In card games, a talon ([taˈlɔ̃]; French for "heel") is a stack of undealt cards that is placed on the table to be used during the game. Depending on the game or region, they may also be referred to as the blind, kitty, skat, stock, tapp or widow (US).
Description
In 1909, Meyers Lexicon described the talon as "the cards left over after dealing..."[1] In games of chance, such as
Pharo, it is "the stock of cards which the banker draws on".[2] The talon is usually a pack of cards, placed face down, in the middle of the card table. In other games, there are however very different variations, for example in Königrufen. Talons may be placed face up or face down.
Parlett describes a kitty as "the pool or pot being played for" or "a dead hand or widow". He also equates talon to stock as the "cards which are not dealt initially but may be drawn from or dealt out later in the play".[3]
Examples of usage
The following are examples of games and the term usually used for talon. They are taken from Parlett[3] unless otherwise indicated:
