Development of the Point Spread System
Charles K. McNeil was a genius with numbers. Despite this, he was a history major at the University of Chicago, with a past time of betting. On anything. Charles K. McNeil would bet on the…
Meet the Casino Croupier
The well-dressed and impeccably groomed men and women who run the table games in casinos are known as croupiers. However, the croupier is more than just a friendly-faced card shuffler. It’s a job that demands…
Force of Evil
Force of Evil is an American crime drama that follows the life of a crooked lawyer who gets tangled up in the merciless and dangerous world of gambling. This 1948 film noir features 78 minutes…
Drama and Redemption in Angels Over Broadway
Ben Hecht was one of the most successful screenwriters working in Hollywood in the 1930s, and on some films his talents also extended to producing and directing. Angels Over Broadway was one such film, co-produced…
Continue Reading Drama and Redemption in Angels Over Broadway
Creating Your Own Black Book
A black book is a list of names or contacts that are important for some reason. They might be your recent conquests, reputable building contractors, or the best restaurants in town. Black books have also…
Brelan Hints Broadly at the Origins of Poker
Poker has been one of the most popular casino games for many years. In fact it seems as if it has been around forever. There is still much speculation about the origins of poker.
Cameo Kirby and Early Filmmaking Firsts
The tale of Cameo Kirby, a fairly melodramatic love story set in the world of 19th-Century Mississippi riverboat gambling, first saw the light of day as the play Your Humble Servant in 1910. It was…
Casino Fairplay & Fraud
Towards Casino Fairplay and Fraud Prevention Casinos have always been deeply concerned about their credibility. Throughout their long history, discredited casinos lost their clients, if players felt they were being cheated they would go play…