The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-09-26
CARD SHARPERS IN PARIS.

Fondness of the Partsians for Gambling
The Devices of Unscrupulous Dealers.
If we may Judge by the pages of M.
DIES Perrieres the Parisians are restless
and hardened gamblers and ready to
play anything anywhere with anybody.
There are three places where they may
play chiefiy-in the real clubs, in the
clubs which are open to almost any one
and which, in fact, exist only that
gambling may be carried on, and in the
illegal gaming houses. Of real clubs
there are not many in Paris and access
is not easy; but there is no end Of gamb-
ling clubs dignified by some glittering
and Understanding title. Strangely
enough there is a greater danger Of
being cheated in the former than in the
latter, for in the gambling clubs
there are always a lot of cheats
watching each other and well watched
by the proprietor, who is up to oil
their little games, while in the real
clubs, although it would be difficult for
an adventurer to gain admittance, there
might cheat with impunity if he were
cautious and not over-grasping. At
ecarte or piquet, where he has but one
opponent to deceive, the Greek ought
to be able to win what he likes; but at
baccarat, where he plays against the
whole table, the simple devices of tetc-
a-tete deceit must be abandoned. M.
des Perrieres reveals the secrets of the
players who cheat the dealer and of the
dealer who cheats the players. By col
fusion with card-rOom attendant, the
dealer may distribute cards carefully
arranged in what the conjuror would
call chaplet. With a chaplet the
dealer reduces the chances against
him to those expressed in the old
formula, Heads l win, tails you
lose." A thorough shuttle is a sure
cure for the chaplet; and of
course cutting has no effect. There
are various chaplets known to the initi-
ated. M. des Perrieres tells us of player
who was losing steadily to the dealer
and who suddenly recognized the Sc
qnence of the cards as they fell on the
table. "Why, that is the Marseilles
chaplet," he cried; 1.-THE next card will
be the king of hearts" And the dealer
turned it up and it was the king of
hearts, and then the player proceeded
to declare every card before it was
turned, to the great amusement OF the
players who ceased betting at once
The feelings Of the dealer are not de-
scribed; probably language could not
do them Justice.
Another device which an unscrupu-
lous dealer may employ is survival
from the last century; at least it is
closely akin to a trick of that time. in
which a snuff box took the place of a
cigarette case. It is of great simple
ity. The dealer provides himself be-
forehand-to use the pleasant phrase
ology of the old-fashicned hand
books Of conjuring-with highly pol
ished silver cigarette case. This he places
on the table before him and Immediate
ly under his left hand as he distributes
the cards. II he has some slight man
ual dexterity, o quick eye and unfailing
self-possession, the rejecting surface Of
the silver will keep him fully informed
as to the value of every card before il
leaves his hands, and he may act &C.
cordingly. Sef-possession, and indeed
self-confidence, are necessary requisites
Of successful gambler, even when he
is not given to aiding chance. Fortune
favors the brave, and gambling is like
swimming in that the first touch of fear
IL fatal. Especially must the dealer at
baccarat abound in courage; let him
but begin to show the white feather and
his banking funds will speedily take
wings and fly away to feather the nest
Of some player Of more stomach. -
London Saturday Reuiew.