Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
"A BIRTHDAY HOncH =
An Interesting Story Of a Poker
Game.
PLAYED ON A TRANSPORT
Result Of Staying In on a Jack.
pot.
MADE A STRAIGHT FLUSH
On an Inside one-Card Draw-It
Probably Would Not Happen
Again.

cigars and swapping poker yarns. All KINDS
of stories were In order. and some of the
experiences were hearsay, but majority
were of a personal nature. Charms lucky
pieces, superstitions of gamblers and every
device utilized to tempt the tickle goddess
of fortune occupied conspicuous positions
In the narratives: but 1t was reserved for
one of the younger members of the party
to spring a new talisman.
did any of you ever have a birthday
hunch.'' he aueried while coming over
your cards to see what your hand was
WORTH"
There was a chorus of negatives and the
request followed to know what a birthday
bunch was
THE best explanation 1 can give" re-
piled the author of the new term in poker
will be to relate an actual occurrence in
which was an active participant
1t was balrny. pleasant afternoon when
party of five gathered on the deck of
transport lying at anchor in the harbor of
Ponce. Porto Rico Our captain, a jovial
Englishman and good a sailor as ever
trod the quarter deck. proposed. in order
to while away the time, that we indulge In
the American game of poker There was
a ready assent and five of us were soon
immersed in studying our hands and try
ing to relieve each other of a few dollars.
We played along pretty evenly, and luck
was fairly distributed for upward of an
hour. During this period nothing larger
q
two pairs generally sutficed to win the pot
We were playing 2o-cent ante and $3.50
limit. Everybody was feeling good and the
chips were rattling actively and merrily.
A Jackpot Started
FINALLY Jackpot started. 1t went around
several times each player sweetening it
the amount of the ante. When the se.enth
turn came around the man next to the
dealer passed. Our captain opened the pot
for the limit. The player next to him
threw his cards in the deck. 1t was my
turn and In thumbing my cards 1 found
an opportunity presented itself to draw to
an inside straight, flush a straight
flush. for / had four spades, the six, eight
nine and ten of the suite. | stayed and
when 1t reached the dealer he raised the
limit which had been started by the cap
tain. 1t was the turn of the player next to
the dealer. but he declined taking part and
threw his hand into the deck. Being of bull
dog tenacity, the captain raised the dealer,
and again / simply stayed with the cap
tain, when 1t was up to the dealer again
He raised. only to be raised again and l
pursued my trailing tactics This process
continued until there had been seven raises
and reraiseS before cards We're drawn
Finally the dealer followed my suit and did
not raise the captain. saying 1t was about
time to draw cards. Captain took one card
took one and the dealer took one. Then
the fun began 1t was an unlimited eame
and If a player did not have the chips in
front of him he was privileged to dig down
In his pockets as long as they would stand
the strain.
with satisfied air the captain laid his
five cards face down on the table and pro-
ceeded to bet the limit Cautiously peering
at my one card found the seven of spades
ana II mashed over NE that it was my
birthday. the 7th Of October. To my mind
this accounted in measure for my stand
Ing the raises and reraises which had pre-
coded the draw, and 1t was with rather a
compiacent air that l followed the captains
example and turned my cards face down on
the table. at the same time raising the cap
tain.
You fellows seem to be pretty well sat
lsned, remarked the dealer, and my two
pair look pretty good. 50 L II face my cards
down. too
AS he said this he proceeded to raise me,
and the captain in nonchalant manner gave
the pot another tilt. which spurred me to
do likewise. Thus we see-sawed back ana
forth. raising, reraising and double rails
ing. until the pot had assumed a most In
wiling and plethoric aspect
Cawn't 1 make you quite? sad tie cap
tain, addressing me-
swer
You two fellows don't take much stock
in my hand. snarled the dealer but my
two pair still look good to me. So here
goes for another boost and again the pot
was tilted.
A Remarkable Game.
Poker is a most remarkable game said
the captain, and fascinating as WELL But
am In for finish fight SO my friend I'll
have to raise you once more
am playing according to Schenck,'
was my answer. and his rules are good
enough for me. so cap. I'll give you another
boost
This airy bandinage and persifiage con-
tinued until all the chips and all the avail
able coin and currency Of the trio was in
the center OF the table. Nobody seemed
anxious to call and when the last bet had
been covered 1t was decided to have a
showdown.
When started to draw cards said the
captain, had kings and queens. l took
in another king. So / guess the pot is
mine
Hold on bit. captain timidly sug-
gested. maybe l can beat king full
Before the captain could reply the dealer
blurted out. if you can beat a king full
you must be able to beat two pair
That's easy money for me- was my re-
Spouse.
chuckled the dealer.
a. All pairs look alike to me just now 1
hurled back at him.
well, my son, / have two pair OF aces,
said the dealer. and he reached for the pot,
the captain In the meanwhile having dis
played his king full.
"a smile lit up the dealers face as he fol-
lowed suit and displayed four aces. At the
same time he started to pull the pot toward
him. I looked at him a moment and
drawled out as slowly possible In order
to emphasize my remarks. I can beat four
aces
1.-THE hi you cam calculated the
dealer.
Poker is not only remarkable game
he continued. but these are the most re-
markabie hands ever heard of coming to-
gether There is no kick on my part for
dealt the cards and have nobody to blame
but myself What did give your
MY answer was. Skin these over and see
how you like themT Suiting the action
to the word I displayed the six seven.
eight nine and ten of spades.
".This is my birthday. boys. and that
seven spot filled q Iong-felt want in my
hand When get back to the states and
poker stories are on tap, I will tell my
friends true story and call 1t the birth