Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

There is a belief that during a persons life time, there are 2 great opportunity for all.
Sometimes an invention a windfall. lottery win. money left to you by a loving father, happen to be in the right place at the right time. and there sitting at some bar is a very plain. lady, who just happens to be the only daughter of Lord Abergavnie, with 12 months you have leaned to ride a horse and have become Master of the Hunt. if a gambler you could have found the EDGE and can win money off the shrewd Bookmaking fraternity without them knowing what up.
These opportunities, are very fickle. take the many Soccer Stars who come from very poor backgrounds, earn a £million a year, play for about 5 years before being thrown on the slag heap. and when they look to see were the fortune has gone, they nead to look no further than to the tip of there noes. When I was on a bad period, I always jumped in my car, and would drive into the red light district of Balsall Heath Birmingham and park in the road were me and my mother sat, when the family were slung out of our little home. if thats not enough to liven me up then nothing will. I should start a Bus trip for Soccer Players, to look at there beginnings, as there is a big chance they will return. one day.
During my life time I had 5 great opportunities, 2 came to me when I was in my Flower Power period, of Make Love not War. very young, walking around with a Beatles Caftan, smoking pot. and taking Kaleidoscope tablets. girls in mini skirts was to much for me to waist starting some little corner shop selling Toffee Apples
The first was the Car game, I was a pal of Johnny Hart a shrewd Market grafter from Birmingham.
One Sunday, we had been playing cricket and arrived back to his little semi were his mother was doing her nut,
Elsie was a lovely old women but this Sunday afternoon a family of Romanies were giving her grief,
John fiery at the best of times, decided to take them on in a full blown battle.
With John was a Bookies Son called Faggett, called so because thats all he ever ate “Faggets and Pea,s”
The three of us, lined up against 8 very large Romany,s.
As we took our position, there leader, pulled up a cleaver bigger than the one Indian Jones pulled up in Film of that name.
I had purchased a great Cricket Bat for the afternoons game but it handt had much wear having been only waved at the fast bowlers ball missing it by feet, however the call of Ozz that, was so strong that the umpire shit himself. raising his little finger removing any chance of a century. for your truly.
This time however I could see that the cleaver waving. Rag and Bone Man was odds on, all I could do was try for a massive off drive, new bat to ball. but I am ashamed to say that this aggressive mans head was in place of the Cherri.(Ball)
At once the odds turned on its head with the remaining 7. picking up there leader and scarpering into the distance.
Back in the house Elsie was treating me like Daniel when he poleaxed Goliath.
That night John moved closer to my side and told me that he had a few £s and intended to go into the lower end of the Car game aimed for people with no money or even a job.
He produced a peace of paper, that showed in detail that as long as they paid just one payement, then he could not lose making over 50% profit on every transaction.
He offered me a partnership. for nothing as long as I worked hard ferrying the cars back from the Sales.
I was never a shirker but driving cars the 40 miles from Nottingham breaking down more times than not, just didn’t appeal.
At the moment Jan Hart owns half of East Miami. with one of the largest property portfolio next to The Duke of Westminster you would never know is name in Rich List, and its not the name on his Royal Ascot, Badge.
The second was when I was invited to be the Salesman by Harold Plotnik the Carpet King who created Allied Carpets, he was just starting and was selling cheap Asian Carpets, by auction, I had the gift of the gab and could create much interest, but if there was any laughter coming from the Public House next to the Sale Venue, I was missing, either impersonating Frank Sinatra, or some other Star of the screen.
Either way Mr Plotnik and I soon parted. him counting his money by weight. and I still trying to take Brian Jones part left vacant in the Rolling Stones.
When I was asked to help get money on in the hundreds of Birmingham Betting shops in 1960, I was very slow understanding that these bets were not normal wagers, always Greyhounds, they never got beat, but instead of begging stealing or borrowing to double the bets my self. I just carried no gaining my commission, and drinking a massive amount of Rum and Coke.
I never wanted to get to close to the action. and certainly when I found out that the Dogs, were falling over, leaving the remaining ones to come home alone.
When it ended I was pleased that I never acted other than as a agent.
The day i met a young Steal Salesman, in a bar. it was as close as I ever came to becoming a multiple millionaire.
He was going through a nasty divorce and had done his expense sheet and was £100 a week over broke, and therefore only a matter of time before he would be bankrupt.
It never took me long to ask if I could act as a middle man purchasing Steel off him and selling it on.
The tricks of the steel trade at the time were two numerous to mention in this little blog, but my knowledge. failed to survive the 1980 Lorry Drivers strike and the worst credit crunch seen since the Wall Street Crash, not of course forgetting the one we are in at present.
The betting shop game of the 60s I can be forgiven for not making a fortune, I was to young and to Knievel to be an equal partner I just expected that I was a partner. is last will and testament, confirmed what I had thought for the last few years of his life. I had and worked on the assumption that we only get 3 scores and ten if we are lucky. and you cant take it with you, so I would make money and spend quicker than Miss Nicholson the Football Pools winners,of the 50s, who won a fortune, moving from her broken down semi. into a luxurious Pent House stating the she intended to SPEND SPEND SPEND. I believe that she is now in her original home.with very little to spend.
Luckily I have never given up the quest for another Biggie. although the computer revolution has given great opportunity in Gambling they also are great opportunity for the Bookmaking Industry s to seek out any winner to easily, in the 60s all I had to do was go into a betting shops back a winner change cloths and go in again. having parked my bike by the door, I dont remember be ing banned by any Bookie in the 60s all they did was keep me small and have there own money on, what happens now is that a computer, just alters your £500 Win to a 36 Pence. and refuse you any chance to speak to the computer. in responce.at present I love nothing better than to arb a Living in the horse racing world, and it is nice when I have lowered my expectations, so dont have to win as much as i did in the 1960.s it is sad though when I see a golden opportunity, in the Horse racing Industry, know that there are thousands of Bookmakers operating a market, and yet I cant get on that’s enough to send any gambler crackers.
The other day I was given a £100 Free bet, but after 3 days I was short lists, when I asked the office what am I to do with the free bet if I can only have 3 Pence on

But I doubt the Almighty will be best pleased with me, having been given these several golden chances, and not used them to there full potential my answer will be.

I never thought I would live so long, and just wanted a laugh. my life after death philosophy is that I hope to pass the batten on to my kids and grand kids a little further up the track. after all life is just a game. but the best crease on your face that you can every have in old age is the many caused by laughter.

Cubone

Ever since Gambling began there have always been those who lost so much money they were prepared to take the advice of someone in the “KNOW” and pay to do so.
One of the first times that this became factual to me was in 1951 at the age of 11 I was working with my father at Kings Heath greyhound stadium. along with my brother Phillip.
Phil was 3 years older than me, and had a full time job with a local buiding company called. Jeavons or something like that he had a Duffle coat with the Firms name across the back in bold letters.
This particular week end in November things were a bit hard for my Dad and he was having dificulty in showing a profit,
A few weeks before xmas things looked bleak.
Between races me and my brother, walked towards, the little food stall, for a cup of tea, when a man called my brother to his side and began to whisper.
Later on during the evening Phil told me what had occured.
The person a very wealthy racehorse owner, called Walter Miller. asked him if he could tell him a winner.
Brother never slow coming forward told him that if he met him behind the grandstand in 30 minutes time before the 9.45 race he would help him.
When my Dad was told what had occured, he told him to Tip him trap 6. in that particular race,
Tell him that he must not tell anyone else or if he did you would lose his job.
Why would he lose his Job with a building firm for tipping a dog. I asked.

You have missed the point Lad, he stated.
Miller is a very big player and is a compulsive Gambler. he will have a monkey (£500) on two rain drops on a train window.
I watched with interest as the evening unfolded.
Take the Coat off son said my father, he thinks you are a stable lad with Jeavons. only wear it when to see Miller.
Jeavons was a top greyhound trainer. and I guess that Miller had mistaken the buiding firms overcaot for the trainers stable lad.
5 minutes before the 9.45 race Phil walked to the grandstand and looked behind there Miller was waiting in antisipation.

Back Trap 6 Sir. in the next race, it is a certainty, my Gaffer has had his bigest bet, on the Dog, all year.
Miller thanked him, and scurried away into the Tattersalls Ring, the oppersite side to the area were my father was betting.
Back at Dads joint, he was smiling did you tell him trap 6.
Yes said Phllip. I told him it was a certainty,
I thought you had as its just been backed down from 9/2 to 7/4 favourite, I bet Miller has had a right plunge.
The traps opened and trap 6 flew out, 5 clear at the first, it led all the way hanging on to win by 1/2 a lengh.
Get your coat back on son and go and collect.

You stay here Don, it was obvious that a 11 year would not look good, following on.
5 Minutes later Phil was back at our joint, with a smile as large as the proverbial Cheshire Cat.
How much.
You wont beleave it Dad, he gave me £80.
£80… the amount should be taken into account with the money he was receiving for working for my Dad. and that was £2.50 a night.
My Brother had hit on a Gold mine whilst he could tip him winners.
It lasted. for 1 month and in that time, before the winners dried up he gained several £100 when Miller decided that the tips were to expensive.
It was like bereavment in the family the day that he was told the bad news that Miller no longer required his advice.
But over the next few years I loved to read the history of all the Uk tipsters, not only in Horse and Greyhound,s but also. soccer, and any other sport, were the outcome is popular amongst the general betting public.
The next, time that I saw a similar occurance was in the late 50s when Dog Doping was prevelant at all the midland tracks.
When it died out following improvements in the kennel layouts, a person who will be nameless, made it known that he was part of the original doping team. and tipped dogs, that he said couldnt lose owing to the illegal and diobolical act, still taking place.
He also started with a few winners, and created a massive following although he was nothing to do with the team of dopers, who had moved on to London.
My interest, moved on to racecourse tipsters, some who looked like they knew more than the average, man or women in the street but others, notso. how anyone followed there advice is behond me.
Shilling Shocker. and Paddy, the Tipster, just 2 midland tipsters, who would attend race meetings and give a speal that would have won, Britian has Tallent. in the Comedians section.
Both dressed in clothing that Mrs Aisworth the manager,s at our local Charity Shop would throw out as unworthy.
The Shocker once arrived at Cheltenham for the festival. in a blazer and boater, found, (or so he said) at Stratford and Avon. left there by some rower from Eton.
The let down was the two wellington boots cut ankle high.and not the same tengh
But even the foot wear was not a barrier. to sell 150 little bits of paper at 6p each. informing all. that he had champions jocky,s, Fred Winters, money to put on. the favourite in the first.
Paddy used to carry a wad of money borrowed from a Bookmaker friend, this cake (Money) would convince all that Paddy although covered in his own Vomit. should not be over looked. and his Tip followed.
I could never beleave, these two individuals would ever gain a living form there venture but they certainly did.
I am not saying that all tipsters, were so shabily dressed, as a few in army uniform. with many medels, across there chest was better than, the lesser class tipsters.
Any one with a very bad or deformed leg had only one vocation to follow and it wasnt centre forward at Aston Villa.
So when a KING decided to enter the vocation during the late 40s and early 50s, he began to corner the market.
I say King although only claimed to be a Prince.
Ras Monolulu was infact Peter Mackay. he joined the tipping stage with tipping to a tee.
The Paddy and Shocker were left for dead, born in 1880 in Abysinia, Peter was a rouge. but he quickly had every person who failed to make the horseracing pay as a client.
It wasnt the fact that he dressed like a King, his patter was brilliant. he would not worry about, calling out to a real prince at the Royal Ascot meeting. and state
“Thats OK Princie Ive managed to get your money on at 12/1.”
Giving the public the impression that he was handing the Royals betting instructions. as it was so silly that no one complained just laughed.
But there would be 500 gathered around his position.
His loud voice “Ive Gota a Horse” is now part of Horse Folke Law. and will remain for decades.
His rhymes of
“Im Prince Monolulu all the way from Honolulu.”
and “God made the bees,
the bees made the honey
The public backs the favourites.
And the Bookies take the Money”
When he died as a pauper he was dressing like the old Shocker. but during his working life he earned every penny he made. entertainment at its greatest.

All through this period. there were millions who failed to have any success backing there horses, or dogs, and were a drain on there families, making compulshion a massive problem, how many soldiers, back from the war having survived, an odds on chance that they wouldnt.
lasted only a few months with there War Wages.
But there have always been a few .
who think outside the box to make racing pay. most are Con Men.
Working on the assumtion that the following statement is factual.
“The few that know dont tell and millions that dont know Tell”
Here is a few of the experts.
Mr Secrecy. He always has secret information, very private very confidential. He dosnt want to spead it arround, but he doesnt mind telling you for a small fee.
Mr Knowall. He knows what Aidan Obrien is about to do with the stable multi million£ horses,
Miss Tea Cup. can tell a derby winner by just waiving a half empty cup.
Mr Pride a Brother in law of the Duke of Norfolk, who does all his busness. from a little office in the Red Light District of Balsall Heath.

Now every one should have there little flutter as long as the majority of there money, arrives on the family Kitchen table on a Friday. (Thats if they are working)

Most of these Bit Players in the Sport of Kings. have now disapeared followed by internet. strokesters, who like my bother in 1950. take opportunities that arrise, out of the blue. But anyone who pays more than a few coppers. for a losing system. is foolish when all you have to do is follow the Money movements on the gambling Exchange system, BETFAIR.
it vertually tells you before the off what will win. and dont charge you one penny.

Good Luck,

Cubone
giving the impression

“Didnt we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor.”
A Beutiful day we had lunch on the way all for under a £1 you know.
I realise that the Bangor spoken of wasnt the racecourse by Wrexham, but why spoil a great tale for a little untruth.as the Bangor of the song is in Country Mayo West Ireland. and not far from the sea.
This war time song, however reminds me of the period of the 1950s when teams of Bookmakers would start off for there trip to, this wonderful National Hunt race course, with years of history, and great fun for having a day out.
All the family would get into our motor car an Austin Ruby, 2 in front and 4 in back sitting on each others laps. Grown up,s below and Kids on top.
There were plenty of dangers on the way. and any strong wind and the flimsy car would be blown over but in my case there were other dangers to confront. as a 12 year old I was still in short trousers, my uncle a heavy smoker threw his cigerette end, out of the front window, only for it to blow back in the rear..
Straight up my trouser leg, and with my parents smacking me hard in my crutch area intending to put the thing out, the car went on its merry way. this continued for what seemed to be ages, before one of the more intelegent members decided to stop the car and strip, me of my pants, and in so doing removing the cigerette still alight.
The first degree burn were confined to a very small area, fortunatly, the pain only lasted for a month, the scar, however still remains to this day, confirming that a day out at Bangor is not always so wonderful. but i still take look when bathing, and all the great memoiries come flooding back.
The track itself is very nice with the tatersalls enclosure, standing on a plateau high above the racecourse allowing great views, of the last 3 jumps,
Historically Bangor is mentioned as the course that our finest jockey Fred Archer rode his first winner, not you may think in some small pony race or a cheap selling plate, but in fact it was a 3 mile Chase.
Archer the same age as I was when seriously wounded by a half smoken Players No 1. Fred Archer in his case was more lucky, scott free, taking every jump. in a style that made many watchers agree that here was a very good lad. one with a great racing future. and that future was as a Champion Flat jockey.for many years.
How a 12 year old lad came to ride in a steeplechase I am not sure but the owner of the horse Maid of Trent was happy to take the word of a racing expert.
“If you are looking for a lad to ride any of your chasers Madam I have the very one to ride for you”
Weighing out at the unbeleavable weight of 4st 11 lb, a weight that many of our Macdonald reared Kids, today reach before they are 3.
So a jockey who rode more winners in his time than any other than Gorden Richards, had a great future ahead of him, before puting a gun to his own head, historians blame strict dieting the cause.
A few days ago I was invited to a local barbeque were the conversation bored with talking about swine flue, moved to my pet subject the Sport of Kings, (Queens)
A local wiz kid, who had put his finger up to our Credit Crunch. and was doing great, selling cheap goods on ebay, so cheap that only the postage charges was the profit. great idea, that even Lord Rothchild or today the panel of the Apprentice would have been proud,of.
In stead of selling cheap. and stocking high, this youngish lad was selling at no profit. and yet was earning a fortune.
He had a staff of 10 and decided to take the words of our ww1 song about having a day out at Bangor literally.he was a racehourse owner and when his trainer told him that he had entered his Chaser at Bangor, what better than a day out for his loving staff.also.
3 cars, new mercs took off at 9.30 for the two and half, hour trip up the north west to Bangor stopping off at Witchurch for a pre arranged breakfast.
All 14, arrived at the track and were shown by the course manager to a bar room, for there entertainment. not the best facilities as Bangor is the only racecourse in the UK without a grandstand.
The horses owner and his wife , loved every moment of the day out at the races.and so did the staff.
when they entered the parade ring to see there lovely, chaser they had all entered into the full fun of the experience wearing blue and yellow coloured ribbons, the same colour as the horses jockey, a tendency that was most popular during the 1850,s. but died out of late.
The horses trainer, informed them all that he expected a great run from the horse even though it was no world beater.
They all scurried off to place there little bets, some not wanting others to know there stake, not wanting to be deemed as small fry.
there were many Bookmakers at the popular track, both inside tattersalls and a few outside in the cheap enclosure.
The noise when there horse who was lying in 4th place at the last fence received a great pick me up when one of the leaders fell. so loud the chearing became that regulars at this popular course looked towards the small group. with disdain. others enjoying the site of obvious new comers to this great sport. just smiled.
There horse had finished 3rd and received more pats than you would see at an Irish Derby meeting.
The wine flowed extensivly over the next two hours before they made there way home. to the midlands.
All of them agreed that they had indeed had a wonderful day the day they went to Bangor.

At the Barbeque I was surrounded when it became known that I was a retired Bookmaker.
When I mentioned that I had attended Bangor meetings from 1948 to 2002, right up to the day I retired.
They seemed to be exited as if they were back, on the course I entered the fun, of the day even singing the Day at Bangor for them much better than the usual “I did it my way” by some Frank look a like.
After a while one little women, not much heavier that Fred Archer at his prime, spoke to me she was very articulate,and friendly.
“Would you explain to us, something that we have not been able to conclude. ever since our day out”. and that is how our winnings were calculated with the tote and the Bookmakers. we all seemed to have differing amounts. and we fail to see how they were created.
After 55 years in the gambling profeshion one thing I could do was calculate a bet.
Of course I will.
Firstly I explained that an Eachway bet, was two bets, one to win. and the other to place.
I wasnt aware of the result so I had to look on someones computor for the full result.
The horse was 3rd in the 12 runner Handicap Chase. and its Starting price a very nice 33/1.
so there winning place was at 8.1/4 to 1.
A £10 Eachway showing a £72.50. net profit.
I was amazed by the differeing amounts they claimed to have received.
One poor Gal who had decided to place her £2 with the racecourse Tote and expected that the chearing was so loud that it represented a small lottery win. was not so fortunate when she pocketed only a £5 for her pains.
We then came to the bets placed with the racecourse Bookmakers. after a few moments I was wishing that I had not entered into this debate. in fact it was getting a little heated.
One guest happened to be the maths head at the local school. so I decided to make him the leader of there pack, in no time he had me stumped.
How is it he wanted to know could a winning client, receive differing amounts although the stake was the same.
I stood up protecting my old Bookmaker friends from the various names they were being called as it was obvious that I had al the answers,
My statement that perhaps the racegoers had received different prices, failed to gain support when the old women produced the receipt.
The Bookmaker who had taken her bet kindly, gave her the receipt, when she explained that it was her first day at the races and her very first bet. he was a gent she stated.
On the slip. it clearly showed that she had placed her £5 Eachway, at 40/1 and had recieved £55.00
I explained that 1/4 of the winning price was 10/1 so £5 x 10 was £50 plus her £5 stake, she smiled Wonderful. that what I was told.
I was so pleased that I decided to have another Bacardie and Coke.
However there were a few others not so passive. I could tell by the look on her husbands face, that all was not complete. standing behind this man were 3 others all with a similar look on there faces.

OK. give me you bets and I will work them all out for you.
£5 Eachway at 25/1 I begen nodding my head in sorrow explaining that he had not been so fortunate as his wife. gaining a much inferior price,
Yes he explained with a smirk that Bernard Madoff Scam artist would have been proud of.
This man was not a confidance trickster but the person he had placed his bet with certainly was.
The £5 Win at 25/1 was clear enough but the place return should have been 5,1/4 to 1. a return for his stake unlike his wife, should have been , £36.25. but when I looked at the return it was only. £25.75.
I was astounded the Maths teacher asked for an explanation as to why the fraction was different between the two bets, allowing for the differing price he asked why the fraction of 4 differed in the place returns,

i had to take a large gulp. of my iced drink. I could see what had occured and after no time I collected all the receipts (5) after a small calculation decided to pay them the difference I thought that would be the end of the matter, the whole lot didnt come to more than £20 and I was pissed and in a good mood.

After the garden party ended I walked the short distance home and made clear notes as to the short fall, from the bets, you could see that 2 of the bets had been calculated at 1/5th the odds and the others at a rip roaring 6th.
This was the worst disgrace I have known in 55 years how do the racecourse Bookmakers expect to
create good will civility and promt payment, doing this sort of thing. one thing I can say is that the price odds that have stood for over 50 years, i fact races of less than 8 runners were calculated at 1/3 of the win odds 1/2 places. in that time I have never known any bookmaker on course or in the high street, were bound to fixed place terms.
My telephone call the next day to the NJPC the authority for what goes on at racecourses. took place before 9.30. and I waisted no time requesting an explanation.

” Bookmakers on a racecourse can now do what they like as long as the sign on there boards, show the terms that they are offering.
But they cant pay 1/6th odds a place in a 12 runner handicap can they.??????

The telephone went a liitle quite

“Its not the worse case on our records that is 1/9th.”
And the answer to your question is yes they can….
1/9th a place. you must be joking I was astounded.

The words to the song, about having a great day out at Bangor, will have to be re writen. however Debbie Cook the song writer has long been gone.

I have kept in touch with the owner of the horse and have been invited to attend there next, day out at the races, so I can pay a little attention to the well being of my new found friends, it is Bangors loss however as they have chosen Ludlow, for there next outing.
I do understand that there are a few times that certain races represent very bad trading terms for Bookmakers and they do not wish to bet at a loss leader, and like all buisness men they are not expected to. but they know that on most occasions, they have the power to adjust the win odds to make there place terms safe, and that the punter has to have 2 bets the win and place, and I can only assume that there is plenty of profit in the win book, and if not then why???
What a very few are doing by raping the unwary of there rightfull returns, is reducing future attendance at that course. for certain.
If they expect to compete with the high street, internet and exchange operators, they better think it out again. like Fagan in the song from “Oliver”
I give all my fellow racecourse Bookmakers and punters alike the very best of wishes. but like the old corner shop. I can only see then serviving another 10 years and that if the get there house in order, they are in a great position, the tote are usless a big majority do not wish to bet by internet or exchanges, but when they go into the bar, they will soon be advised by some no all. that they have been shafted and the Bookmaker will have certainly lost the whole of that parties, business for that day. at least.
Do not follow the lead for the old corner shops. and dive into a hole.
Take a lead from there age old predecessors pollish up there appearance, I dont expect check suits and spats but ban there staff wearing track suit and trainers. but most of all. make them laugh, they have paid a small fortune for a day out and to make that day one to be remembered, they will have to work at it.
Or the old day out at the races, will be a thing of the past. Epsom, and Derby day is pricing itself away from the working class,s that was there Day. every one of them from Grandfather to the youngest sibling.
And as for ascot. that has become what was first intended a private party for the snobs of the world.

God help you. for after all. to be given the right to offer your service, from a protected ring in the most popular area, of a racecourse, there must be a profit, to be made but that profit has to be, Fair. and 1/9th for a placed horse may be complicated to work out for the majority, but you can only skin a cat. once before he dies of the cold.

Cubone