Part 5/9:
Building a Crew
By 1963, with Ida almost fully immersed in the underbelly of Las Vegas gambling, she began to forge a team. After marrying her partner, Buddy, they pulled in trusted friends, creating a network of accomplices that included card counters and seasoned cheats. Their scheme evolved into switching entire decks during play, a brazen act of deception that shocked and thrilled the participants.
With each successful operation, the team raked in tens of thousands of dollars, living a life filled with the luxuries of fine dining, jewelry, and upscale living. The thrill of the game was intoxicating, leading Ida to continuously push the boundaries of what was possible, even as tensions mounted among her crew.