“ There is no ponto in black trumps. The three highest trumps are called matadores (or mats) . The holder of them has the privilege of not following suit, except when a higher mat is played, which forces a lower one if the hand contains no other trump. ”

“ Cards are dealt round, and the receiver of the first black ace is the dealer. He deals (towards his right) nine cards, by threes, to each player. The remaining 13 cards form the stock or talon, as at piquet. Each deal constitutes a game. One hand plays against the other two, the solo player being called the Ombre. The player at the dealer's right has the first option of being Ombre, which entails two privileges: that of naming the trump suit, and that of throwing away as many of his cards as he chooses, receiving new ones in their place, as at poker. ”