From interview with Kevin Wing, NATAS

My father’s background in Wichita Falls, Texas, could not have foretold his future, but learning how to play poker behind the barn did prepare him for it. The tale of how he and my Uncle Ace ended up owning a quarter of the block across the street from 20th Century Fox Studios is one of my favorite stories in the book. (Correction: I say “when the Volstead Act was passed” and meant to say “when the Volstead Act was repealed.”)

The full story is in Chapter 3 of the book.