Boston description

Boston has been considered out-dated game by the end of the XIX century. This fact discouraged the fans of commercial highly intellectual card games. The name of the game suggests an authentic English prim and proper character. However, the history tells the opposite. Boston became known during the War of Independence between the USA and Britain. Whist was popular in British colonies till the end of the XVIII century. But those who fight for Independence often go to extremes looking for independence in everything. Political changes had their influence even on cards, so whist rules were modified.

New American card game was named after the city of Boston, where the War had started. Sure, England ignored the game. Nevertheless it was very popular in Russia for a long period of time. Russian players knew its peculiar variant that was called the boston of Tambov. According to biographers, having tired of gambling games A.S. Pushkin took a fancy to a strict boston.

Description

Four persons play boston, using the pack of 52 cards. The value of cards is usual, i.e. from ace to the two in all suits, except diamonds.

Jack of diamonds is considered the chief card in the pack. It`s also the fourteenth trump card. If diamonds are trumps, then the value of "boston" is given to the Jack of hearts. And the Jack of diamonds acquires its usual value.

The payment is effected by chips. There are 480 of them. Chips are distributes equally among players. Special boxes should be prepared for them. A flat plate in the middle of the table is the bank.

The game consists of eight simple rounds and two double rounds.

At the end of the game all players should to agree to split the bank. In case any player objects to the splitting, the game continues till the time when the one who objects has no share in the bank.

The places are distributed by lot and no one has a right to change the order till the end of the game.

Dealer in boston.

In order to nominate a dealer a players divides a pack into 4 parts and gives them to the rest of the players. The one who has the jack of diamonds becomes the first dealer.

The first dealer collects stakes from the players. Each player hands in 10 chips. Then the dealer makes a stake. He places his box to his right and is responsible for it.

The player to the dealer`s left cuts the cards. The dealer deals out cards one at a time. Consequently, each player gets 13 cards. The last card becomes a trump. The trump remains on the table till the first player makes a move.

Missed cards

Dealer`s mistake is punished by a repeated dealing. If a card was "noticed" because of the dealer, the next player becomes a dealer. Normally chips remain in the bank, but some strict players may insist that the guilty person to be deprived of his chare in the bank. Mistaken declaration involves no punishment. If the partner declared hearts and dealt diamonds, diamonds remain in the game.