Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-06
Gin Rummy
Replaces Old
Preside Game
Youngsters Even Quit
Playing Post Office
By DAMON RUNYON


California. we think the most
startling phase fseeial-iftef-
course there. especially in the
region of Hollywood and BeV-
erly Hills. is the prevalence in
the home Of the card game
known as gin rummy.
In certain environment. gin
rummy, as a card game, is
probably not without its attrac-
ton, but II is somewhat discon-
certing 10 find A community in
which il has almost revolution
lied the oil time fireside
diversions.
In Hollywood and Beverly
Hills it has displaced drop-the-
handkerchief and post office
among the younger set and put
in the background among the
older folks the cosy, old-faSh-
toned paStime of knocking the
absent neighbors,
TT HAS come TO a pass in
L Hollywood and Beverly Hills
that gentleman who can tell
stories tcleaned up bit, give
limitations, dance the gavotte or
even play a sharp game of It'd
dledy-winks no longer has the
standing of a guy who can toss
a brisk game of gin rummy.
The social graces of yesterday
are no more. We are not COM
planning of progress, you under
stand, but we do not think a
fellow who has spent years mas
tering the rudiments of dominos
should suddenly be compelled to
become a wallflower.
I EFT us say you are invited
II to dinner party in one of
the palatial homes of Hollywood
or Beverly Hills or the San
Fernando valley, some of which
are so large they would almost
fill Warren Wright's patio down
III lDduc county.
ON arriving. your host or
hostess Immediately requests
your participation in a game of
gin rummy. A score Of games
may be in progress all over the
Iernt but there is always room
for one more.
In some homes they do not
wait until you have rested your
hat before issuing the request.
In others, they delay until you
sit down.
But in no home is cocktail
served until the first hand has
been dealt.
We presume this is a precau-
tionary restriction. 1t might be
that you are not familiar with
gin rummy and would therefore
be a total economic loss. The
stakes are always cash money.
and the host or hostess gener-
ally plays and sometimes keeps
score.
WE KNOW a fellow in Holly
W wood who played one night
with the host keeping score and
made bitter social enemy Of
that host by showing up the next
time accompanied by an expert
accountant.
We know another fellow who
played several times in the
home Of a very nice lady with
such results that when he was
again invited there he=called up
her cook and asked what the
pot roast was costing and then
sent over that amount TO the
lady saying he would pay for
his dinner in advance and not
play cards with her or her
guests, and she got as mad as
anything.
She told the fellow he WAS a
cur. and we guess he was, at
that. but she did not send his
money back
NOW. Of course, the social code
A' OF Dade County doe S.-not
permit of gentleman walking
INTO a private home and winning
the money of his host or hostess
or their guests.
Down IN ID d Q County. the
Characters mentioned could
probably he steered to one of
Mr.. Ace-Deuce's eppnripms of
h n Q and the money won
there, but not in the home.
The best social traditions Of
the Old S'ooth would be af-
fronted. Nor would il he deemed
socially correct in Dade County
for gentleman TO lose money
10 his host or hostess or their
guests in the home. at least not
without a loud beef.
THUS YOU may Judge of our
embarrassment on being inv
Vited 10 a Hollywood home for
dinner and drawing the hostess
as an opponent in a game of gin
rummy for money.
We thought we heard hollow
eroan from the spirit of the Old
Sooth as we inadvertently won
the first duke. With true
Southern gallantry. however we
managed TO toss off quite "A
number Of games to her. think
ing we could always even II up
whenever we wished until we
suddenly discovered tn at she
was so far ahead il would bank
rupi us 10 pay off.
Then we began 10 level. but
found our skill was of no avail
against her cards. Things looked
III ~