“It consists of a minimum of two—the roper and the insideman. When the mark is played against the store (as he usually is in the big-con games) the mob also includes the personnel of the big store—the manager or bookmaker who has charge of the impressive-looking shills, and the minor employees such as board-markers, clerks and the “tailers” who keep tab on the mark while he is not with one of the con men. The personnel of the store is hardly considered a part of the mob proper for, with the freq...uent exception of the manager, it consists of floating grifters or con men who have not made a touch recently and are in need of money. Some of the best stores, however, retain their personnel almost intact over a period of months or even years. Other necessary connections for the mob as, for instance, persons who “put up” marks on a percentage basis or fixers (where the insideman does not do his own fixing), are only auxiliaries and not an integral part of the mob, even though their services may be necessary to the smooth functioning of the organization.MoreLessRead More Read Less
User Reviews: