Using the Annemann switch of hands as was described in a poker hand trick last month, a completely new method of cheating at Rhummy is possible. It is strictly a high powered percentage method because you get TWICE THROUGH THE DECK ACTION ON ONE HAND! How many times have you carefully built your hand to a fair point, and someone else has gone rhummy? And haven’t you cursed under your breath (No?) and wished you could have had just one more draw? In this case, you actually keep the hand you’ve worked on, and keep right on working on it through the new deck. And if that isn’t percentage heaven, nothing could be.
The method does not allow of a cut after the shuffle, but you know also that many a cut is passed by in average games, especially when you slap the deck down deliberately for it. It is common practise for the cut to be knocked by. The secret work is always put into action when you get the deal, and it can be seen that in a two handed game it comes often. At any rate, you only have to use it a few times during an evening to keep ahead. A fairly quick rhummy means a lot of points or pennies.
The entire secret is that you play normally when your deal is coming up. If you win that hand naturally (and honestly) you can’t ask for much more, so just pass your next chance by. But if you lose, just pick up all the cards and keep your hand on the bottom. Dovetail shuffle and leave the bottom seven intact. Use any shuffle at which you are most proficient as long as you keep your hand in its place. If the cut is passed by, as it will be a lot of the time, thumb count the seven bottom cards as explained, and make the deal. Switch your dealt cards for your old, and familiar hand, and continue on through the game. It’s like meeting an old friend, to see that hand pop up before you again, and have the chance to do right by it.
(Editor’s post-script) Here’s the switch data to save you buying another copy, or bothering to look it up. With seven card break held by your left little finger, make the deal normally. As you deal your last card, everybody is looking over his hand. Your right fingers and thumb square the hand at ends, pick up, and same hand now takes the deck from the left hand by the right fingers and thumb at ends, the seven picked up cards being dropped on top of the deck, and the deck is placed on the table a bit to your left, the seven “cold” cards below the finger break being left behind in your left hand which turns them over as the right hand comes back to help fan the cards. Bold but perfectly clean as per last month’s reference.
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