Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-30
POKER PLAYING IN MEXICO.
How an American Expert Surprised
Certain CITIZENS OF sonora.

The steamer Sonora, the San Francisco
Chronicle says, which arrived at La PsZ
week or so before the fourth of July.
brought to that little Mexican town a
smoothed tongued gentleman who rep
resented himself as a mining expert
about to inspect several valuable pieces
of property located somewhere in the
mysterious country back of the town.
be gave his name as William Curtis, and
was, he said, but recently from San
Francisco
To those who met Mr.. Curtis it was
quite evident that he had more money
than brains, although he might be &C
counted very good mining expert. He
conducted himself in a manner that
would be described in sporting circles as
'fresh," a condition for which a salt
water voyage is no remedy. Immedi-
ately on arriving at La Paz Mr.. Curtis
sought an introduction to the Protector
of the town. The Protector of La Paz
is very dignifed person, who, in the
political register, would rank with our
Mayor Blake, the gentlemen in both
cases being the chief magistrates of their
particular burgs The Protector received
him cordially; in fact, he was over
jOyed to meet so distinguished
Gringo, and said in Spanish, "Senor, l
throw myself at your feet" On the
third evening after this acquaintance
began. and after the Project had in
trOduced the innocent American to
countless number of his mercantile
cronies, Mr.. Curtis was invited around
to the club. AT the club Curtis met
number of his new acquaintance, and
after the usual exchange of civilities,
and after each of the party had imbibed
quantity of aguadiente, game of
draw poker was proposed. The Grin
COS innocent antecedents at once inter
vened, ana he protested that ne not onlV
could not play, but he was opposed to
the game on principle. The Mexicans
laid siege to the bashful young mans
scruples, overcame them and finally in
duced him to take a hand"
The American asked foolish questions
concerning the game. and generally
showed that his early education had been
sadly neglected.
(Which is the biggest hand Ii man can
get2" he inquired OF one Of his CASTELAR,
friends.
-Four aces is tie biggest, " lie was in
formed, except royal nush, which 40
body ever gets unless he has a stuffed
deck. But we never wait for four aces,
whispered the Mexicans; 1--WE often BET
heavily on single pair"
The party sat down and arranged a
game of 81 ante, without limit, of which
proceeding the mining expert appeared
to have no understanding In the first
draw Mr.. Curtis picked up three tens.
The man next to HIM bet SIS. and the
American raised him $40. Two of the
party passed, but the thlld raised Curtis
$40, to which the latter responded with
$500. The Mexican called, and Curtis
picked up another ten, while his oppo-
nent, who had three sevens, did not i'm
prove his hand. He looked at the Amer
lean. The blank appearance of that
persons cOuntenance treasured him and
he bet $500. Curtis reflected for mo-
ment, looked somewhat bewildered.
and raised the amount to $500
The Mexican, astonished, threw down
ms cards, and Curtis swept the money
off the table. The Mexicans held a mute
consultation for moment, and shuffled
the cards on another deal. Before the
draw the American picked a jack full,
and lost about $50 on it. In his next
baud he picked up four fives. This time
the Mexicans were laying" for their
friend, and under the impetus of good
draws the pot rapidly mounted up to
$500. AT that point the Mexican called,
having prepared the deck to swindle the
unsuspecting George. Curtis passed,
knowing his nervous opponent would
bet, which he did, raising the amount of
money on the table to about S., 900. The
Mexican then threw down his hand and
exhibited four jacks.
TITS not good" said the American;
Il have four aces.
The party was struck dumb with
establishment, while the mining expert
eoolly swept the pile of money into his
pocket.
But the Spanish blood of the natives
was up. They could scarcely brook the
presence OF Gringo in La Paz, much
less endure seeing one of the hated race
carry off s., 900 at their favorite game,
especially when they had expected to
gather in his surplus cash. That
same evening they hunted up Don
Carlos RamerO. The Don is
noted sport and monte dealer, and is
justly celebrated throughout the Republic
Of Mexico. The matter was soon ar
ranged, and the next evening Mr.. Curtis
was again invited to the club. On this
occasion Don Carlos Ramero was intro.
duced as leading merchant of La Paz,
who often INDUCED in poker after din.
ner. The party smoked a few cigarettes,
gOssiped little about American affairs.
and discussed the prospects of another
Mexican revolution in the near future
Finally draw" was proposed. Don
Carlos was backward at first but ulti-
mately consented, and they sat down.
Two hours afterward they arose. Don
Carlos had lost over 81, 700 In all the
San Francisco gambler had captured