Notorious Gamblers of the Old West

Texas historian, G. R. Williamson, tells the "unvarnished truth" about one of the integral facets of the American West – gambling. Rich in detail and jargon, yet written in an easy to understand style, the book tells how the games were played, legitimately and otherwise; it presents the stories of some of the infamous gamblers and con men of the era; and it covers the notorious saloons and gambling houses where fortunes were wagered night and day in the untamed West. The thoroughly researched 300-page book has over one hundred vintage photographs, a glossary of frontier gambling terms, extensive bibliography, and index.

"This book was written to try to tell the true story of gambling in the Old West", Williamson says. "I intentionally did not delve into the societal and moral issues of gambling; rather I decided to explore the myth and lore that drove men to risk fortunes, big or small, on the turn of a card or the spin of a wheel."

Williamson points out that games of chance were dear to the hearts of not only cowboys but also gold miners, plantation owners, bankers, merchants, soldiers, trappers, buffalo hunters, muleskinners, and most of the other men of the American West, even including some preachers. Wherever there were men with money there was gambling – and most of it was crooked. Whether it was rigged, fixed, double-dealt, cold-decked, braced or otherwise manipulated - very little was left to luck and skill.

Notorious Gamblers of the Old West takes you inside the infamous gambling saloons where players could try their luck against faro, monte, or twenty-one dealers. Along the way you will meet some of the big-time gamblers of the era including Big Ed Chase, Swiftwater Bill Gates, Long John Dunn, Ben Thompson, Luke Short, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and J.J. Cozad. You will also meet some of the card sharps and conmen such as, George Devol, "Canada Bill" Jones, and Jefferson Randolph Smith (Soapy Smith). In addition, you will meet the petticoat dealers that include "Poker" Alice, "La Tules" of Santa Fe, Eleanore Dumont "Madame Mustache", and the mysterious Lottie Deno.