National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-17
WHO THEIR BEST PATRONS ARE.
How HARD-EARNED MONEY Is LOST
History OF Keno at the Capital Of the
NRtiOn-Chanees for Rich and Poor
An Hour Among the Players
The Men Who Woo Pickle
Fortune with Cards
and Buttons

About twenty years ago an enterprisiag indi.
yidual, finding that Washing ton was a good field
for gambling, broke up game he had in Virginia
not very far from Washington and came to this
city, where, selecting a suitable ROOM he opened
the game known as keno" It is true 1t took
| some time before his place became generally
known, but still his first customers were Of that
| clEss who could play long and use up large
amounts Of money. Year after year the game
| progressed, until 1t became almost one OF the
Institutions Of the city, and received the patronage
of the highest officials in Washington, especially
members Of Congress and Senators. In 1851 the
breaking out Of the war, as all know, brought
large numbers Of soialers 70 washington, and 1t
was not long before the game was found out by
them. and many pO0r soldier went into the bank
with his months pay and
CAME OUT PENNILEss.
The keeper OF the bank was reaping rich haryests,
and everything progressed satisfactorily to him
until his game was squelched by the authorities,
and the proprietor went South. This did not have
as good an effect as was supposed; for before leav
with his deputies TO open again on the first oppOr-
tunity which presented ITSELF and not many
sDatbsT SECTION oS he ex tber bsnE petal
and at the time Of the close Of the war there were
not less than five, all doing good business until
the keno fever died out suddenly. This necessi-
tated the closing up of all but two which man
aged TO do very well until couple Of years Since
when the fever revived and keno became again a
favorite game.
NEW BANKS STARTED,
and day after day the excitement over the game
increased until now there are not less than one
dozen in full operation in this city, and on the
principal streets. The class Of people who pa
troDize these places are made up ofthe upper aud
lower ten; men in prominent positions, from the
Congressman down, journalists (Who indulge
in this sport very extensively the merchant, the
clerk in the department. the store clerk, the me-
chanc and la6Orer. Married men leave their
wives for the purpose Of going to their lodges, but
n 6OnnU mo-
kiss their sweethesrts goodnight and proceed
direct TO these banks, where they remain until
morning with pocketboOks empty and eyes swollen
from the loss Of rest.
The places where these games are played are
divided into two classes-the handsomely-fur-
nished and the saWdustcovered floors. The
prices also vary twenty-five cents being the price
the cOmmonlyfurnished room.
THE HIGH-PRICED GAME
The rooms in which the high priced games are
played are generally over faro banks, and are on
tie upper or last floors OF the building. The ac-
cCmmOdations are excellent and every comfort Is
given the players. HaudsOmely-covered tables
are arranged along the sides OF the room, at
which are placed easy chairs, while the feet rest
on dOTny carpet; and of 10 one corner are mag
nifcent sideboards, on which are placed liquor in
abundance, free to all players or others who may
visit the room.
The class Of men who are freduenters of these
places are Of the better, or what is styled more
respectable class, such as N. C.'s, judges, news.
paper correspondents editors and reporters, heads
Of departments and men Of business; there is also
another class who are present, but only as
lookers-oE; they are what are known as gentle
men, or, in other words, men who never refuse
10 take drink when asked and have a good
story 10 tell or II man is under the influence Of
the kindness OF the proprietors too extensively
poet TO be rewarded in case Of winning. These
men are very successful, and are sometimes the
recipients Of handsome sums during night
THE TEN CENT GAME.
A person choosing between the two would much
enough to play long. but owing to this deficiency
he is obliged 20 resort TO the ten-cent game. So
soon as the door TO the place where this game is
played is reached the hum OF voices is heard, and
on entering the eye meets hundreds Of men and
boys bent over the tables, watching and listening
When the foot is put on the floor Of the room Of
dust, with which the floor is covered, and cigar
stumPs and cuds OF tobacco lie around by the
hundreds.
The walls are covered with railroad advertise
ments, pictures Of prominent actors and actresses
and here and there can be seen black streak on
which the Wbitewash would take no effect. There
are long rows OF pine tables around which are
seated, especially on Saturday nights, the me-
ehanic, who has earned his weeks wages and is
trying his luck; the labOrer, with his unwsshed
hands and face and soiled shirt, sits by his SIDE
Halfgrown boys, men drunk, men asleep and
lying on the tables, make up this gathering of
souls The game is played until the last cent is
gone: and with heavy hearts these victims start
for their homes with the bright gun Of the Sab
Of the probable condition in which they may find
their families; for many Of them, without STOP
ping at their homes the night before start direct
for the keno game, without making provision for
their families. 1t is true that some Of the pro-
prietors have frequently, when men have lost all,
given some Of their money back; but this is done
under extraordinary circumstances. In the ten
cent banks are generally attached a game called
hazard, so if man is unsuccessful at keno he
has o chance to try his hand IN making himself
solid at this game.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME.
Its charged that the game of keno resembles
strongly the parlor game known as ''lOtta," the
difference being In playing for money. The game
OF keno consists Of cards with fOrty-hVe numbers
thereon, arranged in rows of FIVE each. One card
costs ten and twenty-five cents. As each card is
purchased the number is called out by the collec-
Tors and is registered. After all the cards are
called the dealer calls out the number Of cards
registered and the amount Of money received.
He next dedRcts his percentage (ten per cent?
and announces the amount for the winner less his
percentage. Are you all ready" he cries, and
begins the game by turning globe in which are
ninety balls. At every revolution he touches o
spring and . ball drops out, the number Of which
he calls and the p0ssessor Of 3 card that has the
corresponding number covers It with button.
This is continued until the deader is stopped by
the cry Of Keno" when the collector proceeds to
compare numbers; and Ii FIVE corresponding num-
bers with those called by the dealer In a row
across the card are found, then all is declared
right and the winner receives the amount OF the
pot" either in cash or In chips.
The winner is generally elated at his success
especially II new player, ard he continues until
sometimes he loses all he has won and more, too.
The cards are again paid for by those desiring to
play, and the same routine is gone through with.
There is much excitement in the game, and the
noise from putting the buttons on the numbers as
they are called sounds like q load Of shot fired
from q scattering gun on barn door. On the
the whole the game is very fair, and one from
which the proprietor receives only his percentage,
and therefore has no desire to show Partially OF
to cheat; but the percentage, as VIII be seen, is
so great that II does not take the bank long TO
get most Of the money played.