“Twelfth.—
I will now speak of the ‘Jack [33] ]Pot.’ This is an innovation of a late date, and is very much against the interests of a poor player, or one who, for the time being, is in bad luck; for it compels all alike to put into the pot the amount of the ‘ante.’ Yet in a square game it has its advantages; for if your bad luck should turn to good, two or three hands would bring back all of your losing, and make you ‘hunk.’ While playing ‘Jack Pots,’ you must watch: First, those who are behind-time, and have to be reminded that they have not ‘put up’; and, Second, those who throw their chips into the pot indiscriminately, or who occasionally make the wrong change, or who are habitually changing the chips in the pot with their own—large ones for smaller, or vice versa—or who are accustomed to say: ‘Well, I am in. I owe so much to the pot.’ These are all wrong, and done in many cases,—not in all, I am glad to say,—for the purpose of saving or making wrongfully, and deserve to be called ‘petty thefts.’ The only right way, my boy, is for all [34] ]who have an interest in the pot, to promptly ‘put up’ the full amount required in the centre of the table, in front of themselves, and separate from the pot; and under no circumstances allow the chips in the pot to be handled. The dealer should never commence to deal the cards until the bets made are all in for the full amount and no more,—having nothing due from, or to, the pot. This regularity will save misunderstandings, disputes, and oftentimes animosities between the players.
“A quarter of a century or more ago, your Uncle George cut a slip from The Spirit of the Times, headed ‘Hints to Poker Players,’ an extract from which I will read, as it bears so strongly upon what I have said to you:
“‘... Never “pip” up in the pool when you can avoid it—it is a useless drain upon one’s money, and can always be avoided, thus: When all are in but yourself, place your fore-finger firmly upon a chip of the pool and exclaim, “Somebody ain’t up!” “Pip up!” etc. This will of [35] ]course compel any one who may be undecided whether he “pipped up” to do so again; in case he swears to it, or has proof, that he has put up, then give in like a “lamb,” and put up a chip—like a martyr.
“‘If you can manage to conceal four aces of another pack in one of your boots or about your person, and dexterously draw your hands thence of course, do it; if caught, make it appear a joke.
“‘If you have a bad hand quickly mingle it with the pack, swear you had six cards and draw your “ante,” or rather some one’s else, as you did not put up. In this way you win one.
“‘If you have a good hand get mad, slam down your cards, swear luck is against you, but you’ll “go in a V, if you lose it,” just by way of a “flyer.” Your opponent takes the bait, and, thinking you are bluffing, goes a V better. Now you’ve got him, go the V and an X better; if he has a tolerable good hand he’ll see you and “call.” Say at first, “a small pair.” If they [36] ]are good take the pool without discovering what else you may have; but if he has more than you first, show your triplets or two pair, as the case may be, and let all see it, that they may know that you did not cheat them, at least.
“‘If you “go in one” and are called, say in a very desponding tone while shuffling your cards, with the pack, “Only a pair of aces,” as if you had not the remotest idea of their being good,—but it’s a pretty safe hand, and if your opponent says they are good, take the pool; if not, then examine his hand to see if he outholds you.
“‘Having had a pretty good run of luck and finding it changing, draw your watch, swear that you have an engagement at such a time, which of course is now past; you are sorry, but will have revenge another time, change in your “chips,” pocket the “ready money,” and go on a “bender.”’
“This bit of sarcasm well delineates the methods of some players at this day.