ECARTE

card game in the Euchre family, usually played for a stake with nonplayers making side bets. The game was highly popular in France and England in the 19th century but thereafter declined. The play is by two hands, though more players frequently participate by betting with or against either player. A pack of 32 cards is used, the cards of each suit ranking K (high), Q, J, A, 10, 9, 8, 7. Each player receives five cards, and the 11th card is turned for trump. Either player may stand, whereupon the original hands are played out. If neither player stands, each discards his unwanted cards and receives enough new cards to restore his hand to five. Again each player has the opportunity to standand so on, until one decides to play. If neither player stands and the pack is exhausted, the hand must be played. The card turned for trump is never changed during the deal. Either player holding the king of trumps may score one point by showing it before the opening lead. Play is largely mechanical, since the second player must win each trick if he can by playing a higher trump or higher card of the suit led. The object is to win three or four tricks, scoring one point, or all five tricks (vole), scoring two points. If the original hands are played and the one who stood fails to take at least three tricks, his opponent scores two points. Game is five points.