REFLECTORS.
The cards so named are, by a mechanical process equally distinguishable to the initiated by their backs as by their faces; but, from the expense of manufacturing them, they are not often had recourse to. They nearly resemble those ingenious landscapes which, at first sight, present to our view some beautiful scene in nature, but, upon a more minute inspection, give us portraits of human faces with great exactness and fidelity. Some years back this trick was played off on the Continent, to the enriching of a German Jew and two or three of his confederates. He attended the fairs of Frankfort and Leipzic with a large quantity of these cards, which he sold at a price which bade defiance to competition. Visiting the country again, by the time he thought they would be in circulation at the various spas and watering-places where high play was going on, himself and his friends, by being alone able to decipher the apparently invisible hieroglyphics, made a fortune out of this scheme.
THE LONGS AND SHORTS
Consist of having all cards above the number eight a trifle longer than those below it. This is accomplished with great nicety, by a machine invented for that purpose. By this means, nothing under an eight can be cut; and the chances against an honour being turned up at whist are reduced two to one.
SAUTER LA COUPE, OR SLIPPING THE CARDS.
An adept at this trick can cheat and swindle at pleasure. Wherever it is practised the fair player has no earthly chance of rising from the table other than a loser. The trick, too, is much practised. By its means the wealth of the unwary and inexperienced player is transferred to the pocket of the cheat.
The following simple exposition of the manner in which this trick is performed, will be of essential service to the player. It will enable him to detect the sharper and black-leg; and thus protect himself from their nefarious scheme.
Sauter la Coupe is the French term for “Slipping the Cards.” It is practised at whist, when the cards are cut, and placed in the hands of the dealer. By a dexterity, easily acquired by practice, he changes the cut card, by slipping from its position in the pack, either from the top or the middle, the ace, and thus secures its “turning up.” The practiser of Sauter la Coupe, to cover the trick he is resorting to, invariably ruffles the cards, making with them a loudish noise. While the apparently simple action he thus performs, with the consequent noise, distracts attention, he slips the card, the ace, which he has hitherto concealed for the purpose, and dextrously placed on the head of the pack when passing it from one hand to another to deal, or ascertains its position in the pack by one of the many means resorted to for that purpose. Whenever the player begins to ruffle the cards, instead of dealing quietly, suspect foul play. It is a symptom of cheating.
The fair player has no chance with the cheater by means of Sauter la Coupe. Suppose that during an evening twenty games have been played. The cheat and his partner would thus have to deal the cards at least ten times. During these ten deals the cards might be slipped six times, giving the cheat an advantage over the fair player of at least twenty to one.