"Some sort of introduction was necessary, but I have made it as short as possible."
Here M. Raymond, wishing doubtless to give me time to reflect on what he had said, stopped short, pulled his pocket-handkerchief out of his pocket, blew his nose several times, and then continued:—
"My theory is embodied in the following precepts, under the title of
ADVICE TO PLAYERS.
"1st. In playing, give the preference to the game of roulette, as it gives you the chance of investing your money in several ways,[E] and also enables you to study at the same time various chances and maturities.
"2nd. A good player must be calm, and must keep his temper. A man who gives way to passion is sure to lose.
"If, as is said to be the case, gambling produces the most delightful sensations; as all happiness in this world has its reverse of pain and suffering, it is almost certain, that the anticipated pleasure of winning is balanced by many bitterly-deceived hopes.
"The man who likes gambling must take the risk of losing.
"3rd. A prudent player ought, before beginning, to observe, and obtain proof if possible, whether he is in a lucky vein or not.
"If there be any doubt about it, he must abstain from playing.
"4th. There are some whom ill-luck pursues incessantly. To these I would say: never play.
"5th. An experienced player ought always to avoid joining in partnership, with those unlucky people who always lose. Nothing is so contagious as ill-luck. Be careful never to place your money with that of unfortunate players. On the other hand, always place your money with those whom you see are lucky.
"6th. Accustom yourself to be one of the last to place your money, so that your play may not influence others who are also holding back.
"7th. Endeavour to choose for playing, the moment when you see there are most players; the coups are then less rapid, and one has more time to study them.
"8th. Never think of playing, unless you have your brain quite clear. Let the voice of the croupier and the card on which you have marked the points, occupy your thoughts. Isolate yourself in the midst of the crowd.
"9th. Never try a chance until it is ripe, or has arrived at its maturity. This system will often oblige a novice to remain inactive; but practice will enable him to play every time, as he will know how to profit by all the chances attached to the combinations of the game.
"10th. If the calculations, founded upon your luck, or upon probabilities, are disappointed, cease playing at once, to try your luck again at a more favourable opportunity.
"Obstinacy in playing is ruin.
"11th. Never play for more than two hours; beyond that time, brain and fortune become weary of being kept too long on the rack.
"12th. To acquire the sort of impassibility I advocate, hide, in the recesses of your own heart, any and all emotions, which the fact of winning may produce, be the sum ever so considerable. Remember that your good luck ought never to make you rejoice too much, for, though Dame Fortune may shower her favours upon you, she as often takes her revenge on the imprudent whom success intoxicates."
I had paid the greatest attention to the explanation afforded me by M. Raymond. His system appeared to me, if not infallible, at least a very ingenious one; still I could not persuade myself, that it was possible to command success. I wished, however, to show him that I had perfectly understood him.
"All your precepts are very clear," said I, with an appearance of conviction, "and may be summed up as follows:—
"Before risking money at play, consider whether you are in a lucky vein, and study the probabilities of the game, or, as you call it, the maturity of chances."
"Just so," rejoined M. Raymond. "This system is so sure and certain, that I have latterly applied it most successfully.
"This morning I felt that it was one of my lucky days, those days so rare in the life of a gambler.
"This feeling was so strong in me, that I felt instinctively that something good would happen to me.