Twenty dimes picked another winner today when UConn covered with ease -"Bang! UConn covered running away Rob. That's seven winners in a row Rob. What do you think about that." A number of Twentie's players cleaned up on the game - "Damn, I"m getting a text from everyone right now. When you got players Rob. You can make money."
Twenty dimes is a legend in the sports consulting world. He is a Las Vegas native and knows where all the bodies are buried - "Rob, do you realize UConn and KU could meet in the second round. I bet there would be a ton of action on it in Kansas. Just imagine Rob. If UConn and KU meet. It will be your team versus your mentors team. This place will be loud that night, and you will probably get another dinner out of him. Tell him to take you to Piero's Rob."
The mentor Twenty mentioned is a guy by the name of Johnny Riggs. Riggs is a legend in the gambling world and originally hails from Connecticut. He has told me a number of times through the years he sees potential in me. Now he has given me the opportunity I have so desired. I am grateful for it.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Twenty dimes
Fourth day at office and watching a legendary handicapper do his thing - "Bang! That's six in a row!" Twenty dimes Erwin is 8-2 through his last ten picks. He and his family go a long ways back in Las Vegas.
"I had all my people go on KU today because that's where all the smart money was going. I know you were on it too." Both of us shared the belief that coach Self would keep his foot on the gas today, thus ensuring the Hawk's cover. It's exactly what happened.
"Twenty dimes, I got a question for you buddy. How do you make a good living like you do in this business for over thirty years? You surely have seen it all." I'm not the first person, or the last, to ask him such - "Rob, good buddy, the key to lasting in this business is having information no one else has. I get that information. I know where the smart money is going."
As my fourteen hour day is winding down. Twenty dimes Erwin, Buzz and the rest of the crew are still doing their handicapping for tomorrow's action in the conference championships. Then it's NCAA tournament time. It's going to be a busy few weeks
"I had all my people go on KU today because that's where all the smart money was going. I know you were on it too." Both of us shared the belief that coach Self would keep his foot on the gas today, thus ensuring the Hawk's cover. It's exactly what happened.
"Twenty dimes, I got a question for you buddy. How do you make a good living like you do in this business for over thirty years? You surely have seen it all." I'm not the first person, or the last, to ask him such - "Rob, good buddy, the key to lasting in this business is having information no one else has. I get that information. I know where the smart money is going."
As my fourteen hour day is winding down. Twenty dimes Erwin, Buzz and the rest of the crew are still doing their handicapping for tomorrow's action in the conference championships. Then it's NCAA tournament time. It's going to be a busy few weeks
Pick of the day
Jayball decided to buy pizza for the crew today. Recently he hired me for a start up he is part of - Sports Consultants of Nevada:
"How does KU blow a sixteen point lead with two minutes left and only win by four?" My supervisor, Buzz, was asking for an explanation on what appeared to be a certain cover -7. "Self took his foot off the gas and Baylor made a couple of lucky three point shots in the last few minutes. I thought it was a lock too," I tell him with a bewildered look.
Sports & race wagering is a humongous business in Las Vegas. What many see as recreation in most places is the exact opposite here. "Dude, I wouldn't make much of it," he tells me in between his bites of pepperoni pie, "Dust yourself off, due your homework and pick another one. It's always about the next game in this business."
Tip of the day: If the line is five or less take KU. My thoughts are Self will keep his foot on the gas and KU will beat WVU in a walk and repeat as tourney champs.
"How does KU blow a sixteen point lead with two minutes left and only win by four?" My supervisor, Buzz, was asking for an explanation on what appeared to be a certain cover -7. "Self took his foot off the gas and Baylor made a couple of lucky three point shots in the last few minutes. I thought it was a lock too," I tell him with a bewildered look.
Sports & race wagering is a humongous business in Las Vegas. What many see as recreation in most places is the exact opposite here. "Dude, I wouldn't make much of it," he tells me in between his bites of pepperoni pie, "Dust yourself off, due your homework and pick another one. It's always about the next game in this business."
Tip of the day: If the line is five or less take KU. My thoughts are Self will keep his foot on the gas and KU will beat WVU in a walk and repeat as tourney champs.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Ferraro's
"This is my favorite place in town Jethro." Riggs should be a restaurant critic in Las Vegas. I've suggested on a number of occasions he write his own column for the paper -"You have never tasted veal piccata like the veal piccata at Ferraro's Jethro." Ferraro's, located on Harmon east of Hard Rock casino, is a Las Vegas institution.
"Mario it is nice to see you again. This is my friend Rob." In the twenty five plus years Riggs has called Las Vegas home he has made numerous connections. The owner of the nicest joint in town is yet another - "Follow me gentlemen, we have a table ready for you." He leads us through the crowd and directly to our table.
"Mario it is nice to see you again. This is my friend Rob." In the twenty five plus years Riggs has called Las Vegas home he has made numerous connections. The owner of the nicest joint in town is yet another - "Follow me gentlemen, we have a table ready for you." He leads us through the crowd and directly to our table.
"Don't stare. At your two o'clock is nice, very nice." He motions with his eyes to a lady sitting at the table next to us. You don't go to one of the fanciest places in town and not see fancy women. And she was plenty fancy indeed - "Oh my goodness. That should be illegal," I tell him as I spot her, I then add - "Between breakfast at Pancake House and the feast for lunch at K.J's and now dinner at Ferraro's. Well, you sure know how to keep a guy well fed Riggs."
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Riggs being Riggs
I talk about how cool Riggs is. Well, I have to point out what happened today on my first day of work as another example - "Goddammit, I have to stop by the bank before I go to the office and there is all this road work." We were eastbound on Flamingo headed towards the Bank of America on Rainbow when we encountered it. Traffic was at a standstill.
"If I turn south on Spring Valley Parkway I can loop around this construction and it will put us directly in front of the bank when we cross Rainbow." - I have come to realize in the many years I have known him that punctuality is very important to him...very important!
He makes the turn and we save the time and everything else goes great for a first day of work. Now the thing that makes this story cool is when we crossed Flamingo going north on Rainbow the cars were backed up as far as the eye could see. We would have been thirty minutes late for our first day of work. I point that out to him and he says, "Think Jethro. Always be thinking."
"If I turn south on Spring Valley Parkway I can loop around this construction and it will put us directly in front of the bank when we cross Rainbow." - I have come to realize in the many years I have known him that punctuality is very important to him...very important!
He makes the turn and we save the time and everything else goes great for a first day of work. Now the thing that makes this story cool is when we crossed Flamingo going north on Rainbow the cars were backed up as far as the eye could see. We would have been thirty minutes late for our first day of work. I point that out to him and he says, "Think Jethro. Always be thinking."
Sunday, March 6, 2016
The recital
It was a cellist performing an exquisite recital, he moved effortlessly through the crowd, hobnobbing with the elite of Las Vegas. "The time is now Jethro. The opportunity we are encountering is what dreams are made of...win,win,win."
The sports group I work for had a number of high rollers in from Colorado for the UFC event (our group was on Meisha Tate at +290, she won on a tap out...the party went crazy).
While watching him further orchestrate the crowd I notice an unopened bottle of silver Patron sitting at the serve yourself bar. Do you know how long it has been since I have tasted Patron on my lips? A long time. While filling the glass for the third time a young lady with painted on jeans approaches the bar. "May I pour you a cocktail?" I say with a half drunk smile - "How about some of the Patron I have been watching you drink," is her response.
"Are you part of the sports crew," she asks in a flirtatious manner - "Yes and a friend of Mikes. How about you?" She responds - "I am a good friend of Mikes as well. We went to high school at Gorman together." I can't help but add - "So your gorgeous, rich and famous. Like the rest of the Gorman alum."
The next two hours were spent talking with her on the back porch overlooking the Las Vegas strip. A full bottle of Patron later...she gives me a ride home.
The sports group I work for had a number of high rollers in from Colorado for the UFC event (our group was on Meisha Tate at +290, she won on a tap out...the party went crazy).
While watching him further orchestrate the crowd I notice an unopened bottle of silver Patron sitting at the serve yourself bar. Do you know how long it has been since I have tasted Patron on my lips? A long time. While filling the glass for the third time a young lady with painted on jeans approaches the bar. "May I pour you a cocktail?" I say with a half drunk smile - "How about some of the Patron I have been watching you drink," is her response.
"Are you part of the sports crew," she asks in a flirtatious manner - "Yes and a friend of Mikes. How about you?" She responds - "I am a good friend of Mikes as well. We went to high school at Gorman together." I can't help but add - "So your gorgeous, rich and famous. Like the rest of the Gorman alum."
The next two hours were spent talking with her on the back porch overlooking the Las Vegas strip. A full bottle of Patron later...she gives me a ride home.
Friday, March 4, 2016
election party
It is now becoming unbelievable - last night after work the two of us took a ride to downtown Las Vegas. When we pulled into a parking lot next to a large law firm, I say, "Riggs where the hell are we going?" He says -"Jethro, it is time you start rubbing elbows with the Vegas elite. One instruction before we go in. Listen and learn! No Jethro from Kansas nonsense."
We walk in and a gentlemen tells us the function is on the fourth floor. At this point I am starting to get nervous. When the doors to the elevator open I can't believe what I am seeing. A full basketball court, a weight room and a theatre. I then turn the corner and directly in front of me set a table full of the finest catered food and liquor to boot. The women were astonishing.
"Jayball, where the hell are we?" He responds candidly, "We are at an election party for a number of judges and councilmen at the most prestigious law firm in Las Vegas." I ask, "Why does it look like the Las Vegas athletic club on the fourth floor?" He smirks and says, "Two of the partners played ball for Tark in the early 90' at UNLV. That's where I know them from."
While eating another fresh roasted turkey sandwich, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a group of beautiful women all dressed to the nines. It was an awesome feeling looking at so many beautiful and accomplished women. I shared my sentiment with Jayball on the ride home, he adds "Do you like the tall blond? Shes a judge and will be at Mike's party Saturday. Oh, by the way, don't forget we have to order lasagna and sauce and balls from Joe for the party tomorrow night."
We walk in and a gentlemen tells us the function is on the fourth floor. At this point I am starting to get nervous. When the doors to the elevator open I can't believe what I am seeing. A full basketball court, a weight room and a theatre. I then turn the corner and directly in front of me set a table full of the finest catered food and liquor to boot. The women were astonishing.
"Jayball, where the hell are we?" He responds candidly, "We are at an election party for a number of judges and councilmen at the most prestigious law firm in Las Vegas." I ask, "Why does it look like the Las Vegas athletic club on the fourth floor?" He smirks and says, "Two of the partners played ball for Tark in the early 90' at UNLV. That's where I know them from."
While eating another fresh roasted turkey sandwich, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a group of beautiful women all dressed to the nines. It was an awesome feeling looking at so many beautiful and accomplished women. I shared my sentiment with Jayball on the ride home, he adds "Do you like the tall blond? Shes a judge and will be at Mike's party Saturday. Oh, by the way, don't forget we have to order lasagna and sauce and balls from Joe for the party tomorrow night."
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