The Education of a Poker Player (High Stakes Classic)

Author: Herbert O. Yardley
Publisher: High Stakes
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FIVE-CARD DRAW, JACKS OR BETTER 21

When it came time for Monty to deal he took out the joker and said, "This is straight draw," which at that time meant what is now known as jacks or better. This means that the pot cannot be opened unless the opener has at least two jacks. The joker was restored to the deck if they played deuces wild.

Monty dealt skillfully, a diamond as large as his thumbnail on his little finger sparkling in the artificial light.

I had deduced Monty's trick. Someone else on whom Monty had played his trick too often opened the pot, so Monty didn't stay. On his third deal I opened for $5, the usual opening, on a pair of aces. I was sitting just to his right. He raised me $15. I stayed and drew three cards.

Monty's poker face turned into a wicked smile. He said, "I play these." I didn't help the aces. I knew what was coming but I didn't know how much he would bet. He glanced at my chips, calculating how much I had left.

Wham! His right fist hit the center of the table. He had bet $30. I pretended to hesitate, then nervously put down my hand and counted out $30, about all I had.

"I call," I said and spread my hand face up, showing two aces. Monty could not conceal a look of utter disbelief. "Well, I'll be a son-of-a-bitch," he said and threw his hand face down in the discards. "Didn't you know I stood pat?" he said in disgust. "How can you call a pat hand on two aces?"

I grinned at him. "You wiggled your ears," I said.

"Fresh kid," he grumbled. "Beats anything I ever saw."

Someone opened the window to let out the smoke. It was daylight. I ought to get some sleep before school, I thought. But the time went on. I had confidence now and was winning a bit.

It must have been after eight in the morning when a fat little drummer called Jake Moses came in. He had just got off the morning train.

"Hello, sucker," Monty greeted him. "Take a seat." Jake smiled back good-naturedly.