Red and Black

This is a private banking game in which one person takes on the wagers of all other players. The banker also has a different role to other players in play. But, unlike in casino banking games, no one person is banker continuously. Instead, to equalise players' chances, the role of banker moves around, often after every hand.

a) Two standard packs of 52 cards;
b) Betting chips or cash.

Two or more.

Each player tries to forecast correctly whether he will hold more red or more black cards in his hand.

Dealer is by high cut.

Standard, with the two packs shuffled together to form a single pack.

Betting limits are agreed beforehand.

Each player bets on red or black. He bets any amount within the limits. a player bets on black by placing his bet in front of him to his left; he bets on red by placing it in front of him to his right. (alternatively, each player may be given two coloured tokens: one red and one black. He places one of these beside his bet.)

The banker deals five cards face up one at a time to the player at his left. He deals them directly in front of the player, so that it is clear whether the player's bet lies to the right or left.

If the first four cards consist of two red and two black cards, the player may double his bet before he receives his fifth card.

After the first player's bet is settled, the banker deals to the next player to his left. He continues dealing until all players except himself have received a hand.

A player wins from the banker, if he is dealt three or more cards of the colour bet on. If he has three of that colour, he wins the amount of his bet. If he has four, he wins double his bet. If he has five, he wins four times his bet.

A player loses to the banker, if he is dealt three or more cards of the colour not bet on. If he has three, he loses his bet. If he has four, he pays the banker twice his bet (his original bet plus a further payment equal to it). If he has five, he pays four times his bet (his original bet plus a further payment equal to three times his bet).

After the banker has dealt a hand to all the other players, the bank and deal pass one player to the left.

Variants

Ante Payment

Sometimes each player except the banker puts one chip into the pool before each hand.

Easy Go has an additional payment and claim. Players pay (and take) one additional chip for each card that, besides being of the same rank as the card played by the banker, is also of the same colour.

Red and Black has an additional payment and claim for any player with three or more cards of the same suit as the card played by the banker. Players pay (and take) 1 chip for the first card the banker turns up; 2 for the second; 3 for the third; 4 for the fourth; and 5 for the fifth, in addition to the regular payments.

Up and Down the River has a different payment and claim system. Each player pays (and takes) according to the rank of the matching cards, not according to whether it is the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth card turned up. Payment for an Ace is 1 chip; for a Jack, 11 chips; for a Queen, 12 chips; and for a King, 13 chips. Payments on other cards match their face value.

From 'The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games'
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd 1979