Mark Twain on Gambling: Wit, Quotes & Philosophy
Mark Twain is one of the best-known Missouri natives, standing as one of America’s greatest writers.
But Twain’s legacy goes beyond literature. Twain’s writing intersects with the history of Missouri gambling, too. He spent time working on riverboats, as evident by numerous witty references to gambling in his writing.
Twain’s views on gambling and risk
Twain began life as Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri, in 1835. Before he wrote classic novels such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Twain grew up on the Mississippi River in Hannibal, earning a steamboat pilot license.
While on riverboats, Twain saw plenty of gambling. 
“There are few things that are so unpardonably neglected in our country as poker,” he wrote in “Life on the Mississippi.”
“The upper class knows very little about it. Now and then, you find ambassadors who have sort of a general knowledge of the game, but the ignorance of the people is fearful. Why, I have known clergymen, good men, kind-hearted, liberal, sincere, and all that, who did not know the meaning of a ‘flush.’ It is enough to make one ashamed of one’s species.”
That quote from Life on the Mississippi is often cited as Twain’s most famous take on poker.
Some people will quote that passage as a straightforward defense of poker against those who might object to it. However, it’s probably more accurate to point out that Twain, a gifted humorist whose writings were often full of wit, was having a little fun. Poker was hardly “neglected” during Twain’s time, and in fact, in his fiction, Twain offered multiple examples of characters from all walks of life gambling on cards.
Twain was himself a card player and would play poker for small stakes, although he reportedly avoided getting involved with the savvy cardsharps on those boats steaming up and down the Mississippi. He was calculated in his approach to gambling, always knowing the risks involved.
Twain knew better than to risk playing with the sharps on the steamboats, most of whom were well-versed in various methods of cheating. In fact, it wasn’t just an activity, but a reflection of his gambling philosophy.
“Mark wouldn’t gamble with them fellers on the boats,” one acquaintance said of Twain. “Mark liked a little game of poker as well as the rest of us, but he was mighty particular who he played with.”
Mark Twain gambling quotes
Twain didn’t shy away from speaking or writing directly about gambling in his work, such as this line from a letter he wrote in 1888.
“He that would win the regard of men… hath not charity in his heart, he holdeth but deuces; whereas he that would win the regard of men and hath a heart richly stored with charity, he holdeth a straight flush.”
In this excerpt, Twain compares kindness to winning a poker hand. It’s clear he knew a thing or two about poker. However, this quote shows just how deeply gambling was ingrained in his life, even from an early age.
“God rewards gamblers and fools. The crucial thing, when you win, is knowing which you are.”
In this quote, Twain’s gambling philosophy suggests the importance of humility. Just as he was always aware of the risks involved, this quote shows that self-awareness is necessary.
“It is sound judgment to put on a bold face and play your hand for a hundred times what it is worth; forty-nine times out of fifty nobody dares to call it, and you roll in the chips.”
Twain’s views on risk-taking are calculated, but his quote also shows the importance of bluffing, which might also be seen as confidence. That goes a long way in poker and gambling, but especially in life.
Gambling and philosophy in Twain’s fiction
Twain didn’t just talk about gambling — he wove it into his stories as a reflection of life’s unpredictability. For example, Twain jokes that “clergymen” are unaware of poker. However, in 1870 he wrote a short story called “Science vs. Luck” in which clergymen do play cards for money.
“Science vs. Luck” (1870)
In this story, some boys playing a game called “old sledge” or “seven-up” face charges of gambling. Their lawyer, Jim Sturgis, defends them by staging a game between men who believe the game is a “science” (i.e., a skill game) and a group of clergymen who think it is all luck. As the skilled players continually wins while the “luck” jurors go bust, the court is persuaded: old sledge is a game of skill, and the boys are declared innocent.
The story highlights:
- The debate between skill and chance in labeling games as gambling.
- The use of legal satire to reveal how misconception can lead to unfair judgments.
“The Professor’s Yarn” – Life on the Mississippi (1883)
Probably the most famous poker story by Twain is “The Professor’s Yarn” from “Life on the Mississippi.”
Twain relates how a fellow passenger (i.e., the “professor”) told him the story while the two of them were sailing on the Gold Dust in 1882. In the story, the professor tells of another steamboat trip. During this trip, he befriended a young man named Backus, who seemed not terribly worldly. Also on that trip were three professional gamblers, men the professor describes as “rough, repulsive fellows” whom he sees gambling (and smoking and swearing) every night.
Much to the professor’s dismay, he sees Backus get involved in a high-stakes poker game with the gamblers. Thinking of Backus as a gullible innocent, he fears the young man will lose thousands in the game. But at a crucial moment, Backus shows four aces to beat his opponent’s four kings. He later reveals that he and one of the men had conspired to cheat the others.
It was all a ruse. Backus was putting on an act both for the professor and for the gamblers he cheated. The story not only entertains but also tells us a bit about the dangerous world of 1880s “steamboat poker.”
The story highlights:
- The deceptive nature of poker
- The psychological gamesmanship involved
- The risky environment of 1880s riverboat gambling
Twain also references gambling in “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” and “The Gilded Age” (1873).
Famous gambling quotes by other figures
Twain wasn’t the only historical figure to have famous gambling quotes. Authors, directors, actors, and more have all shared quotes about gambling through the years.
“If you’re playing a poker game and you look around the table and cant tell who the sucker is, it’s you.” — Actor Paul Newman
“The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.” — Author Bret Harte
“At gambling, the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck.” — Author Ian Fleming
“Las Vegas is the only place I know where money really talks. It says, ‘Goodbye.'” — Frank Sinatra
“I’m not a gambling man, but if you ever want to make a bet and lose money, call me.” — Actor Jack Black
A modern nod: The Mark Twain Casino
Mark Twain’s connection to Missouri and riverboat gambling continues today with the Mark Twain Casino in La Grange. The casino opened in 2001 and features hundreds of slot machines, video poker machines, a couple of blackjack tables, and electronic table games.
It seems only fitting that Twain’s name would adorn a Missouri casino, although one suspects Twain himself would have been careful not to risk too much on the games inside. His work is deeply tied to the Show Me State and his time aboard Mississippi riverboats not only influenced his most iconic writing but also shaped a lifelong fascination with risk and games of chance. That legacy continues today, with gambling still part of Missouri’s culture, including the rise of top online casinos in Missouri that reflect the evolution from steamboats to digital gaming.
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- Free 2.3 SC + 5,000 GC on Sign Up
- Daily FREE Sweepstakes When Logging In
- Choose From Over 700 Games
- Use Promo Code: BONUSPLAY
