The story of 2011 from a gaming perspective that took 365 days to make and several hours to research begins with last year’s Bookie Battle champ Zack Goldberg reacting "the temple will go crazy."

While synagogues around Las Vegas didn’t quite hail Goldberg as the messiah, it did begin a memorable year that for months had books fearing their "meat and potatoes" would be locked up. For awhile it was, but finally common sense prevailed and there was NFL football.

"Armageddon," as Las Vegas Hilton director of sports operations Jay Kornegay has described, no NFL betting was averted. The NBA had its version of the NFL lockout, which would have hurt the books but to a far lesser degree, began Sunday – two months late and reduced from 82 games to a 66-game regular season.

Our favorite moment, Tebowmania, is on-going. But undoubtedly what all of us wished for from Santa was having a pair of $250 wagers on the St. Louis Cardinals, one on winning the NL pennant at 500-1 and the other winning the World Series at 999-1. The ultimate happened meaning MGM properties had to pay up.

Also in progress, a $400 bet on the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl. The wager took place in October at 500-1 odds. Tebow vs. Orton this Sunday in KC. Stay tuned.

Yes there was happiness, worry and sadly tragedy. Biggest loss was Joe Frazier’s sudden passing in November. We’re still recovering from that one. No doubt we can’t cover everything that happened in a year, but here’s our rear view mirror of 2011 hoping, of course, for a healthy and happy 2012.

JANUARY

Station Casinos icon Art Manteris admitting in a rare interview, "We expanded a lot and quickly in the last 15 years. If I could turn back the clock, the space we allocated to racing was probably a bit extensive."

Famed gambler Billy Walters gave 60 Minutes a memorable interview saying how

he lost $257,200 in one night in college basketball bets after being up $1 million for the week.

Ken White, former head of Las Vegas Sports Consultants, called Walters "a great white in the world of sharks and whales."

And, of course, Green Bay winning the Super Bowl.

FEBRUARY

Cantor Gaming began its push toward becoming the pre-eminent force in Las Vegas sports betting by opening up the new book at Hard Rock. A short time later came the Tropicana and Cosmopolitan. Later in the year came the Venetian, Palazzo and the Plaza.

In college basketball George Mason confounded the books and became the best friend of the sharps by covering 13 consecutive games.

MARCH

The Madness brought us an incredible second straight NCAA Finals appearance by Butler, but Connecticut won the championship in men’s college basketball.

And the month brought us the 40th anniversary of boxing’s biggest fight – Ali-Frazier I at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

APRIL

Boxing gave us Pacquiao-Mosley, a huge pay per view success but not much of a fight. Manny won virtually every round though Floyd Mayweather came away looking better because he knocked out Sugar Shane.

And, the legendary Gladys Knight opened her theater at the Tropicana in a tour de force performance.

MAY

The closing of the historic Sahara Hotel after 58 years. Former casino exec Burton Cohen said of the hangout for the Rat Pack, "It was well run and entertainers were at the top of the class."

And, there were re-openings at the Gamblers Book Club and Casino Montelago.

JUNE

The World Series of Poker announced a $1 million buy-in event for the 2012 edition. ESPN said it would go live (minus 15 minutes) with final table coverage.

Also, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter homered for his 3,000th hit. The homer paid 12-1 odds.

JULY

The downtown El Cortez continued its upgrading by partnering with Station Casinos and incorporating the Wagering Integrated Network (WIN) System.

Also, Tony Bennett rocked the house at Palms, and the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino celebrated its 80th anniversary as the longest existing casino in the U.S.

AUGUST

UNLV basketball great Larry Johnson called the school administration "those Arizona people" and referred to the Rebels as the UNLV Wildcats for not considering him for the then vacant coaching position.

Also, Carmen Electra-fied sunbathers at the Azure Luxury Pool at Palazzo and GT’s George Epstein was inducted in the Senior Poker Players Hall of Fame.

SEPTEMBER

The Hilton bravely had UNLV at 2½ wins for the season, while everyone else posted 3. The Rebels won 2.

Mayweather finally got back in the ring and legally sucker punched Victor Ortiz for a fourth round KO and 25-1 payoff.

Also came the rise of Leroy’s and its I-gaming around town at PT’s Taverns as William Hill prepares to arrive as a major player in 2012.

OCTOBER

G2E week features South Point icon Michael Gaughan as the first one in to set up a free play poker site (SouthPointPoker.com) in support of Internet poker wagering.

NOVEMBER

Boxing loses Frazier but gains in a third Pacquiao-Marquez classic that Juan Manuel lost in another controversial split decision.

DECEMBER

Longtime GT boxing columnist Michael Katz was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, one day after returning home after a six-week stay in the hospital.