Edmond Hoyle (1672 – 29 August 1769)[2] was an English writer best known for his works on the rules and play of card games.

[4] By 1741, Hoyle began to tutor members of high society at the game of whist, selling his students a copy of his manuscript notes.

[5] Hoyle expanded the manuscript and published A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist in 1742, selling it for the high price of one guinea.

[6] Before Cogan was able to publish a second edition, two printers pirated the work, giving the author as "A Gentleman" rather than Hoyle.

[26][27] Hoyle's writing was translated into many continental languages; first Portuguese (1753), then German (1754), French (1761), Italian (1768), Russian (1769), and Dutch (1790).

[30] The phrase according to Hoyle retains some currency in contemporary English, indicating 'correctly or properly; according to an authority or rule'.