Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-10-12
the land will readily improve in fertil-
ity and produce large crops.
THE GAME OF CRAPS.
1t Originated just After the Civil War
When the Darkey Had Idle Time.

The GAME UF CkAfS.
1t Originated Just After the Civil War
When the Darkey Had Idle Time.
The southern Negro trusts fortune
with all the blind faith of little child.
He carries buckeye for sore eyes, a
potato for rheumatism, wisp of hair
from the tail of black dog for pains
in the back, voodoo charm 10 pro-
tect him against the Vaccinations of
his enemies, and a rabbits foot for
luck. With this collection in his pock-
ct he goes confidently forth to WOO the
tickle goddess Chance. But not in
cards or in twirling wheels or in any
of the devices known to the devotee
of Monte Carlo does he put his trust,
and not even Lhe great American game
of poker has any fascination for him.
But in craps, played in his own re-
markable way, he delights.
Who invented it and when or where
| it originated no one can say; but soon
after the close of the war, when the
Negro for the first time in his life could
taste the sweets of idleness-and de-
licious morsel it was and is-this al
Turing device for causing coins to
change pockets started, and it spread
like contagious fever. The Greeks
named all the numbers on the dice after
gods, goddesses and heroes, the lucky
number being called Aphrodite, and
the Negro likewise has name for
every possible combination of num-
bers, although his are not 80 classical
as those of the cultured Greeks. Three
he calls "Free; four, "Little Joe;
five, "Phebe;" six, "Jimmy Hicks )"
nine, "Liz," and ten, "Big Tom"
The rules of the game are few and
simple. The first player takes two dice
and shaking them violently in the palm
of his hand calls out:
"a nickel-put up."
Another answers, II fad you,"
which, being translated, means, 81
cover your money"
The onlookers also take hand in
the betting, the one who bets with the
player being said TO ''llke him."
Everything being in readiness, the
player drops the dice as if they burnt
him, crying:
"Come sebeu-eleben."
II he makes seven or eleven, he
wins. If he throws the unlucky num-
bers, two, three or twelve, he loses or
scraps OUT" but if any of the other
combinations of numbers are turned
he makes his "point," and has another
throw. Now, the "fader" who has
covered the players money reaches
out and picks up the dice with the an.
nouncement, "my dice" After this an
nouncement he cody proceeds to care
fully examine them TO see If they are
loaded, and, satisfied on this point,
hands them back to the player. This
is allowable just after the first throw,
but after this it is an insult to the
player again to question their genuine
ness, and if it is done fight is the re-
suit.
The player having scored a point the
first time, the excitement becomes in
tense. The white teeth of all are
shining, their eyes rolling until they
seem like ovals of ivory set with a
black bead and their heads commence
TO wag from side to side. The player
holds his breath and not word Is
spoken by those around him as he
rat,les the dice. If he can make his
"point" before he throws seven he
wins, but if he throws seven first he is
undone. The bettors surreptitiously
run their hands in their pockets and
feel for rabbits foot.
Suddenly the player blows upon the
dice in his hand, gives deep gutteral
grunt, and cries excitedly:
"Come TO see me, little Joe." The
"fadder" keeps repeating:
"Cut him off, seben. Cut his throat,
lucky seben. Jump under him, seben."
There is an exclamation from the
"fadder," a triumphant laugh from the
player. He has made his point. There
is an exchange of dirty nickels, and
grunt or two from the losers. The
player is getting warmed up. He
takes off his coat, rolls up his sleeves,
aud spits on his hands. Lovingly he
fondles the dice; luck is with him.
The spectators draw closer and watch
with increased interest. BY the rules
of the game he will be allowed to
throw until he "craps OUT" and, elated
by his success, he shakes the dice and
calls:
"a dime-come up with dime"
With some grumbling the "fader"
obeys. The player drops the dice, at
the same time swapping the fingers of
his other hand, sure way of bringing
luck, and again the money is his. The
game now goes on quickly and he wins
again and again, until many of the
bettors are compelled to drop out.
Soon the hand of the player trembles
as he reaches for the ivories, and he
takes out his rabbits foot and rubs it
on them.
"Dat niggah was born in de full of
de moon. He's bound to hab luck"
some one prophesies, and the player
smiles. AS he drops Lhe dice there
are lmploring cries of "Come seben-
eleben," "Come twelve" "Two, free
it is."
1T is nine, and the thrower adds,
quickly:
"Liz is de gal fer me" a saying that
always accompanies that throw. Once
more the dice roll upon the ground
and "Jimmy Hicks" is the throw.
big Six, take my gal to Memphis"
the player entreats, for there are cer-
tain propitiatory expressions that must
be used when these numbers are