Games / Races Archives

Anthony "Tough Tony" Capezzio Chicago--Illinois Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Kidnapping Edward "Red" Meehan Edward P. Jones Gambling Gambling Currency: Coins Games / Races: Policy / Numbers George Jones It Really Happened Matt Capone Mexico Ralph "Bottles" Capone Sam "Golf Bag" Hunt Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo United States

Gambling Czar Abduction Mystery

1946 Two brothers — Edward P. and George Jones — freely controlled Chicago, Illinois’ policy* racket for 25 years, beginning in the 1920s. As a result, the two raked in money, $10 to $30 million…

Did You Know? Gambling Games / Races: Craps Quick Facts San Francisco--California United States

Quick Fact – Out Of The Loop

1895 When two small boys appeared in a San Francisco, California court for shooting craps, the arresting officer testified. Then this transpired: Judge: “Are you sure the boys were shooting craps?” Officer: “Of course, I…

Did You Know? Games / Races: Chuck-a-luck Games / Races: Faro

Quick Fact – Tinhorn Gambler

Today/1888 A “tinhorn gambler,” according to several dictionaries, refers to a game of chance operator who pretends to have money, ability or influence. The phrase is said to come from people who set up chuck-a-luck games…

California Embassy Club (Gardena, CA) Gambling Gambling Laws / Regulations: CA Anti-Gambling Act Games / Races: Poker It Really Happened Law Enforcement / Judicial System: CA California Attorney General Ulysses Webb Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Lawsuit Monterey Club (Gardena, CA) United States

Webb’s Wacky War On Poker

1936-Present If it weren’t for gambler Ernest J. Primm’s nerve and fortitude, California’s nearly 90 card clubs wouldn’t exist today. With a gambling license from the City of Gardena (in Los Angeles County), he opened…

Did You Know? Gambling Games / Races: Chuck-a-luck Games / Races: Fantan Games / Races: Faro Games / Races: Poker Games / Races: Red-and-black Games / Races: Rondo Games / Races: Rouge-et-noir Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Gambling Feast

1887 A newspaper blurb touting the availability of gambling in Reno titled, A Feast for the Gamblers, read: “Those who delight in gambling sports can be accommodated in Reno … no less than thirty-one games…

California Games / Races: Roulette It Really Happened

Tales of Rodent Roulette

1946 Nebraska carnival workers dreamed up a strange variation of roulette, and quickly found themselves in court after police and the humane society objected to it. The game, however, gained at least a few fans.…

Did You Know? Games / Races: Faro George "Tex" Rickard Goldfield Hotel (Goldfield, NV) Nevada Quick Facts The Northern (Tonopah, NV) Wyatt Earp

Quick Fact – Earp Myths

1905 Folklore has it that Wyatt Earp was the pit boss at The Northern in Goldfield, Nevada for George “Tex” Rickard, the proprietor. But it likely is false, according to Nevada historians, Jeffrey Kintop and Guy…

Allen Smiley Club Savoy (Las Vegas, NV) Games / Races: Craps It Really Happened Jack Durant Louis "Russian Louie" Strauss Norman Khoury

Dirty Dealings in Las Vegas

1949-1953 Only months after Cleveland bar owner, Norman Khoury’s 1949 acquisition of Club Savoy in Las Vegas, Nevada, Allen Smiley, an associate of the then-deceased Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, unexpectedly approached him. He introduced Khoury to…

Did You Know? Gambling Games / Races: Poker It Really Happened Quick Facts Steamboat Springs (Reno, Nevada) Virginia City--Nevada

Quick Fact – Steamboat Springs

1860s & 1870s In Virginia City, Nevada’s heyday, gold miners and magnates alike sought out R&R — gambling, hot springs soaking and dining — at the nearby Steamboat Springs resort south of Reno, a stop…

California Did You Know? Gambling Gambling: Shills Games / Races: Poker Gardena--California Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Shill Losses

1952 When Ernest J. Primm owned the Monterey Club, a poker house in Gardena, California (a Los Angeles suburb), he claimed on his state income taxes the losses of his shills, up to $500 ($4,500 today) a…

Gambling Games / Races: Poker Horseshoe Club / Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel (Las Vegas, NV) It Really Happened The Ramada Hotel Casino (Reno, NV) United States Virginia City--Nevada

The Faro Fadeaway

1825-1958 The hottest game in the Old West between 1825 and 1915, faro is pretty much extinct in the United States today. If you’ve never heard of it — and you aren’t alone there —…

Frank Sinatra Gambling Games / Races: Baccarat Howard Hughes It Really Happened

Frank Sinatra’s Hissy Fits

1967 & 1970 Apparently, the beloved crooner had a temper, which he sometimes unleashed when casino operators denied him additional, excessive amounts of credit when gambling. In one instance when Frank Sinatra lost control, he…