Don Eammelli

Late fifties, I went to work at The Primm in Reno. It was somewhat of a "step up" from where I had worked before. I was hired by one of the finest gentlemen I had ever known, Mr. Alan Roberts, and it was owned by another gentlemen, Mr. Ernie Primm.

I was put on the "graveyard" shift, 3 AM till 11 AM. I had worked a lot of graveyard and really liked those hours. You could either do your partying in the morning after work, or the time before you went on shift. I must admit I don't remember my first day, pretty nervous entering into this new, different way of dealing craps. Each club has its own way of dealing, and that was how it was done, and, they got bigger "action" at the Primm, and that made me nervous.

My graveyard boss turned out  to be Don Eammelli. He put me at ease right away. I eventually learned some of his background. He was from Steubenville, Ohio, a starting place for a number of casino employees. Don had also been a band leader in his younger days.

My first night, break time, Don challenged me to call a heads or tails on a silver dollar, to determine who bought the coffee. Don won. Don always won. His "flip" was so practiced that he could determine whether heads or tails by where he caught the coin. He sometimes would come over to the table and make a bet of one kind or another, he always won.

Early on, Don took me to a casino and introduced me to to the shift manager, Joe Hill. While we were talking, he opened a new pack of cards for a change on a 21 table. He rippled them a few times, fanned them, and said, "Uh Oh, a factory marked deck," and proceeded to turn over cards, naming them. Then he explained how sometimes, when they are trimming the deck that a blade gets a nick or something in it, and marks the deck. "Can't use those."

Don had him give them to me, good training for the future, check out the deck and learn for yourself. I took the deck home, used a magnifying glass, spent hours, looking for the mark. Don made me labor over that deck for a week or so. Then one morning, he laughed, said that Joe had marked them during the few short manipulations he had done while he had the cards. My lesson, don't trust anyone, don't believe what you see, and don't doubt what someone says they can do.

Don owned a number of houses and apartments around town. We rented one from him. I occasionally went with him to do maintenance on them and check things out. Don limped, had lost a leg in a car accident, he had done some work for the bank, and was driving back to Reno in a "repo" and had a wreck.

Don trained me, and helped me out, and eventually, I was given the opportunity to "sit box," next step up the ladder from a dealer, sit in the middle of the table, keep an eye on the customers, keep an eye on the dealers, hand out meal tickets, be nice to the customers, and try to look the part. I bought some Louie Roth suits, with cuffs on the sleeves, white on white monogrammed shirts, a Gensler Lee watch, with 33 diamonds on the face, alligator shoes, with tassels, tried really hard to look the part.

Don could leave the pit, sit at the bar, drinking water, check things out in the mirror on the back bar, and know everything that was going on in the pit.

One morning, there was an oriental playing 21, and Don was sitting at the bar watching him in the mirror. He was betting in a familiar pattern, like a "card marker" and I strolled over to Don to mention it to him. "I know, let him bet a few more hands." Then he casually strolled into the pit, got a few new decks out of the drawer, changed cards on one table, then casually changed them on the one where the oriental was playing. He said nothing, let him get another deck marked, Don changed them again. We took him for quite a bit of money before he caught on to what Don was doing.

Don was a "marker" and a "counter" and knew what to do when they sat down to play. That is how and why he so many properties around town. Don's problem, when gambling, he would get ahead, they would buy him drinks, then he would start losing, not all the time.

One evening, Don needed some extra money to make payments. Payed one of our security guards to follow him around, and when he got so much ahead, make him leave, and go home. They went to Harrah's Club, Don was "counting" .... a count system he had originated. He wanted to teach it to me, but I was afraid to learn, and, he was much smarter and had a much better mind than I did. His count system was simple, as cards were shown, he remembered three numbers, and those numbers let him know what his odds of winner were.

Don started winning, drinks started flowing his way, they all knew him, he got to his amount to leave, his guard came to the table, "Come on Don, time to leave." Don called security over, said the man was bothering him, them escorted him out, Don lost his money, and went home.

I could write a book about Don, and what he did, and what we did to him, pin wheel watches, a product that cleaned drains, having a picnic and eating chicken, in the median area, on South Virginia, cars whizzing by, the Cattysark and Milk Fund, Joe Conforte, Del Ray, the magician, so many stories.

I hope Don is still in Reno, and perhaps reads this. I think his two children still live there, not sure about Don. It would be nice to let him know what an important part he played in my life. If things had unfolded differently, who knows, I had some great people on my side.

Thanks, Don.

Paul Anka at the Primm, many years ago

Just did my morning Crossword Puzzle. A Paul Anka song was mentioned. Had not thought of him in a long time.

Late 50's, not sure of exact date, I was working at the Primm in Reno, and before my shift started I was sitting in the coffee shop having a bite to eat and was was perusing the "Entertainment" section of the Reno  Gazette. Front page article about Paul Anka appearing at the Riverside Hotel. Tells about the background and success of this twenty year old entertainer.

I finished and headed for my table and reported to Don Eammelli, my shift manager.

Had not been on the table too long when I glanced over at one of the 21 tables, and who was playing 21, Paul Anka.

I motioned to Don, he came over, and I told him that Anka was not old enough to be playing.

"How do you know?"

"It's in the newspaper."

So Don went over and politely asked him to leave the table. He got a little belligerent about it, "I'm old enough to sing in these joints but not old enough to gamble," or something like that. He reluctantly left the Primm.

Funny what you read in the paper.

Sandy and the Baron

I related this incident before, but some had not heard it and wanted me to tell it again.

I was working at the Primm in Reno and we had a new 21 dealer start one night. Her name was Sandy. We happened to have a break together, sat together, and I asked her about her coming to work at the Primm.

She said she had been working at the Golden Hotel, and had to quit. I asked her, why?

Well, it seems she kept falling asleep, while dealing 21, her head would just plop to one side and she would go sound asleep.

The story went on that her husband was a Hypnotist, worked with the medical profession, and trained them in the use of hypnosis in treating some of their patients. As a result, Sandy had been put "under" on a number of occasions by her husband. So she was very susceptible to hypnotic suggestions.

Baron Von Brenner, a hypnotist, was appearing in the lounge of the Golden. The pit area at the Golden was right outside, and surrounded the lounge. The Baron would be on stage doing his show and the only thing that divided the lounge and the pit were heavy drapes, Sandy would hear him, and at times, just go under.

It is not a good thing for dealer to do with all that money in front of her, just doze off. Her choices were to get another shift at the Golden or get another job. She chose that latter and came to work at the Primm.

The first time I related this in a blog or something, I got an email from Von Brenner's son, who said he had often heard his Dad tell that story

The Spotlight

A movie on with Gordon McRae, brought back a memory.

Years ago, in Reno, I was working at the Primm, a boxman, and one afternoon, some friends of mine from Klamath Falls, Oregon called were in town, and would like to go out and see Gordon McRae who was appearing at The Nugget out in Sparks, Nevada. It was his last night and they really wanted to see him. I told them I had to work that night, but, would call in sick for the night and go with them to see the show.

I called the Primm, and told them I was not feeling well, and would not be in for my shift.

I called a friend of mine who worked at The Nugget, and he assured me he could get four "comps" for the show.

We got ready, went to their motel and picked them up and headed for Sparks.

We arrived, went in, went to the "window" to get out tickets. I had asked for seats "way in the back" so on the chance that someone was there that I knew, we would be pretty far back and no one would see me.

We ended up at a table, in the back corner, perfect.

We ate, and sat back waiting for the show. The lights dimmed and the room was in total darkness. A small bright spotlight was turned on so everyone could see the entrance into the room of Gordon McRae, there were two people in the spotlight, Gordon McRae and me, way back in the corner of the room.

It seemed like everyone I knew was in the room that night, I got all sorts of calls the next day.

When I went in to work that night, first person to greet me was Don Eammelli, my shift manager, all he said was, "How was the show?"

The Cutty Sark and Milk Fund

An old memory from the late 50's came to mind this morning. I have a new website up for my 78 birthday, 78 Birthday Site and I have a foto page, was looking at that, and some memories came floating back.

I was working at the Primm, graveyard, 3 am to 11 am, which left a lot of good daylight time to get into trouble. Some mornings I would go straight home, make a b-line to my car, which then was a Studebaker Golden Hawk, and head home.

Then, some mornings, after a good winning night, Ernie Primm, the owner,  or someone, would offer to "Let me buy you guys a drink" at the bar, and Dave would fix us up. On some occasions, previous customers from the night would see we dealers at the bar, and also buy us one.

One particular morning, Ernie bought one, then two, then some customers followed suit, and before long, a party was "goin on."

Around 2 or so, the party started breaking up, for them, not for me, I wanted to keep it going, but was running short of money. Well, we could always "draw" on salary at the Primm, but Mr. Roberts, the casino manager, who was one of the finest "gentlemen" I have ever known, got the picture, saw was was happening, and about to happen, and said "No" to the draw.

So I left the Primm, walked down the back alley, and there, behind the Horseshoe Club, were three nice, bright, shiny, stainless steel, 5-gallon milk cans. I am not sure how it all came about, or even who I was with, but I partnered with someone, put a sign on the milk can ........... the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.

It was Winter, and "Slim" one of the owners of the Crystal Bay Club at Lake Tahoe, got us drinking his "Winter" drink, Cutty Sark and Milk. I don't know if I ever liked it, or even thought about it, but in the Winter, I often drank it.

I was living on North Virginia then, almost across from the University of Nevada, split rent on a house with another guy, don't remember his name.

Anyway, I started making the rounds of clubs, people I knew, friends, etc., collecting for the "fund."

I was having a good time, so were my "donors" maybe have a drink with them and collect the change or they would put money in the milk can. This went on till around 5 in the afternoon. I must admit I do not remember a lot of it, but apparently, at some time, for some reason, I invited some to our "Kickoff Party" on North Virginia, and gave them the address. Not sure when I started doing that.

About 8, something woke me up. After a very long time, I realized I was lying on the couch, in our living room, surrounded by people, mostly strangers, in a room full of people, mostly strangers, who were having a party, celebrating the kickoff of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.

And there was I, in my shorts, surrounded by probably 50 people, all looking at me.

As I walked to my bedroom, I was sent off with a thunderous applause, for the founder, of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.

At one time, Don Eammelli, my Shift Boss, had that can and was keeping it as a souvenir, I was told he had it in his Recreation Room as a reminder of the good old days.

Those were the days ...........................................

I know, too much, it's just a sore spot with me ...

Not supposed to do it, but I took this picture in the late 50's or early 60's, inside the Primmadonna in Reno. Cameras inside the casinos were a NO NO, this was taken early in the morning, graveyard shift and was the crew that I worked with. The "suit" in the middle went on to be one of Harrahs top casino managers, and managed a big Harrahs in Las Vegas. He passed away a few years ago. Have no idea whatever happened to the two dealers, both Jerry's. Both were good friends.

COLUMBUS, Ohio

Opponents of a proposal to allow casinos in Ohio's four largest cities are casting doubt about the issue that will go before voters this fall, including questioning how much tax revenue the gambling will bring the state.

But casino supporters say the opponents are out to confuse voters with unsubstantiated attacks and half-truths.

If approved this November, the proposed constitutional amendment would allow construction of casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.

Backers promise the creation of 34,000 new jobs in Ohio's struggling cities and $651 million in casino tax revenue.

The most recent disagreement between the two sides on Issue 3 centers on how much tax money the casinos will generate for counties, schools and cities. Under the proposal, the state would take a 33 percent off the top of the revenues and redistribute the money to Ohio's 88 counties.

Opponents, though, point out that the 33 percent tax on gross casino revenue is defined as the amount of money "exchanged for the purchase of chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards or similar objects" minus total winnings. They say that leaves a hole by not including cash or coins that are simply fed into slot machines and video poker machines.

Rep. Lou Blessing, R-Cincinnati, an opponent of the casino plan, said at a Tuesday news conference that casino supporters have made it allowable to gamble with cash but do not stipulate that cash revenue be taxed.

"These casinos could run total cash games and the state of Ohio would receive no tax benefit. Period," he said.

Issue 3 spokesman Bob Tenenbaum said the proposed casinos would not use cash except to exchange for vouchers, and would be subject to taxes.

"Cash wagering is an anachronism," Tenenbaum said. "Nobody uses it."

Maybe things have changed since I worked in the casinos, but a customer walked up to the table, got a hundred in chips, and started wagering. That hundred went into a drop box and was counted at the end of a shift, in a counting room, locked, called FIRST COUNT. Are the games going to be such that you can only purchase coins or chips in one location, that basically is a cash register and keeps track of the transaction? The casinos kept track of their cash by the amount of "drop." That, plus other revenue from bars, slots, etc., was what they payed their tax on. Have to wonder what old Tenenbaum is getting out of this.