fORMATION OF TABLE
If there are more than four candidates, the players are selected by
cutting, those first in the room having the preference. The four
who cut the lowest cards play first, and again cut to decide on
partners; the two lowest play against the two highest; the lowest is
the dealer, who has choice of cards and seats, and, having once
made his selection, must abide by it.
When there are more than six candidates, those who cut the two
next lowest cards belong to the table, which is complete with six
players; on the retirement of one of those six players, the candidate
who cut the next lowest card has a prior right to any after corner to
enter the table.
Two players cutting cards of equal value, unless such cards are the
two highest, cut again; should they be the two lowest, a fresh cut is
necessary to decide which of those two deals.
Three players cutting cards of equal value cut again; should the
fourth (or remaining) card be the highest, the two lowest of the
new cut are partners, the lower of those two the dealer; should the
fourth card be the lowest, the two highest are partners, the original
lowest the dealer.
CUTTING OUT
At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed by any one, or
by two candidates, he who has, or they who have, played a greater
number of consecutive rubbers than the others is, or are, out; but
when all have played the same number, they must cut to decide
upon the out-goers; the highest are out.
ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY
A candidate, whether he has played or not, can join a table which
is not complete by declaring in at any time prior to any of the
players having cut a card, either for the purpose of commencing a
fresh rubber or of cutting out.
In the formation of fresh tables, those candidates who have neither
belonged to nor played at any other table have the prior right of
entry; the others decide their right of admission by cutting.
Any one quitting a table prior to the conclusion of a rubber, may,
with consent of the other three players, appoint a substitute in his
absence during that rubber.
A player joining one table, whilst belonging to another, loses his
right of re-entry into the latter, and takes his chance of cutting in,
as if he were a fresh candidate.
If any one break up a table, the remaining players have the prior
right to him of entry into any other; and should there not be
sufficient vacancies at such other table to admit all those
candidates, they settle their precedence by cutting.
DEALING
The pack must neither be shuffled below the table nor so that the
face of any card be seen.
The pack must not be shuffled during the play of the hand. A pack,
having been played with, must neither be shuffled by dealing it
into packets, nor across the table.
Each player has a right to shuffle once only (except as provided by
Law 33) prior to a deal, after a false cut, or when a new deal has
occurred.
The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal,
and has the first right to shuffle that pack.
Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards, properly
collected and face downwards, to the left of the player about to
deal.
The dealer has always the right to shuffle last; but should a card or
cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst giving the pack to cut,
he may be compelled to re-shuffle.
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