Speculation (card game)
Encyclopedia
Speculation is a simple gambling
card game
that was popular in the late 18th century and early 19th century.
The dealer gives each player three cards, face down. One additional card is placed face up. This card determines the trump suit, and the card belongs to the dealer.
A card can only be 'sold' for another card or, in some variations of the game, for multiple cards.
The holder of the current high trump does not take a turn revealing his cards unless all other cards have been revealed.
If no trump is revealed in the round, the pot carries over to the next round.
by Jane Austen
and Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
; more recently, in The Emancipator's Wife by Barbara Hambly
.
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
card game
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
that was popular in the late 18th century and early 19th century.
Object
To hold the highest trump card when all cards in play have been revealed.Set-up
The dealer antes six. The other players each ante four.The dealer gives each player three cards, face down. One additional card is placed face up. This card determines the trump suit, and the card belongs to the dealer.
Play
If the trump determining card was an Ace, the dealer wins immediately. Otherwise, the dealer may choose to keep it or to sell it to another player. Play passes to the left. If the card was purchased, it passes to the left of the purchaser. Each player in his turn reveals a card. If the card is the highest current trump, he may keep the card or attempt to sell it.A card can only be 'sold' for another card or, in some variations of the game, for multiple cards.
The holder of the current high trump does not take a turn revealing his cards unless all other cards have been revealed.
If no trump is revealed in the round, the pot carries over to the next round.
Variant rules
- Anyone at any time may offer to buy any number of face down cards from another player. Cards purchased in this fashion are placed face down at the bottom of the purchaser's stack.
- Anyone who reveals a Jack or a Five adds a chip to the pot.
- An extra hand is dealt. If, at the end of the round, the extra hand is shown to hold the high trump card, the pot carries over to the next round.
In literature
The game is mentioned in Mansfield ParkMansfield Park
Mansfield Park may mean:* Mansfield Park by Jane Austen* Mansfield Park , based on the novel, directed by Patricia Rozema, starring Frances O'Connor, Embeth Davidtz, and Sheila Gish in 1999...
by Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
and Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
; more recently, in The Emancipator's Wife by Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly is an award-winning and prolific American novelist and screenwriter within the genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction...
.