Episode 143--When it was Great: A Dealer's Autobiographic Story (Memoirs From Las Vegas) - a podcast by Gamblers Book Club - Las Vegas, Nevada

When it was Great: A Dealer's Autobiographic Story (Memoirs From Las Vegas)
Want to go back to the Las Vegas of yesterday?
Meet John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Redd Foxx, Debbie Reynolds, Louis Prima and other celebrities.
In 1968, Jim Sinay packed up his green Caddy convertible and drove from Canton, Ohio to Las Vegas. His “Uncle” Ed Pucci, who was Frank Sinatra’s bodyguard and a close family friend, set him up with an entry level dealer’s job in Vegas. Over the next three decades, Jimmy experienced all Las Vegas had to offer. He dealt craps to famous gangsters in a private game, he interacted with John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Redd Foxx, Debbie Reynolds, Louis Prima and other celebrities. Jimmy was a confirmed bachelor who lived the high life with the ladies, although at times his carousing nearly cost him his life. He saw hundreds of thousands of dollars bet on one roll of the dice, he caught gambling cheaters and had run ins with some very nasty types.
Folktales from a bygone era
Jimmy’s stories are folktales from a bygone era, the 1960s, 70s and 80s when Vegas was still a relatively small town. Back in the day, the “joints” were ruled by men whose names all ended in vowels and there was a good time to be had 24/7. When It Was Great will make you laugh and touch your heart, but most of all it will take you back to the Las Vegas of yesterday, when the Rat Pack played at the Sands, Elvis headlined at the Hilton and working stiffs like Jimmy partied like there was no tomorrow.
Wid Bastian is a novelist and screenwriter. His screenplay work includes the upcoming feature film Themi scheduled for release in 2016. His published novels include Henry and Tom, The Nano Experiment, Solomon's Porch and the soon to be released When It Was Great. As a ghostwriter, Wid has penned numerous works that have been published both in America and abroad. When he's not working in Los Angeles, Wid enjoys being home in Logan, Utah with his wife Elaine, her two kids, four cats, a dog and other assorted critters.
Jim Sinay was born and now lives in Canton, Ohio. A veteran, Jim served with the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1964. From 1968 to 2000, Jimmy was a craps dealer and a casino supervisor in Las Vegas. He worked at The Mint, The Sahara, The Tropicana and at other properties. While age has slowed him down a bit, Jim still loves to work out, drink a glass of wine and play a round of golf. His only living relative is his brother Bob who still lives in Vegas, but Jimmy has friends all across the country that he met during his thirty years of dealing craps in Vegas.

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