Piquet is played with the 32-card pack, i.e. the standard pack from which the 6s, 5s, 4s, 3s and 2s are removed. Cards rank from Ace (high) to 7 (low).

Players cut for deal, and the higher has the right of first deal; he would be advised to take it because there is some advantage to be gained from it.

Twelve cards are dealt to each player in either twos or threes, and the remaining eight cards (talon) are placed face downwards on the table between the players. The non-dealer may now exchange any five of his cards with the five top cards of the talon.

He need not exchange many as five cards, but he must exchange at least one, and, if he has not exchanged five cards, he may look at those that he was entitled to draw. The dealer may exchange cards up to the number that remain in the talon. He, too, must exchange at least one card.

If he does not exchange all the cards, he may look at those that he was entitled to, but he must show them to his opponent if he does. The players place their discards face downwards on the table in front of them.

The discards of the players should not be mixed together as, during the play of the standard poker hands, the players are entitled to look at their own discards, but not their opponent’s.

The score is made up in three ways: the count of the hand; the count during the play of the cards; the extraordinary scores.

The hand is counted in the following way:
The point, which is the number of cards held in the longest suit. The player who holds the longest suit wins the point, and scores one point for each card that he holds in it.

If the number of cards in the suits held by the players is the same, the player with the highest count (Aces 11, Kings, Queens and Jacks 10 each, and other cards at their pip values)wins the point. If the count is equal neither player scores.

Sequences, which must not be of less than three cards of the same suit, are won by the player who holds the most cards in one sequence. As between sequences of equal length, the highest wins.

For a sequence of three (tierce) three points are scored; for a sequence of four (quart ) four points are scored. For a sequence of five (quaint) 15 points are scored; for a sequence of six (sixeme) 16 points; and for a sequence of eight (huitième) 18 points.

Quatorzes and trios are any four or three cards of the same rank higher than the 9. The player who holds the superior Quatorze or trio wins. Thus, a player who hold a trio of Aces will win even though his opponent may hold trios of Kings and Queens.

In the same way, a player who holds trios of Aces, Kings, Queens and Jacks will score nothing if his opponent holds a Quatorze of 10s. Quatrorzes are scored at 14 points each; trios at three points each.

The count of the hand must be declared in the order: point, sequence, Quatorze and trio, and, on demand, a player must show any combinations of texas cards for which he has scored.

In practice, however, this is rarely necessary, because the opponent is usually able to infer from his own cards what cards are held against him by his opponent.

When counting the hand a player is not compelled to declare all that he holds. It is in order, and sometimes the very best play, to mislead one’s opponent by declaring less than one holds in order to conceal one’s strength.

The practice is known as sinking. The player who holds a Quatorze of Aces may declare only a trio. The opponent may inquire which Ace is not being reckoned, and the player may name any Ace he chooses, because the explicit reply: ‘I do not count the Ace of Club’s is not a guarantee that the poker player does not hold this card.

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Games for Five or More Players