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Garth, Sam

Dealer in blackjack at La Cantina Americana in Tampico, Mexico, in 1877.[1] (January 4, 1837 – August 12, 1910)[2]

Garth, like other dealers at La Cantina Americana, would partner with a brace man at his table and split the take with him in a rigged game.[1]

In June of 1877, Bret Maverick was hired by Steve Corbett to replace Paul Brooks as a blackjack dealer at La Cantina Americana. Bret's table was situated next to Garth's, where Bret was able to observe Garth's operation with a brace man. During a break outside the casino, Garth approached Bret and threatened him if Bret were to expose his and the other dealers' cheating and skimming money off the top of Corbett's profits. Bret convinced Corbett his dealers were cheating him and was put in charge of running all the casino's games to ensure the games were run honestly. In retribution, Garth hired some local thugs to ambush Bret in the alley behind the casino one night after work. Corbett intervened to save Bret and was stubbed but between him and Bret, they were able to subdue Bret's attackers. Corbett caught Garth hiding in the shadows and told him to get out of town or he'd kill him. Garth ran off, never to return.[1]

See: Escape to Tampico