User Reviews

Con artist Samantha Crawford appeared as early as the third episode. She uses an obscure rule regarding straights to beat Bret at poker. They cruise the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans, finally making their way to Wyoming. Samantha served as the prototype for other women who tormented the Mavericks: Melanie Blake, Modesty Blaine and Marla. Samantha and Bret resume their game on the riverboat Stonewall Jackson, and that is when Sam resorts to Hoyle's Book of Games for 5 card stud, allowing her to beat Bret's straight with a pair of 9s. After double-crossing him in Wyoming, Sam realizes she has a soft spot for Bret.

When television cut heavily into theater attendance, and an anti-trust ruling divested movie studios of their theaters, the studios saw television production as a possible "out". "Maverick" (in general) and this episode (in particular) show what happens when a major studio throws its resources at a "lowly" TV series.

Outstanding director: Bud Boetticher

Excellent script: from a story by Horace McCoy (author of "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?") *

High production values: The amount of gambling equipment -- not to mention the gambling joint -- smashed to bits is remarkable.

Active story department: The first three "Maverick" episodes are based on books or short stories.

With a beautiful woman trying to outwit Maverick, "According to Hoyle" bears some similarity to the awful "Maverick" film.

Director on a bad day: I'm one of the few people who thinks Richard Donner is a good director, but here he's way off the mark.

Boring script: William Goldman is one of my least-favorite writers. He apparently failed to study the TV series to see what made it such a success. And the denouement depends on an unlikely coincidence that no serious screenwriter would ever put in a script.

Dismal acting: Mel Gibson's interpretation of Maverick as a sniveling coward is repugnant. Warner Bros. must have thought that James Garner wouldn't have been a box-office draw.

When the studios sold off their backlots, props, and costumes, assets that could have used for TV production were lost. "Maverick" shows that a TV show can be as good as a theatrical film.

* I given a rating of "only" 9, because there are plot points that left me thoroughly confused.

Alliances shift faster in this story line than Kleenex in a windstorm. It's an interesting entry, especially with the appearance of lady gambler Samantha Crawford (Diane Brewster). With her southern drawl, striking good looks and coquettish charm, she's a perfect foil for gentleman gambler Maverick. Here, they're involved in a complex series of schemes to outwit each other. Good support from Jay Novello as shrewd private dick, Leo Gordon as Maverick's Irish buddy, and the great Ted deCorsia in one of his patented roughneck roles. I really wanted a face-off between deCorsia and Gordon to see who could out-tough-talk the other.

This is third and last entry from ace director Buddy Boetticher. You can see the sly Maverick card-sharp beginning to take shape, but Garner's still playing it pretty straight. The script goes to rather tiresome length to insist on the gambler's impeccable honesty, a reaction I suppose to turning a rather dubious profession into the show's main character (instead of the usual sheriff or marshal). Note too, Maverick's frequent change of attire, instead of the usual black-vested outfit that later identified the character. Last scene is nicely calibrated, where we get a sense of the subtle easy-going humor that would come to distinguish the series from its many competitors. In passing-- I expect the obscure 5-card stud rule revealed in the script caught many of us poker players by surprise since it's so contrary to the way the game is usually played.

Another Great episode.

Funny continuity mistake early on. In the opening sequence Maverick has 3 queens, the King of clubs and ace of diamonds. He loses to her 3 kings....one of which is also the King of clubs.

Diane Brewster makes the first of many appearances on the series as lady card shark Samantha Crawford. One of the great strengths of Maverick especially in its early years were some of the recurring villains. Later on James Garner did the same with the Rockford Files with some recurring characters, most especially Stuart Margolin as Angel.

The title of the episode is taken from Mr. Hoyle's book of rules for various games. Brewster actually beats Bret Maverick out of a big pot by quoting something from the book. When verified Garner has to concede. It's on the order of Billy Martin making George Brett lose that home run because of pine tar.

But Maverick decides there are bigger fish to fry such as crooked gambler Ted DeCorsia. Garner enlists Brewster to help as well as Leo Gordon as big Mike McComb who also made a few appearances in that part.

How it comes out is for you to see, but it's a close run thing.