Those truly were the good old days of Jacks or better draw and lo-ball.

Gardena was renown throughtout the Los Angeles area as having some of the best food in town. People of all economic levels came for miles around to eat at any one of the 6 poker clubs. And besides that, the food was really inexpensive. Big problem was the waiting lines during lunch hour especially when people came from downtown to eat.

The one big thing I really miss about those old clubs were the T.V. lounges. People use to be able to wait there for a seat and relax in "comfortable??" lounge chairs . If one got tired, he could just leave the table and nap for an hour or so before the guard would ask questions.

I remember playing quite a lot with Gabe, Tully and Ed Beagly Jr. among others who names are not immediately coming to mind. All there is left now of the old clubs is the Normandy club--and even that location is fairly new. For some of you younger fellows, the Hustler replaced the ElDorado club at the same location.

The one thing I don't miss were all the stickups, killings etc., that occured in the parking lots and by follow-home crimes that occured so often. Most were covered up by the club and Gardena police but I would hear about them from some of the employees.

I know many people will disagree with me but I still consider the draw poker games that were played at that time as the purest form of poker.