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I was a Pit Boss here in Vegas for over 30 years. I spent most of my time at the Sands Hotel and Casino. I was there all through the years of Frank and Dean and Sammy, etc.

I noticed there is a lot of interest in Frank and how he did things and the relationship he had with Dean or Jerry, or even how Dean and Jerry got along, etc. I can give some first hand knowledge on how it was to deal with these great entertainers at the Sands during the late 50s, 60s and 70s.

Sands Hotel and Casino started around the early 50's. It was the "in" place to play and have a good time. Vegas was really a western town then. Guys like me came from back east to work here. Vegas had cowboys and Sheriff's and horses and dirt roads and stuff.

I was from New York City and hung around poolrooms in the Times Square area. So I got to know the gamblers and those who controlled the action.

In Vegas, I was considered sharp and known as somebody who could protect the joint.

I started at The Sands when I was only 30. Carl Cohen, then Casino Manager brought me in. The Casino had two major pits: The Craps Pit where the Crap tables are located, usually in a circle so we can stand on the inside and look all around and watch what is going on. The 21 Pit which is set up the same. Dealers deal the games. Floormen watch a certain number of games and make sure the Dealers are dealing properly and the players are playing properly. If a player is approved for credit, a Floorman gives it to him. The Pit Boss is in charge of the entire pit. Craps, 21, Baccarat, Wheels, or whatever.

The Sands was set up to be a place where anybody could come and gamble, be entertained and have a good time. It takes special people to carry this off. Jack Entratter was the main man. He was from NY and the Copa there. He knew how to handle all kinds of people. Being from the Copa in NY, he knew the gamblers and the social crowd. He especially knew how to use entertainment to get people in the door and what it took to keep them there. Carl Cohen was Casino Manager: he ran the casino. He had been around gambling all his life. These two were the best I've ever seen. They knew who was who and how to talk to a princess or a pimp. In our business, it's all about people and handling them.

A Pit Boss must know the games and be able to protect them, but the real job is being able to make fast judgement on who you're talking to and what to do with him. Is he a player or tourist or first timer or trouble? If a player, what kind of game does what he want and will he play on the level? Can we extend him credit? Can he handle it? Is he honorable? Remember, we did this all before computers and keeping records and such stuff. We used our head for everything.

I started out as a Floorman. Carl Cohen told me to keep my eyes open and learn.

From my first week there Carl told me about Frank Sinatra and what he meant to the Casino. Carl is dead now, God bless him, but I remember it well. "Eddie, when Frank is in house watch him - he is a pro, he knows what we're doing and handles himself accordingly. Watch him and you'll see a guy who knows what it's all about."

So the next time Frank is in, I want to take a look at him on stage. 8 pm show starts. Opening act is, I think, Brachia & Typie, a dance team. I'm still in the 21 Pit. After a while I go back to the Copa Room, our main showroom. There are the big doors, usually kept open till the main act is on. Then a small entrance room where the Matre'd meets the people and lets them in. Then a black curtain blocking any outside light from going in the showroom.

Around 8:25 I go back to see Frank. He's not on stage yet. The audience is getting restless. They're starting to rumble and get noisy. I put my head through the curtain and watch the people, they are now very restless and noisy. All of a sudden they are getting quiet. It has become completely quiet. Everyone is looking around as if they feel he is close, all are sure something is about to happen. I'm wondering too. I pull my head back inside the curtain and standing one foot away from me is Frank Sinatra.

His head is down. He looks very serious and very controlled. He looks up and says to someone, like only Frank does. "Let's go to work." The guy presses a button that keys a light. The music starts and they open the black curtain for Frank.

He walks in, through the tables and people. He's coming in from behind them and as he passes each table, you see the effect he makes. Some are just clapping, some yelling, some just looking at him with a look that says 'I knew he was close, I knew he was here.' And they are right!!!

He walks on stage, nods to Nelson and goes into the first song. He sings like no one else can and at the end just says "Hi, I'm Frank Sinatra." The place erupts with applause and admiration.

They want him to sing for them and they love it. He wants to sing, he loves to sing and loves singing for them. Man what a winning combination.

Carl Cohen was right. Watch Frank and you'll see a master at work.

After 1967 when he left, the Sands never recovered. He was the best at what he did. We would never have been "Sands" without him.

Frank was a Professional, A Class Act, An Honorable man.