Poker Tournament

[Silver Moon]

I'm planning a major poker tournament in my Western campaign. Looking for suggestions as to who (other than the playing characters) to populate the gambling tables with. Obviously I'll pull in Brett Maverick, but beyond that are there any famous gamblers, real or fictional, that come to mind? Suggestions for some general "types" would also be helpful. This game will take place in the Arizona Territory in June of 1882.

 

[kingpaul]

Have you watched the move Maverick with Mel Gibson? That should give you all kinds of ideas.

 

[C. Baize]

I may be mistaken.. but if I remember correctly, Teddy Roosevelt took part in a huge poker tournament, as he was a big fan of the game.

 

[Silver Moon]

Teddy Roosevelt took part in a huge poker tournament, as he was a big fan of the game.

Indeed, although 1882 was a few years prior to him spending time out west, although those details could be tweeked. Including yet another future President might be a bit too much though, given that I already have a 7-year-old Herbert Hoover working at the saloon where the poker tournament is taking place.

And yes, I plan to rewatch the movie "Maverick" for inspiration. I'm a big fan of the original 1957-1962 TV series as well.

 

[dpmcalister]

Doc Holliday could have easily been in the area around that time.

 

[Silver Moon]

Actually in this campaign Doc Holiday was killed by a group of Playing Characters the previous October, the day following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Wyatt Earp is still around, but is current a fugitive. Presently his gal Josephine Marcus is starring a play being performed in town that same weekend so he may still enter into the Tournament storyline, just not as one of the gamblers.

 

[starwolf]

Just off the top of my head:

Lottie "The Poker Queen" Deno and her husband Frank Thurmond

The Traveling Thompson Brothers: Ben and "Texas" Billy

Jefferson "Soapy" Smith

Bat Masterson

Luke Short

"Poker Alice" Ivers

. . . and where's "Big-Nose" Kate?

 

[Silver Moon]

...and where's "Big-Nose" Kate?

Still in Tombstone, last seen when the gang played out the May 1882 Tombstone fire near the beginning of the present module. (Story Hour thread "Ballots and Bullets")

Lots of great suggestions there Starwolf, thanks.

 

[Silver Moon]

Just off the top of my head:

Lottie "The Poker Queen" Deno and her husband Frank Thurmond

Perfect! At the time they were actually living in Deming, New Mexico, which is only a stone's throw away from where my game takes place.

The Traveling Thompson Brothers: Ben and "Texas" Billy

They're in, although only Ben will be playing. I found a great article on Ben Thompson in Wild West Magazine which even includes an 1882 photograph. Ben was actually Marshall of Austin Texas at that point in time.

Jefferson "Soapy" Smith

A few years too early unless I tweek the dates (as I already did to include Teddy Roosevelt).

Bat Masterson

Luke Short

This ties in perfectly, as right now in game it is the day before the poker tournament and fugitive Wyatt Earp has just been arrested and thrown in the town jail. Since he was a close personal friend to both Masterson and Short that will work out great.

"Poker Alice" Ivers

Another excellent suggestion, and fits in well as she was traveling the wild west in search of poker games at that point in time.


I've included Brett Maverick and also from the Maverick motion picture included the characters played by Jim Coburn and Dan Heydya.

 

[Committed Hero]

I want in