Gambling With an Edge - Max Votolato

Our guest this week is Max Votolato, talking about his new book,  “Gardena Poker Clubs: A High-Stakes History.”  Max's initial research into the card clubs in Gardena was for a documentary film called “Freeway City.” 

podcast

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Show Notes:

Freeway City is streaming free on Vimeo @ https://vimeo.com/146613357

Also, for anyone interested in more info - they can check out the film's website: www.FreewayCity.org

00:50 How did Max become interested in Gardena?

06:09 When did legalized poker come to Gardena and why Gardena?

16:28 The political battles along the the poker club’s legalization process

29:17 Card clubs from 50’s and 60’s v.s. current poker rooms in Las Vegas and elsewhere

32:53 Cheating problems back then and countermeasures

40:00 When Larry Flynt wanted to built the Hustler Casino

49:09 Gardena club’s competitions that led to its demise

53:47 Ernie Primm’s relations with the town of Primm

You can reach Max Votolato on:

Twitter: @Votolato

Gardena Poker Clubs: A High-Stakes History  http://amzn.to/2zNoHa3

Primm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primm,_Nevada

Larry Flynt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Flynt