Arnold Rothstein: The Legendary Gangster and Poker Mastermind

Arnold Rothstein, known as 'the Brain' and 'the Big Bankroll,' was a prominent figure in the American underworld during the early 20th century. He owned numerous gambling houses, was the largest bookmaker in New York, and the owner of the fashionable casino Brook in Saratoga, New York. Rothstein was involved in organizing fixed matches during the 1919 World Series of Baseball. His influence extended beyond sports; he was the prototype for Meyer Wolfsheim in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel 'The Great Gatsby' and Nathan Detroit in 'Guys and Dolls' by Damon Runyon. Rothstein's life came to a dramatic end in a poker game dispute, which was widely covered in the press.