So many memories. I grew up in SoCal and began playing at the Gardenia clubs while under-age in the mid '60s. Mostly the Horseshoe, Rainbow & Monterey near Vermont and Rosecrans (just off Harbor freeway).

The joints were delightfully "seedy" - even had an odor to them (smoke n cleaner combined). The players passed the deal, and there were more shenanigans going on than could be imagined.

Back then, the games were limited to 5-card limit draw (hi & lowball) and pan. The clubs had seedy bars and good, cheap food too.

The clubs were populated by prop players (paid to fill seats to keep a game going) and characters such as Mike Caro (& wife Phyllis), Barbara Enright, "the arm" (Dr. David Hayano, a USC professor), Steve Flicker & Alma McClelland (wife of Jack, WSOP tourney director for years at Binion's). The players would often "pot-out" for gold coins and jewelry, and loan sharks abounded alongside bookies & drug dealers.

Those were the dayz, my friend!