The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-05
The Gamblers Morals.

business, thus gives the results of his
deductions on the question. He writes:
1t Is very generally believed that pro-
fesSlonal gamblers have high standard
OF honor among themselves How or
where this fable originated is a mys-
terry; certainly not in the ranks of the
fraternity. for a more suspicious body
of men can not be found. The state
ment that So-and-SO's word is his bond,
and that he is ''a' square as die" is
one often quoted on the outside; but the
bond in use on the inside invariably
takes the form of collateral security,
and the square as die" part of the
statement is covered by strict adhe-
renee to the principle just so long as
the return overbalances the outlay.
The kings in the profession are forced
by their position to live closer to the
virtuous standard. but fall from the
throne would be instantly followed by
the abandonment of the assumed virtue.
The fact is, that gambling is democrat
izing to the last degree, and no man
can follow it without having his best
sensibilities blunted. Gambling. being
illegitimate and ostracized by society,
Is only adopted as business by men
dead to a moral sense of right and
wrong. The gambler knows no society
above the level of that found in his own
club-room, the best part of which will
shun him in the light of day. A care
full analysis of my own case, and that
of my colleagues. has confirmed me in
the belief that the two chief component
parts that go to make up the profess
siOnal gambler are cupidity and la2i-
ness. These two characteristics pre-
dominating result in the complete
decentralization of the man.
The devotees of the gambling table
are drawn from every stratum of soci-
ETY., the very mingling of which is in
itself demoralizing. A man who enters
a gambling room meets on a level of
equality crime in every form. The
burglar, pickpocket, sneak-thief, and
confidence operator, and the bank clerk
and merchant, all meet at the same
table and enjoy the same privileges.
There is not a robbery or murder COM
mitted that is not discussed IN all its de-
tails in the gambling-room; and in a
majority of cases, where the crime is p
a local one the perpetrator is personally
known. There is not a gambler in this
city who would hesitate to purchase an
article because he knew that it was
stolen property, and many of them do
not hesitate to go step further, and use
the gopher" (safe) for the planting
(hiding) of light ''swag" (plunder) for
some of the mob, who has ''pulled a
good trick" Committed a rObbery)
and let me say in this connectioa. that
many Ginger" (thie) owes his being
"pinched" (arrested) to the kind
office of his friend the gambler. The
claim is often made that many gam
blers do "a square business" that they
give every man a fair chance to win
their money, and only expect in return
an even chance; but the fact is, this is
pure fiction.
A ''squsrely dealt" (9) game has i'm
mense advantages over the players in
three things-the ''splits," the capital
it is played Oh, and last, but not least,
an expert to deal the cards. 1t would
ne impossible to compute the value of
the percentage derived from the
'splits." as in a ''square game" no two
deals will run alike. But of every
bet affected by a split fifty per cent.
goes to the game. An expert dealer
ran rip the deck for splits,' and it is
the trick most practiced, because it re-
Iuires least skill in manipulating the
cards. The second advantage is grad
lated by each player. Say, for ex-
ample, eight players are in front of the
able, and jointly ''show up (produce)
$500. The games capital, being 81
100, is increased to g, 400-by the sale
IF chips. Now, if one man were to
play the whole S4OO, the game would
nave the advantage of him in the ratio
If six to one ia betting capital. Then,
Is the limit allowed by the game is 500 |
IN double cards and $50 on single |
ards, or cases, the actual advantage is |
wenty four to one, ON the supposition
hat the limit is bet every time, which |
5 never done by suckers, ''and but !
eldOm by professionals. The fact is,
he S400 is divided between eight play
RS, with an average capital of $50 |
ach, while all are playing against |
=. 400. The reader can figure the aver
.ge for himself. l will only state that,
With an average dea er, $1,000 string"
capitaD, and daily front of $500
ivided between eight PLAYERS, there is
ot a game in Boston working twenty
even days month that would not
nit winner $500 twelve months in
be wear. But that which in my esti-
nation is the strongest evidence that
he assumed virtue and honor of the
fraternity are a sham, and
ave no solid foundation in fact, is the
act that brace" games are allowed to
ourish. Every gambler knows just
There these games are located, and is
acquainted with the mana
ers. If their own games were honest,
hev would combine and crush out the
brace" games. 1t would be for their
interest to do so. But the fact is, the
MY difference between d "brace'
anne and an ordinary game of faro is,
nat the aforementioned Is like the man
atino shark, which swallows at one
ulp everything that falls into his
lOuth; while the latter is an ordinary
which devOurs its victim
iecemeal.
To sum the whole matter up: A BUSH
ess that is illegitimate in itself an
raws to its support criminals from
very walk in crime, must on its face
c demOralizing. | do not attempt t.
W that every gambling room in Bos- ;
IN is the constant and only resort OF
riminals, but do not wish to be IN.
er, TODD as saying that there is a game
| this or any other city that would ex-
ude man on social or moral gro nds.
a h, no matter how obtained, is the
open sesame in every instance The
)nclusions arrived ut in this article
ave their foundation in solid fact, and /,
lie deductions and suggestions are the !
,toOp,a nf <ro ,,,bO |