Quick History Lesson

King of cards called Odessa home
BY KEN BRODNAX/Odessa American

Odessa flourished because of risk takers in the oil business, so it was only natural that it became a haven for gamblers in the days when money was flowing freely.

In the 1950s and '60s, lots of money changed hands in card games. Some preferred bridge, others liked gin rummy, but poker was far and away the favorite game.

In that day, the big-stakes card players kept a low profile. You could get in a heavy game at the Inn of the Golden West. At one time, a guy named Paul Harvey (no connection to the famous radio commentator) ran a casino out of his home in Country Club Estates.

Of course, a lot of oilmen with a lot of money tended to bring in the big fish, too. They knew where the feeding was good.

In retrospect, we know the names of those frequent visitors to Odessa - "Sailor" Roberts, "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Doyle Brunson and a guy who would become the most well-known gambler from Odessa, Johnny Moss. But back then, you were extremely careful. Big-time card players had to watch out for both the good and bad guys. Authorities would bust a big game if they found out the location. And crooks were always on the lookout for a nice score by robbing poker players with hefty bankrolls.

We know the legendary gamblers now because something called the World Series of Poker was created in 1970 in Las Vegas and lent legitimacy to the profession of card playing. Johnny Moss, who liked Odessa so much that moved here in the 1950s, won the first title by vote of his fellow poker pros, most of whom had logged some seat time in Odessa.

Rest of story HERE.

You know I've had a lot of fun poking fun at my hometown but when you get down to it, Odessa is pretty badass. Name another town with 100,000 people that has so much stuff that's relevant and interesting. We've got the 46' OHS state title team (with Hayden Fry), Roy Orbison, Pinkie Roden, the legend of MOJO (as much as I hate Permian), oil boomtown stories and apparently we were a poker capital too.

Give a read to the whole story from Ken Brodnax on the OA's website. It's pretty interesting. I just hope Trey isn't reading it. He might blow his wad if he knows Odessa was a poker Metropolis at some point.