écarté

écarté, card game usually played for a stake with nonplayers making side bets. The game was highly popular in France and England in the 19th century but declined thereafter.

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. The deal alternates, the dealer being designated younger hand and the opponent elder hand. Each player receives five cards, dealt three-two or two-three at a time, and the 11th card is exposed to establish the trump suit. Elder may “propose” that both seek to improve their hands by making discards and drawing replacements from stock. Younger may accept or refuse the proposal. If both agree, elder discards and draws replacements, followed by younger. Further proposals may be made until elder leads instead of proposing or younger refuses a proposal or no cards remain in stock. The card turned for trump is never changed during the deal.

Either player holding the king of trump may score one point by showing it before the opening lead. Elder leads first, and the winner of each trick leads to the next. Play is largely mechanical, since the second player to each trick must follow suit if possible and win the trick if possible. A player unable to follow suit must play a trump if possible. The trick is taken by the higher card of the suit led or by the higher trump if any are played.

One point is scored for winning three or four tricks and two points for winning all five tricks (“the vole”). If the hands are played as dealt and the player who refused to exchange fails to win at least three tricks, the opponent scores two points. Game is five points.