Stand Pat; Or, Poker Stories from the Mississippi

Set in the river town of Brownsville in the summer of 1881, this lively collection follows a rotating cast of gamblers gathered around a worn green baize circle. Long Mike, the town’s towering magnate, Gallagher the foreman, a deft one‑eyed dealer, and the rotund red‑haired Stumpy each bring their own quirks to the table, turning a simple dime‑limit poker game into a theatrical showdown of wit, bravado, and local color. The opening chapter captures the town’s rhythm: steam whistles, curious onlookers, and a barroom that feels like the heart of the community.

Beyond the cards, the stories weave in the everyday gossip, sudden gunfire, and the thin line between sport and danger that defines life along the Mississippi. Through humor and keen observation, the author paints a vivid portrait of frontier camaraderie, where a hand of cards can reveal as much about character as any conversation. Listeners will feel the creak of the folding chairs, hear the clink of chips, and taste the smoky tension of every deal.