HAZARD some useful tips!

The dice game, Hazard was immensely popular with Georgian gamblers.
However, if you’re planning to play in one of the less respectable houses – or even a hell – it’s worth taking a quick course in the correct lingo.
You wouldn’t want to be thought a flat or a bubble because this might result in you being targeted by a mace cove or a nickum – which, in turn would almost certainly see you thoroughly dished up or, worse still, lurched.

Author: Stella Riley

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6 thoughts on “HAZARD some useful tips!”

    1. How true that is! I wondered if ‘Crabs!’ (the Georgian version of ‘snake-eyes’) eventually became the modern game of Craps. I’ve fond memories of this, having played Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls some years ago!

  1. Dear me – I have only a very rough idea of what a mace cove or nickum might be, but it does sound unpleasant. But I thought a flat was someone fool enough to be cheated, not one to do the cheating and/or incur the wrath of other players? The nuances of the English language (especially including the historical aspects) are wonderful to experience….

    1. Yes, a flat was an ‘easy mark’ which one wouldn’t wish to be taken for – hence the need for the correct ‘lingo’. On a separate note, there’s a brilliant little book called CANT: A Gentleman’s Guide to the Rogues of Georgian London. It’s a lot of fun. And on another separate note … I’ve seen that you’ve reviewed The Wicked Cousin. I’m not going to be able to keep up with you, am I? But reading/listening/reviewing loyalty deserves some reward. I’ll e-mail you an Audible code for The Marigold Chain – assuming you haven’t bought it already?

      1. Wow, thank you! No, I haven’t, not yet 🙂 I’d love to read/listen to more of your 17th century books, I enjoyed being immersed into a period previously unknown to me. Your knowledge and love for the era and the people shines through your books and brings it close to the reader.
        I’ll have to space out pleasure reading in the future (I have been at home with the flu in the last days but will have a more busy period in the near future) but I’m not sure I can resist an audiobook of yours and the voice of Alex… There is always commuting and housework, anyway.
        I look forward to it!

        1. You’re welcome, Agnes. It appears you’re joining my (fairly exclusive, it should be said) team of regular readers/reviewers to whom I send a code when something new comes out. Sorry to hear you’ve had the ‘flu and hope you’re feeling better.

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