Chekhov query

[Svetlana Grenier]

> Dear Chekhov and 19th-century Russian culture specialists out there (or card
> players, for that matter),

A query has come my way from a theater group staging Chekhov's "Ivanov".  One of the
characters, Kosykh, always tells about his card playing, and the most one can
determine is that he has been playing "vint" ("Vsiu noch' provintili"), that this
game has trump cards (kozyri), and that one can announce "bol'shoi" or "malen'kii
shlem".  Does anyone know if this game has an English/American equivalent, and if it
is at all close to bridge?
I would appreciate any insights, on or off-list!

Svetlana Grenier


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--
Svetlana Slavskaya Grenier
Associate Professor, Slavic Languages
PO Box 571050
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057-1050
202-687-6108, fax 687-2408

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 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
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