Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-06
For the journal.
WEISB4DEN AND ITS 4uCSE-
.HENTS,

The town has many attractions independent
of its places of amusement. Pleasantly To-
Gated amid surrounding hills, the charming
drives, the wide and beautiful streets, the
neat and elegant residences combined with
the generous hospitality of its people, will
make it attractive TO visitors long after other
destinations have ceased
1t is not every State that bold enough to in
corporate and opcnly countcnance professional
gaming. In this and other countries it is not
unlawful or improper for men to make COM
mercial and other ventures. incur risks and
cts or stake fortunes upon political and other
contingencies quite as uncertain as the turn
of a card or final Judgement Of a spinning
ball: but in these German States almost if
not quite alone has gaming the open counte-
nance of the law as legitimate and proper
business. Here, at Baden Baden, Hamburg
and Ems, by day and by night nearly if not
quite the year round, roulette and rouge ct noir
are publicly and openly played. The build
ings are large and stately, the rooms spacious
which are to be found papers in all languages,
well appointed halls for dancing, and well
selected band discoursing the choicest of mu
sic These are open and free to all corners,
and all who choose can participate in the
amusements and games and stake such sums
as they please. 1t is regularly incorporated
bank. its stock owned and sold in the market
| like other stocks, and dividends paid to the
| holders according to the success OF its man.
| ayers The games are all conducted as they
saw upon the square. The chances in favor
of the banks are slight and well understood
and is the sole advantage it has over any play
er, and the basis of its profits except from
transient players who throw down form or
pound to buy their fortune, quite careless
as to the result. Their chances of winning
are said to be much less than those OF the
habitues of the establishment, chances in the
long run being found to be about equal. Crowd
ed around each of four tables twenty feet by
eight, covered with green cloth, one will see
some twenty gentlemen and ladies watching
with anxious faces the result of the game.
Few words are spoken at the roulette tables,
except by the croupiers, four of whom set at
each table, two on each side, with large heaps
of gold before them, who direct and manage
the game In the center of the table is a cir
cular wheel less than two feet in diameter,
revolving on a pivot or axis near the outer
edge of which marked alternately red and
black are small chambers numbered from one
to thirty-s six inclusive; on each side OF the
wheel upon the table are thrty-six small
squares numbered in like manner, upon any
of which the players can place their money
in making up the game. When made one OF
the croupiers sets the wheel spinning rapidly
on its axis, and thentosses an ivory ball on the
margin outside of the chambers, which whirls
rapidly round and as the speed of the wheel
slackens inclines and falls into one of the
chambers and so decides the fate of those who
have risked their money on number or color.
The croupier thereupon announces the re-
suit, distributes the spells and again cries
diepiers, fattes ros jeur, One form or forty
cents is the smallest. and twenty five hundred
dollars the largest stake allowed.
The Bank counts upon its. profits by having
one chance in thirty seven in its favor In
addition to the thirty-six chambers is one left
blank into which if the ball falls the stakes
on the colors do not win. AS the ball will
fall into zero about once in thirty seven times
thus giving the bank chances equal to about
% per cent. on the money laid down. 1t is
said that results show this to be about their
profits. The games at two of the tables arc
or more commonly rouge ct nor. Six full packs
of cards are well shuflled together and cut
the manager lays them down and takes them
one by one from the top placing the face up
wards upon the table in a row, the face cards
counting ten, and the others according to