Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-07-03
The Game Of BancO'-HOw 1t Is
Played.

A CONTRIBUTOR of the New York Times
has recently interviewed an experienced
pickpocket and bunker" player, and
gives the following interesting account
of the method of playing the latter
game, by which so many strangers have
been victimized in our larger cities.
1 shall style this little game "banco"
instead of "bunker," as my friend the
pickpocket did when he gave me a de-
tailed account of the method of play
ing it.
Just now it is the most popular device
for fleeing the stranger who ventures
into the metropolis, and the unsuspect-
ing can be best warned by giving the
story as nearly as possible in the pick
pockets own words
You see, sir" he began, 1T is good
deal safer and more profitable than pick
ing pockets. If you are 'cOllared-I
mean arrested, sir-you are sure to get
off with something light, but the chances
are ten to one against your being col
Jared The sucker stands in with you,
as it were, and is almost certain not to
'squear-that is, not to complain to the
police. In this way it's like the panel
game, which is the meanest as it is the
safest kind of robbery. Then banco
pays big profits Itdon't take big mob
| explained to you bit ago that by mob
we mean any number of men working a
job together. There is only the dealer,
the steerer' and his pal. These three,
with the sucker make quiet little party
of four, and the sucker is skinned for
the equal benefit of the other three
Why do we call the fellows we swindle
suckers? Really, don't know, unless it
is because they are so much like the fish
of that name, which swallows any bait
that comes along. We need sort of an
office in playing this game, but it's not
expensive, for a dingy back room in
side street that can be got for $25
per month is better than big apart
ments on Broadway. Then we want a
few old drawings of the Havana lottery,
two sets of dice and moderate supply
of money, say 500 or $500.
Having all these things fixed we go
on our graft We always go to one of
the frst-class hotels to lay for suckers,
and we never pick up the wrong man. |
never did, and don't believe any of my
pals ever did. There is no trouble in
telling strangers from city men. 1t isn't
because they stare at the store windows
and signs, for lots of city men do that;
nor is it always their dress, for some
times the cOuntryman swaggers along in
the latest style. But there is always
something about him he can't disguise,
which says he is q stranger, and it's al
most as certain that he shows whether
he's got money or not. Sometimes we
pick up a sucker who's broke, but it isn't
often. Well, as ! was saying, the big
hotels are our plant Now suppose you
and are on graft Nobody, though,
sees us speak to each other or in any way
recognize one another, but for all that
each of us keeps a sharp watch on the
other Maybe Wen hang around an hour
or two without finding a sucker. Some
times we don't find one at all. If we do
find him give you the Office that is, l
give you signal you understand to
watch sharp. then keep my eye on the
sucker until he goes into the street l
step briskly up in front of him as if |
had just turned up, and hold out my
hand with great cordiality saying: My
dear DR.. Smith, I'm delighted to see you,
When did you come to town? How did
you leave all the folks in Zanesvilleg |
say all this so quickly that the sucker
hasn't chance to open his mouth until
/ get through. Even then he isn't
usually very fast about it. You see I'm
q person Of gentlemanly appearance
and address, and the sucker don't know
at first exactly what to make of
it at all. When he does recover from
his astonishment of course he says his
name isn't Smith. Generally he is very
still about it, and says very grandly; Sir,
you are mistaken; am not DIR. Smith,
sir Then comes the finest point in our
little game. 1t used to be that the suck
er would always follow this up by giving
his name and place of residence, but
lately they've got cursed : fly,' and it has
to be wormed out of them in most cases.
If he don't give it, why, say Really
beg your pardon, sir; l would have
sworn you were DIR. Smith; never saw
such striking resemblance in my life,
Now really, sir, if it's not asking too
much, / would like to know your name,
so that may tell DIR, Smith, the next
time see him, who his double is This
always fetches the sucker. He gets
friendly all at once and says; Certainly,
sir. am Mr. Thomas Brown, of Browns
Vile, Texas or whatever IL may be.
That's all we want to know. l beg par
don of the sucker, and turn away, while
he goes off, and in minute has probably
forgotten all about me and DIR. Smith.
Now, you have been standing near all
the time, s4d heard him give his name