Our guest today is Jake Jacobs, on to talk about his new book, “Have Bets Will Travel.” The book is an autobiography focused on his 40+ years as a professional gambler.
Gambling With an Edge – Have Bets Will Travel
Author: Richard Munchkin
I am originally from Des Plaines, IL. I went to Oakton Community College, and then Columbia College in Chicago where I received a BA in Theater Arts. I moved to Las Vegas after college, and worked as a dealer and occasional pit boss at The Castaways. While working in the casino I learned to count cards, and after a few years I was making more money playing blackjack than dealing it, in one quarter the hours. What could I do? I had to quit the job.
I moved to Los Angeles in the 80s and found that acting in film and television was nothing like my background in theater. I was fortunate enough to make the transition from actor to writer, producer, and director. You can see my resume at IMDB here.
You can read reviews or purchase my book here at Amazon. Gambling Wizards: Conversations with the World’s Greatest Gamblers
In the book I interview 8 of the top professional gamblers in the world. These are all people who have made many tens of millions of dollars from gambling. It includes, Billy Walters, Alan Woods, Doyle Brunson, and 5 others.
Currently I cohost a podcast – Gambling With an Edge. Each week we have a guest, and discuss current gambling news, or ways to gain an advantage at lots of different gambling games. Here is a link to the Gambling With an Edge Facebook page. I post news articles there that are of interest to professional gamblers, as well as updates about upcoming guests.
Meanwhile I have gambled my way around the world as a way to supplement my meager show biz income. I hope you find things here to enjoy.
You can also check out my Facebook page at Richard W. Munchkin, follow me on Twitter @RWM21 or email me at [email protected].
Gambling With an Edge – Ben Rosenthal
Our guests today are Ben Rosenthal, author of the new book, “Breaking The Slot Code,” and Anthony Curtis, the publisher of the book, and the new website slotslayers.com. The book, and the site teach players how to actually get an edge at some slot machines.
Life is a Gamble – “Thieving Bastards”
My guest today is Andrew Wimhurst, author of the new book, “Thieving Bastards True Confessions of the World’s Greatest Cheats.”
Gambling With an Edge – Kit Chellel – Lucky Devils
Our guest today is Kit Chellel, author of the new book, “Lucky Devils: The True Story of Three Rebel Gamblers Who Beat the Odds and Changed the Game.” The book profiles three legendary gamblers, Bill Benter, Rob Reitzen, and Bill Nelson.
Life Is a Gamble Podcast — Antonino De Rosa
Our guest today is Antonino De Rosa, also known as “Ant.” Ant went from professional Magic the Gathering player to working for Pinnacle sports book and from there became a professional sports bettor.
Gambling With an Edge – Chuck’s Luck
Charlie is a sports bettor, slot player, and influencer. Charlie got scammed while making bets at a DraftKings kiosk at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi. It’s a crazy story, not just the scam, but the way the casino, and Gaming Enforcement reacted.
Gambling With an Edge – Art Manteris
This week we talked with long-time Vegas bookmaker Art Manteris. We discussed his new book, “The Bookie.”
Gambling With an Edge – Gary Kondler
Bob and Richard sit down with Gary Kondler to talk about taxes for gamblers after the big beautiful bill. It may not be as bad for some of us as we all thought. Spoiler alert – but some gamblers are just screwed.
Life is a Gamble – Norm Beck
Today 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.
Life is a Gamble — Cowboy Buzz
Buzz 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 at this link.
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