American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-06-02
From the ST, Louis Reveille
A FRIENDLY GAME OF POKER.
BY SOL. SMITH


On the evening of our second day out from
View Orleans, found myself seated at a card
pie, with three of my fellow passengers, play
at the interesting game of Poker Card
Iyng was a very interesting amusement then
d C35) and it was not unusual to see half a
10 Den tables occupied at the same time in the
etemen's cabin ola Mississippi boat. had
IS down at the game for amuSemetn, but on
lnrng at ten o'clock, | found IA, amusement
III cost me about sixty dollars. This won't
70 at all, said |, thinking aloud must try it
/ n ain tomorrow. OF course you must, repli-
8fone of the players who happened to be an
"a acquaintance of mine from Montgomery,
bahama, where he had been jailer for some
wears, and where he was considered a very re-
tspectable citizen. You must not give it up so,
he continued, following me out on the guard;
( to-,norro,o youW get eren. | entered into con-
kversation with my old acquaintance, whose
l name was Hubbell, or Hubbard, | don't re-
Tmember which-wel call hun Hubbard-and
nthe advised me by all means to try another sit
! ting on the morrow suggested to him that
a slight suspicion had crossed my mind that
some of our card players might be blacklegS-
in other words, gamblers. He answered that
the same thought had struck him at one time,
but he had come to the conclusion that all had
been fair. Before leaving me, my guardian
friend informed me that he had become sport
ing man-ne felt it his duty to inform me of it
but he assured me, upon his honor, O. he
would not see me wronged Of course | be-
lieved him, and it was agreed that we should
try our luck again.
Next morning, soon as the breakfast things
had been cleared away, | found Hubbard and
a friend ofhiS waiting for me at one of the card
tables, and | took my seat with the hope OF
getting epen-a hope which has led many man
into i1retrievable ruin. | felt quite confident
of winning back my losngs over night, and
my playmates gave me every encouragement
that | should be successful. At it we went,
playing with varying luck for about two hours.
At about eleven o'clock Hubbard's friend LETT
us for few minutes to get drink, and the jail
or and myself were left playing single handed.
When the third hand left, we were using the
small cards, as they are called-that is Sizes
and under; hut Hubbard Immediately propos-
ed that we should take the large cards, (ttns
and over,) which ! agreed TO, as matter of
course One thing here observed; my friend,
the taller, dealt the cards achhom sho0ling.-
This made me resolve TO watch him closely
Taking up my cards was agreeably surpris-
ed to find | had an excellent hand. Now,
thinks to myself, now is the time, If ever, TO
get even; if my adversary only happens to have
decent hand shall do well enough.
THE reader who does not understand the
game of bluff, or poker, as it is most generally
called, may as well leave off here.
| commenced the game by Dragging dol
lar. My adversary went the dollar, and hye
better. ] went that and ten. lie Immediate
ly put up the ten, and laid down twenty,
Keeping his pocket book out, as much as to
say, am ready to go any thing you choose to
bet After moments reflection, (all actlng!)
said, | 90 that and fifty. All right, replied
the taller, there it isl go that and hundred.
| here looked at my cards again, and affected
to have great doubt whether | should 60 the
hundred Take back your last bet, | urged
it is too much for either of us to lose; begin
think have been rash-take it back, and let
us show our hands for the money already down.
No! said Hubbard-If you mean sporting, put
up the hundred, or back out and give up the
money. Can't do that, replied; don't come
from backing out county, must nave
showing for the money that's down-so there
the hundred-and as my pocket book 8 OUT ana
my hands in, there's another o. This new BET
seemed to please my friend Hubbard. he an
swered it without moments pause, and went
two hundred more! now requested my oppo-
nent to permit me to show my cards to some OF
n the bystanders, who were crowding around the
table in great numbers to see the fun-all con-
lsdered me most undoubtedly picked up-liub,
bard would not agree that ] should show my
hand to, or take advice from any one. Play
your own cards, said he, reaching over, anc
tently compelling me to lay my cards on The
able before me. Then, said I,-you tell me i