The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-28
power. which is considered by many as
tute observers to be almost imminent
CHEATING AT BRIDGE.

The desire to grow rich rapidly with
out performing any work in return /:
/ one OF the evils that afTiict modern life
says the London Express. 1t is respon
sible for piunging on the stock exchange
/ on the part OF spectators, and many OF
/ the painful scandals that have occurred
/ during recent years are due to this craze
or amassing wealth without work. Ir
English country houses it is no uncom-
mon thing for ladies TO bet heavily.
Gambling at cards, too, even among the
elite OF society. goes on to an alarming
I extent. and the numerous scandals that
have been caGsed, mainly through high
/ play at that popular game at house par
ties, bridge" are wellnigh incredible.
( Most OF the victims of bridge" have
been women. but numerous young men
of birth and position have had their fu-
true careers bIishted. if not ruiend.
through gambling at this enhancing
game.
Among the smart set" bridge froms
part of the routine of the day. With
MANY Eell-known men and women the
game has become a mania, and last au-
tumn It was gravely stated that one Of
the young ladies' lost no less than 3oooo
pounds at bridge while staying at a
country house.
Cases like this are, of course. the OK
ception. not the rule; but still vary large
sums are lost at this fascinating game
at house parties. and it is no exsggera-
ton 10 state that most of this money
finds ii way into the pockets of profess
sional society card s}arpeFs
Astounding as it may seem, small
but well-organized coterie Of card
is composed of the black sheep Of socitey.
both male and female. aand most Of the
i'll repute which has fallen upon card
parties and players at country houses is
due TO the nefarious operations of its
members.
The strict code OF honor which prevails
in the society Of ladies and gentlemen
makes IT easy for the members of this
swindling section of the smart set to
fleece their victims, Their success is put
down TO skill for except in the most
fragrant cases no one would dream of sus-
pecting guest at house party Of
cheating.
In consequence INSCRIPTIONS persons
can pursue methods of cheating at cards
which would be impossible at an ordinary
gambling establishment, where everyone
suspects his neighbor.
Like whist, bridge is played with
partners. They are cut for at the COM
mencement Of each game. and this 10
the initiated, appears to preclude con-
nivance between two parties
Should one Of the card sharpers, how
ever. manage TO obtain possession of the
pack for few moments. the difficulty
of partners can be easily arranged.
Society card sharpers. 1t should be clear
ly understood, do not have recourse to
the vulgar and obvious device Of mark
ing certain cards. II is too risky. With
out making any remarks whatever on
the court cards, they render them esaily
distinguishable in the following man
ner:
Good playing cards. such as are used
at the houses of the nobility, are capable
of acquiring very high polish. The
bridge sharpers first object is to get
the cards into his or her possession for
few minutes without anyone being
aware, and in devoting those few mo-
ments to assiduousy polishing the court
cards, by rubbing them brislIly along a
tableclothr, after having just slightly
dampened them with spirit varnish con-
cealed in the Handkerchief.
This treatment gives them a very glossy
surface. and therefore. in cutting for
partners the confederates can cut either
high or low as they desire. as they can
easily tell. by the movements OF the cards
in the pack. which are the high and
which ore the low.
Servants are frequently 5ribed TO al
low the cards to be polished. and when
the servants are above suspicion, 1t has
even been stated that members of the
gang have on one pretense and another
bought up the stock of playing cards in
the shop that supplies the house they
are working with stationery, and after
steaming open the baskets and polishing
fully resealed and returned to the shop
keeper on some pretext or other. in the
hope that in due course they will find
their way to the host5s house.
According to the rules of bridge
the dealer. after dealing out all the cards
looks at his or her hand and proceeds
to the declaration of trumps Before
doing this a rapid code language is put
into operation. and the dishonest part
ners know precisely what cards each
other holds and are able. therefore, To
ain unfairly and easily.
Dishonest players can communicate with /
each other in variety OF ways. The lady /
by holding her cards before her in Ger
tain position can signify 10 her partner
hat she is weak. say. in red cards.
A movement Of his cigarette conveys TO /
her the fact that he also is weak in cards I
IF that color. and then by suddenly plsc- /
ng her hand on the table she can inform .
him that she has two kings but no aces. I
Ia this way they can communicate with .
ease aGud cheat TO their hearts content
London Express.