Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

Over the past 200 years many people have made fortunes by allowing wealthy shrewed individuals. to stand for some of the most amazing cons, in history. one would have thought that a scar from ear to eye would have been a impediment for Victor Lustig, from being a great salesman. a seller of tickets in a numbers racket. perhaps, or even a Bookmakers minder during the Sabini,s racecourse wars, but to convince 5 french scrap metal dealers, that he was the civil servant with permission to sell. the Eiffel Tower, and that they could compete in an open bid, for the right to take the Tower down, as scrap. this was amazing. not content with that part of the scam, he even gave the winning bidder the impression that personally he wasnt paid a great deal. in his job, inviting a bung, for him to give the permission, the best bidder took that as a small invitation for a bung and Victor was duly rewarded, not the only con, in fact, the Eiffel Tower scam was just the best of many, when he died in Alkertraz, the doctor signed his death certificate as Mr Victor Lustig occupation salesman. now thats what you call an understatement.
Who would have thought that years after the Pyramid Confidence scams, of the early 1900s. were Charlie Ponzi had his name writen in the Dictionary, under P for Ponzie Scam, but even that didnt stop. it being repeated by Bernie Madoff, in the 50/90s did it, and only the greatest slump in world trade History,in 2008, caused his demise, the only difference was that Bernard, thought much bigger gaining $50 Billion for his pains, even when the pack of cards collapsed and it was inevitable, that the game was over, like a good father, he took the whole rap. or that is only my humble opion as it hasnt been concluded just yet.but I would be shocked if father hadnt taught his sons, were the skeltons was berried.
Of course,Maxwell. was also a great dad, going for a swim, 2 miles of the Teneriffe coast.
The saying when a game looks to good, to be true, then it is. requires consideration.
How many of you have received a letter from Dr Kakada, a Nigerian confidance trickster emails tries to convince you that he has £20.Million and he as just found out that he has a terminal disease and when drawing up his will. he decided that this money would be better given away to a stranger than his own 3 sons, as the honest loving doctor believes that money could spoil. his sons but not a complete stranger, and thats why he has chosen you. all you have to do is send him just 1% Nigearian tax,s to allow the transfer.to take place. he even has the cheek to say ” I hope you do good things with the Money”
On receiving the email from the good doctor, 99.9% of you read it before throwing it in the bin, but how many have been sucked in allowing GREED to overcome your good scence. but it is a fact that Doc has 3 cars and a great home. from his philanthropy. only 2 years after being unemployed.
And of course how many emails does he send, without any criminal charges being levied in the Bigest lawless country in the world. of the hundreds of thousands of Computor Geeks, who pass there exams with flying colours 33% cant get a job and are sucked into the Computor Clubs and caffs., that are full of expert, stroksters

I read the other day, that this Doctors partner, sends out a million emails, telling the receiver that they have won the European Lottery, and you have 1 week to unlock the unclaimed prize as soon as the European tax laws of 5% are satisfied.
It is alright us clever people, laughing at the request, but better to demand that something is done about,it, as it is our grand parents, that are liable to be caught up in these scams, although I dont know what my Grand Mum Charlette would have done with the Eiffle Tower in her Birmingham High Rise Flat.
When Charlie Ponzi and Bernard Midoff were offering 15% interest, a month, on your investment, were 10% a year was the norm,. the money was lieing. when the 7000 ton of prime steel that was the Eifull French Tower, was being offered, at the rate of only 500 Ton, no hard nosed Scrap Metel Dealer would have stood for that even if the seller had looked like a Pope, never mind Lucky Luciano.
As for winning a lottery that you dont remember entering would have been enough for you to doubt your luck. in that matter dont you think.?
I must admit though that in horseracing many people and I have been one of these people in the past, where as soon as you discover, a great Game. or system, and they are about, you cant help passing it on to friends and relations.
We all suffer with the desease called. “Pat me on the Back Syndrome” 1970. not content with winning, but we have to be seen as a clever bugger. once when sitting in my little office in Bilston a small town 4 miles from Wolverhampton, an old man who I hadnt seen before came into the shop and asked if I took return favourite wagers at the Dogs,
This question raised my eye to the counter, even my assistant at the till looked surprised at the question, it was a bit like going into a green grocers and asking if you sold potatoes,
If he had just writen the bet out, and placed it over the till. I probably wouldnt have even looked at the man,
But the question made me look, one thing led to another, and after he had writen his wager out not a large one, in fact only 3 x £2 Doubles and a £2 Treble three races at Gloscester, Greyhounds, I pretended to take no notice. of this small bet, but as he walked back to wards the door, I gazed at his attire, the sports jacket was best quality, scotch tweed, and wouldnt have looked out of place on my back, and at the time I was known as a snazzy dresser, however the clips, around his ankles giving me the impression he was on a bike just seemed a little OTT, “Over the Top”. no friend of mine, would have a £100 Jacket. and still ride a bike.I thought.
I flew out of the back door, to see him cross the road and slide into the passanger seat of a Red EType Jag.
Could he be an Eccentric gambler. who liked to wear his old trouser clips, or was it an attempt to pull the wool over my eyes.
The car roared off towards the town, and in the distance I saw the rear breaking light like come on, that ment he was stopping around were Ladbrokes had a shop.
On my way home I stopped off at Ladbrokes, and popped in to speak to there young counter assistant who I knew personally.
“Sally have you taken a dog bet in the last 15 Minutes for Gloscester”,
“Yes a 3 x £50 Double and a £50 Treble, £200 stake.
“He only started betting with us, last week and he has won 4 times out of 5″.
I have been told to phone his bets up to the head office in future for them to be monitored..
I called out the 3 races that my Bike friend had had with me and it was confirmed that they were the same races.
On the way home I thought it out.
Why would a punter dressed in great cloths, and arriving in a top class car, try to deceive me about his clips. why would he come all the way down to my shop. with £2 bets when Ladrokes would have taken the extra £8 on there bet without question.saving him the extra trip.
I am not saying the deceit was in the class of Bernie Midoff, but I felt it was worth a follow up. investigation.
The 45 Minute drive form Bilston to my Thatched Cottage in the heart of Worsestershire, broke the door to door record, first made at the birth of my first child, when he was placed in an oxegen tent just to give him a little assistance.
This was certainly not the same urgency,as that time but I still broke the record, arriving home in 43 minutes, I had a job to do, that I thought worth while.
After a glass of sweet sherrie and a cheese sandwich, I was back on the M5 on my way past Tewksberry. and on to Gloscester Greyhound Stadium.
I didnt have to wait long for the 3rd race. the first on the slip.
500 yards sprint.
I was in the bar, scoffing a lovely Single Vodka and Coke. plus ice, as it was a very warm evening.
When I noticed the betting there was a clear favourite, 7/4 5/2 bar one.
No problem ther, my little wager actually had £6 running on the favourite. just a bread and butter wager that bookmakers take every day of the week, but my mind still had questions to resolve.
I walked back to the bar to finish my drink and to watch the race.
At the first bend the favourite in Trap 2, tried to go up the running rail. when a much bigger dog in trap one decided that was were he wished to go also, within a few seconds you could see what was about to happen,
The favourite was last seen doing a somersalt. over the running rails and out of the race,
I was at the track so I may as well enjoy the rest of the evening so perhaps I was wrong about any tricky buisness.there dindt appear any untowards with this wager I thought.
Only 5 Bookmakers in a very cramped enclosure,
4 of which I could see were of the smaller type. and the other seemed to dominate the ring. with his powerfull personality.
For every wager taken it was clear that he took, 4 for all the others 1.
He not only dominated the ring it was clear that he was either crackers or just loved to be controversial.
He arrived in the betting ring after the other Bookmakers had been betting for some time, during this period they hardly took a bet, probably because there prices were very restrictive.
As soon as Mr Big arrived at his pitch the betting ring seemed to come a light.
What had been, 7/4 2/1 5/2 markes he was betting 3/1 ever dog. 5 runners, he seemed to be laying all the dogs, I thought I wish I had a pitch at this track, it was a gold mine.
This race was the second part of my little wager, and I was interested, although only a £2 double still running on, I was still watching for anything out of the ordinary. I moved a little closer, to the action, wondering what would be favourite.of the 5 runners,
As the traps opened his prices were clear and in fact where still on his board as the winner trap 5 passed the post. the win was 3/1 but so were every other dog.
My mind began to spin there was something about this Bookmaker that didnt seem right. I had seen some Bookmakers over the years that seemed to be only a little away from stand up comedians, and it was part of the game entertainment, and nothing wrong with a Bookmaker joining in the fun of the fair.
But this man, seemed to be taking it. a little way passed what was the accepted way.
His shout was as loud, as Snuffy Long a Bookie from the ealy 1900s, called Snuffie because he shovelled the brown powder up his noes, in a silver spoon. getting less than 50% up his hooter and the rest all over the lapels of his overcoat, every third race he would slap his coat clearing all the surplus snuff into the sky being, devoured by all the punters standing close at hand, making half of Birmingham passive Snuff addicts. after the war, he would offer any person in uniform, a free £5 wager, causing the local Army and Navy Outfitters to run out of Royal Air Force Berets,
When he moved to the officer class with a free bet, Horne Brothers the Birmingham New Steet top quality outfitters had a run on any Medal, except Vc,s as they were a little ostentacious. Snuffy thought.
I raise the Snuffy topic to show what this Gloscester Bookmaker was competing against and making a good job of it..
I waited a while and walked up to the Bookmakers clerk after his gaffer had vacated the pitch for the bar, and asked him what price the last winner was,
3/1 Favourite Sir.
I walked up to the bar, and joined the Eccentric Oddball. all I could hear was Chick this and Chick that, they all seemed to be overawed by the man, but that could have been, the fact he seemed to buy all the drinks required. and we were now at race 7.
I had got through 2 Vodka and Cokes, and that was enough for me.
“Chick can I get you a drink,” I offered. this complete stranger.
The laugh that came out of the man, would have scared all the runners parading for race.
Thats the first time someone has bought me a drink since Golden Miller won the Gold Cup a reference to a Cheltenham, great 25 odd years prior.
Every one laughed out loud I just smiled.
“Thanks Kid” his double scotch was downed in a gulp.
I was getting a little concerned
I had estimated that with one winner the bet had now become a £8 win going on the last race nothing but it was how the prices were returned, no one seemed to know what was favourite I would have to watch this race very carefully, to prove or disprove, the concern I was begining to feel about the track and there betting arrangements,in fact the whole episode.
As I walked back outside. to the betting ring Chick was in fill flight.
“Gather round, real top prices, any one know the winner”
3/1 the field. every runner all the satelite Bookies arround him were copying Chick, like counterfitters,
What ever price he offered they would do the same, at one time I noticed the ring offering 7/2 every runner. still good value for the Bookmakers at just 10% profit.
I got a little closer to the action yet again, and asked the Bookmaker what he thought would be favourite, after a slight glance towards me, I was ignored,
I decided to ask for a bet, £20 bet on the Return Favourite, and it was taken in a flash.
“£20 Win Return Fav, “KID” no ticket was offered or even requested, I walked away, not knowing which Dog I was on. this betting stunk, I wasnt sure what was happening but I was certain something was.
The race was indeed a very competative one, with 4 of the runners, passing the post, together,
I walked to a position, behind the Bookmakers, watching what was taking place.
It was then that a bolt from the sky hit me in the midriff, I was speachless, behind Chick Sayers joint was a white haired elderly gent. about 50. emaculatly dressed only the Bike Clips missing.
After a while I joined the Bookmaker in the bar, not until I was sure the Silver Fox had gone..
As I walked to the bar, Chick. gave me £80. £60 winnings and my £20 stake, wrapped in a strong elastic band I placed it in my pocket with a “Thank you”
No need to ask for an explanation. the winner was obviously Favourite.
It then struck me that although I had watched a scam, in the last two races, It dawned on me that in the first race, of doubls and trebles, that I had taken in my shop. I had never questioned as to the price of the winner in the earlier race. i had just assumed that the 7/4 was the fav, but that was before Chick had started to join the other Bookmakers,for that race. what happened afterwards I do not know.
My mouth began to become dry, I was licking my lips to get some moisture.
I just made a quick calculation, 3 times £2 Double at 3/1 and a £2 Treble would be £224. less my £60 that I had won the last race was a net loss of £164.
I was sick I had been close to a very clever betting coup. knew there was something up. and thats why I was choked I had not been told what price the first winner was I just knew that I had been duped.
Back in the bar, I was called over by Chick, and asked if I wanted to join him for what he called a session, it was obvious that he loved a drink, I only hoped that he was not driving.
Although I didnt seem to be to concerned about the welfare of the cunning Fuck,
He had conned me out of over £150. and I was less than pleased.
I wasnt going to waist any time with small talk..
I waited for an opening, and I let rip.
I showed him my little betting slip and asked him how they had fared.
After a few seconds he confirmed my fears.
“They have all won kid 3 winning favs.”
Chick I am only a little one man band. and a bet like this will skin me if I keep taking them,
However I am not pleased to be conned, with your little scam, I dont mind what you get up to. I know that this game of ours is Dog eat Dogs, so to speak, so I intend to get my money back. one way or another.
Chick never turned a hair,
Dont worry I will tell the Silver Fox, not to draw the winnings, how will that suit. you.
How he had the control of the starting prices was simple enough when I was told that every race the Starting price assessor would confirm with Chick what was the prices, he had been the assessor for the course for 40 years and in his last few years before retirement, they two had decided on a penshion fund for the old guy.
Ok next week if you have a similar wager tell the Silver Fox to leave me out and you can phone me. direct.and I will get any bets you want on in the black country,
Chick laughed ” is that what you call him Silver Fox”
By the way I still dont know what price the first one was I dont like to ask.
Chick still smiling asked me to guess what price it was.

3/1 Favourite
He never looked up.
“A Double Scotch. and a Double Vodka and Coke. Mary and have one yourself” the bar girl. was pleased to serve him, she was getting more in tips off Chick than she was in wages all night.

That little wager of £2 Stakes started a friendship that lasted 20 years. and as the man has since moved to the Great Betting Ring in the Sky. I will let our business arrangements remain. as intended just buisness..
But what I will say is that Money tells the truth. but only 95% of the time.
I will conclude by telling you I was once told a very telling statement, when only a lad of 12 years,

“KID if someone tells you that it is raining outside, It doesnt take much trouble to pull back the curtens open the window and put your hand out,

Cubone..

For all punters this is the time of the year were they should get out there betting boot,s and become a Plunger. doubling up your stakes, the reason is simple and it is the the Going.
Let me explain more fully. in the UK there are 59 races courses, every one different some right handed left handed, non the same, even the all weather courses are different in texture and form.others so you must look at horses that suit or like that certain course. it is therefore the reason why during the winter, spring or autumn, it is Bookmakers, time, but the summer is Punters time.
The reason is the going. with the firm, surface the form, is consistant or as consistant as you can ever except.
This is why horses come out again and again, and run up a sequence of wins in no time what so ever.
In fact from tomorrow, I will place horses on this blog, every day, inviting readers to make a note of there names and there prices at the time of the thread.
We will then look at the % of profit and loss, over the month of June, 2009. and see if we show a profit at equal stakes, of course to gain the best prices you would need accounts with all the 14 internet Bookmakers, operating on Oddscheckers.com most will be horses between 10/1 and 100/1 all will be level stakes at Eachway,
I will guarantee you get a tremendous run for you money and can expect some very big priced winners. before june 31st certainly at Royal Ascot.
Good Luck.

Cubone.

All through the history of gambling there have been people born so clever that they never lose. people like William Jagger who in the late 1800s,studied the wheel in his local casino. he discovered to his amazement that after many spins it showed a definate advantage within a run of 12 months he won a fortune, first glimse I had of an advantage of a advantage taker was in the early 1950, when a family friend who happened to be Billy Hill, that wasnt his real name it was Tom Garrett, it was a coincident that he was operating on British Racecourses the same time as William Hill, the worlds biggest off course bookmaker, and of there was also Billy Hill a crafty cockney.who came to fame when taking it out of Jack Spot, with a knife, I was at Stratford one day and mentioned Garrett. when the Racecourse owner who also owned Uttoxeter, stated that he had a painting of the Uttoxeter course with a big picture of Billy Hill, he was not best pleased when I explained that the William Hill who he was getting mixed up with, never bet outside at this course,
Tom Garrett was a one off, he called every one “my old Cock Sparrow” imaculate in dress with a 3 caret diamond on his pinkey, and one of similar size, in his Tie.
I was in the Feathers Hotel, with my father at Ludlow and was asked to go to Toms room, as we were giving him a lift to the course, he was ready but had about £200 on the table and he seemed to be shuffling it into some order,
He beckoned me over and told me to watch what he was doing.
He was looking at every note and placing the number on the note, in order taking the last diget of evens on the top. and if the last number was odd, on the bottom..
Why are you doing that I queried.?
This is a trick that I do from time to time, he explained, If I want a gamble with someone, I put my hand in my pocket and fetch out a note that is even, number, as the last in sequence.
I then call out last number, ODDS or evens, do you know that when I do it, it is 4/1 on that there called will repeat what I call out first, so odds louder than evens would stimulate the caller into repeating odds. as no one ever calls Evens first, after a while the punter will try a reversal it is then that he changes the number in his pocket.
When I told my dad what I had seen I was told to ignore him he is an advantage taker like card counters, he has a million tricks up his sleeve,
I was shocked over the next few years I was told new tricks that he had come up with, he would sit in a bar, and if there was some loud, individual who wanted a bet, he would bet him a £1 that he didnt know any song word perfect, one mistake they lose,
After a few drinks every one loves a sing song but very few no all the correct words, i have seen people gather round to beat him. I have also seen people play darts, with him, and he would demand to space out the distance ,he believed that by placing even a very good dart player 2 ft closer to the board, it would take them a considerable time to rejust.and by them he would win as he always played at the shorter distance.in his home.
This is the person that I once saw, play a game of Table Tennis with a Scotsman, for £10,00 having watched him, playing a few games with his friend.,
Garrett then challenged him, the best of 3 games. and he would use a frying pan that he had borrowed from the Hotel kitchen.
The noise every time he played a shot was hilarious, and quite a large crowd congregated to watch the outcome.
In any game he played he won, the reason was clear, he had balanced the true odd against him losing.
When he once played a game of golf against a newbie he had already handicapped him self. and knew within a shot or two what score he would get, just using a hockey stick. there was no way he was going to over shoot or go out of bounds he just played within his tested guide lines, he could knock the ball 60 yards dead straight and his opponent was all over the place.
When I read a book about Amarillo Slim Preston,I was surprised that this great card player did the very same tricks when he was bored playing Evil Knevel in a game of Golf using a Hammer, Snooker using a broom handle. and never lost it was those who thought he was just having a bit of fun were wrong it was deadly serious “Slim” had thought out the true odds and bet accordingly. he knew were the edge was.
Later when I was a regular casino. guest, I was fascinated that there always seemed certain players who seemed to win. every game they played.it was some time when my father told me he was a counter, I had no idea what a card counter did,
When did these people gain such a skill. it appeared that the jewish wiz kid Jess Marcum, caused Havok in the Las Vagas casino.s right under the noes,s of the Maffia. now that takes some guts. cool as a cucumber, he never panicked even when taken into the Kitchen, by the heavy bomb.his game was Black Jack, and he could control his stake to gaurantee himself a 3% profit on a very large stake Jess Ira Marcovitch, became a genius,
Why did he win so much money, simple he was,not a blabber mouth he had discovered a massive edge and kept it to himself. for many years.
Other great card counters, have ruled for a period, followed by teams, of players, linked to ingenius contraptions, telling them when and how to bet.
Stu Unger could play cards, alright, winning the Poker, World Championship 3 times, but when playing other card games like Black Jack he loved to tell his apponents what cards were left not very clever that.not for someone with a massive edge.but it appeared Stu got bored very easily.
But was Jess the first card counter, certainly not it has been reported that in the Battle of the Somme,WW1.
A canadian private, won every penny, that was placed on a blanket in front if him, over days of play., unfortunatly although he told many of his close friends what he did, and how he did it, they do not appear to have brought the knoledge back after the war. and most of there letters finished up in the Mud.
When Tom Garrett died at the ripe age of 86 he left my Brother a packet of playing cards they were not anything special. just an old worn out pack, I used to play with them from time to time with the kids, it was whilst picking them up from the floor on a request from my wife to be more tidy. I could not but notice that there appeared to be a slight indentation of the cards in the middle and a dip at the top edge, I had never noticed this imperfection before after looking closer and shuffling the pack, I could see that they had been shaved not very much however the high number cards were slightly in at the middle so when cutting the full pack it was odds on that you would draw a high number and if cutting the pack at the top it would draw a low number that was the first time I saw a Pack of Shavers. But all gamblers would love an honest edge it is a very powerful thing that a gambler dreams of finding a system known only to himself that wins every day, the best known winner, was Charles Wells, fat bald with a vulgar accent, he was born in Hertfordshire, at an early age he was a con man, and it wasnt long before he set up a buisiness, selling patients. non of them worked but he obviously had the gift of the gab, running from his creditors, he went to France and with the money he had accumalated, he started to play in the casino,s Roulette.room.
He certainly had a gamblers brain plowing it on when in a lucky run and pulling in when out of form, from 1 minute after opening to 5 minites after closing he would play.in the Casino.
No 5 was his lucky number and when he felt like it he would pepper the number with all the sections arround it, betting to the Casinos Limits. on every section of the bet. more than once he broke the bank for a spell he could do no wrong. at one period the bank had to close, placing a black carpet on the table as Broken the publicity for Wells and the Casino was amazing.
On the streets women would ask to touch his sleeve, so some luck coul rub off,the publicity brought a rush on the casino with people pushing and shoving to get a place to watch him play,
They would even just ask the croupier to place there chips in the same numbers as Wells, clogging the wheel up.
Like all good stories it had to come to an end, no one has ever found out how he lasted so long. and won so much money over a period of play.
Once the luck changed he ran back to England and was prosecuted for False Pretence. from the many patients that he had sold, all worthless.
There was a sigh when the Judge gave Wells 8 years, and many people today still wonder what he had that allowed him so much luck.
Even today the song that was writen in his honour, is still sung at parties and functions. and goes like this.
“Ive Just got here through Paris, from Sunny Southern Shores,
To Montie Carlo I went,
Just to raise my winters rent,
Dame fortune smiled upon me she,d never done before,
And Ive now such louds of money, Im a gent, Yes Ive now such louds of money im a gent.
As I walk along the Bios Boolong. with an independant air You can here the girls declare.
He must be a millionare, you can hear the sigh and wish to die, you can see them wink the other eye.
At the man who broke the bank at Montie Carlo.

Thats what gambling is all about every one would love to just gamble and Win. and will never believe that it cant be done because you will always find one person here and there who disproves those who say every Gambler dies Broke.

Good Luck to all Gamblers.

Cubone

Of all gods, gifts, that you have been given, I feel the greatest, is the ability to breath, from the moment that you get that slap on your arse, by some beautiful, mid wife, or like a friend of mine by a taxi driver, on the M1 Lidyatte Ash Service station, if you are fortunate, you will inhale lovely clear air, throughout your allotted 3 score and ten years,
In my case, I am now past my allotted time and using up time that some unfortunate, individual. was short changed of.
Have I been grateful,? no I cant say I have been,
From day one I have abused that wonderful gift , in many ways, usually by over eating, stretching my internal organs.
Could it have been the lack of food, in the early few years, or to put it blindly could it be that I am just one great fat slob.
I certainly wasn’t fat when born I was fit, slim, and roaring from the the off, breast fed, I was warm clean, and always smelt like a baby. should smell old milk.
the first hint that I had of impending trouble, was when at the age of 4 I decided to swallow, a full pine apple ring, without even one bite.
My dear mother, dropped me on the kitchen floor in panic, and ran out of the house, screaming.
I can only assume that in the great scheme of things someone had better plans for me than to choke at that moment, so who would my mother bump into within 50 yards from the front door, but a 6ft Irish, Nurse on her way home from, a 14 hour shift.
Within a moment she had me hanging upside down, like a xmas eve chicken on display at the corner shop.
The right upper cut from nurse Flanagan would have done Jersey Joe Walcott, the united states boxing champion, proud, out came the pine apple ring, ice cream and all. allowing that wonderful function of breathing to continue for another 70 years.
That was an important lesson one that I never forgot because ever since I chew my food, the required amount of time, looking for bones in all hidden places from fish supper,to chicken kiev I would check, for danger.
One such incident occurred again, however but that I assume was a plant, unexpectedly my loving father had placed a brand new threepenny bit, hidden in a large portion of xmas pud. fortunately though, my wind pipe was wide enough to take a chicken leg, never mind a coin of the realm.
Every day that passed I made sure that my breathing was spot on, running to school. and back kicking anything that moved along from tin can, to a small ball.
I always knew that I was a sprinter from my very first school sports day, I realized that 60 yards, was the maximum, distance I could run, flat out even when playing my beloved sport of soccer, I was what my father described as an opportunist, ignoring the fact that I was a very fast, center forward,
After that surge and shot at goal, i used to hide for 5 minutes, getting my breath back again, but I thought that was what every center forward did,never at any time did I think I may have a problem, if I ever needed to run for a bus, that was 200 yards away I would catch the next.so what was wrong with that.
Even when playing cricket I was either out first ball or got a quick 30 all boundary,s with no need to run.
One day when I was in my teens, I was in a night club, drinking with my great friend, a Jewish boy the same age, in came two students, from the local university, you could see by there complexion and shape they were sports blues. we struck up in conversation, .although it may have been the two lovely girls they had with them that was the attraction and not the square rout of 58.
Before long, my little pal was challenging the biggest of the two to a running race not for himself but against me, I had become known as a great sprinter, amongst late night drinkers.
The laugh when 100 yards was mentioned more in derision than anything else, I was being sucked into a race well out of my comfort zone.
A walk to the toilet I noticed that it was raining cats and dogs, outside, on my return, I thought the last thing I wanted to do was run against the midland cross country champ at anything over 85 yards.
Come on then my friend remarked put your money were your mouth is,
He was the only child of a very wealthy business man, who like all Jewish fathers, well certainly the ones I knew, spoilt there children rotten.
Come on then he continued £10. winner take all.
This certainly impressed the two girls, and that was his plan.all along.
We were both surprised when the two sports men, rummaged in there pockets and produced there stake.
My friend pulled me towards him, with a smile that I understood at once. ok I said, and proceeded to take off my coat, role up my trousers, and walk towards the front door of the club.
How far, the runners friend inquired,
How about to the school and back, before I had time to gulp. Master Rubin, gave me a wink that was sufficient, for me to understand the plan without him having to spell it out on black board.
As soon as the chosen one took his coat off, even at 85 yards I would have been an outsider of two.
His legs, had more muscles than a trawler-mans fish supper.
As the door opened, both the girls ran back inside squealing and giggling, come on girls you get out of the wet and get yourself a fresh drink. the cunning little Yidish had two plans going at once.
My friend will give you 1 minute start, no dont bother with any start the student was full of confidence.
Talking to the runners backer, he told him to follow the runners to see that there is no cheating. make sure that the full distance to the gates and back.
As the door of the club was opened we were away,, the lad was off like the proverbial scalded cat, followed by his friend dashing between thunder claps, to get his car, to act as referee,
I was pulling my trouser legs down before he disappeared round the corner and up the bristol; road..
My friend plucked the £20 stake out of his pocket and declared the student as the winner.
It was over 45 minutes before both students arrived back wet through. the runner would not have blown out a candle.he was not even breathing heavily.
The £10 loss was sufficent to allow us both the time to arrange a day out alone with the girls,at some later date, some late night supper, perhaps, a smack and tickle. a Birmingham saying for fun and games but not the sort, the students appeared to excel at.
My breathing still was never put to the test. at all times, I realized that all you required was to breath in and out, to live and I was more than grateful just for that.
I cant say that at the time in Birmingham the general consumption of the air around me was dirty smog in the winter every were, we had pea soups, it was impossible to see more than your hand in front of you. that’s something that you today can never imagine, just think, you are walking out side and it was impossible to see any car,
closer than 5 inch in front.of you.
Even at home it appeared that the fog was in the kitchen both parents were smokers, so that the unknown problem of passive smoking never raised.its ugly head.
Unfortunately for both my mother and father, they could never do a great deal of harm, to me as they both died at very young ages, from smoking related disease.
Never at any time had cigarette smoke, been inhaled into my pure lungs, although working in 1960 betting Shops not the greatest environment.
In 1975 the occupation of of Betting Office manager was given up in exchange to the same game but the outside, fresh air, type,come rain wind and snow. it was great, sometimes I felt like a deep sea fisherman, I remember a period when I had to hold my racing umbrella with one hand and the other to take bets, but it was still a delight. to be there.
I don’t remember ever having a sniffle up to the age of 60. when I was pursueded to take a flue jab, that year I had my first bout of flue.
5 years ago, I started to find it difficult to breath late at night, mostly in the winter, several visits to my GP. who did not find any problem.
one morning I had a panic attack that reminded me of the day I had the half of a pine apple down my throat.
I dashed to the doctors, and although I had been given a special appointment I sat out side his door fighting for breath as the door opened he called out someones name not mine I could take it no more diving past the next in line I fell to the floor, within 1 minute the doctor had a tube in my arm, and an ambulance outside the front door.
For the next 5 days I had every single test, known to man or beast, conducted.
They tested every part of my body, and came up with
“You are Asthmatic”
Asthmatic I thought they must be joking accept for the 1 round I had with Nurse Flanagan, I have never had a problem, until now, I told him I was a sports lover who played soccer until I was in my 40s. once being picked in front of Alex Harley. the Scottish International. and Manchester City/Birmingham city center forward, for the final of some Sunday soccer team.
No Said the Specialist, “You have always been an asthma sufferer.
But I have never suffered with breathing I stated,, “yes that is possible,”
But your body has never been taxed past your capacity, I bet you never ran a marathon.
So as I sit here with my Tortoise for company. both of us, taking small little breaths, I ponder the future, at least I have an inhaler, he doesnt,but then again, he sleeps from November the 1st until March the 31st. every year, I couldn’t do that missing Cheltenham.
The only people who will be happy with my announcement are Ladbrokes the largest bookmaker in the World, when they look in there anti post book they will see, a £50 bet for me to reach the year 2037. at the fine odds of 500/1 at one time the price had shortened to 125/1 but I had noticed a steady drift back to 500. over the last few years I cant be accept that they have my doctor straightened.

Ho well like my grand father once told me “every one is at it bar the postman”

Night God Bless,

Cubone

lata night,

I must have to admit that I have used the word, over time. and even allaberated with statements like,
Im having some real bad luck at present. must have run over a black cat, or even a nun. but if you think what real bad luck means to some people in the world, you would never jest, or even dwell on the subject.
I like to be happy to take the middle road, not having to rely on luck in any shape or form as luck can be very fickle,
Can you look back at a period, in your life were you were very close to a disaster, and survived was luck involved in any way. to think that there is such a thing, then you would have to agree with the concept of devine order of some sort.
So what is Fate.as a force ,principal or power that predetermines events some lucky and others not so.
The folk law tale of a man who dreamed that his wonderful horse would one day kill him
He decided to make sure that would not happen so he killed it.
Many years later whilst tending his field, without the horses assistance, he tripped on the skull of his old horse causing blood poisoning and his death.
I have always wondered that in gambling if there was some ultermate being like a God. who sits at some great table passing judgment upon all those on earth.
Would have his work cut out at the time of let us say the grand national. were he would be receiving many calls for help with a little luck usualy favourite backers,to lift there selection, over the last fence and victory and at the same time a lesser amount of calls from Bookmakers asking to save there profits, you would think that the mass would prevail. but through history, to many happening occur that makes one think that good luck is in the hands of a lucifer, type, who pass,s Luck on to a few only to take it away at some future date.
So we come back to the question what would be best,
I would be happy to rely on well thought out strategy hard work and planning. and leave Luck to those who do not wish to work as hard.
Some old sayings however like
“The work of youth is a blanket for the old”
What about the many millions who forsake holidays in there youth, for a comfortable old age, have found there well planned pension fund, to have been descimated by powers out of there control
“Money is as safe in a Bank” well it would have been safer in your fridge in some used kipper box.
The saying that a wish may give you to much, to handle. can be considered by the tale of a widow of 59 who won the European Lottery of £50 Million. she thought her life was going to be one long battle to survive,before her win.
However her three sons, were given there share of her fortune which started a war that gave her so much, trouble her life was no longer worth living.
She moved with what she had kept of her fortune met a man her own age, who conned her out of what was left. leaving her were she began.
a lonly old lady with nothing.
There is a thought that a continual struggle is the thing that keeps you lean and mean.
Waking every morning ready for a fight to survive, working on the assumption you will always be able to earn enough to eat,but never to much to get fat.
But that was alright when you lived in a cave and all you required was some food, for your belly and the food was ussually wrapped in a fur, that would keep you warm. at night.
How we have built up the massive expenditure we need just to survive is a mystery what on earth do we need some of the luxuries, that surround us,
Even the news papers that I collect, every morning is exactly the same in content so why on earth do I have 2.
What is best to leave your children, cash, or the history of all the mistakes that you made in your life, so that perhaps just one may save them from making a similar error.
I know that the children would say give us the money and we will make our own mistakes. and I guess there is a lot who will agree with that.
I will have to think that one out a little more.
Sayings like “there is no such thing as bad publicity.” and yet what about.
“jail follows publicity” which one is true.
as a Gambler i like the poem by Rudyard Kipling. IF. I have taken my favourite parts out to follow when I can

If you can keep you head, when all about you are losing there,s. If you can trust yourself, when all men doubt you. But make allowances for there doubt. If you can wait and not get tired, by the waiting.
If you can dream and not make dreaming your master.
If you can meet triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters the same, or watch things you give your life to be broken. and stoop and build em up with worn out tools.
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss.
If neither foe or loving friends can hurt you. If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and every thing thats in it, and which is more
You will be a man my SON.
I can understand what he says, but if you consider that he lost two of his 3 children before they were out of there teens, he was a Man.
Although I have never believed in the Bollux about Better to be a Lion for just one day than a Sheep for all of eternity.
This is were I differ, that Lion only had one day. so he never had chance to see if he had made a mistake, and as for Rudyard, his phyosophy of taking all you have gained and putting it on one final spin. is what I call Chasers, and that is what anyone should avoid. at all times..

I like the tale by Alex Bird who lost all he had won in his early days and he stopped got his breath back lowered his expectation and started a plan of 1 year to get his flout or stake back. then start again.

I am adamant that the only way to gamble is to Trade, a % that reduces the Gamble to a gauranted win, and following the answer made by Lord Rothchild when asked how he made his fortune in shares,
“I always allowed someone else to earn a pound as well as me”

So what have we learned from my sermon.

That it is all ways better to live to fight another day. than join the millions who went for one giant Killing.

The final statement that I laughingly disagree with is.

We are all level on and under the TURF. I admit we are closer to the surface than in the past but level I think not.

Cubone.

If you selected any high street and spoke to 100 who admitted that they loved a gamble over 80 would say that they thought horseracing was BENT.
Of the twenty left. they would refuse to say what they did for a living.
But is this fare.????

I have decided to take a look at the amount of horseraces, that take place and the amount that cause concern. regarding integrity.
My findings you may find contraversial but you cannot deny my findings. are correct.
The horseracing industry is built on advantage, ever since a handicap system was introduced any trainer who had gamblers amongst his clients, will agree there will be horses at some time in there development, that will require an easy introduction, to a certain race. and it is fare to say that they are non tryers take 2 year old,s for instance there is no way, any trainer would sanction this type of runner being given a very hard introduction. and knockrd about even the authorites in charge of racing know this and give this practice a blind eye.
That just makes common scence so anyone who backs a horse first time out in a 2 year old event and finds his selection being handled tenderly. and not actually being ridden out to gain its best position in that race. and therefore contary to Racings rules. but they would be stupid to claim racing in that perticular case.was dishonest.
Would a horse that drifts alarmingly, in the betting and then fails to run within a stone of its expected form. be evidence of a non trier, I think not. there may be certain things that you must not overlook, you watch a horse in the parade ring, then on its way to the start, and certainly at the start itself, this requires a fresh think, for instance if I was a backer and it took 20 ex minors, to get the the brute in the stalls, the last thing I would wish to do, would be to trust it with any of my hard earned. I once remember when I had my very first betting shop in Birmingham 1958 3 years before the High Street Gambling revolution. all we had for information was a little black box on the wall of my smoky betting office.
If there were 50 in the shop. the 50 would be looking at the Box for divine help. and talking to it.
Perhaps they were practicing for the times that they could shout, at the jockeys, on TV. not yet, allowed in shops. the conversation between Punter and little Box, was “He never tried and inch” “They should nick Lester for that ride” ” He will have to leave the back window of his roller open tonight” hinting that a big brown envelope would be winging its way onto the back seat.
But this was just a little black Box. and the commentators, had been no doubt given instructions to make the race interesting, no different to these reality programs, on TV today, so that unless a horse had fallen, all the finishers seemed to be grouped together, over the last fence.or during the last furlong of the flat.race every one who had placed a bet, were happy for the full 5 minutes of a Grand National. except as I said the fallers. at no time do I ever remember hearing a horse being a jump behind. TV opened a new dimension, you could actually become a sofa, jockey, telling you chosen one when to start his run, I have heard many a “NOT YET LESTER” on many occasion.
The first time I noticed this minor point, however was in the 50s, only that dammed Box, I had placed my last Tosheroon ( 2 shillings and Sixpence) on a double one had won at 9/1 and the other came with a late run, at 20/1 the commentary was to much for me, I dashed into the little toilet outside, I could still hear with the window open and I was informed that my selection was still there at the last, fence. along with 5 others.
“They pass the post together” the commentator cried. out. “Its a photo.” 15 minutes later, the result came through. this I assumed was the time when Boots, did the Printing.
Winner 1 second 3 and third 8. my horse was not mentioned this created a stomoch pain that remained with me until the next day when I asked how far my horse had been beaten a friend who had been at the racecourse told me about 15 lenths, was that proof racing was bent, of course not, but you will have to believe me when I say there was a time during this period, when I thought so, and the loss of my £20. plus, perhaps justification. the pain never realy went away and preperation H could not help either.
Prosecution of jockeys, over the years so, small in number, concidering that it proves either they the authority, policing the sport, must have been sipping to many large pims, instead of gazing through there bins. (Binoculars)
But hang on a bit some of the courses that I attended at this time like Shirley Pony,s South Midlands. for instance, I have seen 5 horses go behind a Wooded area before the last bend, in what seemed ages before the Favourite, came away clear.and on his own, I once remarked why it took so long for the runners to do the last furlong, , much longer than the time to get there my Dad said, they are tossing to find who they want top win.
Another point that may have painted my early disbelief regarding racing and honesty.
My Grand Dad, would arrive at my house for Grand National Day, were we would congregate around our little radio. he would give all the children, a new 5 penny bit for a free bet. it was 1947 and I was 10. as we listened to the Big Race my horse was clear I will never forget the commentary, “As they approuch the Melling Road, it is Lough Conn. clear. as they approuch the last two my god whats this coming fast, its Caughoo” It had won so easy the radio commentator stated that he looked so fresh that he could have gone arround again . I actually cried, and my mother, told them I must never have a bet again.
Later that night my father returned from Aintree were he had been working, as a Tic Tic.for a Bookmaker.
Had a good day, Dad, yes great result the Big Race Son,
I told him of the free bet, and my selection and the fact that it was clear at the Melling Road. Yes said Dad, I had noticed Caughoo his jockey, was drinking a scotch, and soda given him by a punter, after he had been unseated first time around, that was before he remounted and joined the race. of course I started to cry again. I was never a good loser. but this gave me a bad start, when trusting racing you may think.
If I look back a little further in time to mid 1800,s Shrewsbury, no longer a racecourse there was an incident were 3 well known and respected Gentlemen Riders, asked the Clerk to the Course if he could help them with there Xmas Shopping by creating a new race specialy for them, as they had all had a dybolical run. and were without funds,
A race was introduced and the terms, displayed
A NEW RACE The Welter Handicap. of 5 sov each, with 20 sov added. for 3 year olds and upwards, Gentlemen Riders, Jockeys 5 lb extra,the winner to be sold 50 Sovs. Event over 1 mile. £10 prize to the winner, any profeshional rider to carry 5 lb Extra weight.
After some cock up the Clerks son allowed a further entrant, to run.
When the Gentleman Riders found out that not only was there 4 runners, in the race non other than George Fordham, champion jockey. had been invited by the owner to ride his horse.
Non of the Gents must have been very bright for it took 10 minutes before the ex Etonian, come to the conclusion, “Never mind we will LET HIM WIN”,
At the start the horse Tom Sayer, and his jockey Fordham, who had been backed from 4/1 to odds on, began to play up.
No stalls at this time,, so it was a flag start, THERE OFF
After two furlongs, the Shrewsbury 3, looked at each other and then looked for George, and then realised that he had not only been left but had gone the oppersite way.,
These 3 Gentlemen Captain Little, Captain Townley, and Mr George Ede. had not become so respected, without believing in Fair Play.so they returned back to the start, only a gent would do that.
What could the starter do, nothing, only try again. I wont bother to relay the result. but will say that the betting ring, the owner of Tom Sayer came out of the bar. to see what price his not very good,horse was, as he had never won a race he was fed up of backing it. but was still interested.
What price my horse Hodgeman he called out, Hodgeman leading Bookmaker of the time, stated evens, Mr Priestly. EVENS, you must be joking well if you wish to lay me 2/1 I will take the bet. off you.
So in the most crooked race in history, the owner, had to pay an arranged fee to the Jockey, if he won. and layed it to lose.he also failed to get a bid at the auction that followed. not the most succesfull coup on record well at least it wasnt for this owner.

But this was to far back in time, so we must accept that perhaps racing once was, a little dodgy, but the powers that be, now have instant, filming from every, angle possible, no dopers, horse ringers. weight ringers, jockeys using hidden electronic devices, and not even that stun gun, at Ascot. two spur a horse on.or in that case off.
And anyway who would jump off a horse at 36 miles an hour, to get it beaten, I would have thought that it would be going much slower if they didnt want it to win in the first place.
So can I agree with the 80% non beleavers of course I cant.
Racing is as straight as it can be at present. the way it is run, makes the game very difficult.to be anything other than that. but that doesnt mean that 100% of those running or riding horses, are honest, in an industry run, for Gambling it can never be that honest,
In fact if we place Doctors, Lawyers, Vicars, Estate Agents, Inland Revenue Inspectors, TV Producers,
Charity Organisers, and not to forget Postmen, in a full list or runners, betting on the most “Dis Honest Trophy” I bet Jockeys would be in the also runs.
If I may be so bold to offer the BHB the new Jockey Club without titles.
I would say if a jockey fails to take a hood off his horse for a furlong, after being allowed one to calm him before the start, then they should place a hood on him, with a big D. and leave him in the corner of the stewards room for a month at least.
Whilst on this contraversial subject, I recently told my youtube, fans that I intended to create a Video of the “Gay Future Coup from 1974.” and although it has had plenty of airing made of the scam. during the past 35 years.I will bring new evidence that if known at the time would have created shock.waves through Parliament.

Having looked at all the facts reported and some not reported. I feel it deserves a fresh examination.

Was Tony Murphy and the so called Cork Mafia as bad as painted.?
Was the winnings as low as Tony started or as High as Bookmakers stated?
Were the Leading Bookmakers dishonest, in there approuch, to the facts.?
Did the tabloid feature writers, do justice to the plotters.?
Did the Police act fairly. in the prosecution. ?
What was the Jockey Clubs role in the matter.and what would there findings have been if they had been invited to run the enquiry and not the police.?
and last but not least what was the full role played by George Wigg. Chairman of BOLA the Betting Office Licences Association,

I will take another 2 weeks to conduct my full enquiry. and I hope it is all worth the wait.

Cubone