Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

If you are a Gambler. Today as you awake. a new period in the United Kingdome awaits you, although it is an updated version of the 2005 Act, it will come into inactment today.
The act introduces new powers for the Gambling Commission including the ability to impose a condition on operating licences requiring information from oporators to be provided to the Commission or to be provided to another person, thereby allowing it to require oporators to submit, information directly, to the sport governing bodies listed in the act,
The Act also introduces two important new measures,
The OFFENCE OF CHEATING.
and the power for the Commission to VOID BETS.

I can see this act causing a lot of problems, however,
Let us consider Betting Coups of the past of which may have fallen under this act,
In the past, the bets, conducted in the act of a breech were voided, however at no time was the event itself Voided.
If it had been all sorts of legal problems would arise. for instance, in the case of a Ringer. like Francasel. punters who backed that horse had there bets, voided but the race itself is still in the form book and backers of losers, in the event still lost there stakes.
Backers of placed horses received there winnings, as if the race was not affected.

What would happen if a whole race was Voided. and all wagers, returned.

This would cause mahem in Exchange Markets. it being very dificult to distinguish between a Cheat and the genuine players, who partisipated freely. and honestly in an event deemed to fall under this act.

However I can see preasure being placed on Exchanges to do much more to protect there Vunerable clients.
For example offers that are obviously traps, will have to be controlled and voided at source.
Example a Soccer bet, on a Correct score of 1.0 in running when the score is already, 0.1 will fall under the act,
Traps of 1.01 in active betting markets, (not in Running) will require the Agents to report its clients for breech of the act,
It is the Gambling Commisions plan to introduce a code of practice requiring betting oporators to take reasonable steps, to familiarise themselves with the rules, of the sport which they are taking bets,
In the case of exchnages, they know the rules, but have been content to trade under the “Let the byer Beware” principal. this however will fall foul of the Gaming Boards duty of protection of the Vunerable.

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What will happen I am not sure, but in the case of known cheating, I can see the Commission being bombed down with thousands of complaints, the Batfair Forum alone tells us, that loads are silly unproven complaints but they will still fall on the Commissions, Mat. however in proven cases, an Exchange. will have to act. unilaterally. and promptly.a loss of liquidity, would be nothing compared with a decision made by the Gaming Board, under preasure to ban certain markets.

This is a serious period in Gambling History. and certainly for EXCHANGES.

One very serious change in Gambling is that from today, Gambling Debts become recoverable in a court of law.

Cubone has is own oppinion on this matter, and can see much hardship. for the vunerable compulsive gambler. but I feel like abuse of credit card oporators, the Betting Industry, may find that recovery. not so easy, if it is proven that they have allowed a punter more credit than his capacity to pay warented. but that is only an oppinion.

The next few years, will be very interesting.

Cubone

In 20 days time the Gaming Board will take over the licencing of Bookmaking in the UK. along with the new licencing rules will be a much tighter regime..
No longer will individuals be able to claim the “Act” and get out of paying gambling debts, this will certainly stop Bookmakers trading under-funded, but what about staff, of Bookmakers will there lot be improved.I think not.

No doubt the law will do what Government intended and that is increase there Revenue, it will be a betting tax by stealth.

But one thing I feel is happening and cannot be stemmed is loss of the feal good factor, in Gambling,in the mid 1900s thousands of punters would frequent racecourses for what the Irish call the CRACK.Party Time.

An example of the loss of the Crack, in the UK is the break between, RUK, ATR, and SIS, a power struggle that will be to expensive for the industry to stomach.

I dont expect a return to the Crack from the war years.

Were many punters would seek and watch,the Tipsters and Tick Tacks, on course, for a enjoyment at very little if any cost.

In fact I was only thinking of the old days, were every one seemed to have a nick name. the best of which were
Cream Cake.
Wallop.
Pockey Lugs,
Chickling,
and Best of all THE DUMMIE.

There is no way that a person could be called a DUMMIE to his face in todays, Political Correctness.age.

But The Dummie was a deaf and dumb mute, named Albert Snow, with the world against him he became one of the best tick tacks in the land,
Working for Harvey and Bradfield, he had a great memory, storing hundreds of betting contracts, in his head, and delivering them to his gaffers in a sign Language that he made up himself. the firms he also worked for were mainly Italian decent, so instead of the rhyming slang or back slang, they just spoke in italian.to each other, and used the made up Deaf and Dumb language to Albert.

When the Dummy wasnt working for Harvey Bradfield he would be part of a great “Smash and Grab” outfit, a team of traders, not unlike those seen in the rings, trading on Betfair.today.
Mickie Tiani and John Driscol. great arbers of there day, trading from outside rings into Silver and then Tatts to show there 10% profit.
It was exiting to see the Dummie work, for an impreshionable 15 year old. it was unforgetable.he would stroke my face, and say in a broken accent, understandable only to himself,
“Ansum” I assume that it was a testiment to my good looks, but never sure.

One evening in the East End of London the Dummy was sliced open from ear to ear, no one ever knew Why, as he had no enermies, in the fight that insued,the instigator, also received terrible injuries and was taken to Hospital,

During the evening the Dummie took his revenge, walking in with a bunch of flowers, he gave the man, a beating in a revenge attack.

It wasnt long before Albert was taken into custody, and charged with GBH,
The whole of the industry rallied round, to get him the very best legal advice, and he pleaded not guilty,

In court, it was standing only, as the Dummie attepted to explain what had occured, the Judge was certainly not going to allow this revenge attack go unpunished. and as he pronounced the verdict, The Dummie attempting to lip read, what Judge Stephenson was pronouncing, turned to a friend, in the gallary, and shouted out
“A Much”

The pal, a part time Tick Tack, was expected to show, out the VERDICT.

Placing his outstreched right hand under his chin, clearly showing the number 3.

He then began to look around for help. he had no sigh for “Months”, and didnt know what to show.

Placing his thumb and first finger on the lob of his ear, he began to wable the ear,

THREE EARS,

The Dummie was dumbfounded,

FRE ERS,

YA FKING BASARD.

If The Judge had ever been on a tick tack or rhyming slang course it was never established, but he certainly gathered what the Dummie had in mind.

And with the whole of the court, in stiches, even the judge had to smile.

Take him Down.

It was after a struggle Albert began to realize that 3 months was all that he would do, long enough to make a Carpet.

In the 70s Albert Died, he had been born well behind the Black Ball, but had made himself well loved by all and never had to Beg , Steal, or Borrow,

The thousands at his funeral was suficient to prove he had been born a loser, but died, a winner.

Cubone

Reading the Betfair Forum you would think that the British On-Course bookmaker was the Devil in Carnate, so let us take a look at the Racecourse Bookmaker and valuate his worth to the overall industry.

Bookmakers have been oncourse since the mid 19th Century and until the 21st he played a vital role, in creating the Starting Price, and offered a service from the many courses free of manipulation most of the time.
In the 1940s the rings were as strong as anytime in the past, however at many smaller courses chickanary was in the air, with a scam known as the Knock Out, taking rout, this was a simple plan, Horses would be backed off course and then powerful Bookmakers in the ring, would chase the prices of there selection out of all proportion to its chance of success. Betting Coups were attempted at race meetings were there proximity and lack of telephone equipment caused great anxiety in the industry,
The Cutting of Telephone wires at Bath proved the nead for better Hedging facilities on course.
Once the offcourse revolution in the 1960s, had taken rout, the Big Three (4 at the time) had a stangle hold on the Starting Prices.and for a time the KO deminished although it did raise its head again in the 8os.
An incident at Southwell. in 1980 caused massive concern, when it was seen that Shop Horses, these being the one,s backed most heavily by High Street, customers were being shortened, massivly in the last few seconds before the off. denying time for the market to readjust.this became known in the industry as the reverse KO.

!999 Saw the control of racecourse pitches, lost to a Bookmakers Association, and placed in the hands of the Levy Boards, NJPC.

This sensational development caused margins, in the rings to disapear. and the offcourse to rethink the nead for a starting price structure from the course.
Many late hours were spent, attempting to convince others in power of the nead for a Big Three computor generated system.

Government would have no such thing fearing that the SP in the hands of just 3 Bookmakers, would not be in the Public Interest.and how right they are.

Then a body blow to the offcourse and on course industry was the begining of the World of Exchange Betting.a revolution so PUNTER FRIENDLY that the existing service of off and oncourse fixed odds began to impode.

Known as Person to Person betting (Exchange)this revolution, caused mahem in the high street, not may I say with the UK Punters, who after understanding the implication, took it to heart as the only real way to gamble.bettign from the comfort of your home a new dream.

The High Street waisted no time in filling any loss of revenue by new inovations of there own.having convinced parliament of there nead.for help.
However the big loser,s was the Racecourse Bookmakers who found expenses rocketing, customers, deserting betting rings, and percentages drying up. they found it impossible to compete with the new order.
Talk of an Exchange Starting Price, or a High Street Starting Price have not been thought out fully. and would reduce, the wonderfull, extensive choice that the UK Gambler has at his finger tip at present.
We have the existing High Street Betting Shops,
Tote Pool Betting
Spread Betting
Fixed odds by way of Internet.
EXCHANGE
and of course on Course Bookmakers.

This is what Adam Smith the 1700 Political Economist, and father of the labour Government wanted and thats what they have.

A Global centre of Gambling and CHOICE.

But how does, the Adam Smith, thinking, relate to oncourse Bookmaking. and is there nead for protection, for this service provider. and should the thoughts echoed by the Law Lords of the past centry, be looked at again. could a free for all on course charges,cause the end of the Starting Price structure, it is clear from the infighting for TV rights, and a change to the control of Bookmakers pitches, that GREED, is running away with certain executives. But do the oncourse Bookmakers require protection from GREEDY on Course Rulers, who seem to wish to over charge these service providers at every tern.
The new Gaming Commissions Statute seems very anti oncourse Bookmaker and could result in there full demise, in a few years.

Could there be a plot to place in the Hands of the Big Three Conglomerates, the control. of the Starting Price Structure by way of stealth.
Could we see just a small On-Course service, made up of the Big 3 plus, 7 others, with Casino type facilites in Grandstands,
It is clear that the racecourse planners have the upper hand, but will they be allowed to play there trump hand, after september the 1st, or will they be made to waite until september, 1st 2012.

Either way there should be an enquiry into the way that the Starting Price is being devoloped, Cubone warns that a loss of this service, will be at a cost to the Man in the Street who wishes to bet on Horseracing.

What we Should be demanding is improvements in the present galaxy of Choice not a REDUCTION IN THAT CHOICE.

September the first, could produce a Red Letter , or on the other hand it could be a BILL.

Watch this Space.

Cubone.

History, usually works slowly. Governments makes sure of that with its 40 year secrecy act. Parliamentarians must have seen the benifit of hiding there chickanary until after they are either dead of suffering with dementia.
Gambling is similar, great betting coups, remain, in the minds of the planners, some times for ever.

It is with this in mind that, Owner of the great casino the “CLAIRMENT CLUB”
John Aspinell,
Died happy in the belief that how he stole the millions of pounds from some of the most wealthy in the land would never be known.

Unfortunately his original partner “The Brains” John Burke is about to reveal all. in his book “The Hustlers”

There was no way that Cubone would have been let into Belgravia never mind the Clerment Club, this private members Casino come den of eniquity was a closed door for any other than Blue Chip Players.
Lords,
Counts
Prime Ministers,

This was the first real class joint casino, since the Fishmonger days of Crockford.but with all due respect the Claimont has left a stench far worse than dead fish could ever produce.

Every one who entered the Mayfair Casino had to be vetted, by the likes of non other than Lord Lucan.and a special committee.

You may say “why did they bar the many big losing gamblers of the period”

Simple, Lord, Counts, etc tend to pay without to much trouble. for example when The head of one of the wealthiest family,,were told that there son and hier was in debt to £1 million he stated “Ho is that all I thought it was serrious”
So they didnt want the likes of Sam “ACE” Rothstiene from the Martin Scoresese Film Casino sitting in. they wanted “Wealthy Mugs” who wouldnt know a sting even after they were bitten.

It will be very interesting when John Burke uncovers in his book something that Cubone has known since 1960.
And that is that John Aspinell was the bigest cheat to ever run a casino.
Worse than Bugsie Segal at his worse.

The thing that will send repercushions through the closed doors of Mayfair even 40 years after,is the fact that several of the Massive Losers, at the Clermont Club were so called friends, of the Mayfair Set.

It can never be proven but more than one of the Sets Gamblers took there own lives, after being sucked into the “CLUB” chickanary.

Aspinell was hell of a snob, he even borrowed “MASTERS” to hang on his casino walls no different than the Gold Chains hanging round the neck of welching Bookmakers. in the 1930s.

I was first told what Aspinell was up to, in a little Gambling Club, in Birmingham.in the 60s.

Sitting next to Jack Woolf the Birmingham Great,I witnessed a right stroke, one Sunday night, were a Manchester Card sharp. doctored a Chemmie Shoe, right under the noses of 30 players, all of them shrewed Gamblers in there own right.if we could have filmed the slight of Hand. it would have been unbeleavable.

The scam was called a “Sandwich” nothing to do with the meal introduced into UK Gambling Folk Law by Lord Sandwich in the 18th Centry.who spent so much time at the Tables, that he decided to take his meal with him. so as not to lose his seat.

The 1960 Sandwich resemblance was that it was a block of cards that would produce a run. that benifited the Bank. if so required.

The Birmingham/Manchester Villan however turned the scam on its head this night and produced an 8 timer skinning the bank and all layers, in less than 20 minutes.

Woolf, told me about the Sandwich. and also that the biggest casino. opporators, of “The Clerment Club” have one ready at any time neaded.

When I asked how could you see it coming, he laughed.

As you will never be allowed in the Club you dont nead to know.
All you want to know is “NEVER TAKE ON A LUCKY RUN” it may well be a sandwich.

However John Burke the Irishman, will I am sure divulge the TRUTH.

Cant wait to Purchase THE HUSTLER, a must for anyone interested in the Black pages of Gambling History.

Cubone

Is racing and gambling better off because of the new Transparency rules agreed by Exchanges, or was racing under the old order of Jockey Club control and secrecy from the Bookmaking Industry.better.

There are those who say, laying horses has increased the incedents, of foul play.

Cubone beleaves that it is the transparency now available that makes it seem so, and thats the reason that there has been an increase in Jockeys, being prosecuted for breech of racing rules but is it because the new order, is so transparent that before a race commences, betting paterns leave a foot print that in many cases warns the racing authority to be aware.of possible chickanary.this was very seldom the case in the past.

But what do the British Horseracing Board, do with that information. they watch the races, I assume even more acute. and if they see something that is contary to there rules they take action.

But is there a better way, to control. racing from Skuldugery.

I must take you back to 1924 to a cold typicle Manchester evening, rain, sleet, and smog.
The racing fraternity up from London, for a meeting at Castle Erwell.Racecourse.
The main bar in the Midland Hotel, was crowded with the whos who of the Betting Ring. Thomas Dey, in his grey top coat, was drinking his ussual tipple of Champaign, in his regular position as big spender and Mine Host was Mo Tarsh the well liked London Rails Bookmaker. and his 3 man team.
A great spender was Mo. every face that entered the room was met with “Can I get you a Drink”

This particular evening a relative stranger to Mo. entered, although they had never spoken before it was established that the person was non other than the great Australian Jockey Brownie Carslake.

Although Mo and Brownie were straingers to each other he was quickly invited to join the company.
“What can I get you Brownie.”
On the assumption that every one is equal on and under the Turf,
Brownie responded with a
“Gin and Tonic would do fine”

The two racing men, began a conversation about racing in general. the good spell that the jockey was in at present was then followed with a statement from Mo regarding the Jockeys chance of winning the St Leger, on The Aga Khans Horse Salmon Trout,

“I think that your mount is a very short price considering that he his by The Tetrarch how will he stay the St Leger.distance.?”
The reference to Tetrarch was significant in Mo,s oppinion as it was one of the fastest sprinters ever seen,

Brownie was into his 3rd glass of Mothers Ruin and quite open in his oppinion on the subject.

” I agree with your observation. he doesnt give me the impression that he will stay the St Leger Distance either,”

Although, still only racing aquantances, Mo, was never slow comming forward and made a statement that if heard amongst the racings Heirarachy, would have have given them palpitations.

” Well Brownei if you think it wont stay the St Leger distance why not make a proper Job of it”

The inference was obvious. and he was inviting the Jockey to commit a Fraud.

During the rest of the evening, the party continued in full spead. until late on they broke up and the drinkers returned to there rooms in the hotel.

Those who were in the bar close enough to have heard the conversation, may have been less surprised with the drift of Salmon Trout during the next 2 weeks,from a 4/1 chance to double figeurs,
Rumiors were in abundance, but those not privie to the conversation were still confidant of the horses chance,

Mo himself had been very active in the betting ring,when ever a quote for the horse was requested.

What was up. the murmers had got back to the Aga Khan, who had been asked by his many friends what was wrong with the horse, he in turn had asked his trainer Dickie Dawson, if there was a problem.

“He has never been better” came the reply.

On the morning of the race, the Tom Toms were so loud, that the Stewards of the Leger meetings decided to take there own unilateral stance and call Brownie Carslake into there room.

” Carslake we have strong evedence that there is something amiss with Salmon Trout. your mount in the St Leger and we will be watching you very carefully during the race, If we see anything amiss, you will be on the next boat back to Sidney”

Brownie was gob smacked. he was so shocked that he never said a word.
” You may leave the room Carslake”
The abrupt statement left the Australian Jockey under no illusion as to the severity. of the warning.

It was significant that the last 30 minutes before the big race, Salmon Trout hardened. at the off it was 6/1 tight.with many of those who had followed the drift, now changing there minds as to the outcome.

With 3 furlngs to go, Solly Joels horse the great Polyphontes looked the winner, that was until Salmon Trout with Brownie riding a peach of a race, and certainly staying the distance, .strode clear.

The upshot was that Mo Tarsh after paying massive liabilities. was not seen on a racecourse again for 5 years. when he joined the popular. Rails at Norfolt Park.

The question of what occured that night at the Midland Hotel is still not clear, was it just a conversation, between parties, and had Mo Tarsh a very game and brave Bookmaker decided to take a stand against, Salmon Trout, just on what Brownie had said, or was there something more sinister, involved.
And could it have been that the stewards, intervention had made the Jockey call the whole thing off.or in fact get cold feet.

The question therfore could be raised, would that approuch, by the BHB, our new Jockey Club, work now a days.

Would a rumour as to something being up. in a particular race, be stopped in its track. if serious action was taken, by the Stewards. and instead of just monitoring, dodgy betting activity, and watching the race for evidence. used afterwards.

Call in the Jockey riding the horse that has caused alarm, and warn Him of the concequencies, if there is any breech of riding instructions.

There is no doubt that the Transparency offers the racings rulers a golden opportunity to clean up the game and Betfair must be thanked for that,, but is the BHB missing a golden oportunity, seen by there brothers that day in the St Ledger 83 years ago.

Cubone

A few months ago. I was watching the ATR and RUK, during the afternoon, and I must say I get a little bored, listening to the pundits,
They are in the main nothing but latter day, Prince Monolulu,s the difference, they dont get dressed up.
They know very little about the history of the sport, and do not ussually entertain.
Tipping horses every race can only result in them looking fools.and thats what happens.

I thought like a lot of individuals, “I could do better than them”
The problem was I am 70 years of age suffer with a little dimentia, have one eye that looks the opporsite way than it should but worse of all. I am 4 stone over weight. and at the moment, the game has more than enough of that type. sorry Garry.

The other day, I realised that I have a box full of tales that many seem to enjoy, and have set in motion a BOOK. but it will take years to spell check the thing.
The Tittle “Every one is at it bar the Postmen”
Will require clarification.
The first time I heard the statement was in the 1940,s when my granddad, made the quote.

When I asked him what he ment, he explained that
During the period 1850 to 1900. Information, was dificult to gain,
Pidgeons the best means, but although they would send 3 off with the Chester cup result, only one ussually got through to Hyde Park Corner, were scores of Bookmakers had there Lists, nailed to trees,
It was sometime before a Farmer in the Cotswolds, who was either after the results first or a pidgeon Pie. or even both.was discovered, he never did tell me what happened to Farmer Giles. If they gave him a hard time I always wondered if it was the reason why Famers was a rhyming slang for Hemoroids.

When the results were gained by Telegram,in the late 19th Centry. it looked as if the betting Industry was safe, and they even allowed punters to bet after the result as long as there telegram was ramped and stamped with HM Seal as to the time taken.

At first every thing was above board as the post office workmen were above reprouch.
Hence the saying Every one is at it, BAR THE POSTMAN.
The first breach was at the Henly in Arden High Street,Post Office, the old dear in charge was a 65 year old spinster, who every time she saw an handsome soldier, she fainted.
It wasnt long before a member of the Scotch Gaurds. arrived in full Kit. placed a telegram to his loved one at 5 minutes to 2.0.

Arrived back at 2.10 and requested that he be allowed to add. the words.
“I Love you Aimie and always will”

With the Postmistress swooning all over her shop The soldier, added a 20/1 winner, to his legitamatly timed Telegram.

This was the first breech of the new technolodgy.

And the reference to Postmans Honesty.

I transgress, Whilst waiting for the Book to come out, Why not look for an opportunity in the Racing After Dinner Curcuits,
I am sure I have something to offer.
So if you are an agent, with this type of service,

I will be happy to offer my service, for if John Macrirric, can demend £1500 a night.There is a lot of scope before I reach my price.

With that in mind, I decided to lose weight, and within 2 months I have lost 2 stone. and looking better than at anytime since
Piggott rode Never Say Die.If you ask me how I lost the weight I must say.
Over the last 30 years I have tried every thing, Pills, Sallads, Excersize. even a colonic irogation cleans. but it came to me when I read an old Book.

“Whats goes, through your lips comes out on your Hips. In other words. to lose weight stop eating. as much.

So here I am a slim retired Bookmaker who has seen every stroke ever devised.

So if you are holding a racenight, or a night involving any sport.

Place me on the list of speakers. you will not regret it.

Cubone

CUBONE

Although I am concentrating on my “Special Storie” I thought I better continue with a few tales, from the past.just to keep the blog warm.

During the 70s there was a betting tax, on all bets taken off and on course, and being a non trusted trade, the customs and excize, used every trick to catch tax avasion.

One day at a Greyhound track a customs and excize official over heard a Bookmaker call out a sizeable wager.

“Even £1000 down to Billie.”
He must have made a note of the wager and during an internal meeting got permission to examine the Bookmakers field Book.

During the examination he could find no such wager,

It was decided to make this particular Bookmaker a prime contact for the full works, during the day, the special evasion departement. attended the greyhound track, Empty at the time and placed a tape recorder, on the wooden pole that the Bookmaker would hang his equipment of Odd, Board, and Silver Tray.on.

The next day, the recording showed 5 single wagers of £500 or £1000 that were not in the field Book.

The next week the Bookmaker received confirmation that he was to be prosecuted for tax evasion.

The case, Green v HM Customs and Excise was hilarious to say the least.

The tape recording could not be produced but the transcript could and the word of the Cutsoms Official taken as read.

When asked how he pleaded to the charge, the Bookmaker stated.
NOT GUILTY YOUR HONOUR.

The case revolved arround the 5 bets,
When asked if he had taken the 5 bets in question he stated YES.

“Well how can you plead not guilty to Evasion but admit that you took the bets, that are in dispute.

Well your honour I certainly called those bets out, but they are not real bets, they are ficticious, we in the trade call them
RICK BETS.
They are like an auctionere. when he calls out a bid that is ficticious.

When I am betting and move a price up. the punters ussually wait to see if there is any interest in the new price,
If there is not I would be forced to move the price up again.
So I administer a little exitment by calling out a Rick Bet.

Even £1000 Down to Billie.ussually does the trick.
The clerk knows by the term Billie that is it not a real bet.

The Judge was mesmerized.by the Bookmakers statement.

So are you saying that all these bets down to Billie are ficticious.
Yes your honour.

Right then WHO IS BILLIE.

Billie was my old grandfather who died 30 years ago, and I use his name for his memorie.

CASE DISMISSED.