How gamblers win. An early title published in 1865 on the subject of “Sharping”. This is one excellent book which predates Erdnase by 37 years.
It goes without saying, the front cover is one of the best in the literature, featuring the devil with the aces in one hand and a dice cup in the other, connoting the laws of chance may have more larceny behind them than chance itself, at least when playing against a sharp. For the historians amongst you, this cover has been in action since the second edition came out in 1868.
Most of the book focuses on applications and how the cheaters “moved” in the 1800’s. Despite this, a lot of the information is still relevant today whilst providing the perfect opportunity for the modern reader to travel back in time to the mid 1800’s, it was a fascinating time period.
What’s interesting about this book is that the first printing was made under the authors name, “Gerritt M Evans”, however, by the time the second edition came around, he made a bid for anonymity referring to himself as “a retired professional”, why the sudden need for anonymity we can only wonder, maybe he received problems from the sharping community!
This book is full of moves, historical context, applications and amusing/informative anecdotes. It gets my highest recommendation for those looking to increase their subject knowledge.
I am interested by Evans’ unapologetic approach to being a sharp, he bears no mercy for the “pigeons he plucks”, he states “let it be observed that verdant amateurs who are victimised by professional gamblers do not deserve the pity that is usually bestowed upon them”. He later goes on to say, “the professional gamester can beat a party so fast that he ought to be ashamed of himself, none of the craft however are troubled with the sense of shame.”
This brutal approach contrasts the works main focus, to expose the underworld. This book is a deserved classic, being the third book in the history of American sharping. It deserves your full attention and study. You must read it yourself to uncover the mystery within
To finish with a couplet by Alexander pope, 1711, “A little learning is a dang'rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
Thanks for reading,
Matt
Comentários