number runs

If you make number runs, you're bringing betting slips and cash wagers to where they do an illegal lottery. i pick 3 or 4 numbers and win money if they're drawn

This is a showdown between two or more people who think they can hook the most phone numbers from strangers. The subjects of this challenge must both start at an agreed point. They will then be given a time limit (usually 3 hours) and an end point. They must get as many numbers from there preferred gender and enter them into a separate part of there phone book. The numbers received must be from some you have never met before. You are allowed to phone in one friend but they must be the same gender ad sexuality as you. They aren't allowed to speak to the target but may help set up the pick up. When the time limit is over, the contestants must be back at the agreed end point. If they aren't they are disqualified. Then you must text all your pick ups. You get 1 point for every person who replys to you within 30 mins. You get 0.5 points or each reply within the hour. The person with the most points wins!

Of corse the are many variations of the rules, but this is the most widely used version.

to go buy some joints

the number runners that worked for organized crime in the 20's and 30's. During this time the Mafia and other gangs controlled a lottery like game which was called the numbers.

The people who worked for the numbers racket were called number runners. They collected the bets from the gamblers and delivered the payoff when the gamblers won. Sometimes, these number runners were said to be "running numbers."

the winning numbers were often determined by the final digits of the winning payoff results of horse races. It is also true that when you compare the numbers game which was an illegal lottery to today's legal state controlled lottery, it did offer higher payoffs.

But, the numbers runners were not bookies. A bookie is a person who takes illegal bets on horse racing or sporting events. Contrairy to what the Wikipedia says, these two professions were not combined because the numbers game and sports betting were usually controlled by different people. Also the bookies took bigger bets and looked down on the number runners who survived by taking many small bets; hence the terms "numbers runner" and "book maker" refer to different people.