[2] Penneech was alluded to in Pepys Ballads, II, 98 (1625-1640) by Samuel Pepys,[1] but its rules were first described by Charles Cotton in the 1674 and first edition of The Compleat Gamester,[3] and repeated in all subsequent editions until 1754.

[2] A standard 52-card pack of English pattern, French-suited cards is used with Aces ranking high.

[2] The following is a description based on Cotton's rules, supplemented by Parlett who tested the game extensively:[2][3] Players cut for the first deal, the lower card winning (Aces low for this purpose).

[2] The dealer deals 7 cards each, individually, and turns the next for trumps,[3] placing the rest face down as the stock.

An Ace is worth 5 points, a king 4, a queen 3 and a knave 2.