Piquet
“The French consider the invention of Piquet as a national point of honour,” said English author William Andrew Chatto (1799-1864).[1]
A two-player game that uses a shortened deck of 32 cards[2] and requires a great deal of strategy, Piquet has largely retained its popularity throughout Europe since its creation around the turn of the 16th century.[3]
The game is complex and, in many ways, mirrors the life of France’s King Charles VII (1403-1461) — the man for whom Piquet was created.[4] Struggling to maintain control over his kingdom, Charles fled Orléans. However, the king was able to overcome his opposition as a result of skill and good fortune — two of the most prominent features in Piquet.
Each player is dealt 12 cards, and the 8 remaining[5] are put face-down. After reviewing their cards, both players discard and draw replacements from the stock to better their hands. The Elder Hand goes first and can discard between 1 and 5 cards, while the Younger Hand can only discard between 1 and 3 cards.[6] After this is done, the trick-taking game begins. Piquet is played to 100 points and favors the more experienced, Elder Hand.[7]
While evidence neither confirms nor denies that gaming counters were used during play, given the scoring structure, it is certainly possible.
[1] William Andrew Chatto, Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards(London, 1848) p. 210.
[2] These 32 cards consist of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, and 7 of each suit.
[3] This time period can be identified because the valuation of cards at Ace 11, courts 10, and numerals at face value—which Piquet does — is not recorded before 1500.
[4] The Game of Piquet, New York Times (October 8, 1871).
[5] Called the stock or talon
[6] The Elder Hand is that of the dealer’s opponent, and the Younger Hand is the dealer’s hand.
[7] Instructions from Edmond Hoyle, Hoyle's Improved Edition of the Rules for Playing Fashionable Games: Containing Copious Directions for Whist, Quadrille, Piquet. Together with an Analysis of the Game of Chess and an Engraved Plate for the Instruction of Beginners (United States, 1838), p. 84, Web. February 11, 2016.