Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-10-07
A Big Game OF Poker.

A New York newspaper correspond
ent says:-A heavy game of poker was
played not very long since, as | am
credIbly informed, in the mansion of a
New York millionaire. The millionaire
is also banker, whose name is pretty
well known from the Hudson to San
Francisco. 1 am not Mt liberty to put
1T i'll print, and for this very good
reason | refrain from so doing. He has
long had the reputation of one OF the
boldest poker players in New York, and
some Of the heaviest games on record
have been played in his house. where
he dispenses princelv hospitality. In
the particular game in question, if my
information Is correct, a foreign
Minister. who must also he nameless,
though | NAV say that lie i, social
celebrity i'll Washington and not uu-
known III other places, found himself
mulcted out of 500 900.
He was well acquainted with the
banker, and had joined poker parties n,
his house several times before. Ga the
occasion in question the party consisted
of five, all with millions to draw upon
and courage to back strong hand for
all it was worth. They had played some
time before anything unusual happened.
The hands we're ordinary, and there
was nothing exciting in the game. Along
toward midnight, however, the cards
to, k a sort of new departure. The first
deal gave the banker the ei2ht, niue.
ten, and jack Of hearts. He discarded
q spade took one card, and found it to
be queen OF hearts. So strong a
straight flash Gs that might not c1me
ont twice IN ten Thousand times. He
was elaied, but his face gave no sign.
The minister called for tvo cards. He
already held three kings. and in the
draw he got fourth. Tue prospect
fer contest was Pood-;our kings
against a straight flush, aud the PLAYERS
full of grit. The betting ne2an low,
but soon got up to fifties, al the other
players, whose hands were not OF much
account, then dropped cut. Tie banker
raised the figures to 500. The minister
put up 500 and said, 81 raise you
$500" TIE banker Jaw the $500 and
raised it 81 600 The war then began
IN earnest. TIE bets ran mp to IS, 00o.
$1,000, $4,000. The men who had
dropped out held their breath. The
two who stood i'll had their blood up
aud each felt that his hand was good
enough for one figure. In few
minutes tine pot represented $500, 000.
At that point the banker showed dis
position to halt, bnt the minister was
not satisfied. He raised another S2O, 00O,
and the banker saw it aud went $40 600
better. The minister followed with
S25, 000. "All right" said the banker:
q" see your S25, 000 and call your hand. "
That was the end of it. When the
minister laid down his four kings, the
banker put his straight flush beside
them without word. The minister
seemed little surprised. but merely
aid: Very good; the money is yours.
He hal lost $500 600, but it did not
sour him n bit. The game was not
resumed. but he talked as pleasantly as
il he had won fortune instead of losing
one. The banker seemed embarrassed.
and his friends who had dropped out Of
the game were uncomfortable. He
decided on the spot that it would not
10 to have any more poker playing IN
his house. IL might be said that he
irew his friends there to fleece them
He still plays a sii game now and then,
but only az the club.