The Alaska citizen., 1911-03-20
HELD OUT KING AND WON LAST POT


It was hardly to be supposed that Mir. CorkIns was ignorant of the reputation of his opponents seeing that he had travelled so far for the express purpose of playing with them. but there was no trepidatiOn in his manner; rather was there that stern joy man may feel who meets foeman worthy of his steel as old man Greenlaw might have said if he had really realized the situ- atiOn.
 As it was. the old man furnished the cards and chips and then left the contestants in the back room. returning to his bar in the calm confidence of soon sharing in profits of the game.
 The play at first was not particu- larly rapid. and for several rounds the home talent cOntented them selves with study of their intended victim, while he. on his part. was closely observant of each and all of them He showed neither brag- gadocio nor fear in his manner, and the others saw plainly that he was. to say the least. capable of holding lIi' ''f IT III tllN Ol lhlIldlN Sdllif
 There was no opportunity to test his ability severely for some time. though he showed courage by rais- ing against Bassett on one hand and afterward drawing three cards It was presumable that he had pair Cf aces. but as he laid down after the draw they concluded that he had not caught a third, since Bassett had drawn two.
 On the other hand he played cautiously. as they all did al the heeinnnE and laid down several hands in the face of a small raise when the odds might have tempted i'll ordinary player to take a chance
 Presently. however. there came play in which he showed that he understood the percentage of the game. It was a jackpot of BIO. and Pearsall dealt. Winterbottom sat next and opened the pot for the size of it. Then Blaisdell and Bas- sett came in in turn
 That brought it to Corkins giving him the chance in $40 pot by put ting in an additional s1O This he
 
 thought the chance a long one.
 Pearsall, however, raised it s1O as if not wishing to drive anyone cut. The next three trailed and COrkins saw s1o0 in the pot, while it would cost him only s1O 10 come in and close it. This he did without the slightest hesitation and on the draw he took one card.
 Pearsall then stood pat. and af- ter Winterbottom had thrown in white chip and Blaisdell and Bas- sett had both trailed, COrkins trail ed also, looking sharply at Pear sal.
 That player promptly bet s1oo and when the next three passed Corkins called. The two showed hushes, and though Corkins was beaten the others saw that he had played good poker, admitting that he was justified in coming in on the first round.
 On the next deal they made an other jackpot, and Blaisdell taking 'he deck next flashed a look at Pearsall which the latter under stood thoroughly. Bassett having first say opened the pot. and Cor tins trailed. He had three kings. . but was too wary to raise at that stage realizing that he would only keep out the weaker players, while he would likely be raised in turn by any one who might be stronger than he, in which case he might be driven to play his hand for more han it was really worth.
 This, however. was simply his an- alysis of the play as it might be expected to run and was entirely indeDendent of the comforting re fiecton that he had providently se- . creted the fourth king only a mo ment or so before on the theory that a king was good thing to have . around and might come in handy, .
 Having the fourth king, he was Serenely indifferent as to what the . others might be so long as thev . would not lav down for he realized . that he could have another oppor- unity after the draw, if not be- fore.
 There was no doubt, however, that . he was gratified when Pearsall rais- ed it and Bassett trailed after the other two had dropped. Seeing his duty he made it s1O0 more. and was still more gratified when Pearsall . made it another hundred and Bas- sett. though he grumbled audibly. put up the money.
 Not caring to betray his strength . too soon, he closed the pot, and when Bassett called for two cards he likewise called for two receiv- ing, as he had expected to re- ceive, pair to go with his kings. . It would of course have made him strong enough to have contested . any pat hand that might be out against him if he had retained the pair in his hand. As it was, he broke it without compunction, and his fourth king for one of the two with such skill that he escaped detection. It was in no spirit of vain egotism that MT. Corkins had returned 10 oppose himself to the doughty form.
 When MT. Bassett bet white chip after the draw MT. Corkins trailed without having any apparent desire to push his hand, and he saw that Blaisdell was surprised. Pearsall had stood pat, however, and he knew that his moderation would be as due to desire to go further after the raise that was surely coming. So after Pearsall had raised it $100 and Bassett had trailed again, indicating the proba bility of his having made small full, he made it $100 more, not wish ing to exclude either of the others from the privilege of contesting his