hist-games: FW: skins game

[Loud Creek Books & Bindery]

Dear Mr. Masters,

A review of several English and AMerican dictionaries of slang indicate the
following.

1) 19th century gamblers ran what was called a "skin game". A crooked set-up
where a dupe was released form all of his money or was "skinned". Which was
probably related to "skinned alive" or trated cruelly or to lose everything.

2) American trappers and traders often met in camps and as a matter of
course gambled heavily. Each round being played for a set number of "skins".
The only currency they carried or was valued. This definition follows
closely to the golf definition where each hole is played for a set amout or
"skin".

Hope that is helpful

Regards

Kurt Klappenbach
Loud Creek Books & Bindery
<<<Specializing in Books on>>>
<<<Playing Cards>>>
<and>
 <<<Card Games>>>
P.O. Box 8120
Bangor, ME   04402-8120
207.990.3786
loudcreek at att.net


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