Professional Sportsbetting

[The Boz]

Ah, good old Mike Laskey (Warren). Guy was a scum ball but also an innovator in the scamdicapper business. He perfected the trifecta of 800, 900 and mail to fuck many a gambler. And had zero qualms about taking them for every dollar in a way the others like Feiner and such were jealous of. I believe he started with horses at Pimlico and moved on to sports.

What many don’t know is he went on to form the Psychic Friends Network with Dionne Warwick using the skills he learned over the years. They reportedly made over $100 million in profits and like a true scammer, took the money and drained it into bankruptcy years later.

Anyways, here’s a story on Dave.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/120625...-vegas-cancer/

[redietz]

Ah, good old Mike Laskey (Warren). Guy was a scum ball but also an innovator in the scamdicapper business. He perfected the trifecta of 800, 900 and mail to fuck many a gambler. And had zero qualms about taking them for every dollar in a way the others like Feiner and such were jealous of. I believe he started with horses at Pimlico and moved on to sports.

What many don’t know is he went on to form the Psychic Friends Network with Dionne Warwick using the skills he learned over the years. They reportedly made over $100 million in profits and like a true scammer, took the money and drained it into bankruptcy years later.

Anyways, here’s a story on Dave.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/120625...-vegas-cancer/

Thanks, Boz. We are educating the youngsters. I guess that's a good thing. "Warren"/Laskey made a fortune with the 900 lines. The sports angle was just his start. He was based in Baltimore, as I recall. He recruited and partnered with various NFL stars who hadn't made much money so they would provide a face to the 900 lines. I think Johnny Unitas was one of them. Pretty sad stuff.

I just talked to the guy doing the project with the Sopranos actors. The filming is outside of Boston, so I probably will not make the excursion. Damned shame.

Ready to rock this season. I'm technically retired, sort of like Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. I have some possible podcast appearances in discussion this season that will knock your socks off if they come to fruition.

I'm looking forward to heading to LV Sunday. I don't handle 112 degrees as well as in my youth, but that just gives me an excuse to buy expensive hats, so it's all good. I lie. Actually, my friends and relatives have stocked me with a fine collection of summer hats.

And that's a segui to saluting the king of the flat caps. RIP, Mr. Cokin.

[The Boz]

Good stuff RED.

Laskey also hired former Redskins & Saints QB Billy Kilmer along with Baltimore legend Johnny Unitas. As you said, neither made much money in their playing careers and these offers were too good to turn down. They were used in pitches to say they had “inside information” from locker rooms and such. You remember the days when scamdicappers pushed the gimmick certain games were fixed and only they had the scoop. Unitas was interviewed about it years later and said he never contributed anything other than some photo shoots.

Laskey bought an old local weekly newspaper “The Baltimore Bulletin” and its building as his base of operations. It was in a shitty part of the city, I was inside in his offices there once, which is another story. But he used the printing facilities for his vast mail program and actually did printing for other scammers. Another floor was the boiler room with 100+ phones and desks for the hard sell phone pitches. And one girl worked the desk at the entrance with multiple security officers assisting her. I’m sure over the years more than a few disgruntled customers showed up looking to have a word with Mr Warren.

He created numerous off shoot scamdicapper names over the years of different scales and was even behind some of the famous letters pitching the “lock of the century” that were split 50/50 with the pay me after you win trick. The Long Island boys Kevin Duffy and his brother in law Stu Feiner were rumored to be so jealous of Warren’s success because of his huge mail and phone contact lists that they discussed killing him at one point. Could have just been the coke talking but everyone knew no one had even close to the potential suckers Warren had names and numbers of, even with all the advertising dollars they spent. Not sure if they thought through how killing him would get them those lists.

Back to current day, a lot of fake outrage about the game last night. The 55 minute rule has been there forever and the books did nothing wrong. Hell most players were on the Under so it cost the books a decent amount of money. That said the new books I so despise like FD and DK’s created this mess with the refunds they have given the lottery ticket over prop parlay crybabies every time their player gets hurt early in a game.

[redietz]

Well, I just asked Karen about the evolution and current status of the 55-minute rule 10 minutes ago (she knows such things better than me), so I should intro you to Karen some day.

Of course, I had the Over with a small free promo bet one offshore gave me to start the season (fifty bucks). I was going to tease the Over, but the books I used to do this with did not have pre-season teasers available last night. Smart boys -- LOL. I think the UFL allowing teasers for totals wised some offshores up.

The best sports riot I ever saw was immediately after the Tyson/"Cocoon of Horror" fight. I was at MGM, checking numbers or something, when that fight ended, and people went nuts. I guess some books honored Over/Under bets and some did not. Some honored other kinds of results; some did not. People who tried to arbitrage or middle aspects of the fight were stuck with whatever place honored the fight while other bets were simply canceled. So people were getting screwed for big money. Anyway there was a riot when the fight let out. I had no money on it, but it taught me a lesson about trying to middle or arbitrage those scenarios, especially with the name Tyson involved.

I'm off to get my head shaved. Gotta travel bald. Makes me feel younger.

I hope things are well with you. If you ever get to LV concomitant with me, dinner is on me. I recommend a drink called The Old Fashioned at Vic and Anthony's. Two of those might bury me these days.

[coach belly]

I recommend a drink called The Old Fashioned at Vic and Anthony's. Two of those might bury me these days.

How did you make it into your mid-60's without knowing what an Old Fashioned is?

[redietz]

I recommend a drink called The Old Fashioned at Vic and Anthony's. Two of those might bury me these days.

How did you make it into your mid-60's without knowing what an Old Fashioned is?

It is strange as my go-to drink is whiskey, but I've always ordered it straight. Conservatively speaking, with at least half a dozen whiskey/scotch drinks ordered a year for 45 years, it is amazing I never actually perused any menus.

It's dumb luck I stumbled onto that particular drink. At $14, it caught my eye for its inexpensiveness. Last time I went to a Cosmo show, I volunteered to pick up the first-round tab, and it was $150 for three drinks. That made my eyes water. The Old Fashioned was, frankly, great. It was not niggardly (I thought Rob would like that). And I always like a drink without a stemmed glass. I wouldn't know how to handle a stem.

[coach belly]

at least half a dozen whiskey/scotch drinks ordered a year for 45 years

So now you are bragging about being a lush?

[Rob.Singer]

Anyone involved in sports betting/handicapping, by and large, is a secret alcoholic by nature. That's why they're also known to say "I get tipsy on one or two drinks" and why they always claim not to know what most of society knows about certain drinks.

[redietz]

That's definitely me. I have at least half a dozen whiskeys a year, plus maybe two dozen Coronas and Yuengling Lagers, and to make matters worse, at least four Bloody Marys. In fact, if I make it out to South Point early enough next week, I'll have a comped Bloody Mary or two with breakfast. How's that for out-and-out degeneracy?

As someone who grew up drinking warm Stegmaier quarts (Boz, feel free to chime in here) and lived eight miles from the Yuengling brewery, I'm lucky I still have a liver. In fact, while searching for appropriate wardrobe items for LV, I stumbled upon an old shirt I got from Roman's Lounge in Frackville, PA (down the road from the Yuengling brewery).

The shirt reads (in Roman style print, of course): "The liver is Evil. Therefore it must be punished. Roman 20: 08." The Roman 20: 08 refers to the year the shirt was printed, so you can see that my alcoholic tendencies are not recent in origin.

So, Rob, I can count on you and coach as my sponsors when I head to AA in your necks of the woods? I bet you'd be a great sponsor. Hard to miss your RV in a parking lot after a bender, plus I bet alcohol degeneracy is tolerated well in Idaho and the Dakotas. And then driving the RV, with all that metal, DUI is not an issue, at least as far as me dying goes.

Thanks, guys. The first step is recognizing that there's a problem. Then hoisting a Bloody Mary to salute the problem. Then recognizing again that's there's a problem, in case you forgot between drinks.

[Rob.Singer]

I didn't understand that rap and I don't think you did either. Nor did anyone else.

What I DO get is how excited you always seem to get whenever you announce (not sure why you do this) an upcoming LV on-the-cheap trip. No one should EVER go there and live a lesser existance than they do at home and just squeeze by, or in your case, mooch off of others. Oh wait!...You're from Appalachia!

[Rob.Singer]

I didn't understand that rap and I don't think you did either. Nor did anyone else.

What I DO get is how excited you always seem to get whenever you announce (not sure why you do this) an upcoming LV on-the-cheap trip. No one should EVER go there and live a lesser existence than they do at home and just squeeze by, or in your case, mooch off of others. Oh wait!...You're from Appalachia!

[redietz]

I didn't understand that rap and I don't think you did either. Nor did anyone else.

What I DO get is how excited you always seem to get whenever you announce (not sure why you do this) an upcoming LV on-the-cheap trip. No one should EVER go there and live a lesser existence than they do at home and just squeeze by, or in your case, mooch off of others. Oh wait!...You're from Appalachia!

Hillbilly Elegy, dude. Aren't you hip?

But seriously, my apologies. In my inebriated state, I didn't realize the Golden Nugget and the Tuscany were on the cheap. I swear you mentioned staying at the Tuscany. You were likely in disguise, though, on assignment, so I forgive your slumming.

I also didn't remember any mooching on my part, but those alcohol blackouts do kill a few brain cells, so perhaps you could refresh my memory regarding my mooching. Feel free to pull up any quotes from this or any forum.

But never fear. I will try to slum a bit this excursion. I opted for the Plaza for three nights, since they are comped. Then over to the Nugget. I tried to get a room at the Tuscany, but it was a few bucks out of my price range for a solo trip. Yeah, $10K a night is a bitch. I wonder if they tack on the resort fee. Probably.

Anyway, thanks for pointing out my mooching. I'm like Wimpy, always looking for a free burger. But please point me to where I mooched. This alcohol-fueled amnesia is a bitch.

P.S. I agree with you. I'd much rather be tooling around Idaho. I love potatoes. Beats Vic and Anthony's all to hell. I always say, "Give me spuds or give me death!"

P.S.S. For any discerning readers: Rob hasn't made a solo trip to Las Vegas in years. His wife won't allow it. Hmmmm. I wonder why. It does suggest some things.

[jdog]

I opted for the Plaza for three nights, since they are comped.

Comped nights at Plaza?? I got an offer recently then noticed they were tacking on a $40 a night resort fee. $40 downtown at that place... they must be hitting a crack pipe at those marketing meetings lol.

[accountinquestion]

I opted for the Plaza for three nights, since they are comped.

Comped nights at Plaza?? I got an offer recently then noticed they were tacking on a $40 a night resort fee. $40 downtown at that place... they must be hitting a crack pipe at those marketing meetings lol.

They can't comp food anywhere in the casinon except fast food and that trashy "steakhouse". I have mixed feelings in the place. Single zero roulette and things if that nature makes it a place to gamble at.

[redietz]

I opted for the Plaza for three nights, since they are comped.

Comped nights at Plaza?? I got an offer recently then noticed they were tacking on a $40 a night resort fee. $40 downtown at that place... they must be hitting a crack pipe at those marketing meetings lol.

They can't comp food anywhere in the casinon except fast food and that trashy "steakhouse". I have mixed feelings in the place. Single zero roulette and things if that nature makes it a place to gamble at.

Account, open your eyes (for once). First of all, the Plaza is making an effort with people, which is more than any of the other LV casinos are doing at the moment. Second, if you don't like their steakhouse, it's a free country to say so. But the venue is unique, and I guarantee you this. Most days, after you've been seated and your order's been taken, you've already been in the presence of people who know more about the casino business than you do and who have done things in life that you wouldn't have the balls to contemplate.

I'll go out on a limb and recommend the Happy Hour in the bar area behind the steakhouse. I like the meatballs. Can't beat a beer and half-price meatballs.

Oh, and technically, they have mid-week promos where if you earn x number of points, you get substantive discounts at some of the restaurants and free stuff at the coffee kiosk near the front.

Now I say this while still appreciating that their parking garage used to be the scariest in the city. Not sure how it is now. I do not intend to find out. I'll park at Main Street or in the GG valet.

Note to readers: Regarding Oscar's Steakhouse, which account mentions somewhat disdainfully. Bear in mind that account is the same guy who was bad-mouthing Vic and Anthony's. He's the James Bond of fine dining.

[smurgerburger]

Comped nights at Plaza?? I got an offer recently then noticed they were tacking on a $40 a night resort fee. $40 downtown at that place... they must be hitting a crack pipe at those marketing meetings lol.

They can't comp food anywhere in the casinon except fast food and that trashy "steakhouse". I have mixed feelings in the place. Single zero roulette and things if that nature makes it a place to gamble at.

Account, open your eyes (for once). First of all, the Plaza is making an effort with people, which is more than any of the other LV casinos are doing at the moment. Second, if you don't like their steakhouse, it's a free country to say so. But the venue is unique, and I guarantee you this. Most days, after you've been seated and your order's been taken, you've already been in the presence of people who know more about the casino business than you do and who have done things in life that you wouldn't have the balls to contemplate.

I'll go out on a limb and recommend the Happy Hour in the bar area behind the steakhouse. I like the meatballs. Can't beat a beer and half-price meatballs.

Oh, and technically, they have mid-week promos where if you earn x number of points, you get substantive discounts at some of the restaurants and free stuff at the coffee kiosk near the front.

Now I say this while still appreciating that their parking garage used to be the scariest in the city. Not sure how it is now. I do not intend to find out. I'll park at Main Street or in the GG valet.

Sometimes I go to the bathrooms of the state legislature when it is in session just so I can experience the almost erotic thrill of being close to men of such eminence.

A few times I have even passed out and slid onto the floor as the odors of their bodily discharges wafted over me, giving me a literal taste of the inner workings of power.

[pinchingyourballs]

They can't comp food anywhere in the casinon except fast food and that trashy "steakhouse". I have mixed feelings in the place. Single zero roulette and things if that nature makes it a place to gamble at.

Account, open your eyes (for once). First of all, the Plaza is making an effort with people, which is more than any of the other LV casinos are doing at the moment. Second, if you don't like their steakhouse, it's a free country to say so. But the venue is unique, and I guarantee you this. Most days, after you've been seated and your order's been taken, you've already been in the presence of people who know more about the casino business than you do and who have done things in life that you wouldn't have the balls to contemplate.

I'll go out on a limb and recommend the Happy Hour in the bar area behind the steakhouse. I like the meatballs. Can't beat a beer and half-price meatballs.

Oh, and technically, they have mid-week promos where if you earn x number of points, you get substantive discounts at some of the restaurants and free stuff at the coffee kiosk near the front.

Now I say this while still appreciating that their parking garage used to be the scariest in the city. Not sure how it is now. I do not intend to find out. I'll park at Main Street or in the GG valet.

Sometimes I go to the bathrooms of the state legislature when it is in session just so I can experience the almost erotic thrill of being close to men of such eminence.

A few times I have even passed out and slid onto the floor as the odors of their bodily discharges wafted over me, giving me a literal taste of the inner workings of power.

Wow I thought it was just me.

[redietz]

Account, open your eyes (for once). First of all, the Plaza is making an effort with people, which is more than any of the other LV casinos are doing at the moment. Second, if you don't like their steakhouse, it's a free country to say so. But the venue is unique, and I guarantee you this. Most days, after you've been seated and your order's been taken, you've already been in the presence of people who know more about the casino business than you do and who have done things in life that you wouldn't have the balls to contemplate.

I'll go out on a limb and recommend the Happy Hour in the bar area behind the steakhouse. I like the meatballs. Can't beat a beer and half-price meatballs.

Oh, and technically, they have mid-week promos where if you earn x number of points, you get substantive discounts at some of the restaurants and free stuff at the coffee kiosk near the front.

Now I say this while still appreciating that their parking garage used to be the scariest in the city. Not sure how it is now. I do not intend to find out. I'll park at Main Street or in the GG valet.

Sometimes I go to the bathrooms of the state legislature when it is in session just so I can experience the almost erotic thrill of being close to men of such eminence.

A few times I have even passed out and slid onto the floor as the odors of their bodily discharges wafted over me, giving me a literal taste of the inner workings of power.

Wow I thought it was just me.

Yeah, it's all well and good to go through life thumbing your nose at the world because of what you haven't done and, God knows, you're better and brighter than the folks who've done anything.

You guys are anonymous posters who don't appear to have any real gambling accomplishments, much less life accomplishments in general. Now I say "don't appear" because you're anonymous. A generation of snark that doesn't know how to mate compared to previous generations and two-thirds of whom are obese. And your SOP is to conduct most of your communication anonymously so you don't have to be framed and embarrassed by reality.

Sorry to generalize, folks. But without photos and life histories, which non-anonymity would provide, it's all just banal snarky bravado. A waste of time for them to type and a waste of time for anyone to read.

[smurgerburger]

Sometimes I go to the bathrooms of the state legislature when it is in session just so I can experience the almost erotic thrill of being close to men of such eminence.

A few times I have even passed out and slid onto the floor as the odors of their bodily discharges wafted over me, giving me a literal taste of the inner workings of power.

Wow I thought it was just me.

Yeah, it's all well and good to go through life thumbing your nose at the world because of what you haven't done and, God knows, you're better and brighter than the folks who've done anything.

You guys are anonymous posters who don't appear to have any real gambling accomplishments, much less life accomplishments in general. Now I say "don't appear" because you're anonymous. A generation of snark that doesn't know how to mate compared to previous generations and two-thirds of whom are obese. And your SOP is to conduct most of your communication anonymously so you don't have to be framed and embarrassed by reality.

Sorry to generalize, folks. But without photos and life histories, which non-anonymity would provide, it's all just banal snarky bravado. A waste of time for them to type and a waste of time for anyone to read.

Well I wouldn't say it's the world per se at which noses are being thumbed.

[coach belly]

I can count on you and coach as my sponsors when I head to AA in your necks of the woods?

You can count on me, but please don't bring your press packet...AA stresses anonymity, don't cha know.

You shouldn't expect other attendees to fight through all that manic gift-wrapping, let alone actually read through the dozens of yellowing pages from 50 years ago.

Look what happened to the last guy you sent it to.