Origins of Card Mechanic

[John_Smith]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows the origin of the word “card mechanic”. I’ve heard a few good theories but I don’t think anyone knew for sure.

Any help on the matter would appreciate. Thanks.

 

[William Draven]

This is unverified, but I believe it started out in Vegas when the Mob still ran the joint.

The mechanic was a special dealer who did all sorts of sleights aimed at cheating the marks out of their money if they were on a roll.

 

[AlfieWhattamMagic]

Ummm what William said

 

[CorbinB]

I could tell you the definiton, if that would help.

 

[deceptioproverum]

Google!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John_Smith]

Thanks for the repys.
Google shows nothing, thats why I was asking it here.

 

[JasonEngland]

It's a much older term than the mob-driven days of Las Vegas. The mob didn't move into town until the late 1940s and early 50s.

The term mechanic dates at least until the late 30s, and probably a decade or more earlier. It appears to have originated with the "Card Detective" Mickey MacDougall.

The earliest mention I've found yet is in Cosmopolitan magazine in an article written by MacDougall in 1939. At that time, Cosmopolitan wasn't strictly a magazine for women. It was more like what today's Time magazine is. They were running an excerpt from MacDougall's book, Gamblers Don't Gamble, which came out later than year.

Jason

PS: After the MacDougall article, Scarne picked up the term and ran with it, telling everyone that would listen to be on the lookout for the mechanic's grip when someone else is dealing the cards.

 

[DashHardeen]

I would agree with Jason that the term mechanic's grip was indeed coined by Mickey MacDougall; however, the term was not used in the Cosmopolitan article.

The first use of the term was in an AP article in the Trenton Evening Times (Trenton NJ) dated March 27, 1938. The headline is, "Woman with Shiny Nose May Be Gambling Cheat, Declares Card Sleuth, Exposing Racket".

In the article, MacDougall writes, "There's one best way to spot a cheat. Beware if you see a player holding the deck with his index finger backing up one end of the pack, three fingers curled on the side, and the thumb held diagonally across the top. That's the mechanic's grip, the only grip that permits the bottom deal, the second deal and the top deal with the same hold."