The game of old cat could be modified to fit almost any number of players: from one-old-cat, which had two bases and one striker, to four-old-cat, which had four bases and four strikers.

Coordinate term: underbanked

'What does he look like?' asks John Halgard. 'A salesman,' says Gerontius scornfully.

But blow wise to this, buddy, blow wise to this: Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own. Never let nobody talk you into shaking another man's jolt. And never you cop another man's plea. I've tried 'em all and I know. They don't work.