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Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Bolita and Cuba

April 20,1993

“Bolita” and “Cuba” were two widespread forms of illegal gambling in Lake City — and all

over Florida — back in the 1940's and 1950's. Here’s how they worked.
A “writer” (one of several) would make his way around town quietly contacting people who
wanted to play the games. The “players” would tell the writer a number they wanted to bet on and

how much they wanted to bet, from a nickel to $10. The writers would collect the money, write
down the betting information (thus the name “writer”), and move on down the street to the next

player.
When the several writers finished making their rounds, they would deliver their money, and

betting sheets to a “banker” at a central location. Then, in a semi-public place, the banker would
spin a wheel ("Cuba”) or draw a numbered ball from a bag (“Bolita”) to determine the winning

numbers. The banker then posted the winning number and gave the writers the money to pay off the
winners, who were called “hitters.” How did the players decide the number they would bet on? Just

about any way you can imagine. Some just picked a number at random. Some said they dreamed
their number. Some said God told them the number to play. Some claimed to have a “secret

system.” Some looked for numbers within comic strip panels - “Hambone’s Meditation” was a
favorite place to look.
No matter the system, most players lost. Such is the nature of gambling. But it was the

chance to win that brought excitement to the lives of many players whose lives were otherwise dull

and bleak. For some poor people, Bolita and Cuba were their only chance to escape poverty, even
for a short time - and they were powerfully grateful, just for the chance..
Even the vicarious thrill of watching other people win - and fantasizing what you would do

if you won all that money - was exhilarating. Just like is with the Florida Lottery today.
Back to the comic strip “Hambone’s Meditations,” for a minute. Apart from gambling

considerations, Hambone, a hobo philosopher, spoke a wise saying every day. My favorite: “You
can’t no more teach what you don’t know than you can come back from where you ain’t been.”

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