entitles its holder to one counter from every competitor when they are played out. In both these cases the amounts must be collected before another card is played, or they are forfeited.
The pool is made by each player, except the dealer, paying in a stake for Game, while the dealer has to contribute a double stake to make a pool for Matrimony, and a single stake for Intrigue. He is sometimes called upon to con[88]tribute to Game also, but that is putting a tax upon him disproportionate to what is required from the other players.
The two of hearts and eight of diamonds having been taken out, the cards are shuffled and then dealt out, as near equally as possible, among the players. No turn-up card is needed, as there are no trumps in this game. The player on the dealer’s left has the lead, and he proceeds in the manner described for Pope Joan (see page 84).
The holder of Matrimony or Intrigue can declare them at any time after he plays a stop, and he then takes the stake for those chances in the pool. He need not play the cards, but simply shows them, and may then follow on, as he has a right to do after a stop, with any card he chooses.