A 'Sonny' Super Bowl

CharlieMaxwell · Jan 23, 2006

More than a quarter century ago, sometime back in the late 1970s, Sonny Reizner was busy running the sports book at the old Castaways Hotel in Las Vegas. Reizner, one of the seminal figures in Nevada’s glorious betting history, thought if might be a good idea to give football a little wagering facelift.

Read the rest of David Scott's latest column by going to the RX home page at www.therx.com

Charlie

:modemman:

VIEJODINOSAUR · Jan 23, 2006

The Circle King from the Castaways!!!!!!
Had more games with circles than not.

mhk · Jan 23, 2006

Good article, imo.. Need more on the oldtimers.. Chuckled at the line about getting half a point, it used to mean something..

wilheim · Jan 23, 2006

I remember playing the original "Frankenstein" cards at the Castaways. Sonny started using them for Monday night football back in the early 80's. He had some of what would be now routine props like passing and rushing yardage by starters from that night's game.

wil..

BAGIANT · Jan 23, 2006

Sonny moved on to the RIO and had those props for every MNF game. I believe the RIo deli that was next to the sportsbook was named after him! He made great strides in NFL contests by having that Castaways contest for the NFL as a winner take all contest. If I'm not mistaken, Ness, Feist and others got their business started by winning the Castaways contest, and the rest is history!

By the way Wil, I got my Rx t-shirt today, as promised, and I'll wear it proudly in Vegas for Super Bowl weekend! :103631605

Fishhead · Jan 23, 2006

As a lot of you know, Sonny was my boss in 1985-87.

He was also one of my best friends in Vegas.

Nice article.........kind of hard to comment on much more.

Rest in peace Sonny,
-FISHHEAD-

BAGIANT · Jan 23, 2006

Where did you work Fish, at the RIO? I used to love that place in the 80's. It was his Castaways Contest that was the jumpstart for the Hilton Contest which is currently the best handicappers contest in Vegas!

Insiders · Jan 23, 2006

Just another low limit or in the circle joint, back then for sure. I tried to bet 2500 on a NBA game there once and they laughed at me....It was in the circle too!! Had to lay 6-5 and they still would not take the bet.

Fishhead · Jan 23, 2006

stuckinvegas said:
Where did you work Fish, at the RIO? I used to love that place in the 80's. It was his Castaways Contest that was the jumpstart for the Hilton Contest which is currently the best handicappers contest in Vegas!

No, worked at the CASTAWAYS under Sonny from 1886-1987.

GREAT TIME and great memories.

Sonny was a FIRST CLASS individual........through and through.

Sonny and my other friends are the biggest thing I miss about Vegas.

-FISH-