Dante said:
Many start off in the business on the low end of the totempole and work there way up the ladder working with the legends of the industry.
Successful bookmaking and linesmaking has had a ripple down effect from the graet Vegas linesmakers of the past in Vegas which includes such legends as Bob Martin, Sonny Reizner, and Gene Mayday.
Of course, Micheal Roxborough came along and did much for actual LINESMAKING when opening his firm.
I worked for Mr. Reizner for 2 years when I first broke into the business in 1985 and many of his theories on bookmaking are played out to this day in Vegas through the ripple effect.
Many, if not all, individuals that worked under Sonny went on to have successful managerial/linesmaking/oddsmaking jobs throughout the city using many of his practices.
Remember, BOOKMAKING and LINESMAKING are two completely different entities.
BOOKMAKING is much harder to learn than LINESMAKING IMO............which is not to diminish the art of linesmaking any.
But, as LVSS does, if you can get 5-6 intelligent individuals in a room with some solid statistical basis to work from(power ratings) and a general feel of how the general public will react to a game, you have a strong team that can come up with a fairly solid line a majority of the time.
When the Castaways sportsbook closed in 1986, here is a list of the individuals that worked there to give you an idea of the ripple effect(remember, we only had 10 employees).
Mark Dufty--Moved on to the SANDS as manager/linesmaker and later on with ACES GOLD offshore. Currently employed as head linesmaker at top offshore shop.
Steve Scott-- On to stops as assistant manager at RIO, ALLADDIN, and in the Bahamas. Currently oddsmaker at the FRONTIER in Vegas.
Tom Smilanich-- Went on to many years as supervisor at Golden Nugget and later as manager of SUNSET STATION.
Dana M.--Became one of the very few females to move on to a linesmaking/bookmaking position at HARRAHS.
Tom Rinaldi--Went on to head man at the SAHARA in Vegas
Steve Klein-- Manager and head oddsmaker at the SANTE FE for years.
FROM THESE, MANY HAVE LEARNED THE BUSINESS.
The most well known would be John Avello, head man at Ballys for years now.
Remember, all of the above learned the business BEFORE computors.
---FISH---
ps- Just mentioned the CASTAWAYS because I worked there, but those who worked at the STARDUST and earlier at CHURCHILL and LITTLE CEASERS can say the samething.
Mark Dufty--Moved on to the SANDS as manager/linesmaker and later on with ACES GOLD offshore. Currently employed as head linesmaker at top offshore shop.
Steve Scott-- On to stops as assistant manager at RIO, ALLADDIN, and in the Bahamas. Currently oddsmaker at the FRONTIER in Vegas.
Tom Smilanich-- Went on to many years as supervisor at Golden Nugget and later as manager of SUNSET STATION.
Dana M.--Became one of the very few females to move on to a linesmaking/bookmaking position at HARRAHS.
Tom Rinaldi--Went on to head man at the SAHARA in Vegas
Steve Klein-- Manager and head oddsmaker at the SANTE FE for years.
FROM THESE, MANY HAVE LEARNED THE BUSINESS.
The most well known would be John Avello, head man at Ballys for years now.
Remember, all of the above learned the business BEFORE computors.
---FISH---
ps- Just mentioned the CASTAWAYS because I worked there, but those who worked at the STARDUST and earlier at CHURCHILL and LITTLE CEASERS can say the samething.
