Anyone here remember a place in Vegas called

[Horseshoe]

True ScottyS, I was introduced to Mr.Martin & friends once at Celebrity Deli by an old-school seaborder that knew him, he was eating with Lem and some other regulars there(a real knights of the round table), very classy gentleman, and am told by relatives of mine, he was probably the sharpest of all-time.

It made me think about the best tips never received by the wait staff there, forget the $10 tip on a $10 tab, just get that crew to scribble down their best 3 to 5 college games each for that Saturday..and retire young!

 

[scott]

mvbski
Unreal you know about the sandwiches. I'm putting together a book . You may enjoy this excerpt: (enjoy)

.....Harry sat at the end of the horsebook counter next to the cashier. He actually wrote horse tickets but he also kept an eye on the cash going the other way. He must have made mental notes who had what winner and who had “his “ money. Must’ve worked because it went from the cashier right back through the bet windows. Harry kept a candy bowl next to him on the counter. Don’t take two pieces, he watched the candy bowl. He would sweat the price of a bag of candy but never a horse. He knew the candy was history after it left the bowl but “his” money out of the cashier window would be back shortly. Good system. He also had coffee and cookies for the players at the other end of the horse counter, next to his office door. The cookies were vanilla or chocolate cream filled. You know the kind, always on sale. It was OK to take two cookies because they were different.
The biggest giveaway of all was every Saturday in the sportsbook. Bob Martin would give away sandwiches, 75 steak from The Tower and 75 egg salad from Jackie’s Deli. Bob was the greatest. Not just oddsmaker but the greatest gentleman also. He had a great sense of humor and he must have enjoyed the sandwich event for what it really was.
It would start around Tuesday with sportsbook players jockeying for position ( a sandwich). To get a sandwich was a pretty big deal, you were either “with” someone or you were “good” on your own. To get left out was like getting ostracized, you’re the runt of the litter. Early in the week they would begin to schmooze the clerks with “save me an egg salad Saturday”. To be sure, like betting both sides of a game, they might hit on a couple different clerks. In fact one petty crook, Lupo, would actually collect on more than one clerk and sell his extra sandwiches. He was actually taking sandwich orders.
Well the day always comes around, another Saturday. Around ten o’clock or so the first inquiry “you think the sandwiches are done?”. “Did they go for the sandwiches yet?”. To “go for the sandwiches” was a prime job. In all my years only one man ever did it. Sarge was Bob’s driver. He drove Bob everywhere. Sarge had a cab but was always on call for the man, Bob Martin. Sarge would leave around 11:00 Saturday morning. He could hang around and waste time and get everyone stirred up or just go. I never did figure what was the deciding factor with Sarge. Once he leaves it’s official, kinda like going into labor , all the waiting will soon be over. Now the comments advance to the final stages “how longs he been gone?’. Around 11:30 the lookouts at the door are getting nervous even though Sarge has never failed. It’s Saturday, were at Churchill, Bobs behind the counter. What’s the worry. Now it gets serious “I see him!!!”.
Understand these are mostly sports bettors. Wiseguys, veterans of the betting wars but they are turned into little kids by this Saturday ritual. Like the sight of a baby turns grown men into blabbering fools. Same thing. When Sarge pulls up all sweating of games is on hold. The whole place goes into neutral. Sarge carrys the two boxes behind the counter, one each from The Tower and Jackie’s. “Give me an egg salad”. “You got my steak?”.
Lupo hits every clerk and out the door with his three or four sandwiches for his clients. T The sandwiches are really, very, very good. Bob is smiling inside, the clerks are glad it’s all over again, Joe Green, our porter, begins to clean up. The sweating of the games resumes and thoughts of “save me a pepper & egg next Saturday” are on hold for a couple days. Egos and worries are satisfied. Only about a hundred guys in the entire USA got a sandwich from THE MAN, Bob Martin, today. Bob was the most satisfied of all.


This comedy wasn’t played out in a mission somewhere, it happened in Churchill Downs, on the strip, Las Vegas, NV. In Bob Martins sportsbook where very real, serious events took place. Bob Martins odds went out of here, and the entire country waited for them. Serious money was won and lost and substantial deals were hashed out in the Spartan surroundings......

ScottyS

 

[Fishhead]

Good stuff Scotty!

 

[Horseshoe]

Scotty, you have a real talent there, let us know when your book comes out at GBC.

 

[MeyerLansky]

My fondest memory of Little Caesars was the night that I walked in there over 15 years ago and plunked down over 140k and bet it on an added game in college hoops. he didn't know me from adam and took the bet like a man. I had solid inside info on this game and laid 4 points. I was up by 12 points with 2 minutes to go and lost the game, only winning by 2. That guy had some serious balls and made some massive scores i am sure. I guess I looked like a total square.

 

[wilheim]

Scotty fine work. I recall a book from the early 70's that mentions Bob Martin quite a bit. The book called the National Football Lottery by Larry Merchant, is an interesting read about the authors publisher sponsered NFL betting season. Different characters like a local bookie he calls Puny the Stroller, who always carried an unlimited amount of dimes on gamedays, and strolled from phone booth to phone booth calling his bettors. Larry takes a trip to Vegas and details his escapades at some of the legendary spots including Churchill Downs, in LV. A bit dated now, but still a terrific read for sportsbetting nostalgia buffs. Used copies available at Amazon.com. Scotty the book might be useful research materiel for your work.

wil.

 

[mvbski]

thanks scotty,I use to love the exhibition Hungry Hal use to put on with the sandwiches,here is one for you Scotty remember the donut eating contest at Leroy's with Barry and Davey Habba there was some serious coin bet on that contest it even made the local paper

 

[scott]

Wilheim, I remember Larry Merchant very well in Churchill Downs. He brought a TV camera to record interviews of characters that hung out there. One such interview was with Rodney "gorilla man" Fertel. Larry was into the interview and Rodney was holding a toy gorilla under his arm while shaking. Larry asks him if he's nervous and Rodney says "it's not me it's the gorilla shaking".

Rodneys wife was Ruth Fertel of Ruths Cris Steakhouses. Rodney was a multi-millionaire but a little excentric to say the least. He ran for Mayor of New Orleans and his platform was if he was elected he would buy two gorillas for the NO zoo. I still have his campaign card. He didn't get elected (no upset there) but he bought the gorillas anyways. One was named "Bonika" and it beat the hell out of Rodney when he went in the cage. Square business. I couldn't make this up.....ScottyS

 

[Horseshoe]

Wilheim, before reading NFL, I thought Merchant was strictly Boxing coverage(read it at 16), but he addresses the '70's LV scene well, & in the end he colors a nice illuminance despite his newbie status as an gambler.

I would also suggest "Interference" by Moldea, which shows the NFL's origins, it is similar in some overlapping content & characters in Merchant's book, yet being 15 years newer in content(thus it mentions "The Computer",etc..)..it also is available in used status via Amazon.

 

[LouDiamond+]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Horseshoe:
Good to hear it Lou, if you only knew then what you do now, you would've went on credit for your nuts with his plays, he owned the AFC West teams, PAC-10, & WAC Hoops like nobody.

It was told to me by a friend out there the first time I went to LV at 21, when I asked why guys would work in a dump for a grumpy looking man, and he replied that Maday's joint & phones outside the door were where all the sharp action was, and many of his loyal staff considered getting his plays as the true payday for their work.

Lou, I used to follow a bunch of your total plays, when you posted on Wagertrash four years ago, do you still post anywhere, or have a website any longer?..thanks!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed. The writers who bet loved working there. I wasn't the only guy givin' tokes.

Website should be up again this baseball season, if not I'll do the picks via e-mail. I'll get serious after 3 weeks into the season.


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scott:
Lou
--------------------------------------------
Btw, probably the strongest connected guy in Vegas since Bugsy.
--------------------------------------------
are you sure about that.....ScottyS<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Scotty,
That would only be my opinion. He was on top for years and went out on top.You never heard about him going bad or the game passing him by. He was as sharp as it gets. As you'll probably agree to, he could lay or take more money than anybody in this country. You just don't get to do that without extremely strong connections. And he was liked by everyone he did biz with, unlike others who were feared.

Granted we could take this conversation deeper by comparing names of others, but it might be best over drinks and not here.


Btw, will my buddy from way back when Bill B. be mentioned in your book? Just curious but, what's your opinion of him today? (I'll understand if you decide to pass on responding to this here)

 

[scott]

mvbski, that wasn't Davy it was between either Hungary Hal or Tito vs a grungy guy named Lou or ???. Remember that they drew up rules i.e. no milk or other drinks, powdered only, time restraints, heave & you loose etc. Chanell 13 was involved also. Tito or Hal won with 22 donuts I think. Anyone else remember?? Yes, serious $$ was bet.....ScottyS

 

[scott]

Lou, without question Gene was one of the greatest of the greats. He sure put a dent in my/our bottom line. A genuine legend.....ScottyS

 

[mvbski]

Trust me I was there,yes the guy was grungy and his name was Barry and he made the bet with Davey, Hal was involved but if I remember correctly Davey origanaly bet Herbie that he couldn't do it, ask Herbie next time you talk to him the guy's name was Barry

 

[squirrelsear]

This is the best topic I've read in weeks and that includes mw. I could read this all night.
regards,

SE

 

[mvbski]

oh yeah and they were glazed not powdered

 

[Horseshoe]

How old is Herbie Hoops now?

 

[scott]

mvbski, your right Barry is the guy. Davy was in on the wagering but not the actual donut eating. That was Hal or Tito vs Barry wasn't it???

 

[mvbski]

I would say late 70's people talk about Bob Martin Herbie "hoops in my opinion was right there with Bob I learned more working with him than anyone else

 

[scott]

Horseshoe, buy my count Herbie must be 70 or real close. He's back home in Jersey.....ScottyS

 

[mvbski]

It was Barry by himself they put a total up cant remeber the number but he had so long to eat them and it was called off by Vic when Barry was near death LOL Scotty do you remember Mike "the babe" Roth from Leroy's one of the nicest guys I ever met in vegas