The Compleat Gamester, the first English book that discussed indoor and outdoor games and sports, including gambling, was published anonymously in the late 17th century. According to card historian David Parlett, it was subsequently ascribed to Charles Cotton, who had earlier published an updated of Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler, a book on the joys of fishing. A 1739 edition was merged with Richard Seymour's The Court Gamester.
According to the author, knowledge of games was vital to succeed in polite society:
"GAMING is become so much the Fashion amongst the Beau-Monde, that he who, in ._ Company, would appear ignorant of the Games in Vogue, would be reckoned low-bred, and hardly fit for Conversation" (1739 edition).
Games addressed in this edition included: Whist, Ombre, Quadrille, Quintille, Picquet, Chess, All-fours, Cribbidge, Put, Lue, Brag, Lottery, Billliards, Riding, Racing, Archery, Cocking, and Bowling. The author warned of the dangers of cheating and excessive play at cards and, to a greater degree, dice, but was particularly enamored of cock-fighting, which he considered the epitome of a manly, sporting diversion.
The Compleat Gamester had rules on games as well as notes on playing strategy. It is the forefather of the genre of gaming guides and how-to-win books.
More information: The Compleat Gamester in the UNLV Library Catalog
The Compleat Gamester in Google Books
According to the author, knowledge of games was vital to succeed in polite society:
"GAMING is become so much the Fashion amongst the Beau-Monde, that he who, in ._ Company, would appear ignorant of the Games in Vogue, would be reckoned low-bred, and hardly fit for Conversation" (1739 edition).
Games addressed in this edition included: Whist, Ombre, Quadrille, Quintille, Picquet, Chess, All-fours, Cribbidge, Put, Lue, Brag, Lottery, Billliards, Riding, Racing, Archery, Cocking, and Bowling. The author warned of the dangers of cheating and excessive play at cards and, to a greater degree, dice, but was particularly enamored of cock-fighting, which he considered the epitome of a manly, sporting diversion.
The Compleat Gamester had rules on games as well as notes on playing strategy. It is the forefather of the genre of gaming guides and how-to-win books.
More information: The Compleat Gamester in the UNLV Library Catalog
The Compleat Gamester in Google Books
