Anyone remember the old-fashioned numbers racket

**RangeFinder** · 02-02-18, 11:14 AM

Was that back in the day of rotary phones?

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 11:14 AM

I didn't play it, but my friends would always stop the car to go see the guy. The payouts for 3 numbers were much better than the state's lottery vig as I remember.

Was fortunate to grow up in a good environment. There was a poolroom, and the bar used to pass out dog racing forms..you could bet right there.

**jjgold** · 02-02-18, 11:16 AM

still goes on

last 3 digits Aqueduct , Belmont, Saratoga triple last race

**A4K** · 02-02-18, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by jjgold

still goes on

last 3 digits Aqueduct , Belmont, Saratoga triple last race

Really? Wow, that's amazing. I remember the numbers game in the early 80's as a kid.

**str** · 02-02-18, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

use to be one of the biggest form of Gambling back in the day

almost everyone played it, at least the people I knew

anywhere from the Mailman to the butcher, even your next door neighbor

for those too younger, it usually was the local racetrack handle, last 3 numbers

Lol. Yes, I remember.

Two blocks from the US Capital around the corner from my high school.
A news paper store that sold 7-11 type stuff before 7-11 was around.

Thanks for the flashback.

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by RangeFinder

Was that back in the day of rotary phones?

Yes, and beepers were called pagers

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by jjgold

still goes on

last 3 digits Aqueduct , Belmont, Saratoga triple last race

JJ, you talking about the handle of the Triple ?

**funnyb25** · 02-02-18, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

Yes, and beepers were called pagers

And cell phones were called beepers. Upgrade to a cell phone as of yet?

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by funnyb25

And cell phones were called beepers. Upgrade to a cell phone as of yet?

Yep. It wasn't "call" the guy....it was "beep" the guy

**VeggieDog** · 02-02-18, 12:39 PM

Do you get to pick your own numbers, or are they given to you randomly, quick pick style?

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by VeggieDog

Do you get to pick your own numbers, or are they given to you randomly, quick pick style?

You pick your own, straight. box or combo

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

You pick your own, straight. box or combo

Do you remember what the straight 3 would pay? I'm thinking it was something like $680 for a dollar, but I can't remember.

**mrpapageorgio** · 02-02-18, 01:30 PM

My dad used to play a numbers game years ago until the runner he knew passed away. It was basically a cross between bingo and keno, where you picked 10 numbers and the winning numbers were based off of the state lotto draw. Game would continue until someone's 10 numbers hit (usually took around 5-6 lotto draws before it would) and the winner would take the pot. One of his coworkers once hit a $30k pot. Two days later, the runner showed up with a McDonald's bag full of cash.

Don't know if the game is still going, but I wouldn't mind playing something like that if I knew of one.

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by mrpapageorgio

My dad used to play a numbers game years ago until the runner he knew passed away. It was basically a cross between bingo and keno, where you picked 10 numbers and the winning numbers were based off of the state lotto draw. Game would continue until someone's 10 numbers hit (usually took around 5-6 lotto draws before it would) and the winner would take the pot. One of his coworkers once hit a $30k pot. Two days later, the runner showed up with a McDonald's bag full of cash.

good story.

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Roscoe_Word

Do you remember what the straight 3 would pay? I'm thinking it was something like $680 for a dollar, but I can't remember.

I believe it was 600-1

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

I believe it was 600-1

Yep.

**str** · 02-02-18, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

I believe it was 600-1

Yep.

My time frame was before cell phones or pagers.

600-1 was the payout in DC.

**Dilo** · 02-02-18, 02:48 PM

Seems like a fun game. I’d rather play this over the lottery. Better odds.

**Optional** · 02-02-18, 03:21 PM

Great thread.

Looks Like Tony has outed himself as the new oldest mod around here

**funnyb25** · 02-02-18, 04:45 PM

**JayTris07** · 02-02-18, 05:03 PM

I can go to any bodega here in the Bronx and play numbers along with the Dominican numbers. Much prefer playing this than the legal State lottery numbers.

**unusialsusp5** · 02-02-18, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by Dilo

Seems like a fun game. I’d rather play this over the lottery. Better odds.

doesn't tony @ 5dimes or caribsports offer 900-1 on a 3 digit on any states draw you want. i know it's tough to get paid but that seems a better value.

**jjgold** · 02-02-18, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by SBR Tony

JJ, you talking about the handle of the Triple ?

it depends some use just the trifecta numbers

handling too tough to find now

**VeggieDog** · 02-02-18, 05:34 PM

Numbers game - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_game

Lots of info here.

**unusialsusp5** · 02-02-18, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

it depends some use just the trifecta numbers

handling too tough to find now

highly unlikely they use the trifecta numbers. there would be no duplicate numbers in the sequence if they did that such as 778 or 446 you get the idea. they need 1000 different combo's.

**JayTris07** · 02-02-18, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by unusialsusp5

highly unlikely they use the trifecta numbers. there would be no duplicate numbers in the sequence if they did that such as 778 or 446 you get the idea. they need 1000 different combo's.

I think it is the last three digits from the total handle for the day.

**Roscoe_Word** · 02-02-18, 06:32 PM

I had a friend (have, although I don't see him very much anymore) who, in the day, couldn't pass up a birthdate or license plate # without goin to see the guy.

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Roscoe_Word

I had (have, although I don't see him very much anymore) who, in the day, couldn't pass up a birthdate or license plate # without goin to see the guy.

This

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by Optional

Great thread.

Looks Like Tony has outed himself as the new oldest mod around here

As long as she's hanging around me, age is just a number

**SBR Tony** · 02-02-18, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

it depends some use just the trifecta numbers

handling too tough to find now

that wouldn't work for reasons already posted. plus what happens if you have a field larger than 9 horses ?

Originally posted by unusialsusp5

highly unlikely they use the trifecta numbers. there would be no duplicate numbers in the sequence if they did that such as 778 or 446 you get the idea. they need 1000 different combo's.

correct, and what I said above is another reason, but Yours is the right answer

Originally posted by JayTris07

I think it is the last three digits from the total handle for the day.

Yes

**unusialsusp5** · 02-02-18, 07:12 PM

or a field of horses 7 or less. people who play the 0 couldn't ever win. obviously it's the handle like it always was and still is. end of discussion.