Bezique nations, Binocles, meaning eyeglasses with this pronunciation, became the name for Bezique with minor rule variations, ultimately evolving into Pinochle. Two-handed Pinochle, two-handed Bezique and two-handed Binokel are almost identical, the main difference is that the last-named is played with two packs of 24, German-suited, cards, instead of two packs of 32, French-suited, ones. The former, together with Six-Pack Bezique and Rubicon Bezique, is still played in the United States. The game achieved its greatest popularity in Paris by 1860 and in England a few years later. Perhaps the most famous proponent of the game was Winston Churchill, an avid
Mao (card game) say "this game of Mao has officially begun", "the game of Mao begins now", "Mao is a game of rules" or a variant thereof. Play commences with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise. Many variants penalize players for touching or looking at their cards before the game begins, or before the dealer looks at his or her own cards. A player may play any card from his or her hand matching the value or the suit of the top card currently face-up on the table. The card played must be placed on top of this