Wild West Podcast

Early Gamblers of Dodge City & The Games They Played

Michael King

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Gambling played a significant role in the lives of the buffalo hunters and cowboys who drove America's Westward movement during the nineteenth century. Whether it was a game of poker played on a blanket or a Faro bet placed in a saloon, the game of chance was dear to the heart of the early frontiersman who spun the wheel on liquor, lust, and luck. Like most frontier towns, Dodge City started with a small clump of tents, including a general store, livery stable, and the saloon. However, it did not take long for the settlement to expand, and entertainment came with the games of chance with this expansion. This episode is an expansion of the original recording remastered to include Faro. The story of Early Gamblers of Dodge City is about the history of cowtown gambling and how these games are played. 

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"Edward Masterson and the Texas Cowboys," penned by Michael King, takes readers on an exhilarating ride through the American West, focusing on the lively and gritty cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas. This thrilling dime novel plunges into the action-packed year of Ed Masterson's life as a lawman, set against the backdrop of the chaotic cattle trade, filled with fierce conflicts, shifting loyalties, and rampant lawlessness. You can order the book on Amazon.

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