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I have two distinct lives. One in the trenches of low-budget film and television, the other in professional gambling. Because of the feast-or-famine nature of show business I need a reliable income... gambling. So here you will read about both worlds. Enjoy!



Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Joseph Merhi part 1 episode 12

My guest this week is Joseph Merhi.  Joseph moved to Florida from a small town in Syria when he was 18 years old.  He spoke no English, but through grit and perseverance he went on to produce over 100 movies.  This is part 1 of 2.

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.


Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/joempt1_1


Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Frank Frigo episode 11

My guest this week is Frank Frigo.  Frank is one of the founders of Edj Analytics, and we talk about their football model named Zeus which they licensed to various NFL teams to make better playing decisions.


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.


Podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/frankfrigoepisode11f


NY Times article mentioned in the show.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/sports/football/eagles-analytics-super-bowl-lii.html

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Ed Miller episode 10

 My guest this week is Ed Miller.  Ed is on to talk about his new book, "Interception" which he co-authored with Matt Davidow.

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.


Podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/edmillerepisode10

Books by Ed Miller & Matt Davidow

The Logic of Sports Betting https://amzn.to/3QlG3Ec

Interception https://amzn.to/46Abjoz

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Sherriff AP episode 9

Sherriff AP chucked it all to become a professional card counter.  He had one of the worst losing streaks I have heard of, and I'm not just talking about losing money.  Everything in his life seemed to all go wrong at the same time.  I think most people would have quit, and never looked back, but he stuck it out. 

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.

podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/sherrifapepisode9

Links

Sherriff AP being told card counting is illegal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jVerBdoN0c&t=222s

Monday, September 18, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Bob Dancer episode #8

Bob Dancer is the world's best known authority on Video Poker, having written many books, and countless articles on the subject.  He of course was my cohost and founder of Gambling With an Edge for 12 years.  But in this episode we are going back to when he was trying to be a professional backgammon player in the 1970s in Los Angeles, where cheating was a very real danger.  

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.

podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/bobdancerep8

Links

http://bobdancer.com

http://gamblingwithanedge.com

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Life is a Gamble Jason Ladanye episode #7

Jason Ladanye is a professional, award-winning sleight-of-hand entertainer who has performed card magic all around the world for the last twenty years. Prior to magic he was musician who was touring as a keyboard player from the time he was 17, opening for everyone from the Rolling Stones to BB King.


You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21 or @lifeisagamblepod on Threads. 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.


Podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/jasonledanye

Links

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsmxaMzYr76Yd1iqMEq8TA

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cardmagicbyjason/

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Bob Nersesian episode #6

This is a brief episode with our favorite gambling attorney Bob Nersesian. Bob is on with breaking news for professional gamblers regarding the trespass statute in Nevada.

You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21 or @lifeisagamblepod on Threads. 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.


Podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/bobntrespass


Friday, August 11, 2023

Life is a Gamble Don "The Dragon" Wilson episode #5

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Don "The Dragon" Wilson, one of the most iconic martial artists, and action stars of the 1980s and 1990s. Don talks about his fight career, and his transition from fighter to action star.

You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21 or @lifeisagamblepod on Threads. 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.


Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/donwilsonepisode5

Links

https://www.facebook.com/DonWilsonTheDragon

"How I Made A Hundred Movies In Hollywood" by Roger Corman  https://amzn.to/3QARdpo

Don Wilson movies - https://amzn.to/44acSHU

Don's Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Wilson_(kickboxer)

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Life is a Gamble - Blair Hull - episode #4

 Blair Hull was known as the first "BP" or "Big Player".  Ken Uston wrote a book called, "The Big Player" after he replaced Blair in that role.  Taking what he learned from counting cards Blair moved to a much bigger casino with higher stakes, the options exchange.


We discuss three big gambles in Blair's life.  In 1987 the markets were all crashing, and Blair walked onto the exchange floor saying to himself that his job was to make a price on both buy or sell.  There were only people wanting to sell, and like it or not he had to give them a price, and buy what they were unloading. Second we talk about his decision to run for US Senate, and was beat in the primary by a young organizer named Barak Obama.  Last we talk about how Blair came out of retirement when he saw that people were buying options as if they were lottery tickets.


You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21 or @lifeisagamblepod on Threads. 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.


Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/blairhullepisode4

Links

Hull Tactical Asset Allocation  http://www.hulltactical.com/

Twitter - @blairhull

Monday, July 17, 2023

Life is a Gamble episode #3 Wonderhussy

Sarah Jane Woodall has been known for the last dozen years as Wonderhussy.  She is a writer, actress, model, and all-around creative.  I talk to her about what I consider a huge gamble, and she shrugs it off  as no big deal.  What was her job I thought was so risky? Driving out to the middle of nowhere in the desert with a complete stranger, and working as a nude model.


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.

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Life is a Gamble episode #2 AP white

 AP White dropped out of college 3 times before finally graduating, and getting that 6-figure per year job.  But once he started working he found he hated the job. He decided to quit, and go on the road as a professional advantage player.


You can reach me at lifeisagamblepod@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter @RWM21 or @lifeisagamblepod on Threads. 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.


Podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/apwhiteepisode2

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Life is a Gamble #1 Darryl Purpose

Hey everyone. This is episode one of my new podcast.  As you can see, it is called Life is a Gamble, and as the title indicates it will be about life's gambles.  I am still feeling my way here so things may morph and change as time goes on, but I hope you come along for the ride.

You can reach me with questions, comments, etc. at LifeIsAGamblePod@gmail.com, or on twitter @rwm21.

Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/lifeisagamble-1 


Darryl's Links

Website https://darrylpurpose.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darrylpurpose/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarrylPurposeMusic

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Our last Mail Bag

This is our final scheduled episode of GWAE.  We close out the show with questions from our mail bag. It's been a great ride for 12 years, and we are really grateful for the outpouring of kind words from our listeners, and for our sponsors over the years.


Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction
[00:47]  Lessons learned from guests on GWAE
[04:45]  Missed advantage plays
[09:38]  Memorable moments
[13:26]  Bankroll management and session size
[15:45]  Will Bob continue to blog on Las Vegas Advisor?
[16:23]  Penalty cards in 10/7 Double Bonus
[16:54]  Odds boosts
[18:21]  Hole carding
[20:04]  Card pulling on video poker
[21:37]  Other advantage play resources
[24:09]  Life lesson from gambling
[28:05]  Gathering free play off of multiple cards
[30:14]  Predicting the future of advantage play
[31:55]  Continuous shuffling machines
[32:56]  Favorite casino games
[34:11]  Largest failures
[36:20]  Best gambling advice
[39:10]  Commercials
[42:02]  "Carnival" games
[44:39]  Extracting value from promo chips and coupons
[47:50]  Lowering the house edge at blackjack without card counting
[50:13]  Mistakes and play speed in video poker
[51:34]  Closing remarks

Sponsored Links:

Short Stories and Books Referenced:
Quit:  Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke - https://amzn.to/3BElw5S
Comp City by Max Rubin - https://amzn.to/42NUx3A

Podcasts Referenced:


Thursday, May 11, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Bonus Episode

This bonus episode is something we probably should have done a lot more of.  No guest, no mail bag questions, just a conversation between Bob and I.

podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/bandr

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction

[00:37]  Playing in New Orleans, hotel rooms, entering the casino

[05:39]  Dealer rotations, playing through breaks

[09:16]  Driving to a casino, parking, cabs

[13:33]  Advantage play before cell phones

[16:13]  "Playing a secret game"

[24:55]  Bob's slot plays, lifestyle

[30:42]  Frugality, saving, investing

[34:41]  Does Bob consider himself to be an optimist or pessimist?

[36:03]  Career regrets


Thursday, May 4, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Mike Shackleford

Our guest this week is Michael Shackleford aka The Wizard of Odds. We discuss the updated version of his book "Gambling 102", and his thoughts about being part of Gambling With an Edge over the years.


podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/shak04142023


Show notes 

[00:00]  Introduction of Michael Shackleford, The Wizard of Odds

[01:28]  A new version of Gambling 102

[02:45]  Cashman Bingo

[04:17]  Figuring out the strategies for vulnerable games, crowdsourcing data

[05:32]  Does Michael play these games?

[07:37]  Must-Hit-By machines, probability of winning, adjusting for hold by state

[13:48]  Differences between video poker and slots

[20:42]  Other new chapters in Gambling 102 on Crapless Craps and Face Up Pai Gow

[22:30]  Ultimate X Bonus Streak strategy

[26:19]  Michael tells Bonnie that Bob takes a lot of cruises

[27:50]  Commercials

[30:53]  How long will Michael remain The Wizard of Odds?

[30:29]  Michael's retirement plans

[36:29]  Face Up Pai Gow progressive jackpot

[37:52]  Michael's most memorable GWAE episodes

[41:46]  Bob's favorite GWAE episode,  Kelly Sun

[43:12]  Richard's favorite GWAE episodes, Mike Sexton, Billy Baxter, Dewey Tomko

[44:33]  Final thoughts


Sponsored Links:

http://BlackjackApprenticeship.com

http://VideoPoker.com/gwae

http://Unabated.com


Guest Links:

http://WizardOfOdds.com

http://WizardOfVegas.com

http://Twitter.com/Wizard0fOdds

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - mail bag 4/27/2023

 No guest this week as we answer questions from our mail bag. 


We welcome your questions - send them to us at gamblingwithanedge@gmail.com, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.


podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/mail04132023a

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction
[04:46]  RNGs in video poker
[05:47]  Las Vegas Advisor free play strategies
[06:57]  Does play on a cruise affect ADT or status at brick and mortar casinos
[10:05]  Video poker session length
[12;41]  Second language value for APs
[15:25]  Video poker progressives strategy cards, common progressive games
[17:43]  Generating losses, lifetime win for slot players
[19:09]  Recording video poker sessions
[20:48]  Books about Las Vegas
[26:39]  Ultimate X Gold strategy
[29:06]  A player who lives on a boat and travels to play promotions
[30:48]  Video poker card frequencies
[31:46]  Blackjack spreads and playing for comps
[33:00]  Playing at a newly opened casino
[36:08]  Commercials
[38:29]  Favorite advantage play game
[41:11]  Remaining in a casino's database, OSN
[43:30]  Misdeals 
[44:35]  Doubling on 12 as cover
[47:05]  Buying in at tables with slot tickets
[49:05]  Recommended:  The Night Agent on Netflix


Sponsored Links:

Recommended:

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Captain Jack Andrews

 Our guest this week is Captain Jack Andrews on for our final episode about sports betting.  We talk about the state of the industry, as well as some of the tools at unabated.com.

We welcome your questions - send them to us at gamblingwithanedge@gmail.com, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.

[00:00]  Introduction of Captain Jack Andrews of Unabated.com
[01:16]  Unabated tools exploited market inefficiencies
[06:45]  Correlations between card counting and sports betting
[11:02]  Synthetic hold and outs
[14:58]  How will sports betting evolve over the next few years?
[19:40]  Micro betting and lag time, free rolls
[23:37]  Vulnerabilities in new types of bets
[25:45]  Line shopping
[29:28]  Captain Jack's favorite memories of GWAE
[36:56]  Commercials
[38:56]  GWAE sponsors
[40:08]  Upcoming things at Unabated, alt line pricing
[45:33]  Parlays as cover
[50:31]  Variance and tipping costs
[51:09]  Captain Jack's final thoughts on GWAE
[52:43]  Recommended:  People I Mostly Admire podcast

Sponsored Links:

Guest Links:

Books Referenced:
The Logic of Sports Betting by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow - https://amzn.to/3LdR4VE
Gambling Wizards by Richard Munchkin - https://amzn.to/40meV9T


Recommended:
Outlive:  The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia - https://amzn.to/43PFYNN
Dan Buetter's books - https://amzn.to/41qvTFp

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Blackjack roundtable 2023

Our guests this week are: colin Jones, Darryl Purpose, and Byrnin Down The House.  For our last episode about Blackjack we wanted to have a blackjack roundtable.  We talk about how blackjack has changed over the last 45 years, and how Byrnin is still able to play 100 hours per month just counting cards.

We welcome your questions - send them to us at gamblingwithanedge@gmail.com, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.
[00:00]  Introduction of Colin Jones, Darryl Purpose, and Burning Down the House
[01:00]  Current blackjack conditions
[03:38]  How long could Burning Down the House continue to play?
[05:57]  Betting, cover, max bets
[07:30]  Darryl's approach to cover, use of big players
[10:08]  Colin and The Church Team's approach to cover, changes over time
[15:56]  Playing abroad
[18:52]  Expenses when traveling to casinos abroad
[22:18]  Playing in the UK
[23:58]  Getting stiff, cheating accusations, and confiscated chips
[29:07]  Generating EV at blackjack
[32:02]  Commercials
[34:00]  Playing music, playing blackjack, and favorite hands
[45:15]  Playing without a player's card
[47:50]  Recommended:  We Own This City on HBO, Singer Songwriter Heaven by Kevin Faherty, Darryl Purpose at McCabes, Tales from the Felt


Sponsored Links:

Recommended:
Singer Songwriter Heaven by Kevin Faherty

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Mr. Doppy

Our guest this week is an advantage player named "Mr. Doppy."  We talk about his exploits beating the lottery, and sports books.

We welcome your questions - send them to us at gamblingwithanedge@gmail.com, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.

[00:00]  Introduction of advantage player, Mr. Doppy
[01:06]  Lessons learned from GWAE
[02:40]  Adapting to bigger stakes
[04:42]  Other advantage plays, lottery
[14:20]  The end of the lottery play
[15:25]  Interviewed by authorities
[19:47]  Cashing out
[22:22]  Transitioning into sports betting
[27:41]  Commercials
[30:06]  What is Mr. Doppy doing now?
[31:32]  Credit card points optimization
[38:40]  Pinball and advantage play logic
[39:55]  Twitter.com/MrDoppy

Sponsored Links:

Recommended:

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Gambling With an Edge - Bob Nersesian 3/30/2023

Our guest this week is attorney Bob Nersesian. Bob answers legal questions from you our listeners.

We welcome your questions - send them to us at gamblingwithanedge@gmail.com, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.


podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/ners03302023


Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction of gambling attorney and Blackjack Hall of Fame member, Bob Nersesian

[00:39]  The future of GWAE

[03:39]  Unusually high progressive amount shown, backup pool

[09:46]  Prosecution of mistakes

[13:33]  Strategy for exploiting errantly programmed machines

[19:55]  Leeching, structuring

[25:13]  The right to record police

[29:00]  Casino refusing to return ID

[34:55]  Commercials 

[38:01]  Cashing chips with an outstanding market, call instruments

[40:32]  Getting pulled over by tribal police, criminal jurisdiction

[46:20]  Cashing TITOs, change vouchers, cashless transactions

[52:35]  Recommended:  Bob Nersesian Interview with Colin Jones, The Reckoning by John Grisham, Farnham’s Freehold by Robert Heinlein


Sponsored Links:

http://BlackjackApprenticeship.com

http://VideoPoker.com/gwae

http://Unabated.com


Recommended:


http://Youtube.com/WFlISbpQntg

The Reckoning by John Grisham - https://amzn.to/3ZyxLtY

Farnham’s Freehold by Robert Heinlein - https://amzn.to/40s28U5