Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-17
MR. ENN ANp PoKER.
The senator Makes Some wild Breaks in
His First Game.
pa1oSal,hta Tr.nas

IMttotAcAptt4 AN"tpo.
Senator Bowen, of Colorado, is generally
acknowledged to be the finest poker playel
in Washington. he is also very fond o.
coaching neOphytes in the science. A short
time ago Senator Kenna of West Virginia,
conceived q longing to learn the principles
of the game, about which he had heard sc
much. OF course he applied to Bowen fol
information. The latter was delighted
For several days he 80 Kenna lessons II
the room of the Committee on Enrolled
Bills, Of which Bowen is chairman. The
young West Virginian Nemed to make
rapid advancement and the Colorado Sena'
tor began to boast of the proficiency OF M:
pupil.
One night last week a friendly party was
gathered in Bowen's room at the RlggS
House. Kenna was there and so wa Dolpf
of Oregon, whose skill with cards Is recog.
nized both here and at home. During the
conversation Bowen started off on his faV'
orite theme and Landed Kenna's progress:
under his tutorship. Dolph suggested that
he would give Kenna a chance to show hi:
ability in a ifty-dOllar-limit game. Kenna
looked dubious, but Bowen patted him on
the shoulder and told him to go in.
The game began, with Bowen leaning
over his pupils chair to give encourage,
ment. 1t was stipulated beforehand by
Dolph, however, that no suggestions
should come from the Colorado man
Dolph put up his dollar ante and Kenna
dealt. The latter held a pair of queens,
a king, q ten, and q seven. With all the
eagerness Of a neophyte he came in and,
laying his pair aside, discarded the Others.
At this point a couple of Western mem
bers came in and it was some minutes be-
fore the game was proceeded with. FIN
ally Kenna dealt the cards. In the draw
he got two queens and an ace. Bowen
could hardly restrain his delight, and II
was evident from his expression that he
longed to yell to his pupil. go 1t, my
boy, for all you're worth"
Kenna did not seem to be Overpleased,
however. As beginners generally do, he
laid his second pair aside from the first,
and puttinghis elbOwsOnthetable awaited
the betting. Dolph, of course, thought
his opponent had two pairs. Having three
aces himself he went about the betting in 4
very confident way. Putting $50 on the
table, he looked hard at Bowen TO detect
any signals that might pass between the
teacher and the pupil. Bowen kept the
agreement honestly, although his face was
red with suppressed emotion and his
fingers seemed to sink into the back of the
chair. Kenna, without looking at his
cards again, folded his arms and cOnsid-
cred the ~advisability of cOmingi in. Finally,
remembering what his teacher had told
him about DOlph's blufling schemes, he
planked down the $40 and called.
Three aces" said Dolph, showing his
hand.
Bowen could restrain himself no longer,
and yelled.
What in - are you talking about
two pairs, Kenna? Look at your hand,
man."
II have looked at it," said Kenna quiet
". 81 had one pair of queens and drew
another pair. Two pairs, and the other
card is an ace"
Then there was Wild laughter from the
lockers on except Bowen, who sank into
Il chair with a despaiTing look at his prom
ising pupil. Kenna caught on after awhile,
but it was too late. He had thrown up
his hand and the pot went to his opponent.
He laughed heartily when he saw the
point, and confessed he had few things to
learn about poker yet. Bowen has given
up his pupil, and freely expresses the opin-
ion that a man who does not know that
four queens beats three aces can never car
ry the Democratic party through the next
campaiGn.