Gambling and the Law: Cards

Abstract

The invention of cards is like that of dice of doubtful origin. Chinese have been credited with the invention of cards, and the Greeks with the invention of dice. Like dice, bank or house card games show a percentage favoring the house. In some instances a cut is obtained by the operator of open games, in others a profit may be derived from the rental of equipment and the sale of merchandise to the players. Faro had been one of the most popular banking games in this country. It was popular in France during the reign of Louis XIV and had been prohibited by royal decree in 1691. In England it was prohibited by Act of Parliament in 1738. This game is played with a full deck of cards, a layout, and a faro box equipped with a spring at the bottom to force the cards up. A nickel silver faro box retails at $40.00. The cards are shuffled, cut, and placed in the faro box face up. Bets or wagers are placed on cards on the table layout. After all the bets are placed the dealer moves the top card. The player betting on the card now visible wins, the odds being two to one. The dealer then removes the second card, and all the money on the card now visible goes to the dealer. Where the second card is of the same denomination as the first card, this is a split, and the dealer gets half the money. Guessing the order of the last three cards is part of the game. Players can play to win or lose. A number of variations in this game exist. The game at first had been honestly played, but later stacking, pricking, and other means had been employed to cheat. As many excellent books exist describing the various card games, they are touched upon superficially only here. Three card Monte, originally a Mexican game, is nothing more than larceny. This game may be found at fairs, carnivals, and busy thoroughfares. A crowd is assembled through some subterfuge. A table may or may not be used. The operator lays three cards face down on a table if one is used or holds the cards face down, and accidentally on purpose bends or creases the corner on one of the cards so that it can be easily identified. Bets are then accepted. The operator usually works with two confederates. One or both of the accomplices will start the betting, and they win. The ace with the bent corner turns out to be