Issue 17
January 3 - 10, 2001
Volume 1
page 3
 

Five Books On How Hustlers, Cheats Conmen
Operate-In And Out of Casions

By Howard Schwartz

If you won some money, inherited it, saved it or just flashed it-there's someone out there trying to take possession of it-the easy way and illegally.

Understanding how conmen, cheats operate is being street smart. It's not something you learn in school-it's often learned the hard way. Sometimes a person, a TV show, or a good book, written by an expert (or ex-conman) can help. It's just a matter of being alert-of having your wits about you should you become a potential victim. What follows is basically some suggested reading. It's not necessary to read every page of every book-but it will help to be knowledgeable-to protect yourself and someone you care about.

LICENSE TO STEAL by Dennis Marlock and John Downing (299 pages, hardbound $30). Two experts on gypsy cons, one a veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department explain how gypsies work-their history; fortune telling angles; home burglaries store diversions and shoplifting; welfare and credit fraud.

KEEPING CARNIES HONEST by Lindsay Smith and Bruce Walstad (48 pages, paperbound, $7.95). Subtitled a Police Officer's Field Guide to Carnival Game Inspections, it is geared to train law enforcement personnel (or to inform the public) about how certain carnival or state fair-type games are virtually unbeatable. These include shooting gallery games; milk bottles; long-range basketball; the milk can and the coin pitch. This includes hidden buttons; unwritten rules and ill-weighted objects.

THE CROSSROADER by N.M. Moore and Walt Darring (177 pages, paperbound, $14.95). When it came to hustling at

cards, pool or dice, "Junior" Moore was one of the best. In his memoirs, this pro from Alabama narrates some of the cons and scams he perpetrated, the men who tried to outhustle him and why gambling is "the most understood profession in the world."

THE UNSINKABLE TITANIC THOMPSON by Carlton Stowers (234 pages, paperbound, $14.95). At this time, this is the best book ever written about the legendary golfer, gambler, hustler, con man who died in 1974 at age 82. His life spanned a time from Arnold Rothstein in the 1920s to Benny Binion and the Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas in the 1970s. He'd bet a man he could throw a watermelon five stories onto a roof. The bet was $5,000. Thompson did the feat-with a watermelon the size of a golf ball!

GAMBLING SCAMS by Darwin Ortiz (262 pages, paperbound, $12.95). For the totally innocent finding himself in a private card game; crap game; against a "broad tosser" in a three-card monte game; or facing a buddy with an unbelievable proposition bet in a bar or at a party, this book has much protection to offer. How do the conmen work-sleight of hand; marked cards; switched or loaded dice, it's all here.

As the expression goes, "a little information goes a long way."When you think about the billions of dollars stolen, connived, won and lost from people who have no idea they've been taken much less HOW they were victimized, you'll truly understand why knowledge is protection.

Note: Any book mentioned in this review is available the GBC online catalog.


Bowties & Diamonds Blackjack
Imperial Palace Casino, Biloxi, MS
January 19-21, 2001, 2000
Registration: $150
Call 800-436-3000 Ext. 3464 for more information

2001 Slot Odyssey Tournament
Flamingo Hilton, Las Vegas, NV
January 14-17, February 11-14, March 4-7, 2001
$100K in prize money!
Registration: $549
Call 800-225-4882 for more information

Wild Hold'em Tournament
Texas Station Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Thru January 21, 2001
Call 800-654-8888 for more information


Big Baby Slot Tournament
Atlantis Hotel & Casino, Reno, NV
January 21-23, 2001
$30,000 in prize money!
Call
800-723-6500 for more information

"Keno Bowl" Keno Tournament
Excalibur Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, NV
January 21-22, 2001

Call 800-633-7777for more info

No Limit Tournament Series 2001
Turning Stone Hotel & Casino, Verona, NY
January 6 & 20, February 3 & 17, 2001
$200 buy in and $20 entry fee
Call 800-771-7711

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