Feature Story
'Casino' character takes a gamble on South Beach
Written by Roberto Santiago, Miami Herald on February 11, 2008
Game theorist Frank ''Lefty'' Rosenthal is the man Sports Illustrated crowned as the greatest living expert on sports handicapping.
But he's probably better known as the man actor Robert De Niro portrayed in the 1995 Martin Scorsese epic Casino, that also starred Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci.
Rosenthal ran four Las Vegas casinos owned by the Chicago mob back in the 1970s -- and is one of the few men ever to survive a car bombing.
Rosenthal, 78, now lives a quiet life of semi-retirement in South Beach, serving as a consultant for offshore online casinos. We asked him about Casino and the South Florida gambling scene.
Q: Actor Robert De Niro portrayed you in Casino as a character named Sam ''Ace'' Rothstein. Was there anything De Niro got wrong?
A: Bob De Niro studied the script and his character quite well. On execution, he was flawless. His director, imperfect.
Q: In one scene, there's a scene where your character orders security to crush the hand of a guy cheating at blackjack. How realistic is that?
A: The security scene, pretty much on target. That was a most unique and unusual set of circumstances. However, the movie did not provide an accurate sequence regarding the facts. The two bandits, using electronic signals, were not your ordinary thieves. They belonged to a rough and organized band of highly trained and professional pick-pockets. Additionally, we were able to determine that they were not 1st time-starters. To the contrary, they had raped the strip casinos, over a period of time, which included our property. Hence, we played hardball, sending their entire crew a message, that if they ever came back, it would be "Katy bar the door" - meaning, big-time trouble ahead. Regarding the cowboy. A double-tough local, who was king of the hill, and twirled his 8" switchblade like a baton. It took six armed security guards to disarm him, and drag him through the rear end of the casino, and heaved through shatterproof glass. Miraculously, a quick trip to the Sunrise Hospital emergency room, with minor bruises and cuts.
Q: There are numerous true crime books, documentaries, and scores of federal documents that say that in the 1970s you ran four Las Vegas casinos for the Chicago mob. What do you say to that?
A: I've heard much of the same; nonetheless, I worked for and served at the pleasure of our Chairman of the Board. Our bottom-line was spectacular, breaking all of the previous years records.
Q: You've spent time at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Hollywood, which will debut baccarat and blackjack this summer. If you ran the casino, what would you do?
A: That's simple. Loose as a Goose slots, returning at least 95% on every buck. They could go a shade higher, which would guarantee them a terrific handle. My guess, they're probably on a 80/20 or 85/15, which is counterproductive, but they don't (clueless) know it.
Q: What are your favorite things to do as a South Beach resident?
A: Study and admire the Latina lovelies, with curves galore.
Q: You are hailed by Sports Illustrated as being the greatest gambler that has ever lived. What are some basic secrets to becoming a better gambler?
A: No secrets to a wining formula. However, bucking heads with the top Book Shops is a fulltime load, with no guarantees. It takes years, perhaps more to establish a rigid form of self discipline. You must also be prepared to accept a lifestyle that requires an aspect of personal sacrifice, and bumpy roads along the way. And if you're a steamer, you're a dead-duck. Finally, if you can't measure/evaluate number value to dollar value, you'd be better off in a field like chucking corn.
Q: Tell us about any new websites, products, or services that are are currently marketing?
A: Don't have an answer for that one. Simply taking life one-day-at-a-time. And would you believe, it's rather relaxing and enjoyable, until the bell rings, all hands on deck.
