Old West Saloon & Riverboat Gamblers of the American Frontier		Kurt Russell portraying Wyatt Earp, dealing Faro in the Oriental Saloon in the movie, Tombstone (1993)

Welcome to the on-line home of the Knights of the Green Cloth

INTRODUCTION: Our intent is create a broad and diverse network of Old West reenactors that have chosen in our own various ways, to recreate and celebrate the lives, legends, traditions and adventures of professional frontier gamblers, often referred to as "sharps" or "black legs." We are living history enthusiasts and whether we are Civil War re-enactors, Cowboy Action Shooters or enjoy other anachronistic pursuits centered in the Old West Period, we endeavor through our chosen historical personas (be they real, composite or entirely fictional), to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for the professional frontier gambler in the period spanning 1849 through 1899.

Soapy Smith, Poker Alice, Bob Ford, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson & Wyatt Earp are just a few of the most celebrated frontier gamblers.

Excerpted from "Knights of the Green Cloth, The Saga of Frontier Gamblers, by Robert K. DeArment* [BUY]: "We recognize him at a glance.. He is the Frontier Gambler.. He is as ubiquitous as he is unchanging. That stereotype figure lives on as a character of popular imagination. Long since vanished.. those very real human beings, who.. were to be found plying their trade in every mining camp, cattle town, railhead and Army camp that sprouted up ..between the Gulf of Mexico and the Klondike."

The saloon and riverboat gambler is a familiar icon of the Wild West, just as the cowboys & Indians, prospectors & scouts, dance hall girls & whores, lawmen & schoolmarms. Itinerant gamblers, "Card Sharps" as they were often called, were an important part of the fabric of frontier history and while some were undoubtedly villains and scoundrels, many were infamous lawmen and renowned heroes of the Wild West! It is our sincere hope that through our efforts, we can help to preserve the history and legend of the American Frontier Gambler for generations to come... and maybe even have some fun along the way! In the meantime, remember the code of the professional gambler, "Always know your odds, never underestimate your opponent, keep an ace up your sleeve and always have a back up plan!" ~Evil Swede

*Another article of interest by R.K. DeArment: No Sure Bet: Gambling on the Frontier, Article by Robert K. DeArment in Wild West Magazine on historynet.com For a list of books by Robert K. DeArment [CLICK HERE]

..once on this familiar spot of ground.. "I take a delight in history even in its most prosaic details, because they become poetical as they recede into the past. The poetry of history lies in the quasi-miraculous fact that once on this earth, once on this familiar spot of ground walked other men and women as actual as we are today, thinking their own thoughts, swayed by their own passions. but now all are gone, one generation vanishing one after another, gone as utterly as we ourselves shall shortly be gone, like a ghost at cock-crow." - Sir George Trevelyan, Historian (1876-1962) Famous Gunfighters, Lawmen & Gamblers All.. W.H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, W. F. Petillion, Charlie Bassett, Wyatt Earp, M. F. McLain & Neil Brown Dodge City, Kansas, 1883

We hope to add more information here as time permits. Please check back often! Information on getting your own Faro Bank started [CLICK HERE] Search eBay for Faro Equipment [CLICK HERE] Search eBay for Chuck-a-Luck Equipment [CLICK HERE] Search eBay for Antique Chips, Checks & Markers [CLICK HERE] Search eBay for Old West items [CLICK HERE] Your source for quality faro checks & decks

"When your opponent's sittin' there holdin' all the aces, there's only one thing to do; Kick over the table!" - Dean Martin, Singer/Actor (1917-1995) FARO HISTORY & RULES ~ GAMBLING HISTORY ~ MEMBER LIST ~ CONTACT US

"Wichita Faro" is an informative site that features a fantastic, free, full featured, "on-line" version of faro that was created by Sean Gleeson. It is the only on-line play version of faro available and features great graphics and sound effects, using Macromedia Flash.   I highly recommend you check it out for yourself at www.gleeson.us/faro. It is simply amazing!

This website is not maintained for profit. Information is provided here for educational benefit and maintained for the purpose of historical preservation, reference and entertainment. Please check local laws and ordinances before engaging in any form of gambling or sport gaming.
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The Evil Swede, Inventor of "Swede's Five Ace Poker Deck," carrying an Iron-Clad Lifetime Money Back Guarantee! Simply return the unused portion of the product and Madame Wicked will gladly refund the unused portion of your money!