Ok, my last ever poker story! Well, maybe not.

I’ve mentioned before about how we had a poker game in a house behind The Mustang at 5th and Monmouth in Newport, KY early 1970’s. I owned the Mustang, a topless go go girl, red neck joint. Larry Trapp’s mother, Ruth, owned the house behind it. Sgt Jerry Early raided the game and we lost the chips, etc.

My bouncer at the Mustang was Charlie Woods, he was fearless. He said he would rent us a house for a game. He found a house with a beautiful large rec room in the basement. It was about mid way up the road leading to Ida Spence, the highest point in Covington, close to being a mountain. Ida Spence was a public housing project but the road leading up had some, for the times, real nice homes. Charlie could sit by the big picture window and see who was driving up the hill. He sat there with a shotgun and intercom to us while we were playing, just in case of cops or a robbery.

3rd week into the game. About a dozen of us in the rec room playing and waiting to play.

Intercom comes alive. “Unmarked car followed by a cruiser coming up the hill.”

We scramble and clean up. Heavy knocks on the door, heavy footsteps coming down the steps. A dozen of us sitting around BSing. Detective sergeant and 2 uniforms followed Charlie into the rec room.

The Detective says “Hello Brownie, what’s going on?” Brownie says “Hi Dave, we were just discussing how the Cincinnati Reds were doing.”

Dave says “The Mayor sent me.”
Brownie says, “Huh.”
Dave says, “that’s his house across the street.”
Brownie says, “Huh!”
Dave says, “have a good night.” Turned around and they left.

Talk about “The gang that couldn’t shoot straight.” Is it possible a little more research was in order?

Enough of that:

Lexington, KY.

The complete story on the following has been posted in the past. It also should be on David’s site along with the chips we got at an estate sale. (not the chips in this post) It is a long and storied gambling career backed up by newspaper articles and having access to 60 year old FBI files.

Excerpt from the article:

Edwin “Ed” Piper and son Edwin “Ed” Piper Jr. Piper senior operated in Oregon until approx 1954 when he moved to KY. Piper Jr is still operating in KY today, working with Speakes and Briggs below.

William “Bill” Thomas Speakes Jr and son William “Bill” Thomas Speakes III. Speakes Jr operated in Oregon until 1954 when he moved to KY and opened the Dona Gene Club.

Robert John Briggs and son Jack Briggs. Robert operated in Oregon City. Jack operated in Newport, OR until the 1980’s, when he moved to KY to team up with Piper Jr and Speakes Jr once more.

Kentucky locations.
314 Versailles Rd, Frankfort. No premises name, but other searches show it has been Monkey's Uncle, Tropic Café and now a Mexican restaurant. Aerial photography shows it is a big plot with newer looking building so whatever was there is probably long gone.

Also Players Club of Lexington and Donna Gene Club.

"City Club" (of Lexington), on South Limestone, owned by Speaks and Piper, later sold to Lloyd Gentry.

These boys are still working today. I met them when I went to Seattle Slew’s funeral in 2002. One of their dealers was a Club member at the time and a friend. They gave me some chips they were using.
I don’t think I have ever shown these chips given to me in 2002 and 2005.

City Club
South Limestone St & Loudon Ave
1960’s-70's Billy Speaks and Ed Piper
Lexington
I spoke to the dealer in 2005 and this one is being used in 2005, in private games at the Spring Valley Country Club.

Illegal BJ and poker games ran by Billy Speaks-AJ stands for Alma Jo Mi****, girlfriend
Still being used in 2002
I have 4 colors.

llegal Black Jack and poker games-Still going in 2002
BE stands for Billy and Ed
I have 2 colors.

Roving poker tournament. 11 1/2 gram chip
Operated in different locations each week in 2005.
Jack Briggs-Ed Piper-Billy Speaks
I have 4 colors.