By the Numbers

By the Numbers was the fifteenth episode of Sanford and Son. Also the first episode of the series' second season, it premiered September 15, 1972. The episode was written by Terry Ryan along with Steptoe and Son series creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Plot
In this debut episode of Sanford and Son's second season, Fred  yearns for the "good old days" when he could gamble on the numbers game without interference. But alas, Lamont is strictly against his dad frittering his money away. When Fred threatens to bet all he owns on a lottery, Lamont does everything he can to prevent this economic catastrophe. Fred goes on to win $600 at the pool hall, and plans on taking a trip to Vegas. But it becomes a horrible nightmare, when Bubba Bexley (who needs $250 to claim his repossessed truck back) and Aunt Ethel (who is short $200 to pay for needed gallbladder surgery) and a robber (David Moses) steals the remaining $50, all stop by.