The game of draw-poker, mathematically illustrated - PDF by Henry T Winterblossom

The game of draw-poker

The existing and increasing popularity of Draw- Poker as a means of amusement to the better classes of American people, and the various meth¬ odds of playing the game—some of which are radially wrong and the direct results of ignorance— amply justify a brief and simple treatise on Poker as a pastime. I have so frequently played this game with ladies and gentlemen, who either did not know its elementary parts or differed materially as to its cardinal points, that I have become convinced that some easily accessible and easily understood book of reference is absolutely necessary for the preservation of good feeling among such players. 

While I hope that this book may prove interesting to all poker players, it is not my expectation or intention that it will prove instructive to those people who attempt to earn a livelihood by playing Poker for money. They know more of the game than I, and their methods generally are such as have no place in this little volume and, I trust, no sympathy from its readers. It has been held by such people that the game of Draw Poker is dull and senseless un¬ less it is played for money. 

This is the gambler’s argument and is untenable because it is untrue. Such an argument simply degrades a really intellectual and scientific game at cards to a mere means of gambling. It might as well be said that Whist, or any other game of mingled chance and skill, is not interesting unless it is played for money. Of course, it can not be denied that to some people, and they may constitute a majority of card players, a monetary consideration or stake heightens the interest of Poker. But this is equally true of not only all games at cards but of all contests whatever.

 The fact remains, however, that Poker is largely played with chips of only nominal value, and that the game thus played affords excellent amusement and entertainment. It is for the benefit of such people as play Poker in this way, and to such other players as looking more to the pleasure of victory than the accumulation of spoils, that I have arranged the rules and observa¬ions of this book. To them, therefore, I tender it in the hope that its contents may rescue the praise¬ worthy game of Draw Poker from the misuses into which it has fallen through the errors of the misin¬ formed and inexperienced. J. W. K. New York, Jan.,— 1887. 

 No game of cards has ever attained such wide¬ spread popularity as Draw Poker. Not only is it played throughout America, the land of its inception and perfection, but it has crossed the high seas, cap¬ turing every steamship in its triumphal voyage, and has laid siege to all the civilized nations of Europe with such success that its suppression has become a serious factor in the political economy of one of the greatest powers of the Old World.

 Nor does this seductive game stop with Europe and the Caucasian races. Far-away India and flowery China know it and love it, and I have heard that swarthy Egpy- tians study its combinations on the historic banks of the Nile and in the shadows of the Pyramids. Wherever cards are played Draw Poker will find its way and will ultimately overcome all other games of mingled chance and skill.


& the book details :

Author: Henry T. Winterblossom 

Publication date: 1875

Company:New York, White, Stokes, & Allen

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