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SHOE-STRING. When a man bets a small amount and runs it up to a large amount, it is called a shoe-string.
SHORT CARDS. By some called short game. A game of seven-up or cribbage. For instance, "Have you been playing faro to-night?" "No." "What then?" "I have been playing short cards."
SKINNING. A sure game, where all who play are sure to lose, except the gamesters.
SLEEPER. A bet won by the bank or a better, which has been overlooked and lies on the table without a claimant.
SPLIT. When two cards come alike. For instance, if two jacks should come out, the banker takes one half of the money.
SQUARE GAME. When cards are dealt fairly, and there is no cheating.
STRIPPERS. Cards cut at the sides for the purpose of carrying on a skinning game.
STUCK. When a man has lost all his money, and is trying on the last throw to retrieve his loss and he is beat, then he is stuck.
SUCKER. A flat; one who can play cards, but does not know all the tricks and traps in gambling.
SUMMER GAME. Playing merely for amusement.
SUMMER GAME. Playing a game for the benefit of another person with his money.
SUPPER CUSTOMERS. Some of the fashionable gambling-houses have free suppers for their customers; this is done to induce the better class of gambling merchants to patronize the house. But there are some men who frequent these houses and take supper, but never play. When such a one is asked if he is going to take a hand in, his usual answer is, "Thank you, sir, I'm a supper customer to night."