The Sharper Detected and Exposed

turity of chances-Advice to players-Maxims-Influences-The gambler must be unmoved-Application of the system-A fortuna

stopped at that charming little place, Spa, with the double intention of giving a

, for it was an hotel where you received the greatest civility and attention, and t

it were the élite of society, all in perfect health, coming the

é of the house, who had been living

face. The only part visible was a pair of cheeks, the roseate hue of which might cause a sigh of env

tleman in question, was one of the most intelligent

g to relate, which often was the case, he managed, by cleverly turning the conversation, to obtain from each of the p

s fortune was unknown, but he must have had some means, as he was one of the most constant players at the roulette-tab

as an amusement, rather comme il faut; my neighbour, therefore, notwithstanding his regular

d his thorough knowledge of the art of jugglery in general, and about tricks with cards in particular. When we were alone, he even showed me with w

ned, as may be supposed very frequently, on our favourite topic. We also spoke about "Roulette" and "Rouge-et-Noir," but on these subjects we seldom agreed, and my neighbour grew quite exasperated, when I s

d and talent required, to contend against bad luck. You are not aware that the art of turning lucky chances in your

aymond, finding that he rather had the worst of the argument, th

er play. Wait and see. I bet that in an hour you will be so wi

gesture o

heard what I have to tell, I must ask you to guar

, I do not mind confessing to you, that I have no other funds than my wits, or, in other words, my skill in play. I live by the profits I derive from the gambling-table. I could

, having little trust in fate, seek to make their fortunes by

after day, ought you, therefore, to c

ary, and, when you have heard what I have to

ollowing aphorism: 'That all games of chance present two kinds of chances perfectly distinct:

mysterious agents, known by the names of loss and gain, or p

the game are ter

between the number of chances favourable to a

probabilities, but, in consequence of their profound depth and mu

ilities may be advantageously r

le combination of the game, there are, notwith

ct of a number coming up ten

but it has never yet occurred.

mber comes up, the more certain it is

theories of probabilities, and is

only continue to play, when he is fortunate at the commencement, and must also only

was necessary, but I have m

what he had said, stopped short, pulled his pocket-handkerchief o

in the following prec

TO PL

ives you the chance of investing your money in several ways,E and also

nd must keep his temper. A man who

ll happiness in this world has its reverse of pain and suffering, it is almost certain

gambling must take

ning, to observe, and obtain proof if poss

bt about it, he must

-luck pursues incessantly. To

ho always lose. Nothing is so contagious as ill-luck. Be careful never to place your money with that

to place your money, so that your play may n

hen you see there are most players; the coups are t

et the voice of the croupier and the card on which you have marked the

often oblige a novice to remain inactive; but practice will enable him to play every time,

on probabilities, are disappointed, cease playing at once

in playin

beyond that time, brain and fortune becom

ct of winning may produce, be the sum ever so considerable. Remember that your good luck ought never to make you rejoice too much,

to me, if not infallible, at least a very ingenious one; still I could not persuade myself, that it

aid I, with an appearance of convicti

re in a lucky vein, and study the probabilities of th

ystem is so sure and certain, that I ha

one of my lucky days, those days

, that I felt instinctively that

ver, at first only made a few trif

confirmed my

good luck, so I stopped, and, taking a card, began to stud

en francs on No. 33. I lost: one must expect that; but, confident in my successful vein, even more t

lities proved in the right. The

sum paid me, according to the rules of the game, was thirty

hing to tempt fortune, and in order to avo

with the wish of risking the smallest sum at roulette. I have always l

s and theories to break the bank, who have only succeeded in

joueur qui vi

les jours mill

d, as often happens with friends picked up in one's travels,

however, t

chtenthal promenade. A man I had not before observed, came, and, placing hims

which had that peculiar shiny look, which bespeaks long service. It was buttoned up to the throat, to allow him

pair of large "blondes mousta

ance of a man!" said a voice, which I recog

." I looked at M. Raymond; more old recollections crowded into my mind. Those thick moustachios, that military appearan

aymond, moving away; feeling hurt probably at my hesitati

and we will go to a less frequented part, where you will be able to relat

d with a sigh, "my tale is a simple

les, I waited, hoping for a better chance; but my frightful ill-luck continued for six months. I changed my locale, to turn

sold in succession, jewels, linen, and clothes, by the proc

the chances for and against me. I made nothing but

e world. Too proud to beg, I endured with resignation the most crue

, in such a pitiable position. I, the lucky gambler 'Voisi

r the pity of my

asure of my greatness, and thus transformed

little assistance; but fearing to wound his susceptibility, I contriv

only as a loan," said he, "reme

n" quitted me, with

een, and saw him direct his steps to that yawning gulf, the

ymond approached me

or small stakes; the result is, that I have won a hundred francs. It is a return of my former good fortune. Allow me, therefore, while thankin

e talisman and its luck fell a prey to

inst my unlucky vein. You must know, my system has completely changed, and I feel so confident in

aymond had lost, if not his

and devote yourself to some less dangerous occupation. Were

one still more dangerous; I quitted it twenty ye

n light upon the vague recollections, which the

es! It certainly is,-were you not some twenty years s

ll, what

an unusual run of luck at écarte, and how

ause, as a termination to that scene and many preceding ones, finding myself tracked and nearly d

rd, which almost hid my features, few would have

which would be of use for the work I was writing on sharpers. I did not hesitate to ask him to oblige me, and, in the hope of inducing him to admit me into his c

t begged to be allowed until the morrow, t