,,the ,,secrets ,,of ,,cheating ,illustration3 ,,the ,,detection ,,of ,,kepplinger ',then1 suddenly and without a moment's warning1 ,kepplinger was seized1 gagged1 and held hard and fast4444 ,the great master-cheat was searched1 and upon him was discovered the most ingenious holdout ever devised4'--,chap4 v4 p4 #ii4 ,,sharps ,,and ,,flats ,a ,,complete ,,revelation ,,of ,the ,secrets of ,cheating ,,at ,,games ,,of ,,chance ,,and ,,skill ,,by ,,john ,,nevil ,,maskelyne ,,london ,,longmans1 ,,green1 ,,and ,,co4 ,,and ,,new ,,york3 #ae ,,east #afth ,,street #ahid ,all rights reserved ,,to ,,the ,,attention ,,of ,,that ,,majority ,,spoken ,,of ,,by ,,carlyle ,,and ,,which ,,may ,,be ,,said ,,to ,,include ,,all ,,gamblers ,,this ,,book ,,is ,,particularly ,,addressed ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,preface ,in presenting the following pages to the public1 ,i have had in view a very serious purpose4 ,here and there may be found a few words spoken in jest2 but throughout my aim has been particularly earnest4 ,this book1 in fact1 tends to point a moral1 and present a problem4 ,the moral is obvious1 the problem is ethical2 which is1 perhaps1 only another way of saying something different4 ,in the realm of ,ethics1 the two men who exert1 probably1 the greatest influence upon the mass of humanity are the philosopher and the politician4 ,yet1 strange to say1 there would appear to be little that can be considered as common knowledge in either politics or philosophy4 ,every politician and every philosopher holds opinions which are diametrically opposed to those of some other politician or philosopher2 and there never yet existed1 apparently1 either politician or philosopher who would admit even that his opponents were acquainted with the fact of two and two making four4 ,so much1 then1 for dogmatism4 ,in the natural order of events1 however1 there must be things which even a politician can understand4 ,not many things1 perhaps2 but still some things4 ,in like manner1 there must be things which even a philosopher can not understand--and a great many things4 ,as an illustration1 let us take the case of 'sharping4' ,politician and philosopher alike are interested in the origin of crime1 its development1 and the means of its prevention4 ,now1 even a politician can understand that a man1 having in view the acquisition of unearned increment1 may take to cheating as being a ready means of possessing himself of the property of others1 with but little effort upon his own part4 ,at the same time1 ,i will venture to say that not even a philosopher can render any adequate reason for the fact that some men will devote an amount of energy1 labour1 perseverance and ingenuity to the gaining of a precarious living in the paths of chicanery1 one-half of which1 if directed into legitimate channels1 would serve to place them in a position commanding both affluence and respect4 ,to my mind1 the only hypothesis which in any way covers the facts of the case is that some men are born to crime4 ,it is their destiny1 and they are bound to fulfil it4 ,whether this hypothesis represents the solution of the problem or not is a bone of contention over which ,i am content to allow others to quarrel1 without joining in the fray4 ,i am only concerned with the facts as we know them--the plain and unmistakable facts that cheating1 upon a gigantic scale1 does exist2 that the resources available for its advancement become every day more numerous1 whilst the means of its prevention become more and more inadequate4 ,a goodly portion of my life has been spent in battling with superstition1 credulity and chicanery in every form4 ,it has been a labour of love with me4 ,at times ,i have1 so to speak1 cried from the house-top truths so obvious that there hardly seemed any necessity for calling attention to them1 and yet have found some who could not believe them4 ,again and again1 ,time1 the prover of all things1 has without exception borne out my statements to the very letter2 yet even now there are some who will prefer to rely upon the word of a charlatan--an impostor--rather than accept a plain statement of palpable facts at my hands4 ,it is curious1 but nevertheless it is true4 ,it is magnificent1 but it is not common sense4 ,fortunately1 however1 there are not many such1 though some there are4 ,experience has demonstrated that the ignorance of the public with regard to the capabilities of trickery is the principal factor in all problems connected with every kind of deception4 ,if the public only knew a little more in this respect1 the thousand-and-one quackeries which flourish in our midst could not exist4 ,my self-imposed task1 then1 has ever been to endeavour to educate the public1 just a little1 and to enlighten those who really seek for truth amid the noxious and perennial weeds of humbug and pretence4 ,in this1 ,i am happy to say1 ,i have to some extent succeeded2 but there is still much to be done4 ,this book1 then1 is but another stone1 as it were1 in an edifice raised for the purpose of showing to the world the real nature of those things which are not really what they appear to be1 and practices with the very existence of which the average man is unacquainted4 ,although the immediate practical outcome of this book may be nil1 ,i shall not be depressed upon that account4 ,if it only has the effect of opening the eyes of the authorities to some extent1 and of hinting a caution to gamblers generally1 ,i shall be content2 and1 commending it to the public with this reflection1 and with the hope that this much1 at least1 may be accomplished1 ,i leave it to its fate4 ,j4 ,n4 ,,maskelyne4 ,,egyptian ,,hall1 ,,london1 ,w4 ,february #ahid4 ,,contents ,,chap4 ,,page ,i4 ,,introductory #a ,,ii4 ,,common ,,sharpers ,,and ,,their ,,tricks #aj ,,iii4 ,,marked ,,cards ,,and ,,the ,,manner ,,of ,,their ,,employment #bf ,,iv4 ,,reflectors #fj ,v4 ,,holdouts #gc ,,vi4 ,,manipulation #aab ,,vii4 ,,collusion ,,and ,,conspiracy #aei ,,viii4 ,,the ,,game ,,of ,,faro #ahd ,,ix4 ,,prepared ,,cards #bae ,x4 ,,dice #bbi ,,xi4 ,,high ,,ball ,,poker #bfa ,,xii4 ,,roulette ,,and ,,allied ,,games #bfg ,,xiii4 ,,sporting-,,houses #bhe ,,xiv4 ,,sharps ,,and ,,flats #cab ,,postscript #cca ,,list ,,of ,,plates ,,figure ,,the ,,detection ,,of ,,kepplinger ,frontispiece #ab ',,fallen ,,angels' to face p4 #df #ae ,,scroll-,,work #ej #bb ,,pipe-,,reflector ,,in ,,situ #ff ,,sharps ,,and ,,flats ,,chapter ,i ,,introductory ,that 'it requires all kinds of men to make a world1' is an aphorism which may or may not be gainsaid1 according to the aspect in which it is regarded4 ,for whilst1 on the one hand1 we are painfully cognisant of the fact that this world1 as we find it1 is composed of 'all sorts and conditions of men1' and among them not a few sorts with which we could very readily dispense1 still1 on the other hand1 the idea of a world with some of the existing components omitted is by no means inconceivable4 ,do we not1 in fact1 every day of our lives1 meet with schemes1 philanthropic and otherwise1 formulated expressly for the regeneration of man8 ,yes1 we know them of old2 those schemes which1 according to their gifted authors1 are to elevate mankind to one universal level of goodness and purity4 ,sad to say1 however1 in spite of these well-meant efforts1 continued from time immemorial1 mankind would appear to be in about the same unregenerate condition as ever4 ,the 'kinds of men' seem to multiply rather than to diminish1 and the long-deferred millennium looms as far off in the dim and distant future as at any period of the world's history4 ,accepting1 then1 this many-sided world of ours as an established fact1 impossible of modification1 it is obvious that1 to quote another time-honoured proverb1 and say that 'one half the world does not know how the other half lives1' is to convey but a very feeble and inadequate idea of the real facts of the case4 ,all things considered1 it may be safely said that the majority know far too little of the means of subsistence employed by their fellows1 and1 in consequence1 often suffer for that lack of knowledge4 ,the fact is1 too many of us possess the gentleness of the dove 7more or less7 without the qualifying and ever-necessary wisdom of the serpent4 ,among the bye-paths of existence1 among the various underhand methods of obtaining a living--sweet little conceptions evolved1 presumably1 from the primordial basis of original sin--probably there is none so little understood by the community at large as the art and practice of 'sharping4' ,at the same time1 it is not too much to say that there is no subject more worthy of serious consideration1 when regarded in the relation it holds to the moral well-being of mankind in general4 ,it is1 of course1 common knowledge that there are in existence individuals who live by cheating at games of chance and skill1 but few persons have any idea of the extent to which the practice obtains1 or of the number of the professors of this particular branch of swindling4 ,possibly1 of the work-a-day inhabitants of this planet1 nine persons out of ten of the majority who are 'indifferent honest1' will be inclined to a belief that sharping1 at the worst1 can form but a very insignificant factor in the social problems of modern times4 ,a glance at the contents of this book1 however1 will serve to remove that very erroneous impression4 ,the author is not raising a 'bogey' for the purpose of pretending to demolish it4 ,the spectre is a very substantial one indeed1 and the task of 'laying' it is far beyond the power of any one man to accomplish4 ,the system1 in fact1 is a gigantic one1 and its professors are legion4 ,it is as thriving an industry 7save the mark7 as any in the world4 ,it is as perfectly organised in every department as any legitimate business4 ,its markets are regulated by the same inexorable laws of supply and demand1 competition and coperation1 which govern the development of every branch of commerce4 ,it has its manufacturers1 its wholesale houses1 its canvassers and retail dealers1 all in regular form4 ,its price-lists1 descriptive pamphlets1 circulars and advertisements are issued as methodically as those of bon fide merchants and traders4 ,its ramifications extend to every quarter of the globe4 ,this book will show that not only is a thriving trade in cheating utensils carried on openly and unblushingly1 but also that there must be an enormous number of swindlers at large1 who live by means of unfair practices in connection with all forms of gambling2 sharps who are still undetected1 and1 notwithstanding the vigilance of the authorities1 are still pursuing their calling under the very eyes of ,justice4 ,startling as these statements may appear to the uninitiated1 of their absolute truth there cannot exist the slightest doubt in the mind of anyone who will take the trouble to glance through these pages4 ,this book1 in fact1 may be regarded as ',the ,sharp's ,vade ,mecum1 or a ,theoretical and ,practical ,treatise on the ,art and ,practice of ,cheating4' ,no pains have been spared to make it as complete as possible1 and1 if advantage be taken of the instructions it contains1 and any person of dishonest tendencies utilises the same for the purpose of swindling his fellow-men1 it will be entirely the fault of those who have not profited by the information which the author has given4 ,that the condition of affairs herein revealed should be found to exist in the midst of our boasted civilisation is a fact which is1 to say the least1 deplorable4 ,further1 it is a fact which urgently demands that every possible effort should be made towards its mitigation by those who may find themselves in a position to obtain information respecting these nefarious practices1 and to throw light into the recesses of this obscure phase of human nature4 ,by far the major portion of the details given in these pages have never before been made public4 ,even among exponents of legitimate legerdemain1 there are very few who have any cognisance of them whatever4 ,it is obvious that a professional illusionist having a reputation for 'squareness' is at a decided disadvantage in seeking for information of this kind4 ,the author1 for instance1 being so well known to the swindling fraternity as an exposer of frauds1 could not possibly have acquired without assistance the countless minuti which have come into his possession4 ,the very suspicion that he was engaged in such an investigation would be sufficient to dry up all sources of information1 and to remove all possibility of arriving at anything of moment4 ,he has therefore to acknowledge his indebtedness for much that is valuable to a friend who desires to be nameless4 ,in the assumed guise of an ,english 'sharp1' this gentleman has pursued his investigations to such good purpose that he has gained a fund of information relative to 'sharps and sharping1' which may be fairly said to include all the most important methods employed at the present day4 ,the information so obtained has been freely drawn upon in the production of this book4 ,the head-quarters of this abominable system of wholesale robbery are to be sought for in the land which has bestowed upon civilisation so many blessings of a similar character4 ,from the spirit-medium to the wooden nutmeg1 they all hail from that most 'go-ahead1' and yet most easily hoodwinked country1 ,america4 ,true1 there are so many dunderheads of all nationalities who can never realise the truth of that simple maxim which teaches that 'honesty is the best policy1' and such a very large proportion of these have turned their steps to ,america1 that it is1 perhaps1 hardly fair to regard them as an integral part of the ,american nation4 ,still there they are1 and it behoves ,america to grasp the situation with a much firmer hand than heretofore1 with a view to the suppression of these pernicious creatures1 and of attaining a reputation more in accord with her honourable traditions--more worthy of the great names associated with her history4 ,there is every reason for believing that at the present moment ,england is the happy hunting-ground of the swindling fraternity1 and for this reason4 ,in ,america many of the older frauds are tolerably well-known to those who are addicted to gambling1 but over here most of these things are absolutely unknown4 ,even the ,english sharp himself is in a condition of unsophisticated innocence compared with his ,american rival4 ,it is certain that our ocean steamboats are infested with gangs of men1 provided with these means of relieving their fellow-passengers of superfluous cash4 ,and in all probability1 every one of our 'swellest' clubs possesses at least one member who makes a good living by the use of methods and contrivances never dreamt of by his dupes4 ,it is true1 the ',dudley ,smooths' of to-day are no longer cold-blooded duellists who can over-awe their victims with the dread of sword and pistol1 but they are quite as keen as they ever were1 and their resources are infinitely greater than formerly4 ,of course there is not the slightest necessity for anyone1 however foolish1 to fall a victim to the wiles of the sharper in any game either of skill or chance4 ,there is no reason why the greatest simpleton alive should ever be cheated of his money4 ,there is one golden rule1 the observance of which must utterly checkmate the most cunning swindler4 ,it is a rule by which the author has always been guided1 and one which1 were it universally adopted1 would banish the cheat and his paraphernalia from the face of the earth4 ,it is a system which is easily learned and which requires no skill in execution4 ,it is simply to abstain from every form of gambling whatever4 ,make up your mind that 'you want no man's money1 and that no man shall have yours1'#a and you cannot come to much harm in this direction4 ,it would seem1 however1 that there is a kind of fatal fascination in gambling which some persons appear to be wholly unable to resist4 ,it is therefore quite as well that those who will indulge in such an expensive propensity should do so1 at least1 with their eyes open4 ,on this account1 if for no other reason1 the publication of this book is fully justified1 and any apology for its appearance would be superfluous4 ,no attempt has been made to deal with the subject historically4 ,quite sufficient scope is afforded for a work of this kind in the undertaking to set forth an account of such frauds as are practised at the present day4 ,our attention therefore will be chiefly directed towards devices which are of recent invention1 together with those that have survived in practice from former times4 ,the originals of the various circulars c41 reprints of which are given in the following pages1 are in the author's possession4 ,the names and addresses of the firms from which they emanate are1 however1 for very obvious reasons1 omitted from these reprints1 though all else is given verbatim4 ,the illustrations are all taken from actual articles1 purchased for the avowed purpose of cheating by their means4 ,the reader will thus be enabled to gather some idea as to the amount of misplaced ingenuity which has been brought to bear upon the production of these fin-de-sicle appliances for robbing the unwary4 ,this much1 then1 having been said by way of introduction1 we may at once proceed to consider systematically the methods of the modern 'sharp2' and to describe1 for the first time in any language1 the various mechanical and other devices he uses1 and the manner in which they are employed4 ,,footnote3 #a ,quotation from the late ,earl ,fitz-,hardinge1 a most ardent sportsman4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,common ,,sharpers ,,and ,,their ,,tricks ,in dealing with a subject of so wide a character as that upon which we are engaged1 the difficulty of beginning at the beginning is greater than may appear to a casual reader4 ,there are so many points from which it may be attacked4 ,as to treating of all that is known in reference to it1 or tracing it back to the earliest records1 that1 of course1 is out of the question in the limited space at our disposal4 ,even were one historically inclined1 who can say where the beginning begins4 ,doubtless1 one would have to search the geological formations at great depth in order to discover remains of that man who first conceived the idea of correcting fickle fortune at the expense of his fellows4 ,if science ever achieves this discovery1 we shall certainly have reasonable grounds for believing that we have found a very near relative of ,adam4 ,although the general public have so little acquaintance with the higher developments of cheating1 still1 a great deal has been written concerning some of the more elementary methods4 ,this being so1 the question of what ought to be left out--at what point we ought to take up the thread of our discourse--becomes of paramount importance4 ,obviously1 it is useless to repeat what is well-known4 ,many of these primitive methods1 however1 are still so frequently practised1 that this book would be incomplete without some reference at least being made to the more important among them4 ,therefore1 with a view to clearing the ground for what is to follow1 and for the benefit of the general reader1 this chapter will be devoted to the more familiar systems of 'sharping4' ,there is1 perhaps1 no field of operation so prolific in specimens of the genus 'sharp' as a race-course and its approaches upon the occasion of a popular race-meeting4 ,for our present purpose1 therefore1 we cannot do better than to imagine1 for the moment1 that we are on our way to some such gathering4 ,arriving at the ,london terminus1 in good time for our train1 we take our seats in a second-class smoking compartment4 ,possibly the only other occupants of the carriage at first are two or three holiday makers1 on pleasure bent4 ,not really sporting men1 but average citizens1 looking forward to the excitement of the race1 and also possibly to the pleasurable anxiety of a little 'flutter1' at long odds or otherwise4 ,it is not long before the other seats are all occupied4 ,a man of decidedly 'sporting' appearance1 with a field-glass slung over his shoulder1 and carrying a thick travelling rug1 strolls leisurely by the door1 merely glancing in as he passes4 ,in a few moments1 however1 he returns1 and takes a middle seat in the compartment4 ,then follow two or three others1 averaging in appearance something between sporting characters and second-rate commercial travellers4 ,these take whatever seats may happen to be vacant1 and either become absorbed in their newspapers or enter into conversation with their neighbours1 as the case may be4 ,the experienced reader will have no need to be told that we are associating with a gang working the 'three-card trick4' ,the man in sporting attire is the 'sharp1' and those who accidentally 787 dropped in after him are his confederates4 ,no sooner is the train well on its way1 than our friend of the field-glasses takes down his rug from the rack1 folds it across his knees1 and producing a pack of cards1 selects three--generally a king and two others--which he throws1 face upward1 upon the rug4 ',now1 gentlemen1' he says1 ',i think we'll have a little game1 just to pass the time4 ,anyhow1 if it amuses me1 it won't hurt you4' ,with these or some such words by way of preface1 he takes up the three cards1 and throws them1 one at a time1 face downward1 upon the rug4 ,then1 with much rapidity1 he transposes the positions of the cards several times1 and observes1 ',now1 tell me which is the king1 and stake your money4' ,having thus attracted attention1 he commences again4 ,at this point1 one of the confederates looks calmly up from his paper1 and murmurs something to his neighbour about 'making one's expenses4' ,probably1 also1 he will produce a couple of sovereigns4 ',now1 gentlemen1' continues the sharp1 'there are two cards for you1'--taking them up--'and one card for me4 ,the king is mine1'--taking it up--'the ace and the seven are yours4' ,then1 with everyone in the carriage following his movements1 he again throws the cards down and manipulates them as before4 ',now1 tell me which is my card1' he says4 ,nobody responds1 however2 and the sharp picks up the king1 which proves to be in the position where one would expect to find it4 ,indeed1 the on-looker who could not follow the king through its various evolutions would be dull of perception4 ,again and again the performance is repeated1 and every time the on-lookers can follow the movements of the king with the utmost ease4 ,at length1 in response to an appeal from the operator 'not to be backward1 gentlemen1' the confederate who produced the sovereigns a little while ago suddenly dashes one down on the card which all believe to be the king4 ,the card is turned up1 and proves to be the right one1 consequently he receives the amount of his stake4 ,at the next turn another confederate stakes a sovereign1 and wins4 ,the same thing follows with a third4 ,then1 perhaps1 the first stakes two sovereigns1 and again wins4 ,not only so1 but taking advantage of the obviously unsuspicious nature of the operator1 he picks up the card himself1 and in so doing accidentally bends one corner up slightly4 ,now everyone has heard of the three-card trick1 though not one in a thousand knows how it is worked4 ,consequently1 the uninitiated among our associates1 finding that they are able to trace the king unerringly1 begin to think that1 either this operator is a duffer1 or that they are particularly sharp fellows4 ,besides1 there is the king1 going about with a turned-up corner1 and losing money for the performer at every turn4 ,small wonder1 then1 that their cupidity is aroused1 and at length one of them stakes a sovereign on the card with the turned-up corner4 ,and he wins8 ,oh1 dear no6 ,by some1 unaccountable mischance1 the king has become straightened in the course of manipulation1 and a corner of one of the other cards has been turned up4 ,singular1 is it not8 ,of course the loser cannot complain1 or he would have to admit that he had been trying to take an unfair advantage of his opponent4 ,therefore he resolves to trust entirely to his judgment in the future4 ,then1 for the first time1 apparently1 the operator notices the defective corner and straightens it4 ,again the cards are thrown down1 and the last player1 thinking to retrieve his loss1 stakes another sovereign4 ,he has kept his eyes intently upon the king1 as it passed from side to side and back to the centre4 ,he feels confident of success this time2 but there is a mistake somewhere1 for again he loses4 ,and so the game goes on1 with unvarying result4 ,whenever one of the first two or three players--the confederates--stakes his money1 he always wins4 ,everyone else always loses4 ,eventually1 the game is discontinued2 either owing to the fact that no more stakes are to be had1 or that we are approaching our destination4 ,upon leaving the train1 if we are curious1 we may easily discover which of our late companions are the confederates4 ,they leave the carriage to all appearance perfect strangers to one another2 but follow one of them at a distance1 and it will be found that they are fairly well-acquainted when not professionally employed4 ,this trick is an extremely simple one2 and is accomplished as follows4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a4--,three-card ,trick4 ,when the cards are taken up1 preparatory to manipulation1 they are held as indicated in fig4 #a4 ,first1 the two indifferent cards are taken1 one in each hand1 and next1 the king in the right hand4 ,card ,no4 #b in the illustration1 therefore1 is the king4 ,in throwing down the cards at the outset ,no4 #a card is placed in position #a2 ,no4 #b card in position #b2 and ,no4 #c in position #c4 ,thus1 the king occupies a position between the two other cards4 ,so far1 all is plain sailing1 and it is by no means difficult to trace the movements of the card we are following up1 however deftly it may be manipulated4 ,there is a saying that 'the quickness of the hand deceives the eye4' ,that is nonsense4 ,no hand1 however expert1 can produce a movement so quick that the eye cannot detect it4 ,what really deceives the eye in sleight of hand is that some of the movements are not exactly what they appear to be1 their real nature is skilfully disguised4 ,of this the three card trick is a good example4 ,when the sharp observes his pigeon getting ready to be plucked1 he changes his tactics slightly from the straightforward course he has hitherto pursued4 ,the cards appear to be thrown down in the same manner as before1 but it is not so4 ,in this case1 ,no4 #a card is thrown down in ,no4 #a position1 as at the outset2 but1 instead of throwing down ,no4 #b--the king--in ,no4 #b position1 it is card ,no4 #c which is allowed to fall1 and the king goes finally into position #c4 ,thus the uninitiated1 instead of following up the king1 as they fondly believe1 are really on the trail of card ,no4 #c4 ,it will be readily understood that the turned-up corner can present no difficulty to a sharp who has devoted a little practice to its rectification4 ,the act of throwing down the cards is quite sufficient to cover all the movement which is necessary4 ,instead of ear-marking the card by turning up a corner1 the confederate will sometimes tear off a very minute scrap from his newspaper1 and1 wetting it1 will attach it to a corner of the card as he turns it up4 ,when this is done1 the operator of course contrives to slip the moistened fragment from one card to another4 ,leaving our three-card acquaintances to their own devices--though1 perhaps1 our duty would be to give them into the hands of the police--we will proceed to the race-course4 ,space will not permit us here to consider the numerous evil devices for acquiring the root of all evil indulged in by race-course sharps4 ,in fact1 these scarcely form part of our subject4 ,some of them1 such as 'telling the tale1' and so on1 are more or less ingenious2 but at best they are merely vulgar swindles which involve no skill beyond the exercise of that tact and plausibility which are common to sharps and swindlers of every kind4 ,pursuing our investigations1 then1 let us suppose that we now approach one of the spots where winners and losers1 sharps and flats1 meet on the common ground of applying meat and drink to the refreshment of body and soul4 ,here1 if we are favoured1 we may chance to meet with a little entertainment--intellectual and instructive--provided by the spectacle of three persons who are engaged in the scientific recreation of spinning coins upon some convenient corner of table or buffet4 ,needless to say1 they are two 'sharps' and a 'flat1' and their little game is 'odd man4' ,the game is simple1 but financially there is a good deal in it4 ,it is played in this way4 ,three coins being spun on edge upon a table1 it is obvious that either all three will fall with the same side up--in which case the spin must be repeated--or1 two will fall one way and one the other4 ,the owner of the latter coin is the 'odd man4' ,there are two systems of playing4 ,either the odd man is out--that is to say1 he stands aside1 whilst the other two spin for 'head' or 'woman'--or the odd man pays4 ,in either case1 the loser pays the other two4 ,if fairly played1 of course the chances are equal for all three players4 ,but1 alas6 even this apparently innocent game is capable of sophistication4 ,the method of cheating will be seen at a glance on referring to fig4 #b4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4--;,bevelled ,coins4 ,a coin which has been slightly bevelled to one side will bear a superficial examination without creating suspicion as to its genuineness4 ,if it has a milled edge1 it must necessarily be re-milled4 ,such a coin1 when spun on edge1 will always tend to fall in one direction4 ,the bevelling1 as shown in the figure1 is exaggerated1 for distinctness' sake2 in practice1 the angle is very slight4 ,two 'sportsmen1' each provided with coins of this description1 meet with a 'mug' and propose spinning for liquid refreshment4 ,if they are pretty sure of their man they may possibly allow him to win4 ,afterwards1 however1 they lead him on to spin for higher stakes1 and then he invariably loses4 ,if the game is 'odd man pays1' they spin with coins which will fall alike2 simultaneously changing their coins from time to time1 so that they do not always bring them same side up4 ,this being so1 all three coins must either fall alike1 or else the dupe will be the odd man4 ,then he pays each of his companions the amount of the stakes4 ,thus1 the chances are dead against the dupe1 for his opponents cannot possibly lose4 ,when the game is 'odd man out1' the winnings are not made so rapidly2 but at the same time they are quite as certain1 and the proceedings are not so liable to create suspicion4 ,in this case1 the sharps spin with coins which will fall in different directions1 and consequently the dupe is never the odd man4 ,his coin is bound to fall the same way as one of the others2 so he has to spin again with one or other of the 'rooks4' ,if the second spin is 'head wins1' the sharp will use a coin which falls 'head4' ,here1 again1 the coins must either fall alike1 and the spin be repeated1 or the dupe must lose4 ,to disarm suspicion1 however1 the second spin may occasionally be a fair one2 his opponent using a 'square' coin4 ,even then1 the chances are two to one against him4 ,supposing the stakes are a sovereign1 the loser has to pay the two winners a sovereign each2 and therefore if the dupe loses he has to pay two sovereigns1 whilst1 if he wins1 he receives only one4 ,so much1 then1 for 'odd man4' ,if we search the purlieus of the race-course1 we are sure to find the 'purse trick' well in evidence4 ,a good many people seem to get a living at it1 yet there is not much mystery connected with it4 ,its accomplishment rests purely on sleight of hand4 ,we are all familiar with the purse purporting to contain a half-crown and a shilling which the salesman offers to dispose of for the modest amount of sixpence or so4 ,it is extraordinary1 however1 how few know wherein the trick lies4 ,for the benefit of those who are unacquainted with it1 the following short description is given4 ,the man throws a half-crown and a shilling into a two-penny purse1 and the price demanded for the whole may vary from sixpence to eighteenpence1 according to circumstances4 ,sometimes the purse1 when purchased1 is found to contain the actual amount ostensibly put into it4 ',springes to catch woodcocks6' ,the purchaser is a confederate4 ,in the event of a stranger buying it1 the contents will prove to be a penny and a halfpenny4 ,the operator really throws the half-crown and shilling into the purse several times2 turning them out again into his hand1 to show the genuineness of the transaction4 ,or1 he may spin them in the air1 and catch them in the purse by way of variety4 ,but when the time for selling arrives1 although he does not appear to have changed his tactics in the least1 the transmutation of metals becomes an accomplished fact1 silver is converted to bronze4 ,the man has a money-bag slung in front of him1 into which he is continually dipping his hand1 for the purpose of taking out or returning the coins4 ,this bag seems to contain only silver1 but there is a vein of baser metal underlying the nobler4 ,therefore1 in taking out a half-crown1 nothing is easier than for the man to palm a penny at the same time4 ,this being done1 it is the penny which goes into the purse1 and the half-crown is transferred1 for the moment1 to his palm2 but only for the moment4 ,it is dropped1 immediately1 into the bag2 so that1 by the time that his hand has fallen to his side1 it is empty4 ,that is one dodge4 ,another is to take the half-crown and penny together in the fingers1 the penny underlying the half-crown1 concealed from view4 ,then the penny is dropped and the half-crown palmed as before4 ,again1 the half-crown and shilling being really in the purse1 the man will take them out with his fingers1 apparently for the purpose of showing them to the multitude1 at the same time introducing into the purse three halfpence which he has held concealed4 ,then he appears to throw the silver coins quickly into the purse1 but in reality he palms them1 the sound made by the coins in falling being counterfeited by chinking the coppers which the purse already contains4 ,a variation upon this trick is sometimes performed with a piece of paper in which is screwed up some article of cheap jewellery1 and into which the coins are supposed to be thrown1 as in the purse trick4 ,these men adopt various methods of explaining their reasons for selling so much money at so cheap a rate1 one of the most common being that someone has laid a wager that the public are too sceptical to buy money offered in that manner4 ,well1 such a wager would be a tolerably safe one2 for1 as a rule1 the public are only sceptical concerning those things which are genuine4 ,it is probably because the purse-trick is not genuine that the tricksters find purchasers4 ,it is always the swindle which takes best with the public4 ,certainly1 anyone who is taken in over this trick deserves to be4 ,on our way home in the train we may1 perhaps1 encounter a party playing ',nap4' ,it may be a friendly game1 fairly played--or it may not4 ,if it is not1 we shall undoubtedly find that one of the players loses heavily4 ,it is only penny ,nap1 he is told4 ,yes1 but one can lose a good deal1 in a small way1 even at penny ,nap4 ,especially if the other players know the best and quickest way of winning4 ,the most ordinary way of cheating at this game consists of 'putting up' hands for the dupe and one of the other players4 ,the methods of accomplishing this manoeuvre will be fully detailed in the chapter on ',manipulation4' ,for the present1 it is sufficient to say that the cards are so manipulated that the dupe has always a good hand4 ,so far1 this looks as though matters should prove very favourable to the dupe2 therefore1 he frequently goes ',nap4' ,it always happens1 however1 that one of the other players holds a hand which is slightly better4 ,the dupe may even hold the ace1 king1 queen1 and knave of one suit1 and the ace of another4 ,by every law of the game he is bound to go ',nap1' and win4 ,so he makes his long suit trumps1 feeling that he has a 'certainty4' ,but when the cards are played1 it turns out that one of his opponents holds five small trumps against his four big ones1 and he loses on the last round4 ,an incident of this kind is reported1 where the dupe1 in a two-handed game1 being rendered suspicious by the eagerness of those about him to wager that he would not make his ,nap1 instead of leading out his long suit1 made his odd ace the trump1 and thereby won4 ,in a game of more than two players1 this could be prevented by one of the others holding two cards of the same suit as the ace4 ,moral--,don't gamble with strangers4 ,it is never safe2 particularly in a railway train4 ,the foregoing being sufficient to give the reader a general idea of the common sharp and his methods1 no more need be said with regard to this elementary branch of our subject4 ,it will be sufficient to point out that the sharp usually devotes his entire energies to perfecting himself in some particular game4 ,having found his victim1 he feigns indifferent play1 and encourages the dupe to 'take him on4' ,no matter how skilful he may be1 he never allows any evidence of the fact to escape him4 ,one does not find a card-sharper1 for instance1 entertaining his chance acquaintances with card-tricks--at least1 not to their knowledge4 ,to use the language which he would probably adopt1 such a proceeding would be 'giving himself away with a pound of tea4' ,the sharp's motto is1 ',art is to conceal art2' and his success in life depends very greatly upon the strict observation of this maxim4 ,skill1 however1 is not the only qualification necessary to the successful sharp4 ,he must have unbounded self-confidence if his wiles are to be of any avail4 ,in addition1 he must also possess tact and address1 for upon these two qualities will depend the grade of society into which he will be enabled to carry his operations4 ,given a liberal endowment of these two attributes1 there is no circle1 however high or however select1 into which the sharp will not ultimately penetrate4 ,the public have occasionally an opportunity of peeping behind the scenes1 but the cases of cheating which come to light bear a very small proportion to those which are condoned or hushed up1 and the number of these again is nothing when compared with the infinity of cases which are never discovered4 ,all the comparatively insignificant matters dealt with so far are of course common knowledge to many4 ,as before mentioned1 however1 the general public know very little of them1 otherwise the numbers who gain a living by such means could not exist4 ,it is for this reason only that they have been even referred to here4 ,other and far more ingenious trickeries call for our attention1 and to these we will now pass on4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,marked ,,cards ,,and ,,the ,,manner ,,of ,,their ,,employment ,probably it was at no very recent date in the history of card-playing that some genius first recognised the advantage which would accrue to a player who could devise some means of placing a distinctive mark on the back of each card1 imperceptible to all but himself1 to indicate its suit and value4 ,every card-player must at some time or other have exclaimed mentally1 ',oh1 if ,i only knew what cards my opponents hold6' ,there one has1 then1 the origin of marked cards4 ,the sharp1 above all others1 desires to know his opponent's cards4 ,it is almost a necessity of his existence2 and in his case it is certainly true that 'necessity is the mother of invention1' and 'knows no law4' ,whatever the sharp may find necessary he is sure to acquire1 and will not be scrupulous as to the manner of its acquisition4 ,the systems of card-marking are as numerous as they are ingenious4 ,they vary from a mark which covers the greater portion of the back of the card to a mark which is invisible4 ,this latter may not appear to be of much utility1 but it must be borne in mind the sharp is not restricted to the use of the sense of sight only4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 it is necessary for him to know the cards without looking at them1 and then a visible mark would be of no possible use to him4 ,so numerous1 indeed1 are the systems of marking--almost every card-sharper1 worthy of the name1 having a system peculiar to himself--that it is impossible to give a tenth part of them4 ,to attempt to do so would be to weary the reader1 and1 further1 it is unnecessary4 ,all these various systems are capable of general classification1 and a few leading instances will suffice to give the key to the whole4 ,for brevity and convenience1 then1 we will consider the subject under the following heads3-- ,a--,general principles of marking4 ,b--,the marking of unprinted backs4 ,c--,marking by dot and puncture4 ,d--,cards marked in manufacture4 ,e--,shading and tint-marking4 ,f--,line and scroll work4 ,g--,cards marked whilst in play4 ,a--,general principles of marking4--,whatever method of marking may be adopted in the preparation of 'faked' cards or 'readers1' however recondite that method may be1 it is referable to one or other of two general principles4 ,that is to say1 either the cards have each a distinctive mark placed in some convenient position1 or the mark is similar in every case1 the indication being given by the position which it occupies4 ,some systems are based upon a combination of the two principles2 but all are developments of either one or the other4 ,when the mark1 whatever it may be1 is placed at one end of the card1 it is of course necessary to mark both ends4 ,the chief desideratum in marking1 of course1 is to produce work which is easily decipherable to the trained eye of the expert1 but which nevertheless is invisible to others4 ,how well this has been accomplished will be seen from the examples which follow4 ,many of the specimens given herein have been submitted to experts who have been allowed to retain them as long as they pleased1 and have been returned with the statement that to all appearance the cards have not been tampered with1 no mark being discoverable4 ,this being the case1 what chance has a player of detecting the falsification1 in the very cursory examination which is possible during play8 ,as the reader will perceive1 there is no difficulty in marking cards in such a manner as will arouse no suspicion4 ,anyone could invent a system which no one but himself could decipher1 and which would defy detection4 ,the only difficulty is to read the marks with speed and accuracy4 ,in many games it is only necessary to know which are high cards and which are low2 then the matter is considerably simplified4 ,in some games it is not even necessary to know the suit of the cards1 and thus the case is simplified still further4 ,it is rarely1 indeed1 that the sharp requires to know all the cards4 ,generally speaking1 if all the picture-cards and the aces are marked1 that will give him all the advantage he needs4 ,the rest may be left to chance and good play4 ,in fact1 the sharp uses trickery as little as possible2 he never overdoes the thing4 ,whilst he is winning1 he is1 as a rule1 content to win fairly1 for the most part4 ,his subtle methods are reserved--or should be1 if he knows his business--for occasions when chance is against him4 ,the fewer are the cards which are marked1 the less the chance of detection1 and the less the marks are resorted to the better4 ,obviously1 the man who has it in his power to stock his hand with high cards at will1 need never be in a hurry to win4 ,the game is in his hands4 ,the sharp who uses marked cards will always contrive to 'work in' those he has prepared when possible1 but failing this1 he is generally in a position to mark all the cards he wishes to know during the course of the game1 as we shall see further on4 ,b--,the marking of unprinted backs4--,it might very naturally be supposed1 that the application of any system of marking to the backs of those cards which are of an even tint1 without pattern1 would be a very difficult operation4 ,such1 however1 is by no means the case4 ,one might think that any mark1 however slight1 placed upon the plain white back of a 'club-card1' must inevitably be discovered sooner or later4 ,such an idea1 nevertheless1 would indicate a very scant acquaintance with the resources which are available to the card-sharper4 ,one of the earliest methods of marking of which there is any record was used in connection with this class of card4 ,the incident is related by ,houdin1 whose account of the matter is to the following effect4 ,a card-sharper having been detected in cheating1 a great quantity of cards were found in his possession4 ,the authorities1 thinking that there might possibly be some preparation or falsification of them1 sent them to ,houdin for examination4 ,to all appearance1 however1 the cards were perfectly genuine4 ,he could detect nothing amiss with them4 ,but notwithstanding the negative result of his investigation1 he felt morally certain that they must have been tampered with in some way4 ,he therefore persevered in his efforts to solve the problem1 but several weeks elapsed1 and still he found himself exactly in the position from which he started4 ,at length1 disgusted by such prolonged and repeated failure1 he flung a pack of the cards carelessly across the table at which he was sitting4 ,then1 in an instant1 the long-sought revelation was presented to his view4 ,the cards were marked1 and in a manner sufficiently ingenious to arouse the investigator's enthusiasm at the time1 although the method employed might not be thought so very high class nowadays4 ,we have advanced since then4 ,the cards in question were of the ordinary glazed kind1 and lying at some little distance upon the table the light from the window was reflected from their backs4 ,this circumstance disclosed the fact that each one had a small unglazed spot upon it1 placed in such a position as to indicate the suit and value4 ,fig4 #d will explain the system at a glance4 ,the glaze is removed by the simple expedient of putting a drop of water upon the required spot1 and blotting it off after a few seconds4 ,such a mark is quite invisible under ordinary circumstances1 but when the cards are held at a suitable angle to the light1 the unglazed spot is readily apparent4 ,this1 of course1 is not the only method of producing the desired effect4 ,sometimes the glaze is removed by means of a sharp knife4 ,another plan is to produce a shallow concavity at the proper position by laying the card upon its face and pressing upon it with the rounded end of a penholder or some similar and convenient instrument4 ,in fact1 anything which will cause a little variation in the reflection of the light from the back of the card will suffice4 ,the cards above referred to were merely 'picquet' packs4 ,therefore there was nothing lower than the 'seven4' ,if it is necessary to mark a full pack1 the lower cards may be marked with two dots1 as shown in fig4 #d4 ,when unglazed1 or 'steam-boat' cards were in general use1 a very efficient mode of marking was devised4 ,it was done by ruling lines on the backs with a piece of paraffin wax4 ,fig4 #c shows the arrangement4 ,this method is of course the converse of the foregoing1 the object of using the wax being to impart a glaze where none previously existed4 ,as before1 these marks are only decipherable when the cards are held at a proper angle4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #c4--,unglazed ,cards4 ,cards marked as in fig4 #c would answer perfectly for a game such as 'poker1' where the suit is of no consequence4 ,if it is required to give both suit and value1 another mark--a dot for example--could be added1 the position of which would give the necessary indication4 ,the ace1 it will be observed1 is not marked4 ,in most systems1 either the ace or the two is indicated by the absence of marking4 ,the same thing applies to the suits1 it is only required to mark three out of the four4 ,c--,marking by dot and puncture4--,the main outlines of this method will be understood from what has already been said4 ,if the unglazed spots are represented by minute dots1 the principle is practically the same4 ,the only difference is in connection with marking by puncture4 ,in this case the mark is made by pricking the card with a very fine needle upon its face4 ,this raises a minute point or 'burr' upon the back1 which can be detected by passing the thumb across the back of the card whilst dealing4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #d4--;,divisions indicating suit and value4 ,if a plate of metal the size of a playing-card is divided at each end into parallelograms1 after the manner shown in fig4 #d1 these divisions will represent the positions occupied by the puncture or dot in representing the various suits and values4 ,a small hole being drilled in the centre of each parallelogram1 the plate will serve for a 'template' by means of which the cards may be pierced in the correct places4 ,the plate is laid upon the face of the card1 and a fine needle is pricked through the proper hole1 just far enough to raise the necessary projection on the back of the card4 ,one point at each end1 then1 will serve to mark all the cards of a picquet pack4 ,if those cards which are lower than seven have to be marked1 two points may be taken4 ,for instance1 a point in the top left-hand corner1 together with one three divisions further to the right1 will indicate the six of clubs4 ,a point in the second space on the same line1 with one in the fifth space1 will represent the five of clubs1 and so on4 ,this is a very good system of marking for many purposes4 ,it takes only a short time to mark the whole pack2 the marks are invisible1 and will escape the closest scrutiny4 ,but great practice is necessary to render the touch sufficiently acute1 and the perception of the small differences sufficiently delicate1 to read the marks with precision4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #e4 ,another method whereby a single dot is made to represent both suit and value of any card is illustrated in fig4 #e4 ,in every ornamental back almost1 there is some portion of the pattern which is more or less of a fan-shaped or radial design4 ,if this should happen to contain thirteen divisions1 nothing is easier than to assign to each one a value1 and thus the entire suit is represented by merely varying the position of the dot4 ,the suit is given by placing the dot nearer or farther from the centre4 ,fig4 #e is a diagram which illustrates this method in its simplest form4 ,a dot placed outside the periphery of the design stands for 'spades1' one just inside for 'hearts1' half-way between the two lines for 'diamonds1' and close to the inner circle it means 'clubs4' ,the value or 'size1' as it is called1 is shown by the radial line1 opposite which the mark is placed4 ,having followed this explanation1 the reader will at once perceive that the dot marked a 7fig4 #e7 represents the two of diamonds4 ,of course it frequently happens that there is no part of the pattern which contains thirteen divisions4 ,then1 either more than one design must be used1 or the form of the mark must be varied4 ,supposing there are only six divisions available for the purpose1 the six highest cards can be indicated by a dot1 the six next in order by a small dash1 and the last by a minute cross4 ,d--,cards marked ,illustration3 squiggle in manufacture4--,given the original conception of marked cards1 and their practical application to the needs of the sharper1 the next step is1 obviously1 the production of such wares commercially4 ,the desirability of being able to open a new pack of cards and find them ready prepared for use1 was too palpable to be overlooked4 ,for a long time the existence of such cards was kept profoundly secret among a very few sharpers1 and those 'in the know' reaped a rich harvest4 ,nowadays1 however1 these things are1 comparatively speaking1 'common objects of the sea-shore4' ,fig4 #f is a reproduction of the first pattern ever supplied1 ready marked1 by the makers4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #f4 ,the distinctive marking was arranged by causing the end of the scroll1 marked 'a1' to assume various forms1 and point in different directions4 ,this card did very well for a time2 but the mark was very obtrusive and the pattern became obsolete1 being discarded1 in fact1 for improved forms which were of later invention4 ,the next step in the way of improvement came with the introduction of the plaid-back cards1 at one time largely used4 ,it was soon discovered that these lent themselves readily to the purposes of falsification1 and the result was the invention of a mark both easy to read and not liable to detection4 ,like so many other good things1 it is marvellous in its simplicity4 ,it is based partly upon modification of the pattern1 and partly upon the position occupied by the mark4 ,fig4 #g illustrates a complete suit of these cards4 ,the higher cards commence with a set of five parallel lines1 placed somewhat to the left of the top right-hand corner4 ,the space between the first and second lines is increased to indicate an ace2 between the second and third1 a king2 between the third and fourth1 a queen2 and between the fourth and fifth1 a knave4 ,for the ten1 nine1 eight1 and seven1 the pattern is so arranged that the indicating lines terminate at the corner of the card4 ,these being similarly treated1 correspond with the four cards of that group4 ,the six1 five1 four1 and three1 are respectively given by a similar band1 which is so placed that it terminates upon the right hand side of the card1 immediately below the top corner4 ,the two is known by the fact of the card being unmarked2 that is to say1 the lines of all the bands are an equal distance apart1 and are not tampered with in any way4 ,the suit is given by a band of lines1 terminating some little distance below the top left-hand corner1 on the left of the card4 ,the first space 7counting from the top7 being widened1 signifies a diamond2 the second1 a heart2 the third1 a club2 and the fourth1 a spade4 ,if the reader has made the progress in 'sharping' which might reasonably be expected at this stage of his instruction1 he should have no difficulty in distinguishing the suit of the ace in fig4 #g4 ,it is evidently the ace of clubs4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #g4 ,this pattern is of especial value to the man who can deal 'seconds1'#b as in giving off the 'draft' at poker1 and so on1 by keeping the pack spread out a little1 he can read off the values of the first four or five cards4 ,that is the great advantage in having marks which come quite close to the edge4 ,we will conclude this subject of printed backs with a description of one of the best designs ever made 7fig4 #h74 ,this pattern is particularly easy to read1 even at a considerable distance1 yet it is certainly not liable to detection by the uninitiated4 ,to anyone who knows the secret1 it appears strange that a pack of these cards may be given to a novice for examination1 with the information that they are marked1 and he will never find anything wrong with them4 ,he may even examine them with a microscope1 yet he will see nothing amiss4 ,the reason is that he does not know what to look for4 ,most probably he will expect to find dots or marks1 put on the card by hand4 ,he might thus detect 'scroll work1' examples of which are given further on1 though most likely 'shading' would escape his notice from the fact that it is something for which he is not prepared4 ,in this instance the distinguishing marks are two in number1 one for suit and one for value4 ,these are respectively indicated by variations in the form of the two small sprays in the left hand corner1 round which lines have been drawn in the upper card 7fig4 #h74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #h4 ,the lower of the two sprays is caused to show the suit by being curved up or down1 or having its termination formed into a suggestion of a spade or a heart1 as will be seen on reference to the figure4 ,the upper spray is variously altered to denote the values4 ,thus3 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #i4 ,cards marked in printing have of late years been virtually abandoned in ,america1 owing to the fact that they are readily detected1 even by those who are utterly unable to discover the marks4 ,the general appearance of the cards is sufficient to show their origin4 ,in the first place1 the ink with which the cards are printed is as a rule very inferior2 and secondly1 the 'ace of spades' has ,,not the maker's name upon it4 ,as the maker himself would say--',what do you think8' ,fig4 #aj is a comparison of the ace of spades from a genuine pack with that from a pack of manufactured 'marked backs4' ,it will be seen that the marked card bears the title of a purely hypothetical ',card ,company4' ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #aj4 ,genuine ,card4 ,manufactured ,marked-back4 ,by referring to the price-lists given towards the end of this book1 one finds that the price at which they are quoted is by no means exorbitant1 when one bears in mind the risk which the maker runs1 and the fact that he has to go to the expense of fifty-two plates for printing the backs1 as against the one only which is required for genuine cards4 ,in revenge1 and to keep down the cost of production1 he uses ink of a very inferior quality to that employed by good firms4 ,thus1 the cards are rendered open to suspicion from the first1 and no doubt this has much to do with their falling into disuse4 ,in ,america their employment is confined chiefly to mining camps1 where one may still find 'saloons' which are stocked entirely with this kind of 'paper1' as the cards are called4 ,england1 however1 must be a fine field for them1 as card players here are really so ignorant that the subtle methods of cheating would be thrown away4 ,the best work is not necessary1 and the sharp who went to the trouble of adopting it would be simply wasting his substance on the desert air4 ,there is little doubt that these cards are largely used over here4 ,e--,shading and tint-marking4--,manufactured cards having fallen into comparative desuetude1 the reasonable inference is that they have been supplanted by something better2 and such is the fact4 ,in the hands of the best men they have been superseded by genuine cards1 marked 7generally by the sharp himself7 either with 'shading' or 'line-work4' ,the earliest method of shading1 so far as can be ascertained1 consisted of the application to plain-backed cards of an even tint which1 being rendered more or less deep1 denoted the values of certain cards4 ,this tint was produced by rubbing the card with a rag1 lightly impregnated with plumbago1 until the required depth of tint was obtained4 ,this imperfect method1 however1 has gradually developed into others which can hardly be said to leave anything to be desired--at least from the sharp's point of view4 ,at the present time shading is principally confined1 if not entirely so1 to ornamental backs4 ,it is effected by applying a faint wash of colour to a fairly large portion of the card4 ,this colour of course must be one which approximates to the tint of the card1 and further1 it must be one which will dry without removing the glaze4 ,just as there has been continual warfare between the makers of heavy guns and the inventors of armour-plating1 so there has been a long struggle between the playing-card manufacturer and the professional gambler4 ,whilst the latter has been engaged in the endeavour to concoct a stain with which he could shade his cards without spoiling the enamel or altering the colour1 the former has done his best to circumvent the sharp's endeavours by compounding the glaze of ingredients which will spoil the 'little game4' ,for some time the manufacturer triumphed1 and it became known that ,hart's red ',angel-backs' were unstainable4 ,alas6 however1 vice--and1 shall we say science--was victorious1 and one can now buy a fluid warranted to stain any card for a mere trifle4 ,these fluids are nothing more than solutions in spirit of various aniline dyes4 ,for red1 aurosine is used1 and for blue aniline blue4 ,stafford's red ink1 diluted with spirit1 produces a perfect stain for red cards4 ,others as good can be made with the ',diamond' dyes4 ,a suitable solution having been obtained1 the cards are shaded1 either by putting a wash over a certain spot or by washing over the whole of the back with the exception of one spot4 ,the latter method is the better of the two in many respects1 as the cards can be distinguished at a distance of two or three yards1 and yet will bear the strictest examination1 even at the hands of one who understands the former method4 ,in fact1 the closer one looks at the cards the less likely one is to discover the mark1 or1 as the sharp would say1 to 'tumble' to the 'fake4' ,the directions for use issued with the shading fluids will be found on page #cjb4 ,as the delicate tints of shaded work are lost in reproduction1 satisfactory examples cannot be given4 ,on the opposite page1 however1 will be found an illustration of one method of shading the familiar 'angel-back' card represented in fig4 #aa4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #aa4--;,angel-back4 ,the shading in fig4 #ab has been considerably exaggerated1 to render it apparent4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ab4--';,,fallen ,,angels' ,the little 'angel' 7a1 fig4 #aa7 is made to indicate the value of the cards by shading the head for an ace2 the right wing for a king2 the left wing for a queen2 the right arm for a knave1 and so on4 ,the two is not marked4 ,the suit of the card is denoted by shading various portions of the foliated design adjacent to the 'angel' 7b1 fig4 #aa74 ,with the exception of the exaggerated shading1 these marks are facsimiles of those upon a pack purchased from one of the dealers1 all of whom supply them4 ,although the cards can be bought ready shaded1 most sharpers prefer to do them for themselves4 ,therefore1 they merely buy the marking-fluids1 and invent their own marks4 ,f--,line and scroll work4--,this is the kind of marking which is adopted by the most expert among card-sharpers4 ,when well done it can hardly be detected even by another sharper4 ,this system may be briefly summarised as follows4 ,some convenient portion of the card-back is selected--a flower or some similar device in the pattern1 for instance--and a shading consisting of very fine lines1 in imitation of the normal shading of the pattern1 is used1 its position indicating the value of the card4 ,a specially prepared 'line-work fluid' is used1 and the work is put on with a fine pen or1 better still1 with a fine sable pencil4 ,in using a pen there is always a danger of scratching the enamel1 but by the use of a 'photographic sable1' such as retouchers employ1 this is obviated4 ,in order to imbue the reader with a due appreciation of these works of art1 our first example shall be one of a very obvious character2 one that could only be used in a 'soft game4'#c ,we shall then have an opportunity of comparing it with one or two of the masterpieces of the century1 and1 looking back upon the earlier pages of this book1 we can reflect upon the manner in which the science of card-sharping is progressing1 like other and more legitimate sciences4 ,a portion of the pattern1 consisting of five projections1 is usually chosen in line-marking1 and the line-work is applied in the following manner4 ,the first projection1 or petal1 on the left1 is shaded to denote an ace2 the second a king2 the third a queen2 the fourth a knave2 and the fifth a ten4 ,then for a nine1 the first and second are shaded2 for an eight the second and third2 and so on to the six4 ,lastly1 taking the foliations in groups of three1 the first three represent the five2 the second1 third1 and fourth1 the four2 and the third1 fourth1 and fifth1 the three4 ,the two is not shaded4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ac4 ,in the case of the card which is reproduced in fig4 #ac1 the spray of leaves marked a would be chosen to indicate the values4 ,the spray b would be shaded to denote the suit4 ,reference to fig4 #ad will serve to make this clear4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ad4 ,having mastered this elementary method1 we will now turn to some of the finest work that has ever been put upon cards4 ,fig4 #ae illustrates five cards of the 'angel-back' pattern4 ,these are respectively the king1 queen1 knave1 ten1 and nine4 ,it is not too much to say that the mark would never be discovered without assistance being given1 by one previously acquainted with it4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ae4--,,scroll-,,work ,in this example the spray marked c 7fig4 #aa7 is chosen1 and marked in a manner of which fig4 #af is a magnified diagram4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #af4 ,as a concluding example of line-work1 if the reader will turn back to fig4 #h1 he will find1 in each corner of the pattern upon the card1 a leaf with five points1 an ivy leaf in fact4 ,in marking a genuine card of this pattern1 this leaf would be selected for the purpose1 and shaded with line-work after the manner of fig4 #ag4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ag4 ,cards marked whilst in play4--,we now arrive at the last subdivision of this branch of our subject1 and perhaps the one which will prove most generally interesting1 viz4 the possibility of placing distinctive marks upon the cards during the course of the game4 ,the average reader may probably be surprised to learn that such a practice has been resorted to by sharpers from time immemorial4 ,further1 its accomplishment presents not the slightest difficulty1 in fact it is the simplest thing in the world4 ,the earliest method appears to have been that of raising a slight burr upon the edges of the cards with an instrument provided--perhaps for that purpose787--by ,nature1 to wit1 the thumb-nail4 ,this and other primitive methods alike have been superseded by others more scientific4 ,therefore we will not waste our time in detailing such elementary matters1 but pass on to the means used at the present day4 ,one of the simplest appliances is the 'nail prick1' quoted in the price-lists at half a dollar4 ,this is simply a tiny piece of metal1 carrying a point1 which is held when in use under the thumb-nail of the right hand4 ,with this point the cards can be pricked without observation1 in positions which will indicate the suit and value4 ,it is1 however1 not much used4 ,pricking the cards is a method chiefly employed by men who can deal 'seconds4' ,the sharp will prick the corners of all the aces and court cards1 or as many of them as happen to fall into his hands1 from time to time2 and whilst dealing1 he can feel the little projection caused by the prick1 and hold these cards back till they could be dealt to himself4 ,one who did this every time it came to his turn to deal must inevitably win all the money sooner or later4 ,no sharp1 however1 would be insane enough to arouse suspicion in this manner4 ,the most refined and scientific method of pricking the cards is by means of an ingenious little appliance1 known as the 'poker-ring4' ,this is an ordinary finger-ring1 having attached to it upon the under side a needle-point of about one sixty-fourth of an inch in length 7fig4 #ah74 ,in the illustration1 the length of the point is exaggerated4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ah4 ,as the cards are held in the hand1 the corner of any one which it is desired to mark is simply pressed against the point with the thumb of either hand4 ,thus with one hand the sharp is enabled to mark any card he chooses1 under the very eyes of his adversaries1 and without a single suspicious movement being observable4 ,but the greatest advance in this direction was made when the art of marking cards with shade-work was discovered4 ,it was found that a little aniline colour1 taken upon the tip of the finger1 could be transferred to the back of a card slightly deepening the tint in the spot to which it was applied4 ,the colour was at first derived from a piece of blue aniline pencil1 carried in the pocket1 and upon the point of which the finger was secretly rubbed4 ,as far as one can ascertain1 the ,english sharp has not progressed beyond this point in his professional knowledge4 ,in ,america1 however1 it is otherwise4 ,across the water1 superior intelligences soon concocted a coloured paste which would answer the purpose much better4 ,scooping a hole in a piece of cork1 the cavity was filled with the composition1 and the cork was sewn inside the lower edge of the waistcoat4 ,in this position the colour was convenient to the hand4 ,the idea thus conceived has been improved upon until one may say that this method has reached perfection in the form of appliances known as 'shading boxes4' ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ai4 ,these implements of chicanery1 of which fig4 #ai is an illustration1 are little nickel-plated boxes1 which are completely filled with the coloured composition4 ,in the centre of the lid is a slot through which the colour is pressed4 ,the finger being passed over this slot1 takes up a little of the colour4 ,the base of the box is pierced around the circumference with small holes1 for convenience in sewing it to the inside of the waistcoat or underneath the flap of a side pocket1 as may be preferred4 ,the boxes are generally used in pairs1 one containing red composition and the other blue4 ,with these two colours1 almost every coloured card can be marked4 ,the paste for refilling the boxes is supplied separately1 or1 if the sharp is acquainted with its composition1 he may make it for himself4 ,here is the recipe4 ,olive oil1 stearine1 and camphor are incorporated in a melted condition with aniline of the required hue4 ,the mixture is then poured out upon a level surface and allowed to cool4 ,when cold it is worked up with the blade of a knife upon a sheet of white paper1 to get rid of the superfluous oil4 ,it is then ready for use4 ,marking placed upon cards in this way can be instantly removed by merely rubbing the card upon the table-cloth4 ,it is worthy of note that these boxes are considered to be so good that they are not included in the catalogues of dealers in so-called 'sporting-goods4' ,they are kept as a secret among those who are 'in the know4' ,these convenient little articles1 then1 bring us to the end of the systems of marking4 ,it only remains to instruct the neophyte who has followed the course of our lessons so far1 in the methods of utilising the marks when once they are placed upon the cards4 ,those familiar words of the great artist who said that the medium he employed in mixing his colours was 'brains1' may find an echo in the directions for playing marked cards4 ,they must be used with intelligence or not at all4 ,indeed1 great circumspection is requisite in utilising the information which the marks provide4 ,in a game of whist1 for instance1 a thorough-paced player would at once detect any glaring peculiarity of play resulting from knowledge surreptitiously acquired4 ,one may know1 perfectly well1 which card in one's hand would win the trick1 but it is not always advisable to play it4 ,tact and judgment1 added to a thorough acquaintance with the rules of the game which is being played1 are necessary adjuncts to the successful employment of any system of cheating4 ,in a round game1 when it is your turn to deal1 you may read the cards as you deal them2 and in this way know the hands of your opponents1 or at any rate the principal cards4 ,in a single-handed game you can remember the whole of your antagonist's cards1 but with more than two players it is not advisable to attempt to commit to memory more than one hand4 ,that1 preferably1 should be the hand of the 'flattest man1' the 'greatest mug1' the man who is playing highest1 or your most dangerous opponent4 ,with a little practice the top card of the pack can be read1 just before it is dealt4 ,there is plenty of time for this whilst the previous card is on its way to the table4 ,in a game such as ,poker1 where the suit is of no consequence1 you simply repeat to yourself the value of the card as you deal it1 and from your knowledge of the game you may deduce the discards from that particular hand4 ,then1 in giving off the 'draft'--i4e4 the cards to replace those which have been discarded1 and which1 of course1 you have not seen--you read the cards as they are given out4 ,in this way you can form a tolerably accurate opinion as to what cards that hand finally contains4 ,if your hand happens to be better1 you can bet against this particular player1 continually raising the stakes until all the other players are 'raised out4' ,that is to say1 they do not feel inclined to risk so much money on their hands1 and therefore they throw them down1 and leave the game1 for the moment1 in the hands of the two highest players4 ,a knowledge of the top card may be utilised in dealing 'seconds4' ,the top card1 being one which you require1 may be kept back until it comes to your turn either on the deal or the draft4 ,this1 however1 is a very bad way of using marked cards4 ,it is sure to be detected sooner or later1 and then your only course will be to 'clear out' from the scene of your former victories4 ,whilst1 if you confine your attention to the use of the information given by the marks1 trusting to your wits rather than to the deftness of your fingers1 you will not only win but 'last4' ,working with shaded cards1 in which the shading occupies the greater portion of the card1 many of your opponents' cards can be read as they hold them in their hands2 especially where they are held spread out1 as is so often the case in ,england4 ,whatever may be the game1 marked cards will often enable you to win where you otherwise would lose1 so long as due care and judgment are exercised4 ,for example1 at ,vingt-et-un1 you will always know whether it is advisable to draw another card or not4 ,you will not stand in doubt as to the card you will get4 ,at ,baccarat you will know what cards you have given the players1 and what you will draw if you take one4 ,too many false drafts1 however1 are liable to create suspicion2 so in this game you must be careful in your proceedings4 ,at ,loo1 you will have a strong advantage1 as you will always know the contents of the hand upon the table1 and when to take 'miss4' ,in games such as ',banker' or ',polish ,bank1' which consist of betting that you have in your hand a card 7not seen7 which will beat one that has been turned up1 you have to contend with no uncertainty whatever4 ,having pursued our subject to this point1 it cannot be denied that we have learnt something of great importance1 viz4 that among the advantages enjoyed by us in this nineteenth century1 we must not overlook those embodied in the fact1 that not only are marked cards articles of commerce1 readily obtainable at the right places1 but we have also the means of falsifying genuine cards1 of any pattern1 at a few minutes' notice4 ,even failing this1 we have at our command means of marking all the cards which it is necessary to know whilst under the very noses of our antagonists4 ,the practical philosopher--if such exist--whilst meditating upon the benefits accruing to mankind from civilisation1 should by no means forget that1 in one notable instance at least--card-playing to wit--civilisation has provided the means of eliminating from the affairs of life the undesirable and inconvenient element of chance4 ,there is no such thing as chance1 says the predestinationist2 and certainly in some cases the truth is with him4 ,,footnotes3 #b ,vide ,chapter ,,vi41 ',manipulation4' #c ,this expression does not apply1 as might be imagined1 to the comparative simplicity of the game1 but rather to the positive simplicity of the players4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,reflectors ,although there can be no question as to the utility of marked cards in the hands of the sharper1 it frequently happens that he is unable to avail himself of the advantages presented by their employment4 ,it may be1 perhaps1 that he is so situated as to be compelled to use genuine cards belonging to someone else2 and that1 the comparatively scanty and hurried marking supplied by means of poker-ring or shading box will not provide him with all the information imperatively demanded by the nature of the game in which he is engaged4 ,he may1 perhaps1 be playing in circles where the devices of marking1 and the methods of accomplishing it1 are well known4 ,for many reasons the use of marked cards may be too risky to be ventured upon2 or the cards themselves may not be available at the moment4 ,again1 the sharp may not have taken the trouble to master any system of marking2 yet1 for all that1 he requires a knowledge of his opponent's cards just as much as his more talented brother of the pen1 the brush1 and the needle-point4 ,how then1 it may be asked1 is he to obtain this knowledge8 ,simply--very simply4 ,the sharp needs to be hard pressed indeed1 to be driven to the end of his tether4 ,marked cards being out of the question1 it is possible to obviate to a great extent the necessity for them by the use of certain little instruments of precision denominated 'reflectors1' or1 more familiarly1 'shiners4' ,these are not intended to be used for the purpose of casting reflections upon the assembled company4 ,far from it4 ,their reflections are exclusively such as have no weight with the majority4 ,they1 and their use alike1 reflect only upon the sharp himself4 ,these useful little articles are constructed in many forms1 and are as perfectly adapted to the requirements of the individual as are the works of ,nature herself4 ,just as man has been evolved in the course of ages from some primitive speck of structureless protoplasm1 so1 in like manner1 we find that these convexities of silvered glass have crystallised out from some primordial drop of innocent liquid1 more or less accidentally spilled upon the surface of a table in years gone by4 ,such1 then1 was the origin of the reflector4 ,the sharp of long ago was content to rely upon a small circular drop of wine1 or whatever he happened to be drinking1 carefully spilled upon the table immediately in front of him4 ,holding the cards over this drop1 their faces would be reflected from its surface1 for the information of the sharp who was dealing them4 ,times have advanced since then1 however1 and the sharp has advanced with the times4 ,we live in an age of luxury4 ,we are no longer satisfied with the rude appliances which sufficed for the simpler and less fastidious tastes of our forefathers2 and in this respect at least the sharp is no exception to the general rule4 ,he1 too1 has become more fastidious1 and more exacting in his requirements1 and his tastes are more expensive4 ,his reflector1 therefore1 is no longer a makeshift2 it is a well-constructed instrument1 both optically and mechanically1 costing him1 to purchase1 from two and a half to twenty-five dollars4 ,not shillings1 bear in mind1 but dollars4 ,think of it6 ,five pounds for a circular piece of looking-glass1 about three-quarters of an inch in diameter6 ,the fact that such a price is paid is sufficient to indicate the profitable character of the investment4 ,the first record we have of the employment of a specially constructed appliance of this kind describes a snuff-box bearing in the centre of the lid a small medallion containing a portrait4 ,the sharp in taking a pinch of snuff pressed a secret spring1 the effect of which was to substitute for the portrait a convex reflector4 ,the snuff-box then being laid upon the table the cards were reflected from the surface of this mirror1 giving the sharp a reduced image of each one as it was dealt4 ,a device of this kind may have passed muster years ago1 but it could never escape detection nowadays4 ,at the present day card-players would be1 unquestionably1 'up to snuff4' ,among the more modern appliances1 the first to which we shall refer is that known as the 'table-reflector4' ,as its name implies1 it is designed for the purpose of being attached to the card-table during the game4 ,it is thus described in one of the price-lists4 ',table-reflector4--,fastens by pressing steel spurs into under side of table4 ,a fine glass comes to the edge of table to read the cards as you deal them off4 ,you can set the glass at any angle or turn it back out of sight in an instant4' ,from the many samples similar to the above with which one meets in 'sporting' literature1 the legitimate inference is that punctuation-marks are an expensive commodity in certain districts of ,america4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bj4 ,the reflector to which this paragraph refers is illustrated in fig4 #bj4 ,it is a neat little contrivance1 nicely finished and nickel-plated4 ,the mirror m is convex1 forming as usual a reduced image of the card4 ,a represents the position of the reflector whilst in use4 ,b shows the manner in which it is turned back1 out of the way and out of sight4 ,the hinge is fitted with light friction-springs1 which enable the mirror to retain any position in which it may be placed4 ,the correct way to 'play' the reflector is to press the steel point into the under side of the table1 just sufficiently far back to bring the hinge about level with the lower edge of the table top4 ,whilst in use1 the mirror1 contrary to what one might suppose1 is not inclined downwards1 but the inclination given to it is an upward one as in the illustration4 ,thus1 whilst the sharp is leaning slightly forward1 as one naturally would1 whilst dealing1 the cards are reflected from the mirror as he looks back into it4 ,used in this manner1 the reflector can be played anywhere1 and even those who are familiar with 'shiners' will 'stand' it4 ,inclined downwards1 it may be easier to use1 but in that case the dealer would have to lean back whilst distributing the cards4 ,a proceeding such as that would be liable to attract attention and to arouse suspicions which1 all things considered1 had better be allowed to slumber if the sharp is to maintain that mental quietude so necessary to the carrying out of his plans4 ,it is possible of course that nothing of the kind may occur1 but1 on the other hand1 it might4 ,one cannot be too careful1 when even the most innocent actions are apt to be misconstrued4 ,the world is so uncharitable1 that a little thing like the discovery of a bit of looking-glass might lead to a lot of unpleasantness4 ,who knows8 ,should anyone happen to come behind the dealer whilst the mirror is in view1 it can always be turned out of sight with the little finger in the act of taking up one's cards from the table1 or by sitting very close it can be altogether concealed4 ,another very efficient form of reflector is one so constructed as to be adaptable to the interior of a pipe-bowl4 ,it consists of a small convex mirror1 similar to the one used in the table reflector1 which is cemented to a piece of cork shaped to fit inside the bowl of an ordinary briar-root pipe 7fig4 #ba74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ba4 ,such a device is more adapted to the requirements of the second or third-rate sharper1 as it would not be available in a circle of cigarette-smoking ',johnnies4' ,it is used in the following manner4 ,the 'shiner' is carried separately from the pipe1 and held until required in the palm of the hand1 with the cork downwards4 ,the sharp having finished his pipe1 stoops down to knock out the ashes1 upon any convenient spot4 ,as the hand is again brought up to the level of the table1 the glass is pressed into the bowl of the pipe with the thumb4 ,the pipe is then laid upon the table1 with the bowl facing towards its owner1 a little to the left of where he is sitting4 ,in this position the mirror is visible to no one but the sharp himself4 ,he is therefore at liberty to make the freest use of it without exciting suspicion in the least4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bb4--,,pipe-,,reflector ,,in ,,situ ,fig4 #bb is a photograph of pipe and mirror in situ1 which will give a far better idea of the convenience of this arrangement than any amount of explanation could possibly enable the reader to form4 ,the card which is seen reflected in miniature was held at a distance from the mirror of about six inches4 ,among the various forms in which reflectors are supplied1 there are some attached to coins and rouleaux of coins of various values4 ,also there are some so constructed as to be attached to a pile of 'greenbacks' or bank-notes4 ,the manner in which these are used will be readily understood1 therefore there is no need to do more than refer to them4 ,in addition to these1 there is the appliance described in the catalogue as--',reflector1 attached to machine1 can be brought to palm of hand at will4' ,this will be found described in the chapter on 'holdouts1' to which class of apparatus it properly belongs4 ,the smallest and most difficult to use of all reflectors is one the very existence of which is but little known1 even among sharps1 viz4 the tooth-pick reflector4 ,in this instance the mirror is a very tiny one adapted to lie at an angle within the interior of a large quill tooth-pick4 ,with the exception of its size1 it is similar in other respects to the pipe-reflector already described4 ,needless to say1 the extreme minuteness of the image formed by so small a mirror entirely precludes its use except by a sharp who is an expert indeed1 and one whose vision is of the keenest description3 m1 fig4 #bc1 indicates the position occupied by the mirror within the interior of the quill4 ,the noble bird--typical of all gamblers--from whose pinion the feather has been extracted for so unworthy a purpose1 might well exclaim1 ',to what base uses may we come6' ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bc4 ,the operator who has adopted this form of instrument will enter the room where card-players are assembled1 chewing his tooth-pick after the approved ,piccadilly fashion of a few years ago4 ,having taken his place at the table1 he throws down the tooth-pick in front of him1 with the pointed end turned towards him4 ,his mirror then comes into play1 in the same manner as that of the pipe-reflector aforesaid4 ,one form of reflector which is very useful to the sharp in a single-handed game1 is that mentioned in one of the catalogues as being intended to stand behind a pile of 'chips' or counters upon the table4 ,it may appear to the uninitiated that there would be great difficulty in concealing a mirror in this way4 ,such1 undoubtedly1 would be the case if only one pile of chips were used4 ,by placing two piles side by side1 however1 the difficulty disappears4 ,with counters1 say1 an inch and a quarter in diameter1 there is ample space behind two piles1 when standing close together1 to accommodate and conceal a tolerably large reflector1 as such things go4 ,the mirror in this case is mounted somewhat after the fashion of a linen-prover2 and precisely resembles a small hinge4 ,the hinge being opened1 reveals the reflector4 ,it is set at a suitable angle and simply laid upon the table1 either behind the rouleaux of counters1 as explained above1 or behind a pile of bank-notes1 as may be most convenient4 ,if the sharp should unhappily be compelled to part with either counters or notes--a circumstance1 by the way1 which should never occur in the ordinary course of events--though accidents will happen now and then--the reflector can be closed up and secreted in an instant4 ,it is a neat little device1 and one well worthy the notice of intending purchasers4 7,see advt47 ,in connection with sharping of any kind1 as in every other branch of art1 whether sacred or profane1 legal or illegal1 one fact is always distinctly noticeable4 ,no matter what improvements may be made1 or what amount of complexity may be introduced into any system1 or into the appliances which have been invented to meet its requirements1 the practice of its leading exponents always tends towards simplicity of operation4 ,to this rule there are very few exceptions4 ,the greatest minds are1 as a rule1 content to use the simplest methods4 ,not the easiest1 bear in mind1 but the simplest4 ,the simple tools are generally more difficult to use with effect than the more elaborate ones4 ,the great painter with no other tools than his palette-knife and his thumb will produce work which could not be imitated by a man of inferior talents1 although he had the entire stock of ,rowney or ,winsor and ,newton at his disposal4 ,so1 in like manner1 is it with the really great expert in sharping4 ,with a small unmounted mirror1 and a bit of cobbler's wax1 he will win more money than a duffer who possesses the most perfect mechanical arrangement ever adapted to a reflector4 ,it is the quality of the man which tells1 not that of his tools4 ,it may perhaps be asked then1 if the simplest appliances are best1 why is it that they are not generally adopted1 in place of the more complicated devices4 ,that1 however1 is just the same thing as asking why an organ-grinder is content to wind out machine-made airs during the whole of his existence1 rather than to devote his time to the far less expensive process of learning to play an instrument4 ,the answer is the same in both cases4 ,it is simply that machinery is made to take the place of skill4 ,the machine can be obtained by the expenditure of so much or so little money1 whilst the skill can only be obtained by a lifetime of practice4 ,your duffer1 as a rule1 does not care about hard work4 ,he prefers a situation where all the hard work is put out1 and the less irksome is done by somebody else4 ,hence the demand for cheating-tools which will throw the responsibility of success or failure upon the manufacturer1 leaving the operator at liberty to acquire just as much skill as he pleases1 or to do without skill altogether if he thinks fit4 ,according to one of the leading experts in ,america1 the above-mentioned bit of cobbler's wax1 in conjunction with the plain unmounted mirror1 is by far the best method of employing a reflector4 ,the mirror is simply attached1 by means of the wax1 to the palm of the hand near the edge2 and when it is fixed in this position1 the little indices1 usually found upon the corners of modern playing-cards1 can be read quite easily4 ,furthermore1 so situated1 the reflector is quite secure from observation4 ,the majority of sharps1 however1 appear to strike the happy medium between the simplicity of this device and the complexity of the 'reflector attached to machine4' ,thus1 it is the table-reflector which appears to be the most popular for general use1 although from its nature it is not well-adapted for use in a round game4 ,there are too many people to the right and left of the operator4 ,for a single-handed game1 however1 where the sharp has no opportunity of 'getting his own cards in1' it is invaluable4 ,supposing1 then1 for the moment1 gentle reader1 that you were a sharp1 your plan of working the table-reflector would be as follows4 ,you would find your 'mug' 7first catch your hare71 and perhaps you might induce him to invite you to his club4 ,having got your hand in to this extent1 doubtless you would find means of persuading him to engage you in a game of cards1 'just to pass the time4' ,he thinks1 no doubt1 that he is perfectly safe1 as the club cards are being used1 and moreover being in all probability what is known in 'sporting' circles as a 'fly-flat'--that is1 a fool who thinks himself wise--he imagines that he knows enough about cheating to 'spot' anyone who had the audacity to 'try it on' with him4 ,now1 if there is one thing more certain than another1 it is that a sharp is always safest in the hands of a man who thinks he knows a lot4 ,the event will nearly always prove that his knowledge is limited to an imperfect acquaintance with some of the older forms of manipulation2 things which have been discarded as obsolete by all practical men4 ,therefore1 if he anticipates cheating at all1 he prepares himself to look out for something vastly different to what is about to take place4 ,his mind running in a groove1 he is preoccupied with matters which are of no importance to him2 and thus falls an easy prey to the sharper4 ,in such a case1 then1 you have a 'soft thing4' ,you select a table which affords you the opportunity of securing a nice1 convenient seat1 with your back to the wall4 ,you fix your 'shiner' just under the edge of the table1 and engage your 'pigeon' in a single-handed game of poker4 ,if you are worth your salt1 you ought to pluck him--nay1 skin him1 for all he is worth4 ,,chapter ,v ,,holdouts ,the term ',holdout' is the name given to a mechanical contrivance1 constructed with the object of enabling the card-sharper to 'hold-out1' or conceal one or more cards1 until such time as he finds that they will be useful to him by turning the balance of fortune in his favour at some critical point of the game4 ,they are obviously unavailable in those games where the whole pack is distributed among the players1 as the cards abstracted must in that case necessarily be missed4 ,it will be seen1 then1 that although the name may appear clumsy and puerile1 it is notwithstanding well chosen and expressive4 ,the gambler 'holds out' inducements to the cheat2 the market1 provided by cheating1 'holds out' inducements to the manufacturer2 the manufacturer 'holds out' inducements to purchase his machines2 and the machines themselves 'hold out' inducements which very few sharpers can resist4 ,it is like the nursery-rhyme of the dog that was eventually 'purwailed on' to get over the stile4 ,as far as we have yet travelled upon our explorations into the regions of fraud and chicanery1 yclept 'sharping1' our path has been1 comparatively speaking1 a rosy one4 ,the way has been by no means intricate1 and the difficulties we have had to encounter have been but few4 ,at this point1 however1 the course runs through a region which is1 to some extent1 beset with thorn and bramble1 in the guise of mechanical contrivances having a more or less complex character4 ,the non-technical reader1 however1 has no cause for being appalled at the nature of the ground which he is invited to traverse2 the author undertakes to render his travelling easy1 and to put him through1 as it were1 by ',pullman-,express4' ,one should always endeavour to popularise science whenever the opportunity serves4 ,the mechanically minded reader1 at any rate1 will revel in the examples of human ingenuity--and corruptibility--which are here presented for the first time to his admiring gaze4 ,as in all other instances of means well-adapted to a given end1 these utensils of the holdout persuasion have taken their origin from extremely simple and antiquated devices4 ,perhaps we are not correct in saying 'extremely antiquated1' since ',cavendish' is of opinion that cards have not been invented more than five hundred years4 ,those1 however1 who attribute their invention to the ,chinese1 ons before the dawn of western civilisation1 will be inclined to the belief that the ',heathen ,chinee' of succeeding ages must have coerced the smiles of fortune1 with the friendly aid of a holdout1 centuries before the discovery of the land of that instrument's second or third nativity4 ,as to this debatable point1 however1 there is very little hope that we shall ever be better informed than at present4 ,it belongs to the dead things of the dead past2 it is shrouded in the mist of antiquity and buried beneath the withered leaves of countless generations2 among which might be found the decayed refuse of many a family tree1 whose fall could be directly traced to the invention of the deadly implements known as playing cards4 ,do not let the reader imagine for a moment that ,i am inveighing against the use of cards1 when employed as an innocent means of recreation4 ,that is not my intention by any means4 ,such a thing would savour of narrow-mindedness and bigotry1 and should be discouraged in every possible way4 ,the means of rendering our existence here below as mutually agreeable as circumstances will permit are by no means so plentiful that we can afford to dispense with so enjoyable a pastime as a game of cards4 ,it is not the fault of the pieces of pasteboard1 that some people have been ruined by their means2 it is the fault of the players themselves4 ,had cards never been invented1 the result would have been very similar4 ,those who are addicted to gambling1 in the absence of cards1 would have spun coins1 drawn straws1 or engaged in some other equally intellectual recreation4 ,when a man has arrived at the state of mind which induces him to make 'ducks and drakes' of his property1 and a fool of himself1 there is no power on earth that can prevent him from so doing4 ,but to return4 ,the earliest account we have of anything in the holdout line is the cuff-box described by ,houdin4 ,i for one1 however1 am inclined to think that there is a slight tinge of the apocryphal in the record as given by him4 ,my reason for this opinion is twofold4 ,in the first place the description is singularly lacking in detail1 considering ,houdin's mechanical genius2 and secondly1 the difficulty of constructing and using such an apparatus would be for all practical purposes insuperable4 ,i should say that ,houdin had never seen the machine2 and that he trusted too implicitly to hearsay1 without exercising his judgment4 ,of course there is nothing but internal evidence to support this view2 still1 ,i cannot help believing that part at least of the great ,frenchman's account must be taken 'cum grano4' ,in any event1 however1 we are bound to admit that something in the nature of a holdout was known to some persons in the early part of the present century4 ,houdin entitles the device above referred to--',la boite la manche2' and his description is to the following effect4 ,a box sufficiently large to contain a pack of cards was concealed somewhere in the fore part of the sharp's coat-sleeve4 ,in picking up the pack1 preparatory to dealing1 the forearm was lightly pressed upon the table4 ,the box was so constructed that this pressure had the effect of throwing out the prepared or pre-arranged pack previously put into it1 and at the same time a pair of pincers seized the pack in use1 and withdrew it to the interior of the box1 in exchange for the one just ejected4 ,in his autobiography1 ,houdin recounts an incident in which this box played a prominent part4 ,a sharp had utilised it with great success for some time1 but at last the day came when his unlucky star was in the ascendant4 ,the pincers failed to perform their function properly1 and instead of removing the genuine pack entirely1 they left one card upon the table4 ,from the description given of the apparatus1 one may imagine that such a contingency would be very likely to arise4 ,the dupe of course discovered the extra card1 accused the sharp of cheating--and not without reason1 it must be admitted--challenged him to a duel1 and shot him4 ,serve him right1 you say8 ,well1 we will not contest the point4 ,the substitution of one pack for another appears to be the earliest conception of anything approximate to the process of holding-out cards until they are required4 ,all sorts of pockets1 in every conceivable position1 appear to have been utilised by the sharps of long ago1 for the purpose of concealing the packs which they sought to introduce into the game4 ,this necessarily could only be done at a period when plain-backed cards were generally used4 ,the sharp of to-day would want a goodly number of pockets1 if it were necessary for him to be able to replace any pattern among the cards which he might be called upon to use4 ,holding out1 however1 in the true sense of the term1 became a power in the hands of the sharp only with the introduction1 and the reception into popular favour1 of games such as ,poker1 in which the cards are not all dealt out1 and the possession of even one good card1 in addition to a hand which1 apart from fraud1 proves to be decent1 is fraught with such tremendous advantages to the sharp who has contrived to secrete it4 ,the earliest example of a card being systematically held out until it could be introduced into the game with advantage to the player1 is probably that of the sharp who1 during play1 was always more or less afflicted with weariness1 and consequently with a perpetual desire to stretch himself and yawn4 ,it was noticed after a while that he always had a good hand after yawning2 a singular fact1 and unaccountable4 ,doubtless the occultists of that day sought to establish some plausible connection between the act of stretching and the caprices of chance4 ,if so1 there is very little question that1 according to their usual custom1 they discovered some super-normal1 and 7to themselves7 satisfactory hypothesis1 to account for the influence of lassitude upon the fortunes of the individual4 ,in accordance with the usual course of events in such instances1 however1 the occult theory would be unable to retain its hold for long4 ,the super-normal always resolves itself into the normal1 when brought under the influence of practical common-sense4 ,in this particular case the explanation was of the simplest4 ,having secreted a card in the palm of his hand1 the sharp1 under cover of the act of stretching1 would just stick it under the collar of his coat as he sat with his back to the wall4 ,when the card was required for use1 a second yawn with the accompanying stretch would bring it again into his hand4 ,this1 then1 was the first real holdout--the back of a man's coat collar4#d ,since that time the ingenuity of the cheating community has been unremittingly applied to the solution of the problem of making a machine which would enable them to hold out cards without risk of detection4 ,that their efforts have been crowned with complete success we have the best of reasons for believing1 inasmuch as holdouts which can be used without a single visible movement being made1 and without the least fear of creating suspicion1 are articles of commerce at the present moment4 ,you have only to write to one of the dealers1 inclosing so many dollars1 and you can be set up for life4 ,no doubt you can obtain the names and addresses of these gentlemen without difficulty2 but since the object of this book is not to supply them with gratuitous advertisement1 their local habitation will not be given herein1 although their wares are prominently mentioned4 ,in order that the reader may fully appreciate the beauty and value of the latest and most improved devices1 we will run lightly over the gamut of the various instruments which have been introduced from time to time4 ,this course is the best to pursue1 since even among the earlier appliances there are some which1 if well-worked1 are still to be relied upon in certain companies1 and indeed are relied upon by many a sharp who considers himself 'no slouch4' ,there is every reason to believe that the first contrivance which proved to be of any practical use was one designated by the high-sounding and euphonious title of ',the ,bug4' ,your sharp has always an innate sense of the fitness of things1 and an unerring instinct which prompts him to reject all things but those which are beautiful and true4 ,ample evidence of this is not wanting1 even in such simple matters as the names he gives to the tools employed in his handicraft4 ',the ,bug' would appear to be an insect which may be relied upon at all times1 and in whose aid the fullest confidence may be placed4 ,in fact1 there is a saying to the effect that the bug has never been known to fail the enterprising naturalist who has been fortunate enough to secure a specimen1 and that it has never been detected in use4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bd4--',the ,bug4' ,this entomological curiosity is illustrated in fig4 #bd1 and is thus described in the catalogue of one indefatigable collector4 ',the ,bug4' ,a little instrument easily carried in your vest pocket1 that can be used at a moment's notice to hold out one or more cards in any game4 ,simple yet safe and sure4 ,price #a1jj4 ,such then are the general characteristics of the species2 but since the reader will probably desire a more intimate acquaintance with its habits and its structural details1 the following description is appended4 ,in its essential features the bug is simply a straight piece of watchspring1 bent--as ,paddy might say--at one end4 ,the end nearest the bend is inserted into the handle of a very small shoemaker's awl4 ,there is nothing else 'to it' whatever4 ,the point of the awl is stuck into the under side of the table1 in such a manner that the spring lies flat against the table top1 or nearly so1 the point of the spring projecting beyond the edge of the table to the extent of about one-eighth of an inch4 ,the cards having been dealt out 7say for ,poker71 the sharp takes up those which have fallen to his hand1 and stands them on edge upon the table1 with their faces towards him1 holding them with both hands4 ,the card or cards which he wishes to hold out are then brought in front of the others1 and with the thumbs they are quietly slid under the table between it and the spring4 ,in this position they are perfectly concealed1 and may be allowed to remain until required4 ,when again wanted1 these cards are simply pulled out by the two thumbs1 as the sharp draws his other cards towards him with a sweeping motion4 ,thus1 by selecting a good card here and there1 as the succeeding hands are played1 the sharp acquires a reserve of potential energy sufficient to overcome a great deal of the inertia with which he would otherwise be handicapped by the fluctuations of fortune4 ,the next form of holdout which falls beneath our notice is that known as the ',cuff ,holdout4' ,let us see how the genius of the maker describes it4 ',cuff ,holdout4 ,weighs two ounces1 and is a neat invention to top the deck1 to help a partner1 or hold out a card playing ,stud ,poker1 also good to play the half stock in ,seven ,up4 ,this holdout works in shirt sleeves and holds the cards in the same place as a cuff-pocket4 ,there is no part of the holdout in sight at any time4 ,a man that has worked a pocket will appreciate this invention4 ,price1 by registered mail1 #aj1jj4' ,the cuff-pocket1 above alluded to1 was a very early invention4 ,as its name indicates1 it was a pocket inside the coat sleeve1 the opening to which was situated on the under side at the seam joining sleeve and cuff4 ,in fig4 #be 'a' denotes the opening of the pocket4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #be4 ,in a game of ,poker it would be employed as follows4 ,whilst shuffling the cards1 the sharp would contrive to get three of a kind at the top of the pack4 ,he would then insert his little finger between these three cards and the rest1 the pack being in the left hand4 ,then holding his hand in front of him he would reach across it with the other1 for the 7apparently7 simple purpose of laying down his cigar1 upon his extreme left1 or if he were not smoking he might lean over in the same manner to 'monkey with his chips' 7i4e4 to arrange his counters74 ,in this position the orifice of the pocket would come level with the front end of the pack1 the latter being completely covered by his right arm4 ,this would give him an opportunity of pushing the three selected cards into the pocket1 where they would remain until he had dealt out all the cards and given off all the 'draft' except his own4 ,still holding the pack in his left hand1 and his hand in front of him1 he would again cross his right hand over1 this time for the purpose of taking up and examining his own hand of cards1 which he had taken the precaution of dealing well to the left1 to give him an excuse for crossing his hands4 ,he would then remove the cards from the cuff-pocket to the top of the pack1 and lay the whole down upon the table4 ,his manoeuvring having been successful so far1 he would now throw away three indifferent cards from his hand and deliberately help himself to the three top cards of the pack4 ,these1 of course1 would be the three 7aces for preference7 which he had previously had concealed in the pocket4 ,thus1 he is bound to have a 'full1' in any case4 ,if he had been so fortunate as to possess another ace among the cards which fell to his hand on the deal1 he would have a 'four'2 which can only be beaten when 'straights' are played by a 'straight flush'--in other words1 a sequence of five cards1 all of the same suit4 ,his chances of 'winning the pot1' then1 are infinite as compared with those of the other players4 ,the great disadvantage of the cuff-pocket was the difficulty of removing the cards when once they had been put into it4 ,to facilitate their removal1 therefore1 the pocket was sometimes provided with a slide1 having a projecting stud1 which could be drawn with the finger4 ,this would throw the cards out into the hand4 ,this description will serve to enlighten the reader as to the advantages to be gained by substituting the cuff-holdout in place of the pocket which it is intended to supplant4 ,it fulfils its purpose in a much more perfect manner1 being far easier to use1 and requiring less skill on the part of the operator4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bf4 ,referring to fig4 #bf1 it will be seen that this instrument consists practically of a pair of jaws1 which1 being movable1 will separate sufficiently to allow a card to be held between them4 ,these jaws are drawn towards each other by means of an elastic band slipped over them4 ,elastic is the material commonly used in the springs of holdouts1 being readily replaced when worn out or otherwise deteriorated4 ,the projecting lever situated at the side of the machine is for the purpose of separating the jaws when the cards are to be withdrawn4 ,the act of pressing it to one side releases the cards1 and at the same time throws up a little arm from the body of the holdout1 which thrusts them out4 ,the machine is strapped around the fore-arm with the jaws underneath1 and is worn inside the sleeve of the coat or1 if playing in shirt-sleeves1 inside the shirt-sleeve4 ,acting from the inside it will hold a card or cards against the under surface of the sleeve1 in which position they are concealed from view by the arm4 ,the hands being crossed1 as in the case of the cuff-pocket1 the cards are simply slipped between the jaws1 where they are held until required4 ,the hands being crossed for the second time1 the lever is pressed and the cards fall upon the top of the pack1 which is held underneath at the moment4 ,this operation is termed technically 'topping the deck4' ,fig4 #bg shows the manner in which the cards are held by this machine4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bg4 ,showing card held under the arm4 ,an extremely simple form of appliance1 and one which may be utilised with effect1 is that known as the 'ring holdout4' ,it is merely a small piece of watchspring fitted with a clip1 enabling it to be attached to an ordinary finger-ring4 ,between this spring and palm of the hand the cards are held 7fig4 #bh74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bh4--,ring ,holdout4 ,with a little practice the deck may be topped1 hands made up or shifted1 and cards held out in a manner which is far safer and better than any 'palming1' however skilfully it may be done4 ,needless to say1 the cards used must not be too large1 or the operator's hand too small1 if this device is to be employed4 ,we now come to the subject of coat and vest machines1 among which are to be found some of the finest examples of mechanical genius as applied to the art of cheating4 ,the earliest vest machine was a clumsy utensil covering nearly the whole of the wearer's chest4 ,it was called--not inaptly--by the gambling fraternity of the time the ',breast-plate4' ,like all other ideas1 however1 which contain the germ of a great principle1 this conception has been improved upon1 until it has developed into an invention worthy of the noble end which it is intended to fulfil4 ,in its latest and most improved form1 as widely used at the present day1 it is illustrated in fig4 #bi4 ,as a thorough acquaintance with the construction and working of this machine will be of great assistance to us in arriving at an understanding of those which follow1 we will go into it somewhat exhaustively with the aid of the lettering in the illustration4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bi4 ,referring then to fig #bi1 a is a slide which is free to move in the direction of the length of the base-plate b4 ,it is held in position and guided by means of fittings which pass through the slot cut in the base-plate4 ,this slide is composed of two thin plates of metal between which the cards are held as shown1 and is protected by the cover c1 which is removable1 and which is hinged when in use to lugs provided for the purpose upon the base-plate4 ,the ends of base-plate and cover farthest from the hinge-joint are each pierced with a row of small holes4 ,these are to facilitate the sewing of the apparatus to the divided edges of a seam4 ,attached to the upper surface of the slide will be seen thin strips of metal1 bent into somewhat of the form of a bow4 ,in practice these are covered with cloth1 to prevent the noise they would otherwise make in rubbing against the cover4 ,as the slide moves forward into the position it occupies in the figure these projecting strips1 pressing against the cover1 tend to thrust base-plate and cover apart4 ,this action separates the edges of the seam to which those parts of the apparatus are respectively sewn1 and provides an aperture for the entrance or the exit of the slide1 together with the cards it is holding out4 ,as the slide returns to the other end of the base-plate1 the cloth-covered strips fall within the curvature of the cover1 thus allowing the edges of the seam to come together2 and when the slide is right home1 the central projecting strip passes beyond the hinge-joint1 thus tending to press the free ends of base-plate and cover into intimate contact4 ,the opening which has been fabricated in the seam is thus securely closed1 and nothing amiss can be seen4 ,the to-and-fro movement of the slide is effected in the following manner4 ,attached at one end to the base-plate is a flexible tube d1 consisting simply of a helix of wire closely coiled4 ,through this tube passes a cord e1 one end of which is led around pulleys below the base-plate1 and attached to the slide in such a manner that1 when the cord is pulled1 the slide is drawn into the position shown4 ,to the other end of the cord is fastened a hook for the purpose of attaching it to the 'tab' or loop at the back of the operator's boot4 ,it may be here mentioned that the cord used in this and all similar machines is a very good quality of fishing-line4 ,the slide is constantly drawn towards its normal position within the machine by the piece of elastic f4 ,the band g with the buckle attached is intended to support the machine within the coat or vest4 ,the foregoing description necessarily partakes of the nature of ,patent ,office literature1 but it is hoped that the reader will be enabled to digest it1 and thereby form some idea of this interesting invention4 ,although it is both a coat and vest machine1 this apparatus is more convenient to use when fastened inside the coat1 as the front edges of that garment are readier to hand than those of the waistcoat4 ,the edge of the right breast is unpicked1 and the machine is sewn into the gap4 ,the flexible tube is passed down the left trouser-leg1 inside which the hook hangs at the end of the cord ready for attachment to the boot4 ,when the operator is seated at the table1 he seizes a favourable opportunity of hooking the cord to the loop of his boot1 and all is ready4 ,having obtained possession of the cards he wishes to hold out1 he holds them flat in his hand1 against his breast4 ,then1 by merely stretching his leg1 the cord is pulled1 the seam of the coat opens 7the aperture being covered1 however1 by his arm7 and out comes the end of the slide4 ,the cards are quietly inserted into the slide2 the leg is drawn up1 and--hey1 presto6 the cards have disappeared4 ,when they are again required1 another movement of the leg will bring them into the operator's hand4 ,one can readily see how useful a device of this kind would be in a game of the ',nap' order4 ,having abstracted a good hand from the pack 7five cards 'never would be missed'7 it could be retained in the holdout as long as might be necessary4 ,upon finding oneself possessed of a bad hand1 the concealed cards could be brought out1 and the others hidden until it came to one's turn to deal1 and then they could be just thrown out on to the pack4 ,the price of this little piece of apparatus is #be4jj1 and1 doubtless1 it is worth the odd five1 being well made and finished up to look pretty4 ,in fact1 it is quite a mantelboard ornament1 as most of these things are4 ,evidently1 the sharp1 whilst possessing the crafty and thieving instincts of the magpie1 has also the magpie's predilection for things which are bright and attractive4 ,therefore his implements are made resplendent with nickel and similar precious metals4 ,although electroplating or something of the kind is necessary to prevent rust and corrosion1 one would be inclined to think that articles which are intended to escape observation would be better adapted to their end if they were protected by some method just a trifle less obtrusive in its brilliancy4 ,however1 that is not our business4 ,if the buyers are satisfied1 what cause have we to complain8 ,the ',kepplinger' vest or coat machine1 which is referred to in the ,catalogue 7p4 #bic71 is exactly the same thing as that just described1 with the addition of ,kepplinger's method of pulling the string1 which will be described further on4 ,the ',arm ,pressure' vest machine1 mentioned in the same ,catalogue1 is a modification of the old ',jacob's ,ladder' sleeve holdout1 to which we shall have occasion to revert presently4 ,in an earlier edition of the ,catalogue the arm-pressure machine is thus eulogised3-- ',new ,vest ,machine4 ,guaranteed to be the best ,vest ,machine made4 ,this machine weighs about three ounces1 and is used half-way down the vest1 where it comes natural to hold your hands and cards4 ,the work is done with one hand and the lower part of the same arm4 ,you press against a small lever with the arm 7an easy pressure of three-quarters of an inch throws out the cards back of a few others held in your left hand71 and you can reach over to your checks or do anything else with your right hand while working the ,hold-,out4 ,the motions are all natural and do not cause suspicion4 ,the machine is held in place by a web belt2 you don't have to sew anything fast1 but when you get ready to play you can put on the machine and when through can remove it in half a minute4 ,there are no plates1 and no strings to pull on1 and no springs that are liable to break or get out of order4 ,this machine is worth fifty of the old style ,vest ,plates for practical use1 and you will say the same after seeing one4' ,the statement guaranteeing this to be the best vest machine ever made has been expunged of late1 as will be noticed in the reproduction of the ,catalogue upon page #bid4 ,in reality it is not nearly so efficient as the ,kepplinger1 all statements and opinions to the contrary notwithstanding4 ,its construction will be readily understood from the description of the ',jacob's ,ladder' which follows next in order4 ,this brings us1 then1 to the subject of sleeve machines1 or appliances whereby the sharp1 like ,ah ,sin1 the ',heathen ,chinee1' who understood so well 'the game he did not understand1' is enabled to have a few cards up his sleeve4 ',up his sleeve6' ,how those words suggest the explanation so often given by the innocent-minded public to account for the disappearance of the various articles which slip so nimbly through a conjurer's fingers4 ,and yet1 if they only knew it1 that is about the last place in the world that a conjurer1 as a rule1 would use as a receptacle for anything4 ,of course there is no ,act of ,parliament to prevent him1 should he desire to do so2 but that's another story4 ,with the sharp1 however1 there are several ,acts of ,parliament to prevent him from using his sleeve for any such purpose2 and yet he often resorts to it4 ,how true is the saying that 'one man may steal a horse1 whilst another may not look over the hedge4' ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cj4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ca4 ,as far as can be ascertained1 the ',jacob's ,ladder' was the forerunner of all other sleeve holdouts4 ,it was fastened to the under side of the fore-arm1 and worked by pressure upon the table4 ,its construction was essentially that of a pair of lazy-tongs1 arranged as in figs4 #cj and #ca4 ,the base-plate carrying the working parts was curved so as to lie closely against the arm and hold the machine steady whilst in use4 ,the 'lazy-tongs' device was fixed to the base-plate at one end1 the other being free to move1 and carrying the clip for the cards4 ,situated at an angle above the 'tongs' was a lever1 also attached at one end to the base-plate1 the other end terminating in a knob4 ,half-way down this lever was hinged a connecting-rod1 joining the lever with the second joint of the 'tongs4' ,pressure being applied to the knob1 the connecting-rod would force out the joint to which it was attached2 and the motion being multiplied by each successive joint1 the clip was caused to protrude beyond the coat cuff4 ,in this position the card could be inserted or removed as in the cases already noticed4 ,the clip was returned to its place within the sleeve by means of a rubber band4 ,some of these ',jacob's ,ladder' sleeve machines are made to work by pulling a string1 after the manner of the coat and vest machine already described4 ,those advertised at #ej4jj are of this description4 ,the advantage of a machine of this kind is of course found in the fact that the cards are brought directly into the hand4 ,this particular form1 however1 was very difficult to use1 as the cards were always liable to catch in the cuff1 a circumstance which is obviously much to the detriment of the apparatus4 ,there is also the further disadvantage of being compelled to wear an abnormally large shirt-cuff1 which in itself would attract attention among men who had their wits about them4 ,the enormous facilities for unostentatious operation afforded by a machine working inside the sleeve were too readily apparent to allow of the sleeve holdout falling into disuse4 ,it was the kind of thing which must inevitably be improved upon1 until it became of practical utility4 ,and such has been the case4 ,the very finest holdout the world has ever seen is that known as the ,kepplinger or ,san ,francisco4 ,this machine in its latest forms is certainly a masterpiece4 ,yet so little appreciation has the world for true genius1 that the inventor of this marvellous piece of apparatus is practically unknown to the vast majority of his fellow-men4 ,kepplinger was a professional gambler2 that is what he was4 ,in other words1 he was a sharp--and of the sharpest4 ,as to the date at which this bright particular ,star of the ,west first dawned upon the horizon of ',tom ,tiddler's ,ground' deponent sayeth not4 ,neither have we any substantial record of the facts connected with the conception and elaboration of that great idea with which his name is associated4 ,of its introduction into the field of practical utility1 however1 and its subsequent revelation to the fraternity to whom its existence was of the utmost consequence1 the details are available1 and therefore may be revealed4 ,the event occurred in this wise1 as follows1 that is to say3-- ,in the year of grace #ahhh1 ,kepplinger1 the inventor1 gambler and cheat1 was resident and pursuing his daily avocations in the city known colloquially as ',frisco4' ,now it is a singular feature of human nature that1 whatever a man's calling may be1 however arduous or exacting1 he becomes in course of time so much a creature of habit that he is never really happy apart from it4 ,one may suppose that it is the consciousness of ability to do certain things1 and to do them well1 which accounts for this fact4 ,at any rate1 the fact remains4 ,we are all alike in this respect--especially some of us4 ,the barrister at leisure will prefer to sit in ,court and watch another conducting a case2 the actor with an evening to spare will go and see someone else act2 the omnibus-driver with a day off will perch himself upon a friend's vehicle1 and ride to and fro2 and the sharp will infallibly spend his leisure moments in gambling4 ,when there are no dupes to be plundered1 no 'pigeons' who have a feather left to fly with1 the 'rooks' will congregate in some sequestered spot1 and enjoy a quiet game all to themselves4 ,and they play fairly8 ,yes--if they are obliged to do so2 not otherwise4 ,they will cheat each other if they can4 ,honour amongst thieves6 ,nonsense4 ,in #ahhh1 then1 ,kepplinger's relaxation for some months consisted of a 'hard game' with players who were all professional sharps like himself4 ,the circle was composed entirely of men who thought they 'knew the ropes' as well as he did4 ,in that1 however1 they were considerably in error4 ,he was acquainted with a trick worth any two which they could have mentioned4 ,however much the fortunes of the others might vary1 ,kepplinger never sustained a loss4 ,on the contrary1 he always won4 ,the hands he held were enough to turn any gambler green with envy1 and yet1 no one could detect him in cheating4 ,his companions were1 of course1 all perfectly familiar with the appliances of their craft4 ,holdouts in a game of that description would have been1 one would think1 useless incumbrances4 ,the players were all too well acquainted with the signs and tokens accompanying such devices1 and ,kepplinger gave no sign of the employment of anything of the kind4 ,he sat like a statue at the table1 he kept his cards right away from him1 he did not move a muscle as far as could be seen2 his opponents could look up his sleeve almost to the elbow1 and yet he won4 ,this being the condition of affairs1 it was one which could not by any stretch of courtesy be considered satisfactory to anyone but ,kepplinger himself4 ,having borne with the untoward circumstances as long as their curiosity and cupidity would allow them1 his associates at length resolved upon concerted action4 ,arranging their plan of attack1 they arrived once again at the rendezvous1 and commenced the game as usual4 ,then1 suddenly and without a moment's warning1 ,kepplinger was seized1 gagged1 and held hard and fast4 ,then the investigation commenced4 ,the great master-cheat was searched1 and upon him was discovered the most ingenious holdout ever devised4 ,what did the conspirators do then8 ,did they 'lay into him' with cudgels1 or 'get the drop' on him with 'six-shooters'8 ,did they1 for instance1 hand him over to the ,police8 ,no6 ten thousand times no6 ,they did none of those things1 nor had they ever any intention of doing anything of the kind4 ,being only human--and sharps--they did what they considered would serve their own interests best4 ,a compact was entered into1 whereby ,kepplinger agreed to make a similar instrument to the one he was wearing for each of his captors1 and once again the temporary and short-lived discord gave place to harmony and content4 ,had ,kepplinger been content to use less frequently the enormous advantage he possessed1 and to have exercised more discretion in winning1 appearing to lose sometimes1 his device might have been still undiscovered4 ,it was thus1 then1 that the secret leaked out1 and probably without the occurrence of this 'little rift within the lute'--or should it be loot8--the reader might not have had this opportunity of inspecting the details of the ',kepplinger' or ',san ,francisco' holdout4 ,this form of sleeve machine will be easily understood by the reader who has followed the description of the coat and vest holdout already given upon referring to fig4 #cb upon the opposite page1 the illustration being a diagrammatic representation of the various parts of the apparatus4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cb4 ,it is evident that we are here brought into contact with a greater complexity of strings1 wheels1 joints1 tubes1 pulleys1 and working parts generally than it has hitherto been our lot to encounter4 ,there is1 however1 nothing which is superfluous among all these things4 ,every detail of the apparatus is absolutely necessary to secure its efficiency4 ,the holdout itself1 a1 is similar in construction to the coat and vest machine1 except that it is longer1 and that the slide b has a greater range of movement4 ,the machine is worn with a special shirt1 having a double sleeve and a false cuff4 ,this latter is to obviate the necessity of having 'a clean boiled shirt1' and the consequent trouble of fixing the machine to it1 more frequently than is absolutely necessary4 ,it will be seen that the free ends of the base-plate and cover1 instead of being pierced with holes1 as in the vest machine1 are serrated1 forming a termination of sharp points 7p74 ,these are for the purpose of facilitating the adaptation of the machine to the operator's shirt-sleeve1 which is accomplished in the following manner4 ,in the wristband of the inner sleeve a series of little slits is cut with a penknife1 and through these slits the points upon the base-plate are thrust4 ,the base-plate itself is then sewn to the sleeve with a few stitches1 one or two holes being made in the plate to allow this to be done readily4 ,thus the points are prevented from being accidentally withdrawn from the slits1 and the whole apparatus is firmly secured to the sleeve4 ,in the lower edge of the false cuff slits are cut in a similar manner1 and into these the points of the cover are pushed4 ,the cuff is held securely to the cover by means of little strings1 which are tied to holes provided for the purpose in the sides of the cover4 ,these arrangements having been made1 the shirt1 with the machine attached1 is ready to be worn4 ,the operator having put it on1 takes a shirt stud with rather a long stem1 and links the inner sleeve round his wrist4 ,then he fastens the false cuff to the inner sleeve by buttoning the two lower stud-holes over the stud already at his wrist4 ,thus1 the inner sleeve and the cuff are held in close contact by the base-plate and cover of the machine4 ,finally1 he fastens the outer sleeve over the whole1 by buttoning it over the long stud which already holds the inner sleeve and the cuff4 ,thus1 the machine is concealed between the two sleeves4 ,if one were able to look inside the operator's cuff whilst the machine is in action1 it would appear as though the wristband and cuff came apart1 and the cards were protruded through the opening4 ,the points1 then1 are the means whereby the double sleeve is held open while the machine is in operation1 and closed when it is at rest4 ,from the holdout1 the cord which works the slide is led to the elbow-joint1 where it passes around a pulley 7c74 ,this joint1 like all the others through which the cord has to pass1 is what is known as 'universal'2 that is to say1 it allows of movement in any direction4 ,from the elbow to the shoulder the cord passes through an adjustable tube 7d74 ,the telescopic arrangement of the tube is to adapt it to the various lengths of arm in different operators4 ,at the shoulder-joint 7e7 is another universal pulley-wheel1 which is fastened up to the shoulder by a band of webbing or any other convenient means4 ,at this point begins the flexible tube of coiled wire1 which enables the cord to adapt itself to every movement of the wearer1 and yet to work without much friction 7f74 ,the flexible tube terminates at the knee in a third pulley 7g71 attached to the leg by a garter of webbing4 ,the cord 7h7 now passes through an opening in the seam of the trouser-leg and across to the opposite knee1 where through a similar opening projects a hook 7i71 over which the loop at the end of the cord is placed4 ,it must not be imagined that the sharp walks about with his knees tethered together with a piece of string1 and a hook sticking out from one leg2 or even that he would be at ease with the knowledge of having a seam on each side unpicked for a distance of two inches or so4 ,that would be what he might call 'a bit too thick4' ,no2 when the sharp sits down to the table1 nothing of any such a nature is visible4 ,nor when he rises from the game should we be able to discover anything wrong with his apparel4 ,he is much too knowing for that4 ,the arrangement he adopts is the following3-- ,at each knee of the trousers1 where the seams are split open1 the gap thus produced is rendered secure again1 and free from observation1 by means of the little spring-clip shown in fig4 #cc4 ,this contrivance is sewn into the seam1 being perforated to facilitate that operation4 ,when closed1 it keeps the edges of the opening so well together that one could never suspect the seam of having been tampered with4 ,when it is required to open the gap1 the ends of the clip are pressed with the finger and thumb 7,b1 fig #cc74 ,this instantly produces a lozenge-shaped opening in the seam1 and allows of the connection between the knees being made4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cc4--,seam-clips1 ,a and ,b4 ,when the sharp sits down to play1 then1 he first presses open these clips2 next1 he draws out the cord1 which has hitherto lain concealed within the trouser-leg1 and brings into position the hook1 which1 turning upon a pivot1 has until now rested flat against his leg3 lastly1 he passes the loop at the end of the cord over the hook1 and all is in readiness4 ,these operations require far less time to accomplish than to describe4 ,the sharp being thus harnessed for the fray1 it becomes apparent that by slightly spreading the knees1 the string is tightened1 and by this means the slide within the body of the holdout is thrust out1 through the cuff1 into his hand4 ,the cards which he desires to hold out being slightly bent1 so as to adapt themselves to the curve of the cuff1 and placed in the slide1 the knees are brought together1 and the cards are drawn up into the machine4 ,at the conclusion of the game the cord is unhooked1 and tucked back through the seam2 the hook is turned round1 so that it lies flat2 and finally the apertures are closed by pressing the sides of the clips together4 ,there is one point in connection with the practical working of the machine which it may be as well to mention4 ,the pulley g at the end of the flexible tube is not fixed to the knee permanently1 or the sharp would be unable to stand up straight1 with the tube only of the requisite length2 and if it were made long enough to reach from knee to shoulder whilst he was in a standing position1 there would be a good deal too much slack when he came to sit down4 ,this pulley1 therefore1 is detachable from the band of webbing1 and is fixed to it when required by means of a socket into which it fits with a spring-catch4 ,such then1 is the ,kepplinger holdout2 and the selling-price of the apparatus complete is #ajj4jj4 ,if there were any inventor's rights in connection with this class of machinery1 doubtless the amount charged would be very much higher4 ,governments as a rule1 however1 do not recognise any rights whatever as appertaining to devices for use in the unjust appropriation of other people's goods or money--at least1 not when such devices are employed by an individual4 ,in the case of devices which form part of the machinery of government1 the ,official ,conscience is1 perhaps1 less open to the charge of prejudice and narrow-mindedness4 ,what is sauce for the 7individual7 goose is not sauce for the 7collective7 gander4 ,however1 two wrongs would not make a right1 and perhaps all is for the best4 ,before leaving the subject of holdouts1 there is one other form to which it is necessary to refer1 viz4 the table holdout4 ,it is thus described by the maker3-- ',table ,holdout4--,very small and light4 ,it can be put under and removed from any table in less than half a minute4 ,works easily from either knee4 ,it will bring three or more cards up into your hand and take back the discards as you hold your hands and cards in a natural position on top of the table4' ,this 'contraption' is an extremely simple thing1 its recommendation being that it accomplishes mechanically what the 'bug' requires manipulation to effect4 ,it is constructed on the same principle as the ordinary vest machine1 and is fastened to the under side of the table-top by means of a spike1 in a similar manner to the table reflector4 ,the string which works the slide terminates1 at the end which is pulled1 in a hook having a sharp point4 ,the machine being fixed under the table ready to commence operations1 the pointed hook is thrust through the material of the trousers just above one knee4 ,when the slide is required to come forward1 the knee is dropped a little2 and1 upon raising the knee again1 the slide is withdrawn by its spring1 as in all similar arrangements4 ,by this time the reader will be in a position to understand the nature of the 'reflector on machine1' referred to in the last chapter1 without needing to be wearied with further details of this particular kind4 ,having thus glanced at all the principal varieties of the modern holdout1 with one or two of the more ancient ones1 it only remains to add a few general remarks to what has been said4 ,each class of machine has its own peculiar advantages and disadvantages4 ,each sharp has his own peculiarities of taste and his own methods of working4 ,therefore1 there is no one kind of appliance which appeals equally to all individuals4 ,some will prefer one machine2 some another4 ,that1 of course1 is the rule in the world generally4 ,a great deal also depends upon the manners and customs of the country in which the machine is to be used4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cd4--,poker player's method of holding cards4 ,for instance1 how many card-players are there in ,england who hold their cards in the manner represented in fig4 #cd8 ,very few1 ,i take it4 ,yet it is a very good method of preventing others from seeing one's hand4 ,further1 it is the correct way to hold the cards when using the ,kepplinger sleeve-machine4 ,the cards are placed flat in one hand1 the fingers of the other are pressed upon them in the centre1 whilst the thumb turns up one corner to allow of the indices being read4 ,to adopt this method in ,england1 however1 would be to arouse suspicion at once1 merely because it is unusual4 ,therefore the vest machine is the best for the ,english sharp2 although no holdout can compare with the ,kepplinger in a game of ,poker in ,america4 ,although most of these contrivances are simple in operation1 the reader must not run away with the idea that their use entails no skill upon the part of the sharp who uses them4 ,that would be far too blissful a state of affairs ever to be achieved in this weary world1 where all is vanity and vexation of spirit4 ,certainly1 they do not demand the dismal hours of solitary confinement with hard labour which have to be spent upon some of the manipulative devices and sleight-of-hand dodges2 but still they require a certain amount of deftness1 which can only be acquired by practice4 ,the following instructions will represent the advice of an expert1 given to a novice who proposed to try his hand with a machine at the game of ,poker3-- ',practise at least three weeks or a month with the machine1 to get it down fine i4e4 to gain facility of working1 both of machine and operator4 ,don't work the machine too much4 ,not too often during the game4 ,in a big game that is1 where the stakes are high three or four times in a night are enough4 ,,never play it in a small game because the amount that could be won would be incommensurate with the risk of detection4 ,holding out one card will beat any square game honest play in the world4 ,two cards is very strong2 but can easily be played on smart people4 ,three cards is too much to hold out on smart men1 as a 'full' is too big to be held often without acting as an eye-opener4 ,never1 under any circumstances1 hold out four or five4 ,one card is enough1 as you are really playing six cards to everyone else's five4 ,this card will make a 'straight' of a 'flush' sometimes2 or1 very often1 will give you 'two pair' or 'three' of a kind4 ,if you are very expert1 you can play the machine on your own deal2 but it looks better to do it on someone else's4' ,having digested these words of comfort and advice--precious jewels extracted from the crown of wisdom and experience--we may proceed on our way invigorated and refreshed by the consciousness of having acquired knowledge such as rarely falls to the lot of man to possess4 ,,footnote3 #d ,even the modern sharp sometimes uses a method quite as simple4 ,he will put the cards he wishes to hold out under his knee-joint1 and when he requires to use them1 he will hitch his chair closer to the table1 taking the cards into his hand as he does so4 ,this device is called in ,france the 'coup de cuisse4' ,,chapter ,,vi ,,manipulation ,many readers upon the occasion of their taking up this book for the first time will be under the impression1 doubtless1 that the most important revelations it contains will prove to be those connected with the manipulative devices employed by card-sharpers and others in cheating the simple-minded and unwary4 ,but1 whatever preconceptions upon the subject may have existed1 the details of mere manipulation are far from being those of the most consequence to the sharp in the exercise of his profession4 ,this1 of course1 must be understood to be simply a general statement which does not apply to particular cases4 ,the low-class ,english sharp1 for instance1 relies almost entirely upon certain forms of sleight of hand to deceive the senses of his dupes4 ,again1 there are some tricks and dodges which are practised by even the most high-class cheats4 ,the rule is1 however1 that mere sleight of hand is to a great extent obsolete2 at least1 among those who seek to swindle really good card-players4 ,the methods of legerdemain are more the common property of the multitude than formerly1 and this fact tends to operate very largely to the detriment of the sharp4 ,with the legitimate prestidigitateur it is otherwise4 ,it is true1 some persons are in a position to form a better idea as to how his tricks are accomplished than was the case in years gone by2 but even then1 there remains the advantage that they are better able to appreciate his deftness and his ingenuity4 ,therefore1 he is rather benefited than otherwise by the spread of this particular form of knowledge4 ,it is the poor sharp who has suffered through the enlightenment of the public4 ,his lines have fallen in rough places of late years2 yet it can hardly be said that he has not proved himself more than equal to the occasion4 ,when checkmated in one direction1 he is generally capable of creating a diversion in his own favour in another4 ,in card games especially there is always a risk in resorting to manipulation nowadays4 ,there is the ever-present possibility of some one among the cheat's antagonists having sufficient knowledge to detect him in his manipulation of the cards4 ,he is haunted by the fear that sharp eyes are watching his every movement1 and he knows full well that he can accomplish nothing in this way without some movement which a trained eye would instantly detect4 ,once detected in cheating1 his reputation is gone4 ,he can no longer hope to find dupes among his former acquaintances4 ,he must seek 'fresh fields and pastures new4' ,however precious reputation may be to an honest man1 it is a thousand times more so to the sharp4 ,once his reputation is gone he has to depend upon chance custom2 whereas he might otherwise have a nice little circle of regular clients1 at whose expense he could live in ease and comfort4 ,as a professional sharp remarked to a young friend1 to whom he was giving lessons in the art of cheating3 ',the best gamblers they don't call themselves sharps play with fair cards only2 and1 by being wonderfully keen card-players1 make their brains win1 instead of cheating with the pack4 ,they play in partnership 7secret71 and are invincible1 as they know all the various swindles and so can protect themselves from being cheated4 ,the most successful men are among this class1 although nearly all of them can do the finest work with a pack of cards4 ',the next best class are those who play marked cards well1 many of them using cards that no one not acquainted with the work could find out in a lifetime4 ,instance1 the scroll-work on p4 #ea4 ,these men1 if they can only get their own cards into a game1 are sure to win4 ',then1 after these1 come the class of second dealers1 bottom dealers1 and men who habitually do work with the pack to win4 ,these men always get caught in the long run4' ,such1 then1 being the case as evidenced by the word of an expert1 one may form some idea of the relative value of manipulation as compared with other methods in the hands of the card-sharper4 ,to deal thoroughly with this branch of our subject would require a text-book of sleight of hand1 as nearly all the tricks of 'hanky-panky' could be made to serve the purposes of cheating4 ,but since so many excellent treatises of that kind are readily accessible to the public1 it would be superfluous to do more than give the reader a general idea of those methods which the sharp has made peculiarly his own4 ,even among those which are here represented1 there are many devices which are rapidly becoming obsolete1 and others of which it is very doubtful how far they are used at the present moment4 ,in sharping1 like everything else1 'the old order changeth1 giving place to new4' ,however1 the reader must judge for himself as to what devices would be likely to deceive him personally1 and that will help him to an understanding of what would probably have the same effect upon others4 ,thus he will be able to arrive at a tolerably approximate estimate of the probabilities in connection with the use or disuse of any individual trick4 ,the author1 being too old a bird to be caught with any such chaff1 is really not so competent to form an opinion upon the subject4 ,in his case familiarity1 if it has not bred contempt1 has at least deadened the due appreciation of the relative merits and advantages of the various trickeries4 ,they all appear of the same tint against the background of past experience1 each one possessing but little individuality of its own4 ,with the reader1 however1 it is in all probability different4 ,assuming that he has merely a casual acquaintance with manual dexterity of this kind he will come fresh to the subject1 and therefore to him the details will assume their proper relative proportions4 ,to begin1 then1 with the oldest and most simple manipulations1 our first topic is that of the ',bottom ,deal4' ,this trick1 simple as it is1 is the very stronghold of the common ,english sharp4 ,in whatever game he is playing1 he seizes the opportunity afforded by picking up the cards preparatory to dealing to place certain cards which would form a good hand at the bottom of the pack1 and in shuffling he takes good care not to disturb them4 ,but there is still the 'cut' to be thought about4 ,well1 we shall see later on how the effects of the cut are to be obviated4 ,in the meantime1 however1 it is evident that if the cards were cut and piled in the ordinary manner1 those cards which the sharp had so carefully preserved at the bottom would be brought to the centre4 ,that would never answer his purpose2 so1 when the cut has been made1 if the game is one which does not necessitate the dealing out of the entire pack1 he simply takes up the bottom half of the pack1 leaving the other on the table4 ,then1 holding the cards as in fig4 #ce1 he proceeds to deal4 ,from this point the trick1 as its name suggests1 consists of dealing the bottom cards1 either to himself or1 preferably1 to a confederate1 in place of the upper cards which should justly fall to that hand4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ce4--;,bottom ,deal4 ,from the position in which the cards are held it will be seen that1 as each card is dealt1 the finger and thumb of the dealer's right hand fall respectively below and above the pack4 ,it is1 therefore1 entirely optional whether he shall take the top card with his thumb1 or the bottom one with his finger4 ,when a card has to be dealt1 then1 to himself or to his confederate1 as the case may be1 it is the bottom one which is taken2 to the other players the top ones are dealt out4 ,when quickly done1 it is impossible to see whether the card comes from the top or the bottom1 although the manner of holding and dealing the cards would imply that the bottom deal was being resorted to3 the cards which come from the bottom1 being pulled upwards1 appear to come from the top4 ,it can always be detected1 nevertheless1 by the different sound made by a card when brought from the bottom4 ,there is just a slight click1 which is distinctly audible1 and easily recognised4 ,the reader should try it for himself1 and note the effect referred to4 ,after a few minutes' experience he would never afterwards be mistaken in deciding as to whether a card was dealt from the top or bottom of the pack4 ,a sharp who uses the bottom deal rarely employs any other form of manipulation whatever4 ,we now pass on to the trick known as ',dealing ,seconds4' ,the trick is so named because it consists of dealing out the second card from the top instead of the top one4 ,it is particularly useful in connection with marked cards1 where of course the top card can be read1 and very often the second one also4#e ,the effect in this case is that the sharp can always retain the better of the two top cards for himself4 ,suppose1 then1 there are four players4 ,the sharp1 commencing to deal1 notices that the top card is a knave1 whilst the second is a three4 ,he therefore deals the second card to the player immediately to his left4 ,it may then appear that the second card now is a king2 and1 consequently1 the sharp deals the top card to the second hand1 leaving the king on top4 ,if the card which is now second in the pack is lower than the king1 the third player receives that card2 but if the second should prove to be an ace1 the king goes to the third player1 and the ace to the sharp himself4 ,it may happen1 however1 that the sharp1 having dealt round to the three players in this manner1 finds that the second of the remaining cards is of more value to him than the first4 ,in that case1 of course1 he would deal himself the second4 ,thus it is seen that the sharp has really had a choice of five cards on one round of the deal2 and the larger the number of players1 the greater his choice1 although he may at times have to choose between two cards which would answer his purpose equally well4 ,if he is thus compelled to give away a good card he should dispose of it where it is likely to do him least harm1 if he can contrive to do so4 ,besides marked cards1 there are other methods of discovering the value of the top card and1 consequently1 the advisability of dealing seconds1 as we shall see presently4 ,the trick of dealing the second card is very easily learned4 ,take a pack of cards in your left hand1 in the manner usually adopted in dealing1 with the thumb lying across the middle of the pack4 ,then with the thumb advance the two top cards slightly to the right4 ,this being done1 it will be found that these two cards can be taken between the thumb and middle finger4 ,with the second held by the tip of the middle finger1 advance the top card a little further to the right4 ,the cards will now be in a position frequently adopted in dealing1 the top card being sufficiently forward to be grasped by the right finger and thumb4 ,so far1 there is nothing unusual in the operations2 but this is where the trick comes in4 ,if the middle finger of the hand holding the cards is advanced1 the second card1 resting upon its tip1 will be advanced also2 and if at the same time the thumb is drawn back1 the top card is withdrawn with it4 ,it is now the second card which is the more advanced of the two1 and consequently the card which would be taken by the right hand in dealing4 ,in fact1 the two cards can be rubbed together by the finger and thumb1 alternately advancing and receding4 ,if the second card is to be dealt1 then it is pushed forward and the top one is drawn back1 the movement being masked by a slight dropping of the arm towards the operator4 ,of course the change in the position of the cards is not made until the instant the right hand reaches the pack to take the card4 ,thus the entire operation appears to consist of one movement only4 ,an expert 'second-dealer' will place a known card on top of the pack and deal the whole of the other cards from beneath it1 leaving that card in his hands at the finish2 and this without any manipulation being visible to any but the sharpest vision4 ,the utility of the second-dealing method of procedure1 it is evident1 depends greatly upon the fact of having a knowledge of the top card4 ,with marked cards the acquiring of this knowledge can present no difficulty1 and even with genuine ones the difficulty is by no means insuperable4 ,all that is necessary is to reach over to the left1 keeping the cards in front of one1 with the top card drawn off a little to one side1 so as to have the index in the corner visible from below1 and a sly peep will do the trick4 ,there are innumerable excuses available to account for the reaching over1 as we have already seen in the case of the cuff holdout4 ,given the fact that there is something to the left of the operator which must be reached with the right hand1 the rest is easy4 ,the act of leaning to one side effectually covers the slight tilting of the left hand which enables the under side of the cards to be seen4 ,there used to be an old ,american colonel 7the numerical strength of officers in the ,american army must have been extraordinary at some time or another7 at one of the best ,london clubs who was very partial to the use of this trick4 ,he would lay his cigar upon the table1 well over to his left1 and then1 bending down to get it1 he would note both top and bottom cards1 in the manner described4 ,simple as this dodge may be1 it is unquestionably of great service at times4 ,take1 for instance1 the case of the dealer at ,poker4 ,after he has dealt the cards1 but before giving off the draft1 he leans over to pick up his hand1 and in so doing sees the 'size' of the top card of the 'deck4' ,upon inspecting his hand1 he can tell whether the top card will be of use to him or not4 ,if it is1 he can easily hold it back until he can take it for himself2 if not1 he very generously lets someone else have it4 ,for the benefit of those who may not know the game of ,poker1 and in ,england there are many who do not1 ,i may illustrate the great utility of knowing the top and bottom cards by a reference to the results attainable by such means in the familiar game of ,nap4 ,suppose that you are playing a single-handed game1 and it is your turn to deal4 ,you note the top and bottom cards4 ,if they happen to be decent ones1 both of the same suit1 you hold back the top card1 and give your opponent the second4 ,the top one then comes to you4 ,you now give your opponent the card next in order1 and deal the bottom one to yourself4 ,the rest of the cards may be left to chance1 until the five are dealt out to each hand4 ,the consequence of this manoeuvre is as follows4 ,you are sure of having two good cards of one suit1 and it is about an even chance that among the other three will be another of the same kind4 ,therefore1 you are pretty certain of a long suit to lead from4 ,your chances1 therefore1 are a long way better than your opponent's4 ,if1 however1 on the other hand1 you find that the top and bottom cards are small ones1 and of different suits1 you may make your opponent a present of them4 ,they may of course prove useful to him2 but the chances are that they do not4 ,but1 whatever happens1 you know the value of two cards out of his five2 a fact which may have considerable influence upon the result of the hand1 as all ',nappists' will admit4 ,necessarily there is nothing of real certainty about this achievement2 but1 still1 the player who knows the top and bottom cards1 even though he is not skilful enough to dispose of them to the best advantage1 gathers in a goodly proportion of the chances of the game which do not belong to him by right4 ,we now come to the consideration of methods employed by the sharp in manipulating the cards to his own advantage during the process of shuffling1 and of preventing the overthrow of his plans by the disarrangement introduced into the result of his efforts in the fact of the cards having to be cut by an opponent4 ,however carefully he may contrive to arrange the order of the cards1 the cut would obviously upset his calculations4 ,therefore1 in addition to some method of placing the cards in order1 he must also have a ready means of rendering the cut inoperative4 ,we have already seen how the bottom-dealer dodges it2 and now we will look into one or two other systems1 most of them equally simple1 and all of them equally effective4 ,we will suppose for the moment that the cards have been arranged in1 or at any rate not disarranged by1 the shuffle4 ,the sharp lays the pack upon the table2 his opponent lifts up the top half and lays it down near the bottom half4 ,in the natural course of things the sharp should now take up the bottom half1 place it upon the top half that was1 close the cards together1 and commence to deal4 ,if this were done1 the cards which he required to have on top would now be in the middle of the pack1 and all the trouble he had devoted to their disposition would be wasted4 ,so he is compelled to adopt some means of restoring the cards to their former position4 ,in accomplishing this there are several courses open to him4 ,the simplest and most barefaced method1 and yet one which will escape detection nine times out of ten1 is the following4 ,the cards having been cut1 and the two halves of the pack having been placed side by side in the usual manner1 the sharp picks up the bottom half with the right hand1 as though he were about to place it upon the other2 but instead of so doing1 he deliberately puts it into his left hand4 ,then picking up the top half1 he adds it to the other1 in the position it originally occupied4 ,there is absolutely nothing in this but impudence1 and yet the dodge will nearly always pass muster4 ,try it the next time you are playing cards1 and you will find that nobody will notice it if it is done with apparent carelessness4 ,even though someone did perceive that the cards were in the same order as formerly1 the sharp could always apologise for his inadvertence and suffer them to be cut again4 ,another very simple method is to cross the hands1 picking up the right half of the pack with the left hand1 and the left half with the right hand4 ,then uncrossing the hands1 the two halves are put together in their former order4 ,the crossing of the hands tends to confuse the mind of an onlooker1 so that he really does not know which hand contains the half that should be placed on top4 ,the reader must distinctly understand that such open and palpable deceptions as these two last would only be practised by the very lowest class of sharps4 ,a good man would scorn the action4#f ,with regard to the methods resorted to at any time very much depends upon the class of sharp and the intelligence of the company in which he happens to find himself4 ,the employment of simple trickeries like these in a card party of 'smart' players could only be attended with modified success1 very modified indeed4 ,if the players were smart1 the sharp would smart4 ,this joke is not copyright1 but it is logical nevertheless4 ,the 'pass1' which is the essence of so many card-tricks1 is another means of restoring the order of the cards after they have been cut4 ,since it is explained in every book on conjuring1 however1 we will only just glance at it4 ,for a fuller description the reader may be referred to ,professor ,hoffman's admirable treatises4 ,in making the pass the two halves of the pack are picked up in the order they should rightly assume after being cut1 care being taken however that there is a slight division maintained between them4 ,for instance1 the bottom half is placed upon the top one as it lies upon the table perfectly level sideways1 but projecting over one end about a quarter of an inch4 ,the pack is now put into the left hand1 and in the act of levelling up the two halves the little finger is inserted between them4 ,meanwhile the sharp engages the other players in an animated conversation4 ,then just before dealing1 apparently with the object of again levelling the cards1 he covers the pack with his right hand4 ,in an instant the cards appear to pass through one another1 and the half which was uppermost before cutting is in that position now4 ,the action is simply this4 ,the little finger of the left hand being between the two halves of the pack1 that which is above for the moment is held by the little finger and the other three4 ,the lower half is gripped by the thumb and fingers of the right hand4 ,then by slightly opening the left hand and closing the right1 the two halves are drawn asunder4 ,immediately reversing the motion the two halves come together again with their respective positions reversed4 ,the movement necessary to effect this operation is covered by a slight dropping of the hands at the critical moment4 ,this is called the 'double-handed pass1' as both hands are used to effect it4 ,there are also various single-handed passes available to the expert1 but these are more difficult to accomplish neatly1 and cannot be so readily disguised4 ,if used at all they are accompanied by a movement of the hand from the operator1 as in pointing at something or in shaking the wrist clear of the cuff to give freedom of arm during dealing4 ,the simplest of these passes is made by holding the cards between the thumb and the last three fingers of the left hand1 a slight division between the two halves of the pack being maintained at the thumb side4 ,the lower half is now dropped into the palm1 and with the forefinger it is turned up towards the thumb4 ,the upper half is now released and allowed to fall upon the fingers which are extended for its reception4 ,finally1 the lower half is dropped upon the upper one and the original order is restored4 ,much practice1 of course1 is required to perform this operation with ease and despatch4 ,another form of pass may be accomplished in putting the cards from the right hand into the left4 ,the pack is held in the right hand1 with the upper half slightly advanced1 and the lower nipped in the thumb-joint4 ,the left hand1 instead of taking the whole pack1 merely takes the upper half4 ,the right1 in levelling the cards1 deposits the lower half upon the upper4 ,it must be forcibly impressed upon the reader that under no circumstances whatever is it possible to make the pass without that device being detected by an expert who is looking for it4 ,even half a glance at the operator's movements would arouse suspicions which could not be easily allayed4 ,it is therefore a dangerous proceeding at any time for a sharp to indulge in4 ,it is possible that through inattention the expert may not actually see the pass made2 but the accompanying movements are sufficient indication of what is going on to anyone who 'knows his way about4' ,in days gone by1 the pass was a power in the hands of the sharp2 but now1 alas1 it is only of occasional use1 and the risk it involves is very1 very great4 ,another method of dodging the cut is to take the half of the pack which should finally be on the top1 but which the sharp desires to be underneath1 holding it by the thumb and three last fingers of the right hand1 with the forefinger bent1 and its back resting upon the back of the top card4 ,the cards1 being thus removed from the table1 are now held entirely by the forefinger and the other three1 the thumb being taken away4 ,the second half of the pack is now taken up between the thumb and forefinger2 at the same instant1 the other cards being slipped underneath instead of on top as they should be4 ,skilfully and quickly done1 this plan is very deceptive1 as such things go4 ,rather than resort to any method of restoring the order of the cards after they have been cut1 it is far preferable for the sharp to so arrange matters1 if possible1 that the act of cutting should bring those cards uppermost which are required to be at the top4 ,in a single-handed game1 by keeping strict watch upon the direction of his opponent's gaze1 he may be enabled to find an opportunity of making the pass2 but in a round game1 someone is sure to be looking at the cards1 and the pass becomes much too risky to be attempted4 ,therefore1 in a case of this kind1 the sharp will endeavour to manipulate the cards in such a way that the cut merely serves the purpose of removing certain cards1 which are placed above those he needs1 uppermost4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cf4--,the ,bridge4 ,the commonest plan in use for this purpose is the device known as the ',bridge4' ,this architectural contrivance consists of either bending the two halves of the pack in opposite directions1 or bending one half1 and leaving the other straight 7fig4 #cf74 ,the trick derives its name from the curvature thus produced4#g ,in the illustration1 the cards which are required to be on top are the straight ones now lying underneath4 ,an unsuspicious player1 being called upon to cut the pack1 will undoubtedly lift off the bent half1 owing to the division existing between it and the other4 ,then there is no need of the pass1 or anything of the kind4 ,the sharp has 'forced the cut4' ,considering how well-known the bridge is1 it is extraordinary how often it is successful4 ,the fact is1 the players are not looking for it2 they assume that they are playing with honest men1 and upon that assumption the sharp in great measure relies4 ,the bridge is specially useful in cases where a confederate is available to cut the cards4 ,then the bridge need not be so much arched4 ,the very slightest bend is sufficient1 as the 'confed4' will be careful to cut at the right place4 ,the 'end-bridge' is a variety we shall have to touch upon later on1 and other dodges for attaining the same end as this one will be described in the chapter on ',prepared ,cards4' ,working backwards1 then1 from the end to the means1 we arrive by a natural transition to the methods of manipulation employed in securing an advantageous disposition of the cards4 ,among these1 a prominent place is occupied by what are known as 'false shuffles4' ,these are of three kinds4 ,the first is the shuffle which leaves undisturbed the previous arrangement of the entire pack4 ,the second is that which affects only part of the pack1 allowing the rest to retain its original order4 ,the third is the variety which effects the systematic disposition of the cards in a manner which will bring good hands to the sharp and his accomplices1 if such there be1 or at any rate either to the sharp himself or to an accomplice4 ,by way of familiarising the reader with these processes1 we will just glance through the older forms of all three kinds4 ,it must be distinctly borne in mind1 however1 that the modern methods of shuffling have rendered most of these obsolete4 ,they have been replaced by improved manipulations1 as we shall see later4 ,of the first kind of these shuffles there is a great variety4 ,they are simply manipulations which appear to be shuffles1 but in reality are not so4 ,we will investigate one of them4 ,the pack is taken in two halves1 one of which is held in each hand4 ,from the right hand half about half a dozen cards are pushed off and placed beneath those in the left hand4 ,then1 from the left hand1 three cards say are pushed off and placed beneath those in the right hand4 ,this process is continued1 always putting more cards from right to left than vice versa1 until the whole pack appears to have been shuffled into the left hand4 ,this looks exactly like a genuine shuffle4 ,in fact1 most persons upon having it explained to them will say that the cards really are shuffled1 but it is not so4 ,the effect produced is that of a simple cut4 ,if the bridge is made before commencing1 the process can be continued until the top card has resumed its former place4 ,then it will be found that there has been absolutely no disarrangement of the cards whatever4 ,this shuffle is particularly useful at the beginning of a game when the sharp contrives to get the deal1 or upon the introduction of a fresh pack of cards4 ,gamblers are superstitious as a rule1 and when their 'luck is out1' which is generally the case when they happen to be playing with a sharp1 they will sometimes seek to improve it by changing the cards4 ,now1 even a new pack can be opened for the purpose of arranging the contents1 and sealed up again so neatly that there is no evidence of its ever having been tampered with4 ,then1 supposing the sharp to be a member of a club1 the person who purchases the club cards may be a confederate1 and thus the cards which are apparently fresh from the maker may have been falsified in any desired manner4#h ,whatever method may have been adopted to arrange the pack1 the foregoing shuffle will not disturb it4 ,the cut is rendered inefficient by either of the methods given1 and all is happiness and prosperity4 ,the second form of false shuffle is quite as easy to accomplish as the first4 ,all that is necessary is to take care that the part of the pack which is required to be kept intact should not be disturbed4 ,the rest of the cards may be shuffled to one's heart's content4 ,the sharp1 having noted certain cards among those which have been played that would be of service to him in some way or another1 in picking them up contrives to place them all together at the top or bottom of the pack4 ,then in shuffling he avoids all interference with those cards4 ,a good plan is to put the cards on top and lay the pack upon the table4 ,then with the right hand lift up the top cards1 and1 with the left1 cut the remainder in two and shuffle one portion into the other4 ,this will pass for a genuine shuffle almost anywhere4 ,selected cards1 placed above or below the pack1 are called 'top-stock' or 'bottom-stock1' as the case may be4 ,they are useful for a variety of purposes1 as will be readily understood4 ,the effect of the holdout when used in the game of ,poker1 as described in the last chapter1 is to work the top-stock for draught4 ,the shuffle just dealt with would work the top-stock for deal4 ,the last of the three kinds of false shuffles enumerated is of course the most generally useful in almost any game4 ,take whist for example4 ,how pleasant would it be to be able to deal oneself1 or one's partner1 a hand containing nearly all the trumps4 ,well1 that is a thing which is quite possible of accomplishment and by no means difficult4 ,the cards are simply arranged during the shuffle4 ,it is what is called 'putting up' a hand1 and this is how it is done4 ,as the tricks are played in the previous hand you notice those which contain a preponderance of the best cards of one suit1 say diamonds4 ,you keep an eye particularly upon the four tricks which would make the best hand1 viz41 those which contain the highest cards4 ,it is your turn to deal4 ,you pick up the tricks as they lie upon the table or are passed to you1 keeping those you require slightly separate from the rest as you gather them up1 and finally place them at the bottom of the pack1 with the little finger of your right hand inserted between them and the cards which are above4 ,you now proceed to shuffle4 ,the first operation is to put all the cards above your little finger into the right hand4 ,thus you hold the cards you require in your left hand1 but there are sixteen of them1 and you only want thirteen4 ,therefore you push off three of them into the right hand4 ,now you are ready to make your final arrangements4 ,with the thumb of your left hand slip off one card from that hand on to those in the right4 ,then with the thumb of your right hand slip that card together with the three immediately below it under the cards in the left4 ,again you slip one from the left on top of those in the right1 and again place that card with the three next to it under the left hand cards4 ,this action is repeated until only three cards remain in the right hand4 ,arriving at this point care must be observed4 ,you have of course borne in mind the necessity of having the bottom card1 which will be the trump1 of the same suit as that which preponderates in the number selected1 and have arranged matters accordingly4 ,now1 with only three cards in the right hand1 there remain two of the selected cards above those in the left which have not been handled4 ,the second of these two will be the one required for the trump card1 in this case a diamond4 ,therefore you put the first one on top of the three remaining in the right1 and the second one below them4 ,then the whole five are put at the bottom of the pack and the shuffle is complete4 ,you evade the cut by whichever method suits your opportunities best1 and upon dealing1 all the selected cards fall to yourself4 ,the above is a shuffle which is easily acquired1 and when done neatly and quickly1 the effect is very good4 ,it looks exactly like a genuine shuffle4 ,the only difficult part of the manipulation is placing the four cards from right to left4 ,there is not much time to count them4 ,with a little practice however1 the operator can feel that the right number of cards go into the other hand4 ,the best practice is to pick out all the cards of one suit1 and shuffle them into the others in the manner described4 ,then when the cards are dealt out1 it will be seen at once whether the shuffle has been correctly performed or not4 ,the passing of the cards from side to side must be quickly done1 and without pausing between the movements1 if the trick is to escape detection4 ,this one instance will serve to give the reader the basis of all the other shuffles in which the cards are arranged4 ,they all consist in the main principle of placing certain cards all together in some convenient position in the pack1 and then arranging them with a proper number of indifferent cards between each one and the next4 ,the nature of the game of course decides the manner of their arrangement4 ,the reader may very possibly find some difficulty in quite grasping the details of these explanations1 but if he will take a pack of cards and follow the instructions step by step they will all become clear4 ,if these older forms of shuffling are thoroughly understood1 it will be a great help towards arriving at the full significance of the more modern manipulations which are about to be described4 ,at the present day the foregoing trickeries would be inadmissible owing to the fact that only the most juvenile card players would ever use the form of shuffles they involve4 ,no player would ever think of taking the two halves of the pack1 one in either hand1 when about to shuffle4 ,that style of thing is quite out of date4 ,indeed in a smart game the dealer would not be even allowed to raise the cards from the table when shuffling1 although in the ordinary way they are more often than not simply shuffled from one hand into the other4 ,the principal shuffles of modern times are three in number3-- #a4 ,the ',over-hand ,shuffle4' #b4 ,the ',riffle' or ',butt-in ,shuffle4' #c4 ,the 'cart ,shuffle4' ,the over-hand shuffle is that in which the cards are taken in the left hand and shuffled1 a few at a time1 into the right4 ,it is familiar to all1 and requires no more than the mere mention of it to recall it to the reader's mind4 ,the riffle1 or butt-in1 as it is called in ,america1 is the shuffle in which the pack is laid upon the table1 the top half is taken off with the right hand and laid near it4 ,the fingers of either hand then press upon the cards of the respective halves of the pack1 whilst the thumbs 'riffle' or bend up the corners of the cards1 allowing them to spring down1 one or two at a time1 from right to left alternately1 those of one side falling between those of the other4 ,finally the cards are levelled up and the shuffle is complete4 ,the cart shuffle is one in which the cards are laid on the table with one side of the pack facing the operator4 ,the top half of the pack1 or rather less1 is taken off with the right hand and shuffled into the remainder of the cards held by the left as they lie upon the table4 ,in those cases where the dealer is not allowed to shuffle the cards in his hands1 the riffle or the cart shuffle is used4 ,a variety of the riffle called the ,french shuffle is sometimes adopted in which a half of the pack is taken in either hand1 the two halves resting upon the table at one end and inclined towards each other1 a few cards at a time being allowed to fall from either side alternately4 ,with these higher class shuffles then1 it is evident that more improved methods of manipulation must be adopted to render them amenable to the purposes of cheating4 ,we have therefore to examine the means employed by the sharp 7#a7 to keep intact a pre-arrangement of the cards1 7#b7 to leave undisturbed a certain portion of the pack which has been 'put up' or 'stocked1' and 7#c7 to put up hands or arrange the cards to suit his own purposes4 ,the corollary to these manipulations is necessarily the means of nullifying the effect of the cut which follows as an inevitable consequence upon the shuffle2 except1 of course1 in those cases where a player is content to 'knock' instead of cutting4 ,this 'knock' is an ,american institution1 and consists of merely rapping the top of the pack with the knuckles4 ,it signifies that the player does not wish to cut1 and is frequently practised by the sharp's accomplice1 when he has one1 to avoid disturbing the order of the cards4 ,to retain the original order or pre-arrangement of a whole pack1 the riffle is the shuffle that is generally used2 the modification referred to in the last paragraph but one being the most convenient form for the purpose4 ,the top half of the pack being taken in the right hand1 and those of the bottom half in the left1 the cards are riffled together upon the table4 ,if the pack were levelled up1 the shuffle would of course be effectual2 but it is in the act of levelling that the trickery is introduced4 ,as the cards rest in front of the operator1 those of one side alternating with those of the other1 they are covered by his hands1 the thumbs being towards him1 the three first fingers of each hand on the opposite side of the pack1 and the little fingers pressing upon the ends of the right and left halves respectively4 ,in this way the cards are just straightened merely1 but not closed up4 ,a turn of the hands1 from the little fingers outwards1 throws the two packets of cards at an angle one to the other1 the thumbs now resting upon the corners nearest the operator4 ,the little fingers are then closed in towards the thumbs4 ,this has the effect of pushing the cards of each packet diagonally across those of the other4 ,those of the right half pass against the thumb of the left hand1 whilst those of the left half pass in a similar manner across the right thumb4 ,thus the cards simply pass from either hand into the other4 ,the top half of the pack is now held by the fingers and thumb of the left hand and vice versa4 ,the two packets are now quickly separated1 and that in the left hand is placed above that in the right4 ,the whole of the cards are therefore in their original positions1 although they appear to have been perfectly shuffled4 ,the passing of the cards across is to give the appearance of closing them together2 whereas they really pass right through into the opposite hands4 ,quickly done1 this shuffle is most deceptive1 but the whole operation should not occupy more than a couple of seconds4 ,it can always be detected by one who knows it1 on account of the necessity of turning the two halves at an angle2 otherwise it is perfect4 ,it cannot be very successfully performed with a full pack1 but with an cart pack of #cb cards it is very simple4 ,to allow a certain number of cards to remain undisturbed is a comparatively simple matter in any shuffle4 ,it is only necessary to see that they are undisturbed4 ,in the over-hand shuffle they may be placed either at the top or bottom of the pack1 passing them all together from the left hand into the right4 ,when they are at the top1 the approved method is to slip off at once1 into the right hand1 as many of the top cards as may be necessary to insure that the whole of the selected cards are together4 ,this packet is held by pressing the cards endwise between the forefinger and the root of the thumb4 ,the remaining cards are then shuffled on to the forefinger1 thus maintaining a slight division above those which have been put up4 ,the final movement of the shuffle is to part the pack at this division1 and return the top cards to their original position4 ,in the riffle shuffle it is quite as easy to retain the position of any cards which may require to be kept in view4 ,if they are at the bottom of the pack1 they are simply riffled down upon the table before any others are allowed to fall1 and the rest of the cards are shuffled above them4 ,if they are at the top1 they are held back until all the other cards have fallen4 ,in either case1 the cards of one half are simply let down sooner or more slowly than those of the other1 according to whether the stocked cards are at the top or the bottom4 ,in the cart shuffle1 the proceedings are a little more complex4 ,it would never do to coolly ignore a certain portion of the pack in shuffling2 therefore the observers have to be thrown off the scent4 ,this is done by means of the manipulation known as 'the ,french card-sharper's shuffle1' which is accomplished in the following manner4 ,the pack lies upon the table before the operator1 with the stocked cards on top4 ,with the thumb and second finger of the right hand1 he seizes a sufficient number of the top cards to be sure of having the selected ones all together1 and lifts them up1 at the same time moving his hand away from him so as to leave the pack unobstructed by the cards just raised4 ,then with the thumb and first finger of the left hand1 he takes up a similar packet of cards from the pack1 leaving probably about a third of the pack still remaining on the table4 ,now comes the trick4 ,the right hand packet is placed under the cards just raised by the left thumb and forefinger1 and is immediately gripped by the middle finger and thumb of that hand4 ,meanwhile1 the left-hand packet is taken by the right thumb and forefinger1 and moved aside4 ,the two packets have thus changed hands1 the top cards being now in the left4 ,in this position they are held by the left finger and thumb1 whilst the right hand shuffles the second packet into the cards remaining on the table4 ,this process is gone through several times and the cards appear to be thoroughly well shuffled4 ,nevertheless1 it is evident that the top cards have remained intact throughout4 ,before passing on to the third form of false shuffle1 by means of which cards are put up or stocked1 it is necessary at this point to refer to the device known as the 'end-bridge1' a thing which is commonly used at the present time to force the cut at a given point in the pack4 ,any false shuffle is manifestly useless without some resource of this kind4 ,as the reader is doubtless aware1 it is a common practice among card players1 at the conclusion of the shuffle and before giving the pack to be cut1 to part it at about the middle and place the lower half above the upper4 ,this seems to have become quite the orthodox termination of any shuffle2 just a final cut as it were to finish4 ,it is in this final cut that the end-bridge is generally made4 ,we will suppose that the stocked cards are at the top of the pack4 ,the top half is taken by the thumb and second finger of the right hand and drawn off2 the cards being held near the corners at one end1 the forefinger meanwhile resting upon them between the second finger and thumb4 ,in the act of drawing off the cards they are pressed between the thumb and finger1 so as to bend them slightly concave at the back between the corners by which they are held4 ,the bottom half of the pack is then placed above the upper one1 the curvature of which produces a slight division between the two halves at one end4 ,the other end not having been tampered with it can be turned towards the players with impunity4 ,the cards being levelled1 they are laid on the table in such a position that the player who is to cut will take them by the ends2 and it is almost certain that he will cut at the bridge4 ,by way of example1 then1 the ,french card-sharper's shuffle in its entirety would consist of the following movements4 7#a7 ,the top cards are lifted by the right hand1 and the second packet raised by the left4 7#b7 ,the top packet is placed under the second one1 and gripped by the left hand4 7#c7 ,the right hand seizes the second packet1 and takes it from above the top one1 which remains held by the left thumb and finger4 7#d7 ,the second packet is shuffled into the cards remaining on the table1 and the top packet is dropped upon the whole4 7#e7 ,the pack is parted by drawing off the upper half with the thumb and second finger of the right hand2 at the same moment the bridge is made1 the upper half is put under the lower1 and the cards are given to be cut4 ,thus1 both the shuffle and the bridge are included in one complete operation4 ,we now come to the modern methods of 'stocking1' or 'putting-up' hands4 ,this1 of course1 includes the third form of false shuffle4 ,the simplest method of stocking is accomplished in the act of picking up the cards from the table preparatory to shuffling1 and is very useful in a game such as ,nap4 ,the player who is about to deal notes among the cards lying upon the table those which would provide him with a good hand4 ,with each hand he seizes one of them and immediately after takes up as many indifferent cards as there are players besides himself4 ,he has then two cards 'put up4' ,again he picks up two more good cards in the same way1 and follows up with the proper number of indifferent ones1 as before4 ,he has now four cards out of the five he requires4 ,with one hand therefore he picks up the remaining card1 with three others1 and puts all the cards thus taken up into one hand4 ,the rest of the pack may be picked up anyhow1 care being taken to keep the arranged cards on top4 ,then comes the shuffle4 ,the first thing to be done is to put on the top of the selected card1 which is uppermost1 a similar number of indifferent cards to that which is between each of the selected ones1 viz41 as many as there are players besides himself4 ,thus the cards he wants will come to him on the deal4 ,the rest of the shuffle is immaterial1 so long as the 'stock' is not interfered with4 ,the end-bridge may be worked for the cut1 and all being well1 he will have the hand he prepared for himself4 ,some men can do this picking-up with incredible rapidity and without exciting the least suspicion on the part of their opponents4 ,where the over-hand shuffle is used1 the best way of putting up a hand is by means of the process which is called 'milking-down4' ,this is a manipulation which is both simple and effective4 ,the cards required to be put up are placed all together at the bottom of the pack1 which is then taken endways between the thumb and fingers of the left hand ready for shuffling1 and the 'milking' commences4 ,we will suppose the game to be ,nap1 and that three are playing4 ,the dealer having put the selected cards at the bottom in the course of gathering the pack together1 prepares to perform the over-hand shuffle as above indicated4 ,with the thumb of his right hand he takes off one card from the top of the pack1 whilst at the same moment and in the same movement the middle finger draws off one of the selected cards from the bottom4 ,at this point then he has two cards in his right hand2 one of those he has chosen1 and an indifferent one from the top of the pack above it4 ,but there are three players1 so he must have two cards between each of his own and the next1 therefore he draws off another from the top1 over the two he already has in the right hand4 ,again he draws off together a card from the top and bottom1 and over these places another from the top4 ,this is repeated until all the hand is put up1 and then the remainder of the pack is shuffled on to his forefinger in the manner previously described in connection with the over-hand shuffle4 ,the stock is brought to the top1 the pack is parted1 the bridge made1 and the cards are given to be cut4 ,milking-down was originally used by ,faro-dealers for the purpose of putting up the high and low cards alternately4 ,the high ones being put all together at the top of the pack1 for instance1 and the low ones at the bottom1 they were drawn down in pairs with great rapidity and thus alternated4 ,nowadays1 however1 the process is used for putting up hands for most games4 ,it is in connection with the riffle that the most skilful putting-up is accomplished1 but much practice and experience are required to enable the manipulation to be performed with certainty4 ,in theory1 however1 the process is simple4 ,it consists of riffling between the selected cards the proper number of indifferent ones4 ,suppose that in a game of ,nap the required cards have been put at the top of the pack4 ,the cards are divided and riffled1 taking care that none are allowed to go between the selected ones except the first and second1 which must have the proper number between them4 ,if there are three players1 this number will1 of course1 be two4 ,all that is necessary to effect this is to hold up the top card with one thumb1 and the last two cards of the other half with the other thumb4 ,the two cards are allowed to fall upon the second of the selected cards1 and the top one is dropped over them4 ,it is with the second and following riffles1 however1 that the difficulty comes in4 ,in the second riffle1 four cards have to be held up and two dropped under them4 ,in the third riffle1 seven cards have to be held up1 and in the fourth1 ten4 ,the fifth riffle merely puts two cards above the top selected card1 and the shuffle is complete4 ,the great difficulty is to know that the right number of cards is held up each time1 and that the right number is put between them4 ,it seems almost impossible that it can be done with certainty1 but there are plenty of sharps who can do it readily enough without any mistake whatever4 ,in fact1 some are so skilful with this shuffle that they can find any cards they please by looking at the turned-up corners1 and place them in any position they please within the pack4 ,in the game of ,poker1 when the pack has been stocked for draft1 either at the top or the bottom1 after the cut the sharp will place the two halves together in the proper manner1 but leaving a little break between them4 ,thus he is enabled to know when the stocked cards are being given off and who has them4 ,or he may manage to hold back any that would be of use to him4 ,if the cards are held inclined slightly upwards1 he may frequently be enabled to draw back the top card as in the 'second-deal1' and give off the next ones4 ,there is a single-handed pass sometimes used to bring the stock to the top1 which is performed under cover of the right arm whilst reaching to the left4 ,the cards are held upon a level with the table-top1 and as the arm passes over them1 those which are above the stock are pressed with the fingers of the left hand against the right elbow4 ,thus they are held for the moment whilst the others are drawn from beneath1 and as the right arm returns1 the stocked cards are brought to the top4 ,in this way the entire operation is performed under cover of the arm1 and is therefore undiscernible4 ,where a confederate is available to cut the pack1 there is a form of false cut which appears to pass muster in ,america pretty well4 ,it consists of merely grasping the pack in both hands1 lifting it off the table1 and pulling it apart1 so to speak4 ,the half which comes from the bottom is drawn upwards1 thus appearing to come from the top1 in the same manner as the cards in the bottom-deal4 ,at the same time1 the top half is drawn downwards1 appearing to come from the bottom4 ,then1 when the two halves are put together in their original position1 it looks as though the lower half had been put upon the upper4 ,quickly done1 this ruse is fairly successful4 ,another form of false cut is somewhat similar in effect to the ,french card-sharper's shuffle1 and is used to retain a 'top stock' in its place4 ,a third of the pack1 or thereabouts1 is taken off with the right hand1 and the remainder is cut in two with the left4 ,the top cards are now placed upon those which remain on the table1 the second lot are thrown down beside them1 and upon these the other two packets are placed as one1 bringing the top cards into their original position4 ,thus1 whilst the pack is really cut into three1 the only effect of the cut is to bring the bottom cards into the middle2 a result which is of no consequence where only a top stock is concerned4 ,we may conclude the present chapter with a description of the system of cheating known as ',counting-down4' ,this is a method which is not by any means so familiar to the masses as those with which we have just been dealing4 ,it is one of those devices which seem to lie within the borderland between honesty and dishonesty2 although1 when one understands its real nature1 there is no question as to the fact that it really is cheating1 and nothing else4 ,it is the most scientific mode of swindling1 in games where only a few cards constitute a hand1 that has ever been devised1 and it is so good that it almost defies detection1 even at the hands of an expert4 ,it is just that one word 'almost1' however1 which qualifies its absolute perfection4 ,there is always some weak point in a trick1 however good4 ,counting down is one of those operations which depend more on memory than sleight of hand4 ,it requires long practice and much skill1 but the skill is rather mental than manipulative4 ,it is necessary that the sharp who practises it should be able to memorise instantly as many cards as possible4 ,comparatively few persons can remember more than five cards at a glance4 ,not one in a thousand can remember ten4 ,there are some1 however1 who can remember the order of a whole pack of fifty-two cards1 after seeing them dealt out rather slowly4 ,needless to say there are not many individuals of the latter class4 ,all1 however1 use some system of artificial memory4 ,without something of the kind1 counting-down would be impracticable4 ,the object of this system1 of course1 is to enable the sharp to know the sequence of a certain number of cards which are to be introduced into the play1 and thus to be certain of their value1 and also of the hands in which they are to be found4 ,the possession of this knowledge is of the utmost importance sometimes4 ,as a readily understood and familiar example1 let us suppose that the sharp is engaged in a single-handed game of ,nap1 and that he can remember twelve cards1 together with the order in which they occur4 ,his first duty will be to note the manner in which his opponent usually cuts1 whether near the middle of the pack1 near the top or the bottom4 ,most people have some peculiarity in this way which may be relied on4 ,suppose then the sharp finds that the other man's cut is generally pretty well in the centre4 ,when it is his turn to deal1 in the act of shuffling he will place twelve cards in rapid succession at the bottom of the pack1 at the same time holding the pack so that the faces of the cards are visible4 ,he notes these twelve cards1 and the order in which they occur4 ,at the conclusion of the shuffle he leaves just so many cards over them as he thinks the other will take off in the cut2 consequently1 after cutting1 those cards will be at the top or nearly so4 ,if the sharp is fortunate the cut will come into the first one or two of them1 and then when the cards are dealt1 he knows by looking at his own hand precisely what cards his opponent holds4 ,if his own hand will allow him to 'go more' than his opponent feels inclined to risk1 he will do so1 if not he allows his opponent to play4 ,in either case he knows perfectly well what the result of the hand will be before a single card is put down4 ,of course if the case should be that he is playing against an unmistakable ',nap' hand1 and that he has no cards the skilful playing of which will prevent the other man from winning1 he is bound to accept the inevitable4 ,but it is obvious that the advantages he enjoys1 compared with his antagonist1 are enormous4 ,with a sharp who works the bottom-deal1 the memorising of five cards only is sufficient4 ,he notes the five cards and leaves them at the bottom of the pack which is given to be cut4 ,after the cutting1 he picks up the bottom half of the pack1 leaving the other upon the table4 ,if the five cards at the bottom are good ones he deals them to himself1 but if1 on the contrary1 they are little ones1 which would make a bad hand1 he deals them to his opponent4 ,he will always let the opponent have them unless they are exceptionally good1 because it is worth more than half the game to know what cards one has to contend with4 ,it is in the game of ',poker1' however1 that counting-down is of the greatest assistance4 ,the cards are dealt round five to each player1 and we will suppose it is the sharp's turn to deal next4 ,he throws his hand1 face downwards1 on the table1 and puts the rest of the pack on top of it4 ,he therefore knows the five bottom cards of the pack1 having memorised his hand4 ,even though some of the other players may understand counting-down1 no one will suspect that any trickery is in progress1 as the whole proceeding is quite usual and perfectly natural4 ,having the whole of the cards in a heap in front of him1 the sharp now takes them up to straighten or level them1 somewhat ostentatiously keeping their faces turned well away from him1 so that he cannot see a single card4 ,he does not overdo this appearance of honesty however4 ,that would be almost as fatal as an appearance of cheating4 ,the cards being straightened1 the shuffle has now to be accomplished4 ,in this case it will be one of the second1 or partial order4 ,the sharp takes good care1 in riffling down or what not1 to leave undisturbed the five cards he has memorised1 and finally to have them in such a position within the pack1 that the cut and deal will leave them at the top4 ,his object1 of course1 is to have the choice of those five cards in the draft4 ,if he has been fortunate in his manipulation1 the card which comes to him on the last round of the deal will be one of those five4 ,in that case he knows the value of the two or three top cards1 and looking at his hand he can tell whether either of them will be of use to him when it comes to his turn to draw4 ,if so1 in giving off the draft to the other players1 he may1 if opportunity serves1 hold back the card or cards he requires4 ,then the other hands being complete1 he can throw away a corresponding number of indifferent cards from his hand and take the selected ones for himself4 ,generally speaking1 this method will enable him to retain and utilise a card which1 otherwise1 he would have thrown away as being useless1 and very often enable him to make 'two pair4' ,it is manifest that however skilfully this may be done1 there is a strong element of uncertainty attaching to the result4 ,the player who cuts the pack may not divide it in the right place by a card or two1 and therefore it might happen that the whole of the five cards may be distributed in the deal4 ,but it is bound to come right sometimes1 and then it is worth all the trouble and annoyance of the previous failures2 but whether it is successful or not1 it is done as a matter of routine1 and if only for the sake of practice1 every time the sharp has to deal4 ,he cannot exercise himself too much in such a difficult operation4 ,still there is a good bit of chancework about it which is not at all acceptable to the sharp1 and to obviate this two sharps will often work in secret partnership4 ,the dealer1 having memorised his own hand1 which he has plenty of time to do thoroughly1 waits until his partner's cards are done with4 ,when that moment arrives1 the accomplice passes his cards to the dealer in such a way that their faces can be seen4 ,these must be remembered at a glance4 ,the dealer has now ten cards to work with instead of five1 and thus the chances are far more than proportionately greater4 ,some of the known cards are sure to be at the top of the pack1 ready for the draft1 and looking at the last card which has fallen to him on the deal1 the sharp can tell what they are4 ,if1 in addition1 it is the confederate who cuts the cards1 of course the game becomes too strong to be beaten4 ,he is sure to cut the pack at the right place4 ,if the sharp is a fine shuffler1 with a good memory1 well-trained in this class of work1 he can dispense with an accomplice1 and do quite as well without one4 ,supposing it to be his turn to deal next1 he looks at his hand1 and if the cards he holds are not of much consequence1 he 'passes1' that is1 he stands out of the game for the time being4 ,meanwhile he gathers up the pack and discards1 and keeping the faces of the cards turned away from him he evens them up in readiness for the deal4 ,then he waits until the two or three hands that are being played are called or shown up4 ,with a glance1 he remembers as many of these cards as he conveniently can1 places them either at the top or bottom of the pack and 'holds' them during the shuffle1 arranging their position in the pack as in the former cases4 ,the last card which comes to him on the deal being one of these1 he knows the sequence of several of the top cards which remain in the pack4 ,consequently he not only knows what he is giving off in the draft to others1 but also what remains for him when it is his turn to draw4 ,if1 then1 it suits him best to discard1 as to which he does not stand in doubt as the other players do1 he throws away according to the nature of the cards he will have to draw from the pack to replace his discards4 ,it really is just the same thing as though he had two hands dealt to him instead of one4 ,he has the opportunity of making his selection from at least twice as many cards as either of his opponents4 ,unless the reader should happen to be himself a high-class sharp1 he can have no idea of how well this is done by some men who make it their speciality4 ,it is a method which renders a good shuffler--expressive term--with a good system of artificial memory1 well-nigh invincible at such a game as ,poker4 ,counting-down is simple1 when you can do it2 it is impossible of detection by ordinary players1 and best of all1 even smart gamblers will stand the work4 ,after that no more need be said about it4 ,from the contents of this chapter1 the expert reader will see that in so far as manipulation pure and simple is concerned1 the sharp of to-day is in a position very little better than that of his prototype of fifty years ago4 ,if we except the improved methods of 'stocking' and so on1 which have resulted from the introduction of new shuffles and certain methods of preparing the cards1 there are hardly any new developments to record4 ,that this should be so1 and indeed must of necessity be so1 will be evident to anyone who has made a study of card-tricks4 ,there are only certain manipulations possible in connection with fifty-two pieces of pasteboard4 ,generations of keen intellects have already made a study of their possibilities2 and like the 'old poets1 fostered under friendlier skies1' these have stolen all the best ideas from their unhappy successors4 ,and the worst of it is the ideas have become more or less common property4 ,to invent a new deception in the way of the manipulation of cards is for all the world like trying to make a new proposition in ',euclid4' ,that ancient humb--philosopher ,i should say--has covered the whole ground2 much to the disgust of that hypothetical example of encyclopdic information known as 'any schoolboy4' ,in our time we have all of us tempered our regret that so great a philosopher should ever die1 with the far greater regret that he should ever have lived4 ,his loss would have been 'any schoolboy's' infinite gain4 ,well1 man is born to ,euclid as the sparks fly upward1 and there is no dodging the difficulty4 ,it is just the same in the fraudulent manipulation of cards4 ,all that can be done has been done4 ,if it were not so the sharp would be the gainer1 therefore it is better as it is4 ,nowadays1 however1 it is quite possible to be a first-rate sharp without being capable of performing the simplest feat of dexterity4 ,this sounds very much like saying that a man might be a thorough mathematician without knowing the multiplication-table1 but the cases are not exactly upon all fours4 ,it is quite possible to reason logically without having made the acquaintance of that maid of mystery ',barbara'2 and it is quite possible in like manner to be able to cheat without having recourse to manipulation4 ,it is a thing which is not necessary1 and more often than not it is attended with the risk of detection4 ,the sharp has gone further afield in the augmentation of his resources4 ,he has pressed into his service every device that human ingenuity can conceive or rascality execute1 every contrivance that skill can produce1 and even the forces of ,nature herself have been made to serve his ends4 ,meanwhile the unfortunate dupe has been laying the flattering unction to his soul1 that given the understanding of certain primitive forms of manipulation1 he has nothing else to fear4 ,much he knows about it6 ,there is no fool like the fool who imagines himself wise1 and there is no dupe like the 'fly flat1'--the man who 'thinks he knows a thing or two4' ,well1 it is not the fault of this book if he is not henceforth a wiser and a richer man4 ,,footnotes3 #e ,see fig4 #g4 #f ,the terms 'good man' and 'cunning cheat' must here be considered as synonymous4 #g ,the curve of the upper cards1 as shown in the figure1 is much exaggerated4 ,it is1 really1 very slight4 #h ,see ,chapter ,,vii4--',collusion and ,conspiracy1' p4 #agc et seq4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,collusion ,,and ,,conspiracy ,the words which head this chapter are hard words4 ,one cannot deny it4 ,they are intended to be so4 ,being so1 they belong to the class of utterances which1 according to the sages1 'break no bones4' ,this may be true enough even of collusion and conspiracy4 ,but in all conscience1 or the lack of it1 these have broken hearts and fortunes enough to compensate for any amount of merely physical incapacity4 ,there cannot be the slightest doubt that a large proportion of the cheating which goes on1 in what is called polite society1 is accomplished by these means4 ,the high position of the players is1 unfortunately1 no guarantee of fidelity4 ,one may be cheated anywhere1 even in exclusive clubs of the most recherch character1 as many know to their cost4 ,practically1 there is no high and dry rock upon which the gambler can perch1 and say to the tide of cheating--',thus far shalt thou come1 and no farther4' ,he is not safe anywhere1 for he can never tell who may not be tempted1 at some time or other1 to resort to dishonest practices4 ,the sharp is not always a professional2 he may1 now and then1 be an amateur4 ,where the stakes are heavy1 the temptation to take an unfair advantage of an opponent is occasionally too great for some to resist2 especially where no risk of detection is run in so doing4 ,accidental circumstances will sometimes give a player overwhelming advantages in the play1 of which none but he are aware2 and who shall say that he will not avail himself of the opportunity which chance has thrown in his way8 ,against this sort of thing1 however1 there is no other safeguard than the watchfulness of the players4 ,where1 then1 is the 'game1' the amusement1 if one has to play1 armed at all points1 as it were1 and living in dread of pickpockets8 ,it is not with this sporadic kind of cheating1 however1 that we now have to deal1 but with the systematic banding together of individuals to swindle at play4 ,as a notable example of this kind of thing1 the reader will do well to peruse the recital of the following incident1 which occurred a few winters ago at one of the leading clubs in the ,west ,end of ,london4 ,at this club a very favourite game was cart1 played generally ' la galerie4' ,that is to say1 the bystanders were allowed to bet among themselves1 or with the players1 as to the result of the game4 ,in this case1 the lookers-on form themselves into two parties1 one behind each player1 and lay wagers upon the chances of their respective champions4 ,the doings of this club1 then1 afforded an opportunity for cheating which was too good to be missed4 ,certain unprincipled members therefore proposed1 and managed to get elected1 two clever ,french card-sharpers4 ,the method of procedure adopted was to place these two men opposed to each other at a card-table1 and let them play cart4 ,as large a 'gallery' as possible was assembled1 and then the fun began4 ,there was nothing of refinement or delicacy of operation in the method employed4 ,all that took place was simply that one or the other of the players lost to order4 ,according to how the betting ran1 that is to say1 according to the player whose winning would put the most money into the pockets of the conspirators1 so would the result of the game be4 ,certain signs were made to the players1 unobserved of the outsiders1 and in response to these signs the game was made to go in one direction or the other4 ,the favourite plan appeared to be for all the conspirators to station themselves behind one of the men1 and1 of course1 other members of the club who wished to join in had to take up their position behind the other4 ,the secret brotherhood then made as many bets with those across the table as they could4 ,when this had been effected1 their player was sure to win4 ,if the cards were not running favourably to him1 he would put up hands for himself1 make the bridge1 and give the cards to be cut4 ,no doubt1 out of pure courtesy1 his opponent would obligingly cut at the required place4 ,at the end of the evening the proceeds were divided among the conspirators4 ,well1 this little game had gone on for some time1 and had doubtless been the means of putting in circulation a good deal of capital which otherwise would have remained locked up1 when a most unforeseen and regrettable incident occurred4 ,among the newly-elected members of the club was one who had some little knowledge of sleight-of-hand4 ,chancing to be a spectator of the proceedings one evening1 he at once 'tumbled to the bridge4' ,he might well do so1 for1 as one of the fraternity remarked1 the players had latterly become so secure in the ignorance of the members that1 owing to their carelessness1 the structure referred to had become not so much a bridge as a veritable ',arc de ,triomphe4' ,through the enlightenment which was thus brought about1 the matter came to be laid before the committee4 ,the result was that cart la ,galerie was prohibited4 ,those who are familiar with club matters will doubtless remember the circumstance1 and know the club to which allusion is made4 ,a very necessary adjunct to collusion of almost any kind is some system of secret telegraphy4 ,with such a system in operation between two or more players who are in secret partnership1 there are many games in which winning can be made a certainty4 ,the telegraphy1 of course1 is seldom of a character which would permit those acquainted with it to indulge in secret gossip1 but for the most part consists of signs which indicate the names of the cards4 ,generally speaking there will be two classes of indications1 one for suit1 and one for value4 ,for instance1 if the player who is signalling is seen to lay his right hand open upon the table1 that may serve to indicate hearts2 if the hand1 instead of lying flat1 is resting upon its side1 that may mean spades2 if clenched flat on the table1 clubs may be signified2 and finally1 if clenched and thumb upwards1 that may denote diamonds4 ,the values of the cards are no less easy to indicate4 ,if the telegraphist looks upwards1 that may mean an ace2 if downwards1 a king2 if to the left1 a queen2 if straight in front of him1 a knave2 if to the right1 a ten2 with head on one side1 and looking upward1 a nine2 ditto1 and looking to the right1 an eight2 ditto1 and to the left a seven1 and so on through the whole number4 ,there is no difficulty in arranging a system of this kind1 to be worked either by word or sign1 and such systems if carefully thought out are very difficult to detect4 ,suppose two partners at whist are in collusion and one of them is about to lead4 ,the other may desire him to lead clubs4 ,he may1 therefore1 address to anyone in the room a sentence beginning1 ',can you tell me----' ,the initial letter of the sentence indicates the suit which he desires his partner to lead4 ,if he wanted diamonds he would say ',do you know----' c4 ,if it was necessary to call for hearts he would observe1 ',have you seen----' c4 ,lastly1 if spades were in requisition he would ask some question beginning1 ',shall you have----' ,these things are all very simple1 but they mean a great deal1 sometimes1 in a game of cards4 ,another system of signalling sometimes adopted is to indicate the fact of certain cards being held by the position in which the cards are laid upon the table4 ,the person signalling1 having looked at his hand1 wishes to let his accomplice know that he holds a certain card of importance in the game4 ,therefore1 whilst waiting till the other players have sorted their hands1 he closes up his cards for the moment1 and lays them before him on the table4 ,the manner of their disposition will give the required cue1 or1 as it is called1 'office4' ,the end of the cards farthest from the operator may be taken to represent a kind of pointer1 which is set opposite to some particular figure upon an imaginary dial1 supposed to be drawn upon the table4 ,several cards can be indicated in this way1 and for others additional factors can be introduced4 ,for instance1 the cards may be spread a little1 the top card may project a little to one side or over one end1 or the operator may keep his fingers resting upon the cards4 ,in fact1 the variety of signals is infinite4 ,from the laying down of a cigar to the taking up of a glass of wine1 from the opening of the mouth to the stroking of the chin1 every movement1 however simple and unsuspicious1 can be made the means of cheating at almost any game4 ,a code of signals to indicate every card in the pack1 and no more difficult to decipher than the ,morse code in telegraphy1 can be arranged by anyone in five minutes4 ,indeed1 the ,morse code itself can be used in connection with what the ,french sharps call ',la dusse invisible1' a system of signalling to an accomplice by pressure of the foot under the table4 ,in using this system care must1 of course1 be taken not to tread on the wrong person's toes4 ,an instance of card-sharping1 involving the use of secret telegraphy1 once came under the author's notice1 in connection with the projected exposure of a noted card-sharp4 ,the circumstances of the case arose in the following manner4 ,it is well known that one of the most able and uncompromising among exposers of fraud at the present day is ,mr4 ,henry ,labouchere1 ,m4,p41 the ,editor and ,proprietor of ',truth4' ,in the columns of that widely read and influential publication1 the trenchant criticisms and fearless utterances of ',scrutator' have done yeoman's service in the cause of truth and justice4 ,the author has had the privilege upon several occasions of being associated with ,mr4 ,labouchere in the running to earth of impostors of various kinds1 and one of those occasions was in connection with the case of the sharp above referred to4 ,some of the details will doubtless occur to the minds of those who recollect the name of the man known as ,lambri ,pasha4 ,it is advisable to say 'known as1' for whether his real name was anything resembling that there is nothing to show4 ,if there is one thing which one may be inclined to believe more than another1 it is that although ,lambri the man may have been1 ,pasha he certainly was not4 ,this man ,lambri1 then1 an ,italian by birth and a sharp by profession1 had carried on his operations upon so large a scale as to bring himself prominently before the notice of ',scrutator4' ,as usual in such cases1 ',scrutator' proceeded to make short work of him4 ,at the time referred to1 this ,lambri happened to have a quarrel with one of his accomplices1 and in revenge this man revealed to ,mr4 ,labouchere the entire modus operandi of the means used by his employer to cheat the gamblers in those high circles to which he had obtained access4 ,this being the case1 the author was approached by ,mr4 ,labouchere with a view to arranging a plan of action whereby the arch swindler might be caught red-handed1 and the exposure made complete4 ,the following scheme was accordingly devised4 ,the author1 in the guise of a country squire supposed to be of great wealth1 was to be presented to ,lambri1 and invited to join in the game of baccarat1 specially arranged for the 'staging' of the little drama which was to follow4 ,needless to say it was not proposed that the author1 although armed1 should be alone in a venture which promised to result in violence of a more or less pronounced type4 ,among the other guests it was arranged to have some whose daily avocations were not altogether unconnected with ,scotland ,yard4 ,lambri's system was an exceedingly simple one4 ,it was worked with the assistance of a confederate1 and baccarat was the game principally favoured4 ,in this game three packs of cards are used in combination1 forming one large pack of #aef cards4 ,it is obviously impossible to hold this bulky pack in the hands with any degree of convenience whilst the cards are being shuffled2 therefore the shuffle is accomplished by standing the cards on edge upon the table with their faces turned away from the dealer1 and in this position they are mixed together4 ,lambri1 having taken the 'bank1' would proceed to shuffle the cards in the manner described4 ,during this operation1 and as the various cards were brought to the front1 the confederate1 who had taken up a convenient position1 would indicate to his principal their value by means of a code of signals arranged for that purpose4 ,from the explanations already given the reader will have no difficulty in deducing the manner in which the cards were put up for the advantage of the 'bank4' ,in order to detect this manoeuvre1 then1 it would be necessary to watch the proceedings from the commencement1 note the arrangement adopted1 and at the right moment give the signal for seizing both cards and dealer4 ,preparations having been made for carrying this plan into effect1 and all due precautions having been taken1 it was hoped that ,lambri would quietly walk into the snare which had been set for him4 ',the best laid schemes1' however1 'gang aft agley4' ,whether the confederate had played fast and loose with both sides1 which is more than probable1 or whether information had leaked out through some other channel1 it is impossible to say4 ,certain it is1 however1 that ,lambri obtained an inkling of what was in progress1 and took steps--or rather1 'made tracks'--accordingly4 ,the day previous to that decided upon for the exposure the accomplice received a telegram from ,paris informing him that the object of our kind attentions1 owing to pressure of important business1 would be detained there for some weeks4 ,there can be no doubt that the affairs which so suddenly called him to ,paris were both pressing and important2 for1 to all appearance1 they have occupied his attention ever since4 ,that appointment has never been kept1 and1 so far as can be ascertained1 he has never from that date to this put in an appearance in ,england4 ,to all his former friends and acquaintances he is 'lost to sight1' though1 to a great many of them1 he undoubtedly is 'to memory dear1' and very dear4 ,a sharp may generally be trusted to arrive at a sound decision in all matters affecting his own interests2 and it certainly cannot be said that ',lambri ,pasha' has proved himself to be an exception to the rule4 ,at baccarat collusion and conspiracy are generally used for the purpose of 'rooking' some particular individual of the pronounced ',juggins' type1 and the plan of operation is somewhat as follows4 ,we will suppose that the field of action is the card-room of some small club1 where baccarat is played clandestinely1 and for heavy stakes4 ,among the members who are addicted to this pastime there is one youngster with more money than brains1 and several of the reverse characteristics4 ,half a dozen of these latter habitus of the club will sit around a table prepared for the game in an upper chamber1 waiting the advent of their victim4 ,upon the table in front of the dealer is the shoe containing the proper number of packs3 the cards being arranged1 we will say1 to give six winning coups to the bank1 and then to lose right out to the end4 ,they are not playing--far from it1 although the table may be strewn with money4 ,theirs is a waiting game for the present1 and they are passing the time as best they can4 ,when the dupe arrives at the club it is whispered to him that there is a little game in progress upstairs4 ,his arrival is signalled to the conspirators1 and by the time the innocent fledgling reaches the room1 there is a game apparently in full blast4 ,the new-comer sees that the bank is winning every time4 ,at the end of the six winning coups the dealer says he has won enough1 or makes some other excuse for retiring from the game4 ,a new dealer is therefore required1 and it does not need much persuasion to induce the 'mug' to take the bank4 ,there is a superstition to the effect that banks which commence luckily for the dealer will continue so to the end1 and the unfortunate youth never suspects that it is a 'put-up job' for him4 ,consequently he sits down to play1 and naturally he loses everything to the end of the deal4 ,the ',juggins1' however jubilant he may have been1 soon finds that he has no cause for rejoicing4 ,you see1 when a man takes the bank in the middle of a game he cannot have the cards shuffled1 but must take them just as they lie on the table1 and continue the game from the point at which the last dealer left it4 ,if proceedings of this kind are not to be stigmatised as wholesale robbery1 it is difficult to see how they are to be described4 ,the most common method of cheating at poker in clubs and private houses alike1 but particularly in good society1 is one which is accomplished by means of collusion1 and in connection with that process of the game known as 'raising out4' ,in poker1 the bets of the players are raised in rotation around the table1 and the players who wish to remain 'in'--that is to say1 those who do not wish to forfeit what they have already staked--must all have equal stakes in the pool4 ,now1 unless a man has a particularly good hand he is not disposed to risk too much upon its chance of winning2 consequently1 when the stakes have risen to a certain amount1 he will stand out rather than go beyond what he has already risked4 ,two men1 then1 in secret partnership1 upon sitting down to play1 will contrive to get the man with most money1 or the best player 7their greatest antagonist7 between them4 ,therefore1 if these two men systematically raise their bets1 whether they have good hands or not1 they must eventually reach the point at which the other players will 'go out4' ,if the man between them wishes to remain in1 he must make good1 or1 in other words1 bring his stakes up to an amount equal to those of the conspirators4 ,this he may do for some time1 but sooner or later the game will become 'too hot' for him and he will go out4 ,he is between two fires1 and stands no chance whatever4 ,then1 everyone else having gone out1 the game is in the hands of the two sharps1 and they can finish it in any way they think best4 ,they may keep on raising each other for a time1 until at last one of them refuses to stake another 'chip1' and throws away his hand1 and then the other simply takes the pool4 ,or one of them may 'call' the other1 and upon seeing the hand may throw his own away without showing it1 the inference being that it is not so good as that of his supposed antagonist4 ,there is really no need for the other players to see either of the hands4 ,they cannot be called1 because one or the other of them is always raising his stakes1 and until the stakes are made good without anyone raising1 the call is not complete and no hands are shown4 ,then1 when all the other players are 'raised out1' there is nobody left to call upon them to show their hands4 ,at the end of the evening1 of course1 they divide the spoil4 ,these things may all appear to be very simple1 but they are extremely difficult of detection by outsiders4 ,indeed1 it is the very simplicity of collusion that constitutes the great charm of its employment1 and the great safeguard against its detection4 ,unlike manipulation1 it can be accomplished by anyone and gives far less indication of its existence4 ,the only drawback to it is that where there is a conspiracy there is always a chance of rogues falling out1 and honest men being put in possession of the truth4 ,in every kind of game1 and in every department of trickery1 collusion has been utilised as a ready means of arriving at the consummation of the sharp's desires4 ,it is seldom1 indeed1 that a scheme of any magnitude is devised without more than one person concerned in it2 and the accomplices have assumed every kind of guise1 tinkers1 tailors1 soldiers1 sailors1 waiters1 club-porters1 card-canvassers1 and even officers of justice4 ,there is no end to the disguises in which these individuals have appeared1 and apparently no limit to their ingenuity4 ,one of the most immense frauds ever perpetrated in connection with sharping1 and in which the fewest persons were concerned1 was that recorded by ,houdin4 ,at the outset it was entirely conceived and executed by one sharp alone1 although another took part in it at a later stage1 much to the disappointment of the original promoter of the scheme4 ,as this incident is of interest1 and exhibits in a striking manner the possibilities of cheating which exist at all times and in all places1 the reader shall have the benefit of its perusal4 ,although the events happened many years ago1 the story is not very well known1 and is well worthy of retelling4 ,at the date of the narrative1 ,havana1 according to the historian1 was the place most addicted to gambling of any in the world4 ,as he also observed1 that was not saying a little4 ,and it was in that haven of delight that the occurrences related took place4 ,a ,spanish sharp1 named ,bianco1 purchased in his own country a tremendous stock of playing-cards2 and1 in view of the undertaking in which he was about to embark1 he opened every one of the packs1 marked all the cards1 and sealed them up again in their wrappers4 ,this he did so skilfully that there was no evidence of the fact that the packages had ever been tampered with4 ,the stupendous feat involved in a proceeding of this kind being successfully accomplished1 the cards were shipped off to ,havana and there disposed of to the card-dealers at a ruinous sacrifice4 ,so good indeed were these cards1 and so cheap1 that in a very little while the dealers could not be induced to purchase those of any other make4 ,thus after a time there were hardly any cards circulating in the place other than those which had been falsified by ,bianco4 ,the sharp1 it may be imagined1 was not long in following upon the track of his cards2 and being a man of good address1 he contrived to obtain introductions into the best society4 ,he played everywhere1 of course1 and where he played he won4 ,hardly ever being called upon to use any cards but his own1 it is not surprising that he should rapidly acquire wealth among people whose chief recreation appeared to be gambling4 ,to avert suspicion1 however1 he was careful to complain constantly of the losses he had sustained4 ,among the various clubs in ,havana was one which was of the most exclusive kind4 ,the committee was so vigilant1 and such great precautions were taken to prevent the admission of doubtful characters1 that hitherto it had been kept free from the contamination of cheating4 ,into this club1 however1 ,bianco contrived to effect an entrance1 and carried on his operations therein with much success4 ,he was destined1 notwithstanding the zeal of the committee1 to remain alone in the field but a very short time4 ,another sharp1 a ,frenchman this time1 contrived also to obtain admission to the club2 and he1 too1 set to work to prospect the country1 thinking that he had possessed himself of a gold-mine as yet unexploited4 ,accordingly1 this second adventurer1 ,laforcade by name1 seized a favourable opportunity of appropriating a quantity of the club cards4 ,these he took home with him for the purpose of marking them1 intending to return them when marked to the stock from which they had been taken4 ,one may imagine the man's surprise upon opening the packs to find that every card had already been marked4 ,evidently1 then1 somebody had been before him1 and ,laforcade determined to find out who it could be4 ,he made inquiries as to where the cards were obtained1 and1 purchasing some at the same place1 found that these also were marked4 ,in fact1 every pack that he could procure had been tampered with in like manner4 ,here then was a gigantic swindle1 and he determined to profit by it4 ,he would let the other man do all the work1 but he would share in the profits4 ,if the other man1 whoever he might be1 would not listen to reason1 he would threaten to hand him over to the police4 ,having arrived at this decision1 he set to work to watch the play of the various members of the club1 and1 naturally1 the invariable good fortune of ,bianco could not fail to attract his attention4 ,keeping strict watch upon that gentleman's proceedings1 ,laforcade soon arrived at the conclusion that ,bianco1 and no other1 was the man of whom he was in search4 ,he therefore took an early opportunity of engaging his brother-swindler in a quiet game of cart1 whilst no other members of the club were present4 ,the game was played1 and ,bianco won1 as a matter of course4 ,then1 as usual1 the winner asked his opponent if he was satisfied1 or whether he would prefer to have his revenge in another game4 ,much to his surprise1 however1 instead of saying simply whether he preferred to play again or not1 the loser coolly rested his elbows on the table1 and regarding his adversary composedly1 gave him to understand that the entire secret of the cheerful little deception which was being practised was in his possession4 ,this1 of course1 came rather as a bomb-shell into ,bianco's camp1 and reduced him at once to a condition in which any terms of compromise would be acceptable1 in preference to exposure and imprisonment4 ,matters having arrived at this point1 ,laforcade proposed terms upon which he was willing to come to an understanding with the ,spaniard4 ,these were1 briefly1 that ,bianco should continue his system of plunder1 on condition that he handed over to his fellow-cheat one-half of the proceeds4 ,these terms were agreed to1 and upon that basis of settlement the agreement was entered into4 ,for some time after this all went well with the two swindlers4 ,laforcade established himself in luxury1 and gave his days to pleasure4 ,bianco ran all the risk2 the other had nothing to do but sit at home and receive his share of the profits4 ,it is true he could keep no check upon his associate1 to see that he divided the spoil equitably2 but1 holding the sword of ,damocles over him1 he could always threaten him with exposure if the profits were not sufficiently great4 ,at length1 however1 ,bianco began to tire of the arrangement1 which perhaps was only natural4 ,besides1 the supply of marked cards was beginning to run short1 and could not be depended upon much longer4 ,this being so1 the prime mover of the plot having won as much as he possibly could1 promptly vacated the scene of his exploits4 ,the unfortunate ,laforcade thus found himself1 as the ,americans say1 'left4' ,the prospect was not altogether a pleasant one for him4 ,he had acquired expensive tastes which he might no longer be enabled to indulge2 he had accustomed himself to luxuries he could no longer hope to enjoy4 ,he had not the skill of the departed ,bianco2 yet1 nevertheless1 he was compelled to 7metaphorically7 roll up his sleeves and work for his living4 ,things were not so bad as they might have been4 ,there was still a good number of falsified cards in use2 so he determined to make the best possible use of his opportunities while they remained4 ,he therefore set to work with ardour1 and success largely attended his efforts4 ,at last1 however1 the crash came4 ,he was detected in cheating1 and the whole secret of the marked cards was brought to light4 ,even in this unfortunate predicament ,laforcade's good-fortune1 strange to say1 did not desert him4 ,he was taken before the ,tribunal1 tried1 and acquitted4 ,absolutely nothing could be proved against him4 ,it is true the cards were marked1 but then1 so were nearly all the others in ,havana4 ,laforcade did not mark them1 as was proved in the evidence4 ,he did not import them4 ,to all intents and purposes he had nothing to do with them whatever4 ,it could not even be proved that he knew of the cards being marked at all4 ,thus the case against him broke down utterly1 and he got off scot free4 ,it is1 nevertheless1 presumable that he did not long remain in that part of the world4 ,as to what became of ,bianco1 nothing is known4 ,possibly his record concluded with the familiar words 'lived happily ever after'2 but most probably not4 ,the end of such men is seldom a happy one4 ,the recital of the above-mentioned circumstances will serve to accentuate the contention that it is impossible wholly to guard against cheating4 ,here was a case in which the utmost caution was observed1 in order to exclude cheats and impostors from a club2 and yet it is seen that1 within a very short time1 two men of the sharp persuasion contrived to effect an entrance4 ,if this is possible in the case of a club1 where there is not only a committee to investigate the bona fides of every applicant for membership1 but also a large body of members presumably alive to their own interests who have to be satisfied of the fitness of the candidates for election1 what chance has a mere private individual of protecting himself against the sharp and his insidious ways8 ,those two men1 ,bianco and ,laforcade1 must have had friends among the inhabitants of ,havana1 friends who would have been horrified to know the real character of those whose intimacy they found so agreeable4 ,among the dupes of those two adventurers there must have been some who would have resented bitterly any aspersion of the honesty of their associates4 ,we have seen the return they gained for their friendship1 and what has happened once may happen again4 ,there is only one course to pursue of which it can be said that it is absolutely safe4 ,it is an extremely objectionable one1 no doubt2 but we are speaking1 just now1 of absolute safety4 ,there is nothing for it but to suspect your best friend1 if he is a gambler4 ,the desire for gain affects equally the high and the low4 ,the instinct of theft is rife alike in rich and poor4 ,to use a colloquialism1 all are tarred with the same brush4 ,the only difference is that what is called stealing in the poor starving wretch who takes a loaf1 to save the parish the expense of a funeral1 becomes1 in the case of his more fortunate and richer fellow-sinner1 merely a little intellectual peculiarity1 which is dignified with the name of kleptomania4 ,the poor man envies the rich man his wealth2 the rich man envies the poor man his solitary ewe lamb4 ,instances of this kind have never been wanting at any time in the world's history1 and even in matters of everyday life2 but once a man becomes a gambler1 there is every prospect that his desire for gain will eventually overmaster all the finer feelings of his nature4 ,you doubt it8 ,well1 search the columns of your newspaper1 and every day you shall find at least one case where some foolish fellow has stolen property1 or money1 entrusted to his care1 and has devoted the proceeds of his theft to gambling purposes4 ,there is every reason in the world for suspecting anyone of dishonesty who is found to have taken to gambling4 ,if it is not so1 then all history lies1 and past experience counts for nothing4 ,closely allied to the subject of conspiracy is that of the maintenance of places in which gambling is systematically carried on1 in defiance of the law1 and in spite of the utmost watchfulness of the police4 ,it is true that one of the most familiar head-lines upon the newspaper placards is3 ',raid on a ,club6 ,the accused at ,bow ,street4' ,every week our attention is attracted by some announcement of that kind1 made in letters six inches high4 ,but we hardly ever give the matter a second thought2 the whole thing is too common an occurrence4 ,yet not one tithe of these gambling-dens is ferreted out4 ,crushed here to-day1 they spring up there to-morrow4 ,they are perennial4 ,like the phoenix1 they arise from their own ashes--but under another name4 ,and where the players are to be found1 there will the sharps be gathered together4 ,that is a thing which goes without saying1 and is open to no manner of doubt4 ,in these cases1 of course1 both sharps and flats are drawn together by one common bond of union--that of defeating the aim of the law for the suppression of gaming-houses4 ,the dupe merely sees in the efforts of the ,government to protect him from the consequences of his folly an unwarrantable interference with the liberty of the subject4 ,therefore1 he conspires with the sharp to run counter to the law1 and thus plays right into the hands of his natural enemy4 ,that he suffers in consequence is no one's fault but his own2 unfortunately1 it is not he alone who suffers4 ,those who are nearest1 and should be dearest1 to him are those who suffer most4 ,the devices resorted to by the occupants of clandestine gaming-houses in order to conceal all traces of the appliances used for the purpose of gambling would fill many volumes in their description1 but as they do not form part and parcel of our subject we cannot enter into an account of them4 ,probably one of the most ingenious ideas ever conceived for the immediate removal of all signs of gaming apparatus in the event of a police raid1 was that which was actually utilised at a so-called club a good many years ago4 ,the plan was briefly this4 ,upon the fire in the card-room a large kettle of water was kept constantly boiling1 ostensibly for the purpose of diluting the ardent liquors imbibed by the members4 ,the whole of the gaming utensils1 dice-boxes and everything else1 were made of one of the alloys known as fusible metals1 which melt at a lower temperature than boiling water4 ,an alloy of bismuth1 tin1 lead and cadmium can be made to melt at a far lower temperature than that of boiling water4 ,in the event of a raid being made upon the club1 then1 the whole of the appliances were put into the kettle1 where they at once melted1 and even though any one looked in the kettle during the search there was nothing to be seen4 ,it is in places of this kind where collusion and conspiracy are most rampant4 ,those who have the ability to devise methods of cheating the police may well be supposed to have sufficient ingenuity to cheat the players4 ,those who must gamble1 therefore1 should be very wary when they entrust themselves and their money to the tender mercies of the society encountered at such resorts4 ,with this word of caution we will bring the present chapter to a conclusion4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,game ,,of ,,faro ,faro may almost be said to occupy in ,america the position of a national game4 ,the methods of cheating used in connection with it are so numerous and so ingenious that it becomes really necessary to devote an entire chapter specially to them4 ,since there are parts of the world1 however1 outside ,america where the game is little known1 and since it is necessary that the reader should understand something of it to enable him to follow the explanations1 the first step must be to give some little idea of the nature of the game and the manner in which it is played4 ,the following paragraphs1 then1 will contain a brief description of its salient features1 and also of the apparatus or tools which are required in playing it4 ,we will commence with the accessories first4 ,these are3 7#a7 the faro-box1 7#b7 the check-rack1 7#c7 the cue-keeper1 7#d7 cue-cards1 7#e7 the shuffling-board1 7#f7 the layout1 and 7#g7 the faro-table4 ,these1 together with a pack of playing-cards1 constitute the apparatus employed4 ,let us take the various items in their order as given4 #a4 ,the faro-box4--,this is a metal box in which the cards are placed1 face upwards1 and from which they are dealt one at a time4 ,fig4 #cg illustrates the back view of such a dealing-box4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cg4 ,it will be seen that the box is open at the back1 and cut away at the top sufficiently to allow a large portion of the face of the top card to be visible4 ,the plate forming the top overlaps the front side about one-eighth of an inch1 and below its front edge is a slit1 only just sufficiently wide to allow one card at a time to be pushed out1 so that the cards are bound to be dealt one by one1 and in the order they occupy in the pack4 ,they are slipped out by the thumb1 which presses upon them through the aperture in the top plate4 ,the cards are inserted through the back1 and constantly pressed upwards by a movable plate or partition1 below which are springs sufficiently strong for the purpose4 ,it is presumable that the object of this box is to prevent any possibility of the cards being tampered with4 ,that it not only can be made to fail in this purpose1 but also to play directly into the hands of the cheat1 we shall see later on4 #b4 ,the check-rack4--,this is a polished wooden tray1 lined with billiard-cloth4 ,it is used by the dealer1 to contain his piles of counters and his money4 ,it stands at his left hand1 upon the faro-table1 during play4 #c4 ,the cue-keeper1 or cue-box4--,this is a piece of apparatus used for the purpose of recording the cards as they are played1 and is under the control of a man who is specially told off to attend to it4 ,by its means at any stage of the game the players can see at a glance what cards have already been played1 and what remain in the pack4 ,it is constructed upon the principle of the ancient 'abacus' or 'obolus1' and consists of a framework of wood1 supporting thirteen wires1 upon each of which slide four small balls 7fig4 #ch74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ch4 ,opposite each wire there is attached to the framework a miniature reproduction of one of the cards of a suit4 ,in faro1 as in poker1 the suit of any card is of no importance4 ,for all practical purposes the pack may be considered as consisting simply of four aces1 four kings1 four queens1 and so on4 ,therefore1 no record is kept of the suits of the cards which have been played1 but only of their values4 ,the position of the balls at the commencement of the game is at the left hand side of their respective divisions1 as shown in the illustration4 ,when a king1 for example1 is drawn out of the box1 one ball1 opposite the miniature king on the cue-keeper1 is slipped to the right1 and so on until all the fifty-two cards have been played1 when1 of course1 the whole of the balls are at the right of the apparatus4 ,the person who registers the progress of the game with this accessory is styled the 'case-keeper4' #d4 ,cue-cards4--,these are small cards upon which are printed the names of the thirteen cards1 a space being left opposite each name1 for the purpose of enabling the players to check off the cards as they are played4 ,they are sometimes used in place of a case-keeper2 but1 even where a case-keeper is employed1 they are utilised by the players for recording the winning and losing cards4 ,any card which wins is marked with a cross1 and one which loses is marked with a nought4 ,fig4 #ci represents a cue-card which has been partially filled up in this way1 and the cards which have been played so far1 it will be noticed1 are readily distinguishable4 ,the cards lost are two queens1 two nines1 two sevens1 and three sixes4 ,besides showing what cards have been lost and won1 the cue-card also tells what cards have yet to be played4 ,thus1 at the stage of the game indicated in fig4 #ci1 there are still remaining in the dealing-box one queen1 one nine1 three eights1 two sevens1 two fives1 four fours1 and three twos4 ,this convenient record prevents the possibility of a player betting upon cards which have already been played4 ,illustration3 ------------------------------- ,ace ,eight ,king ,seven #j #j ,queen #j #j ,six #j #j #j ,knave ,five ,ten ,four ,nine #j #j ,three ,two ------------------------------- ,,fig4 #ci4 ,the case-keeper and cue-cards were primarily introduced with the object of keeping a check upon the dealer1 and of preventing him from using a pack containing more than fifty-two cards1 or in which there was not the right number of each value4 ,we shall see presently how he manages to get over that difficulty4 #e4 ,the shuffling-board4--,this is a thin slab of wood or metal1 covered with billiard-cloth4 ,it stands in front of the dealer1 and upon it are placed the faro-box and the piles of winning and losing cards4 ,it is upon this board1 also1 that the cards are shuffled2 hence its name4 #f4 ,the layout4--,the designation of this adjunct to the game is derived from the fact that it forms that part of the table upon which the players 'lay out' their stakes4 ,usually it is a green cloth1 having painted upon it a representation of the thirteen cards of one suit 7see diagram of the faro-table1 fig4 #dj74 #g4 ,the faro-table4--,this is simply an oblong table1 having a recess or cavity cut out in the centre of one of the long sides4 ,in this recess the dealer sits1 being thus enabled to be as near to the layout as possible1 and at the same time to have all his appliances within easy reach4 ,fig4 #dj will give the reader a clear idea of the relative positions occupied by the dealer1 the players1 and the various component items of the apparatus4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #dj4--,the ,faro-,table4 ,a1 shuffling-board4 ,b1 faro-box4 ,c1 pile of losing cards4 ,d1 pile of winning cards4 ,e1 check-tray4 ,f1 case-keeper4 ,g1 layout4 ,h1 dealer4 ,i1 ,i1 ,i1 ,i1 ,i1 players4 ,the appliances above described being available1 the game is played in the following manner3-- ,at the termination of a deal the cards are all lying face upwards upon the shuffling-board in two heaps at ',c' and ',d1' and the faro-box is empty4 ,without taking the cards off the table1 but simply turning them back upwards1 the dealer mixes the two heaps together4 ,the pack is then cut and placed with the faces of the cards upwards in the dealing-box4 ,the players then stake their money1 placing their stakes upon the layout over the card which they think will win4 ,each player1 of course1 may select any card he pleases1 irrespective of the fact that another player may choose to bet upon the same card4 ,in fact1 they can all back the same card if they like4 ,this1 however1 is a case which is rather rare1 anyhow at the outset of a game4 ,meanwhile the top card of the pack has all along been visible to the players1 through the aperture in the top of the box4 ,this card1 therefore1 counts for nothing1 and no bets can be made with respect to it4 ,from the top card downwards1 the cards alternately win for the players and the 'bank1' or dealer4 ,the second card1 then1 when displayed will win for the players4 ,all the bets having been made1 the dealer draws off the top card and discloses the face of the second4 ,the top card is placed upon the shuffling-board in the position indicated by ',c' 7fig4 #dj71 and those players who have staked their money upon the card in the layout which corresponds in value to the card which is now seen through the window of the dealing-box will have to receive from the dealer the amount of their stakes4 ,if no player has bet upon that card the dealer of course has to pay nothing4 ,the dealer has now to draw off another card from the box and display the face of the third4 ,as explained above1 this card will win for the bank4 ,the second card is therefore drawn off1 and placed upon the shuffling-board at ',d1' and the players who have staked their money upon the card representing the one which is now visible will lose their stakes to the dealer4 ,the two cards thus played constitute what is called a 'turn4' ,after each turn the dealer pays the money he has lost and receives what he has won4 ,all money staked upon cards other than those which have either won or lost remains undisturbed upon the layout4 ,the players are then at liberty to rearrange their bets in any manner they may think fit1 and the game continues4 ,again the top card is removed from the box1 revealing a fourth1 and placed upon the card already at ',c4' ,as before1 those who have staked upon the card now showing in the box receive the amount of their bets in due course4 ,and so on until no more cards remain in the box4 ,there is one advantage enjoyed by the dealer in which the other players do not participate4 ,when it so happens that both cards of a 'turn' are of the same value1 both kings1 for instance1 such an occurrence is termed a 'split1' and a split means that the bank loses nothing1 but1 on the contrary1 takes half the money1 if any1 which is lying upon the card of that value in the layout4 ,this advantage or refait gives the bank a preponderance of the chances to the amount of about three per cent4 ,the above is the simplest form of the game2 but1 in reality1 it is usually played in a more complicated manner4 ,for instance1 the players can 'string their bets'2 that is to say1 they can bet on more than one card at a time4 ,a counter placed between any two cards signifies backing either of the two cards to win1 and then the player will win if either of those cards wins1 or lose if either loses1 and so on4 ,a single counter may be so placed as to back all the high cards to win1 and the low ones to lose1 or vice versa4 ,by 'coppering1' or1 in other words1 placing a special counter called a 'copper1' upon his stake1 a player can bet that any card will lose instead of win4 ,with this short explanation of the game1 we will proceed to consider the various methods of cheating at faro4 ,the swindling which is practised in connection with this game1 and for which it affords ample scope1 may be divided into two kinds4 ,firstly1 where the players cheat the bank2 and secondly1 where the bank cheats the players4 ,this latter class may again be considered under two heads1 viz4 cheating with fair cards and fair boxes1 and cheating by means of prepared cards and mechanical arrangements connected with the faro-box and other appliances of the game4 ,we will take1 first of all1 the methods employed by the players to cheat the bank4 ,this is done where the players are professional sharps who have contrived to 'put up a mug' 7i4e4 to persuade a dupe7 to take the bank4 ,the general practice is for one of the conspirators to have a room of his own laid out for the game1 and into this very private room the victim is decoyed4 ,in a case of this kind the 'rig is worked1' or in other words the swindle is perpetrated1 by means of a dealing-box1 so constructed as to enable the players to know what cards will win for them1 and what will win for the bank4 ,with this knowledge they run no risk of staking their money on the wrong cards4 ,the contrivances for effecting this desirable result are known as 'tell-boxes4' ,broadly speaking1 these are of two kinds1 the 'sand-tell' and the 'needle-tell4' ,the sand-tell box is so called because it is used in conjunction with prepared cards1 which have been 'sanded' or roughened on one side1 or both sides1 as the case may be4#i ,the cards which are intended to 'tell' are left smooth on their faces2 all the others are slightly roughened on both sides4 ,the effect of this mode of preparation is that1 whilst the cards which are roughened on both sides will tend to cling together1 any card which lies immediately upon the smooth face of a 'tell-card' will slip easily4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #da4 ,the box with which these cards are used is shown in fig4 #da1 which represents a section taken through the centre of the box1 from top to bottom4 ,referring to ',a' in the illustration1 s1 s are two of the springs which press upwards upon the partition p1 this in turn keeping the cards tightly pressed against the top of the box1 in which the aperture or window w is cut4 ,these details are of course common to all dealing-boxes1 as already explained4 ,the trickery1 however1 in this instance is in connection with the front side of the box4 ,instead of being of an equal thickness all round1 the front is made double4 ,that is to say1 an additional plate of metal is put inside the box1 covering the whole of the front plate1 except that it does not reach the top by the thickness of two cards4 ',b' in the illustration represents an enlarged sectional view of the mouth of the box4 ,the additional plate is shown at a2 b is the normal thickness of the front1 and c is the slit through which the cards are pushed out4 ,the prepared cards being put into a box of this description1 the effect produced in dealing is as follows4 ,if the third card from the top is one of those which has been roughened on both sides1 the second card will adhere to it2 consequently the act of drawing off the top card will not cause the second to alter its position in the box4 ,if1 however1 the third card should happen to be one of the tell-cards1 whose face has been left smooth1 the top card will draw the second one a little distance to the right over the top of the plate a4 ,the second card1 however1 cannot be drawn right out1 because the slit c is not wide enough to allow more than one card to pass at a time4 ,it is obvious1 then1 that if the players have some means of knowing whether the second card moves or not1 they can tell whether the card immediately underneath it is a tell-card or the reverse4 ,on reference to the illustration it will be manifest that the actual distance moved by the second card when drawn aside in this way can only be very slight4 ,indeed1 it would not do to allow of much movement1 or the dealer might notice it4 ,therefore1 special means have to be adopted to enable the sharps to detect the small difference in the position of the cards4 ,the necessary indication is readily obtained by means of what are known as 'sighters4' ,these are simply minute dots upon the faces of the cards4 ,upon each card one of these dots is placed1 in such a position that when the card comes to the top the dot will be close to the edge of the aperture1 but if the one below it is a smooth or tell-card1 the slipping sideways of the card brings the dot away from the edge1 and it appears farther to the centre of the opening4 ,fig4 #db is a diagram representing the top of a sand-tell box under both conditions4 ,the dot marked m is the sight4 ,in practice1 it is much finer than here shown1 being in fact only just visible4 ',a' indicates the position of the dot when the card below happens to be one which has been roughened4 ',b' shows the card drawn to one side1 bringing the dot away from the edge1 thus intimating the fact that the card immediately underneath is a tell-card1 the face of which has been left smooth4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #db4 ,the general practice is to make all the court cards 'tell4' ,the advantage thus gained is that it is not necessary to bet on any particular card1 but simply to back the high cards to win and the low ones to lose1 or vice versa4 ,this is not so liable to cause suspicion as having all the aces1 for instance1 to tell4 ,in a case of this latter kind1 the slipping of the card would indicate that the next card to be revealed would be an ace2 therefore1 if the conspirators are to win1 at least one of them must bet upon an ace turning up4 ,whereas1 if all the picture cards are made to tell1 not only are there more tell-cards in the pack1 but it is only necessary for one player to bet upon the high cards generally4 ,the box simply tells them that a high card will show next1 and they make their bets accordingly4 ,of course1 it would never do for all the players to stake their money alike4 ,that would let the cat out of the bag1 with a vengeance4 ,no2 if the next card is to be a high card1 one of them will bet upon the high cards2 the others will bet upon particular small cards1 avoiding the high ones4 ,they cannot possibly lose on the next card1 because they know that it is not one of the low cards which comes next4 ,it will be remembered that1 in the description given of the game1 we saw that the bets are made just before the dealing out of each pair of cards or 'turn4' ,therefore the indication given by the tell-box is only of use to the players before a turn commences1 that is to say1 before the first card of the pair is shown4 ,they cannot change their bets until the second card of the pair is shown and the turn is played4 ,therefore1 supposing the box indicates that the first card of the next turn1 the one that wins for the players1 is a court card1 and that one of the players has consequently backed the high cards1 the others must be careful how they arrange their bets4 ,it may happen that one of them has put his money upon a card which will be the next to turn up2 and this being the one which wins for the bank1 that stake will be lost4 ,therefore1 they have to arrange matters so that the highest stake which can possibly be won by the dealer is less than that of the player who has staked his money upon the card or cards which they know will win on the first draw4 ,or it may be that the other players will 'copper' their bets upon the low cards and thus play for absolute safety4 ,these manoeuvres are necessary1 and are here pointed out because they may be of assistance as a guide to the investigation of suspected cases of cheating by the means just described4 ,if it should be found that1 in a game of faro1 it constantly happens that one of the players--not necessarily the same player--always wins on the first card of a turn1 and that on the second card the others either do not lose at all1 or1 at any rate1 that the amount which either of them loses is less than that which the other has won1 it may be safely inferred that cheating is in progress4 ,the second kind of tell-box1 which is used for the same purpose as that we have just investigated1 we have already referred to as the 'needle-tell4' ,this box is also used with prepared cards1 but the preparation is of a very different kind4 ,in this instance there is no roughening of the surfaces of the cards1 but those which are required to tell are cut to a slightly different shape to the others4 ,in some respects the needle is an improvement upon the sand-tell2 the cards are more easily shuffled than is the case with the 'sanded' ones1 the clinging of which might arouse suspicion with an intelligent dealer4 ,the dealing-box1 however1 is more complicated in its construction4 ,the tell-cards are cut with a slight projection at one end4 ,fig4 #dc will give an idea of the exact shape4 ,the projecting end will be noticed at a4 ,needless to say1 in the cards actually used the defect in the card would not be more pronounced than is absolutely necessary4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #dc4 ,the dealing-box is so constructed that when either of the tell-cards arrives at a certain position 7usually the fourth or eighth card from the top7 the projecting corner presses against a light spring and causes a little 'needle' or point to project from the side of the box4 ,frequently one of the rivets with which the box is put together is made to push out a little4 ,whatever the index may be1 however1 it does not move sufficiently to attract attention4 ,it is only those who are looking for it who know when it 'tells4' ,a movement of one thirty-second of an inch is ample for the sharp eyes of the swindlers to detect4 ,the mechanism of the needle-tell1 however1 is not used solely in connection with cases where the players cheat the bank1 it also forms a very necessary accessory to the 'two-card' box to be presently explained4 ,then it is used to let the dealer know when he is coming to the 'odd1' or fifty-third card4 ,having thus elucidated the comparatively simple methods used to cheat the dealer1 we now proceed to investigate the more complex devices employed in those cases where the bank cheats the players4 ,as stated in the earlier part of this chapter1 the players may be swindled either with fair cards and a fair dealing-box1 or by means of mechanical appliances4 ,when the dealer elects to cheat without the use of mechanism1 he is1 of course1 compelled to resort to manipulation1 and to 'put up' the cards in such a way that they will help him to win4 ,the reader will doubtless remember that in the description of the game 'splits' were mentioned as winning for the dealer4 ,that is1 when both cards of a turn are of the same value1 the dealer takes half the money staked on the card which has split1 or turned up twice in succession1 the suits1 of course1 not counting4 ,it is obvious1 then1 that if the dealer in shuffling the pack can contrive to put up a number of cards in pairs of the same value1 his chances of winning are greatly enhanced4 ,splits1 therefore1 are the stronghold of the faro dealer's manipulation4 ,if he can only make them plentiful enough without leading the players to suspect anything wrong1 he is bound to win in the long run1 and to win plenty4 ,whilst dealing out the cards in the first game1 the dealer determines in his own mind what cards he will make split in the second game4 ,we will suppose he has just drawn a nine from the box1 and that this card has to go into pile ',c' 7fig4 #dj74 ,now1 by the laws of the game he is bound to place this card upon the top of the pile to which it belongs1 therefore he does so4 ,he may1 however1 with apparent carelessness1 place it just a little on one side1 so that he can distinguish it from the other cards4 ,he now waits for the appearance of another nine1 and this time one which will have to go into the other pile1 ',d4' ,this one is disposed in the same manner4 ,he has in sight1 therefore1 two cards of the same value1 and if these two cards can be brought together during the shuffle1 they will constitute a split4 ,seizing a favourable opportunity in evening up the two piles of cards1 he may skilfully 'strip' the two nines--that is1 draw them out from the others and place them at the bottom of their respective piles4 ,there is no fear of losing them now2 they are always to hand when required4 ,it is not necessary1 however1 that the cards should be put at the bottom4 ,so long as they are each in the same position1 in the pile to which they respectively belong1 that is all the dealer needs4 ,suppose the ninth card from the bottom of pile ',c' to be a king1 all the man wants is to have the ninth card of pile ',d' a king also4 ,if1 therefore1 the ninth card of that heap is placed a little to one side1 and all the succeeding cards are put above it in like manner1 that will leave a division in the pile1 into which a king can be stripped at a convenient moment4 ,if the players are sufficiently lax to allow the dealer to throw the cards carelessly into two heaps1 instead of making two even piles1 the case is1 of course1 much simplified4 ,he has only to put the cards directly at the bottom or wherever else he may desire to have them4 ,given the fact of certain cards having been placed in pairs1 one of each pair in the same position within its pile1 the problem which presents itself for solution is1 ,how can the dealer shuffle the two piles one into the other1 so as to bring the proper cards together8 ,in short1 ,how are the splits put up8 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #dd4 ,this is accomplished by means of what is called the 'faro dealer's shuffle4' ,it must not be thought that this manipulative device is essentially a trick for cheating2 on the contrary1 it is an exceedingly fair and honest shuffle1 provided that there has been no previous arrangement of the cards4 ,by its use1 a pack which has been divided into two equal portions may have all the cards of one half placed alternately with those of the other half at one operation4 ,in faro1 the manner of dealing the cards necessarily divides them into two equal parts4 ,this being the case1 they are taken up by the dealer1 one in each hand4 ,holding them by the ends1 he presses the two halves together so as to bend them somewhat after the manner shown in fig4 #dd1 in the position ',a4' ,the halves are now 'wriggled' from side to side in opposite directions1 with what would be called in mechanism a 'laterally reciprocating motion4' ,this causes the cards to fly up one by one1 from either side alternately1 as indicated in the figure at ',b4' ,thus it is evident that those cards which have been placed1 with malice aforethought1 in corresponding positions in the two piles1 will come together in a shuffle of this kind1 and form splits4 ,this shuffle is a very difficult one to learn2 but with practice and patience it can be accomplished1 and the cards can be made to fly up alternately1 without any chance of failure4 ,a dealer1 skilled in the devices we have just touched upon1 can put up four or five splits in one deal1 if he thinks it advisable so to do4 ,by the use of such means he is also enabled to arrange the cards so as to checkmate any player who may appear to be following some particular system of betting4 ,finding that the players are1 on the whole1 inclined to back the high cards1 the dealer may so arrange the pack that the low cards only win for them1 the high ones falling to the bank4 ,in this1 however1 he runs a great risk4 ,it may happen that the players1 finding themselves constantly losing on the high cards1 may alter their mode of play1 and back the low ones4 ,that would be bad for the bank unless the dealer had a mechanical box which enabled him to alter the run of the cards4 ,such boxes1 however1 are obtainable2 and their description is included in the branch of our subject which treats of cheating the players by means of mechanical contrivances1 and to which we now proceed4 ,in cases where the dealer uses apparatus for cheating1 his requirements are three in number4 ,firstly1 he must have what is known as a 'two-card' dealing-box1 that is1 a box which will allow him1 whenever he pleases1 to withdraw two cards at one time1 instead of compelling him to deal them singly4 ,secondly1 he must have an 'odd1' or fifty-third card4 ,lastly1 he requires a mechanical shuffling-board1 which adds the 'odd' to the pack1 after the cards have been counted at the commencement of the game4 ,the two-card box is one of the most expensive cheating tools a sharp can use4 ,the prices charged for them are something exorbitant1 as may be seen on reference to the catalogues4 ,to be of any use1 however1 they must be well-made1 and then they will earn their cost in a very little time4 ,badly-made1 the sharp would find that1 however cheap they appeared to be1 they would really be the most expensive and ruinous contrivances he had ever known4 ,they are made in many varieties1 and known by as many poetic names1 but the effect is the same in all cases4 ,pressure being applied to some part of the box1 the mouth is caused to open sufficiently wide to allow two cards to be drawn out together4 ,the best boxes are those high-priced commodities of which the catalogues say that they will 'lock up to a square box4' ,this does not mean a rectangular box1 but a box that will bear examination4 ',fair' and 'square1' in this instance1 mean the same thing4 ,the only fault in the description is that the box1 being false1 cannot possibly become genuine with any amount of locking4 ,it should be said that when locked it appears to be genuine1 and may be examined without fear of the trick being detected4 ,some boxes are made to lock by sliding them along the table4 ,the bottom moves a little1 this movement serving to fix all the movable parts4 ,some are so arranged that they are always locked4 ,that is their normal condition1 so they can be examined at any time4 ,when it is required to widen the mouth and allow two cards to pass out together1 a small piece of wire1 or 'needle' as it is called1 is made to rise out of the shuffling-board or table2 this1 pressing against one of the rivets1 or into a little hole in the bottom of the box1 unlocks the mechanism for the moment4 ,another form of the two-card box is one which has the bottom plate made of very thin metal1 the 'springing in' of which1 when pressed upon in the centre1 unlocks the 'fake4' ,some of the forms which unlock by sliding on the table are the most complicated1 requiring sometimes three movements to free the working parts and allow the slit to widen4 ,the movements1 of course1 have to follow in proper succession1 as in any other kind of combination-lock4 ,this prevents any accidental unlocking of the box whilst it is in the hands of strangers4#aj ,at the beginning of the game1 then1 the cards are counted to make sure that there are the proper number1 and we will suppose that the dealing-box is a two-card with needle-tell attachment4 ,one of the cards in the pack1 therefore1 will be cut with the projecting corner4 ,we will suppose it to be the king of diamonds4 ,another king of diamonds1 also cut to 'tell1' is held out in the mechanical shuffling-board4 ,whilst shuffling the cards1 the dealer causes the holdout to add the 'odd' card to the pack4 ,thus there are two kings of diamonds in use4 ,the cards being put into the dealing-box the game begins4 ,the dealer keeps his eye upon the needle-tell1 and meanwhile unlocks the mechanism of his box2 that is1 if it is made to lock1 which is not necessarily the case1 although safer4 ,when the needle indicates the fact that one of the duplicate cards--in this case a king of diamonds--is immediately below the top card in the box1 the dealer has to be guided by circumstances4 ,if the card will win for him1 well and good4 ,he deals the cards as they should be dealt and the king falls to him4 ,it is evident that it would never do to have two kings of diamonds turn up in the game1 the cue-keeper and cue-cards would record five kings4 ,so the dealer still watches the needle1 and when he finds that the second king of diamonds is the top card but one1 he exerts the necessary pressure upon the box to widen the slit4 ,then1 instead of withdrawing only one card two are passed out together1 and placed as one upon one of the piles4 ,this squares accounts with the case-keeper4 ,it may happen1 of course1 that when the first of the tell-cards comes to the top it would lose for the dealer4 ,in that case he would work the 'squeeze1' and deal out the odd card with the one above it4 ,then he has to take his chance with the second of the duplicates1 and the game becomes simply what it would be if honestly played4 ,the advantage to the dealer resulting from the employment of the 'odd' is that it provides him with the means of winning1 or at the worst prevents him from losing on one turn of the deal4 ,this may not seem very much1 but added to the chances of splits turning up it really means a great deal4 ,when the dealer is a proficient in sleight-of-hand he will carefully note the line of play adopted by certain 'fat' players1 or1 as the unenlightened would say1 players who bet heavily4 ,during the next shuffle he will put up the cards so as to cause these 'fat' men to lose1 and somewhere about the middle of the pack he will place the 'odd4' ,or it may be he will so arrange matters that the shuffle and the cut will bring one of the duplicate cards about a third of the way down the pack and the other a third of the distance from the other end4 ,thus he will have two opportunities of withdrawing two cards at once1 either of which he can use as may suit him best4 ,supposing that hitherto the heaviest betting has been on the high cards1 the dealer will put up the pack in such a way that only the low ones win for the players4 ,that is to say1 the cards will come out alternately high and low1 the high ones falling to the bank4 ,as the game proceeds the first of the tell-cards by degrees comes nearer and nearer the top1 and the dealer looks out for the needle-tell to indicate its approach4 ,by this time1 perhaps1 the players may have noticed that the high cards are losing1 and therefore may have altered their play1 betting now upon the low cards4 ,if this is so1 the bank will begin to lose1 but not for long4 ,when the tell-card has become the second from the top the dealer manipulates the two-card device and draws out two cards at once4 ,the run of the game is now altered4 ,the cards still come out alternately high and low1 but the high cards now go to the players4 ,as they have taken to betting on the low ones they lose in consequence4 ,if1 however1 the players show no signs of changing their mode of betting when the first tell-card nears the top1 the dealer does not alter the run of the cards1 but goes straight on4 ,when he comes to the second duplicate card he must deal out two at once1 or the 'odd' would be discovered4 ,the cases given above are put in the simplest form1 for clearness2 but it must not be imagined that anyone investigating a suspected case of cheating would find the cards arranged to come out always high and low alternately4 ,the dealer knows better than to risk anything of that kind4 ,he would be caught directly4 ,the cards are merely put up in a general sort of way1 so as to give a preponderance in one direction or the other2 the dealer being at liberty to alter the general run of the cards at either of the two duplicates4 ,of course he might even have two extra cards in the pack1 these and their duplicates being tell-cards4 ,that would give him a choice of two out of four opportunities of altering the run2 but the more devices he employs the greater the chances of detection4 ,one turn in the deal is plenty4 ,it gives the dealer all the opportunities he needs2 and in the long run he is bound to win4 ,it is said that in some 'skin' houses in ,new ,york decks of #ed1 #ee1 or even #ef cards are frequently played on soft gamblers4 ,it is possible for the dealer and players alike to be in a general conspiracy to cheat the bank4 ,the dealer is not necessarily the banker4 ,the bank may be found by anyone2 the proprietor of the gambling saloon1 for instance4 ,but a dealer would be very foolish to cheat his employer4 ,in a private game1 if a dupe can be put up to find the bank in money1 that is all right for the sharps4 ,they are1 one and all1 at liberty to go in and win--and they do4 ,the reader may be interested in knowing that in ,america some of the dealers who are employed by proprietors of gambling houses1 or saloons as they are called1 will demand a salary of four or five thousand dollars4 ,it is said that a very expert dealer is worth that amount per annum1 and that he can get it4 ,it strikes one as being a somewhat high rate of pay for a man whose sole duty is to shuffle and deal out cards for a few hours a day1 if that is his sole duty4 ,suspicious persons--and there are a few such in the world--might be tempted to believe that there is more in the dealer's duties than meets the eye1 and a 'darned sight' more4 ,whatever opinion may be entertained upon the subject1 we can all join1 at any rate1 in hoping for the best1 and in praying for the bettor4 ,though when a man is idiot enough to lose his money1 as some do day after day1 in a game where his own common sense ought to tell him that he stands every chance of being cheated1 he may be looked upon as a hopeless case4 ,there is nothing that will ever knock intelligence into him1 or his gambling propensities out of him4 ,the only system of treatment that could be expected to do him any good would be a lengthened course of strait-waistcoat1 to be repeated with additions upon any sign of a recurrence of the malady4 ,two or three years ago an ,englishman won #e1jjjl4 in one year at the ,cape1 in a sort of rough-and-tumble game of faro4 ,he ran the bank without either cue-cards or case-keeper1 and also without a dealing-box1 as in the prehistoric times in ,america before the losses experienced by those who 'bucked against the tiger' forced these implements into use4 ,he dealt the cards out of his hand4 ,the miners played against him for gold-dust and he nearly always won4 ,his operations were of the most primitive kind4 ,he simply had a lot of packs of cards1 apparently new1 but which had been opened and arranged4 ,some were packed for the high cards to win2 some for the low ones4 ,he would take a pack down1 give it a false shuffle and begin to deal it4 ,if he wanted to alter the run of the cards1 he could at any time do so by merely dropping the top card on the floor4 ,this he did very cleverly1 and nobody noticed it1 because the floor was always littered with used cards4 ,having no case-keeper to record the game1 the missing cards were never missed4 ,what about the poor miners8 ,well1 they must have been flats if their equilibrium remained undisturbed through a lively game such as that4 ,they deserved to lose all that the dealer won4 ,this sharp is now in ,england 'mug-hunting4' ,he is at present acting as bear-leader to a young man who has just come into #a1gjjl4 a year4 ,he makes most of his living at 'lumbering' and 'telling the tale1' and his stronghold is the bottom deal4 ,the writer has great pleasure in acknowledging his indebtedness to him for much of the information as to the methods of the common ,english sharp4 ,he is a swindler1 but a most agreeable and gentlemanly one4 ,this ,faro is a hard-hearted monarch whose constant delight appears to be a slaughter of the innocents2 though one can hardly suppose that his victims are often the heirs male of ,israel4 ,be that as it may1 however1 ,faro's victims can hardly hope for succour from a daughter of ,faro1 for his only offspring are greed and fraud4 ,and those who bow the head and bend the knee to ,faro are simply ministering to these two1 his children4 ,those who waste their substance on ,faro are merely forging fetters for their own limbs1 and giving themselves body and soul to a taskmaster from whose thraldom they will find it difficult to escape4 ,to descend from metaphor to matter of fact1 there is no game which gives freer rein to the passion of gambling than faro4 ,there is no game in which money is lost and won more readily4 ,above all1 there is no game in which the opportunities of cheating are more numerous or more varied4 ,if these are qualities which can recommend it to a man of common sense1 call me a gambler4 ,,footnotes3 #i ,see ,chapter ,,ix4--',prepared ,cards4' #aj ,see reprint of dealer's advertisement1 p4 #cjj4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,prepared ,,cards ,although1 in the course of our previous wanderings among what may be aptly described as ',the ,groves of ,blarney1' we have already encountered many examples of the various preparations used by the dwellers therein to add new beauties to their everyday requisites1 there still remain some to be investigated4 ,these philosophers1 in searching for their form of the universal 'alkahest1' which turns everything they touch to gold1 have contrived to learn many things1 besides those we have already looked into4 ,it behoves us1 therefore1 to follow in their footsteps as far as may be2 and1 before finally quitting the subject of playing-cards1 to complete our information respecting these beautiful and--to the sharp--useful appliances4 ,we have seen how much may be accomplished by means of judicious preparation of the cards4 ,that is not a discovery which can be ascribed to the present generation of sinners1 or the last1 or the one before that4 ,no man can say when preparation was first 'on the cards4' ,some of the devices contained in this chapter are as old as the hills2 others are of a more recent date2 but1 old or new1 this book would be incomplete without some description of them4 ,the very oldest are sometimes used even now1 in out-of-the-way corners of the world1 and among people who are possessors of that ignorance of sharping which is not bliss1 at least if they happen to be gamblers4 ,one of the oldest methods of preparing cards for the purposes of cheating was by cutting them to various shapes and sizes4 ,that this plan is still adopted the reader already knows4 ,we have now to consider the means whereby the sharp is enabled to alter the form of the cards in any way he pleases1 with neatness and accuracy4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #de4 ,the most primitive appliance used for the purpose is what is now known as a 'stripper-plate4' ,it consists of two steel bars1 bolted together at each end1 the length between the bolts being ample to allow a playing-card to be inserted lengthwise between the bars1 and screwed up tightly4 ,fig4 #de illustrates a device of this kind1 with a card in situ1 ready for cutting4 ,across the centre of the top plate a slight groove is filed1 to facilitate the insertion of the card in a truly central position4 ,the edges of the two plates or bars are perfectly smooth1 and are formed so as to give the required curve to the card when cut4 ,in the illustration1 the side of the card when cut would become concave4 ,the cutting is managed by simply running a sharp knife or razor along the side of the arrangement4 ,this takes off a thin shred of the card1 and1 guided by the steel plates1 the cut is clean and the edge of the card is in no danger of becoming jagged4 ,the most modern appliance of this kind1 however1 will be found quoted in one of the catalogues under the name of 'trimming-shears4' ,these shears are not necessarily cheating-tools2 they are largely used to trim the edges of faro-cards1 which will not pass through the dealing-box if they are damaged4 ,the shears for cleaning up cards in a genuine manner1 however1 are only required to cut them rectangularly4 ,in the case of those used for swindling they must cut at any desired angle4 ,these shears consist of an oblong block of wood1 into which a steel bar is sunk along one edge1 carrying a bracket which supports the cutting-blade1 working on a pivot at one end 7fig4 #df74 ,the edge of the steel bar and the blade which works in close contact with it form respectively the lower and upper halves of the shears4 ,upon the upper surface of the wooden block two guide-plates are fixed1 by means of thumb-screws4 ,these plates are adjustable to any angle within certain limits1 and are for the purpose of holding the cards in position whilst being cut4 ,the guide-plates being set at the necessary angle1 the card about to be cut is pressed against them with the left hand1 whilst the right brings down the knife1 and cuts off one edge4 ,fig4 #df shows a card in the act of being cut4 ,each card being held against the guides while cutting1 uniformity of the whole is secured4 ,when one side of each card has had a shaving taken off1 if it is desired to trim the opposite side as well1 the guides are adjusted to give the required width1 and a second cut is taken4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #df4 ,shears of this kind1 of course1 will not cut the sides of the cards concave2 but a very good substitute for convex sides may be made by taking two cuts on each side1 at a very slight angle one to the other1 taking more off the corners than in the centre4 ,there is no need to impress upon the reader that the defective form of the card is not made sufficiently pronounced to be noticeable4 ,the two cuts do not meet in the middle to form a point2 the apex of the angle1 so to speak1 is cut off1 leaving the central portion of the side flat1 and square with the ends of the card4 ,square-cornered playing-cards of course will show no signs of having been trimmed in this way2 but those with round corners are bound to do so1 however slight a shaving may have been removed from the side4 ,in trimming these for cheating1 therefore1 the sharp has to employ1 in addition to the shears1 what is called a 'round-corner cutter4' ,this is an instrument which restores the circular form of the corners1 which otherwise would show the point at which the shears cut through them4 ,it is simply a sort of punch1 which cuts the corners1 one at a time1 into their original shape1 and gives them their proper curve4 ,so much1 then1 for the tools4 ,we have next to consider the various forms given to the cards1 and the uses to which they are put when thus prepared4 ,the simplest device connected with cards which have been trimmed is that known as the 'large card4' ,as its name implies1 it is a card which is left slightly larger than the rest of the pack4 ,all the others are trimmed down1 either slightly narrower or shorter1 or smaller altogether4 ,this is a very primitive dodge1 and one seldom resorted to1 in the ordinary way1 nowadays4 ,its object is to give the sharp either a ready means of forcing the cut at a given point in the pack1 or of making the pass at that point1 if the cut does not happen to be made in the right place4 ,the cards being manipulated so as to arrange them according to some particular system1 the large card is placed at the bottom1 and then the pack is divided at about the middle1 and the top half put underneath4 ,the pack is straightened1 and laid on the table to be cut4 ,not suspecting any trickery1 it is almost certain that the dupe1 in cutting1 will seize hold of the large card1 which is now in the centre of the pack1 and cut at that point4 ,this brings the cards again into the positions they occupied relatively at first4 ,if the cut1 however1 should not happen to be made at the 'large1' the sharp has to make the pass1 and bring that card once more to the bottom4 ,no modern sharp of any standing would use such a palpable fraud1 even among the most innocent of his dupes4 ,it is a long way behind the times1 and was out of date years ago4 ,another form of card which at one time was largely used1 but which has become too well-known to be of much service1 is the 'wedge4' ,wedges are cards which have been cut narrower at one end than the other1 the two long sides inclining towards each other at a slight angle4 ,the cards when cut in this way1 and packed with all the broad ends looking the same way1 cannot be distinguished from those which are perfectly square2 but when some are placed one way and some the other1 there is no difficulty in telling 'which is which4' ,before these cards became commonly known1 they must have proved very useful to the sharp4 ,if he wished to force the cut at any particular place1 he had only to place the two halves of the pack in opposite directions1 and the cut was pretty sure to be made at the right point4 ,if he wished to distinguish the court cards from the others1 all he had to do was to turn them round in the pack1 so that their broad ends faced the other way4 ,if he wished to be sure of making the pass at any card1 by just turning the wide end of that card to the narrow ends of the others he could always feel where it was1 without looking at it4 ,in fact1 the utility of such cards was immense1 but it has long been among the things that were4 ,now1 the first thing a tiro in sleight-of-hand will do1 on being asked to examine a pack of cards1 is to cut them and turn the halves end for end1 to see if they are 'wedges4' ,needless to say1 they never are4 ,the only case in which it is at all possible to use cards of this kind at the present day is in a very1 very 'soft' game of faro1 where the players do not ask permission to examine the pack4 ,the dealer has the sole right of shuffling and cutting the cards2 therefore if he has the opportunity of using wedges1 nothing is easier than to have all the high cards put one way1 and the low ones the other4 ,then in shuffling he can put up the high cards to lose or win1 and1 in fact1 arrange the pack in any manner he likes4 ,there is very little safety1 however1 in the use of wedges at any time4 ,practical men would laugh at the idea of employing them4 ,the concave and convex cards cut by means of the stripper-plates1 described earlier in this chapter1 are still in use to a limited extent4 ,the common ,english sharp employs them in connection with a game called ',banker4' ,he 'readies up the broads1' as he terms it1 by cutting all the high cards convex1 and the low ones concave4 ,there is also another game known as ',black and ,red1' in which the cards of one colour are convex1 and the other colour concave4 ,the most commonly used form of cards1 however1 is that of the 'double-wedges' or 'strippers1' cut by means of the trimming-shears1 and which have been already described4 ,the name of 'strippers' is derived from the operation which these cards are principally intended to facilitate1 and which consists of drawing off from the pack1 or 'stripping1' certain cards which are required for use in putting up hands4 ,suppose the sharp is playing a game of poker1 and1 naturally1 he wishes to put up the aces for himself1 or for a confederate4 ,he cuts the aces narrow at each end1 and all the other cards of the same width as the ends of the aces4 ,this leaves the sides of the aces bulging out slightly from the sides of the pack1 and enables him to draw them all out with one sweep of his fingers during the shuffle4 ,then they are placed all together1 at the bottom of the pack1 and can be put up for deal or draft1 or they may be held out until required4 ',end-strippers' are a variety of the same kind of thing1 the only difference being that they are trimmed up at the ends1 instead of at the sides4 ,it is only in ,england and other countries where the spread of knowledge in this direction has been limited to the sharps themselves1 the general public remaining in ignorance1 that strippers are employed4 ,they would be instantly detected among people who have learnt anything at all of sharping4 ,trimming is not the only method of preparing cards for cheating purposes2 there are others of much greater delicacy and refinement4 ,witness the following1 which is culled from the circular issued by one of the ',sporting ,houses'3-- ',to smart poker players4--,i have invented a process by which a man is sure of winning if he can introduce his own cards4 ,the cards are not trimmed or marked in any way1 shape or manner4 ,they can be handled and shuffled by all at the board1 and without looking at a card you can1 by making two or three shuffles or ripping them in1 oblige the dealer to give three of a kind to any one playing1 or the same advantage can be taken on your own deal4 ,this is a big thing for any game4 ,in euchre you can hold the joker every time or the cards most wanted in any game4 ,the process is hard to detect1 as the cards look perfectly natural1 and it is something card-players are not looking for4 ,other dealers have been selling sanded cards1 or cheap cards1 with spermacetia rubbed on1 and calling them professional playing or magnetic cards4 ,i don't want you to class my cards with that kind of trash4 ,i use a liquid preparation put on with rollers on all cards made2 this dries on the cards and does not show1 and will last as long as the cards do4 ,the object is to make certain cards not prepared slip off easier than others in shuffling4 ,you can part or break the deck to an ace or king1 and easily put up three1 no matter where they lay in the deck4 ,this advantage works fine single-handed1 or when the left-hand man shuffles and offers the cards to be cut4 ,these cards are ten times better than readers or strippers1 and they get the money faster4 ,price1 #b1jj per pack by mail2 #bj1jj per dozen packs4 ,if you order a dozen ,i will furnish cards like you use4' ,the gentle modesty and unassuming candour of the above effusion1 its honest rectitude and perfect self-abnegation1 render it a very pearl of literature4 ,it is a pity that such a jewel should be left to hide itself away1 and waste its glories upon the unappreciative few1 whilst thousands might be gladdened by the sight of it and proceed on their way invigorated and refreshed4 ,let us bring it into the light and treasure it as it deserves4 ,as the talented author above quoted suggests1 there are several methods of achieving the object set forth1 and causing the cards to slip at any desired place1 apart from the much vaunted 'liquid preparation put on with rollers' the secret of which one would think that he alone possessed4 ,we will just glance at them all1 by way of improving our minds and learning all that is to be learnt4 ,the earliest method of preparing a pack of cards in this way certainly had the merit of extreme simplicity1 in that it consisted of nothing more than putting the pack1 for some time previous to its use1 in a damp place4 ,this system had the further advantage that it was not even necessary to open the wrapper in which the cards came from the maker4 ,when the cards had absorbed a certain amount of moisture1 it was found that the low cards would slip much more easily than the court cards4 ,the reason for this was1 that the glaze used in 'bringing up the colours' of the inks used in printing contained a large proportion of hygroscopic or gummy matter1 which softened more or less upon becoming moist4 ,the court cards1 having a much greater part of their faces covered with the glaze than the others1 were more inclined to cling to the next card1 in consequence4 ,therefore the task of distinguishing them was by no means severe4 ,not satisfied with this somewhat uncertain method1 however1 the sharps set to work to improve upon it4 ,the next departure was in the direction of making the smooth cards smoother1 and the rough ones more tenacious4 ,the upshot of this was that those cards which were required to slip were lightly rubbed over with soap1 and those which had to cling were treated with a faint application of rosin4 ,this principle has been the basis of all the 'new and improved' systems that have been put before the sharping public ever since4 ,either something is done to the cards to make them slip1 or they are prepared with something to keep them from slipping4 ,when the unglazed 'steam-boat' cards were much in use the 'spermacetia' system1 referred to in the paragraph quoted a little while ago1 was a very pretty thing indeed1 and worked well4 ,the cards which it was necessary to distinguish from the others were prepared by rubbing their backs well with hard spermaceti wax4 ,they were then vigorously scoured with some soft material1 until they had acquired a brilliant polish4 ,cards treated in this manner1 when returned again to the pack1 would be readily separable from the others4 ,by pressing rather heavily upon the top of the pack1 and directing the pressure slightly to one side1 it would be found that the pack divided at one of the prepared cards4 ,that is to say1 the cards above the prepared one would cling together and slide off1 leaving the doctored one at the top of the remainder4 ,with glazed cards1 if they are required to slip1 the backs are rubbed with a piece of waxed tissue paper1 thus giving them an extra polish2 but the better plan is to slightly roughen the backs of all the others4 ,they may be 'sanded1' as in the case of those used for the sand-tell faro-box4 ,this simply means that the backs are rubbed with sand-paper4 ,in reality1 it is fine emery-paper that is used2 any sand-paper would be too coarse1 and produce scratches4 ,there still remains to be considered the method of causing the cards to cling1 by the application of that marvellous master-stroke of inventive genius1 the 'liquid preparation1' as advertised4 ,it may be hoped that the reader will not feel disappointed on learning what it is4 ,the wonderful compound is nothing more or less than very thin white hard varnish4 ,that is all4 ,it may be applied 'with rollers1' or otherwise1 just as the person applying it may prefer4 ,the fact of certain cards being treated with this varnish renders them somewhat 'tacky1' and inclined to stick together2 not sufficiently1 however1 to render the effect noticeable to anyone who is not looking for it4 ,but1 by manipulating the pack as before directed in the case of the waxed cards1 the slipping will occur at those cards whose backs have not been varnished4 ,the instructions sent out with the cards mentioned in the advertisement will be found reprinted at p4 #cjd2 therefore1 since it would be presumptuous to think of adding anything to advice emanating from the great authority himself1 we may leave him to describe the use of his own wares4 ,having thus said all that is necessary to give the reader sufficient information for his guidance in any case of sharping with which he may be brought into contact1 we may bring this chapter to a close2 and1 in so doing1 conclude all that has to be said upon the subject of cheating at cards4 ,we have been compelled to dwell somewhat at length upon matters which are associated with cards and card-games only1 because so large a proportion of the sharping which goes on in the world is card-sharping4 ,almost everyone plays cards1 and so many play for money4 ,therefore1 the sharp naturally selects that field which affords him the widest scope and the most frequent opportunities for the exercise of his calling4 ,card-sharping has been reduced to a science4 ,it is no longer a haphazard affair1 involving merely primitive manipulations1 but it has developed into a profession in which there is as much to learn as in most of the everyday occupations of ordinary mortals4 ,with this chapter1 then1 we take a fond farewell of cards1 for the present2 and having said 'adieu1' we will turn our attention to other matters4 ,,chapter ,x ,,dice ,with this chapter we strike out into fresh territory4 ,we have passed through the land of those who trust their fortunes to the turn of the card1 and arrive now among the aborigines1 whose custom is to stake their worldly possessions upon the hazard of the die4 ,as to which custom is the more commendable of the two1 it is somewhat difficult to decide4 ,they are both 'more honoured in the breach than the observance4' ,readily1 as we have seen1 the innocent pieces of pasteboard are made to serve the purposes of cheating2 and no less readily are the tiny cubes of ivory or celluloid falsified1 and made the instruments of dishonesty4 ,this of course is no secret4 ,the name of 'loaded dice' is familiar to all2 but it is the name alone which is familiar2 the things themselves are1 to the vast majority of mankind1 absolutely unknown4 ,in some respects it is quite as well that it should be so2 but it is far better that these things should be generally understood1 and that the signs and tokens of their existence and their employment should be known to all4 ,in this chapter then1 we shall deal with the subject in its entirety1 describing the different systems of cheating1 and some of the so-called games to which these methods are applied4 ,broadly speaking1 cheating at dice maybe classed under two heads--the manipulation of genuine dice1 and the employment of unfair ones4 ,from this it will be gathered that the 'loaded dice1' so often spoken of1 are by no means necessary to the sharp who has made this line of business his speciality4 ,loaded dice1 in fact1 are very puerile contrivances1 compared with some of the devices which are about to be brought to the reader's notice4 ,they are one of the landmarks of cheating1 it is true2 but they are not the high-watermark1 by any means4 ,the modern sharp has to a great extent risen above them1 although they are still useful to him at times4 ,they have one very great defect--they will not 'spin' properly2 and that militates very greatly against their use1 in circles where the players are at all 'fly4' ,we will first devote our attention to the means of cheating with fair dice2 and the reader will learn that the thing which may have appeared to him as being difficult of accomplishment is really a very simple matter indeed4 ,this branch of the art is known to its professors as 'securing1' and consists of a plan of retaining certain dice4 ,one is held against the inside edge of the box1 whilst the other is allowed to fall freely into it4 ,in this way one of the dice is not shaken at all1 and falls on the table in the same position as it previously occupied4 ,in order that this may be accomplished satisfactorily1 it is necessary to use a suitable dice-box2 therefore1 we will inspect one of the kind generally used by professional dice-players in this country4 ,before proceeding further1 however1 it may be as well to inform the reader that the information here given1 with regard to dice and their manipulation1 has been had upon the authority of one of the leading ,english sharps1 and may be said to fairly represent the present state of the science4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #dg4 ,the dice-box referred to above is illustrated in section in fig4 #dg4 ,it is simply the usual form1 with the interior corrugated to insure the thorough turning about of the dice4 ,the only preparation in connection with it is that the flat inside rim or lip1 marked ',a' in the figure1 is roughened by rubbing it with coarse glass-paper4 ,this gives it a kind of 'tooth1' which prevents the dice from slipping when they are 'secured' against it4 ,a box of this kind being to hand1 nothing further in the way of apparatus is required for the operation of securing4 ,all else depends entirely upon practice4 ,as the dice are taken from the table one of them is secured1 and the others are thrown into the box4 ,an expert will use three dice1 securing one and letting the others go1 but it requires some skill to pick up three dice in the proper manner and without fear of dropping them all4 ,therefore a novice will use only two4 ,the process is carried out as follows3-- ,the dice are laid upon the table side by side4 ,the one farthest from the operator is placed with the ace uppermost1 consequently the six is upon the face which lies on the table4 ,this is the die which is about to be secured4 ,the first two fingers of the right hand are now laid flat upon the dice1 and between these two fingers the dice are taken up by their right-hand edges4 ,thus3-- ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #dh4 ,they are now pushed well home by the thumb3-- ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #di4 ,the die nearest the operator is now allowed to fall into the dice-box1 whilst the other is retained3-- ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ej4 ,the box is next taken in the right hand1 the fingers lying flat over the mouth of it1 and the thumb holding it at the bottom4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ea4 ,in the act of closing the fingers of the right hand over the box1 the die which has been retained is firmly pressed between the second finger and the inside edge of the box4 ,in this position it is completely hidden by the forefinger1 and is there held whilst the box is shaken4 ,if the forefinger were raised the die would appear situated in this manner3-- ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #eb4 ,the sharp1 however1 is particularly careful not to raise his forefinger2 that is not 'in the piece' at all4 ,the box is now shaken1 and of course the die which is not secured is heard to rattle within it4 ,finally1 the hand is turned round so that the mouth of the box is downwards and the backs of the fingers rest upon the table4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ec4 ,after the box has thus been turned upside down1 then comes the crucial point of the whole operation4 ,if the fingers are not carefully removed the secured die will not fall upon the face intended4 ,the proper method of 'boxing' the dice upon the table is to remove the fingers in the following order4 ,firstly1 the second and third fingers are opened1 allowing the loose die to fall upon the table4 ,then the first and second fingers are gently opened1 easing the secured die1 as it were1 into its position of rest4 ,lastly1 the forefinger is moved to the edge of the box1 at the same time withdrawing the second finger entirely1 and the box is let down over the two dice4 ,it is immediately lifted up and the score is recorded4 ,there is nothing at all suspicious in any of these movements2 they are quite the usual thing1 or appear so when quickly performed1 the only difference between the genuine shake and the false being the retention of the one die4 ,of course1 it is necessary that the entire operation should occupy the least possible time1 the hands being kept somewhat low and the dupe seated upon the right-hand side of the operator4 ,the secured die naturally falls with the six uppermost1 whilst the loose one cannot show less than one4 ,therefore the sharp cannot throw less than seven with two dice4 ,that is the lowest score possible for him to make1 whilst the dupe may throw only 'two4' ,now1 in an infinite number of throws with two dice 'seven' is the number of pips which will be the average for each throw4 ,sometimes1 of course1 only two pips will be thrown2 sometimes both sixes will come uppermost1 making twelve pips together4 ,but with one die secured in such a manner as to fall six1 the average of an infinite number of throws is necessarily very much increased1 because it is impossible to throw less than seven4 ,the chances of the two players bear no comparison1 and the dupe is bound to be beaten4 ,for instance1 the chances of throwing twelve by the player who secures one die are as one to six--that is to say1 they are six to one against him1 whilst the chances against the player who goes to work fairly are thirty-five to one4 ,this will serve to give the reader some idea of the value of one secured die out of two in use4 ,passing on to the use of unfair dice1 we find that there are three kinds employed at the present day4 ,firstly1 there are those whose faces do not bear the correct number of pips1 and which are known as 'dispatchers4' ,secondly1 we have those which are weighted at one side1 and tend to fall with that side downwards1 such being the well-known 'loaded dice4' ,lastly1 there is the variety bearing the name of 'electric dice1' which are the most modern development in this department of cheating4 ,we will take the varieties seriatim4 #a4 ,dispatchers4--,these are of two kinds1 called 'high' and 'low' respectively1 in accordance with the fact of their having an aggregate of pips either higher or lower than should be the case4 ,they owe their origin to the fact that it is impossible to see more than three sides of a cube at one time4 ,in making a high dispatcher1 then1 any three adjacent sides are taken and marked with two1 four1 and six pips respectively4 ,that side of the cube which is immediately opposite to the one with six pips1 instead of being marked with one1 as it should be1 is marked six also4 ,the side opposite the four is marked four1 and that opposite the two is marked two in a similar manner4 ,therefore1 no two sides which bear the same number of pips are ever seen at one time1 the duplicate marks being always on opposite sides of the die4 ,in a low dispatcher the process is precisely the same1 but the sides are numbered with one1 two and three pips1 instead of two1 four1 and six4 ,it is evident1 then1 that a high dispatcher cannot throw less than two1 whilst a low one cannot throw higher than three4 ,therefore1 if the sharp throws with one genuine die and one high dispatcher1 he cannot throw less than three1 and the chances are #age to #a against his throwing anything so low4 ,if1 in addition to using a high dispatcher himself1 he gives his dupe a low one#aa and a genuine die to use1 the throw of the two dice cannot be higher than nine1 and the chances are #age to #a against its being so high4 ,in fact1 in an infinite number of throws1 the sharp will average over thirty per cent4 better than his opponent4 ,this being the case it is obvious that the game can only go in one way1 and that way is not the dupe's4 #b4 ,loaded dice4--,these commodities are found to be thus described in one of the price-lists3-- ',loaded dice4--,made of selected ivory loaded with quicksilver1 and can be shaken from the box so as to come high or low1 as you wish4 ,with a set of these you will find yourself winner at all dice games1 and carry off the prize at every raffle you attend4 ,sold in sets of nine dice1 three high1 three low1 and three fair4 ,price per set1 complete1 #e4jj4' ,these are the most superior kind of loaded dice4 ,they are made by drilling out two adjacent spots or pips at one edge of the die1 filling in the cavity with mercury1 and cementing it up fast4 ,the commoner description of these things are made by filling the holes with lead instead of mercury4 ,as before mentioned1 these dice have the disadvantage that they will not spin upon one corner as genuine ones will2 consequently a person who suspects that they are being used can easily discover the fact1 if he is knowing enough to try them4 ,this defect led to the invention of the third kind of false dice1 which we are about to investigate4 #c4 ,electric dice4--,these will be found quoted in one of the catalogues1 together with the special tables to be used with them4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ed4 ,the dice themselves are made of celluloid1 and their construction will be readily understood with the aid of the illustration given at fig4 #ed4 ,the first operation in making dice of this kind is to bore out a cylindrical cavity almost completely through the die1 the mouth of this cavity being situated upon the face of the die which will bear the six pips1 and the bottom almost reaching to the opposite face1 upon which is the ace4 ,at the bottom of the cavity1 and consequently immediately within the die above the single pip or ace1 is put a thin circular disc of iron4 ,the greater part of the cavity is then filled in with cork1 leaving sufficient depth for the insertion of a plug1 which effectually closes up the aperture1 and upon the outer side of which are marked the six pips appertaining to that face of the die4 ,before this plug is fastened into its place1 however1 a small pellet of lead1 of exactly the same weight as the iron disc1 is pressed into the upper surface of the cork1 and there fixed4 ,finally1 the plug bearing the six pips is cemented into its place1 and the die is complete4 ,apparently1 this plug is cemented in with celluloid1 the same material as that used in fabricating the die itself1 and the joint is so well and neatly made that it is invisible1 even though examined with a powerful lens4 ,the rationale of this construction is as follows4 ,the iron disc and the leaden pellet1 being immediately within opposite faces of the die1 will exactly balance each other1 and thus the die can be spun or thrown in exactly the same manner as a genuine one4 ,the lead and iron1 however1 being so much heavier than the material of which the body of the die is supposed to consist1 would cause the weight of the die to be very suspicious1 were it not for the fact that the interior is almost entirely composed of a still lighter material--cork4 ,therefore1 the completed die is no heavier than a genuine one of the same size and appearance4 ,in fact1 these dice will bear the strictest examination1 in every way--except one1 viz4 the application of a magnet4 ,the word magnet gives the key to the employment of these so-called electric dice4 ,the technical reader will at once grasp the idea thus embodied1 and will need no further description of the details of working4 ,for the benefit of those who are unacquainted with electricity and its phenomena1 however1 it is necessary to explain the nature of an electro-magnet4 ,if a bar of soft iron is surrounded by a helix of insulated copper wire1 and a current of electricity is passed through that wire1 the iron instantly becomes converted into a magnet for the time being4 ,but directly the contact at one end of the wire is broken1 and the current is for that reason no longer permitted to flow1 the iron loses its magnetism and resumes its normal condition4 ,if1 therefore1 a bar of this kind is connected with a battery in such a way that the current can be controlled by means of a push1 similar to those used in connection with electric bells1 the otherwise inert bar of iron can be converted into a magnet at any instant1 and allowed to resume its former state at will4 ,now1 the table with which these electric dice are used is so constructed that1 immediately below its surface and within the thickness of the wood itself1 there are concealed several electro-magnets such as have been described4 ,at some convenient spot in the table1 at the back of a drawer or elsewhere1 the battery supplying the current is hidden4 ,the key or push controlling the current takes the form of a secret spring in the table-leg1 so placed as to be within easy access of the operator's knee4 ,the result1 then1 is obvious4 ,among the dice in use are one or more of the 'electric' variety4 ,when the dupe throws them1 he has to take his chance as to how they will fall1 and as long as the sharp is winning he will do the same4 ,but directly he begins to lose1 or to find that he is not winning fast enough to please him1 the sharp presses the secret spring with his knee when it is his turn to throw1 and--click6--the false dice turn up 'sixes4' ,the magnets1 of course1 attract the iron discs1 drawing them on to the table1 and the sixes being upon the opposite sides of the dice naturally fall uppermost4 ,the operator has only to trouble himself with regard to two points--he must press the spring at the right moment1 and release it before trying to pick up the dice afterwards4 ,should he neglect this latter point1 he will have the satisfaction of finding the dice stick to the table4 ,in all other respects1 he has only to 'press the button1' and electricity will 'do the rest4' ,the publication of this book1 however1 will once and for all render the use of electric dice unsafe under any conditions4 ,the moment the outer world has any idea of their existence1 the game is too risky to be pleasant to any sharp4 ,a little mariner's compass1 dangling at the end of a stranger's watch chain1 or carried secretly1 will serve to reveal in an instant the true nature of the deception which is being practised upon him by his host4 ,it is sad that the diffusion of knowledge should be accompanied by such untoward consequences2 but we can hardly hope that the sharps will die of disappointment or despair1 even though dice were undoubtedly doomed to detection and disaster1 and had dwindled into disuse4 7,alliteration is the curse of modern literature47 ,unfair dice are seldom submitted for inspection1 as may well be imagined1 particularly those of the dispatcher kind4 ,the greatest donkey in existence would at once find that the number of pips upon the faces of these latter was incorrect4 ,therefore they are always introduced into the game whilst the play is occupying the dupe's undivided attention1 and the manner of their introduction is that embodied in the process known as 'ringing-in4' ,this is done at the moment when the dice are taken up in order to throw them into the box4 ,it is only possible to change one die1 the others are allowed to fall into the box in the usual way4 ,supposing that two dice are being used1 two fair ones will be employed1 and with these the dupe will throw4 ,the sharp1 however1 has a false die concealed in his right hand1 and held in the thumb joint4 ,he picks up the two fair dice from the table1 in the manner described in 'securing1' and allows one of them to fall into the box4 ,then1 of course1 he has still two dice in his hand1 one genuine one between his fingers1 and one false one held by his thumb4 ,in figs4 #ee and #ef1 a is the genuine die and b is the false one4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ee4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ef4 ,at the same instant that the first die is allowed to fall1 the false die b is dropped into the box also 7fig4 #ef74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #eg4 ,immediately the false die is released the two fingers holding the second genuine one are turned inwards 7fig4 #eg71 and the die is taken into the thumb-joint1 in the position formerly occupied by the false one4 ,the whole of this manipulation is performed in the act of throwing the dice into the box4 ,the false die is dropped into the box1 and the genuine one put into its place at the root of the thumb in one movement only1 and the exchange is instantaneous4 ,the fingers are well bent before any of the dice are dropped1 so that the second genuine die has the least possible distance to travel in its movement towards the thumb-joint4 ,from the manipulations outlined above1 the reader will observe that the skill required is less in the case of dice than in that of cards2 but he must not run away with the idea that1 because the methods of swindling with dice are comparatively simple1 the dice-sharp requires but little practice to enable him to carry out his operations successfully4 ,that is by no means the case4 ,it is frequently the amateur's lot to find that those things which appear simplest in theory are the most difficult in practice4 ,the sharp who seeks his fortune by manipulation of the 'ivories' has to devote many weary hours to the acquisition of deftness in the manoeuvres which he intends to employ4 ,we may now proceed to consider the application of the foregoing principles to the purposes of cheating1 and see how they are employed in actual practice4 ,in this we cannot do better than follow the sharp's operations in connection with one or two games which are commonly played4 ,this will serve to give the reader a more adequate conception of the manner in which this style of cheating is conducted4 ,the games selected for this purpose1 then1 are3 ',over and under seven1' ',yankee-grab' or ',newmarket1' ',sweat1' and ',hazard4' ,over and under seven4--,this is a game which is played with a 'layout1' or painted cloth1 upon which the players place their stakes4 ,the form most generally used is divided in the following manner3-- ,illustration3 ------------------------ #c to #a ,under ,over against ,,seven ,,seven ,,seven ------------------------ ,,fig4 #eh4 ,the players having placed their stakes upon either of the three divisions they may individually choose1 the 'banker' shakes two dice in the box and throws them out upon the table4 ,if the throw proves to be over seven1 those players who have put their money upon 'over seven' in the layout receive the amount of their stakes1 whilst those who have bet upon the other squares will lose to the banker4 ,in the same way1 if the throw is under seven the players who have backed 'under seven' will win4 ,if1 however1 the throw should prove to be exactly seven1 those players who have staked upon the centre square of the layout will receive three times the amount of their stakes4 ,a little reflection will show that even in a fair game1 if players can be found to back the '#c to #a against seven' square1 the bank has a large percentage of the chances of the game in its favour4 ,indeed1 in an infinite number of throws1 the banker stands to win two-fifths of all the money staked upon the centre square4 ,the chances against seven turning up are really #e to #a1 and not #c to #a4 ,cheating at this game may be done either by the banker or the players1 although at first sight it would appear that the players can have no opportunities for cheating the bank as they have nothing to do with handling the dice4 ,when the bank cheats the players the methods employed are as follows4 ,the banker notes the disposition of the bets upon the layout and reckons up the amounts upon the various squares4 ,his policy1 of course1 is to let that square win which has the least staked upon it4 ,if he can always do this his gains must obviously be always greater than his losses4 ,if the 'under seven' division has the least stakes he will secure one of the dice to fall with the ace uppermost4 ,then the throw must prove to be either seven or under4 ,if the division of the layout which has least money on it is the 'over seven1' a die is secured in such a manner as to fall with the six uppermost1 and in this case the throw must be either seven or over4 ,if the bets upon both 'under' and 'over' squares are equal he has no need to trouble1 as he can neither win nor lose with those squares4 ,if either of them turns up1 the money simply passes across the table from one side to the other1 whilst the bank takes whatever may have been staked upon the centre square4 ,even though the players always staked an amount which should equalise the bets upon the 'over' and 'under' divisions1 they would lose to the bank one fifth of their stakes in the long run because the seven would turn up on the average once in six times1 and then those two divisions would both lose4 ,the banker always shakes the box quietly1 so as not to give any indication of the fact that only one die is rattling about within it4 ,at the same time he keeps up a running fire of remarks such as1 ',any more8' ',over wins6' ',under pays the over1' ',the little seven wins6' c4 ,this is the approvedly professional way of conducting the game1 all others are spurious imitations1 and cannot be recognised by true 'sports4' ,another method of cheating the players is to ring in a loaded die which will fall six4 ,if the highest betting is found to be over seven1 this die is secured so that it shall fall ace uppermost1 and then the throw can only be seven or under4 ,if on the other hand the highest betting is 'under seven1' the dice are simply shaken without securing1 and the result must be seven or over4 ,if there is heavy betting upon the 'seven' or central division of the layout a two or a three is secured upon the genuine die1 and this will make the throw necessarily over seven4 ,as a rule1 however1 the central or '#c to #a against' square does not require much attention from the sharp4 ,the chances are always five to three in his favour4 ,if the players persistently bet upon the high square of the layout1 the sharp will just ring in a loaded die that falls with the ace up1 to save himself trouble4 ,when this is done1 the throw can manifestly never be over seven4 ,in cases where the players cheat the bank1 it generally happens that the banker is not a professional1 but a novice who has been put up or persuaded to accept the position for the time being4 ,a party of sharps will always get a 'mug' to take the bank if they can4 ,securing1 in an instance of this kind1 is impossible2 the cheating must be done by contriving to introduce into the game either a dispatcher or a loaded die4 ,the latter is the safer thing to do1 because a dispatcher will not bear even a moment's attentive examination4 ,the ringing-in is done by officiously picking up the dice for the next throw1 tossing them carelessly into the box1 and handing the whole over to the banker4 ,if well done1 the exchange is imperceptible1 and it is highly improbable that it will be noticed4 ,the bets1 of course1 will be made according to the nature of the die which has been rung in4 ,if it is made to fall high1 the bets are put upon the 'over seven' division2 if it falls low1 they are put on 'under seven4' ,naturally1 the players allow the bank to win occasionally1 in order to avoid suspicion4 ,finally1 and before quitting the game1 a genuine die is rung in1 replacing the false one4 ,there are not many chances in favour of the bank with this method of playing4 ,yankee-grab or ,newmarket4--,this game is played with three dice1 and the object in view is to get nearest to an aggregate of eighteen pips2 or in the ,english ,colonies1 where the 'ace' or single pip counts seven1 to throw the nearest to twenty-one4 ,each player has three throws4 ,at the first throw he picks out the highest number thrown1 and puts that die aside4 ,then he throws with the two remaining dice1 puts aside the higher as before1 and throws again with the remaining one4 ,the number thrown this last time1 together with the numbers shown by the dice which have been put aside from the two former throws1 will constitute that player's score4 ,this is done by all the players in rotation1 and the highest score wins all the stakes4 ,any player may1 however1 elect to throw with one die only for each throw if he chooses4 ,cheating at this game is obviously easy4 ,it may be done either by securing1 by the use of loaded dice1 or by ringing in dispatchers4 ,it is of course necessary to have some means of distinguishing the dispatchers from the fair dice if the cheating is done by those means4 ,in picking up the dice from the table1 the sharp whose turn it is to throw will change one of them for a high dispatcher4 ,when the throw is made1 the false die is very likely to be the highest2 but if it is not1 so much the better for the sharp1 as he has it available for the next throw4 ,supposing it to be the highest1 he will apparently toss it carelessly aside1 but in reality1 he changes it again for the genuine die which has meanwhile been held in his thumb-joint4 ,the genuine die is turned over to show the same value as that given by the dispatcher in the throw4 ,the other players will not mind the careless handling of the die1 as the value has already been called2 the only object in putting the dice on one side being to act as markers1 and prevent any dispute as to the value of the previous throws4 ,the same thing is done in the succeeding throws2 the dispatcher going into the box all three times4 ,at the conclusion of the throws1 the false die is exchanged for the genuine one it has replaced for the time being4 ,if the sharp prefers to use securing instead of false dice1 he may secure a six upon one die at each of the first two throws2 but the third throw must be left to chance4 ,if the last die were to be secured1 there would be none left to rattle in the box4 ,a case has been known where a man even secured the last die2 but he had an arrangement sewn into his coat-sleeve1 to counterfeit the noise made by the die in the box4 ,in using loaded dice at ,yankee-grab1 the best plan is to have three which will all fall 'sixes4' ,in order to avoid the suspicion which must inevitably be created by the fact of the three dice turning up six each at the first throw1 a low number is secured upon one of them in the first and second throws4 ,this puts the other players off the scent1 at the same time insuring three sixes for the sharp4 ,this is a very ingenious expedient4 ,a good way of finishing a game1 where the sharp has been securing and where the dupe has had ample opportunities of assuring himself that only fair dice are being used1 is for the sharp to palm a dispatcher in the right hand1 and deliver himself thus3--',my dear fellow1 you have lost a lot4' 7,here he pats the dupe on the shoulder with the hand which has the dispatcher palmed within it47 ',i will tell you what ,i will do4 ,i will go double or quits with you1 on three throws each1 with one die4' ,the dupe usually jumps at the chance of thus winning back what he has lost2 the sharp rings in his dispatcher1 and of course the 'mug' loses4 ,in using a dispatcher the sharp always puts the box down with the left hand2 this leaves his right hand free to ring the changes4 ,whatever manipulation he may be engaged upon1 he does everything slowly1 easily1 and deliberately4 ,when tossing the selected die on one side after a throw and ringing in a square one to replace the loaded die or dispatcher1 he takes care of course to turn it with the same side up that the other fell4 ,this prevents any dispute as to the score1 when all three throws have been made4 ,at all times he gauges the mental calibre of his dupe1 and operates in the manner which is most likely to be successful4 ,above all1 he never neglects the golden rule of his profession--',always work on the square as long as you are winning4' ,sweat4--,this is a game which is almost as charmingly artistic as its name1 and one which is particularly lovely for the banker4 ,it also has the merit of extreme simplicity1 and although cheating is hardly necessary as a rule1 still there are times when it may be resorted to with great profit to the sharp4 ,it is played with a layout arranged in the following manner3-- ,illustration3 --------------- #a #b #c --------------- #d #e #f --------------- ,,fig4 #ei4 ,the banker shakes up three dice in the box1 and the numbers thrown win for the players4 ,those who have staked their money upon the numbers which have turned up receive the amount of their stakes2 the bank takes all that has been laid upon the figures not represented in the throw4 ,if two dice fall with the same number uppermost1 those who have staked upon that number will receive twice the amount of their bets4 ,if all three dice turn up the same1 that number is paid three times over4 ,it does not require a great mathematician to see that even at the best of times there is an overwhelming percentage of the chances in favour of the banker4 ,it is five to three that he wins any individual bet2 the player has only three chances--those provided by the three dice1 whilst the bank has the chances resting upon the remaining five squares of the layout4 ,if we suppose1 for example1 that the bets upon all the squares are of an equal amount1 which is just about the most unfortunate arrangement for the banker1 the worst that can happen to him is that all three dice turn up differently4 ,then the players who have staked upon the winning numbers will receive the stakes of those who have lost1 the bank gaining and losing nothing4 ,if two of the dice turn up the same number1 the banker receives four shillings1 say1 and pays three4 ,if all three dice turn up the same1 he pays three shillings and receives five4 ,cheating is introduced into this game by the banker in the case of a player persistently backing a high number time after time1 the method being to ring in a dispatcher which will fall low4 ,this will materially lessen the player's chances4 ,if in addition to this a low number is secured upon one of the other dice1 the chances against the player become five to one4 ,if the player should happen to be backing a low number1 of course a high dispatcher would be used and a high number secured upon the other die4 ,hazard4--,this is a game in which the electric dice are particularly useful to the sharp4 ,it is played with four dice1 only two of which1 however1 are used at one time4 ,the player has the option of throwing with any two of the dice1 or exchanging them for the other two whenever he pleases4 ,there are two kinds of throws which must be specially mentioned in connection with this game1 viz4 those which are called respectively 'crabs' and 'nicks4' ,a player is said to throw a crab when the dice turn up either 'pair sixes1' 'pair aces1' or 'deuce and ace4' ,these throws instantly lose the stakes or 'set-money4' ,a nick is thrown when the aggregate number of pips turned up amounts to eleven or seven4 ,either of these numbers being thrown1 the player throwing wins the set-money4 ,apart from a nick or a crab1 the first throw made by the player is called the 'main1' and he must go on throwing until one of three things happens4 ,either he eventually throws a crab and loses1 or he throws a nick1 or he throws a number corresponding to that of his main4 ,in the event of either of the two latter events occurring1 he wins the stakes4 ,in the case of a player winning with a nick1 however1 he still goes on throwing2 when he wins or loses in any other way1 the throw passes to his opponent4 ,when the main is either four or ten1 the chances against his throwing it again before either a nick or a crab turns up are in the ratio of two to one4 ,against five and nine the chances are as six to four4 ,against eight and six the probabilities are six to five4 ,obviously1 then1 the best main to throw is either eight or six1 and if the sharp can contrive to make his main either of these two numbers1 he stands a better chance of winning than one who does not4 ,he may therefore1 for instance1 ring in a loaded die to fall four1 and secure the other die to fall two1 leaving the following throws to chance4 ,having thrown a main of four or ten1 he might secure a six in the latter case or an ace in the former2 this would render his chances of throwing the same number again about equal4 ,the most certain method of cheating1 however1 and that which leaves no uncertainty as to the result1 is to ring in a loaded die to fall six1 and secure either an ace or a five upon the other4 ,this obviously results in a 'nick1' and wins the set-money4 ,where electric dice are used1 cheating at this game is the simplest thing imaginable4 ,one pair of dice being made to fall six and the other one1 they may be combined to give any desired result4 ,if the sharp uses a pair1 one of which will fall six and the other turn up one1 the application of the current will cause him to throw a nick whenever he pleases4 ,if he gives his dupe a pair which can be made to fall both sixes or both aces1 the sharp can force his opponent to throw a crab every time if he chooses to do so4 ,and yet there are some who will argue that science has conferred no real benefit upon humanity4 ,those people are certainly not sharps--they are undoubtedly flats of the first water4 ,before concluding the present chapter1 it behoves us to attend1 for a moment1 to the methods of falsification connected with that well-known little device1 the 'dice-top' or 'teetotum4' ,it deserves just a slight mention1 although the fact that it is not of great importance is evidenced by the very terse reference made to it in the various catalogues4 ,this is what one of them says upon the subject3-- ',dice ,tops4--,for high and low4 ,sure thing4 ,made of best ivory1 #d4 ,black walnut1 just as good1 #a4be4' ,from even this scanty information1 however1 we may gather two things4 ,firstly1 that the top can be made to fall either high or low1 as required--consequently there is some trick in it2 and1 secondly1 that the trick1 whatever it may be1 does not depend upon the material of which the top is made1 since black walnut is just as good as ivory4 ,better1 in fact1 because cheaper4 ,the little instrument itself is shown in the adjoining illustration4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #fj4 ,here then we have a little hexagonal top1 with dice-spots upon its sides4 ,it is spun with the thumb and finger1 and the number of spots which fall uppermost in the genuine article1 at the time of its running down1 depends entirely upon chance4 ,not so1 however1 with the tops advertised as above4 ,they can be made to fall in any desired manner4 ,the spindle1 instead of being fixed1 as it should be1 can be turned round within the body of the top4 ,attached to one side of the spindle1 within the top1 and revolving when the spindle is turned1 there is a small weight which can be set to face either of the sides4 ,the side opposite which the weight is allowed to remain is the one which will lie upon the table when the top comes to rest4 ,these teetotums are largely used in the ,states to 'spin for drinks1' and a very favourite way of working them is as follows4 ,a man will enter some bar whilst the bar-keeper is alone1 custom being slack4 ,he produces one of the little articles referred to1 and having initiated the bar-keeper into its capabilities1 induces him to purchase it4 ,in all probability the bar-keeper sets to work with his new toy1 and wins many a drink in the course of the next few weeks4 ,after awhile1 however1 two accomplices of the man who 'traded' the top will present themselves at the bar1 pretending to be more or less intoxicated4 ,naturally1 the bar-keeper thinks he has a safe thing1 and tries the dice-top upon them4 ,they lose a few bets1 then pretend to lose their temper1 and want to bet heavily upon the results given by the top4 ,to this1 of course1 their dupe has not the least objection2 he is only too ready to fall in with their views4 ,but in the meantime1 one of them1 under pretence of examining the top slightly1 contrives to ring in another of exactly similar appearance1 but which is set to fall low when the spindle is turned to face in the same direction as that given to the other when intended to throw high4 ,the bar-keeper thus falls an easy victim to the snare4 ,turn the spindle as he may1 the top absolutely refuses to fall in the direction he requires4 ,this1 then1 exhausts all we have to consider with reference to dice and their manipulation4 ,if we have not learnt very much in this branch of the art of cheating1 it is because there is not very much to learn4 ,simple as the devices are in this kind of sharping1 they are largely utilised1 even at the present day1 and notwithstanding the fact that 'palming' and kindred methods of concealing small articles are so generally understood4 ,the great point in the sharp's favour1 in this as in all other manipulations1 is that his dupes are not expecting trickery1 and consequently do not look for it4 ,it is highly probable that as much money has changed hands over games of dice as in connection with any other form of gambling1 horse-racing1 perhaps1 excepted4 ,years ago1 of course1 the dice-box was a much more familiar object than at the present day2 still even now it flourishes with undiminished vitality in many parts of the world4 ,well1 those who deal with the dice will always pay dearly for experience1 which may be bought too dearly sometimes4 ,caveat emptor4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,high-,,ball ,,poker ,the game of 'high-ball poker' is one which is essentially ,american1 both in origin and character4 ,it is somewhat simpler than the proper game1 but possesses no particular advantages over poker1 as played with cards1 beyond the fact of its comparative simplicity4 ,on the other hand1 the appliances required for playing it are more expensive1 and not nearly so convenient4 ,possibly the original idea of its introduction arose from the fact that the fraudulent manipulation of the cards1 in the other game1 had become notorious1 and it was hoped that this kind of thing would be obviated by using balls instead4 ,it is far more likely1 however1 that this variety of the game presented certain advantages to the sharp which the other did not possess1 and hence its popularity in certain quarters4 ,it would be unwise1 however1 to hazard an opinion one way or the other4 ,all we need trouble ourselves about is that cheating at this game is both simple and tolerably safe4 ,no special skill is required on the part of the sharp1 and very little special apparatus1 to enable him to win whenever he pleases1 and as long as he can get people to play with him4 ,the game is played with a leathern bottle1 something like those used in 'pool1' but smaller in the neck4 ,into this bottle are put twenty-four balls about an inch in diameter1 each of which is numbered upon a facet1 the numbers running from one to twenty-four consecutively4 ,the players sit round the table1 and the bets are arranged in the same manner as at poker4 ,the player whose turn it is to deal shakes up the balls in the bottle1 and deals one to each player1 himself included1 no player being allowed to see the balls which are dealt to the others4 ,the players look at the balls they have received1 each one noting the number which has fallen to him1 and coming in or declining to play accordingly1 stake their bets4 ,this being done1 a second ball is dealt to each player1 and the two balls thus received constitute his hand4 ,the betting now proceeds as at poker1 the rules being precisely the same1 except that the balls rank according to their numerical value1 and that the complications arising from 'pairs1' 'threes1' 'fours1' and 'flushes1' cannot arise4 ,those who have bad hands will fall out of the game for the time being1 sacrificing the stakes they have put into the pool1 whilst those who consider their hands good enough to bet on will remain in and 'raise' each other4 ,if one player can so increase the stakes as to drive all the others out1 he will take the pool without showing his hand2 or a player may be 'called1' and then the hands are shown1 the best one winning the whole of the stakes4 ,the reader will perceive that cheating might be practised in connection with this game in a variety of ways4 ,the dealer1 in putting the balls into the bottle1 might contrive to secrete a high number1 which could be held out for a time1 and afterwards rung in to his own hand1 in place of a low one4 ,in a conspiracy of two or three players1 nothing could be easier than for them to signal to each other the value of their hands1 and thus arrive at a fairly approximate knowledge of what hands they might have to contend with4 ,they could then act in accordance with the information thus gained1 and either stand out or raise the other players1 as the nature of their hands may dictate4 ,if1 in addition to this1 each of the conspirators was provided with duplicates of two or three of the highest numbers1 the one who had the best hand could substitute for the lower number in his hand the highest number in either of the hands held by his accomplices1 and thus1 in all probability1 constitute himself the winner1 the accomplice meanwhile substituting his best number for that discarded by his partner in the conspiracy4 ,they would not require many duplicate balls each2 just two or three of the highest numbers would be quite sufficient4 ,there are1 however1 great objections to any manipulation of this kind2 more particularly since cheating can be accomplished1 by mechanical means1 in a much more simple and effective manner4 ,the method of cheating usually adopted1 therefore1 takes the form of a 'bottle-holdout1' which can be caused to retain any of the highest numbers and to deliver them to either of the players1 at the will of the dealer4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #fa4 ,this holdout is1 of course1 within the bottle itself1 and is operated by pressure upon the slightly flexible sides4 ,fig4 #fa is an illustration of a bottle of this kind1 part of one side being cut away to allow the holdout to be seen4 ,a represents the position of the various parts at such times as the holdout may be either inoperative or containing the balls4 ,b will serve to indicate the position they assume when the sides are pressed1 and the holdout is either receiving or delivering the balls4 ,the holdout itself consists of a kind of scoop1 pivoted to a bracket in such a way that it will either turn up against one side of the bottle1 or lie open beneath the neck4 ,this scoop a has a projecting tail-piece or lever1 against which a spring d constantly presses1 and retains the scoop in contact with the side of the bottle4 ,to the end of this lever is jointed a rod c1 the further end of which just reaches across to the opposite side of the bottle4 ,it is obvious1 then1 that if the bottle is squeezed by the dealer1 the pressure being applied to the point of contact with the rod1 and to some point behind the bracket to which the scoop is pivoted 7between b and d1 in short71 the end of the lever will be pressed towards the side of the bottle1 and the scoop will consequently be turned down into the position shown at ,b4 ,the whole of the working parts1 together with the inside of the bottle1 are painted black1 in order to prevent any possibility of the device being seen by looking down the neck4 ,in returning the balls to the interior of the bottle1 the dealer carefully notes their value4 ,the low ones are allowed to fall in the proper manner1 but when a high one is dropped inside1 the bottle is squeezed in the manner above indicated1 the scoop comes down1 and that ball therefore falls into the holdout4 ,then in dealing the device is utilised in the same way4 ,the low balls are dealt to the dupes1 but in the act of dealing to a confederate1 or to himself1 as the case may be1 the bottle is pressed and high balls only are dealt4 ,as a rule one ball only is held out4 ,there is not very much in this game beyond the ingenuity of the holdout employed1 and the money which may be won by its means4 ,but since the necessity of including it among the explanations given in this book is obvious1 and since there is no definite section of the subject to which it can be referred1 it has had to receive1 however unworthily1 the distinction of having a chapter to itself4 ,,footnote3 #aa ,this would be far too risky a proceeding for a sharp to indulge in as a rule4 ,he might do so1 however1 if he got hold of a very great flat4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,roulette ,,and ,,allied ,,games ,roulette1 and the various modifications of the game1 which have been introduced from time to time1 have all had1 to a greater or less extent1 a fascination for the gambler4 ,that roulette itself still maintains a prominent place among the multitudinous methods of dissipating wealth to which gamblers are addicted1 can be fully vouched for by those who have visited the gaming-tables of such a place as ,monte ,carlo4 ,despite the efforts of civilisation1 'the man that broke the bank1' or is said to have done so1 is still prominent among us2 but the bank that broke the man is1 unfortunately1 much more in evidence4 ,the methods of play adopted by the great gaming establishments of the world are unquestionably as fair as the nature of things will allow them to be4 ,no man can run an establishment of any kind without profit1 and the profits of these gaming-houses result from the apparently small chances in favour of the bank which are universally allowed4 ,the fact that the apparently small chances against the players as a body are not generally recognised as being in reality great1 cannot be said to be the fault of the bankers themselves4 ,they build palatial edifices1 lay out luxurious gardens1 pay their crowds of retainers handsome salaries1 and still have profits sufficient to bring them in princely incomes1 the entire expenses of the whole being defrayed at the cost of the players1 and through the medium of those insignificant chances in the bank's favour4 ,it is strange that the players cannot see it1 but they do not seem to realise that it is they themselves who pay for these things2 or1 if they do see it1 they play with the wild hope of being among the few fortunate ones and sharing in the plunder4 ,taken as a whole1 it may be estimated that the profits of these places amount to five per cent4 or over of every pound that is staked upon the tables4 ,that is to say1 every player who places a sovereign upon the green cloth puts1 definitely and unmistakably1 at least a shilling into the pockets of the proprietors1 who have1 in the long run1 absolutely no risk whatever4 ,they have merely to furnish the accessories1 and the players will provide all the rest1 simply paying their money to the bank and taking all the risk themselves4 ,no player can gain at the expense of the bank2 if one should happen to make his fortune at play1 he can only do so by the ruin of some other player4 ,that is the plain state of the case1 and there is no getting over it4 ,it is not1 however1 with the so-called genuine gambling concerns that we have now to deal1 but with the little hole-and-corner dens which may be found in various parts of the world1 and particularly in the two continents of ,america4 ,in such as these the roulette-table is frequently a familiar object1 and very often it is not quite such a genuine piece of apparatus as it appears4 ,those who may not happen to be acquainted with the arrangement should understand that it is an oblong table1 having a circular cavity at one end1 in which the roulette revolves4 ,the roulette 7literally 'little wheel'7 is simply a revolving disc surrounded by a number of cavities into which a ball is allowed to roll4 ,these cavities are numbered1 and those who have staked upon the number of the particular hole into which the ball finds its way receive their stakes back1 together with an amount equivalent to the money they have staked multiplied by the number of holes remaining vacant in the roulette1 minus a certain percentage which is reserved in favour of the bank4 ,this is the essential principle of the game1 though in reality it is played with many complications of chances1 into which it is not necessary here to enter4 ,cheating in connection with the roulette-table is accomplished by means of a 'faked' or falsified roulette4 ,this is arranged so that the numbers around the periphery are not consecutive1 but alternately high and low4 ,indeed1 this is the usual arrangement1 therefore there is nothing suspicious in that fact4 ,the numbered divisions into one of which the ball eventually rolls are formed by equidistant copper bands1 set radially from the centre of rotation2 and1 in the false roulette1 the copper partitions are so constructed as to be movable in two sets1 one moving one way1 and the other in the opposite direction4 ,each alternate partition belongs to the opposite set to its two immediate neighbours1 consequently the movement of the partitions alternately in opposite directions tends to widen one set of cavities and narrow the others4 ,if1 then1 the original width of the cavities was only just sufficient to allow the ball to drop into either of them1 a very slight movement in one direction or the other will serve to prevent the ball from falling into any cavity of one set1 whilst allowing it readily to enter either of the other set4 ,before spinning the roulette1 then1 the man whose place it is to do so notes the disposition of the bets4 ,if they are principally staked upon the high numbers1 he just gives a little twist to the centre of the roulette1 in the direction which slightly closes the high numbers and correspondingly opens the low ones4 ,then the high numbers are bound to lose4 ,should the bets1 on the other hand1 be principally upon the low numbers1 the spindle is turned in the other direction1 thus closing the low numbers and opening the high ones4 ,in this way the bank can never lose by any possible chance4 ,the movement given to the alternate partitions is1 of course1 very slight1 one-sixteenth of an inch being ample for the purpose4 ,to enable the reader to better understand the principle involved in this system of cheating1 we will investigate its application to a simple modification of the roulette which is sometimes used1 and which affords great convenience for the method of falsification we have been considering4 ,this is a wheel composed of a circular centre-piece1 with two flat circular plates larger in diameter than the centre or 'hub1' one being fixed above and the other below it4 ,radially between these flanges1 and at equal distances apart1 are fixed partitions1 which thus convert the periphery of the wheel into a number of chambers or divisions4 ,a 7fig4 #fb7 represents the plan of a wheel of this kind1 and ,b shows the same in elevation4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #fb4 ,now1 these radial partitions mentioned above are not all fixed to the wheel in the same manner4 ,each alternate one is attached to the centre or hub1 and the others are fixed to the flanges or cheeks4 ,c in the illustration represents the latter1 and ,d the former4 ,the two halves of the wheel ,c and ,d being put together1 they appear to constitute a genuine wheel such as ,a4 ,it is obvious1 then1 that if these two halves can be made to move just a little in opposite directions around their common centre1 each alternate division will become slightly narrower or wider than its immediate neighbours1 as the case may be4 ,then1 if the divisions are numbered alternately high and low1 it stands to reason that the high numbers can be closed and the low ones opened1 or vice versa1 at will4 ,in the illustration1 ,e represents the wheel after the two sections have been turned one upon the other in this way4 ,it will be seen that n is a narrow division1 and w a wide one2 whilst right and left of these the divisions are alternately wide and narrow4 ,a wheel of this kind would be mounted upon a spindle1 in the centre of a circular depression in the table-top4 ,after it has been set spinning1 a ball is thrown into the circular hollow1 down the sloping sides of which it rolls1 and finally arrives in one of the divisions of the wheel1 in this case entering by the periphery4 ,in order to give the thing more the appearance of a game of skill1 a wheel of this kind is sometimes mounted at one end of a sort of bagatelle-table1 and1 whilst it is spinning1 the players are allowed to drive the ball into it with a cue from the far end of the table1 each player in succession taking his turn at the ball4 ,needless to say1 however1 this plan presents no particular advantage to the player4 ,if he has backed a high number1 and the high numbers are closed against him1 it is evident that he cannot possibly cause the ball to enter the division he requires1 do what he may4 ,it should also be noted that in the roulette the divisions1 in addition to being numbered alternately high and low1 are also alternately coloured red and black1 and the players have the option of betting upon either colour4 ,that is to say1 if the ball rolls into a red division1 irrespective of its number1 those who have staked upon the red will receive the value of their stakes1 whilst those who have wagered upon black will lose their money4 ,even in this case1 however1 the chances in favour of the bank will tell in the long run1 because the 'zeros1' the numbers reserved for the bank1 are neither red nor black1 and if the ball enters a zero neither red nor black will win4 ,the alternate arrangement of the red and black divisions will indicate1 at once1 that the same device which controls the entrance of the ball into the high or low numbers can also be made to cause either red or black to win1 at the pleasure of the bank4 ,in that case there is not much need to trouble about the effect of 'zero' one way or the other4 ,a gentleman1 well known in artistic circles1 has favoured me1 through a mutual friend1 with the following interesting account of a swindle perpetrated in connection with roulette here in ,london4 ,he entitles it ',a ,true ,gambling ,experience'2 and it is here given as nearly as possible in his own words4 ',some time ago1 a friend of mine wrote to me1 asking if ,i would like to go to a gamble at the rooms of a ,mr4 ,x----1 who had acquired a certain notoriety by gaining large sums at ,monte ,carlo4 ,indeed1 his name was mentioned almost daily in the ,london ,press4 ,i went1 and the game of roulette was played1 the guests being regaled at about midnight with a most excellent supper and ,pol ,roger ad lib4 ',the company was mixed--a few men from club-land1 a well-known money-lender1 and two fair ladies4 ,one lady was our hostess1 the other was the celebrated ,baroness ----4 ,the game was played quite fairly1 the board being one of those ordinarily used in ,england1 with one zero4 ,the stakes were limited to #bjl4 upon the even money chances4 ',at the end of the evening1 our host--the much-talked-of gentleman of ,monte ,carlo--who had won about #a1jjjl4 during the sitting1 appointed another evening1 and asked me if ,i would mind taking the bank4 ,i consented1 provided that ,i might stop when ,i had lost as much as ,i cared to risk4 ,this was acceded to1 and ,i took the bank on the following week1 when ,i arose a loser of some #cjjl41 but had such consolation as was to be derived from partaking of a supper similar in character to the first1 everything being absolutely en prince4 ,a game of baccarat followed1 and a friend of mine was fortunate enough to win some hundreds from our host4 ,i myself1 having settled up all my losings at roulette1 was a gainer of fifty sovereigns or so4 ,at the end of the evening1 our host excused himself from payment1 on the ground that he had had a very bad week racing1 and had a very heavy settlement to make on the ,monday1 ,i know1 he said1 you and your friend will not mind waiting until next week1 when we will have another evening4 ,of course we agreed to wait until the next meeting4 ',some days after1 ,i had a letter from ,mr4 ,x----1 stating that he had much pleasure in sending me a cheque 7enclosed71 and remarking that he intended having an evening at the rooms of a friend of his1 near ,charing ,cross4 ,the evening arrived1 and ,i duly wended my way to the address ,mr4 ,x---- had given me4 ,i found about twenty people assembled1 among them my friend and another man ,i knew4 ,i went up to the former and asked him if ,mr4 ,x---- had paid up the money he owed him4 ,oh yes1 he said1 he has paid me in those1 pointing to a heap of counters in front of him4 ,the game had commenced when ,i arrived1 and ,i noticed that the limit of the stakes was double that of the former occasions1 viz4 #djl4 upon the even money chances4 ,i further noticed that a ,frenchman 7who could not speak a word of ,english7 was turning the wheel1 and ,mr4 ,x---- was acting as croupier4 ,the board was not similar to that used on former occasions4 ',the game proceeded1 the ,frenchman rolling the ball1 and ,mr4 ,x---- raking in the losing and paying out the winning stakes4 ,every now and then a man would retire hard hit1 whilst others were constantly arriving4 ,business was brisk1 a good trade was being carried on1 but nobody knew how certain the bank was of winning4 ,a ,rothschild could not have stood against that board1 as ,i afterwards discovered4 ',presently1 one of the players got up and said1 ,i think that is seven hundred ,i owe you1 ,x----1 and proceeded to try and write a cheque for the amount upon a blank sheet of paper2 but finding he could not write distinctly1 he called to the money-lender1 who filled in the body of the cheque1 and then the half-tipsy punter signed it and left4 ,several large cheques were paid to ,x---- upon various players taking their departure2 and ,i1 having lost #ajl4 punting in sovereigns1 wrote a cheque for that amount4 ,in the meantime1 my friend who had been paid by ,x---- some hundreds in counters1 as before mentioned1 had lost them all1 and had a debit of about #djjl4 against him4 ,he was staking the maximum each time on either red or black4 ,sometimes he had a maximum on one of the other chances4 ,the luck 787 was dead against him1 and he only won once in every three or four coups4 ,he came into the next room with me and had a brandy and soda4 ,my luck is terrible1 he said1 awful6 but ,i am going to sit it out4 ,the chances must average up presently4 ,such1 however1 was not the case4 ,he lost more and more1 whilst beads of perspiration stood upon his forehead4 ',relaxing for a moment my attention from my friend and his play1 and glancing at the roulette revolving1 ,i noticed the ball roll into division ,no4 #c1 red4 ,strange to say1 however1 when the roulette came to rest1 the winning number proved to be ,no4 #bf1 black4 ,even then the thought did not occur to me that there was anything wrong2 but shortly afterwards a similar event occurred1 and then ,i felt sure there was a swindle somewhere4 ,i went into the cloak-room where we had left our outer apparel1 and putting on my opera hat and cape1 returned to the scene4 ,i pulled my hat well over my eyes and watched the board4 ,having a quick eye1 and being used to roulette1 ,i soon fathomed what is possibly the most beautiful swindle ever invented4 ,the partitions which form the divisions into which the ball runs were constructed in one piece and movable1 altogether apart from the numbers between which they were situated4 ,in pressing upon the roulette to stop its motion in the usual manner1 a sort of ratchet movement could be actuated which would turn the whole of the divisions round1 carrying the ball with them1 from one number to the next4 ,thus red could be turned into black1 manque into passe1 or pair into impair1 according to the manner in which the stakes were placed4 ',i was so completely upset by my discovery of this colossal swindle that ,i unfortunately committed a faux pas which enabled the gang to escape punishment4 ,after ,i was thoroughly certain of the modus operandi1 ,i looked round the room to see what help was at hand in the event of a tussle2 but1 not liking the look of the crowd1 ,i decided to obtain assistance from the outside4 ,before doing so1 ,i felt that my clear duty was to speak to the host1 who had lent his rooms to ,mr4 ,x----4 ,i motioned him apart1 and on telling him that ,i wished to speak to him privately1 he took me into his bedroom4 ,mr4 ,z----1 ,i said1 ,i think it my duty to tell you that this game is a gigantic swindle4 ,the men who have lost have been cheated out of their money1 and ,i described the process to him4 ,it cannot be true1 said he1 ,i have known ,x---- for years1 and have been engaged in several large financial transactions with him1 and ,i would stake my life upon his integrity4 ,well1 ,i said1 that may be so1 but ,i am certain of what ,i say1 and ,i shall prevent all the payment ,i can4 ,as for my cheque of #ajl41 ,i shall stop it at the bank4 7,that cheque has never been presented from that day to this74 ',i went out into the passage1 leaving ,z---- in his bedroom1 and at that moment the well-known ,mr4 ----1 ,f4,r4,c4,s4 was admitted at the door4 ,i whispered to him1 ,play small and watch it1 and went off for a detective4 ,i was afterwards informed by my sawbones friend that play was stopped directly ,i left4 ',the rest of the tale is soon told4 ,i met my unfortunate friend outside his house1 and found he had ended in losing #a1cjjl4 ,his state was truly pitiable1 and his relief was great when ,i told him that he need not pay a penny1 as he had been duped4 ',the next day private detectives were busy2 but1 unfortunately1 the mechanical board had escaped them1 and ,mr4 ,x---- and his confederates had cleared out of ,london4 ',would you believe it8 ,x---- went to a well-known firm of solicitors1 and wanted to commence an action against me2 but they advised him to refrain from so doing4 ',i traced many of the punters who had lost money that evening1 and stopped the payment of very much that would otherwise have found its way into the pockets of the swindlers4 ,the men whose interests ,i thus protected never thanked me4 ,all ,i contrived to do for myself was to make many enemies4 ,for the future ,i intend to leave the exposure of swindlers to those who are accustomed to that kind of work4' ,under the general term of 'spindle-games1' a great variety of revolving wheels and pointers is sold4 ,in all cases the 'game' consists of betting against the bank1 upon the chances of a ball rolling into a certain compartment1 or of a pointer coming to rest opposite a certain number or division upon a dial4 ,countless are the dodges and devices resorted to with the object of controlling the chances or of removing them altogether4 ,things of this kind are commonly used for the purposes of cheating at race-meetings and horse fairs 'out west4' ,we have already seen how anything in the nature of a roulette can be sophisticated so as to give the bank every advantage1 and insure certain loss to the players2 and from this we may judge that something similar is possible in the case of a pointer or 'spear4' ,indeed1 the possibilities in this direction are endless1 and all sorts of brakes and such devices for bringing the pointer to rest at a given spot have been invented4 ,as an example we will investigate one system1 which is in all probability the most ingenious ever devised1 and which is but little known4 ,some years ago1 the head of a well-known firm of electricians and experimentalists in ,manchester was approached by an ,american1 with a view to their undertaking the manufacture of a piece of apparatus1 part of the drawings for which he submitted4 ,the firm agreed to make what was required1 and the work was commenced4 ,as to what the apparatus could possibly be1 or for what use it was intended1 the manufacturers were completely in ignorance4 ,never having had experience of anything of the kind before1 the whole thing was a mystery to them3 all that they could infer from the utterances of their customer was that it was something in the nature of an experiment1 and one which was of the greatest importance4 ,expense was absolutely no object whatever2 all they had to concern themselves with was to see that the apparatus was thoroughly well and accurately made1 and in accordance with the drawings given them4 ,the contrivance itself was a sort of circular table-top2 but1 instead of being made of one solid thickness of wood1 it was constructed in three sections or layers4 ,the top and bottom pieces were simply plain discs1 whilst the central one was a ring4 ,these1 being fastened together1 made a kind of shallow box1 the interior of which could be reached by removing either the top or bottom of the whole arrangement4 ,into this internal circular cavity was fitted a disc of such a size that it was capable of turning freely within the table top without rattling about4 ,radially from the centre of this disc were cut about six or eight slots1 at equal distances from each other1 and sufficiently large to contain each a bar-magnet4 ,the magnets being fixed into their respective slots1 the disc carrying them was placed into the cavity prepared for its reception1 and the outer wood-work was firmly glued together4 ,to all outward appearance1 then1 the thing became simply a table-top1 made in three thicknesses1 the 'grain' of the middle thickness crossing that of the other two2 an arrangement often adopted in cabinetwork to prevent warping4 ,in the under side of the table-top1 however1 there was cut a small slot1 concentric with the outer edge4 ,this gave access to the movable piece within the interior1 and a small stud was fixed into that piece1 projecting a little beyond the under surface1 so that by its means the inner piece could be revolved a short distance to the right or left4 ,this incomprehensible scientific instrument having been completed to the satisfaction of the ,american gentleman1 it was taken away by him1 and the firm expected to hear nothing more of it4 ,in this1 however1 they were mistaken4 ,a few days afterwards their customer again called upon them1 bringing with him another drawing1 and requesting them to make this second device in accordance with his instructions4 ,the drawing presented for the inspection of the firm this time was a representation of a very heavy iron pointer1 so constructed as to revolve upon a pivot at its centre4 ,strange to say1 the length of the pointer was just about equal to the diameter of the internal disc of the table-top previously made4 ,the head of the firm began to 'smell a rat4' ,that pointer had served to point out to him the solution of what was previously inexplicable4 ,having formed his own conclusions1 he openly taxed the ,american with having lured him into making an apparatus for cheating4 ,perfectly unabashed1 the man admitted the soft impeachment1 and quite calmly and collectedly revealed the full particulars of his system1 as though it were nothing at all unusual1 and quite in the ordinary way of business4 ,it appeared that this innocent form of amusement was intended to be taken 'out west1' and brought into action principally at horse-fairs4 ,the table-top which the firm had made was destined to be covered with green cloth1 in the centre of which a circle was marked out1 its circumference being divided into spaces coloured alternately black and red4 ,the number of these spaces was twice that of the magnets within the table4 ,thus1 by moving the stud projecting below the table-top the magnets could be made to lie beneath either colour whilst the proprietor lied over the whole4 ,obviously1 then1 the iron pointer would always come to rest above one of the magnets1 and in this way the colour at which it was allowed to stop could be decided by the operator4 ,his plan of working was simply to note which colour had the most money staked upon it1 and set his magnets so as to cause the pointer to stop at the other4 ,using an apparatus of this kind1 the man had already made thousands of dollars2 and he only required this improved and perfected machine to enable him to go back and make thousands more4 ,the ,americans are pretty generally regarded as being a smart people--but are they8 ,in some ways1 perhaps4 ,all this being explained to the head of the ,manchester firm1 the natural exclamation which fell from him was1 ',but suppose anyone among the bystanders happened to bring out a mariner's compass8' ,it appeared1 however1 even in that case1 that all was not lost1 and that the swindler would be equal to the occasion4 ,quietly putting his hand between his coat-tails1 he drew out a neat little ',derringer1' about a foot long1 and observed1 ',wal1 sir1 ,i guess that compass would never git around my table4 ,you kin bet on that4' ,that's the sort of man he was4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,sporting-,,houses ,we now come to a consideration of the so-called 'sporting-houses1' otherwise1 the firms who supply sharps with the appliances and tools of their craft4 ,these places are many1 and1 as a rule1 prosperous4 ,their dealings in 'advantage goods1' as these things are called by the fraternity1 are of course 'under the rose1' and the real nature of their business is covered by the fact that they are supposed to be dealers in honest commodities of various kinds4 ,some of these people keep 'emporiums' for the ostensible sale of genuine gambling appliances1 such as faro-tables1 billiard-tables1 dice1 cards1 c4 ,others will run businesses which are far removed from anything in the nature of gambling4 ,the cheating business is1 of course1 kept in the background1 although no great secret would appear to be made of it2 the inference being1 one may suppose1 that it is not criminal to sell these things1 although it is undoubtedly so to use them4 ,until quite recently it was no uncommon thing to find advertisements in certain of the ,american newspapers1 to some such effect as ',holdouts and other ,sporting ,tools4--,apply to ,messrs4 ,so-and-,so1' giving the name and address4 ,an advertisement of this kind would1 of course1 be simply ,greek to the majority1 although the sharps would understand its meaning readily enough4 ,upon applying to the advertiser1 a sharp would receive a voluminous price list1 setting forth the manifold beauties and advantages of the wares at his disposal1 and showing conclusively that no other dealer had things so good to sell1 and that the advertising firm was the most fair dealing and conscientious in the world1 if their own account of themselves might be trusted4 ,the first specimen of these literary and artistic productions to which we shall refer is a very exhaustive affair2 so much so1 in fact1 that space will not allow it to be reprinted in its entirety4 ,besides cheating appliances it quotes all kinds of genuine gambling tools1 which are of no importance to us in our present inquiry4 ,such parts1 then1 as have no reference to cheating have been excised1 to avoid crowding these pages with unnecessary matter4 ,the reader who has conscientiously followed1 and taken pains to understand the explanations contained in previous chapters1 will have no difficulty in arriving at a very fair notion of the various items given1 and the significance of much that1 otherwise1 would possess no meaning for him4 ,this catalogue is issued by a firm in ,san ,francisco4 ,,the ,,only ,,sporting ,,emporium ,,on ,,the ,,pacific ,,coast4 7,name7 7,name71 ,,company4 ,,dealers ,,in ,,and ,,manufacturers ,,of ,sporting ,goods4 7,address7 ,,street1 ,,san ,,francisco1 ,,cal4 ,,read ,,this6 ,,our ,,terms ,,are ,,strictly ,,cash4 ,all orders ,,must be accompanied by a deposit1 and no order will be entertained unless the deposit is indorsed or sent with the order1 to show a guarantee of good faith4 ,on small orders send the full amount1 and thus save the double charges4 ,goods sent ,c4 ,o4 ,d4 ,,only where a deposit comes with the order or guarantee from the ,express ,agent4 ,all remittances can be sent by ,express1 ,mail1 ,post ,office ,order1 ,stamps1 or ,registered ,letter4 ,all business strictly confidential1 and all inquiries answered by return mail4 ,,we ,,will ,,not ,,deviate ,,from ,,the ,,above ,,terms4 ,always say whether you want ,letters and ,goods sent by ,mail or ,express4 7,name and ,address47 ,,faro ,,tools ,,dealing-,,boxes1 plated #aj #jj square1 heavy ,german silver #af #jj plated #bj #jj plated1 sand tell #ae #jj heavy ,german silver1 sand tell #bj #jj plated1 sand tell #be #jj side lever1 heavy plated #ej #jj square1 size-up #fj #jj end squeeze1 plain #ge #jj and lock up #ajj #jj plain1 to squeeze top and bottom #he #jj lock-up1 to squeeze top and bottom #ajj #jj balance top1 plain #ge #jj to lock up #ajj #jj end squeeze1 lock-up and size-up #abe #jj needle #abe #jj latest style combination box1 to work in four different ways1 size-up1 end squeeze1 and needle1 to lock up to a square box #age #jj shuffling board with needle #ab #ej needle for table #b #ej very latest combination box to work in five different ways1 size-up1 sand tell1 end squeeze1 and needle1 lock-up to a square box #bjj #jj ,in ordering1 state exactly the kind of top that is desired1 also if the box is to have bars inside or to be without bars4 ,our boxes are made with a view to simplicity1 durability1 and finish1 are guaranteed to work perfectly1 and pronounced by experts to be the best in the ,united ,states4 ,boxes of any style made to order and repaired4 ,we are constantly making improvements in this line4 ,lever boxes altered into end squeeze4 ,,trimming ,,shears1 metal block #dj #jj metal block1 to cut1 size-up1 and the odd #ej #jj latest improved1 with extra set screw #fe #jj ,,lever ,,pattern1 metal block #dj #jj to cut1 size-up1 and the odd #ej #jj latest improved1 with extra set screw #fe #jj metal block1 small size1 suitable for travelling #ce #jj to cut1 size-up1 and the odd #de #jj latest improved1 to cut1 size-up1 and the odd1 with extra set screw1 and attachment1 to hold monte cards while trimming #ge #jj ,in ordering shears or lever-pattern trimmers1 state what kind and style you want4 ,,trimming ,,plates 7new style71 our own design1 to cut any size card1 rounds or straights4 ,a knife1 razor1 or any other sharp instrument can be used #g #ej ,,cutter1 for cutting round corners on cards 7something new71 our own invention #bj #jj for the odd only #bj #jj ,trimming shears sharpened and squared equal to new at short notice4 ,you can do more and better work with our shears and trimmers than any other manufactured in the ,united ,states4 ,they are made of the very best materials1 and under our personal supervision4 ,the cutting parts are made of the finest steel1 and forged by hand1 making them all that could be desired4 ,,shuffling ,,boards1 very thin iron1 broadcloth cover #c #jj for the odd #ae #jj ,,faro ,,dealing ,,cards1 best quality1 either squared or unsquared1 per dozen #ae #jj per deck #a #be best quality1 cut for size-up #a #ge cut in any form1 either wedges1 rounds1 and straights1 end strippers1 or any other kind1 ready for use1 per deck #b #ej ,in ordering cards cut1 always send a king or ace that fits your box1 or if your box is numbered1 send the number1 and state particularly how you want them done4 ,cash is required with all orders for trimmed cards4 ,,high-,,ball ,,layouts1 #c by #d feet #f #jj ,other sizes and styles painted to order4 ,,high ,,balls1 walrus ivory1 each #bj boxwood #aj ,,high-,,ball ,,bottles1 leather1 two in set1 one square1 #b #ej1 one holdout #g #ej #aj #jj ,,clubroom ,,furniture ,,faro ,,tables #ge #jj to #ajj #jj ,,poker ,,tables1 our own invention #bej #jj ,,dice ,,tables1 electric1 complete1 our invention #aej #jj ,,poker and ,,dice ,,table combined #cej #jj ,,grand ,,hazard ,,dice ,,table1 electric1 complete1 our own invention #age #jj ,,electric ,,dice1 #a_/b inch1 each #b #ej ,,ivory ,,dice ,,top1 to throw high or low as required1 and one square to match #g #jj ,,ivory ,,dice1 #a_/b inch1 round or square corners1 each #be #i_/af inch1 round corners1 each #ce #e_/h #de #c_/d #hj ,,ivory ,,dice1 #g_/h inch1 round corners1 each #a #be #a #b #jj ,horse for crap game1 #a_/b inch1 per pair #ej for top and bottom and #c fair #a #jj #c high1 #c low1 and #c fair loaded 7,eastern71 per set #f #jj loaded1 our own manufacture1 #a_/b inch1 each #b #ej #e_/h #b #ge #c_/d or #g_/h inch1 each #c #jj ,in ordering dice1 please state which side you want to come up2 also state if you want a square set to match4 ,all kinds of ivory dice made to order4 ,,bone ,,dice1 per dozen #be;c4 to #ej;c4 ,,dice ,,boxes1 leather #be;c4 and #ej;c4 smooth inside #a #jj ,,keno ,,outfits ,,keno1 consisting of globe and stand1 #ajj cards1 pegging boards1 #ajj pegs1 ball board1 #ij walrus balls and buttons1 very fine #gj #jj with boxwood balls1 very fine #fj #jj with walrus globes1 plain globe #ej #jj with boxwood balls1 plain globe #dj #jj ,,indicators1 for registering cards sold #aj #jj ,,pull-,,up ,,peg ,,board1 for #ajj cards #bj #jj ,,keno ,,cards1 #i rows1 #e in a row1 #ajj cards #ae #jj ,,keno ,,globe1 for holding out extra balls #fe #jj ,,short ,,games ,,vest ,,holdout1 our own pattern #be #jj ,,sleeve ,,holdout #be #jj1 #cj #jj1 #ej #jj1 and #aej #jj ,,table ,,holdout1 to work with the knee #ae #jj ,,the ,,bug1 to hold out extra cards from the table #a #jj ,,table ,,reflector #e #jj ,,reflector1 in seven half-dollars #g #ej in one half-dollar #b #ej ,,reflector1 in one dollar #c #ej in pipe #e #jj to work on any ring #b #jj to fasten to greenbacks #b #jj plain #a #ej attached to machine1 can be brought to palm of hand at will #be #jj ,,dummies1 to imitate a stack of twenties1 used to show in bankers' or money-brokers' windows1 to represent #ajj #b #ge to represent #bjj #c #be #cjj #c #ge #djj #d #jj #ejj #e #jj ,,nail ,,pricks1 each #ej ,,acid ,,fluid1 for shading cards1 #c colours1 very fine and entirely new1 complete with directions1 per set1 #f bottles #e #jj single bottle1 any colour #a #jj ,,marked ,,cards ,per dozen #a #j #jj ,per deck #a #jj ,glazed backs1 round corners1 per dozen #a #d #jj deck #a #be ,by mail1 #e cents per deck extra4 ,,strippers1 cut to order for any short game1 per dozen #g #jj cut to order for any short game1 per deck #ge ,by mail1 #e cents per deck extra4 ,in ordering these cards1 state what kind of card preferred1 and be particular to give full directions--just what you want them for1 and what cards you want stripped4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the next catalogue to which we refer hails from the ,state of ,new ,york1 and is that from which extracts have been made during the progress of this book4 ,it is particularly amusing1 and deserves careful perusal on that account4 ,,the ,,latest ,,sleeve ,,holdout ,the finest machine in this country4 ,all late improvements1 better made than some machines that are sold for #cjj4 ,a better machine than the ,kepplinger1 of ,san ,francisco1 holdout4 ,made of fine and light pen steel1 and works as well in shirt sleeves as with a coat on4 ,the machine is fastened in a double shirt sleeve4 ,the cards go in between the wristband and cuff4 ,the wristband and cuff closes up when the cards are in1 and anyone may look up your sleeve to your elbow and cannot see anything wrong4 ,the holdout is worked by spreading your knees4 ,the string runs through steel tubing that has capped pulley wheel joints4 ,the string cannot bind or catch1 and will work smoothly1 easy1 and noiselessly1 every time alike4 ,give length of arm and size of shirt worn when ordering4 ,price1 #ajj4 ,will send one ,c4 ,o4 ,d4 #ge1 with privilege to examine1 on receipt of #be4 ,,kepplinger ,,vest1 ,,or ,,coat ,,machine ,new1 never before advertised4 ,made on same principle as the sleeve holdout1 and works by spreading knees4 ,string goes through adjustable tubing4 ,vest closes up tight when cards are in1 and looks to be all buttoned up tight4 ,works equally well in coat4 7,this is almost a nickle-in-slot machine1 and ,i will guarantee perfect satisfaction to anyone that wants a first-class vest or coat holdout47 ,sent in vest all ready to put on and work4 ,price #ge4 ,will send one ,c4 ,o4 ,d4 #fj1 privilege to examine and try in express office1 on receipt of #ae4 ,,stud ,,poker ,,holdout ,very light and compact1 works under any ordinary cuff4 ,cards come out to palm of hand and go back out of sight4 ,works automatically by resting arm on edge of table4 ,also a good machine to cap the deck with4 ,price #cj4 ,sent ,c4 ,o4 ,d4 #bj1 privilege to examine1 on receipt of #ae4 ,,arm ,,pressure ,,vest ,,machine ,this machine weighs about three ounces1 and is used half way down the vest1 where it comes natural to hold your hands and cards4 ,the work is done with one hand and the lower part of the same arm4 ,you press against a small lever with the arm 7an easy pressure of three-quarters of an inch throws out the cards back of a few others held in your left hand71 and you can reach over to your checks or do anything else with the right hand while working the holdout4 ,the motions are all natural1 and do not cause suspicion4 ,the machine is held in place by a web belt2 you don't have to sew anything fast1 but when you get ready to play you can put on the machine1 and when through can remove it in half a minute4 ,there are no plates1 no strings to pull on1 and no springs that are liable to break or get out of order4 ,this machine is worth fifty of the old style vest plates for practical use1 and you will say the same after seeing one4 ,price #ae4 ,will send one ,c4 ,o4 ,d4 #aj1 with privilege to examine1 on receipt of #e4 ,will send one by registered mail on receipt of price1 with the understanding that you may return it in exchange for other goods if not perfectly satisfactory4 ,,arm ,,pressure ,,sleeve ,,machine ,same price and style as the arm pressure vest machine4 7,this holdout is the lightest and smoothest working arm pressure sleeve holdout made47 ,,ten ,,dollar ,,sleeve ,,holdout ,light and compact1 can be put on or taken off in two minutes1 works by raising and lowering your arm4 ,a good machine for small games4 ,sent by registered mail on receipt of the price4 ,,automatic ,,table ,,holdout ,lightest made1 fastens by patent steel claw4 ,can be put under a table and taken off instantly1 as there are no screws or anything to fasten permanently4 ,works by knee1 and brings the card up on top of the table4 ,price #bj4 ,sent ,c4 ,o4 ,d41 privilege to examine1 on receipt of #e4 ,notice4--,i can make this holdout or my stud poker holdout1 either one1 to work a fine reflector for reading the cards1 at same price4 ,,to ,,smart ,,poker ,,players ,i have invented a process by which a man is sure of winning if he can introduce his own cards4 ,the cards are not trimmed or marked in any way1 shape1 or manner4 ,they can be handled and shuffled by all at the board1 and1 without looking at a card1 you can1 by making two or three shuffles or ripping them in1 oblige the dealer to give three of a kind to any one playing1 or the same advantage can be taken on your own deal4 ,this is a big thing for any game4 ,in euchre you can hold the joker every time1 or the cards most wanted in any game4 ,the process is very hard to detect1 as the cards look perfectly natural1 and it is something card-players are not looking for4 ,other dealers have been selling sanded cards1 or cheap cards with spermaceti rubbed on1 and calling them professional playing or magnetic cards4 ,i don't want you to class my cards with that kind of trash4 ,i use a liquid preparation put on with rollers on all cards made2 this dries on the cards and does not show1 and will last as long as the cards do4 ,the object is to make certain cards1 not prepared1 slip off easier than others in shuffling4 ,you can part or break the deck to an ace or king1 and easily 'put up threes1' no matter where they lay in the deck4 ,this fine advantage works fine single handed1 or when the left-hand man shuffles and offers the cards to be cut4 ,these cards are ten times better than readers or strippers1 and they get the money faster4 ,price #b per pack by mail1 #bj per dozen packs4 ,if you order a dozen1 ,i will furnish cards like you use4 ,,cuff ,,holdout ,weighs two ounces1 and is a neat invention to top the deck1 to help a partner1 or hold out a card playing stud poker2 also good to play the half stock in seven up4 ,this holdout works in the shirt sleeve1 and holds the cards in the same place as a cuff pocket4 ,there is no part of the holdout in sight at any time4 ,a man that has worked a pocket will appreciate this invention4 ,price1 by registered mail1 #aj4 ,,ring ,,holdout ,fits under any ring worn on third finger4 ,a fine thing to top the deck4 ,you can hold as many cards as you wish in your hand1 and no one will mistrust you1 as your fingers will be at perfect liberty1 and it is not necessary to keep them together as you have to do when palming4 ,price1 by registered mail1 #c4 ,,table ,,holdout ,very small and light4 ,it can be put under and removed from any table in less than half a minute4 ,works easily from either knee4 ,it will bring three or more cards up into your hand1 and take back the discards as you hold your cards and hands in a natural position on top of the table4 ,it is the best table holdout made4 ,price1 by registered mail1 #aj4 ,will send one ,c4 ,o4 ,d41 with privilege to examine1 on receipt of #c4 ,,the ,,bug ,a little instrument1 easily carried in your vest pocket1 that can be used at a moment's notice to hold out one or more cards in any game4 ,simple1 yet safe and sure4 ,price #ej cents4 ,,new ,,marking ,,ink ,for line or scroll work4 ,any one can apply it with a fine steel pen or camel's hair brush4 ,this ink dries quickly and does not require any rubbing4 ,will guarantee it to be the best ink made4 ,price #c per bottle4 ,two bottles1 red and blue1 #e4 ,best shading colours1 #b per bottle4 ,,reflector ,fastens by pressing steel spurs into under side of table4 ,a fine glass comes to the edge of table to read the cards as you deal them off4 ,you can set the glass at any angle or turn it back out of sight in an instant4 ,price #d4 ,,marked ,,cards ,first quality cards1 hand marked1 #a #ej per pack1 #ad per dozen4 ,first quality cards1 shaded plain or fine1 #aa per dozen4 ,i can mark any style card you use if ordered by the dozen packs4 ,strippers cut just as you want them4 ,price #a per pack4 ,,loaded ,,dice ,made of selected ivory loaded with quicksilver1 and can be shaken from the box so as to come high or low1 as you wish4 ,with a set of these you will find yourself winner at all dice games1 and carry off the prize at every raffle you attend4 ,sold in sets of #i dice1 #c high1 #c low1 and #c fair4 ,price1 per set complete1 #e4 ,,dice ,,tops ,for high and low4 ,sure thing4 ,made of best ivory1 #d ,black walnut1 just as good1 #a #be4 ,eagle claw1 to hold out cards in shirt sleeve4 ,price #e4 ,knee holdout1 to hold out cards from edge of table4 ,price #b #ej4 ,prong1 improved1 to use as cuff pocket4 ,price #d4 ,new method of marking cards like scratch work4 ,this work leaves a white line or mark on the card that cannot be shaded4 ,price of material1 tools1 and full directions1 #aj1 ,this is the kind of work good men have been trying to get for some time4 ,,notice ,it will pay any man that plays cards to come and see my work4 ,i will meet you at ,chatham1 ,new ,york1 and will pay all expenses if ,i don't show you the best goods made4 ,if you want any reference regarding my standing1 write to ---- ,bros41 merchants1 or any business firm of this town4 ,they don't recommend advantage goods1 but they will tell you that ,i am good for all ,i advertise to do4 ,if you want to get a holdout or anything in the sporting line that you have ever seen used or advertised1 write to me about them and see how my prices compare with others4 ,i know all about every kind of advantage ever advertised1 and am getting new ones every day1 but only advertise those ,i know to be practical4 ,if you send me an order1 no matter how large or small1 ,i shall try to give you the worth of your money1 so that you will send again4 ,i am the only manufacturer of holdouts in this country4 ,i am the only man who makes the holdouts he advertises for sale himself4 ,i will bet #ejj1 ---- to hold the money and decide the bet1 that no other dealer advertising advantage goods can make a sleeve or vest machine themselves as good as either of mine4 ,if you play cards it will pay you to come here and see my machines work4 ,i will pay all expenses if ,i cannot show you the best holdouts made4 ,send money by registered letter1 postal note1 or money order on ,chatham1 ,new ,york4 ,send all orders to ----4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the educated man who does not smile at the bombast and ',yankee-brag' contained in the above1 surely cannot have his risible faculties developed in any degree whatever4 ,the next catalogue we shall notice comes from ,new ,york ,city itself1 and is couched in the following terms3-- ,,our ,,latest ,,marked ,,back ,,playing ,,cards ,round corners1 big squeezers1 first quality linen stock1 warranted4 ,price1 per pack1 #a #be2 six packs1 #g2 one dozen packs1 #ab4 ,,to ,,card ,,players ,these cards are by far the finest-marked cards ever printed1 and are fully equal in every way1 quality of stock1 print1 and finish of both back and face1 to any first quality square card made4 ,this fills the long-felt want among the sporting fraternity1 and it is the best offer ever made to club-rooms and private parties4 ,they are new1 and never before this season been placed on the market4 ,they are especially adapted for fine work1 and great care has been given to the marking of both size and suit1 and it is almost an impossibility to find the marks and earn the combination without the key and complete printed instructions which we send with every pack2 but when learned they are as easily read from the back as from the face4 ,nos4 #a1 #b1 and #e are marked in all four corners alike1 so as to be readily played by either right or left-hand players and are marked on an entirely different principle than old style stamped cards4 ,attention is requested to our ',montana1' ,no4 #c1 and to our ',star1' ,no4 #d4 ,we furnish them in the colours mentioned and used in all games throughout the entire country4 ,order the cards by the numbers directly over them4 ,price1 per pack1 #a #be2 six packs1 #g2 one dozen packs1 #ab4 ,we can furnish square cards to exactly duplicate ,nos4 #a1 #b1 and #e1 at #c per dozen1 by express4 ,strippers of all these cards1 for poker and all games1 furnished with either fair or marked backs4 ,for prices and particulars see our circulars4 ,address all orders to ---- 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following is a hand-bill issued by the same firm as the last1 and specially addressed-- ,,to ,,faro ,,dealers ,we handle1 and keep constantly in stock1 all the latest and best combination boxes1 both end squeeze1 top balance1 lever and side movement1 etc41 etc41 but we make a speciality of our own boxes1 and recommend them to any one needing a good reliable box1 that can be depended on at all times4 ,these boxes are simple1 durable1 and by far the best boxes ever placed on the market4 ,we make them up perfectly plain1 without bars1 have the bottom movement 7entirely new71 and they can be locked to a dead square box by a table movement which cannot be detected4 ,we make our boxes up to lock by three combinations1 and we guarantee them in every way4 ,end squeeze1 three combinations #ajj to #abe without bottom movement #ajj ,top ,balance1 bottom movement1 three combinations #ajj ,needle or 'spur tell' for the odd1 bottom movement #fe without bottom movement #ej ,we also make an end squeeze that no one can tell from a square box1 as the end of box is immovable1 the metal of the end being thinner than rest of box1 being able to spring or give as it is pressed1 and doing the work4 ,this is one of the finest boxes ever made4 ,price #ajj4 ,we also make plain tell boxes1 without bars1 which can be charged query 'changed' from a square to a tell box in an instant without the possibility of detection1 and we will guarantee that no one can find the combination4 7,do not confound these with the ordinary lock-up sand tell box47 ,our boxes are perfect in every particular1 and will do the work4 ,the cards for these boxes are specially prepared by a machine which takes the place of sand and all kinds of preparation4 ,they are by far superior to any cards sanded or prepared by hand4 ,our manner of preparing cards for these boxes is by having the twelve paint cards prepared1 so by playing in the high card the money is won without creating suspicion1 by being always actually on the card with the work on4 ,price #be ,with six packs prepared cards #ce 99 99 99 99 99 ,these are the instructions sent out with the fluids used for marking cards4 ,the spelling must not be criticised4 ,it is similar to that of the original3-- ',,directions ,,for ,,making ,,and ,,using ,,our ,,colors4 ',take the color that comes nearest to the color of the card you want to use it on1 put a few drops in an empty bottle1 and dilute with ,alcohol untill you get a ,shade as near like the ,card as possible4 ,to avoid spilling1 as sometimes happens in trying to pour or drop1 the dye may be lifted out of the bottles with the brush1 by repeatedly dipping the brush into them1 and then wiping the brush on the mouth of the empty ,bottle4 ,it is better to put the ,alcohol into the empty bottle first1 then when you lift the dye out on the brush you can dip the brush right in the ,alcohol1 and tell better when you have the right shade4 ,as you mix the colors1 try them on a surface like that on which you may intend to use them1 in this way any shade may be obtained4 ,always bear in mind that the ,colors show deeper when moist1 7as is the case when they are first put on71 and become fainter as they dry1 and when dry if they are too light1 go over them again4 ,eveness is more apt to be obtained by using a little lighter shade of color after the first application4 ',a little care and practice will enable any one to handle these colors satisfactorily4 ',in marking you can pick out any number of figures from four to six1 having them as near the upper left hand corner as conveneient1 a ,flower which has #e leaves is best1 or the right number of figures in a circle4 ',shade all the figures except ,no4 #a1 leaving it light or natural for the ,ace1 ,no4 #b light for ,king1 ,no4 #c light for ,queen1 ,no4 #d for ,jack1 ,no4 #e for #aj spot1 #a #b light for #i spot1 #b and #c for #h1 #c and #d for #g1 #d and #e for #f1 #e and #a for #e1 #b and #e for #d1 #b and #d for #c1 and #c and #e for #b4 ,in doing very nice work we shade the entire back of the card except the figure which denotes the size and suit4 ',for suit pick out two figures near those you use for size1 and have both dark for ,clubs1 and both light or natural for ,diamonds1 have one of them dark for ,spades2 and the other dark for ,hearts4 ,with six figures the combination runs similar to the five figures which we have ezplained1 and a four figure runs the same down to the seven spot4 ,after a little practice you will see many ways of marking your cards4 ',the ,dyes we use are the ,diamond ,package ,dyes1 and can be had of most any ,druggist4 ,make the ,dyes according to ,directions on the package1 using only one half the quantity of water directed1 and strain through a cloth1 if there is any sediment in the dye after adding the ,alcohol strain it again as it is necessary to have it as clear as possible4 ,do not try to use the dyes without the ,alcohol1 or it will be a failure1 as it is the ,alcohol which causes the ,dye to strike into the card4 ,always keep the bottles well corked when not using them4 ,brushes and bottles should be kept clean1 and if the brushes are washed in water1 they must be thoroughly dried before using1 as water will blister smooth1 calendered surfaces4 ,never let your brush get dry when using1 but dip it occasionally1 care being taken not to have too much on the brush1 and use immediately1 if the alcohol evaporates from the dye it makes a much eifferent colour4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,the foregoing price-lists1 c41 as may be expected1 are all printed4 ,it is not always1 however1 that the dealer in 'advantages' goes to the expense of print in connection with the documents he issues2 he sometimes uses the cyclostyle or mimeograph1 particularly in the case of directions for use accompanying the various articles in which he deals4 ,when1 in this way1 he has no longer the friendly aid of the compositor or the printer's reader1 his vagaries of grammar and construction are revealed in all their primitive innocence4 ,to commence one of his sentences is like embarking upon an unknown sea1 or following a half-beaten track through a desert4 ,onward the course runs1 apparently for ever1 and no man can tell when the end is coming1 or what it is likely to be4 ,pelion is piled upon ,ossa1 and ,parnassus is over all4 ,a few days ago two or three of these documents were sent to be copied out in type1 so as to be somewhat legible for the printer2 and1 as an evidence of their singularly explicit nature1 it may be mentioned that the typist was under the impression that they were all parts of one document1 and copied out the whole as one1 without break from beginning to end4 ,such a thing1 of course1 was quite excusable under the circumstances1 as the reader may judge from the following example of how not to do it4 ,the entire manuscript consists of one sentence only1 so far as punctuation is concerned1 and is supposed to contain directions for the use of the prepared cards mentioned upon pp4 #bbc-bbg4 ,it runs to this effect3-- ',directions4--,when you part the pack to shuffle press down a trifle and the cards will part to an ,ace 7the ,ace will be on top of the lower part7 put that part with the ,ace on top and part again to another ,ace now shuffle in all but the four top cards1 part the cards again to the third ,ace and shuffle in all but the top four cards1 then put three cards on top of the last ,ace 7this puts up three ,aces with three cards between them and three on top and is for a four handed game7 if one more or less than four are playing shuffle in one more or less cards1 7always have as many cards between and on top of the ,aces as there are players excluding yourself7 when the left hand man deals and offers the cards to you to cut you can shuffle them up in the same way 7but you must put one less card on top of the three ,aces to get the ,aces yourself7' ,presumably this is the end of the 'instructions1' as there is no more matter to follow2 but one cannot be surprised that an unhappy typist1 endeavouring to make sense of it1 should follow straight on to the next1 under the impression that the general effect of disjointedness thus produced was part and parcel of the whole occult scheme4 ,the directions sent out with the ',jacob's ,ladder' vest machine are very similar in character to the last4 ,there is1 however1 one 'full-stop' in this case1 probably the one which the typist was looking for4 ,this is the manner in which the dealer instructs the purchaser in the use of his machine3-- ',,directions ,,for ,,vest ,,machine ',fasten the ,belt around your waist so that the ,machine will come on left side far enough from the edge of ,vest to let the cards go back out of sight4 ,pin the under lap of ,vest on the edge to the belt opposite the third or middle button1 if you are a large man or if you want the mouth of the ,m- to come out farther1 turn down the screw on front part of ,lever1 to hold out #c cards place them back of a few others held in left hand with a break or opening between them on the lower ends1 press against the lever with the lower part of arm and as the mouth of the ,m- comes out to the edge of ,vest put the cards in 7let your little finger come against the lower side of the mouth7 this will be a guide and you can put the cards in without looking down1 7a good way is to reach over to your checks or to put up with right hand while working the ,machine7 less than a #a_/b-;in4 pressure will throw out the cards' ,the instances above quoted will be sufficient to give the reader a fair notion of the barefaced manner in which these nefarious dealings are carried on4 ,there is no beating about the bush in any instance2 no hiding away of the real intent with which the goods are supplied4 ,they are not called cheating-tools in so many words1 but no attempt is made to smother up the actual nature of the articles4 ,the dealer does not say ',special ,cards1' or ',comical ,cards1' or anything of the kind4 ,he puts the matter plainly before his customers1 and says1 ',our ,latest ,marked ,back ,playing ,cards6' ,there is no mistaking his meaning2 he is proud of it1 and likes to let the world know the kind of things he has to sell4 ',and where are the police all the while8' you ask4 ,echo answers ',where8' and that is the only reply which is forthcoming4 ,they must know of these places where the implements of robbery are made and sold2 yet1 as a rule1 they appear to take no notice of what is going on4 ,now and again1 in those places where the regulations are particularly strict1 they have a spasmodic burst of activity2 and then the dealers lie low for awhile1 until all is quiet again4 ,occasionally it may happen that some dealer1 whose advertisements have become too flagrantly palpable1 is pounced upon and compelled to desist2 but even when such a person is obliged to close his business altogether1 he simply migrates to the next ,state1 and supplies his former customers through the medium of the ,post ,office4 ,very little hardship is entailed upon him1 as those who deal with him are necessarily scattered far and wide in various parts of the world1 and the stock is not very difficult to remove4 ,the ',express ,offices' in ,america must surely know all about this kind of traffic1 since they allow the swindling machinery to be tried in their depts4 ,the ,c4,o4,d4 system is ample evidence of their connivance4 ,in sending marked cards through the post1 a whole pack is seldom despatched in one parcel4 ,as a rule they are sent a few at a time4 ,this proceeding avoids the payment of duty upon them1 effecting a considerable saving sometimes4 ,other articles are described as sample parts of machinery1 and duty is paid upon them in accordance with their value4 ,the system upon which the business of these firms is conducted shows that not only have they sound commercial instincts1 but also that they know their customers particularly well1 and have had experience of the class of people with whom they have to deal4 ,they are prepared to send their goods on approval at any time1 but on condition that they receive a certain amount of cash with the order1 or at any rate the equivalent of cash1 and a guarantee of payment of the balance on delivery4 ,the fact is1 they take good care to let no article go out of their hands until they have been paid a little more than it is really worth2 and1 therefore1 if the sharp who purchases it should prove so forgetful of his obligations as to neglect payment of the remainder1 the dealer still makes a profit4 ,as one firm states upon the cover of its price-list1 ,we will not deviate from the above terms--and they don't4 ,cash on delivery is what they require1 or1 as it is usually abbreviated1 ',c4,o4,d4' ,there is a good deal of ,c4,o4,d4 about these transactions1 in more ways than one4 ,in spite of their supposed 'cuteness' one often finds that sharps are as apt to be inveigled into the purchase of worthless articles by means of bogus advertisements as any of their dupes4 ,in certain of the ,american papers the following advertisement was at one time often seen3-- ',electric cards1 as used by professional gamblers4 #a1jj1 c4 ,apply--4' ,on sending his money to the dealer1 the sharp would receive a common pack of cards1 with the same instructions as those sent out with the varnished cards which slip at the aces 7p4 #cjd74 ,a separate slip was enclosed1 however1 which informed him that these cards would only retain their electricity for twenty-four hours4 ,he was1 therefore1 advised to buy a battery wherewith to recharge 787 them2 for the sum of #cj4jj4 ,when he had made this additional purchase1 he found what a little knowledge of electricity would have told him at first1 that he had been 'had on toast4' ,honour among thieves1 again6 ,among the dealers in 'advantages' there are some humourists4 ,one man who kept an 'emporium' for the sale of these things in ,new ,york ,city1 but who was moved into an adjoining ,state by the police1 used to have his envelopes embellished by the semblance of a bull dog1 and the motto ',we still live4' ,not bad1 is it8 ,the price lists issued by this same individual were in the form of pamphlets1 and contained very exaggerated descriptions of his apparatus and the results produced thereby4 ,interspersed with the more prosaic details of his wares1 one found now and again wise saws or proverbs1 altered to suit the tastes of his patrons4 ,some of the choicest of these 'modern instances' ran as follows3-- ',a bug is far above rubies4' ',a holdout in the vest is more use than snide jewelry in the pocket4' ',get proper tools and use them with discretion1 and you will win and last4' ,and so on4 ,this kind of thing exhibits the lighter and brighter side of the sharp's nature with much vividness4 ,the reader may have noticed1 at the end of one of the price-lists1 that the dealer is able to give references as to his trustworthiness to respectable firms 'who don't recommend advantage goods4' ,this will not be a matter for surprise when it is understood that the man is supposed to be an honest tradesman carrying on a reputable business4 ,in all probability his referees would have no idea as to the sort of person to whose bona fides they are attesting4 ,on the other hand1 of course1 they may know all about it1 in which case they are manifestly no better than the man they are recommending4 ,still1 even in that event1 the reference is quite good enough for the sort of people who are likely to be buyers of swindling apparatus4 ,the author has a few dollars' worth of this kind of thing2 so perhaps the reader may be inclined to observe that ',dwellers in glass houses1' c4 ,however1 that's another matter4 ,this book would never have been forthcoming if the author had any objection to a few pounds finding their way into the pockets of those who don't deserve them4 ,the end must justify4 ,the fact that these people should be allowed to carry on their trade in the way they do is nothing short of a standing disgrace to ,america and a satire upon civilisation4 ,all men have an admiration for ,america1 though some may only half express it4 ,let her only be true to herself1 true to her traditions1 and true to her origin2 let her deal firmly with those who mar her fair fame2 let her learn to cherish that which is best and brightest among her children1 and she will one day become the glory of the world--but that day is not yet4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,sharps ,,and ,,flats ,now that we have reached the final stage of our inquiry1 the reader having been put in possession of all the facts which are material and of importance in connection with it1 nothing more remains than to take a brief review of our position1 as it were1 and see precisely how we stand--to regard the question of gambling as a whole1 in fact1 and see what conclusions we may arrive at with regard to it1 when it is viewed with the eye of common sense1 and in the light of the knowledge we have obtained4 ,every subject1 of course1 has many aspects1 and gambling may be regarded from many different standpoints4 ,in this last chapter1 then1 and with the reader's permission1 ,i will take the liberty of regarding it from my own2 and1 no objection being raised to the proposal1 ,i should prefer to regard these concluding remarks as being made confidentially1 so to speak1 between the reader and myself4 ,if1 in delivering myself of what remains to be said1 ,i should appear to speak either egotistically or dogmatically1 ,i crave pardon beforehand1 and beg the reader to believe that1 if ,i am inclined to emphasise any particular point bearing upon the matter in hand1 it is because ,i feel strongly with reference to it1 and not because ,i wish to pose in the eyes of the world as a champion of right and an opponent of wrong4 ,fear has been expressed1 in some quarters1 that the publication of the secrets contained in this book will be the means of increasing the number of sharps2 that ,i am simply providing a manual for the instruction of budding swindlers4 ,this may appear very cogent reasoning to some2 but1 for all that1 it is very poor logic1 in reality4 ,in fact1 a more groundless fear could not be entertained4 ,it would be as reasonable to say that the manufacture of safes and strong-rooms1 and the increase of safeguards against thieves1 will tend to augment the number of burglars4 ,or1 to come nearer to the point at issue1 one may as well assert that the exposure of spiritualistic frauds has increased the number of 'mediums4' ,the subject of spiritualism affords a most striking proof of the absurdity of such a contention4 ,contrast the state of affairs twenty-five years ago1 before the crusade against spiritualistic humbug1 with that of the present day4 ,then1 dozens of impostors were doing a thriving business4 ,the medium was as much in demand as the most popular society entertainer1 and could command larger fees4 ,spiritualism was a fashionable amusement2 the drawing-rooms of the aristocracy were constantly being darkened for sances4 ,now1 only two or three miserable rogues1 without ability to earn a living in any other way1 are dragging out a wretched existence in the ,east ,end of ,london1 giving sances in back parlours1 and charging a fee of a shilling a head4 ,even in ,america things are not much brighter for the medium4 ,compare ,dr4 ,slade's success in ,london with his sad end in ,america1 a few weeks ago4 ,in fact1 the business is utterly ruined2 those who have sufficient ability have become conjurers and 'exposers of spiritualism'2 others have become gambling sharps and 'hypnotic subjects4' ,these facts constitute a complete answer to the assertion that this book will tend to increase the practice of sharping4 ,i maintain that no young man's education should be considered complete without some knowledge of the capabilities of trickery2 for1 without it1 he may be imposed upon by any charlatan4 ,apart from the question of sharping1 and with reference to the fallacies indulged in by gamblers at large1 there are1 among a multiplicity of others1 three which demand our special attention1 and with which ,i particularly wish to deal4 ,these three mistaken1 though very commonly entertained notions1 constitute the very basis of what is called fair gambling4 ,they are these3-- #a4 ,that gambling is essentially honest4 #b4 ,that a bet may be fair to both parties4 #c4 ,that betting on fair odds1 the chances of each bettor will1 in the long run1 so equalise themselves that neither can win nor lose1 in an infinite number of bets4 ,now1 what ,i undertake to show may be summed up in three statements1 which can be put per contra to the others1 viz43-- #a4 ,that gambling is essentially dishonest4 #b4 ,that a bet may be unfair to both parties1 but cannot possibly be fair to more than one1 and that only at the expense of gross injustice to the other4 #c4 ,that a protracted run of betting gives the gambler no more chance of winning1 or of recouping his losses1 than he has in making a single bet4 ,here1 then1 ,i bring the whole gambling fraternity--sharps and flats alike--about my ears4 ,but1 having courage of my opinions1 ,i stand to my guns1 and am prepared to hold my own against all comers4 ,i will even go so far as to back my opinion in 'the good old ,english way' 7why ,english87 to the extent of sixpence--beyond which ,i never go4 ,stay1 though1 ,i am speaking hastily4 ,i did once back a horse for the ,derby to the extent of a guinea4 ,when ,i say that the horse was ',maskelyne1 by ,magic--,mystery' 7,i believe that was the formula given by the sporting papers71 perhaps ,i may be forgiven the extravagance for once4 ,i have less compunction in mentioning the circumstance because the horse was 'scratched4' ',maskelyne' was a rank outsider1 and ,i did not even have 'a run for my money4' ,but to return4 ,i have said that gambling is essentially dishonest4 ,this is no new statement1 ,i am aware2 but it is one upon which too much stress cannot be laid4 ,a bet is almost universally considered to be a fair bargain4 ,but is it8 ,a fair bargain is one in which each person receives something which is of more value to him than that with which he has parted1 or1 at any rate1 something which is of equal value4 ,if either receives less value than he gives1 that person has been swindled1 and the fact of winning a bet signifies that one has deprived another of money for which no due consideration has been given4 ,the gambler1 of course1 will argue that he does give an equivalent return for what he wins1 in that he allows his opponent an equal chance of depriving him of a similar amount2 that is to say1 he purchases the right to cheat another by giving his opponent an equal chance of depriving him of a similar amount4 ,in short1 a bet is simply a mutual agreement to compound a felony4 ,the fact that both parties to the transaction are equally in the wrong cannot possibly justify either4 ,but it may be argued that no loser of a bet ever considers that he has been unjustly deprived of his money4 ,that again is quite a mistaken notion4 ,no man ever lost a bet who did not consider that he had every right to win it1 otherwise he would never have made it4 ,therefore he is just as much robbed as though he had had his pocket picked4 ,because another will cheat me if he has the chance1 that does not justify me in cheating him if ,i can4 ,if a man seeks to take my life1 ,i may be justified in killing him1 as a last resource1 in order to protect myself2 but1 in a transaction involving merely pounds1 shillings and pence1 there is no necessity to fight a man with his own weapons4 ,the act of cheating is not the weapon with which to combat the desire to cheat2 yet this is what actually takes place even in so-called fair gambling4 ,it must be obvious to any one who will take the trouble to think over the matter1 that chances which are fair and equal are a question of proportion rather than of actual amounts and odds4 ,at first sight1 however1 it would appear that if a man stands an equal chance of winning or losing a certain amount1 nothing fairer could possibly be imagined1 from whatever point of view one may regard it4 ,i venture to say1 nevertheless1 that this is not so4 ,suppose for the moment that you are a poor man1 and that you meet a rich acquaintance who insists upon your spending the day with him1 and having what the ,americans call 'a large time4' ,at the end of the day he says to you1 ',i will toss you whether you or ,i pay this day's expenses4' ,such a proposition is by no means uncommon1 and suppose you win1 what is the loss to him8 ,comparatively nothing4 ,he may never miss the amount he has to pay2 but if you lose1 your day's outing may have to be purchased by many weeks of inconvenience4 ,a bet of a hundred pounds is a mere bagatelle to a rich man1 but it may be everything to a poor one4 ,in the one case the loss entails no inconvenience1 in the other it means absolute ruin4 ,it must be granted1 then1 in matters of this kind1 that proportion is the chief factor1 not the actual figures4 ,if you are with me so far1 you are already a step nearer to my way of thinking4 ,let us proceed a step further1 and see how it is that a bet is necessarily unfair to both parties4 ,the simple fact is that no two men can make a wager1 however seemingly fair1 or however obviously unfair1 without at once reducing the actual value to them of their joint possessions4 ,this can be proved to a demonstration4 ,we will take a case in which the chances of winning are exactly equal1 both in amount and in proportion to the wealth of two bettors4 ,suppose that your possessions are precisely equal in amount to those of a friend1 and that your circumstances are similar in every respect4 ,there can be1 then1 no disparity arising from the fact of a bet being made between you1 where the chances of winning or losing a certain amount are the same to each4 ,to present the problem in its simplest form1 we will say that you each stake one-half of your possessions upon the turn of a coin4 ,if it turns up head you win1 if it falls 'tail up' your friend wins4 ,nothing could possibly be fairer than this from a gambler's point of view4 ,you have each an equal chance of winning1 you both stake an equal amount1 you both stand to lose as much as you can win1 and1 above all1 the amount staked bears the same value1 proportionately1 to the wealth of each person4 ,one cannot imagine a bet being made under fairer conditions1 yet how does it work out in actual fact8 ,you may smile when you read the words1 but you both stand to lose more than you can possibly win6 ,you doubt it6 ,well1 we shall see if it cannot be made clear to you4 ,suppose the turn of the coin is against you1 and therefore you lose half your property2 what is the result8 ,to-morrow you will say1 ',what a fool ,i was to bet6 ,i was a hundred per cent4 better off yesterday than ,i am to-day4' ,that is precisely the state of the case2 you were exactly a hundred per cent4 better off4 ,now1 the most feeble intellect will at once perceive that a hundred per cent4 can only be balanced by a hundred per cent4 ,if you stood a chance of being that much better off yesterday than you are to-day1 to make the chances equal you should have had an equal probability of being a hundred per cent4 better off to-day than you were yesterday4 ,that is obvious upon the face of it1 since we agree that these questions are1 beyond dispute1 matters of proportion1 and not of actual amounts4 ,then we will suppose you win the toss1 and thus acquire half your friend's property2 what happens then8 ,when the morrow arrives you can only say1 ',i am fifty per cent4 better off to-day than ,i was yesterday4' ,that is just it4 ,if you lose1 your losses have amounted to as much as you still possess1 whilst1 if you win1 your gains amount only to one-third of what you possess4 ,the plain facts of the case1 then1 are simply that the moment you and your friend have made the bet referred to1 you have considerably reduced the value of your joint possessions4 ,not in actual amount1 it is true1 but in actual fact1 nevertheless2 for whichever way the bet may go1 the loss sustained by one represents a future deprivation to that one far greater than the future proportional advantage gained by the other4 ,the mere fact of one having gained precisely as much as the other has lost does not affect the ultimate result in the least4 ,the inconvenience arising from any loss is always greater than the convenience resulting from an equal gain4 ,no man in his senses can be excused for making a bet of this kind1 even if one merely considers the injustice inflicted upon himself2 whilst in the case of a man who has others dependent upon him1 such a proceeding could be nothing short of criminal4 ,if by this time you do not see that gambling1 in any form1 means a possible loss of more than can be gained1 all ,i can say is that you should turn socialist1 being totally unable to protect or even recognise your individual interests4 ,civilisation is wasted upon you4 ,properly speaking1 if you gamble fairly you are a flat2 if you gamble unfairly you are a sharp3 one or the other you must be4 ,to be a wise man1 and an honest man1 you cannot gamble at all4 ,some of course will meet me half-way1 and admitting the truth of all ,i have put forward1 will say1 ',yes1 that is all very well1 but no gambler ever does stake half his possessions upon a single bet2 therefore the proportion which any individual wager bears to his entire property is infinitesimal4' ,that1 again1 is perfectly true2 but ,i cannot see nor have ,i ever met with any one who could show me what difference can possibly exist between a small number of bets for a large amount1 and a large number of bets for small amounts4 ,then comes in the third fallacy ,i have mentioned4 ',the chances1' some will say1 'are bound to equalise themselves in the long run1 and then one can neither win nor lose4' ,dear1 good1 simple-minded souls6 ,the proportion of gains to losses1 ,i grant1 will become more equalised in an infinite number of bets where the probabilities are always equal2 but the amount which may be lost1 and the proportion it bears to the belongings of the bettor1 may ever increase with the infinity of the bets4 ,suppose1 for instance1 two men toss up a coin ten times1 and stake a pound upon the result of each toss4 ,we will say that one of them loses nine times1 and wins only once4 ,he has lost four-fifths of the amount he has staked in the aggregate2 but what does it amount to8 ,merely eight pounds4 ,but suppose they go on tossing for ten thousand times1 and that the same player loses only a hundredth part of the amount he has staked during the whole time1 he wins ninety-nine times for every hundred losses4 ,the proportion lost is infinitely less than in the former case1 yet the actual amount is one hundred pounds4 ,let the throws be continued to a million times1 and suppose the player loses only a thousandth part of what he has staked from beginning to end1 his losses will amount to exactly one thousand pounds4 ,to talk of an infinite number of bets equalising the chances is sheer nonsense2 it simply equalises the ratio of the gains to the losses4 ,the actual amounts won or lost may increase indefinitely4 ,at the same time the player's original wealth does not vary2 and the man who has a thousand pounds may as well lose it in one throw as in a million--better1 in fact1 as he will waste less time over it4 ,i have tried to make this point somewhat clear1 because it is one upon which even the most scientific gamblers--if one may use the term--are more or less befogged4 ,they all think that1 if they only keep on long enough1 they are sure to win1 or at any rate to recoup their losses3 but the life of any man is too short to be certain of any such result1 even in fair gambling--and most gambling is not fair4 ,the punter1 of course1 after the manner of his kind1 will differ from me in this last statement4 ,he is of opinion that the odds in ordinary betting are fair4 ,well1 if that is so1 ,i should like to know who keeps the bookmakers4 ,i know ,i don't1 and ,i know the punter does4 ,if he is satisfied1 so are the 'bookies'2 and certainly other people have no cause to complain4 ,the bookmaker1 above all people1 makes an infinite number of bets1 and therefore1 theoretically1 he should neither win nor lose2 but somehow he contrives to 'live and move and have his being4' ,those who assist in maintaining him should best know how he manages it1 but they don't seem to realise it4 ,the absolute immorality of gambling--the desire to obtain money to which one has no right--in any form is beyond dispute2 and the sooner this fact is generally recognised1 the better it will be for the world at large4 ,there are some1 of course1 in whom the passion is ingrained1 and from whose natures it can never be wholly eradicated4 ,but everyone should clearly understand that the vice is as reprehensible in proportion to its magnitude as that1 for instance1 of either lying or stealing4 ,in an earlier chapter of this book ,i have said that directly a man becomes a gambler he also becomes a person whose honesty is open to suspicion4 ,this may appear to be a somewhat harsh and sweeping assertion1 but ,i maintain that it is absolutely justified by the facts which come under my notice almost daily4 ,as an example of the laxity 7to use no stronger term7 which gradually undermines the moral nature of the gambler1 however conscientious he may originally have been1 ,i may quote the following instance4 ,a few days ago a friend of mine1 who belongs to a ,west ,end ,club1 was discussing the subject of gambling with a fellow member4 ,in course of conversation he put the query1 ',if you detected a man in cheating at the ,club1 what should you do8' ,to this the other replied4 ',i should back his play2 and then1 after the game was over1 ,i should make him give me half his winnings4' ,this is what gambling had done for a presumably honest ',club man4' ,with reference to the numberless systems of which one hears now and then1 which are supposed to provide a certain means of enabling any gambler to win1 despite the chances and changes of fortune1 it may be as well to say a few words4 ,these 'martingales1' as they are called1 are always intended for use1 more especially in the great gambling-houses of ,monte ,carlo and elsewhere4#ab ,some of them1 ,i should say1 are as old as gambling itself2 others are of comparatively recent invention2 but1 one and all1 they are systems by means of which any amount of money may be won1 and any number of banks may be broken--on paper4 ,there is the trouble1 they are useless in practice4 ,they really look so promising1 however1 that it is very difficult to convince some people of their futility4 ,but the fact remains that these systems have been in operation for generations1 and never yet has a gaming establishment been ruined by their aid4 ,this ounce of experimental proof is worth many pounds of reasoning4 ,sometimes1 of course1 the martingale will answer its purpose splendidly for a while2 but1 sooner or later1 the inevitable crash comes1 when the system breaks down1 and the gambler is ruined4 ,the great defect of all these devices is that1 although they may promise a constant succession of comparatively small gains1 there is always the chance of making a very heavy loss4 ,this chance1 of course1 appears to the gambler to be so remote as to be unworthy of consideration2 but1 alas6 that apparently remote chance is the rock upon which generations of punters have split4 ,it always turns up eventually1 and then the bank recovers all it has lost1 and in all probability a great deal more4 ,the simplest form of martingale1 and one which is typical of them all1 however much more complicated or 'improved' they may be1 is the one which consists of the practice of doubling the stake after every loss4 ,for instance1 at rouge-et-noir the gambler may stake a sovereign and lose it4 ,the next time he stakes two sovereigns1 and1 if he loses1 his third stake will be four sovereigns4 ,by pursuing this system it is obvious that1 whenever he does win1 he will gain a sovereign over and above his losses4 ,having won he will begin again with a sovereign and double his bets each time1 until he wins as before4 ,it would seem1 then1 that there must be a constant influx of sovereigns to the gambler2 and so there may be for a time1 but it will not last4 ,in fact1 he may be ruined at the very first sitting4 ,this is how it happens4 ,the success of the system depends upon the assumption that the chances must1 sooner or later1 turn in favour of the player2 they cannot be against him for ever1 so he must win in the end4 ,that is what he thinks4 ,but what he loses sight of is the fact that long spells of ill-luck are particularly common4 ,it is quite an ordinary thing for a player to lose twenty times in succession2 and meanwhile the amount of the stakes has been increasing after the manner of the familiar problem in arithmetic1 wherein the nails in a horse's shoes play so prominent a part4 ,the fact is1 if the player has lost eleven times1 his twelfth stake will amount to #b1jdh4 ,obviously1 then1 a very short run of bad fortune will either cause the player to lose all his available money1 or bring the stake up to the amount beyond which the bank will not allow any single bet to be made4 ,what becomes of the martingale then8 ,ask of the winds4 ,and thus it is with all these systems4 ,their inventors fully believe in them1 until they learn from bitter experience that they have overlooked the one weak point1 the fallacy underlying the whole operation4 ,wherever there is a chance of making a number of small gains1 there is always a chance of sustaining one great loss1 which will swallow up many hundred times the value of any single stake4 ,from this unfortunate circumstance there is no escape1 no matter how ingenious the system may be1 and notwithstanding any amount of infallibility it may appear to possess4 ,a mathematician would demonstrate the folly of relying upon any martingale1 and lay his finger upon the weak points in a few minutes4 ,in short1 these things one and all provide a means of winning which is just about as reliable as the advice given by the ',old ,pard' in ',my ,sweetheart1' whose dying words were1 ',always copper the ,queen on the last turn4' ,this1 of course1 was intended to refer to the game of faro4 ,one may suppose that when the ,queen remained in the dealing-box until the last turn1 his experience had been that it always turned up for the bank1 and hence his advice to 'copper4' ,another person's experience might have been just the opposite1 and in that case the advice would be quite the contrary4 ,everything of this kind hinges upon superstition1 and a belief in good and bad luck4 ,when a 'lucky' gambler wins1 his acquaintances express no surprise2 they consider his good-fortune to be part and parcel of his nature4 ,when he begins to lose1 they suffer not a whit more astonishment1 because such luck as his could not possibly last4 ,the theories in each case are utterly at variance with one another1 but the absurdity of the position never seems to reveal itself to the gambling intellect4 ,the ultimate fate of the confirmed gambler1 however fortunate he may be for a time1 has always been1 without exception1 ruin and destitution4 ,that is the only result ever achieved by the punter in the end4 ,so much1 then1 for 'fair gambling4' ,as to the blacker side of the question1 as revealed in this book1 what can be said of it1 or what need be said of it8 ,the reader may draw his own conclusions1 which will doubtless vary according to the fact of his being either a sharp or a flat4 ,the sharps will1 unquestionably1 be among those who are most anxious to see what disclosures are made herein2 let us hope they will be satisfied with the thoroughness of the revelations4 ,it would be a pity to disappoint them4 ,on the other hand1 the flats will find much food for thought in these pages4 ,they must not run away with the impression that by mastering the details thus put before them they will render themselves proof against sharping4 ,if they imagine anything of the kind they will become simply 'fly flats1' and that will not improve their chances very much if they fall into the hands of an expert4 ,apart from the impossibility of giving every device employed by all the sharps in existence1 it must be remembered that fresh trickeries are continually being invented1 though it may be many years before new means of cheating can be devised which will prove so effective as those enjoyed by the sharp at the present day4 ,he is generally equal to the occasion1 however1 and has his own individual methods of working2 very often methods of which even his brother-sharps are ignorant1 and which die with him4 ,we can only hope that this book will be the means of opening the eyes of his dupes1 and of rendering the chances of success in cheating less than they have been hitherto4 ,but we cannot hope that the sharp will find no dupes in the future2 that is altogether too much to expect4 ,as long as the world is principally composed of rogues and fools1 so long will there be 'sharps and flats4' ',surely the pleasure is as great in being cheated as to cheat1' but the profit does not apportion itself in the same manner4 ,the sharp continually profits by his experience1 but the flat--never4 ,at any rate1 ,i have done the best ,i can to put forward a clear account of the methods of swindling at games of chance and skill which are adopted at the present day4 ,at the same time ,i have tried to indicate the best means of avoiding being cheated4 ,it only remains for the reader to make the best use of the information given4 ,i have no fear that1 in writing what ,i have1 ,i shall be accused by sensible people of assisting those sharps who may not know all that is here published4 ,the resources of these men are always equal to their necessities2 they can only cheat1 at the worst1 and the sharp will always find means of cheating so long as he can find dupes4 ,besides1 this book will tend to make his dupes as wise as himself1 and should have the effect of rendering them scarce4 ,having published such information as ,i have been able to acquire1 ,i have no intention of relaxing my vigilance in keeping a look-out for fresh developments and new devices4 ,having put my hand to the plough ,i shall not turn back2 and1 after me1 ,i have every reason to believe that my son will continue the work4 ,he has taken the liveliest interest in the production of this book2 and1 indeed1 the whole of the illustrations are by him1 with the exception of the frontispiece1 which is by my esteemed and talented friend1 ,alfred ,bryan4 ,here1 then1 ,i will leave the work for the present1 trusting that ,i have1 in some measure1 succeeded in metaphorically flattening the 'sharps' and sharpening the 'flats4' ,,footnote3 #ab ,a friend of mine1 who has just recently paid a visit to ,monte ,carlo1 describes a method of cheating the bank which came under his notice during his stay in that hallowed spot4 ,he observed1 one evening1 a man standing by a roulette-table1 who persistently put down a five-franc piece upon the winning number1 after it had been declared4 ,of course1 the 'croupier' never failed to detect the manoeuvre1 and removed the stake4 ,the fact which passed unnoticed1 however1 was that a gold coin1 value twenty francs1 lay hidden beneath the silver one as it was put down4 ,being commanded to take up the five-franc piece1 the man did so without hesitation2 but the gold piece remained on the table among the other stakes4 ,when the winnings were paid by the bank1 that particular coin was claimed by a confederate as being his stake1 and was paid accordingly4 ,in roulette1 the winning number receives #ce times the amount staked2 therefore the conspirators netted #gjj francs each time they succeeded in this little operation4 ,i should think the bank would not be long in discovering a robbery of this kind1 if it were very frequently perpetrated4 ,,postscript ,whilst this book is still in the press1 an article on ',science and ,monte ,carlo1' by ,professor ,karl ,pearson1 has appeared in the 7monthly7 ',fortnightly ,review4' ,this article deals with the game of roulette1 and is one which may be commended to the perusal of all who may have any pet theories in connection with chance and luck4 ,it constitutes1 in fact1 a very serious impeachment of the validity of all accepted theories of chance2 so serious1 indeed1 that one stands amazed at the discrepancies which are revealed1 and their having remained so long unnoticed4 ,there appears to be no way out of the difficulty4 ,either roulette is not a game of chance1 or the doctrines of chance are utterly wrong4 ,it appears from ,professor ,pearson's investigations1 that in a given number of throws the results shown by the even-money chances are fairly in accord with the theory as a whole4 ,that is to say1 the odd and even numbers1 the red and black1 turn up respectively in very nearly equal proportions4 ,also the 'runs' or sequences of odd or even are such as would not give rise to any conflict between theory and practice4 ,but the astounding fact is that the 'runs' or successions of red or black occur in a manner which is utterly at variance with theory4 ,why this should be so1 and why 'red and black' should thus prove to be an exception to the theory1 whilst 'odd and even' is not1 passes the wit of man to comprehend4 ,in one of the cases quoted by ,professor ,pearson1 #h1agh throws of the roulette-ball are compared with a similar number of tosses of a coin1 and both results are checked against the theoretical probabilities4 ,in tossing a coin or throwing a roulette-ball #h1agh times1 theory demands that the number of throws which do not result in sequences--that is to say1 throws in which head is followed by tail1 or red by black-should be #b1jdd4 ,those are the probabilities of the case4 ,but the actual results were as follows3-- ,theory #b1jdd ,roulette #b1dfb ,tossing #b1afh ,there are too many single throws in each case1 but the results given by tossing were much nearer the theoretical proportion than in the case of the roulette4 ,proceeding a step further1 we find that the sequences of two work out thus3-- ,theory #a1jbb ,roulette #ide ,tossing #a1jef ,here the figures given by roulette are far too small4 ,this is found to be the case with sequences of three and four also4 ,when we come to sequences of five1 however1 the numbers stand3-- ,theory #abh ,roulette #ace ,tossing #abj ,in this case1 the roulette is nearer the mark than the tossing2 and from this point onward through the higher sequences1 roulette gives numbers which are far too high4 ,for instance1 in sequences of eight1 theory says that there should be #af1 but roulette gives #cj4 ,in sequences of eleven theory says #b1 but roulette gives #e4 ,arriving at sequences of twelve1 the figures are3-- ,theory #a ,roulette #a ,tossing #a ,here all the results are in accord4 ,this is only one instance out of several recorded by ,professor ,pearson2 in every case the results being similar4 ,that only one instance of such abnormal variation should occur is1 theoretically1 well nigh impossible2 but that there should be three or four such cases in the course of a single twelvemonth is nothing short of miraculous4 ,the chances against the occurrence of such events are enormous2 and yet every case investigated shows the same kind of result4 ,truly this must be another example of the malignity of matter4 ,the practical outcome of these investigations is to emphasise the utter futility of any scheme of winning at roulette based upon the law of averages or the doctrines of chance4 ,it is more than likely1 in my opinion1 that further analysis of the records of ,monte ,carlo would reveal similar discrepancies in other departments of the game4 ,personally1 ,i fail to see how the devotees of the ',higher ,statistics' will contrive to meet the difficulty here presented4 ,why roulette should obey the laws of chance in some respects and not in others1 is incomprehensible from any point of view whatever4 ,one is driven to the conclusion that human experience and human statistics are upon too limited a scale to form a sufficient basis upon which to found either the proof or disproof of any universal theory4 ,the only refuge appears to be that1 given eternity1 all events1 however improbable1 are possible4 ,it is to be hoped that ,professor ,pearson will find an opportunity of continuing his researches in this direction1 for the subject promises to be one of exceeding interest4 ,of course1 it may be objected that the few instances given are insufficient to affect the theory materially2 but1 as the ,professor says of one of his instances1 had roulette been played constantly on this earth1 from the earliest geological times to the present day1 such an event might be expected to happen only once4 ,those who believe that an infinite number of bets1 where the chances are fair and equal1 can result in neither loss nor gain1 should ponder this carefully4 ,if the doctrines of chance can fail in one case1 they can fail in others4 ,at best1 they are but a broken reed1 and those who trust to them should beware the risk that is thereby entailed4 ,above all1 the punter should bear in mind that1 whatever theory may say or practice apparently demonstrate1 the fact that any given event has happened so many times in succession makes not the slightest particle of difference to its chances of happening again4 ,if one tossed a coin a hundred times1 and it turned up 'head' every time1 that would not in any way lessen its chance of turning up the same way at the next throw4 ,the figures given in the article above referred to are neither more nor less than an illustration of this very palpable truth1 extraordinary as they undoubtedly are when viewed in the light of theory4 ,,printed ,,by ,,spottiswoode ,,and ,,co41 ,,new-,,street ,,square ,,london 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,author quoted some pamphlets and deliberately kept their spelling and punctuation errors2 those have not been changed here4 ,other punctuation1 hyphenation1 and spelling inconsistencies have been standardized when a clear preference was used in this book1 and left unchanged otherwise4