The Home stretch. #40 on our trip across Illegal Clubs USA.

New York City, no place on earth like it. If you can’t find it in New York City, it probably does not exist.

We departed several poker cruises out of NYC. Once had a dealer from the Venetian, LV arrive in NYC on the same plane several of us flew up on. A real ding dong, she didn’t know she needed an overnight room. Friday night, no rooms available. We stuck her in a very small room with David Spragg, Elliott the swing shift manager, myself, and 2 beds. Elliott lost the coin toss. Maybe he won, she was a pretty girl. Next morning she arrived at the ship without her passport. We had about 2 hours until sailing. “But I had it at the hotel.” I was already going in short 2 dealers. Sent Elliott and her in a cab back to the hotel. They made it with minutes to spare. Should have left her, she was late for 5 out of 7 shifts.

Oh yeah, Spragg got us lost walking to a restaurant for supper.

One other little item for you KY boys. I met Tito Carinski (did I spell that right?) in NYC about 1968 at the airport. A friend asked me to give him something when he found out I was going. Personable guy. April Flowers was not with him.

In the 1960’s and 70’s my ex, bless her green little heart, used to come up with ideas on Thursdays. “We need to fly to NYC to see a new play.” Of course, only the best hotels! Maybe that’s why NYC is not my most favorite city.

Enough of that:

New York:
Muskogee Social Club
LA Miller
135 W. 72nd St
NYC 1930

This one has been mis-identified as the Monte Carlo an off shore CA gambling ship, more times than I can count. It is probably still in the CA guides. I have lengthy research on the Monte Carlo and the chip was never used there. I have posted the research on several occasions. Those CA boys don’t give up easily.

Rathbun Hotel
Elmira, NY
1938

I always wondered if the MJ on the SPM was a typo and was meant to be PJ. If so this chip could be tied to Saratoga Springs, NY.

Saratoga Springs illegals are very well documented. The playground of the elite during racing season.

There is a pretty book on Saratoga Springs illegals. The author p*ssed me off with some wording on a chip ID, so will not mention the name of the book.

I have a Piping Rock Saratoga Springs chip that was delivered PJ Sullivan at The Elite Club in French Lick, IN. Operators moved from different locations like French Lick and Florida to Saratoga Springs for the racing season.

Smiths Interlochen
William "Scotchy" Morrison was the manager
Saratoga Springs, NY
1940-50’s

“Newark” meant the Mason sales office, Newark, NJ.