The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-06-09
LOOKED LIKE A SKIN.
HOW MORRiSSEY AND SCOvEL BEAT
A PAT STRAIGHT AND THREE ACES.


Amounts Did the Trick-Morrissey Got
81, 900 Out of the Pot, Scovel Got the
Rest and the Others Got Left.
The passing of the Crystal saloon.
Gone, but not forgotten. Erected in
1903. Raced only few days ago. The
Crystal saloon, which adjoined the Frear
House, was for over 40 years the princi
pal and about the only rendezvous for
sporting men i'll this city. 1t was the
resort Of such well known men as John
Morrissey, John DAILY, Colonel Jim SEQ
vel and others. Stories have been told
of plays Of faro when the limit was the
sky, and where the checks were piled
on card as high as the ceiling.
Many good stories are told of big
games played III the Crystal. One Of the
best is of the great poker game i'll which
the late John Morrissey and Colonel
Jim Scovel were the two important
players. 1t was nearly 80 years ago. 1t
was bleak December night. This was
before Scoyel was sent to the United
States senate by the Jerseyites, and
when Morrissey was at the height Of
his prominence. 1t was six handed
game of draw. The game had been lag
ging on for three hours without any ex-
eitement. Morrissey was about So, 900
winner. Scovel was "a loser of about half
that much. The play which made this
story came up about O'Clock in the
/ morning. John was the dealer, Scovel
sat to his left and was the first man to
speak 1t was $40 Jack "
Pass, - said the big colonel, never
j looking ut his hand.
The next man did the same rs SEQ
vel, but the player who followed him
/ opened it for $l20, the size Of the pot.
The next nun stayed, the next passed,
and when it came to Morrissey he tilted
it $500. 1t was EGw Seoyel's turn.
There was $500 now III the center. SEQ
vel was a poker player of the old school.
He would lay down fours as quickly AS
the amateur would draw four cards to
an ace when it cost 500, and he would
play three card flush if the pot WAS
worth winning ut all. Scovel looked at
his hand when Morrissey had finished
putting in the checks He stared at
John for few moments, all the time
fumbliDg his checks, and then in cool
way went down i'll his inside pocket
and pulled out II large wallet.
I'm raise you $50, Jim said.
The man who had opened the pot saw
both raises, for he sat with IL nice pat
straight in his hand, and the next fell
low put i'll ITO. Morrissey was non
plused when it came to him 1t was ut
least / 8 minutes before he put in the
1910.
Pm i'll so much l might as we'll
stay" he remarked, us he picked up the
deck. How many, Jim?'
Three" answered Scovel. land see
that they arc good ones y
"Oh, Two got you beat" chlrped
John, as he dealt out the required num-
ber
IN play these" was the answer of
the man who held the pat straight
That s n good thing, said Morris
sey, looking in n surprised way ut the
man.
"Give me two, was the order of the
next man. and he got them
well, l only want one, and / don't
need it ut that" remarked Morrissey.
as he took the top card.
The man who had opened was one of
those fellows who are always afraid of
one card draw, and he merely Clipped
20 cents The next man was there with
three aces cold, and he threw 500
greenback i'll the center. 1t was now
Morrissey's turn. He had skinned"
his hand Off two or three times.
Five hundred better" said he, with
out moving muscle.
During the play Scovel had been lean
ing back in his chair watching his OPP
ponents. The gallery. which is the
name used for the spectators who con
gregate around the table, was more ex-
cited than the players. The center of
the table was piled with bills.
1t seems like shame" exclaimed
Scovel, but m going to raise you 81,
500, John. and suiting the action to
the word he counted off that amC unit i'll
bills and threw it in the middle,
The man with the pat straight passed
without hesitating, and tho next with
three aces concluded that his hand
wasn't worth SO, more, so he, too,
dropped out
How about splitting the pot. Jimt"
asked Morrissey
Never, replied Scovel. but I'll
let you take your last raise cut
Make it Sl,000. said Moriissey.
land I'll go you.
IAN right" said Scoy1l "Mhat'd
you have?"
"A lalla pa-loosa, answered big
John, and threw his hand to Scovel.
There was II jack Of hearts aud u deuce,
tray, four and five of Diamonds
Soovol turned his hand over and
showed the jack of diamonds, queen of
hearts. jack aud seven of clubs, and ace
of spades; he had solitary pair of
jacks. Talk about CONSERVATION. The
man who had passed on three aces made
the air blue, and the pat straight fellow
fell unconscious. Soovel treated the
house and took cab TO Albany. IF l
had only thought you was blufiing, "
said Morrissey, I'D have sent you to
Philadelphia ON freight train. =
There YVES Ss,07l in the pot, which
Scovel woa with pair Of jacks
Troy Observer.