Produced by Imran Ghory
[Transcribers note: This transcription was made from a copy of the workheld in the British Library as Jessel #1249. Original spelling andpunctuation has been preserved where possible.]
The Royal Game of the Ombre.
Written At the Request of divers Honourable Persons.
London
Printed for Thomas Palmer, at the Crown in Westminster-Hall, 1665.
The Royal Game of the Ombre.
L'Ombre is a Spanish Game at Cards, as much as to say, The Man: so he whoundertakes to play the Game, sayes Jo so l'Ombre, or, I am the Man. And'tis a common saying with the Spaniards, (alluding to the name) that theSpanish l'Ombre as far surpasses the French le Beste, as a Man do's aBeast, There are divers sorts of it, of which, this (which we shall onlytreat of, and which chiefly is in vogue) is called the Renegado, forreasons better supprest then known.
How many can play at it, and with what Cards they are to play.
There can only three play at it, and they are dealt nine Cards a piece: soby discarding the Eights, Nines, and Tens out of the Pack, there remainsthirteen Cards in the Stock.
Of the Trump
There is no turning up Trump, nor no Trump but what the Player pleases,the first hand having alwayes the choice to play or pass, after him thesecond, &c.
Of the Stakes
For Stakes there are two sorts of Marks or Counters, the greater and theless; for example if you value the great ones at 12. pence, the lesser maybe pence the piece (and so according as you please) of which great Marksyou stake each one one for the Game: and the lesser for passing, for thehand, if you be eldest, and for taking in, giving for each Card you takein, one Mark or Counter.
Of the names of the Cards, and order in ranking them
Of the Black Suits
1. The Spadillio, or Ace of Spades.2. The Mallilio, or black Deuces of either suit.3. The Basto, or Ace of Clubs.4. The King.5. Queen.6. Knave.7. Seven.8. Six.9. Five.10. Four.11. And Three.
Of the Red Suits
1. The Spadillio, or Ace of Spades.2. The Mallilio, or Sevens of either Suit.3. The Basto, or Ace of Clubs.4. The Punto, or Ace of Hearts or Diamonds according as they are Trump.5. The King.6. The Queen.7. The Knave.8. The Deuce.9. The Three.10. The Four.11. The Five.12. The Six.
Observations.
By this you see first that the Spadillio, or Ace of Spades is always thefirst Card, and alwayes Trump, be the Trump what suit soever; and theBasto, or Ace of Clubs alwayes the third. Secondly, the of Black, thereare but eleven Trumps, and of Red twelve. Thirdly, that the Red Ace entersinto the fourth place when it is Trump, and then is called the Punto,otherwise 'tis only rank'd after the Knave, and is only call'd theAce. Fourthly, that (excepting the Deuces of Black, and Sevens of Red,which are call'd the Mallilio's, and are alwayes the second Cards whenthey are Trumps) the least small Cards of the Red are alwayes best, andthe greatest of the Black.
Of the Matadors.
The Matadors or killing Cards, as the Spadillio, Mallilio, and Basto, arethe three chief Cards, and for these, when they are all in a hand (elsenot) the others pay three of the greater Marks or Counters the piece; andthough there be no counting the Matadors without these three, yet thesethree for foundation, you may count as many as you have Cards in a