Which questions do guests ask most often?
Fourteen of them, in two groups: the first about visiting and dining, the second about the casino room and how it is run.
Where can I find a question that is not listed?
These answers come from the telephone, the e-mail inbox and the host's desk, and they are reviewed each season. If your question is not here, ring the front desk after midday, when Felicity Morrison has finished the morning's bookings and has time to talk.
We would prefer a question to a misunderstanding. Nobody has ever been turned away for asking something obvious, and several of the best improvements to the house began as a guest's puzzled remark at the door.
What should I know about the visit?
When do the doors open?
At five o'clock, Wednesday to Sunday. Felicity Morrison lights the lamps then, dinner service begins at half past five and the house closes at half past ten.
Do I need to book?
It is wise, particularly from Thursday to Saturday. Walk-in guests are welcome when we have room, but the dining room is small and the list can fill several days ahead.
Is there a charge for entering the casino room?
No. Entry is free, as is play, because nothing is wagered. The only charge is for the food and tea that you choose to order, and this is settled at the table.
Do you take card payments?
Yes. We accept the major cards and cash for dinner. There is no minimum spend, no cover charge and no service fee, and gratuities are never expected.
Where do I leave my coat?
Coat hooks run along the wall of the front hall, and Felicity will hang any coat or umbrella on request. We cannot be responsible for items left unattended on chairs.
Can I bring my own food or tea?
Because the kitchen manages allergies carefully, we ask guests not to bring food into the house. If you have a special dietary need, tell us when you book and Lucy Duncan will plan a plate.
Is there a quiet corner for older guests?
There are two tables near the front window, away from the bell and the casino room doorway, and Felicity keeps them for guests who like a calmer evening. Please ask when you book.
Can I bring a guest who uses a wheelchair?
Certainly. The ramp at the front step, the wide doorway to the dining room and the level floor throughout allow a wheelchair to reach every table. Please tell Felicity Morrison when you book, and she will keep a place clear beside your table.
Do you offer gift vouchers?
No. We do not sell vouchers, bonds or credits of any kind, and no booking is ever transferable to anyone else for money. A reservation is simply a place at a table, held in your name until you arrive.
May I hold a private event?
A Monday or Tuesday can be arranged for groups of up to forty. We offer a set menu, a dedicated dealer and a quiet hand-over at the end. Allow a few weeks for the planning, and tell us in advance whether you would like dinner, the casino room or both.
What should I know about the tables?
Are the tables played for stakes?
No. The chips have no value, no money is staked or won, no prize is given, and no table runs for profit. The room exists for the pleasure of the games and the company of the evening.
May I play online?
There is nothing online. No application, no website table and no remote play of any kind: the games take place in the building on Poynton Street, in person, and nowhere else.
Why are there no pokies?
Because the house is for cards and a wheel. There are no pokies and no gaming machines in any room, and we do not intend to install them. The quiet of the room depends on their absence.
Who can enter the casino room?
Any guest of eighteen or over who can show proof of age. Younger guests may dine with an adult until half past six, and the casino room remains closed to them throughout.
What proof of age is accepted?
A current driver's licence, a passport or a recognised proof-of-age card. Photocopies, photographs on a telephone and expired documents cannot be accepted, regardless of the circumstances.
Do the tournaments cost anything?
They are free to enter. There is no fee, no deposit, no buy-in and no prize. The winner is called Champion of the evening, and the name is written on the board in the entrance hall.