The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-04-30

AS numerous references haVo been
made lately to stud-horse poker, the
following description of the fascinating
game, taken from an exchange, Is re-
produced. 1t was evidently written by
some fellow who had run up pretty
hard against the buried card.
Stud-horse pokcr is dangerous, be
cause it has the air of innocence and
fair play. Five cards are dealt, the
same as in other poker, with this ex-
ccption-that all but ono card are ex-
posed, and it is upon the strength or
weakness of this hidden card that the
players win or lose their money, as tho
case may be. For instance, one PLAYER
may have an ace in sight, another a
KING, and SO on. Should any one of
these pair the "down card" It would
constitute the strongest hand. The
players can only judge from the cards
thrown around by the dealor as to
what pairs are out. The highest card
or pair in sight must do tho betting.
This gives the player holding strong
pair, one OF tho cards Of which Is ex-
posed, the other hidden, a decided ad-
vantage, rs tho others may not be play
ing him for pair. The tables form q
semi-circlc, and arc so arranged that
ten or dozen men can play at one
time. The dealer, with his chips, sits
In the center, and requires each man to
''ante" ono chip, which entities him to
draw two cards, the first one of which
is dealt face down, tho second being
exposed. The betting then begins and
continues until the cards are all drawn
Gut. This looks like a very fair game,
{ and probably would be wero it not for
the "rake-ot." or percentage, and 9TH
er little points which arc kept a secret
among the tavoritcs of the green-cloth
circle.
The percentage taken by tho house
absorbs at least one-half, and is so
great that old and experienced gam
blers will not play their money against
the game. Where the greatest evil ex-
lists is tho cheapness Of the game The
chips in the majority of the houses arc
sold at the rate of two for 5 cents, the
player being required to buy 80 cents
worth at time, or as many moro as he
! desires. Should luck run in his favo,
he may make good winning off half,
dollar. IN nine cases out of ten il goes
tho other way,
This, then, is 'M'here tho fascination
comes in. Each player imagines that
Ho |"n pay thc Ralnc Dette1 lndn some
one else. and that there is n fortune in
store for him if no only has nerve and
follows 1t up. Young men who could
not be induced to play their money
against other games of chance are
daily being caught in the meshes at
'"stud-pokcl," and once in, thoy find it
hard to extricate themselves.
FIFTY cents worth, just for amuse-
ment, says the smiling tempter; and
the half-dollar is exchanged for q small
stack of worries. The cards are dealt
and the beginner, at tho end of several
creased fouriold; Great camel cries
the novice. mo good," growls the
capper, who has been losing. "Try
again, suggests the dealer; "perhaps
you will have better luck next time"
lie does try again, and the rule invari-
ably is that either he or tho dealer has
all the chips when the game closes.
These, then, are the recruiting-posts
for the gambling-houses. Let a man
once become victim to "stud-poker,"
and it will cinch him like tho Old Man
of the Sea. The best friend that comes
to the rescue of these poor fellows is
the law. 1t is the only thing that can
save them from utter ruin. Vir0tnia
EnterDriSc