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Traveling through american history, destinations & legends since 2003., george devol – old west card sharp.

George Devol

“I don’t know just how thick my old skull is, but I do know that it is pretty thick, or it would have been cracked many years ago, for I have been struck some terrible blows on my head with iron dray-pins, pokers, clubs, stone-coal, and bowlders, which would have split any man’s skull wide open unless it was pretty thick. Doctors have often told me that my skull was nearly an inch in thickness over my forehead.”

– George Devol, Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi

George H. Devol was the greatest riverboat gambler in the history of the Mississippi River. He was also a con artist, a fighter, and a master at manipulating men and their money.

Born on August 1, 1829, in Marietta, Ohio, George Devol was the youngest of six children. His father was a ship carpenter and was often away from home. Though Devol had good opportunities for early education, he didn’t like school and spent most of his time playing hooky. The unmanageable boy was also prone to fighting, coming home almost daily with scratches and bruises from his numerous scuffles. When a teacher attempted to discipline him with a hardy whipping, he would turn on them, hitting them with stones that he carried in his pocket. While his father was away building boats much of the time, his mother would be forced to call in a neighbor or passerby to help with his punishment.

Devol ran away at the age of ten, serving as a cabin boy on a riverboat steamer called the Wacousta .  Evidently, Devol did a good job in this capacity as he soon took a better-paying job on a boat called Walnut Hills .

Another boat came soon after – the Cicero , where Devol learned to play “Seven-Up” and the art of bluffing. Seeing the high lifestyle of the professional gamblers on the boat, Devol was determined to follow in their footsteps, and by the time he was in his teens, he could deal seconds, palm cards, and recover the cut.

Fighting would continue to be a natural part of his life, and he soon developed skills with a gun, never hesitating to pull it.

By the time the Mexican War broke out, he was on a boat called the Tiago . Soon, Devol thought it a good idea to go to war and got a job as a barkeeper on the Corvette , bound for the Rio Grande and Mexico.

While aboard the Corvette, he met a man who taught him how to “stock a deck.” Upon reaching the Rio Grande and joining the forces, he quickly utilized his newly learned skills to swindle the other soldiers. But he grew bored with soldiering, and with his pockets filled with his ill-earned gains, he returned to New Orleans, although not for long.

At the tender age of 17, Devol’s pockets were filled with almost three thousand dollars as he headed back home to Ohio, laden with gifts for his family.

While back in Ohio, he mastered the games of Faro and Rondo.  Devol continued to hone his skills and made hundreds of thousands of dollars in the years before the Civil War .  Working the steamboats of the South, he joined in with other card sharps, including Canada Bill Jones , Bill Rollins, Big Alexander, and many others over the years.

Playing Faro

One trick that Devol liked to play was betting against ministers, who inevitably lost their meager wages to the professional gambler. However, Devol would always return their money, along with this advice: “Go and sin no more.” But to the many soldiers, paymasters, farmers, thieves, and businessmen, he was not so kind.

When the war was over, the railroads began to head west, with settlements sprouting up all along the way.  Many of these burgeoning towns, often filled with railroad workers, miners, and cowboys provided all manner of vices, including prostitution , numerous saloons , and the ever-present gambling halls. Supplying perfect opportunities for Devol’s operation, he followed the railroad expansion between Kansas City and Cheyenne in the early 1870s.

According to his account, Devol was working the Gold Room Saloon in Cheyenne when he encountered Wild Bill Hickok .  Devol tells the story that when Hickok placed a $50 bet, he lost.  He then placed another $50 bet, winning the hand that time; however, the dealer handed him back only $25.  When Wild Bill protested, the dealer stated that the house limit was $25. “But you took 50 when I lost,” said Hickok, to which the dealer responded, “Fifty goes when you lose.” The quick-tempered Hickok wasn’t about to accept those terms “sitting down” and quickly whacked the dealer on the head with his walking stick, turned over the table, and stuffed his pockets with the till.

On another occasion, when Devol was working the railroad route, he beat a railroad director out of $1,200.  This one-time winning game resulted in Devol’s profession being quickly curbed when the outraged official prohibited gambling on trains.  Further, the Pinkerton agency was hired to be on the lookout for the most notorious professional gamblers, including Devol.

In 1892, Devol published his autobiography, Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi , telling of his life and probably exaggerating much of it. Shortly after he published his book, the great days of railroad and riverboat gambling were over. At his new wife’s insistence, he retired from gambling for good in 1896 and spent the last years of his life selling his book.

It is estimated that Devol won over two million dollars in his forty years of gambling.  However, when he died in Hot Springs , Arkansas , in 1903, he was nearly penniless.

Reno, Nevada Gambling, 1910

©  Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America , updated November 2021.

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The Meaning Behind The Song: Riverboat Gambler by Carly Simon

Carly Simon, a legendary singer-songwriter, has gifted the world with countless musical gems throughout her career. One such song that captures the attention of audiences is “Riverboat Gambler.” Released in 1974 as part of her iconic album “Hotcakes,” this melodious masterpiece resonated deeply with listeners, both then and now. Delving into the captivating story behind the song, we discover the profound meaning that Carly Simon intended to convey through her poignant lyrics.

Table of Contents

The Story Unveiled

Carly Simon paints a vivid picture with her words, transporting us to the intriguing world of a riverboat gambler. The song delves into the life of a fearless gambler, navigating through highs and lows, risks and rewards, all while channeling an aura of mystery. As the lyrics unfold, we enter the inner workings of the gambler’s mind, capturing the essence of his alluring yet tumultuous existence.

The gambler becomes a metaphor, representing the unpredictable nature of life itself. Through the song, Carly Simon explores the universal theme of taking chances and embracing the uncertainty that accompanies our choices. She skillfully intertwines the world of gambling with the complexities of human relationships, offering listeners a window into the complexities of love and chance.

The Symbolism Exposed

Within “Riverboat Gambler,” Carly Simon artfully weaves layers of symbolism, enriching the song with deeper meaning. The riverboat symbolizes the journey of life, floating down the river of fate, stopping at various ports of opportunity and challenges. It encapsulates the uncertain nature of existence, reminding us that we are all passengers on a vast river, navigating the currents and making choices along the way.

The act of gambling represents the risks we take in our personal lives, the decisions we make with uncertain outcomes. Just as the gambler places bets, we too must wager on our relationships, careers, and dreams. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose, but it is through these risks that we grow and learn, never knowing what lies around the bend.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what inspired carly simon to write “riverboat gambler”.

Carly Simon drew inspiration from her own life experiences and observations of the human condition. She wanted to create a song that captured the essence of living life to the fullest, embracing risks and the unknown.

2. Is “Riverboat Gambler” based on a true story?

While Carly Simon has not explicitly stated that the song is based on a specific event or person, it is likely a product of her imagination. However, the themes and emotions expressed in the song are undoubtedly relatable to many.

3. What message does Carly Simon hope to convey through “Riverboat Gambler”?

Carly Simon aims to inspire listeners to embrace the uncertainties of life and take risks. She encourages us to live boldly, recognizing that each choice carries both potential rewards and consequences.

4. How does “Riverboat Gambler” fit into Carly Simon’s discography?

“Riverboat Gambler” holds a special place within Carly Simon’s catalog of music. While it may not be as widely recognized as some of her other hits, it showcases her artistic versatility and prowess as a songwriter.

5. What makes “Riverboat Gambler” stand out among Carly Simon’s other songs?

“Riverboat Gambler” stands out due to its intricate storytelling and poetic lyrics. Carly Simon effectively combines themes of gambling, love, and life’s uncertainties in a way that captivates and engages listeners.

6. Has “Riverboat Gambler” received any accolades?

While “Riverboat Gambler” did not achieve chart-topping success upon its release, it remains a beloved song among Carly Simon’s dedicated fanbase. Its impact is witnessed through the lasting appreciation and admiration it receives.

7. Can you explain the significance of the riverboat as a symbol in the song?

The riverboat metaphor in “Riverboat Gambler” represents the journey of life. It symbolizes the unpredictability we face and the opportunities we encounter as we navigate through life’s currents and make choices.

8. How does the song’s message resonate with listeners today?

“Riverboat Gambler” continues to resonate with audiences because the themes it explores are timeless. The song’s encouragement to embrace risks, seize opportunities, and accept the uncertainty of life remains relevant in any era.

9. How has the song impacted Carly Simon’s career?

While “Riverboat Gambler” may not be one of Carly Simon’s most commercially successful songs, it showcases her talent as a wordsmith and further solidifies her status as a versatile and captivating songwriter.

10. Can you find any particular lyrical highlights in “Riverboat Gambler”?

One lyrical highlight in “Riverboat Gambler” is the line, “She smiled as if to say, fate has looked my way.” This phrase encapsulates the gambler’s mindset, acknowledging the role of luck and destiny in our lives.

11. Does “Riverboat Gambler” have a deeper meaning beyond gambling?

Yes, “Riverboat Gambler” delves into the complexities of human relationships and the choices we make in matters of the heart. It serves as a metaphorical examination of life’s uncertainties beyond the confines of the gambling world.

12. What emotions does “Riverboat Gambler” evoke in listeners?

“Riverboat Gambler” evokes a range of emotions in listeners, including curiosity, nostalgia, and a sense of reflection. The song’s introspective nature encourages personal contemplation and introspection, connecting with listeners on an emotional level.

And so, “Riverboat Gambler” by Carly Simon remains an enigmatic and captivating composition, using the world of gambling as a powerful metaphor to explore the unpredictable nature of existence. Through her poetic lyrics, Carly Simon invites us to embrace the uncertainties, take chances, and navigate the river of life with fervor and belief in the enigmatic journey that lies ahead.

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How Riverboat Gambling Became Riverboat Gaming

Kevin has been involved in the gambling industry since the ‘80s. From winning tournaments to casino management, he’s ultimately done it all. Throughout the years, he’s written for various iGaming publications on topics such as the legal landscape of online casinos and strategies behind winning. His favorite game is blackjack.

Cash-strapped states across the South and Midwest in the late eighties and early nineties were desperate for a new source of cash revenue that didn’t raise taxes. Gambling seemed like an easy way out, but it was going to be a hard sell to dubious voters.

But what if they used the allure of the old riverboat gambling myths and the promise of using the riverboat casinos to keep the gambling scourge at arm’s length from impacted communities? Could they sell this new, sanitized riverboat gaming to their constituents?

The Evolution of Gaming on America’s Rivers

We will explore the history of riverboat gaming in America from the early 19th century right into the 21st. We will discuss how it morphed and was delicately managed to become a product that a broad number of people could support a few decades ago, before starting another slow decline, and we take a closer look at some of its few bright remaining stars.

• ⛴ The History of Riverboat Gambling
• ⛴ The Beginnings of Riverboat Gaming
• ⛴ A Few of the Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining
• ⛴ Conclusion

The History of Riverboat Gambling

The first steamboat to make the trip down the Ohio and then the Mississippi was aptly named New Orleans, and she made her inaugural trip in 1811. For the next 100 years, these boats would define commerce along the nation’s mighty rivers. And with commerce comes con men.

The huge sums of money that came from moving much of the fledgling nation’s goods up and down the rivers would prove to be a powerful temptation. While much of the gambling that soon developed on these long, slow trips along the river was legal, many of the men who came to play were on the wrong side of the law .

Not even two decades into the new steamboat trade and there were articles in the Eastern papers about the con men, card sharps, and confidence scams being run on every bumpkin that set foot on a boat. In 1835, the townsfolk in Vicksburg had had enough; they lynched 5 of the “professional gamblers” and burned every Faro table in town, which was stated to be in the dozens.

Much like the frontiersman who preceded them and the Wild West lawmen who would come later, these sharply dressed, supremely confident riverboat gamblers who plied their way on the steamboats of the Mississippi using only their luck and some “skills” they’d picked up along the way were the subject of many salacious headlines and stories in their day. Despite their many obvious flaws, an almost reverence was bestowed on them as archetypical American heroes.

The Beginnings Of Riverboat Gaming

The hay day of the Riverboat gambler started to fade in the 1860s during the Civil War, and then with the advent of railroads, they were soon all but forgotten. But in the early 1990s, states desperate for tax revenue and looking at the success of Las Vegas and Atlantic City decided to retest the waters of riverboat gambling.

This time, it was a way of introducing limited casino operations only along the waterways of the State’s rivers, selling it to their constituents as a diversion and pastime. Thus, the term riverboat gaming was needed . This was to be entertainment and frivolity, none of those card sharps and hustlers from the good ole days. So, a new term was coined.

Iowa led the riverboat race with the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf in April 1991. But riverboat gaming would soon come to Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana , and other states along the Mississippi and other large rivers like the Missouri and Ohio and even the Fox and Red Rivers.

Used mainly as a stalking horse for the eventual opening of land-based casinos in most of these states, many gamblers found the cramped quarters, the limited selection of slots and tables, and most egregious of all, the ability to only embark or disembark while the boat was at the pier, to be a let down from the Las Vegas style experience that they had been promised.

In Iowa, the first land-based casinos made an appearance in just three years. In every State, some accommodations were made , from no longer having to cruise the dangerous rivers to being allowed to move on to barges over the river to being able to move to land as long as you were adjacent to the river. This was a push generally called dock-side gaming, which meant that the actual return of elegant paddle wheelers with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines prowling the Mississippi again lasted less than a decade.

Dock-side gaming was far safer and allowed gamblers to come and go as they pleased , which drove casino revenues much higher. Also, the ability in some states to move either onto barges or land-based casinos adjacent to piers saw some spectacular casinos get built that could finally meet the promise of a Las Vegas experience.

A Few Of The Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining

If you are going to visit one of the grand old ladies of the river, we think that you should start with the actual riverboats that once traveled the Mississippi, and of these, the Amelia Belle is one of the most iconic .

Situated about an hour and a half outside New Orleans, deep in Cajun Country, this beautiful riverboat gambling hall has over 30,000 square feet of gaming space , 800 slots, and a dozen table games. Before she was damaged during Hurricane Katrina, she sailed up the river from the port of New Orleans several times a day in the mid-90s, but she now sits permanently in Bayou Bouef, her expedition days behind her.

Since Louisiana has kept its premise of at least gambling on a boat, even if its moored in a giant pool or cemented to the dock, longer than most other of the original riverboat casino states, it’s no wonder we can find most of the truly breathtaking and best riverboat casinos there.

Another of the must-see gambling boats sits on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Chosen for its 20-minute proximity to the Texas border and only two and a half hours drive from Dallas, Shreveport was once a thriving riverboat gambling town and one of the country’s premier riverboat casino locations. But the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, which sit only an hour outside of Dallas to the North, have taken some of their business.

Still, there are several other riverboats operating in Shreveport, but what we think makes the Sam’s Town Property, one of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana , is that they’ve turned a 30,000-square-foot gaming boat into a destination resort. They have a 500+ room hotel directly adjacent and tied into the property with four restaurants including a really nice steak house and lots of other amenities. The boat itself has over 1000 slots and more than 27 table games.

One of the best riverboat casinos outside of Louisiana is the Grand Victoria in Elgin, Illinois. Built back in 1995, she was spared the dangers of cruising the Fox River in 1999, when Illinois was one of the last states to end their riverboat gaming rules that required the boats to leave their docks. Today, this 30,000-foot boat has room for 1100 slots and almost 30 tables and even sports an onboard buffet and three other restaurants. She is one of the prettier examples of the early 1990s boats that you will see as well, and it is well worth your time to get a good vantage point and take in her lines.

While both the age of riverboat gamblers and its more recent short-lived renaissance of riverboat gaming are now a thing of the past, the allure of cruising the mighty Mississippi while making your living playing cards and shooting dice will probably live on into the distant future. There is something about the water flowing past and the land slipping by out the window that just seems to call for a quick hand of poker or a spin on the roulette wheel.

It’s a call back to a time when the men and women who traveled these waterways were used to risking everything in order to follow their dreams. Get out there and check out some of those boats, wander the decks, play a hand or two of blackjack, and contemplate that river streaming by while you still have a chance to see a dying American breed , the last of the riverboat casinos.

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All of these games can be found in a real casino somewhere, but no real casino anywhere has all of these games, table games:.

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GORBACHEV'S GAMBIT

GORBACHEV'S GAMBIT; WITH CAREFUL CAJOLERY, HE GETS THE PARTY TO BUDGE

By Philip Taubman

• Feb. 1, 1987

MIKHAIL S. GORBACHEV rrwas at the Kremlin gate last week, tacking up another manifesto for fundamental change in the Soviet Union.

The Soviet leader asked the Central Committee of the Communist Party to consider introducing secret balloting and a choice of candidates in the election of local and regional party leaders.

It was quintessential Gorbachev: advancing an idea ahead of its time, then tugging at the Soviet establishment to accept it, seeking consensus but constantly agitating for more change in the face of stiff resistance. In this case, the Central Committee agreed to give voters more choice in the election of local officials, but pointedly did not approve changes that might have let a few rays of sunlight penetrate the party's secret process of choosing its leaders.

Western diplomats chalked up the long-awaited plenary session as a mixed success for Mr. Gorbachev, noting that he received a broad but imprecise endorsement for change and secured the promotion of several allies but not the appointment of a new voting member of the Politburo, which makes policy. ''The outcome suggests that the Central Committee has reservations about the scope, pace and details of change,'' one diplomat said.

And so it has gone from the day Mr. Gorbachev assumed power in March 1985. Opposed at many turns by the party and Government establishment, but apparently facing no serious threat to his position as General Secretary, Mr. Gorbachev has combined the fervor of an evangelical preacher with the instincts of a riverboat gambler to cajole the Soviet Union toward a new day. Will his efforts produce permanent change, or, as some in the West believe, does the nature of the Soviet state, with its stultifying bureaucracy and repressive instincts, make lasting change impossible? While the moves so far have been well within the framework of socialism, they have touched many areas of Soviet life. Arts and Literature

The most obvious change has been in the arts and literature, where the heavy hand of censorship has been lightened, and, in some cases, lifted. Long-suppressed works such as Boris Pasternak's ''Doctor Zhivago'' and Anatoly Rybakov's ''Children of the Arbat,'' an unflinching look at Stalin's terror, are to be published this year. The novels of Vladimir Nabokov and the poetry of Nikolai S. Gumilev, who was shot for anti-Soviet activity in 1921, have also begun to appear.

A rebellion among directors that threw out the leadership of the main filmmakers' union also touched off a reassessment of previously banned movies. ''Repentance,'' the first film to deal honestly with Stalin's purges and their chilling legacy, opened to the general public last month. ''Is It Easy to Be Young?'' a powerful film about disaffected young people and troubled Afghanistan veterans, is another current hit.

Change has come more slowly in other areas, but there are signs of a new tolerance for dissonant music, abstract art and experimental theater. Famous emigres, who were once condemned, are now in demand. The Bolshoi Ballet recently invited Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova to perform in Moscow. Yuri P. Lyubimov, the former director of Moscow's Taganka Theater, has also been urged to return. Press and Television

The Soviet press, while still tightly controlled and reverent toward top officials, has moved beyond traditional crusades such as environmental protection to become a testing ground for Mr. Gorbachev's drive for greater ''glasnost,'' or openness. Now a forum for vigorous debate about foreign and domestic policies, the press has raised such long-ignored problems as prostitution, drug addiction, the alienation of youth and the disorientation of soldiers returning from service in Afghanistan.

Perhaps the high-water mark was a series in Pravda, the party newspaper, that exposed misconduct by K.G.B. officials involved in the illegal arrest last year of a Soviet reporter who uncovered corruption in a coal-mining region of the Ukraine. Several officials of the internal security agency were dismissed or reprimanded.

Coverage of the Chernobyl nuclear accident last year started out with a news blackout but eventually became quite extensive, and, in a recent example of candor, the press reported on anti-Russian rioting in the Soviet Central Asian city of Alma-Ata.

Even greater changes have occurred on television. News and entertainment shows have aired several favorable reports on Western life, including profiles of Michael Jackson and McDonald's. The Economy

Change has been halting in the centrally managed economy with its aging industrial plant and lack of new technology. Apparently unsure how to attack an ossified system, Mr. Gorbachev has abolished a number of ministries, told central planners to get out of the day-to-day management of enterprises, improved incentives for workers, tinkered with subsidized prices and cracked down on alcohol consumption. Industries were given the right to negotiate their own deals with foreign companies. Mr. Gorbachev has also openly encouraged the cultivation of private plots by farm workers and given collective farms the right to sell some excess goods on the open market with prices set by supply and demand. These and other steps are credited with an improvement in national income, industrial productivity and other indexes, but most Western economists say the growth cannot be sustained without more fundamental reforms. Government and the Party

Because he took office after a long period of stagnation, Mr. Gorbachev was able to put together a new team faster than any previous leader. He forced rivals off the Politburo and engineered the appointment of dozens of new Central Committee members. The party Secretariat, which carries out policy, is now almost completely in the hands of Gorbachev loyalists. But it has been harder to inject fresh leadership into the middle and lower ranks, and Mr. Gorbachev last week complained to the Central Committee about resistance at that level. Rewriting History

For the first time since the Khrushchev era, the Soviet Union has begun a painful re-examination of the Stalin era. A Soviet journal recently published a long-censored poem by Aleksandr Tvardovsky, appealing to the nation to face the ''rampage of evil'' under Stalin. Mr. Gorbachev, addressing the period directly for the first time, told the Central Committee last week that ''debates and creative ideas disappeared from theory and social sciences while authoritarian evaluations and opinions became unquestionable truths.'' Aleksandr Bovin, a well-known Soviet commentator, warned last week about opposition to Mr. Gorbachev's changes, noting that his generation watched ''with bewilderment, pain and a disgusting sense of our own impotence'' as Khrushchev's de-Stalinization efforts collapsed.

At the same time, the cult of Lenin has intensified, apparently to give some of Mr. Gorbachev's reforms a link to the revolution. Many Russians assume that the next step will be the rehabilitation of Nikolai I. Bukharin, an early leader who opposed Stalin's policies and was shot in 1938. Dissent

The return of the physicist Andrei D. Sakharov to Moscow before Christmas and the many interviews he has since given to Western reporters are signs of a reversal in the handling of dissent. Hundreds of people remain in prison or exile because they challenged the state, but Mr. Gorbachev, if only to enhance Moscow's international image, has started the slow process of reviewing cases, freeing some prisoners and sending a message that some criticism of the system should be tolerated. Mr. Sakharov said Friday that he was told that two political prisoners, Anatoly Koryagin and Sergei D. Khodorovich, will be released and forced to emigrate. How much dissent Mr. Gorbachev will allow and whether he intends to curb the K.G.B. remain to be seen.

Meanwhile, in a reminder that some things stay the same, two American reporters watched last week as a dissident they had met in a Moscow park was pursued down the street by a plainclothes security agent.

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