The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
EULL WON THE
] INTER CITY GAME
Epan's Three Gard Draw Made
Minneapolis = Winner.

The game was for blood, with no thought
OF forbearanoe to beaten foe. Whatever
consideration there might have been for
one another among the six men who sat in
the back room OF Pierre Ribot's roadhonse
was laid aside when they bought chips.
There was local rivalry in the play. no
less than personal. When the Twin Cities
wore approaching equality in size-or rather
when Minneapolis was growing up to a
dangerous rivalry Of St. Paul not very
many years ago-there was far more bitter
feeling than was exhibited afterward.
Not only In legitimate business, but in
sporting circles there was Jealous distrust
between the two communities. and out OF
this had come q desire to test the relative
merits Of the best poker players In the two
cities.
It was big Jim Masters who made the
proposal that was finally adopted. He
said: There are three or four men In
Minneapolis who believe they play the
strongest game OF poker that's played
anywhere along the Mississippi River. and
some Of my friends say I'm one Of the three
or four. Anyhow. We haven't any Of us
any reason to regret having played oc-
casionally In st. Paul.
Now, II there's anybody In st. Paul that's
possessed Of the insane delusion that he can
play against US. why not arrange a meet
ng place and have 1t QUIZ
Scotty Mcintosh was the man he was
talking to, and Scotty was man to whom
the fair fame Of St. Paul was very dear.
Big Jim's words were gall and wormwood
to him. but he smiled as he retorted that
he saw no reason why the Minneapolis sports
should be discouraged II they really desired
to contribute to the prosperity Of the capital
Of the State. He didn't play much Of game
himself, but he thought he was equal to any
man in Minneapolis. and there were several
players in st. Paul who we're as good as
he, or better.
Big Jim's rejoinder was that his part
ner, Harry Dixon. was probably the best
professional card player on earth-cer-
tainly the best In North America. and that
Bud Cooper. who was not q professional
at ALL but lawyer, was undoubtedly the
next best.
we three" he declared, will meet any
three men in St. Paul at any time. and III
guarantee that the bankroll Of Masters
and Dixon'll he in the game. I can't say
what Cooper will have. but he can always
raise few thousand.
When Scotty reported the def to his
friends in st. Paul, however, there was
great enthusiasm. The trouble was to
select champions from among the can
didates. Scotty himself would not be
denied. Bill Harvey. a contractor OF large
means and unshakable nerve. was agreed
upon as the second player. but for third
ala kharn ,rfn
Scotty made suggestion.
"Therel be two professionals against
U.S." he said, and although they have the
name OF being white clear through, I'd
feel better II VIC had one professional on
our side. What's the matter with Dick
Egan?"
Dicks always broke when he's sober.
and drunk when he's flush" objected some
one.
true enough sail scotty. but Is he
broke or drunk just now?'
Broke. said the objector.
Good enough" exclaimed Scotty. We'll
keep the liquor away from him till the
night Of the game and give him nothing
then, till It's over, and I reckon there'll
be five or six thousand in his pocket when
he sits down at the table"
Ribot's roadhouse was chosen az half
way ground, and the six men met there the
following Saturday night
There was, at frst some little objection
among the players when 1t was found that
there was to be an audience. but it was
realized that the affair was in a certain
sense public one. Accordingly some
thing like a score had seats in a double
circle OF chairs around the table. The
stipulation was made that no spectator
should comment on the game In any way.
There was little time wasted in prelim-
inaries. Each man bought a Thousand
dollars In chips to start. whites being IS.
reds $50 and blues 500. The game was
to be straight poker. with no jacks except
and the ante ono white. calls two.
The question Of limit was not even men
toned. The only consideration to he
expected was that man had always the
right to call for a show for his pile IL he
declared that he was all in.
The first deal fell to Harvey and Masters
put up the ante. the players being seated
Scotty. next to the age,
promptly came in, and Dixon and Egan
suit
Cooper and Harvey both laid down, and
Masters. after carefully looking over his
hand, raised 1t red. Scotty made good
Dixon laid down ana ESas. ra:ssS. It tro
reds.
Masters saw the raise, and threw in a
blue chip additional whereupon Scotty
dropped and Egan made good.
In the draw Masters stood pat and Egan
called for two cards. After looking at
them he threw his hand In the discard,
and Masters took the pot.
The audience could, OF course. only
imagine what hands were out. but there
was general nod Of approval. 1t was
Judged to be good play all round Egan's
discretion in surrendering without struggle
after he had backed a presumable three
OF kind to the limit Of prudence was es-
pecially commended.
1t was not long afterward, however,
when 1t seemed to the onlookers that the
same player made a slip.
1t happened on his own deal when there
was a jackpot that had been sweetened
till there was $3.50 on tho table. Cooper
opened for the size Of the pot; Harvey laid
down, Masters and Sootty came in and
Dixon raised 1t i've hundred dollars, making
Q total at this point Of 81, 2S0 In the Dot.