No one will be hardy
enough to defend the vice of gambling, but some have argued, and
not without truth, that if a man will play it is far better for
him to indulge the propensity at Hombourg or Baden, where he
cannot lose more money than he has with him, than to do so in the
cozy club-room of a private "salon," where indulgent friends may
tempt him to become bankrupt not only in fortune but in
reputation.'
Passing over other less important games, called Biribi, and Kraps
(played with dice), we come to Passe-Dix, which seems to demand
some notice.
PASSE-DIX.
This game, considered the most ancient of all games of chance, is
said to have actually been made use of by the executioners at the
crucifixion of our Saviour, when they 'parted his garments,
casting lots,' Matt. xxvii. 35.
It is played with three dice. There is always a banker, and the
number of players is unlimited. Each gamester holds the box by
turns, and the other players follow his chance; every time he
throws a point UNDER ten he, as well as the other players, loses
the entire stakes, which go to the banker. Every time he throws
a point ABOVE ten (or PASSES TEN--whence the name of the game),
the banker must double the player's stakes and the stakes of all
those who have risked their money on the same chance.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306