These were on ebay awhile back. We made an attempt to buy them but were outbid. Mike Vuolo emailed the winner and bought a couple from him. Selma, Alabama is best known for the marches that helped jump start the civil rights movement.

Not a big story but it is always a good day when you can put an ID to a new illegal club chip.

Enough of that:

Alabama:

Bamboo Dinner Club
BAM on side.
BOO on side 2.
Bendersky’s
Bendersky’s Building
Selma, Alabama
2600 chips over 3 orders
1960-1967

Enter our “Friend Of The Hobby.”

Bendersky’s was a store in downtown Selma for many decades (at least as far back as the 1930’s).They sold all kinds of stuff including sporting goods:

My guess is that Bendersky’s ordered the chips for a customer.

The chips may have been ordered for a place which operated in Selma during the time period of the chip orders called the “Bamboo Dinner Club.” Haven’t found much about it but I know it was operating as early as 1962, was formally incorporated in 1963 by three guys who dissolved their partnership in 1968. It had a bar and served liquor, but I don’t know if it had gambling.

Enter a “2nd Friend Of The Hobby.”

A 2nd friend of the hobby, who has helped us in the past, still has access to limited info from the FBI files. “Bamboo Dinner Club was busted for illegal gambling in 1965, along with another restaurant down the street called “Tally Ho.” Tally Ho looks like it still exists and is famous.

It is good to have friends!