Frank Garcia – Don’t Bet On It

Not to be confused with a larger book by the same name and with the same cover. This appears to be a booklet he sold at shows and lectures for the general public. These copies were found at his apartment after he passed away and were purchased from the estate.

Subtitled, “The Real Secrets Of 3 Card Monte,” this booklet was written by Frank Garcia who was known as “The Man With The Million Dollar Hands.” It is written in a chatty style and is full of observations by Frank about his experiences watching the Three Card Monte swindle in New York City. Frank concludes: “There is no such thing as an honest game of Three Card Monte. Remember, it is not a game, it is a ‘swindle.’ You will lose everything… It is neither a game of chance or luck, it is a ‘swindle’ and a total rip-off.”

Although some of the techniques for the swindle are explained, the majority of the booklet covers the psychology, choreography and mentality that makes the swindle work. There are also general discussions about gambling with warnings and advice about games of chance: “Small time gambling has been for the most part and always will be a crooked business.”