It is better to play cards from the talon rather than from the wings.

Vacancies in the wings must be _immediately_ refilled from the pack or talon.

In forming the foundations, the uppermost card of either of the king packets may be transferred, if suitable, to the ace packet; but this privilege is limited to _one_ card of each at a time, and may only be resorted to when the playing of that card would bring into immediate use any other available card of the wings or of the talon.

There is no re-deal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE SHAH.]

THE SHAH

Two Entire Packs of Cards

RULES

I. During the deal cards in each circle of the star are available until another circle blocks them. After the deal is completed only cards in the third (or outer) circle are available until, as usual, their removal releases the inner circles.

II. Marriages are limited to cards in the third circle; cards in the inner circles, even when released, can only be played, but not married.

III. The foundations must follow suit.

PLAY

Take from the pack the eight aces and the eight kings. Throw aside seven of the kings and place the remaining one in the centre, with the eight aces surrounding it in a circle.

The king is called The Shah, and remains alone. The aces are the foundation cards, and are to ascend in sequence to queens.

Next deal out a circle of eight cards, beginning at the top and continuing from left to right. If any of these are suitable, play them, filling the s.p.a.ces at once from the cards in your hand. Then deal out a second circle, blocking the first one (Rule I), and treat it in the same manner, then a third circle, which completes the rays of the star.

_Note._--In the pattern tableau the third circle is omitted for want of s.p.a.ce.

You should now examine the star, to see if there are any available cards which it would be advantageous to marry, or to play (Rules I and II), but you are not obliged to do either until a favorable opportunity occurs. Marriages can only be made in descending line.

_Note._--It is often better to wait until, in dealing, a card turns up likely to be soon required, and then, by playing or marrying, you make a vacant s.p.a.ce in which to place it.

When you have played or married all the cards you wish, the s.p.a.ces so made must be refilled from the talon or pack, beginning with the inner circles, and proceeding from left to right as before.

The remaining cards are dealt out in the usual way, those not required for the foundations, or for marrying, or for refilling s.p.a.ces forming the talon.

When a lane, _i.e._, one entire ray of the star, is opened out, the place of the _inner_ card may be filled by _one card_ from the third circle. This is sometimes of great use, and is a kind of "grace," as this patience seldom succeeds. The other two s.p.a.ces are refilled from the talon, and this must be done at once, as each ray must always be complete.

There is no re-deal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BLOCKADE.]

THE BLOCKADE

Two Entire Packs of Cards

RULES

I. All cards in the first row are available, but as each row is placed it blocks the preceding one.

The removal of any card in the lower rows releases the one immediately above it, the principle being that all cards are available that have _no others below them_.

II. The foundations must follow suit.

PLAY

Deal out twelve cards in a horizontal line. Aces may be played as they appear, but no other card can be played until the row is complete. The eight aces are the foundation cards, and are to ascend in sequence to kings.

When the first line is placed, play any suitable cards, and then marry in descending line, but be careful to place the cards exactly over each other, to avoid confusion. The vacancies thus caused must be immediately refilled from the pack, then again play and marry. When neither can be done, deal out another row underneath the first, and, when it is complete, play, marry, and refill s.p.a.ces as before.

You continue to deal out successive rows until the pack is exhausted, always pausing between each row to play, marry, and refill s.p.a.ces.

In the course of the game vacancies will often be made in the higher rows. These must always be refilled first.

There is no re-deal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CLOCK.]

THE CLOCK

Two Entire Packs of Cards

RULES