BOUILLOTTE  , a

French game of cards, very popular during the Revolution, and again for some years from 1830 . Five, four or three persons may play; a piquet pack is used, from which, in case five play, the sevens, when four the knaves, and when three the queens also, are omitted . Counters or chips, as in poker, are used . Before the deal each player " antes " one counter, after which each, the " age " passing, may " raise " the pot; those not " seeing the raise " being obliged to drop out . Three cards are dealt to each player, and a thirteenth, called the retourne, when four play, turned up . Each player must then bet, call, raise or drop out . When a call is made the hands are shown and the best hand wins . The hands rank as follows: brelan carre, four of a kind, one being the retourne; simple brelan, three of a kind, ace being high; brelan favori, three of a kind, one being the retourne . When no player holds a brelan the hand holding the greatest number of pips wins, ace counting 11, and court cards io .