Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-11-06
CARD sHARpERs IN PARIS.
Fondness of the Parlsians for Gambling
The Devices of UnscruDuIous DeElers,s

Fondness OF the Parlsians for Gambling
The Devices of Unscrupulous Dealers.
If we may judge by the pages of NJ.
des Perr.eres the Parisians are restless
and hardened gamblers and ready, 10
play anything anywhere with anybody.
There are three places where they may
play chieay-in the real clubs, in the
clubs which are open to almost any one
and which, in fact, exist only that
gambling may DO 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 glittcring
and loud-sounding 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 lot Of cheats
watching each other and well watched
by the proprietor, who is up to all
their little games, while in the real
clubs, although it would be difficult for
an adventurer to gain admittance, there
is no suspicion, and once in, rascal
might cheat with impunity if he were
cautious and not over-grasping. At
eoarte 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 tho
whole table, the simple devices of t9te-
a-tete deceit must be abandoned, NJ.
des Perrieres reveals the secrets of the
players who cheat the dealer and of the
dealer who cheats the players, By col
lusion with a card-room attendant. the
dealer may distribute cards carefully
arranged in what the conjuror would
call q chaplet. With chaplet the
dealer reduces the chances against
him to those expressed in the old
formula, "Heads l win, tails you
lose." Ailthorough 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 a player
who was losing steadily to the dealer
and who suddenly recognized the So
quence of the. cards as they fell on the
table. "Why, that is the Marseilles
chaplet,n y he cried; ''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 moi
do them Justice r 'i'l3S 7-''N i0'''
Another device which an unscrupu,
lous dealer, may employ is a survival
from the last century; at least it il
closely akin to a trick Of that time. in
which a snuff-box took the place Of 8
cigarette case. It,is of great simplic
ity. Tho dealer provides himself be-
| forehand-to use the pleasant phrase
ology of the old-fashioned hand
books of conjuring-with a highly pol
lished silver cigarette case. This he place.
on the table before him and immediate
ly under his left hand as he distributes
the cards. If lie has some slight man
ual dexterity, a quick eye and unfailinl
self-possession, the rejecting surface o.
the silver will keep him fully informed
as to the value Of every card before i
leaves his hands, and he may act ac
cordingly. Self-possession, and indeed
self-confdence, are necessary requisites
of successful gambler even when h,
is not given to aiding chance. Forum,
tavors the brave, and gambling is lik'
swimming in that the first touch of fea
is fatal. Especially must the dealer q
baccarat abound in courage; let hin
but begin to show the white feather ant
his banking funds will speedily taxi
wings and lily away to feather the mes
of some player Of more stomach
London Saturday Review.