The Philosophy of Gambling

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 430, 21 December 1889, Page 3

The Philosophy of Gambling

A tyro in gaming once aaked old Mr Crockford, first a fishmonger by Temple Bar, and next the proprietor ot a palatial gambling resort in St James's-street, whether lie knew of any system which would render winning ab hazard certain. • Sir,' said Mr Crockford, * you may play hazard till your hair grows through your hatand your toenails grow through your boots witiSout finding out anjr system of winning at hazard.' It is a pity these words of wisdom did not apparently reach a doctor of medicine — American diploma — who having sold his medical practice for £5,500, went into business as a turf commission agent, and with his partner worked what he called a ' system.' For a time the ' system' appears to have been successful ; but the end of it was that the turf commission agent turned up in the Bankruptcy Court. His liabilities weresmall, scarcely amounting to .£5OO, and ib was stated that he had made himself liable for a debt incurred by a 'Court milliner.' Perhaps, that transaction had put a spoke into the wheel of the • system,' and thrown the machine out of gear. The humour of the matter lay in the fact that the unsuccessful turf commission agent did nob know what the ' sysbera ' was. It was his partner who ' worked the oracle.'