HIGH STAKES

NZ Truth, Issue 1062, 1 April 1926, Page 1

HIGH STAKES

BRIDGE WINNINGS £400 In An Evening (From "Truth's" Special London Rep.) Some amazing figures, have recently been revealed, as to the money won at bridge by experts. .They are not gamblers such as might occasionally Avin a big pot at pqker or any other game of chance, but men who, because of their superior knowledge and skill, steadily make an income far bigger than they earn at their legitimate calling. • The interest m the subject began with a statement on behalf of, a retired major m the Bankruptcy Court that he averaged an income of £1000 a year from his bridge . playing. Inquiries round the clubs showed that this figure was a. very moderate one. Many of the well-known bridge players m London clubs, from the most exclusive Portland • Club downwards, • habitually make from £3000 to £5000 a year and even more occasionally. l Of rourse this can only be done where the club maximum is high, though that handicap can ,be got over by side stakes, which, however, are not very often resorted to — at any rate, as a regular thing. Some clubs permit bridge to be played at £10 per hundred points and one club extends the maximum to £20 on occasion, while m. a few there is no maximum. ;,.■■ At the St. James Club it is quite an' ordinary thing for a man to win £20 and £30 between 4 o'clock and dinner. ' ' Amounts running into the hundreds change, hands frequently as the result of an evening's play. Qne club secretary said that he had known of £400 being won quite frequently m a single evening. ' Some of these consistent winners are, of course, really professionals. . These men go down to their clubs with the deliberate intention! of making money out of their fellow-members by reason of their superior play. In no sense of the word are they card -sharpers. Clubs as a general thing deprecate this professionalism, but it is difficult to stop it.. This playing for high stakes is spreading to the women's clubs, too, where stakes of £1 a hundred are riot j uncommon. .., ,-^£'^: