I believe it was all planned beforehand, but of this we have no tangible proof." "His opponent was Joe Kirby ?" "And a fellow named Carver, a mere hanger-on." Haines wet his lips, his eyes narrowing to mere slits, his professional nature coming to the front.
"First, let me ask you why you believe Beaucaire was cheated ?" he piped.

"I know Joe Kirby, and consider him quite capable of such a trick, but we shall need more than suspicion to circumvent his scheme." "I have every reason, Haines, to feel convinced that both Kirby and Carver trailed Beaucaire up the river with the intention of plucking him.

Kirby practically confessed this to me, boastingly, afterwards.
All the way down he was bantering the Judge to play.

That last night he so manipulated the cards--or rather Carver did, for it was his deal--as to deceive Beaucaire into firmly believing that he held an absolutely unbeatable hand--he was dealt four aces and a king." The lawyer leaned forward, breathing heavily.
"Four aces! Only one hand is better than that, and it would be impossible to get such a hand out of one pack." "That is exactly true, Haines.

I am no card player, but I do know that much about the game.