My decision to to enter the casino industry, was answering a simple small ad in a newspaper - for trainee Croupiers. I got the job.
That was back in the mid seventies, not so many years after casino gambling was made legal in the U.K. I was just in my twenties and kind of ignorant to this form of gambling - apart from what was shown on television or in a movie.
The very grown up world of strict procedures and formalities was an eye opener and my first Manager was an ex Army Officer who might have trained at Sandhurst, judging by his clipped accent and superior unapproachable manner (of the day). He was no local Liverpudlian...
I picked up the rules, procedures and regulations as required and soon had American Roulette and Blackjack under my belt. I was a natural and enjoyed the fast cash and chip action. I didn't enjoy watching men open their little brown pay packets and proceed to lose the lot, often in less time, than it took them to drink two pints of beer.
Other men had plenty to lose (it seemed) but my sympathies always stayed with the pay packet blokes. There were some female gamblers back then but they were outnumbered by about eight out of ten and perhaps thet were out to capture the men with plenty, if they gambled alone...
In fact some of those ladies might have been entrenched 'house players,' which was not illegal, immoral or as insane as it seems. I raise the matter in my book.
Cheating was around then, as it is now. Staff and Punters might have had arrangements in place and I go into the many scenarios that can occur, when this dangerous activity might take place.
Money (being the root of all evil said someone who knew) makes people do strange things in casinoland and I have witnessed some desperate attempts, to illegally gain some and then some more.
So after twenty five years working casino's in the U.K. and Australia (private clubs included), I have written an in depth account of the more memorable times, that explains what 'everybody' gets up to - well almost everybody - purely to satisfy your curiosity. Enjoy the moments.
