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HERE.
In the Old West, quarrels over cards was quite
common and often led to gunplay and other forms of violence. This
happened so often that when
Doc
Holliday's tuberculosis became so bad that he could no longer be a
dentist and he turned to gambling as a profession, he first took the time
to build up his skills with a six-shooter and a long, wicked knife.
Spending hours and hours practicing, his skills obviously paid off.
Though he would use these violent skills on a
number of occasions, one of his many killings erupted while he was dealing Faro
in Fort Griffin,
Texas
in 1877.
Doc
was dealing cards to a local bully by the name of Ed Bailey, who was
accustomed to having his own way without question. Bailey was
unimpressed with
Doc's
reputation and in an attempt to irritate him; he kept picking up the
discards and looking at them. Looking at the discards was strictly
prohibited by the rules of Western
Poker, a
violation that could force the player to forfeit the pot.
Though
Holliday warned Bailey twice, the bully ignored him and picked up the
discards again. This time,
Doc
raked in the pot without showing his hand, nor saying a word. Bailey
immediately brought out his pistol from under the table, but before the
man could pull the trigger,
Doc's
lethal knife slashed the man across the stomach. With blood spilled
everywhere, Bailey lay sprawled across the table.
Also See:
Faro or "Bucking
the Tiger"
History of Poker
Legends of America Photo Print Gallery
Historic Cities, Buildings, and Scenes of the American West
Historic Figures of America's Past
Old West Photo Prints
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