Madge-World: Welcome to it.

If I could only find something to pack this in, someone is going to find this in their mailbox.

Circa 1936 from the collection of the incomparable Uncle Billy. It’s time to let it go.

Uncle Billy in 1943 sitting by the Federal Building in downtown Minneapolis. Amateur Boxer. Gambler. Devoted husband. Lifelong union member {electrical workers} and working-class kind of guy. But sweet, even though he wouldn’t hesitate a second to beat the pants off you at a craps table.

The Husband’s infamous Uncle Billy was born and raised in good old Nordeast Minneapolis. The son of immigrant parents, he was no stranger to hard work. Very resourcesful, too. Early on he developed a love of gambling and discovered an innate ability to increase his odds of winning. Loaded dice. Yup. That simple.

Apparently, he supplemented his income by building and selling small  craps tables which he sold to half the bars in Northeast Minneapolis. {read: portable so they could be quickly hidden should the coppers raid the joint.} How do we know? We discovered his little account book listing his sales and his stash of loaded dice. Many of his early customers watering holes are still open and operating. Names not mentioned to protect the innocent. Oh, OK. Little Jacks used to be called Jack’s Place. I’ve got his old monogrammed bowling shirt to prove it.

He also had many small pamphlets on how to hold and roll dice to your advantage. Usually sold under the guise of “Don’t let a sharp cheat you.”

Uncle Billy could win even without loaded dice. There are plenty of “fair” dice scattered amongst the loads.

Some of Uncle Billy’s dice, nicely wrapped to indicate “fair” or “loads.” Digging his leather dice cup, too. And a sweet little glass box with green die markings.

Who knows how he did it, but yes, they are loaded. I couldn’t resist opening a pair to check them out.