Pages

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!



Thursday, May 25, 2017

Gambling With an Edge - guest Seth Palansky on WSOP

Our guest this week is Seth Palansky, editor in chief of WSOP.com.  Seth came on to discuss the World Series of poker which begins next week.

Click to listen.  Alt click to download

Friday, May 19, 2017

A Vegas Institution

White Cross Drugs opened in 1955.  It stands on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Oakey.  The drug store was a Vegas Institution. A place you could go at 3 in the morning to buy a bottle of aspirin, or a bottle of Jack Daniels.


Unfortunately the drug store closed a couple years ago, but attached to the drug store is a greasy spoon called Vickie's Diner.  I think before Vickie's it was called Tiffany's Diner, but I killed a lot of brain cells in the 70s so I can't really be sure.


Back in the day this was a meeting place for players.  We didn't have cell phones so to meet up before or after a play this was a central location.  This or the Peppermill.  So it was only fitting that when I arranged to have breakfast this morning with an old Vegas scuffler he said, "Meet me at White Cross."  I said, "I think they closed."  He said, "The diner is still open.  Best breakfast you'll ever have."



He brought a couple friends, and I listened to stories from the old days.  Stories about Puggy, and Amarillo Slim, and guys still alive who I can't mention in order to protect the guilty.




I could listen to guys like this for hours.  And I would have but they were off to a golf match with a couple big name poker players.

Was it the best breakfast I ever ate?  Well, no.  But if you are looking for a piece of Vegas history you might want to give it a try.  Just be warned, this isn't the best part of town.  In the parking lot on the way in there was a guy swinging a 2x4 at another guy who then pulled a gun.  The first guy dropped his 2x4 and ran, but the gun owner chased him down the street.  I never heard shots so I'm sure it was fine. Besides, the police were busy across the street at the Stratosphere with a guy threatening suicide. Just another day in Paradise.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Gambling With an Edge - guest James McManus author of Positively 5th Street.

Our guest this week is James McManus.  James is the author of several books, and many magazine articles.  He is also an avid poker player.  Today we discuss the upcoming WSOP, and his book Positively 5th Street.


Click to listen.  Alt click to download

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Gambling With an Edge - guest blackjack player - Lee Jensen

Our guest this week is advantage player Lee Jensen.  Lee was on our show once after winning the Grosjean cup at the Blackjack Ball a couple years ago.  He has started a new blog for player which you can find here - APStreet.


Click to listen.  Alt click to download

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Gambling With an Edge - guest blackjack player - Blade

Our guest this week is a blackjack player who calls himself Blade. After teaching computer science and playing poker part time for several years, in 2016 he supported himself almost entirely by playing blackjack, in Las Vegas and elsewhere. He’s here today to talk about those experiences.  


Click to listen.  Alt click to download