How the evening goes
Supper is at half past five, usually soup followed by the fish, and the group arrives together. At half past seven the bell is struck and the Wednesday table walks through as one. Oliver deals slowly, explains each decision aloud and lets the newest player turn the first card, which is a small honour that nobody has ever declined.
The lessons
They began as a courtesy and became a tradition. Anyone who wants to learn blackjack sits at the corner table, and the regulars explain the rules while Oliver deals. They have strong views on when to stand, none of which agree with each other, and a new player is usually given three contradictory pieces of advice with every hand.
A table without stakes
Everything is played with chips of no value, so a bad hand cannot cost anyone anything. This frees the table to be generous. Players share their reasoning, laugh at their mistakes and compare notes on the dessert. Several members say they no longer remember who won any given evening, only who sat beside them.
Joining in
Come on a Wednesday, give your name at the host's desk and mention that you would like the corner table. Felicity Morrison will make the introductions, and a place will be found. The table asks only that you arrive hungry, leave your telephone in your pocket and be prepared to hear a very long story about a boat. The table has been known to adjourn for a second pot of tea in the middle of a hand, and nobody has ever objected.