Podcast
Life is a Gamble
Hosted by Gambling With an Edge · EN
Host Richard Munchkin talks to a guest each episode who tells a story that illustrates, "Life is a Gamble."
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Charles Star
1w ago00:49:21Tap to summarizeCharles Star is a self-described podcast slut. He went from lawyer to comedian and is now on a quest to do 53 podcasts in 52 weeks.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction of Charles Small[00:36] Podcast appearances bet[03:25] No Homework and City Saint, Country Saint podcasts[05:57] Transitioning from law into comedy [14:07] Leaving standup[15:58] Podcasting[17:08] Gambling and sports better stories[20:33] Legal career after temp jobs[26:07] Civil asset forfeiture[29:11] The Moth and strange legal cases[34:16] OST realistic legal shows and movies[40:22] Travel stories[46:15] Favorite Las Vegas restaurant that is not in a casinoLinks:http://nohomework.websitehttp://soundcloud.com/hwpodhttp://davidhill.substack.com/p/introducing-american-gamblerhttp://nakamurayalv.com
Transcribe →Elizabeth Reichelt
4w ago00:42:36Tap to summarizeElizabeth Reichelt seems to choose the riskiest professions. I don't mean dangerous, I mean the chance of success is tiny, but the payoff can be huge. She went from dancer, to stand up comic, to television writer.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction of Elizabeth Reichelt[00:38] High risk and high reward professions[03:09] Identity crises[06:10] Moving to Los Angeles[08:25] Passion for social work[11:06] Playwriting[16:53] Improv, writing sketches, and stand up comedy[21:46] Assistant writer for Inventing Anna[21:24] Becoming a writer[26:47] Research on Bridgerton[27:56] Cowriting an episode[30:32] AI effects on writers[31:32] Writing for networks versus streaming services[34:23] Working while on hiatus, networking, and agents[39:34] How can listeners contact Elizabeth?[40:06] Advice for aspiring writers[40:44] Favorite restaurant in Las Vegas that is not in a casinoLinks:http://Instagram.com/lizreichelthttp://Mobettahs.comhttp://Doublezeropie.comLife is a Gamble explores those times in life where someone must take a big risk, or when life deals you an unexpected hand. How do we decide how much risk is worth it?
Transcribe →Andrew Wimhurst - "Thieving Bastards
Apr 1600:48:19Tap to summarizeMy guest today is Andrew Wimhurst, author of the new book, "Thieving Bastards True Confessions of the World’s Greatest Cheats." Show Notes[00:00] Introduction of Andrew Wimhurst, author of Thieving Bastards: True Confessions of the World’s Greatest Cheats[00:57] Thirty years of book planning, interviews, and similar books[07:32] Transcribing and editing interviews[11:42] Changes in the cheating landscape[13:33] Cheating in poker, the NBA poker scandal, and the x-ray table[17:44] Andrew’s ideas sequels or future books about cheating [19:38] The card mechanic “Bobby Machines”[23:48] Cheats who get out of the lifestyle [28:46] Road hustlers from the 1940s to 1970s[33:55] Running Razzle at a casino in Cuba[38:47] Financial reporting laws and the digital trail for modern cheats[40:17] Cheaters problems with discipline and greed[41:42] Andrew’s background in magic, card mechanics, and dice moves[45:53] Andrew’s contact infoAndrew's Links;thecolddeckcompany.cominstagram.com/thecolddeckcompanyBooks Referenced;Thieving Bastards: by Andrew Wimhurst - https://amzn.to/4dS2s8xGambling Wizards by Richard Munchkin - https://amzn.to/4tLX7nBRoad Hustler by Robert C. Prus - out of printGambling Scams by Darwin Ortiz - https://amzn.to/4cchtkkHavana Nocturne by T.J. English - https://amzn.to/4cfsy2w
Transcribe →NormBeck
Dec 2200:42:23Tap to summarizeToday I speak with Norm Beck, a professional bridge player, magician, and friend about a bet he won, that turned out to be a big loser.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction of Norm Beck, bridge player and magician[00:37] Norm’s biggest gamble[06:40] Clever pre-surgery research strategy[13:07] Hiring another doctor to translate information to family[14:49] Getting into the gambling business[20:30] Booking action on random events[23:28] A billion dollar bet[31:23] $500k bet on changing a tire [33:45] “Win Your Line of Credit” blackjack tournament[41:21] How to contact the show
Transcribe →Cowboy Buzz
Dec 701:14:59Tap to summarizeBuzz Marconi moved to Las Vegas in the 1960s, and somehow transformed from an Italian kid from the south side of Chicago into Cowboy Buzz. It's a wild story. Check it out.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction on of Cowboy Buzz[02:07] Moving to Las Vegas, working at The Stardust[20:53] Brilliant mob casino strategies[23;10] Tony Spilotro and Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal[27:19] Becoming a shift boss Foxy's Firehouse[29:28] Did certain dealers cheat players?[31:06] A wild craps swing on credit and Milton Jaffe[35:20] Milton Jaffe magic trick[37:06] Opening a restaurant in Las Vegas[41:09] Stories about dealers, cheating, and work ethic[46:59] Cowboy Buzz's juice is revealed[48:51] Naked women tanning at The Tropicana pool[55:53] Becoming "Cowboy Buzz"[1:02:07] Playing rugby age 73[1:04:51] Meeting Max Rubin[1:09:05] The first Blackjack Ball[1:10:30] Being a clown diver at Caesars Palace
Transcribe →Jon Rogers of Carib Sports
Sep 2200:54:58Tap to summarizeJon Rogers was an old-school bookie. He started booking baseball with his classmates in 6th grade, graduated to parlay cards in high school, and went pro after high school. He lived, and booked through a seismic change in the bookmaking industry. He went from the old days of taking bets over the phone, writing on slips of paper, to moving offshore, and the rise of internet betting.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction of bookmaker Jon Rogers of Carib Sports[00:59] Jon’s childhood and early gambling experiences[03:52] Booking parlays in high school and lottery numbers[08:46] State lotteries broadcast drawings[11:11] Kickbacks and paying for protection[13:06] Super Bowl 1990 FBI raid[16:52] Charges, recordings, taxes, and going to Vegas[21:37] Antigua tax laws, bookmaking on paper, then with software[29:28] 1990 case ends[32:32] Continuing operations in Antigua, accepting credit cards, betting volume, and margins.[35:02] 2003 raid, The Patriot Act[46:42] The SAFE Port Act and closing down[48:44] Life after bookmaking, settling the case, and living happily ever after
Transcribe →Mac King
Aug 2300:41:56Tap to summarizeMac King has been performing his comedy magic in Las Vegas for 25 years. His show is hilarious, and thoroughly entertaining.[00:00] Introduction of magician Mac King[00:50] What’s the first magic trick that Mac remembers?[04:39] When did Mac start doing magic?[06:06] Mac’s paid performance[08:19] Mac’s career plans after high school[12:36] Working with Lance Burton[14:47] “It’s Magic” in Los Angeles[16:38] Life after college, comedy clubs[18:51] Intersection of gambling, magic, and card cheating[21:06] Mac King’s Excalibur show[22:58] Performing with a bloody thumb[34:06] Houdini's naked rope escape[37:47] Future plans and why Mac still loves performing[39:58] Life outside of magic
Transcribe →Nigel Eccles - Fan Duel Co-Founder
May 11, 202500:39:39Tap to summarizeMy guest on this episode is Nigel Eccles, co-founder of Fan Duel.[00:00] Introduction of Nigel Eccles, co-founder of FanDuel[00:48] Nigel’s background and first company [02:04] Nigel’s educational background and interest in gambling, selling variance[06:59] Joining Flutter and prediction markets, exchange models[10:04] Founding FanDuel, fantasy sports, sports betting[14:31] Sports betting in Nevada, over-regulation and limited innovation[18:47] Leaving FanDuel[20:08] Vertical businesses, pandemic spike and whipsaw[20:59] Bettor are getting dumber, banning winners, and the popularity of parlays[24:20] Sharps, betting patterns, cat and mouse games, and taking sharp action[27:24] BetHog online crypto casino, innovation, and payment processing fees[31:42] Managing crypto volatility[33:17] The future of online gaming and crypto [36:10] Final thoughtsX.com/nigelecclesBethog.comBetdex.comFanDuel.com
Transcribe →Lauri Thompson episode 16
Feb 19, 202400:48:24Tap to summarizeLauri Thompson came to Las Vegas as a dancer in 1980. She went from Las Vegas strip entertainer to a top entertainment attorney, with a stop along the way as Susie Spirit on the original GLOW - Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21. If you like the show please tell a friend you think might like it, or if you are really ambitious leave a review wherever you listen.Here is the clip of Lauri getting her arm dislocated in an episode of GLOW.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDxYpEKotyU
Transcribe →Billy Baxter episode 15
Feb 9, 202400:33:16Tap to summarizeBilly Baxter is a legend in the gambling world. Today we focus on his time as a boxing manager, and some very high stakes golf games.You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21. If you like the show please tell a friend you think might like it, or if you are really ambitious leave a review wherever you listen.
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