Gambling Jack

Known as the best of the best at poker, you are not accustomed to losing in any fashion. When you entered the Deadwood Poker tournament, you assumed an automatic win at the poker tables. However, when you realized that the tournament was being held by your old friend, Harry High-Stakes, you were not certain that a win was in the cards for you. You first met Harry in his outlaw days when Harry spent a great deal of time with Jesse Wales (another outlaw). It was no secret that in those days Harry would go about stealing money and then gamble it away at the nearest saloon or gambling house.

At the gambling tables, Harry became a good friend of yours. Harry is the one who taught you to cheat, something you have mastered to a tee. In fact, you have become such a master at the art of cheating that NO ONE has ever caught you and for the last five years you have been on a winning streak. Because of your excellent slight of hand and ability to count cards, you have become known as the best hand in poker. Only Harry knows your secret of how you retain your reputation. Once you found out that Harry was the organizer of the tournament, you were uncertain if Harry would condone your cheating ways at his tournament. However, when you arrived in Deadwood, Harry approached you with a proposal. Harry made it clear that he would allow you to cheat and keep your cheating a secret only if you would win the tournament and give back the winnings. (Despite the saloon’s popularity, Harry owes the bank a great deal of money and he must repay that debt if he does not want to lose his saloon.) In order to save your reputation and your career as a professional gambler, you agreed to Harry’s request.

Unfortunately, you experienced some bad luck and regardless of your best cheating efforts, you lost in the final round of the tournament. Because Harry was depending on you to win the tournament in order to save his saloon, you are worried about how Harry will react. More than anything, you need to keep Harry from telling your secret. If word gets out that you are a cheater, your career (and your marriage) would be ruined! In addition to letting Harry down by your loss, you are also worried about letting down your beautiful and wealthy wife, Anna Belle. You met Anna Belle when you were just starting a highly unsuccessful career at gambling. Anna Belle’s family fortune is what funded your career through those tough years of many financial losses. Since your career has made a distinct turnaround (when you started cheating), Anna Belle has stated that she is very happy she stood by you. Earlier today, Anna Belle was quite shocked when you lost the tournament and she insists that someone else must be cheating. Coincidentally, you think that Poker Alice (the poker dealer) may have witnessed you cheating, but she has yet to say anything. With the potential of your cheating secret being exposed, you fear losing Anna Belle’s love and, more importantly, her wealth. Anna Belle has a hot temper and you fear she may take it out on Holly Hickok, a female gambler who has been flirting with you (and all of the other male gamblers) all week.

While you fear Harry’s reaction, you know that you must attend the Deadwood Poker Tournament Party in order to congratulate the winner, Mitch Maverick, and to make amends with Harry. At the party, you hope that Anna Belle does not make a scene about your losing or Holly’s romantic advances.

Acting and Dressing Your Part:

A show-off to everyone, at the party you will have to constantly be on your best behavior, both in front of your wife and those watching. Since you are a very successful poker player, you have a very distinguished wardrobe which may consist of a button down shirt, vest, tie and hat (bowler, derby, slouch, gambler or other). Popular in the time period, you may also consider adding in facial hair.