Bolita

Bolita, or "Little Ball", is a numbers game common in the early part of the 20th century in Florida. It is especially popular among Cubans, but the alleged King of Bolita in the 1920s was a native Tampa, Florida cracker, Charlie Wall. It is considered a nickel and dime game.

It was brought to Tampa in the 1880s and flourished in Latin saloons, 100 ivory balls were placed into a velvet sack, which was tightly sealed. Bets were taken on what ball would be drawn.

Bolita plays were very widespread in Tampa, despite the legality.