The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-17
WOMEN GAMBLERS
EXPERT PLAYERS
Nine, de MonteSpan RiSked
100000 on Single Card
HELP TO SOCIETY WOMEN
Popular Matron of Washington Who
Managed to Dress Well Through
Her Skill at Cards-Poker
Is Popular.

| Many stories of high playing at bridge,
| poker and other games have been heard
during the Washington seasons of late
years.
Last years Lenten season brought out
! quite a crop. While the more pronounced
! forms of social diversion-the fashionable
! dinners, dances and receptions-were
dropped, a great many card clubs were
formed says the Philadelphia North
| American.
One popular matron, whose gowns were
the admiration of Washington society,
but whose means were generally regard
ed as somewhat limited, was said to have
been able to keep up appearances chiefly
through her skill and luck at cards.
If reports are trustworthy, the stakes
often played for are considerably beyond
the reach of women of moderate means.
1t is said that checks in three figures are
not infrequently demanded in settlement
of accounts of the card table.
Most of the women in official society
prefer bridge but old-fashioned poker is
frequently resorted to by those who like
quicker action and more excitement.
However widespread card playing for
money may be among fair seekers after
excitement today, no such famous
plunges as history tells of now and then
have been recorded during recent years.
There was Nine. de Montespan, for in
stance, who, while King Louis XIV. of
France looked on, one night, risked $780,
600 on single card. The King grumbed
when no one could be found to cover the
bet.
Lost 81 100000 in One Night.
But, it Is recorded, luck sometimes
went against madame. On another night
she lost almost 100000 playing local.
History tells of many famous women
gamblers France has furnished the
greater number, although not few have
been of English birth and training.
| The same Nine. de Montespan was
daring plunger, and won vast sums at
basset. her favorite game. The King
was delighted, both with her nerve ana
success, and was not averse to borrowing
part of her winnings.
She also lost heavily and as the years
went by her play became more and more
furious, until, in 1852, Louis abolished the
game.
Nine. du Barry and Nine de Pompa-
dour were also famous for their gambling
procliVites. The former seems only to
have engaged in play as a pastime but
Nine. de Pompadour played to win
money She was successful as rule,
and won great sums. Nor was she at all
particular from whom she won; In a sin
gle night, 1t is recorded, she relieved the
! Kings pocket of 5000 louis dor.
During the time of Queen Marie An
| toinette faro became the popular game
! and play was often for high stakes. In
| fact, many a nobleman lost his entire
estates in single night.
An inveterate gambler herself. the
/ dad n
! blers After a time most of the noble-
men of the court refused to play with
her. and she admitted to her table the
| common gamblers of the city.
At times these were caught cheating,
ana one was arrested for picking the
pockets of member or the company. %
much scandal arose that the game was
prohibited, but was afterward resumed
more or less openly.
Play for high stakes became common
! In England during the reign or Charies
II. Perhaps the most inveterate woman
gambler of English history was Nell
Gwynne, the actress.
Nell Gwynne Gambled.
Her rival, the Duchess of Cleveland
| won $4,000 from Nell Gwynne and in one
year the dashing actress lost more tnan
$40, 900. which Charles II. paid
In fact gaming became craze among
the women. The Duchess of Mazarin.
| died In absolute want, is said to have
souandered IS. o0o,OOO at the card table
FIFTY years ago was born, in Texas,
I,onna Paquita, destined to become the
| queen of American gamblers. When she
was u years old Qualetor, then the most
| Notorious card sharp of the southwest,
| taught her every trick known to the
gambling profession.
In a few years she became so proficient
that the most slxillful players while they
laughed at her youthful face and figure,
found that they were no match for her.
Even her teacher acknowledged that she
| had become his superior.
Ionna Pauuita grew into a beautiful
woman, with raven hair luminous eyes.
a voice as sweet and silvery as a bell,
| but with nerves as steady as steel ana a
| heart as cold an Iceberg
before she was 20 years old she was the
| acknowledged leader of one of the worst
! gangs the southwest has ever produced.
| JIeY death was as tragic as her life
| xvas adventurous. After a series OF law
| ,ass acts by the gang she led, she was
| captured.
| Seeming only highly amused by her ar
| rest she proposed that a game OF cards
| 10 nlaved to determine whether she
| abonld be freed or should kill herself.
| Thasa terms being accepted, the most
| slxillful card sharp of the section was
| pitted against her. a.
Tha woman lost. Almost before the
80 Of men about her had time to real
Dc fbe terminal ton of the game, the wo-
n,on drew a dirk from her belt and
stabbed herself in the heart