STAKES

The stakes may consist of any amount previously arranged, and whatever is decided upon, whether it be counters or money, is recognised as the limit per trick, only changed when a player having declared for Nap, succeeds in making it, in which case each player pays double, or as though he had lost ten tricks.  In other cases the players win or lose one stake for each trick that the senior hand has declared for.  Say, for example, he declared to win three tricks, and succeeded, then each of the other players would pay him three times the amount of the stake; if the senior hand did not succeed, he would have to pay a similar amount to each of the others. 

DEALING

The deal is decided by the cards being turned face upwards before each player, until the first knave is exposed.  The player to whom the knave falls then becomes the first dealer.  It is better to play with two separate packs of cards, as considerable time is saved in collecting and shuffling, which operations are to be performed by the player on the next dealer's left hand side.  When shuffled the cards are to be placed on the right hand side of the dealer, where they are to be left until the player on his right cuts them.  The dealer distributes five cards to each player, going from left to might, and dealing the cards one at a time.

As the deal is a disadvantage, inasmuch as the dealer has the last call, there is no penalty attaching to a misdeal, unless the game is being played with the addition of a pool or kitty (see variations), in which case the player making a misdeal pays a penalty to the pool equal to the stake of one trick.  In the event of a misdeal, or accidental exposure of a card, the whole pack must be collected, shuffled and re-cut, as before, after which the cards are to be re-dealt by the same player who made the mistake.  The players must not interfere with the cards during the deal, under a similar penalty, nor touch the remainder of the pack when once it has left the dealer's hands.

CALLING

The deal having been completed the players are entitled to look at their cards, and then declare, in turn, whether they will stand or pass, the player on the dealer's left having the first call.  If he decide to stand he declares the number of tricks he will stand for, while if he elects to pass he simply states his intention of so doing, but it is understood that the first caller must stand for one trick, should all the others decide to pass, except in the case where the Double Header is agreed to (see variations).  The next player then announces his intention.  If he cannot stand for more tricks than have already been called he must pass, and the same holds good all round, until the dealer is reached.  No player may make a second declaration, or alter one once made.

See Also:
Nap or Napoleon
Nap Tatics
Playing the Hands
Nap Variations