Life is a Gamble

Gambling With an Edge
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Host Richard Munchkin talks to a guest each episode who tells a story that illustrates, "Life is a Gamble."

  1. 16 APR

    Andrew Wimhurst - "Thieving Bastards

    My 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 info Andrew's Links; thecolddeckcompany.com instagram.com/thecolddeckcompany Books Referenced; Thieving Bastards: by Andrew Wimhurst - https://amzn.to/4dS2s8x Gambling Wizards by Richard Munchkin - https://amzn.to/4tLX7nB Road Hustler by Robert C. Prus - out of print Gambling Scams by Darwin Ortiz - https://amzn.to/4cchtkk Havana Nocturne by T.J. English - https://amzn.to/4cfsy2w

    48 min

  2. 22/12/2025

    NormBeck

    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. 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

    42 min

  3. 07/12/2025

    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. 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

    1hr 15min

  4. 22/09/2025

    Jon Rogers of Carib Sports

    Jon 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

    55 min

  5. 23/08/2025

    Mac King

    Mac 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

    42 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    Nigel Eccles - Fan Duel Co-Founder

    My 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 thoughts X.com/nigeleccles Bethog.com Betdex.com FanDuel.com

    40 min

  7. 19/02/2024

    Lauri Thompson episode 16

    Lauri 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

    48 min

  8. 09/02/2024

    Billy Baxter episode 15

    Billy 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.

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Host Richard Munchkin talks to a guest each episode who tells a story that illustrates, "Life is a Gamble."

Information

  • Creator
    Gambling With an Edge
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Gambling With an Edge
  • Show Website
    Life is a Gamble

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