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AZDuffman
AZDuffman
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March 17th, 2010 at 8:32:42 AM permalink
Not to sound sexist from the start, but I'd wager it would mostly be men. But in the spirit of Time Magazine's "Man of the Year (ie: important people, not always for good) who would make your list?

Here are some of my nominees and why. (If we get 100 maybe I'll put a bio of each on my blog here and my main one.)

1. Ben Siegel -- made the modern "resort" casino-hotel
2. Steve Wynn -- reintroduced Vegas to America. introduced the super-casin0
3. Bill Bennett/Bill Pennington -- founders of the Circus-Circus empire
4. Frank Rosenthal -- many innovations, last of the gangster-run casino bosses
5. Oscar Goodman -- from mafia lawyer to most popular mayor in the USA
6. Tony Spilotro -- most famous "outside man" in LV history
7. Howard Hughes -- invented the "corporate" casino
8. Jimmy Hoffa -- lender to too many casinos to mention
9. Kirk Kerkorian -- another master of casino finance
10. Jay Sarno -- designed most opulent and tackiest casinos at oppisite ends of the strip
11. Benny Binion -- legendary casino boss
12. The Rat Pack (group nomination)-- epitomy of 1960s LV entertainment
13. Wayne Newton -- Mr LV entertainer
14. Liberace -- if you can bring in the crowds, your personal live doesn't amtter in LV anyways



15. Meyer Lansky
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
DJTeddyBear
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March 17th, 2010 at 8:50:11 AM permalink
The MIT Blackjack team (Hey, if you can give a group nomination to the Rat Pack...).


Superhost Steve Cyr, author of the book Whale Hunt in the Desert.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
boymimbo
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March 17th, 2010 at 8:52:05 AM permalink
I would add Hoover for the Hoover Dam for without the Dam you wouldn't have Lake Mead or the drinking water required for Vegas.

I would also add Truman for his support of the Atomic Tests in the early 1950s which drew employees to Vegas.

And George Crockett who established Alamo airport which then became McCarran field and LAS in 1948.

Phil Tobin, author of the bill in 1931 that legalized gambling in Nevada.

Tommy Hull, builder of the El-Rancho hotel-casino (across from the Sahara) in 1941. This created a mini boom of hotel-casino along the street which is now known as the Strip.
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odiousgambit
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March 17th, 2010 at 9:14:16 AM permalink
Herbert Hoover, for being instrumental in pushing for the project of building the Boulder Dam [Hoover Dam].

TRIVIA QUESTION: what facts about Boulder City shows why this project was so good for Las Vegas? [looking for the correct answer, no looking it up!] this'll be a new thread if no one gets altho I think someone quickly will.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!”   She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
Croupier
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March 17th, 2010 at 9:22:24 AM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman


12. The Rat Pack (group nomination)-- epitomy of 1960s LV entertainment



I would personally split the rat pack up (and not just to pad the list). Sammy Davis jr for being one of the First (if not the first) black headline act (while still not being allowed in the lounges or casinos of the hotels he played) and for one of the first interracial marriages for a Vegas public figure.

Frank Sinatra - for his work with the civil rights movement, and getting Sammy genrally accepted everywhere.

Dean Martin - pass. Dont know enough about the guy.

I would also like to extend a group nomination for Will Max Schwartz, Louis Rubin, Alexander Bisno, and Joe Louis for Opening the first racially Integrated hotel in Las Vegas (the Moulin Rouge)

As a history student, I find the Civil rights movement and related things fascinating, but some of my facts here could be sketchy. Sorry about that.

and while we are at it - Elvis - for Viva Las Vegas promoting the city

Barry Manilow - for the longest running show at the Hilton (i think)
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DetroitCobra
DetroitCobra
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March 17th, 2010 at 10:13:31 AM permalink
Jackie Gaughan and Bob Stupak.
Croupier
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March 17th, 2010 at 10:15:47 AM permalink
Hunter S. Thompson - or maybe thats just a big effect on my view of Las Vegas.
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DetroitCobra
DetroitCobra
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March 17th, 2010 at 10:24:13 AM permalink
Sigfried & Roy, whoever created Cirque de Sole, and Michael Shackleford.
pacomartin
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March 19th, 2010 at 8:27:09 AM permalink
Gaming Hall of Fame Inductees do include two women. Elaine Wynn and Debbie Reynolds. Debbie Reynolds did own a casino before she went bankrupt.

2009
* Michael Gaughan
2008
* Bernard Goldstein
* Robert Arum
* Don King
* Emeril Lagasse
2007
* John Wilhelm
* Clifford Perlman
* David Copperfield
* Michael Mina
2006
* Steve Wynn
* Alex Stratta
* Franco Dragone
2005
* Craig H. Neilsen
* Larry Ruvo
* Debbie Reynolds
* Wolfgang Puck
2004
* Jack Binion
* Don Rickles
* Fred Benninger (posthumously)
2003
* Phil Satre
* Tom Jones
2002
* Shannon Bybee
* Merv Griffin
2001
* Boyd Gaming Corporation
* Park Place Entertainment Corporation
* U.S. Sen. Harry Reid
* Paul Anka
2000
* J. Terrence Lanni
* Wayne Newton
* Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
* Del Webb
1999
* Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
* Elaine Wynn
* Jack Entratter
1998
* Siegfried & Roy
* Anthony Marnell, II
* Lud Corrao
* J.K. Houssels, Jr.
* Thomas Young, Sr.
1997
* Charles Mathewson
* Frank Sinatra
1996
* Donald Carano
* Paul Endy
* Michael Rose
1995
* Len Ainsworth
* Burton Cohen
* Donald Trump
1994
* Frank Modica
* Bud* and Jean* Jones
1993
* William Boyd
* Henry Gluck
* Harvey* and Llewellyn Gross
* Leonard Prescott
1992
* John Ascuaga
* Sol Kerzner
* Claudine Williams
1991
* Sam Boyd
* James Crosby
* Kirk Kerkorian
* Don Laughlin
* Bill Pennington
* Si Redd
1990
* Bill Bennett
* Benny Binion
* Jackie Gaughan
* Barron Hilton
* Raymond Smith
1989
* Warren Nelson
* Jay Sarno
* William Harrah
* Grant Sawyer
* E. Parry Thomas
Paul
Paul
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December 22nd, 2010 at 8:03:47 PM permalink
Quote: odiousgambit

Herbert Hoover, for being instrumental in pushing for the project of building the Boulder Dam [Hoover Dam].

TRIVIA QUESTION: what facts about Boulder City shows why this project was so good for Las Vegas? [looking for the correct answer, no looking it up!] this'll be a new thread if no one gets altho I think someone quickly will.



No gambling or drinking allowed in Boulder so the worker had to go to Vegas?
Paul
Paul
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December 22nd, 2010 at 8:07:17 PM permalink
Mo Dalitz for philanthropy to the city and for running a classy Desert Inn. Before moving to Vegas, Mo was in the Cleveland mob.
MathExtremist
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December 22nd, 2010 at 8:24:37 PM permalink
Bill Zimmer, currently the GM/VP of Planet Hollywood, Paris, and Bally. Anyone know why?
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
rxwine
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December 22nd, 2010 at 8:57:42 PM permalink
The Mormons.

For arriving.

And then for leaving.
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aahigh
aahigh
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December 22nd, 2010 at 9:19:35 PM permalink
Elvis Presley
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel
rxwine
rxwine
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December 22nd, 2010 at 9:30:25 PM permalink
Also, no one's mentioned Carrot Top.

Because there was no reason to.

Ha ha.

Don't hate me Mr. Top.
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EvenBob
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December 22nd, 2010 at 9:41:34 PM permalink
How come nobody ever talks about Howard Hughes?
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
pacomartin
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December 22nd, 2010 at 11:19:37 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

How come nobody ever talks about Howard Hughes?


Probably for the same reason nobody mentioned Gary Loveman. They both had big impacts, but people don't necessarily feel good about those impacts.
EvenBob
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December 23rd, 2010 at 2:05:08 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

Probably for the same reason nobody mentioned Gary Loveman. They both had big impacts, but people don't necessarily feel good about those impacts.



So Hughes had a bad impact? Worse the Bugsy? Worse than the Mob? Please fill me in..
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
JerryLogan
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December 23rd, 2010 at 4:34:42 AM permalink
Danny Gans, and Chesty Morgan.
JohnnyQ
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December 23rd, 2010 at 5:24:17 AM permalink
Edward Thorpe - Author of "Beat the Dealer" on Blackjack counting

I didn't see that name yet.

Any volunteers to consolidate everything into one list ?
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
JerryLogan
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December 23rd, 2010 at 5:30:00 AM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

Edward Thorpe - Author of "Beat the Dealer" on Blackjack counting

I didn't see that name yet.

Any volunteers to consolidate everything into one list ?



I nominate mkl6543210 to do that. There won't be any spelling errors, it'll be in chronological order, he'll correct any and all mistakes he feels anyone's made in context, and he'll write his own essay up on each and every character.
JohnnyQ
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December 23rd, 2010 at 6:18:00 AM permalink
Quote: JerryLogan

I nominate mkl6543210 to do that. There won't be any spelling errors, it'll be in chronological order, he'll correct any and all mistakes he feels anyone's made in context, and he'll write his own essay up on each and every character.



Now see how easy that was to give a nice little complement to mkl ?

I just KNEW you 2 would become the best of friends !
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
FleaStiff
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December 23rd, 2010 at 6:34:23 AM permalink
I'd elevate Benny Binion to the number one spot here.... for picking up the sawdust and peanut shells and putting down the carpets, being the first to offer free drinks and for when a bindle of cocaine hit the felt on the craps table, having had the courage to yell out "Book it".

I'd eliminate that Mayor Goodman guy as a stuffed-shirt puppet.

And for female entries: Martha Hyer and Mia. Martha was the first to show the casinos how to pay a fortune to Hollywood stars and get it all back again. When one guy Short-Sticked her she took one out and said if you want to look, go ahead and look, but send me the dice! And then she finished her entire roll that way. Mia was the one who drank boilermakers for breakfast, never wore panties but always threw the dice under an upraised leg and who once, when tapped out and needing credit at the casino, utterly disabled an entire dice-crew and each and every player at the table with laughter by trying to put her virginity on the PassLine.
Ibeatyouraces
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December 23rd, 2010 at 7:34:29 AM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

Edward Thorpe - Author of "Beat the Dealer" on Blackjack counting

I didn't see that name yet.

Any volunteers to consolidate everything into one list ?



Also James Grosjean and anyone else who devise legal advantage play techniques.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
JerryLogan
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December 23rd, 2010 at 9:03:33 AM permalink
I also nominate Rob Singer. Has there EVER been anyone as controversial, yet published by such well known LAS VEGAS entities for so long, that has held his own with his adversaries for so many years and caused more commotion among advantage players, and who has made such a bold public bet by putting $600,000 IN CASH up as escrow in a casino to back it all up?
MathExtremist
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December 23rd, 2010 at 9:32:17 AM permalink
Quote: JerryLogan

I also nominate Rob Singer. Has there EVER been anyone as controversial, yet published by such well known LAS VEGAS entities for so long, that has held his own with his adversaries for so many years and caused more commotion among advantage players, and who has made such a bold public bet by putting $600,000 IN CASH up as escrow in a casino to back it all up?


Controversy != effect. Singer hasn't had any effect on Las Vegas because he's wrong. Kazuo Okada, who actually did intentionally program non-randomness into his gaming machines, had a very big effect on Las Vegas. He's the reason it's illegal now.

I suppose that means I nominate Kazuo Okada, formerly of Universal Distributing, now of Aruze, for leading to the regulations around near-miss programming.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
JerryLogan
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December 23rd, 2010 at 10:30:45 AM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

Controversy != effect. Singer hasn't had any effect on Las Vegas because he's wrong. Kazuo Okada, who actually did intentionally program non-randomness into his gaming machines, had a very big effect on Las Vegas. He's the reason it's illegal now.

I suppose that means I nominate Kazuo Okada, formerly of Universal Distributing, now of Aruze, for leading to the regulations around near-miss programming.



I've never heard of that other guy. You say Singer's wrong but other, more important people than you have shown support by publishing him.
Ayecarumba
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December 23rd, 2010 at 12:10:43 PM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

Gaming Hall of Fame Inductees do include two women. Elaine Wynn and Debbie Reynolds. Debbie Reynolds did own a casino before she went bankrupt.

1992
* John Ascuaga
* Sol Kerzner
* Claudine Williams



I'm pretty sure Claudine Williams was also a woman. hehe
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
Ibeatyouraces
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December 23rd, 2010 at 12:13:17 PM permalink
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appistappis
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December 23rd, 2010 at 12:13:17 PM permalink
john c freemont
MathExtremist
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December 23rd, 2010 at 12:42:35 PM permalink
Quote: JerryLogan

I've never heard of that other guy. You say Singer's wrong but other, more important people than you have shown support by publishing him.

Turns out this thread is about people who have had a big effect on Las Vegas, not people you've heard of. And anyone can get published these days, Jerry, even someone who's only claim to fame is having lots of children (Kate Gosselin, Jim Bob Duggar, etc.) You should see the reviews on Amazon.com of Singer's book - hilarious.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
Kelmo
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December 23rd, 2010 at 3:17:54 PM permalink
Jimmy the Greek - sportsbook
Chris Moneymaker - Poker
Ed Thorpe - Blackjack
dm
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December 27th, 2010 at 2:36:18 PM permalink
Bob Dancer
The Wizard
JerryLogan
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December 27th, 2010 at 2:54:26 PM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Books of fiction get published every day. I, by no means am saying he is wrong... or right for that matter.



He gave me both books and I read both. Neither are fiction. The 1st is about how not to play, the 2nd is about a long trip he took to every nook and cranny throughout Nevada.

ME, he covered those reviews long ago in his Gambling Today column. They were ALL written by the same person: Skip Hughs, and I'm sure that's one of the reasons RS mocked him non-stop when he died of some kind of cancer this year. I belong to videopoker.com but do not post because of the hate they have for Singer over there, and Hughs was one of the worst who told lie after lie about him and mocked his family non-stop, but who never got it back from RS because he is banned from posting there. If you read RS then you'd know his favorite saying is "what goes around always does come around, and in such righteous ways". I kind of like that and use it myself now, because he is right on with it.
MathExtremist
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December 27th, 2010 at 3:32:43 PM permalink
Quote: JerryLogan

RS mocked him non-stop when he died of some kind of cancer



...
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
JerryLogan
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December 27th, 2010 at 3:52:54 PM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

...



I don't know what your response means, but I think I understand why you selectively quoted only that part of my post.

If you were around to watch the hateful lies and rants input by a few of the posters, most notably from the one referred to, you would right now be saying "Good for you RS, good wins out over evil in the end, always". I'm not one who would ever say some of the things RS wrote, but it's even less probable that I would have ever been able to contribute to the disgusting things said about him that started it. What goes around....
OneAngryDwarf
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December 28th, 2010 at 8:48:50 AM permalink
So getting back to the topic at hand...

Bob Stupak-built the Stratosphere, one of the most colorful casino moguls
Jay Sarno-built Caesars Palace
Ken Uston-one of the most successful card counters of all time
Antonio Morelli-conductor of the Copa Room orchestra at the Sands, music director for the Rat Pack, founded the Las Vegas symphony

and one that may not be immediately obvious...Jerry Lewis, who broadcast his Labor Day telethon live from Vegas for many years.
"I believe I've passed the age/of consciousness and righteous rage/I've found that just surviving was a noble fight... I once believed in causes too/I had my pointless point of view/And life went on no matter who was wrong or right..." --Billy Joel
Ibeatyouraces
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December 28th, 2010 at 9:37:27 AM permalink
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lucy
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December 30th, 2010 at 12:14:59 PM permalink
Good choice! What is your reason?
lucy
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December 30th, 2010 at 2:20:38 PM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

Bill Zimmer, currently the GM/VP of Planet Hollywood, Paris, and Bally. Anyone know why?



Agree with your choice! No-brainer - he's a natural at his job. What is your reason?
MathExtremist
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December 30th, 2010 at 2:38:17 PM permalink
Quote: lucy

Agree with your choice! No-brainer - he's a natural at his job. What is your reason?



It is my understanding that Bill was the one who first introduced the "blackjack pays 6:5" rule to Las Vegas, a rule which is basically universal for at least single-deck games today in Las Vegas (non-local markets). I consider that a pretty big effect.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
lucy
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December 30th, 2010 at 7:19:20 PM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

It is my understanding that Bill was the one who first introduced the "blackjack pays 6:5" rule to Las Vegas, a rule which is basically universal for at least single-deck games today in Las Vegas (non-local markets). I consider that a pretty big effect.


Yeah - definitely big effect for the casino bottom line!
JohnnyQ
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January 1st, 2011 at 6:30:11 AM permalink
Are the coupon guru's Anthony Curtis and Steve Bourie on the list ?

Certainly worth at least an honorable mention ?
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
Ayecarumba
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January 6th, 2011 at 1:27:21 PM permalink
Quote: boymimbo

I would add Hoover for the Hoover Dam for without the Dam you wouldn't have Lake Mead or the drinking water required for Vegas.



Interesting article about Elwood Mead (Lake Mead's namesake) here
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
JohnnyQ
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January 6th, 2011 at 5:56:08 PM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

It is my understanding that Bill was the one who first introduced the "blackjack pays 6:5" rule to Las Vegas, a rule which is basically universal for at least single-deck games today in Las Vegas (non-local markets). I consider that a pretty big effect.



So this guy would be for the HALL OF SHAME, right ? Of course, is 6:5 any worse
odds than KENO ?

So I'll nominate Rufus Ferdinand Keno.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
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