These touts are handicapped by outrageous claims ... and outrageous grammar

I was pleased when I stopped into the Gambler's Book Shop and saw that someone had clipped this column out and hung it on the wall in a prominent location.

A respected professional gambler named Ron Boyles was quoted in this column a couple of months ago referring to sports touts -- guys who sell their predictions to the public -- as "charlatans, snake-oil salesmen and ... lowlife (jerks)."

Except he used a stronger word than jerks.

Last call for Larry Grossman's popular betting show

It's common for a reporter to ask an interview subject for his or her age. Most people don't mind revealing it, though some do. Larry Grossman deflected the question in the coolest way possible: He simply quoted a line from "My Back Pages." Nicely played.

In February there will be an empty space on the landscape of the Las Vegas gambling community.

Larry Grossman, a fixture on the radio for 16 years, plans to step down from his position as the host of "You Can Bet on It," the popular gambling program he created.

His final show is scheduled for Feb. 3, two days before the Super Bowl.

Although he is officially calling it an extended hiatus from radio rather than a retirement, Grossman said this week he has decided to put the "You Can Bet on It" format on the shelf.