Mike Goodman

Childhood

Michael "Mike" Goodman was born in Rochester, New York. His affinity for gambling manifested at a remarkably young age—by one account, he was already engaging in dice games by the age of eight. During his formative years, Goodman worked as a waiter at Cohen's Kosher Restaurant on Joseph Avenue in Rochester, where he likely developed the interpersonal skills that would later serve him well in the gambling industry. Perhaps most influential in his early development was his relationship with Pat Mangin, a well-known professional gambler in the Rochester area who took Goodman under his wing. This mentorship would prove instrumental in shaping Goodman's future career path.

Career

Early Career as a Professional Gambler (Early 1930s)

Mike Goodman began his professional gambling career around the early 1930s. He honed his skills and developed the expertise that would later make him an authority in the field. During this formative period of his career, he gained firsthand experience that would inform his later writings and advice.

House Man and East Coast Gambling Clubs (1940s)

Following his marriage in 1940, Goodman worked for gambling clubs along the East Coast, typically employed as a club's "house man." His career took him and his family to numerous locations, including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Hollywood, Florida. This nomadic lifestyle was necessitated by the changing legality of gambling operations, forcing relocations when gambling became illegal in particular jurisdictions. During this period, Goodman also worked in seasonal gambling hotspots such as Saratoga Springs, New York, and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Las Vegas Casino Career (1960s-1970s)

Seeking stability and the legitimacy of legalized casino gambling, Goodman and his family eventually settled in Las Vegas, Nevada. By 1963, he had secured the position of pit boss at the prestigious Dunes Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip—a role he would maintain for several years. This position placed him at the heart of Las Vegas gambling operations during a transformative era for the industry.

Author (1963-1975)

Goodman's experience and expertise culminated in his most significant contribution to gambling literature, the 1963 book "How to Win: At Cards, Dice, Races, Roulette." Written with the assistance of ghostwriter Leo Guild, the book was a phenomenal success, going through numerous printings and eventually selling over one million copies.

In 1965, Goodman published "Slots & Pinballs" as part of the "How to win the Las Vegas way" series, with Arthur Dutton credited as a special consultant.

His third book, "Mike Goodman's Your Best Bet," co-authored with his son Michael J. Goodman, was published in 1975 by Brooke House and later released in paperback by Ballantine Books in 1977.

Personal life

Mike Goodman married Francesca Scorza of Rochester in 1940. Together, they had three children, including son Michael J. Goodman, who was born in 1942. The family relocated frequently during Goodman's early career due to the changing legal status of gambling in different locations. When they finally settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, Goodman was able to provide his family with stability while working in the legally established casino industry. His son Michael would later collaborate with him on his third book before pursuing a career as an investigative journalist.

Revenue

The financial impact of Goodman's literary endeavors was significant. His debut book, "How to Win," achieved remarkable commercial success. By early 1965, it had reportedly sold 700,000 copies; by 1967, it had exceeded one million in sales. The book went through at least eleven printings by 1969, with additional updated printings in 1970, 1971, and 1972.

The book's success was so substantial that ghostwriter Leo Guild publicly expressed regret at having accepted a flat fee rather than an ongoing royalty for his work on the publication.

Interesting facts

Goodman's book "How to Win" was listed as the fifth best-selling paperback in a Claremont, California bookstore in 1963, outranked only by titles like "Seven Days in May."

He strongly opposed mathematical card counting systems, even publicly challenging noted gambling experts like Edward O. Thorp and John Scarne to debate him or test their systems at the Dunes Casino.

His second book, "Slots & Pinballs," claimed endorsement from the legendary gambler known as "Nick the Greek."

Goodman's books included colorful stories about casino life, including a cautionary tale about a master card mechanic known as "Little Abe" or "the Professor," who, despite never being caught cheating, died penniless due to narcotics addiction.

Legacy

While modern analytics-based gambling experts may not hold Goodman's strategies in high regard, his books captured the atmosphere and color of Las Vegas during a formative period in its development. Richard W. Munchkin, a professional gambler and author, noted in 2013 that Goodman's books were "filled with a lot of nonsense about how to gamble," particularly regarding betting strategies during winning streaks.

Nevertheless, Goodman's work served a valuable purpose for recreational gamblers, helping them to "understand and enjoy [their] time at the tables – and maybe even win more than [they] lose," as one reviewer observed. The enduring appeal of his writings is evidenced by the release of e-book editions of "How to Win" in 2016 for both Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.

Perhaps most significantly, Goodman's son, Michael J. Goodman, went on to have a distinguished career as an investigative reporter with the Los Angeles Times, often examining the very casino industry his father had been part of.