Gambling had a mystique that took place in back rooms or places your Mom wouldn’t approve. Rooms filled with smoke, profanity the second language, and if a lady was there she was tending bar or waiting on tables. Men could be found from every walk of life, and was the only place where you’d see […]
I loved going to the track. The sites and smells and the unique characters made every trip an adventure. – That was my thought many moons ago. Now when I walk in, it looks like a ghost of it’s former self. What used to be a hub of humanity is now an echo chamber where […]
Catching up with old friends can be enjoyable, informative, and sometimes down right sad. – I bet you never heard that one before, huh ? – In the course of one week I had a little taste of all three. – Being a member of the elite fraternity of horse players I have some of […]
The best part was when they handed you the dirty dollar bills. If you were lucky, there were a few coins you’d grab up and shove into your pocket. – There was no sweeter feeling in the world. You were the big winner. The gambling bug had bitten, and my love affair began. I recall with vivid detail […]
Many moons ago I worked for a small track in Kentucky. Those who know me are familiar with where I’m talking about. But I digress. – This isn’t about making friends; and using their words. It’s just business. – This track had seen their best days. A rival track passed full-card simulcasting, and the first stage of riverboat gambling […]
I have a few buddies that have qualified for the 17th Annual National Handicapping Championship. – It takes place January 28th – 30th, and there is $2.45 million dollars on the line. It roughly comes out to $800,000 to the winner if you were sitting home wondering. – The NHC is the one contest where […]
“There is something moving down there. Never mind, it’s the mascot.” – The cheap seats are what they are, and sometimes they suck. But then again, being so far removed from the hub-bub of activity you get a clear view at times. – Each year I look forward to reading about the Symposium of Racing in […]
I was having a couple of beers with a good friend. – It was his birthday, but I didn’t find out until our fifth beer. I know, I know. Sometimes a few can be more than one, and less than 100. He wanted to stay and bet a few simulcast tracks, and he sure didn’t have […]
Each day starts about the same. Coffee maker turns on at 5a, and he fires up the computer. He splashes warm water on his day old beard, and begins a close shave for the day. Jumps in the shower, and grabs the clothes he laid out the night before. The coffee is piping hot as he pours it into a Del […]
“Money won is twice as sweet as money earned” – Fast Eddie Felson. These words echo in every pool hall, race track, OTB, and anywhere a bet is made. It is the credo of gamblers since dice were thrown by Roman soldiers. – This weekend in Las Vegas, the 16th annual National Handicapping Championship. The Treasure […]