Just wanted to tell you about a friend of mine that has seen and participated in more gambling action than anybody i have ever known. (and i have known many) He bet, booked, ran, and moved.
He started at the pool halls, bowling alleys, and race tracks of Chicago as a youth then migrated to the sports books of Vegas. He was never without the latest sports schedule or harness program (the book). When he moved to Vegas in 1988 it was day and nite in the race and sports books. Always looking for the best numbers for himself or guys he worked for. Then the harness races at nite.
He worked for Artie for years and was without a doubt the best runner Artie ever had. Known as Quick Rick or Droopy Drawers nobody ever beat him to numbers. He forced other runners to leave “his” casino and go else where because they could never beat him to numbers.
I knew him when he was tapped and when he was rolling and he never changed. It was always about the action. He knew every degenerate, character, and gambler at every book in town and they all came up to him to say hi and see what he liked. He was always in tune to the latest gambling info in town. Who's broke, Who's on fire, Who the kosher, pokers, computer, were on or who else was moving at the time.
I spent a lot of time with Ricky over the years, good and bad times for both of us but you know they all add up to great memories. A million great storys. Unfortunately no more new stories or time together. Ricky passed away last week at the age of 53. He would have hated that i put this on the internet. He was old school, 100 percent.
If there is any action any where in the after life i guarantee Ricky will find it. Here's to hoping you find it my good friend. No resting in peace for you, go find that action and report back on how your doing.
He started at the pool halls, bowling alleys, and race tracks of Chicago as a youth then migrated to the sports books of Vegas. He was never without the latest sports schedule or harness program (the book). When he moved to Vegas in 1988 it was day and nite in the race and sports books. Always looking for the best numbers for himself or guys he worked for. Then the harness races at nite.
He worked for Artie for years and was without a doubt the best runner Artie ever had. Known as Quick Rick or Droopy Drawers nobody ever beat him to numbers. He forced other runners to leave “his” casino and go else where because they could never beat him to numbers.
I knew him when he was tapped and when he was rolling and he never changed. It was always about the action. He knew every degenerate, character, and gambler at every book in town and they all came up to him to say hi and see what he liked. He was always in tune to the latest gambling info in town. Who's broke, Who's on fire, Who the kosher, pokers, computer, were on or who else was moving at the time.
I spent a lot of time with Ricky over the years, good and bad times for both of us but you know they all add up to great memories. A million great storys. Unfortunately no more new stories or time together. Ricky passed away last week at the age of 53. He would have hated that i put this on the internet. He was old school, 100 percent.
If there is any action any where in the after life i guarantee Ricky will find it. Here's to hoping you find it my good friend. No resting in peace for you, go find that action and report back on how your doing.
