Posted by John W on Wed, Nov 27, 2024

No, but my grandmother did. She hit for around $250 (tax free). That was worth about five months' rent back in the day. That was a one-time gamble. She stopped after that. With two kids to feed, one of which was my future mom, food was more important.

Back then, the winning number was based on the last three digits of the Aqueduct handle for the day.

Reference ID: bx92688

Posted by Pat M. on Wed, Nov 27, 2024

My father played the number 721 ( his wedding anniversary date ) for years. One day many years ago there was a big snow storm and he couldn’t get to the bookie in time to get his bet in. Of course 721 was the number that day. From that day on he swore he was done with the numbers.

Reference ID: bx92687

Posted by Alvin L. on Tue, Nov 26, 2024

I remember seeing a fancy Irish Sweepstakes certificate when I was a kid in the Bronx. It looked and felt very official. Like paper money with pictures of what looked like important people.

Reference ID: bx92686

Posted by Kevin Reynolds on Tue, Nov 26, 2024

When I drove a NYC yellow cab in the 60's part time there was a driver who took the numbers everyday. I gave him 25 cents each time I saw him and my numbers were 1,2,3. One day he handed me $ 25.00.

Reference ID: bx92685

Posted by Barbara on Mon, Nov 25, 2024

My dad sold Irish sweepstake tickets.......one day he was at the post office on Jerome Avenue to pick up the tickets coming from Ireland. Two cops approached him. Actually, it was illegal but the cops took all the tickets away from him and he had to make up payment for all of them. The cops probably had a ball at the precinct.

Reference ID: bx92682

Posted by Miltonebx on Sun, Nov 24, 2024

The Irish Sweepstakes was a lottery in Ireland that raised money to support hospitals. It terminated the 1980's. The ticket you bought named the horse to win in various races. It was popular in the United States and Great Britain.

Reference ID: bx92681

Posted by John S on Sun, Nov 24, 2024

Hi.Those were the "Irish sweepstakes".I never heard of who won or when anyone won.I would guess that IF you won,you would probably have to go to Ireland to collect.Then I would guess you would have to trade the Irish money into USD and Lie you way back to USA

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Posted by Paul H. on Sun, Nov 24, 2024

Not numbers, but I recall something called the Irish Sweepstakes that my parents played. I have no idea what it was, legal or not, or how it worked. Whatever it was, we never won a dime.

Reference ID: bx92679

Posted by John S on Sun, Nov 24, 2024

I think that most working class Fathers would drop a dime or quarter trying to hit the "number".Now of course the state runs it. But the"bent nose " guys are still selling. Did your dad(mom) take a shot. Where did they place their bet.

Reference ID: bx92678