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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!



Thursday, July 25, 2019

Gambling With an Edge - Bob Wachtel Part 2

Backgammon expert Bob Wachtel pays us a return visit, discussing some of the colorful players (and cheats!) of the good old days, plus how the game today is different than it was a few decades ago.

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

podcast
Click to listen - Alt click to download

Show Notes


00:00] Introduction of backgammon expert and author Bob Wachel

[00:49] Gaby Horowitz and the Cavendish West

[08:58] Stan Tomchin, Gaby Horowitz and discussion of cheaters

[19:54] Steve Sax

[22:21] Japanese and Danish backgammon players

[37:32] South Point Casino July Promotions: $600k "Mad Money" casino-wide progressives

[38:21] VideoPoker.com - The gold membership offers correction on most games

[38:56] Why are the best players in poker so much younger than the best players in backgammon?

[42:54] Bob Watchel's second place finish in the Monte Carlo tournament

[44:57] How does an opponent's demeanor affect Bob Watchel's play?

[47:09] The use of chess clocks in backgammon tournaments

Books:
In the Game into the End by Bob Wachtel

SouthPointCasino.com
VideoPoker.com

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Gambling With an Edge - guest Black Asian

Our guest today is a woman who posts under the name of Black Asian. She is a relatively new, successful blackjack counter, and describes some of the adventures in her first few years of AP experience.

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

podcast
Click to listen - Alt click to download

Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction of card counting AP and attorney, BlackAsian
[00:39] Discussion of the value of being an Asian female AP
[05:48] BlackAsian's gambling background, playing with Vagabond, Blackjack Boot Camp
[13:30] Moving to Vegas with a $3,000 bankroll
[16:03] BlackAsian's marriage
[17:45] Bankroll progression
[20:03] Comparison of AP and practicing law
[23:18] BlackAsian's personality when playing
[26:22] South Point Casino July Promotions: "Mad Money" casino-wide progressives
[26:58] VideoPoker.com: Gold Membership offers correction on most games
[27:23] Driving in Arizona, civil forfeiture
[32:01] Traveling with money
[35:18] Discussion of AP personality types
[37:36] Ed Thorpe
[38:55] Session length
[45:51] Big player discussion

SouthPointCasino.com
VideoPoker.com

Books:
Blackjack Blueprint by Rick Blaine https://amzn.to/2Lp8PDH
A Man for All Markets by Edward O. Thorp https://amzn.to/32BDTFu

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Gambling With an Edge - guest Just Joe

 Our guests today are two poker players we are calling Just Joe and Mr. B. They are pro poker players who also play table games and slots at an advantage. This was a show that was more fun than average to record because there was a lot of banter going on.

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

podcast
Click to listen - Alt click to download

Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction of poker players and APs, Just Joe and Mr. B.

[00:29] Just Joe's gambling background

[03:01] Online poker and Black Friday

[05:56] Heads Up Limit Hold'em

[08:14] Rob Reitzen and pokergirl z

[11:35] The origin of Mr. B's name

[13:04] IGT's Heads Up Poker game

[20:58] A Mississippi Stud game at the Rio

[24:28] South Point Casino July Promotions: $600k "Mad Money" progressives promotion

[25:18] VideoPoker.com - The gold membership offers correction on most games

[25:55] Mr. B gets back-roomed for eating dinner

[30:46] The casino personalities of Mr. B and Just Joe

[31:52] Just Joe's back-off story and back-off discussion

[38:45] The evolution of Mr. B and Just Joe's business

[44:02] The Swamp and Mr. B's purse

[47:01] Mr. B's very expensive flat tire

[50:36] Bankroll sharing and partnerships

SouthPointCasino.com
VideoPoker.com

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Gambling With an Edge - Bob Wachtel

Our guest this week is backgammon expert Bob Wachtel, who discusses his book "In the Game Until the End: Winning in Ace-Point Endgames." Wachtel and both co-hosts knew each other at the Cavendish West backgammon club in the late 1970s and we discuss how each of the backgammon clubs of the era was a bit different.

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

podcast
Click to listen - Alt click to download

Show Notes

00:00] Introduction of backgammon expert and author, Bob Watchel

[00:47] Bob's gambling background in chess and backgammon

[05:25] The Cavendish West in Los Angeles

[13:30] Chouette discussion

[19:45] The Mayfair Club in New York City

[27:52] Did Bob ever consider moving into poker?

[30:52] Paul Magriel

[35:40] Discussion of Bob's book, In the Game Until the End: Winning in Ace-Point Endgames

[44:38] South Point Casino July Promotion: Mad Money casino-wide progressives

[45:28] VideoPoker.com: Gold Membership offers correction on most games

[46:04] Coup Classique

[53:03] Book availability and Bob's contact information

SouthPointCasino.com
VideoPoker.com

TheGammonPress.com

Books:
In the Game Until the End: Winning in Ace-Point Endgames by Bob Wachtel

Youtube:
Paul Magriel Memorial Tribute by Robert Wachtel
Youtube.com/watch?v=ymsjCQxvtB8