spooferies, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

spooferies n.

[the orig. Spooferies seems to have been the Trafalgar Club in Maiden Lane near the Strand, but the term was generic and the card-game spoof (in which the appearance of certain cards at the same time is called a ‘spoof’) was invented at the Adelphi Club, the premises of which were formerly those of the ‘song-and-supper’ club the Cyder Cellars of ‘Tom & Jerry fame (founded 1720); for details see Binstead, Pitcher in Paradise (1903), pp.227 ff. and Binstead & Wells, A Pink ’Un and a Pelican (1898), p.56]

a second-rate sporting club.

[1884		Sporting Times 15 Nov. 1/5: It was the morning after the Smoking Concert at the Spooferies].
1890		Sporting Times 3 May 5/4: The Spooferies Musical and Dramatic Club Concert at 10.30p.m.
1895		People 6 Jan. in Ware (1909) 231/1: About half-past one this morning, I was in the ‘Spooferies’. Where? In the ‘Spooferies’ in Maiden Lane.
1903		A. Binstead Pitcher in Paradise 139: Ultimately returning to the old Spooferies at about 12 a.m.
1929		J.B. Booth London Town 244: The ‘Spooferies,’ of Arthur Roberts’ day.