A couple of old stories Harry:
1) I remember going into Little Caesars with my wife to place a bet at Maday's book. There was an old homeless looking guy ahead of us in line with a paper sack. I was worried about safety because my wife was next to me, so I took her arm and stepped back. At the window, he opened this crumpled bag and took out 10,000 bucks to bet on an NFL game. You can't judge a book by its cover.
2) A friend of mine left Chicago to work at Gary Austin's Race and Sports Book before the casinos had books. He quit because he told me Vegas was so full of phonies who just wanted to show off their Franklins and he was barely scrapping by. He was barely making it with his new bride, so he left. Later I heard Gary Austin stiffed lots of bettors, but I don't know if he was ever convicted for absconding with the cash.
3) I loved the Stardust when they opened the line in the old days on the microphone around 8 am every morning. I told my wife I was going to be the first to move the line for the entire country. I think they opened Michigan -17 over Northwestern in a hoop game. I put a dime on Michigan and they immediately announced Michigan -18. Yes, I moved the line, my 15 minutes of fame, but later Northwestern won in an upset, but at least I moved the line. A victory for my ego, but my wallet was empty. Also, when the line was posted at the Stardust, I remember all the mob guys running out the north door, getting on the bank of phones out there, and spreading the line to New York and Chicago. Those were the days.
1) I remember going into Little Caesars with my wife to place a bet at Maday's book. There was an old homeless looking guy ahead of us in line with a paper sack. I was worried about safety because my wife was next to me, so I took her arm and stepped back. At the window, he opened this crumpled bag and took out 10,000 bucks to bet on an NFL game. You can't judge a book by its cover.
2) A friend of mine left Chicago to work at Gary Austin's Race and Sports Book before the casinos had books. He quit because he told me Vegas was so full of phonies who just wanted to show off their Franklins and he was barely scrapping by. He was barely making it with his new bride, so he left. Later I heard Gary Austin stiffed lots of bettors, but I don't know if he was ever convicted for absconding with the cash.
3) I loved the Stardust when they opened the line in the old days on the microphone around 8 am every morning. I told my wife I was going to be the first to move the line for the entire country. I think they opened Michigan -17 over Northwestern in a hoop game. I put a dime on Michigan and they immediately announced Michigan -18. Yes, I moved the line, my 15 minutes of fame, but later Northwestern won in an upset, but at least I moved the line. A victory for my ego, but my wallet was empty. Also, when the line was posted at the Stardust, I remember all the mob guys running out the north door, getting on the bank of phones out there, and spreading the line to New York and Chicago. Those were the days.