12, where observe, that 12 is out to 9, 7, and 5, and 11 is out
to 9, 8, 6, and 5.

The better to illustrate the game we shall give an example. Let
7 be the main named. The caster throws 5, and that is his
chance; and so he has 5 to 7. If the caster throws his own
chance he wins all the money set to him by the setter; but if he
throws 7, which is the main, he must pay as much money as is on
the table.

If, again, 7 be the main, and the caster throws 11, that is a
nick, and sweeps away all the money on the table; but if he
throws a chance he must wait which will come first.

The worst chances in the game are 4 to 10, and 7 is considered
the best and easiest main to be thrown. It might be thought that
6 and 8 should admit of no difference in advantage to 7, but it
is just the reverse, although 6, 7, and 8 have eight equal
chances.

For 6, or sice, we have quatre-duce, cinque-ace, and two treys;
for 8, we have sice-duce, cinque-trey, and two quatres; but the
disadvantage is in the doublets required-- two treys, two
quatres; therefore sice-duce is easier thrown than two quatres,
and so, consequently, cinque-ace or quatre-duce sooner than two
treys.

'I saw an old rook (gambler),' says the writer before quoted,
'take up a young fellow in a tavern upon this very bet. The
bargain was made that the rook should have seven always, and the