[Mr. Jones]

*Skybook gave you a free 2 dime, 5 team parlay every month for a year. I hit two of them.
*Skybook gave you a free half point for any baskets and foots 24/7. No juice manipulation.
*Books would give you a free Motorola sports pager for a dime deposit.
+Later it would be free coffee, cigars, grills etc. for almost any deposit. Then of course came Neteller.
*Many books dealt reduced juice, BetGibraltar was just one that comes to mind.
+You could play at well over 20 or more safe shops.
*Opinionated lines were relatively easy to find. Especially with all the shops you could choose.
*Scalps and middles became a way of life.
*Payouts were mostly free and fast, at least where I played.
*I always knew what day it was cause I had free girly calendars from more than one book hanging in office.
*Other good stuff I probably forgot about.
*All of this gone forever.

Just thought of these things after one shop changed 2 bets against me on the confirmation screen again this morning, another shop makes me wait for CBB totals till almost tip off again today, I calculate whether or not I have to hit 56 or 57% to cover withrawal fees at another shop, and whether or not I'll be insulted by CS at yet another one. THESE ARE THE GOOD SHOPS!!! Finally paying to get paid, waiting forever to get paid, and hoping you don't get a phony check when you do get paid. Just a hard way to go boys.

Should have moved to Vegas before I got too old and feeble to do so. My advice to you younger guys is go there now. Fishhead will teach you the +ev ropes and help you settle in. Just buy our boy a beer and share a laugh or two with him.

[Inkwell77]

Was too young for the heyday, but still money to be made in this game. Stay strong!

[BAUS]

I miss all the things you listed there Mr Jones.

I also miss WWTS and the Neteller DC. Free coffee in the mail was a nice treat too.

BAUS

[flyingillini]

Skybook loves the Washington Nationals!

[darrell74]

Mr. Jones, I'm about to take your advice.

Whats stopping me is I don't know if I'm gonna have a job if I move out there.

[Mr. Jones]

Was too young for the heyday, but still money to be made in this game. Stay strong!

Thank you Inkwell77,

You are right. Bottom line is that you can still make a profit even if the golden goose is gone. Kind words from you. I'm mid 60's and failing health, though not quite dead yet. Still manage to supplement my social security though nothing to write home about. Years ago, I would speculate when I would finally retire from this madness.

Answer is never. What the hell would I do with my time? Would do it all again boys. Been a good ride.

[KKoz9]

Will only get worse too if the almighty US government allows us legal, regulated gambling...

We'll be lucky to get a koozie