young gentleman six, and throw continually. To play they went;
the rook won the first day L10, and the next day the like sum;
and so for six days together, in all L60. Notwithstanding the
gentleman, I am confident, had fair dice, and threw them always
himself. And further to confirm what I alleged before, not only
this gamester, but many more have told me that they desired no
greater advantage than this bet of 7 to 6. But it is the opinion
of most that at the first throw the caster hath the worst of it.

'Hazard is certainly the most bewitching game that is played with
dice; for when a man begins to play, he knows not when to leave
off; and having once accustomed himself to it, he hardly ever
after minds anything else.'[66]

[66] The Compleat Gamester, by Richard Seymour, Esq. 1739.


As this game is of a somewhat complicated character, another
account of it, which appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette for Sept.
3, 1869, may not be unacceptable.

'The players assemble round a circular table, a space being
reserved for the "groom-porter," who occupies a somewhat elevated
position, and whose duty it is to call the odds and see that the
game is played correctly. Whoever takes the box and dice places
in the centre of the table as much money as he wishes to risk,
which is at once covered with an equal amount either by some
individual speculator, or by the contributions of several. The
player (technically called the "caster") then proceeds to call a
"main." There are five mains on the dice, namely, 5, 6, 7, 8,