Playing poker when there are Cheetahs about!
Even back in the early days of the early 20th century there used to be poker tournaments held in Africa. These were not the sort of poker tournaments you might expect to go to in Africa these days, enjoying 5-Star luxury accommodation and tables in Sun City, but were actual out-door events held in what would today be considered to simply be the savannah or bush. One of these poker tournaments was held in what would eventually become the Serengeti National Park. Of course at that time everyone hunted and, quite often before or after a poker tournament, the players would indulge bit of safari style hunting.
Don't want to play poker with Cheetahs like these about!
This one year the well known ‘toff’ and ‘gad about town’ – Lord Ridsdale of Rochdale was playing in one such open air tournament in Africa. Being a Lord of the English realm he had, of course, brought with him his butler – Johnson. The poker game started around 4 in the afternoon with 6 other players but, shortly before it got dark, around 7pm there was just Lord Ridsdale and three other players left in the game. They were the delicate Madame Fifi from France, the nervous and twitchy Count von Hakkola from Russia and a tough as old boots Texan Bill ‘the kill’ Jefferson.
Everyone was concentrating hard on the game, the next hand was dealt and just before the river, out in the bush, the growl of an annoyed Cheetah was heard. Madame Fifi visibly shook at the sound. Lord Ridsdale, ever the English gentlemen, turned to Johnson and said “deal with that please will you”.
Seconds later, Bang – a shot rang out and the night air once again became silent. Jefferson won the round with four-of-a-kind; four Jacks.
Then there was 10,000 in the pot – a lot of money in those days – the next round was dealt. Again, just as they get to the river another piercing noise wrenched through the night air. This time it’s another Cheetah, spitting and hissing as well as growling, clearly a more angry Cheetah than the previous one. Count von Hakkola moved uneasily in his seat, tried to light a cigar but his hand was shaking too much. “Johnson” said Lord Ridsdale “do be a good chap and deal with that for us please”.
As the river is played the shot rang out – Bang. Another cheetah lay dead on the savannah. Jefferson again won the hand again with four-of-a-kind, four Queens.
Unable to retain their composure Fifi and Hakkola dropped out of the game leaving just Ridsdale and Jefferson. With 20,000 on the table what looked like being the final game begins.
The river came down and despite all the growls and yelps from the bush – incredibly Jefferson won with four-of-a-kind – four Kings.
Lord Ridsdale is just about to congratulate Jefferson when he saw some loose cards on the floor where Jefferson had been sitting. Outraged Lord Ridsdale accused Jefferson of cheating, Jefferson wasn’t going to let 20,000 slip away from his grasp and he drew his revolver.
Lord Ridsdale simply stood his ground and smirking slightly said “Johnson”, “Yes m’lord”, “Deal with this cheat please”. Expecting Johnson to shoot the Texan for him!
“Oh. I’m sorry m’Lord I only shoot the wildlife Cheetahs “!