Are both of the same genus with the foregoing ones. All from the eight to the king are cut convex, and all from the deuce to the seven, concave. Thus, by cutting the pack in the centre, a convex card is cut; and by taking hold of the cards, in cutting them, at either end of the pack, a concave card is secured.
Fig. 165.
Sometimes these cards are cut the reverse way to the foregoing one, so that if suspicion arises, a pack of this description is substituted for the others. But here the sharper has not so great a pull in his favour, because the intended victim may cut in the usual way, and so cut a low card to the dealer. But the possibility, or rather certainty, of his being able, by any means to cut or deal a high or low card at pleasure, is an advantage against which no skill in the game can avail.
HANDLING THE CARDS.
So called from the cards being secured in the palm of the hand. The person who practises this art at cribbage generally takes care to get two fives, with any other two cards, placing one of the two ordinary cards at the top, next to it one five, then the other ordinary card, and under it the other five. These four cards, so placed, he secures in the palm of his hand, while he desires his adversary to shuffle the cards, and being very generous, also tells his opponent to cut them; when this is done, he puts his hand which contains the four cards upon that part of the pack which is to be uppermost, and then leaves the cards on the same; consequently, when he deals, the two fives will fall to his own hand of cards. By these means when a person who can handle, deals, he is pretty sure of two or more fives.
“GARRETTING.”
Is so called from the practice of securing the cards either under your hat or behind your head.
The method of doing this is to select out three or four extraordinary good cards, while your adversary is marking his hand of crib. This being done, and the cards properly dealt, you take up your own cards, which you take care to examine pretty quickly, and after laying out any two you think proper for crib, you immediately, with one hand, put your other remaining card on the pack, and with your other hand take down the cards which have been secured; then in lieu of very bad cards, which you might possibly have had, you have the best which can be got.