LONDON GAMING CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 306, 19 September 1908, Page 9

LONDON GAMING CLUBS.

STORIES OF ALMACK'S. The New Almack's Club,' which was recently much to the fore in connection with a legal action, is (says "M.A.E.") the smartest and most exclusive home of bridge in London. The' chief purpose for which' it first opened its doors last summer was' to divest society's fascinating card'game of the sensationalism which bade fair to overwhelm and destroy it, by limiting tho stakes to a nominal amount. Like its ancestor, which was situate in King Street, St: James's, the New Almack's was founded essentially for play, and similarly its membership is jealously guarded by tho eclecticism of the ballot-box. Play at the old Almack's, however, was of a very different character; according to Walpole, the young men of the age lost ten, fifteen, and even twenty thousand pounds at a sitting. " Lord Stavordale," he wrote, "not' yet over one-and-twenty, lost £11,000 there, but reversed it at one great hand at hazard." The rule was that the stake should bo in specie, and that no player should keep less than fifty guineas on tho table in front of him. The glittering pile which was displayed frequently totalled more than £10,000.

At the New ATmack's no impressivo preparations aro necessary before play begins; but at the old club a great deal of ceremony, not entirely devoid of tho comic clement, had first to bo observed.' Before they wore ready for tho fray, "so to speak, tho gamesters pulled off their embroidered clothes, or turned their coats inside-out for luck. . They'put on cuffs, made of leather to save thoir laco ruffles; and, to guard their eyes from the light, woro high-crowned straw hats, with broad brims. Masks also were worn by tho players to conceal their emotions, as depicted in their' faces.

Tho founder of old Altnack's —a Scotsman named M'Call—set up another gaming club in Pall Mall in 1764. This establishment was taken over by one Brooks, a wino merchant and moneylender, whose name it still bears. The original members wero twentyseven in number, and included 'the Duko of Roxburghe, tho Duke of Portland, tho Earl of Stratlimorc, Mr. Crowe (aftorwards Lord Crowo), and Charles Jamos Fox. Two curious rules wore: that thero should be "No gaming in the eating-room cxcopt tossing-up for reckonings, on penalty of paying tho whole bill of the members present"; and that "Dinner shall be brought at seven." Play at this small honse was even highor than at Almack's other club. The principal games wore faro and macas, and a man was able to win or lose tho whole of his fortuno in & single night.