Don’t expect a killer chapter on Sit and Gos…

December 26, 2007

Looking for a rather different gambling read this Christmas?

Try The Gaming Table, its Votaries & Victims, among this collection of old books now available free as e-books.

Elsewhere in the same collection, there is Poker!, written proof that the game’s vocabulary has altered somewhat:

SCENE–

A shabby front room in a shotgun house.

A door covered by dingy portieres upstage C. Small panel window in side Wall L. Plain centre table with chairs drawn up about it. Gaudy calendars on wall. Battered piano against wall R. Kerosene lamp with reflector against wall on either side of room.

At rise of curtain NUNKIE is at piano playing…. Others at table with small stacks of chips before each man. TUSH HAWG is seated at table so that he faces audience. He is expertly riffing the cards … looks over his shoulder and speaks to NUNKIE.

TUSH HAWG Come on here, Nunkie–and take a hand! You’re holding up the game. You been woofin’ round here about the poker you can play–now do it!

NUNKIE Yeah, I plays poker. I plays the piano and Gawd knows I plays the devil. I’m Uncle Bob with a wooden leg!

BLACK BABY Aw, you can be had! Come on and get in the game! My britches is cryin’ for your money! Come on, don’t give the healer no trouble!

NUNKIE Soon as I play the deck I’m comin’ and take you alls money! Don’ rush me.