game is played by many together, each gamester is banker in his
turn.

PUT.

This was and doubtless still is the special card-game of our
London sharpers. Many of these are men who have run through a
fortune in the early part of their lives, by associating with
gamblers and sharpers, set up for themselves, set honour and
conscience at defiance, become blacklegs, and are scouted out of
even the gambler's company; and, as a last resource, are obliged
to resort to low pot-houses, robbing the poorest and most
ignorant of society.

Behind the dupe there stood a confederate sharper, looking over
the novice's hand, and telling his opponent, by his fingers, what
cards he holds--hence he was said to work the telegraph, of which
more in the sequel. Another confederate plied the novice with
drink.

'The game of Put is played with an entire pack of cards,
generally by two, and sometimes by four persons. At this game
the cards rank differently from all others; a trey being the
best, then a two, then an ace, then the king, queen, &c. The
game consists of five points. The parties cut for deal, as in
Whist. The deal is made by giving three cards, one at a time, to
each player. The non-dealer then examines his cards, and if he
thinks them bad, he is at liberty to PUT them upon the pack, and
his adversary scores one point to his game. This, however,
should never be done. Either party saying--"I put," that is, I