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The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz

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Gambling in the United States

CHAPTER IX. page 21

Some put on a look of calm indifference, and try to seem self-
possessed; some will grin and talk all sorts of nonsense; some
will utter sly bits of _badinage;_ while others will study
intently their cards, or gaze at the ceiling--all which is done
merely to distract attention, or to conceal the feelings, as the
chance of success or failure be for or against; and then begins
the betting or gambling part of the game. The player next the
_blind_ is the first to declare his bet; in which, of course, he
is entirely governed by circumstances. Some, being the first to bet,
and having a very good card indeed, will `bet small,' in hopes that
some one else will see it, and `go better,' that is, bet more, so
that when it comes round to his turn again he may see all
previous bets, and bet as much higher as he thinks proper; for it
must be borne in mind that a player's first bet does not preclude
him from coming in again if his first bet has been raised upon by
any player round the table in his turn; but if once the original
bet goes round and comes to the _blind_, or last player, without
any one going better, the game is closed, and it becomes a _show
of hands_, to see who takes the pool and all the bets. This does
not often happen, as there is usually some one round the table to
raise it; but my informant has seen it occur, and has been highly
amused at watching the countenance of the expectant _small
better_ at having to show a fine hand for a mere trifle. Some
players will, in order to conceal their method of play,
occasionally throw their cards among the waste ones and abandon
their stakes; this is not often done; but it sometimes happens
where the stakes have been small, or the player has been _trying
a bluff_, and has found some one whom he could not _bluff off_.

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