Speaking of NYC Poker and gambling: Question about the past

Obfuscation · #1 09-10-2007, 02:04 PM

In Andy Bellin's Poker Nation, he describes the poker scene in NYC from the early 90's pretty vividly.

At one point in the book he talks about Chinatown "Blackjack and *ahem* BJ [censored] parlors". Now, I'm not the most well connected guy but as your garden variety degenerate I've seen or heard about my share of strip joints, massage joints and poker clubs, but never have I seen or heard about anything about a casino operation, much less one that also acted as a brothel.

I'm not asking for current info here, but I am curious if anyone has ever seen one of these places first hand. It doesn't surprise me if they existed/exist. But I am mildly surprised I've never known anyone who's been to one. generally it seems like the people I encounter in some poker rooms might be the kind of guys who would have been to places like this. But never heard a peep.

Just curious. Anyone have any stories to share? I find it pretty interesting.

TMTTR · #2 09-10-2007, 02:09 PM

Can't say about Manhattan -- but I did "observe" underground casino operations in the early 90s in Queens and Brooklyn. Blackjack and Craps mostly (or at least those were the games I played at the time).

I was not a regular and was not aware of it if they also acted as brothels. Although, I am pretty sure they were mob run and they probably could get you whatever you wanted for the right price.

BrianBigNFun · #3 09-10-2007, 02:27 PM

ahhhh...the 90's..the good old days when you could walk into a parlor and play some black jack, shoot some H, get some head and watch a snuff film....those were the days...

*TT* · #4 09-10-2007, 02:31 PM

There still are after hours casinos, they were well known places to score just about anything as long as you didn't cause trouble. I just found out a friend is preparing to open one soon.

Similar situation, by invitation only, pat down at the door by the security guard, etc etc etc.

Obfuscation · #5 09-10-2007, 02:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
There still are after hours casinos, they were well known places to score just about anything as long as you didn't cause trouble. I just found out a friend is preparing to open one soon.

Similar situation, by invitation only, pat down at the door by the security guard, etc etc etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hrmph.

Interesting.

*TT* · #6 09-10-2007, 02:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There still are after hours casinos, they were well known places to score just about anything as long as you didn't cause trouble. I just found out a friend is preparing to open one soon.

Similar situation, by invitation only, pat down at the door by the security guard, etc etc etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hrmph.

Interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually shocked when people who grew up in NYC DON'T know about this. I have friends who are multi-millionaires and friends who are paupers and everything in between and everyone knows this exists, you cant keep a secret about a good time in NYC, word always gets out. Haven't you ever heard of the Mafia?

My first casino was Nicky something or other's vampire bar on 1st & 1st. This was 1989 or so, it opened up at 3:30am every night, the room had a big wheel and three blackjack tables. Nicky reminded me of Verbal in the Usual Suspects (except much older).

Obfuscation · #7 09-10-2007, 02:49 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There still are after hours casinos, they were well known places to score just about anything as long as you didn't cause trouble. I just found out a friend is preparing to open one soon.

Similar situation, by invitation only, pat down at the door by the security guard, etc etc etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hrmph.

Interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually shocked when people who grew up in NYC DON'T know about this. I have friends who are multi-millionaires and friends who are paupers and everything in between and everyone knows this exists, you cant keep a secret about a good time in NYC, word always gets out. Haven't you ever heard of the Mafia?

My first casino was Nicky something or other's vampire bar on 1st & 1st. This was 1989 or so, it opened up at 3:30am every night, the room had a big wheel and three blackjack tables. Nicky reminded me of Verbal in the Usual Suspects (except much older).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm apparently not cool enough. lol.

*TT* · #8 09-10-2007, 02:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There still are after hours casinos, they were well known places to score just about anything as long as you didn't cause trouble. I just found out a friend is preparing to open one soon.

Similar situation, by invitation only, pat down at the door by the security guard, etc etc etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hrmph.

Interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually shocked when people who grew up in NYC DON'T know about this. I have friends who are multi-millionaires and friends who are paupers and everything in between and everyone knows this exists, you cant keep a secret about a good time in NYC, word always gets out. Haven't you ever heard of the Mafia?

My first casino was Nicky something or other's vampire bar on 1st & 1st. This was 1989 or so, it opened up at 3:30am every night, the room had a big wheel and three blackjack tables. Nicky reminded me of Verbal in the Usual Suspects (except much older).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm apparently not cool enough. lol.

[/ QUOTE ]

cool has nothing to do with it, you got to get your head out of the sand and read the newspapers. They report organized crime busts all the time.

baiter · #9 09-10-2007, 02:54 PM

Pride and joy and greed and sex
That's what makes our town the best
Pride and joy and dirty dreams
Are still surviving on the streets

*TT* · #10 09-10-2007, 02:57 PM

Dont you know the crime rate is going up, up, up, up, up
To live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough, tough!