She came from Newport Kentucky to The Vegas in 1952. She really did teach me everything I know about baccarat (bet the tie on the first and last hand of the shoe... wink wink...)
from the recent book "The Stardust of Yesterday.. Reflections on a Las Vegas Legend"
"Around here is way always a party," says Shirley Brancucci, who started at the Stardust as a cocktail waitress and eventually became a baccarat pit boss.
She continuously tangled with Rosenthal. He would scream at her, but knew she was a skilled dealer. "It was a love-hate relationship," she said.
Brancucci remembers the beginning of the end.
"It was in December '83, right before Christmas," she said. "I was in the baccarat pit when the federal agents came in."
"And they fired just about everybody. Almost all the floor people were fired. And management."
For those who didn't know... just watch the movie CASINO. The Tangiers is supposed to be the Stardust and Robert De Niro (Sam 'Ace' Rothstein) is playing the character of Rosenthal. In the movie, Joe Pesci (Nicky Santoro) is playing the character of infamous Tony Spilotro.
"He was a scary guy," Brancucci said of Rosenthal. "But I stood up to him. I didn't know how not to."
Shirley is an amazing woman, who turned 77 a few months ago. I joked with her last week, saying that they were imploding the Stardust, just so they would finally be able to get her to retire. Not only will I miss the relaxing atmosphere of the Baccarat room at the 'dust... I will also miss all of her incredible stories of old Las Vegas and the 'dust.... though, I can't really imagine that she will stay retired.... who knows... maybe she'll wind up at the new Baccarat Room at the Orleans...
from the recent book "The Stardust of Yesterday.. Reflections on a Las Vegas Legend"
"Around here is way always a party," says Shirley Brancucci, who started at the Stardust as a cocktail waitress and eventually became a baccarat pit boss.
She continuously tangled with Rosenthal. He would scream at her, but knew she was a skilled dealer. "It was a love-hate relationship," she said.
Brancucci remembers the beginning of the end.
"It was in December '83, right before Christmas," she said. "I was in the baccarat pit when the federal agents came in."
"And they fired just about everybody. Almost all the floor people were fired. And management."
For those who didn't know... just watch the movie CASINO. The Tangiers is supposed to be the Stardust and Robert De Niro (Sam 'Ace' Rothstein) is playing the character of Rosenthal. In the movie, Joe Pesci (Nicky Santoro) is playing the character of infamous Tony Spilotro.
"He was a scary guy," Brancucci said of Rosenthal. "But I stood up to him. I didn't know how not to."
Shirley is an amazing woman, who turned 77 a few months ago. I joked with her last week, saying that they were imploding the Stardust, just so they would finally be able to get her to retire. Not only will I miss the relaxing atmosphere of the Baccarat room at the 'dust... I will also miss all of her incredible stories of old Las Vegas and the 'dust.... though, I can't really imagine that she will stay retired.... who knows... maybe she'll wind up at the new Baccarat Room at the Orleans...
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