[1] Poker [2] Monopoly [3] Chess [4] Snooker
Big Slick [1] left [4] a coin or two but put the rest [4] of the cash into his pocket [1],[4] and was straight [1] away off in a motor [2], towards an hotel [2] in Park Lane [2], a lovely green [4] spot [4] by the river [1], beyond the bridge [4], where there was free parking [2]. Following a brief nap [4], he began living for kicks [4] and having a ball [4].
He was robbed blind [1], paying the rent [2] on one house [2] (in Fourth Street [1]) and a mortgage [2] on another (Cannon [4] Street), just visiting [2] a girl known as D [4], who was queen [1],[3] of a beauty contest [2] but a bit of an old battleship [2] as well. A gay waiter [1], wearing a foul [4] baize [4] jacket tied [4] with a red [4], yellow [4], black [3],[4], brown [4] and pink [4] Strand [2], would chalk [4] his tab on the slate [4], as the English [4] might say.
His money ran out (coins/notes? He couldn’t hold ‘em [1]) and he was soon as poor as the rank and file [3] of the community. Chest [2] heaving, he was hungry and exhausted – all in [1]. He tried to pawn [3] his iron [2] and Scottie dog [2], without success. Having scratched [4] around, he followed up an opening [3], looking after pigs (longing to check [1],[3],[4] out the spider[4]-infested plant[4]s in their jaws [4]), but that seemed a poor deal [1], [2], and not at all in-off[4]ensive. He was feeling blue [4], yet he didn’t baulk [4] at the idea of screwing [4] up his courage, having to return [1] home to relative safety [4]. While he was still a long way off, his dad ran to greet him.
‘O – O – O [3], Mate [3]!’ he cried, when he might have been expected to kick [4] off (what a kicker [1]!). He wasn’t bluffing [1], although he did look as if he was having a hot flush [1], and turned on the water works [2]. He kissed [4] his stun[4]ned son, made sure he was suited [1] – he even helped him with a button [1] (or was it a pin [3]?) – gave him a pair [1] of open sandals that went flip-flop [1], and began to call [1] the maximum [4] number of guests until he had a full house [1] (in fact, there was no limit [1]).
He raised the ante [1] with plates of chips [1] and a (formerly thin [4]) roasted calf, which, cut [4] into 147 [4] thick [4] slices, could be eaten with a fork [3]. He arranged for a large pot [1] of soup and some vegetables on a skewer [3]. cooked upon a rack [4], with egg white [3],[4] served on a cushion [4] of mashed potato.
‘Doubles [2],[4] all round! Check [4] this out: I thought Jack, whose name was in the frame [4], was going to die [2], but God decided to raise [1] him up! Tell [1] everyone: he was a deadweight [4], but the boy can roll again [2]!’
[1] Poker (31)
Big Slick A, K in hand – since this can be slippery
River last community card to be dealt
Fourth street penultimate community card
Gay Waiter Q, [3] in hand – (queen with a tré - tray)
Button a white chip which indicates the dealer
Flop first three community cards
Kicker Highest card when hands are equal
Tell nervousness or excitement revealed unintentionally
[2] Monopoly (23)
Deal Among the traditional variant rules, one allows some properties to be distributed
Die alternative for dice
[3] Chess (13)
Gambit Opening moves made (usually by White) to sacrifice a piece to gain an advantageous position
O – O – O indicates castling on the queen’s side
Skewer an attack on a high-value piece, which, if moved, would expose a lesser value piece, previously protected
[4] Snooker (53)
English American term to indicate side-spin
Scratched when the cue-ball is potted (this is a foul)
Baulk a line 29” from the bottom cushion on a 12’ x 6’ table, forming part of the D shape
Safety avoiding making a pot, to gain advantgeous position
