The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-27
CHINESE GAMING TABLES.
4 DEN OF GAMBLING CHINAMEN RAID
ED BY THE POLICE.
Games that Send Players Home In the Morn
Ing Literally In sackcloth-Ah Foo and
Thirty More Cinnamon In the Tombs Court.

Games that Send Players Home in the Morn
Ing Literally In sackcloth-Ah Foo and
Thirty More Cinnamon in the Tomb. Court.
All Wong, a Chinese physician, keeps a
grocery and herb store at 13 Mott street. A
large apartment in the rear Is devoted TO gam
bling. This is said to be one Of the largest es
tablishments OF the kind In the city, The walls
OF this room are ornamented with large pictures
in scarlet and vermilon. and the atmosphere is
heavy with many strange odors.
Cinnamon have been seen coming out OF this
place early in the morning. dressed in coarse
bagging instead Of the clothes usually worn by
them. At first it was supposed that these mon
had been present at the performance Of some
religious rites. but it has been ascertained with
out doubt that they had gambled away the
clothing they wore. and that these bags had
been given them instead.
The game played there is conducted by Joint
stock company. consisting OF ten partners.
There are two gambling rooms. In the first Of
these is a high table. on the centre Of which is
placed small square board. The four sides OF
the board are marked l. 2. 8. and 4. The game
played In this apartment requires the presence
OF three OF the partners. One Of them is
called the tan-koon, or croupier; another
Is called the tai-higan. who sits beside
the former with his tables. scales, and
money drawers. TO examine and weigh the
money that may be staked and tho third is
known as the ho-koon. He stands 10y the table.
keeps account OF the game, and pays the stak es
70 the winners The gamblers stand round the
high table and the croupier places n handful OF
cash ON 1t before him. Over this he places a
tin cover so that the gamblers cannot calculate
the exact number OF the cash" They are
any of the sides OF the square board
in the centre When this has been
done the croupier removes the cover, and,
using thin ivory rod about foot in length.
proceeds to lessen bis pile by drawing away
four bits at a time; II one remains, the gam;
/, u declared the winner. II two remain. he
saves his sta ke, and when three remain
he is allowed the same privilege, II. how
This game is called Ching,tow. The
player has one chance, Of winning two Of
retaining his stake, and one OF losing II. An
other game, called MIN, is played at the same
table. In this the gambler has one chance Of
winning double the amount OF his stake. two
chances Of losing the stake and one Of retain
ing II. III he places his stake on the side OF the
board marked 3" and If two bits remain after
the tan-koon has removed as many tours us
there ore on the table. his winnings are double
the amount OF his stake, II three cash" re-
main. the player retains his stake. and If either
one or four remain he loses.
In the inner apartment OF this establishment
the stakes are all ia silver coin. Three part
ners are also required to conduct the games in
the inner room. AS the stakes are sometimes
heavy. they are not placed on the table. lest the
sweep them away. IL is customary 10 use
Chinese playing cards as chips. The stakes
are carefully noted down by one OF the partners
10 avoid disputes. The proprietors of this
place. It is said. realize large sums Of money.
and the players are frequently ruined and
driven to desperate acts.
Capt. Brogan Of the Fourteenth Precinct. on
Tuesday night. with about fifteen men. broke
into the place. and surrounded the tables upon
which the Cinnamon We're playing. There was
but little money on the tables. but the " chips"
represented ~ considerable sum OF money.
After being locked up all night the thirty one
Cinnamon were brought before Justice Otter
bourR at the Iombs Police Court Yesterday
Court that neither he nor the other Cinnamon
would ever think OF committing so grave an
offence MS gambling. The Court decided tnat
there no positive evidence against the
spokesman and his oompatriots. and they were
discharned