human
Near the barriers, under the arches of the bridges, on the outer boulevards, and in the neighborhood of the wine market, are the places where you will usually find the men in blouses and plain caps who are called _croupiers_, which means: men who run a game. In the summertime, if you should go and look under the arches of the bridge over the canal near Pont d'Austerlitz, you would see a number of games in full blast. You see groups of men--first, the _croupiers_ and their confederates (for wherever there's games of chance, there's confederates); then, peasants, countrymen, and workmen with their loaves under their arms; these are the pigeons, who let themselves be plucked by the bait of a possible gain.
gpt
What a lot this Jean Ficelle knows!--You seem to have made a study of it!
human
In my own interest, in order not to be a pigeon! They play _biribi_, _table-basse_, _jarretières_, _trois noix_, and sometimes _loto_; but the first three are played most. The game of _jarretières_, you know, consists in sticking a pin into the edge of a piece of cloth. The man who runs the game always uses the skirt of his frock-coat. If I had one on, I'd show you how it's done. He lifts up one corner, presses it very tight, and holds it out to you in such a way that to stick a pin into the edge seems to be the simplest thing in the world.
gpt
Well?
human
But not much; because the _croupier_, when he picks up the hem of his coat, is smart enough to turn it under; so that you always stick your pin into the middle of the cloth when you think you're sticking it into the edge.
gpt
I'd stick it into his ugly mug!--And _table-basse_, what's that?
human
You see a little table with a lot of little, numbered holes. They hand you a dicebox, with some balls; you throw the balls on the table at random, and they roll into the holes; then they add up the numbers and give you the prize corresponding to the total. The big prizes are never won; you never get the silver watch, the piece of plate, or the drinking cup, that they show to entice you; but a flint and steel, or a save-all--that's all your twenty sous ever wins.
gpt
Very pretty, indeed! a choice lot they must be! But what did you mean just now when you sung out: 'I've got it! I know how it's done!'
human
Oh! that's the most popular of all the games--_biribi_.
gpt
I'll show you that; you play it with just three cards, see; and one of 'em's _biribi_. Look, the ace of hearts! Now, to win, all you have to do is guess where _biribi_ is. But the _croupier's_ skill consists in always showing you the under card, and that is always _biribi_; then he moves his cards this way and that, and you think you can follow it with your eyes. Like this: now, follow the ace of hearts, follow it carefully; do you know which of the three it is now?
human
This is the ace of hearts.
gpt
How much do you bet?
human
A glass of beer.
gpt
Done!