Who was Richard Canfield, the Prince of Gamblers?

Photo of Richard Canfield

Richard A. Canfield (1855 -1914) was an American gambling magnate, art collector, and stockbroker who ran a gambling empire in New York in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He became America’s most famous gambler, for many reasons, not the least of which was his casino resort in Saratoga Springs, New York. Determined to mimic … Read more

What Solitaire was played at Canfield’s Casino or did he have nothing to do with it??

Richard Canfield picture

Richard Canfield, the “Prince of Gamblers,” was a famous gambler (gambling house proprietor) who ran several successful casinos in New York City and Saratoga Springs. These days, most people have only heard the stories about Canfield as the inventor of Canfield Solitaire. In my research of the history of Solitaire from a gambling perspective, I … Read more

Was Solitaire ever played in Las Vegas casinos?

Ceasars Palace commercial about Vegas Solitaire

Whether people played Solitaire in Las Vegas Casinos is one of the most frequently asked questions about Vegas Solitaire. This article will try to answer that question based on facts and “first-hand” references. Gambling was Everywhere “Every town had a game going on somewhere…casinos were as common as the corner store in most communities.” – … Read more

Some Casinos offer a Solitaire version that uses Vegas Rules – 2011

Some casinos offer a Solitaire version that uses Vegas Rules

Some Casinos offer a Solitaire version that uses Vegas Rules by Mark Pilarski, Detroit Free Press, 27 January 2011 Questions and Answers A newspaper article that appeared in the Detroit Free Press on 27 January 2011. Mark Pilarski is answering a question from a reader: Question:“Microsoft Solitaire game has an optional setting called “Vegas rules” … Read more

The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins – 2008

2008 Word and phrase Origin

The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (Fourth edition)Robert Hendrickson In “The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins” Robert Hendrickson presents definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. About Canfield: “Lonely people playing Solitaire can at least have the company of Richard C Canfield (1855-1941) for … Read more

The New Games Treasury by Merilyn Simonds Mohr – 1997

1997 The New Games Treasury

The new games Treasury: more than 500 indoor and outdoor favorites with strategies, rules, and traditions by Merilyn Simonds, Mohr Merilyn was able to give clear descriptions of the game rules of various versions of Solitaire. About Klondike and Fascination she writes the following:: About Klondike: “Canada’s contribution to Solitaire, Klondike became popular during the … Read more