Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-09-18
HORSES AND BOOKWAHERS.
Betting Men In Washlaxsow-A Nnlal.
more Man and His WiunfoGA.

The recent decision Of the Police Court re-
affirming the opinion rendered last year ~ 10
the legality Of bookmaking in the District has
infused new life into the pool rooms OF Wash
fngton They are more literally patronzed
than ever There are four pool rooms or ''turf
exchanges in Washington, and all OF them
seem to be doing well. Any Of them take any
bet that is offered from . dollar up The regu-
lar patrons gruMble at the odds laid here, COM
pleining that they are only about half the
track odds Still the figures are the best the
boys can get and they take them. = - q 80 -
LUCKY BALrIMoREIN.G ri 2is.2-4 -
There is q Baltimorean who visits Washihg-
ton every few days, much TO the sorrow OF the
b0ok-makers. Last week his aggregate win
nfngs were $4,000. He apparently gets the
most reliable Information from the tracks, and
he backs il heavily. "i
ruling lin Door,aSs his nn.nv and Svnsr Al,
OFT the track is gratifying to the hackers OF
horses here. Douglass is one of the neelest
miles, but his record is q crs1E "a one. "a ]
Pace At Brooklyn this week, seven-eiHhths Of q
mile, ne was hot favorite. 1t being the univer-
sal opinion that he could win on his own terms.
he did not even get place, and the judges re.
ported that the horse was pulled. Uufortu-
iosy anere have been evidences OF no little
the sports have turned with relief TO the Louis.
vile races. as turf laws are rigidiy enforced
there. kentuckians naturally delight in horse
have II square. The owner, trainer or "tock''
who would sell out race in Kentucky, where
everybody goes In for the sport, would run the
r isk OF rough treatment
THE PROFITS OF THE BooK-MAKERS
The better in the books is At some disadvan-
tage. rs he 10 forced to take the book-mRker's
odds. Last season was profitable one to every
turf exchange In the city, one firm closing Its
on the combination boxes has resulted in per-
manently breaking up that system, notwith.
standing the. courts decision that it was not
nlegal. AS a percentage Of the business was
taken out, the police authorities decided that IL
partook OF the nature OF \ lottery, aud was
therefore illegal. During the tendency OF the
trial, and while the combination boxes were
closed, the book.makers discovered that Its alb
sence increased the business of the books, and
they determined not to revive it.
The only method of betting now In vogue here
is that OF book-making. The better eau make q
combination on any horses he chooses to select
the bOOk-maker will then fix the odds at his
own FISK, no commission being taken out.
BETTING AGAINST EACH OTHER.
The book-makers are good customers of each
other. II one of them gets what he regards as q
good tip" he forthwith goes and plays ii
against his competitors A rather amusing
incident occurred with one Of them several
days ago. He was in rival pool room when
the Baltimore man" VINO wins SO much en-.
tered and made continuation on Panama
The snrewd book-maiier overheard the
combination, and instantly concluded that
that must be a good thing; He hastened
to the exchange of another competition
and played the combination for 500, getting
odds Oh eight to one. He then sauntered back
TO his own place and looked over hi, books u
see what business had been done during bis
absence. Suddenly he ciutched his hands In
his hair and exclaimed, My God" whats
the natter! his assistants aaXlousiy inquired
N HE the shrcwd bOok-maker mad been play.
Ing the Baltimoreau's COMPUTATION on a tfvai
for 500 the Baitimorean had been 10 his place
and played it Tor SOU, putting up that sum
against 81 900 and winning.