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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Gambling History


In doing research for my latest novel, I ran across some interesting information about the history of gambling, a sport that has endured through the centuries.
Ancient man played games of chance, using the knucklebones of sheep as a primitive form of dice. Later, archaeologists uncovered a pair of ivory dice in Egypt, dating before 1500 B.C., proving that the dice of today are much like those used for centuries.
Betting on athletic games at the Roman coliseum drew wagers from rich and poor alike, and later, during the Middle Ages, gambling in all its forms took place in private homes and in city streets.
When first used, cards were a rich man’s game, as each card was stamped from a woodcut. Later, with the invention of the printing press, a deck of cards became readily accessible in every tavern in Europe.
When the English came to the New World, they brought the culture of gambling with them, but the Puritan-led Massachusetts Bay Colony outlawed possession of cards and dice (along with dancing and singing). Later, the rules were relaxed, as long as the game was an innocent one and no money exchanged hands.
In Venice, men and ladies both went to the ridotto, a salon for gambling and other pastimes. Ridotti became very popular in Europe, even serving as forums for the arts. Verdi celebrated the opening of his opera, Rigoletto, in the Ridotto San Moise. In the 1800s, the Doge of Venice closed the ridotti, and they were reopened as state run casinos.
For further reading, a very good book by David Schwartz, titled Roll the Bones, covers every aspect of the history of gambling in Europe and the United States.

70 comments:

Ella Quinn said...

Joyce,

Wonderful post.

Marion

Nancy Jardine Author said...

Very interesting blog. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to unearth and ancient die.

Kera Aideen O'Neal said...

You have been doing your research. If you want to know more history there is a book: Roll The Bones The History of Gambling by David G. Schwartz that pretty much covers it. I was a nationally certified gambling addiction counselor, but, I let my certification expire.

Janet Flowers

angelyn said...

Great post. My latest project involves faro.

Susan Macatee said...

Interesting post! The hero in my upcoming post-Civil War romance is a reformed gambler turned Pinkerton agent. Gambling was a big part of many soldiers lives to ease boredom in camp while awaiting the next battle.

catslady said...

The Puritans were such stick in the muds lol.

Caroline Clemmons said...

Good information. I have wondered about Bid Euchre. It sounds like bridge, but I'm not certain.

Joyce Moore said...

Hi Ella; Thanks for stopping by, and glad you enjoyed.

Joyce Moore said...

Nancy: I'm with you. Maybe I'll be an archaeologist in my next life.
Thanks for dropping by.

Joyce Moore said...

Janet: How interesting, an addiction specialist. Gee,bet you heard some awesom stories.

Joyce Moore said...

Angelyn: Glad you came by and read my post. And thanks for the comment.

Joyce Moore said...

Hi Susan: That sounds like a good twist, and a complete makeover. Glad you stopped by.

Joyce Moore said...

Hi catslady: Maybe that's how they got the name PURitans. Glad I didn't live in their community back then.

Joyce Moore said...

Hi Caroline: I didn't find that in my research, but I'd guess you are right. Makes sense to me.

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