Milford chronicle., 1895-11-15
SOGIABLE GAME.
BOSTON socleTYs RADICAL INNovA-
TIoNs AT POKER.

TloNs AT POKER.
Decks Of sixty Cards. and 'sRingdoodies"
Among the New Features Sympathy
For Losers and Luncheon with "a Wee
Nap" For An-The Little Kitty.
Could the late Minister Schenck, who
gave to the world during his diplomatic
life treatise on the fascinating Ameri-
can game, attend a modern poker party
he would certainly declare that the
world has moved backward, in one re-
spect at least
Very few people outside certain cir
cles Of the Back Bay have any conception
Of the extent to which poker playing is
carried in that section. The whole To-
cality is divided into "sets, " and it is
customary for each one to hold a session
at his or her house nearly every night
in the week.
The usual hour for beginning play is
s o'clock, and it is customary for the
ladies to dress for the occasion, while
the gentlemen not infrequently array
themselves in full evening costume.
4nG EkNnItAA 4AAl4AN 10 AZ NthAag OAAA
reason for making it so small being that
I the conscientious shall not feel that they
i are gambling. 1t is frequently remarked
by this one and that one that they have
4 not come out for the purpose of making
/ anything-only to have a social time.
/ This statement appears somewhat incon-
gruous when placed side by side with
/ the look of satisfaction that is notice
able when a good sized jackpot is tax
en- in.
Another feature of society poker is
the great amount Of sympathy expressed |
for the players when the cards are run
ming badly and they have been called |
upon to interview the bank for the fifth
or sixth time. The heaviest dealers i'll
sympathy are those who have the largest |
stack of chips before them. 1t does not |
cost anything, and it is believed by the |
ones who peddle it out that it will inn /
press the others with belief that they |
are real generous. But careful observ-
er will notice as the game progresses |
that the unlucl1y one is always raised |
by those who believe they have the best |
hands, notwithstanding the size of their /
stacks.
This is called poker table sympathy
and is as shallow and meaningless as
much of the talk heard among society /
people.
Generally there are three hours of
play, after which the hostess asks her
guests to a light repast, consisting of
sardines, crackers, cheese and sweet
meats. Bottled beer is the favOrite beV J
erage, but there are instances on record
where something stronger has been in
dulged in. A great many society people
of both sexes drink rum punch, lemon
ade dashed with whisky and plain gin.
The usual time devoted to refresh
ments is minutes, as all are anxious
to get at the cards again.
Now the peculiar features of society
poker, which are contrary to the for
mula" presented by the lamented
Schenck, arc novel and numerous and
while they are readily accepted by nine
tenths Of those who play just for the
fun Of the thing, yet the other tenth is
unalterably opposed to them, but, act
ing in accordance with the principle
that the majority should rule, all efforts
to have the game rid of them have been
abortive.
The most pain that the small minor
ity experiences in playing the evoluted
game is when the go card decks are
brought in. It frequently happens that
seven and eight players are present at
sitting, and when everybody "stays"
the cards fall short. which neeessitates
gathering up the "dead wood - and fill
ing out the hands from it. There is a
we'll grounded superstition that these
discards have been robbed of everything {
of value, and that to draw from them is 7
equivalent to throwing the chips into a q
redhot stove. To i'll measure meet y
these exigencies II and 10 spot cards
have heen added, making the pack con-
sist of go cards instead Of 90. Those
who have been accustomed to play at the /
clubs, where the game still retains all
its Schenckian purity, have a chill
when they find these obtruslve cards are r
to confront them. q
Another innovation is the "ringdoO- l
die " Where the word originated is a Il
mystery fully as deep as the practice it y
s
A ringdoodle is declared when hand n
has been called and fours are shown. "
Then follows a round Of jack pots, CT
the holder of the winning hand starting ?
Them Blue chips are put up to corre- i
5pond with the number Of players. OF 4
course this makes a heavy drain ON the
stacks which have been lowered through
5he evening by i'll luck, and if the own
sr Of one of these happens to be an op- il
oonent Of the ringdoodle, he goes off on il
/ long dissertation ON how the game was d
)nce played OF course round of jack q
pots would be equivalent to ringdoO- Il
lie, but it comes easier to some players lie
o pay on the installment plan ci
It has now become the custom to CT
make discount of one red chip for ev- IL
ny jack pot. Although this is pretty G
leavy rake OFF, yet it all comes back to fr
he players just before the wind up for h,
he evening. ia
When time has crept on toward mid h,
light, the keeper Of the kitty announces le
hat a round Of consolation jacks viii al
e played. The chips are divided into a ar
lumber of piles corresponding with the er
lumber of players, and the extras are a.
laced in the center of the table with an
he individual contributions. vi
When society plays poker, there is al it,
7ays n big supply Of cards ON hand. If til
lck runs badly for player a new pack wi
demanded, but it is rarely fortune tai
hanges her plans She names the unfor ze
innate ones before the game starts, and
o form Of device will bring about an
Iteration in her programme. Boston
Ierald. mi
Co
Wrinkles. cel
rf 49,. eo..l,,., I a.. -; I - a. L - ! rzyi