• About Us / Contact
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Remembering Legendary Las Vegas Linemaker Bob Martin

Las Vegas' oddsmaking pioneer

Robert Mann by Robert Mann
April 9, 2019
in Industry
A Bob Martin favorite meeting place, Las Vegas' Golden Steer.

A Bob Martin favorite meeting place, Las Vegas' Golden Steer.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The once shadowy world of bookmaking is now out in the open. This, attributable to the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning PASPA, the law that made Nevada-style sports wagering illegal everywhere else.

The computer, the internet and the cell phone are now the tools of what sports betting insiders regard as a specialized practice known as β€œmaking book.” At a time when bookmaking and the creation of the opening line is emerging from its somewhat hidden past, now is an appropriate time to remember the late Bob Martin, the Las Vegas longtime oddsmaker and bookmaker whose opinion on what an opening number should be mattered more than anyone else’s. In the 1960s, 70s and into the 80s, Martin created the Las Vegas sport betting lines.

Then, every major bookmaker had a representative in Las Vegas to get Martin’s line. His opinion was the gold standard and without it, no bookie could operate.Β 

It was all in his head

β€œBob operated in a world long before any computers took over. It was all in his head,” long-time friend and confidante β€œPittsburgh” Jack Franzi told Sport Handle. Martin, who died in 2001 at age 82, is still generally regarded as the best in the business from those days because of his ability to quickly process information and his personal integrity, Franzi said.

He was trusted, respected and well liked, according to Franzi, and all three of these attributes served him well. (Martin is pictured here and here.)

In a bookmaking world seemingly light years away from today’s β€” a world Martin and his cohorts probably never imagined, Martin and dozens of gamblers congregated in the Churchill Downs Sports Book on The Strip — where the Paris Las Vegas Resort now stands — each Monday morning during football season. That’s where Martin initially served as oddsmaker before moving downtown to work with Johnny Quinn at the Union Plaza.

Those local bettors, often with betting associates all over the country, knew that Martin could be trusted to put out a football line that would attract action on both sides, the key principle in successfully making book. Those that knew Martin well in that era, including Franzi and semi-retired Las Vegas sportsbook director Richard Saber, never minimized two of Martin’s attributes β€” honesty and integrity β€” this in a world where sports betting outside of Nevada was clearly illegal, and usually controlled by those operating outside the letter of the law.

Monday morning gatherings on the Las Vegas Strip

β€œMartin’s β€˜stand-up guy’ reputation meant he could be trusted,” Saber, who broke into the sport betting business at the Stardust in the 1970s when it was run by Frank β€œLefty” Rosenthal, told Sports Handle.

Those Monday morning gatherings on the Vegas Strip were highlighted by Martin’s posting the first line on the following weekend’s football games. He would write them in chalk on a blackboard, and betting would begin. Many of those watching would be betting themselves and soon thereafter disseminating Martin’s numbers to illegal bookmaking operations from big cities to small throughout the nation.

This was an era long before today’s offshore betting houses, which now post the first lines. Today there’s no betting operation, legal or illegal, that posts a line without seeing what’s going on offshore, Saber says. β€œIt’s big business now, but it was big business before. It’s just that it was done differently.”Β 

This was big business, indeed, and it all stemmed from Martin’s opinion on each game. More than anyone else, Bob Martin’s opinion mattered.

When cancer claimed Martin in 2001, his passing was extremely well noticed in the sports world and was the subject of a β€œSports of the Times” column in The New York Times by Dave Anderson.

From Anderson:

β€œBefore Super Bowl III, the late Mo Siegel, then a Washington sports columnist, phoned Martin to tell him that Vince Lombardi gave the Jets, a 17-point underdog, a chance to upset the Colts because of Joe Namath.

β€˜If I write that, Siegel asked, would that change the line?

β€œThat would depend, Martin said, how much Mr. Lombardi bet.”

Β A bookie’s golden rule

Saber said, β€œAt that time, that was the first and only betting line around. Martin had a big advantage because he dealt with all the biggest bookmakers all over the country, including the biggest bookmakers in New York City. They were all looking to get down and he knew what numbers they thought could attract action from their customers. Once he talked to all of these people all over the country, he could make a true number.

“Bob Martin taught all the younger guys in the business back then, such as myself, that a good bookie has to see the entire picture,” Saber explained. “He would say there’s always guys out there who know more than you. You have to know what they think, too. Martin’s advantage is that he knew everybody from all over the country including every big bettor and every big bookmaker. He knew what number would attract two-way action.”

It was that knowledge that spawned Martin’s most famous credo that modern-day, legal bookmakers still live by. That is, β€œ11 for 10 will take care of everything.”

β€œBob made bets and took bets,” Saber recalls. β€œI know for a fact that he would take bets and then move those bets somewhere else to get a better number. In those days, that’s what you had to do. Today, that’s just not done anymore.”

Shunning the limelight

Franzi, now in his 90s and Saber, 71, agree that Martin’s personality was an important part of the business. Both often joined Martin for dinner at Piero’s or the Golden Steer β€” both still active and popular Las Vegas dining and gathering establishments. Martin would greet everyone at about 6 p.m. at the bar and have a cocktail and start telling stories. The actual dinner was served after 9 p.m.

β€œHe was great fun to be around and had a million and one sayings, Saber said. β€œAnother of my favorites was β€˜Behind every successful gambler is a rich woman.'” But Martin was not a publicity seeker in the manner of Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, and led a quiet life as a family man in Las Vegas.

Martin’s notoriety was such that People magazine ran a feature on him in 1976.

Franzi and Saber remember Martin’s arrest and conviction for passing betting information across state lines. Martin was convicted in 1982 for violating interstate gambling laws, and was sentenced to 13 months in prison.

β€œThat was complete nonsense,” Franzi said.

At the time, there was betting information in many newspapers. However, Martin did do less than a year in a minimum security facility for doing something that’s now on ESPN everyday. After his release, he returned to Las Vegas where gradually family health issues and the changing technology made Martin’s great skill a thing of the past.

He’s gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Share37TweetShare
Robert Mann

Robert Mann

Sports Handle contributor Robert Mann has a Northwestern journalism degree and is a former reporter for the Chicago Tribune and National Enquirer. He has worked in news management for CNN and several TV stations and is a 31-year resident of Las Vegas.

Related Posts

(Kirby Lee/USA TODAY)
Sports

As NFL Draft Hits Las Vegas Strip, Sports Handle Staff Suggests Some Bets

April 27, 2022
connecticut villanova basketball
Industry

The Madness Before March

February 23, 2022
Load More

Top Sportsbooks In Your State

1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
bet365 Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
2
FOX Bet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
SuperBook Sports
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Betfred Sportsbook
Review / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
NorthStar Bets Sportsbook
Review / 4.6
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Bet99 Sportsbook
Review / 4.7
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Sports Interaction Ontario
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PowerPlay Sportsbook
Rating / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Monkey Knife Fight
Rating / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
PrizePicks
Rating / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

State Sports Betting Guides

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
June 30, 2022

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
March 21, 2021

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
March 18, 2022

Most Read Stories

mattress mack betting charade

Will Everyone Please Stop Calling β€˜Mattress Mack’ A Sports Bettor?

April 27, 2022
Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY

Dave Portnoy Says, ‘F**k That Guy,’ To Which Bettor And Gambling Twitter Seriously Object

May 16, 2022
map-missouri

Missouri Sports Betting Bill Draws Debate, Backlash In Senate

May 5, 2022
golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco

California Tribes Won’t Try For Mobile Proposal On 2022 Ballot

May 10, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN),Β 1-800-522-4700Β (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA),Β 1-888-532-3500Β (VA) or call/text TN REDLINEΒ 1-800-889-9789Β (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply.Β 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location