The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-11
CARD PLAYERS WARY.
SUPERSTITION HAS A STRONG
HOLD UP ON THEM.
Walking Around the Table-RefusIng to
Lend Chips While Winning Is a
Widespread Habit - Modern card
PARTIES.

Gard players are a most supersti-
tious Set" said a business man who
will occasionally "sit" in a little game
when the limit is to his liking and the
company Of exceptional quality, accord
ing to the Kansas City Journal. There
was a new one on me the other night, -
he continued, "for one of the men,
when we were taking seats, shifted
his position because he wanted to play
with the grain of the table. That is,
he wanted the cards to come to him
with the grain of the round table, and
not crossways. This was a new one,
ASH said, but it recalled the fact that
all of them have a weakness. For
instance, where is the card player who
will play cards while some outsider
has foot on the rung Of his chair?
Then there is the other fellow who
will get up and walk around his chair
to change his luck, and the other who
will never lend a chip if he is winning.
Why, saw man the other night who
refused chip or two to a neighbor
in the game, but he went down in his
trousers, pulled out roll and handed
his friend an x and told him to buy a
few from the banker.
''Poker, too, has given the country
some Of the richest of slang. Take the
word bluff and where can you find
a better word? 1 suppose it is in the
Century, or if it isn't it should be,
for the word is completely accepted
now by the best writers everywhere,
in this country and England, too.
Standing pat was used in a courtroom
a short time ago. Some lawyer was
asked by the judge what he intended
to do after certain decision had been
rendered on a motion. He said he
guessed he would stand pat 1t wasn't
strange that the judge comprehended
the situation and without word went
on, after the other lawyer said that his
opponent would do we'll to draw cards,
as standing pat had no terrors for
him. More than that, every reference
was thoroughly understood by every
lawyer within the railing. 1t was just
at this time that the judge added to the
confusion by ordering one of the bail
ifs to turn on the steam, as his feet
were too cold. For the benefit Of the
INITIATED it is worth saying that the
cold feet refers to a habit Of some
small gamblers who play for the
money that is in it, saying as an ex-
cuse, My feet are cold,' and getting
out of the game when they are ahead.
"That reminds me that women as
well as men are natural gamblers and
in consequence there have been many
of long standing among
women ruined forever by progressive
eUchre. Why, have played in games
where the cheating of some of the
women was as palpable to a man who
is accustomed to card-playing as the
nose on your face But 1 said moth
ing, as the women would have been
mad and denied everything and placed
me in the hole. Look at the prizes
they play for now. There's the head
prize for men and women and the
BOBBY, or consolation, prize for men.
Then there are second and third prizes
and the prize for making the greatest
number Of points and the prize for the
least number and prize for the great
est number of mistakes and who knows
how many others. It's a regular gamb-
ling game, but the same who indulge
N that kind Of sport will jump on a
man who plays little, quiet game of
poker at home. Nor is the gambling
spirit obliterated from the progressive
social games entirely, for there was a
game l heard of where the head prize |
was made up of five S. gold pieces all
led up with blue ribbon, and you bet
he men in that game were working
lard for the head prize, for some of |
hem wanted that twenty-five with a
want that must be filled. 1 expect |
'ome OF them cheated, but as a lady. |
Who was a guest at the home of the |
hostess, got all the money and the
Iostess did the punching of the tickets.
here was faint suspicion that a few
xtra holes got into the young lady's
ard by mistake-on purpose. But
Il course, 1 don't make a charge like
hat; I'm only thinking"
In reply to query, Whats your
uperstition?" the talker said: owe
My one. won't play in a game when
have on single thing that has never
cen worn before-nOt even a necktie
axes my mind away from the game.
nd, therefore, I never wear a new
hing when am going to play poker"