Gambling With an Edge

Our guest this week is Maria Konnikova. Maria is a PHD in psychology, and a best-selling author who decided to spend one year learning to play tournament poker from Eric Seidel, and write a book about it.  she did so well in one year that she turned pro.  Her book is "The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win." 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of Maria Konnikova, author of The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win [00:41] Excerpts of The Biggest Bluff are available online [01:31] Erik Seidel's mentoring [03:56] Psychological and mathematical foundations in poker [05:21] No-Limit Hold'em cash play and tournaments modeling [07:51] Processing and problem solving in poker hands [10:10] Meeting Erik's family [12:27] Playing poker after a year of mentoring [13:50] Being sheepish about sharing some mistakes [15:23] Getting tips from other poker pros [17:30] Maria's grandmother doesn't like gambling [20:38] Maria's life in 2020 [21:19] Hiring a mental coach [24:29] Dealing with sexism at the poker table [27:46] Entering the Colossus [29:14] Are psychologists better at interpreting tells? [31:51] Remembering hands to discuss with Erik [33:53] South Point Casino July Promotions - "Spin to Win" earn up to four spins per day [35:35] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [36:13] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - card counting training website and community, July bootcamps are available [36:52] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, Pro Membership includes Ultimate X and Quick Quads [37:53] Life lessons from poker [41:41] Migraines and poker [43:25] Does Maria have a favorite place to play poker? [45:44] Choosing a title [46:35] Writing about mistakes [48:25] Maria's husband is a saint [51:45] Maria's future plans [53:11] Maria's advice [54:08] Recommended: The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win by Maria Konnikova Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.com VideoPoker.com/gwae Referenced Links: NyTmes.com/2020/06/19/opinion/sunday/poker-bluffing-luck-skill.html FiveThirtyEight.com/features/the-hard-truth-of-poker-and-life-youre-never-due-for-good-cards/ Recommended: The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win by Maria Konnikova https://amzn.to/3i180On Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No guest this week as Bob and I once again dip into the 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction [00:39] Bob's recent experiences in Las Vegas casinos [09:33] Richard's thoughts on indexes? [12:05] Online blackjack [14:14] At what level does the heat subside? [15:34] The Illustrious 18 [16:35] Rocky Aoki stories [18:47] What constitutes a losing streak? [19:59] The processing of six-figure jackpots [27:06] Is card counting better than scouting for other plays? [29:54] How can a blackjack player play longer sessions? [31:57] Rat-holing chips [34:22] Problems downloading the podcast [35:40] Full pay Jacks or Better progressives in Las Vegas [36:43] Memorable guests and favorite episodes [38:47] Exhibit CAA [40:30] Card mechanic videos [41;29] Tips on buying a vintage video poker machine [41:58] Blackjack training suggestions [44:12] Has Richard ever had someone intercept signals? [46:53] Using a magnetron [47:17] Has GWAE created a wave of APs? [48:28] Should a red to green chip counter play rated? [49:59] South Point Casino June Promotions - "Free Play with a Kicker," no free VP classes this fall [50:52] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [51:50] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - card counting training site and community [52:31] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers corrections on most games, Game of the Week is Wheel Poker with Quick Quads [53:17] Tips for avoiding slot losses and losing blackjack sessions [55:10] Dana White's blackjack strategy [57:32] Playing blackjack in Australia [58:24] American Casino Guide and Las Vegas Advisor coupons [59:40] Exploiting dealer errors [61:55] Does a positive count make the dealer's hand stronger? [63:31] Greek and Czech blackjack teams [64:46] Do multiple tickets over $1200 generate a W2G? [68:06] How to recommend future guests to GWAE [71:09] Recommended - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Squirrel Ninja Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.com VideoPoker.com/gwae Books Referenced: Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong https://amzn.to/2Nd9UgA Comp City by Max Rubin https://amzn.to/2zNQoEE Exhibit CAA by James Grosjean Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist by Houston Curtis https://amzn.to/3ehlwuY Episodes Referenced: Kelly Sun https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/gambling-edge-guest-kelly-sun-queen-sorts/ James Holzhauer https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/podcast-jeopardy-james-holzhauer/ Bill Baxter https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/gambling-with-edge-guest-poker-legend/ https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/gambling-edge-guest-poker-legend-billy-baxter-2/ Limon https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/gambling-edge-guest-poker-pro-limon/ Small Cap Growth https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/gambling-with-an-edge-guest-card-counter-smallcap/ Bob Nersesian - many episodes available Recommended: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Squirrel Ninja, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGgLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is two time backgammon world champion and author, Bill Robertie. 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of Bill Robertie, 2x winner of the World Backgammon Championship and author of How to Play the Opening in Backgammon, Part 1: A New Way of Thinking [00:57] What makes How to Play the Opening in Backgammon different from other books? [05:53] Will excluded positions be included in a future part of this series? [07:53] What over topics will be covered in Book Two and Book Three? [10:10] Could the content of these books change as bots improve? [15:26] Playing openings versus understanding openings [18:41] Scoring tournaments by lowest impact of errors [20:53] Does Bill still play in tournaments? [24:13] Is the proliferation of XG good for the game? [30:13] Do published PR scores reduce gambling? [33:33] South Point Casino June promotions - Free Play with a Kicker [35:12] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [35:40] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - card counting community and training site with boot camp events [36:54] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, free Pro Membership trial for GWAE listeners [37:45] Learning from writing and publishing [40:36] Does Bill revisit any of his pre-bot matches or books? [43:14] Michy's endgame book, EndGame Technique [46:35] What will Bill's next project be? [47:53] TheGammonPress.com publishing, blog, history, news, etc. [49:12] Recommended - Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly, Bosch on Amazon Prime, John Lescroart books, and The Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.com VideoPoker.com/gwae Sites Referenced: TheGammonPress.com Books Referenced: How to Play the Opening in Backgammon,  By Bill Robertie https://amzn.to/2zna7e7 Endgame Technique by Michihito Kageyama https://amzn.to/2BShPh3 Recommended: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell https://amzn.to/3ffc4s2 Devil in the White City by Erik Larson https://amzn.to/37uWupX Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly https://amzn.to/3fdE7bG John Lescroart books https://amzn.to/3dSHO6e The Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker https://amzn.to/3dR32S5 Bosch on Amazon PrimeLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is a surveillance operator named Jackson. "Jackson," is also an AP blackjack player who works/plays in the Midwest. Should listeners want to contact him they can reach him at blackjackjimmy777@gmail.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. podcast Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of Jackson, a surveillance employee and blackjack AP [00:36] Jackson's history working in surveillance [03:45] Surveillance advantage play training and detection [08:50] Databases [11:50] Tape review threshold and methods [17:49] Do surveillance people go down to the floor? [18:34] Contributing to OSN [19:27] How many APs are typically spotted in a week? [21:02] Carnival games [22:17] Where does heat originate? [24:41] Counter detection software [26:35] Can most surveillance employees count? [27:37] Review policy [29:31] As a dealer, did Jackson count or evaluate players? [31:57] How often does Jackson play? [35:17] South Point Casino - June promotion is "Free Play with a Kicker" [36:40] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [37:17] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, free Pro Membership trial for GWAE listeners [37:58] How did Jackson get his bankroll? [42:51] Do surveillance guys go to AP forums? [43:57] Has Jackson met players that he has spotted from surveillance? [45:30] Jackson's back-offs [47:12] Playing with a mask [49:02] Has Jackson been flyered? Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge VideoPoker.com/gwae Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is Ryan Growney, General Manager of the South Point Hotel and Casino, about what to expect when Nevada casinos reopen on June 4.  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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] GWAE podcast availability on iTunes, Spotify, GamblingWithAnEdge.com, Youtube, Stitcher [01:39] Introduction of Ryan Growney, the general manager of the South Point Casino [02:37] What measures will be used to keep casino customers and employees safe? [09:48] Temperature screening [13:17] Hotel rooms, housekeeping, and room service. [16:01] Will masks be available for casino guests? [17:09] Casino chip sanitation [18:58] Patron contact tracing [20:39] Will there be a smoking ban? [21:32] Will there be an occupancy limit? [22:40] Can slot customers move chairs? [24:33] Can a disabled slot be turned on? [25:47] Will the South Point use plexiglass dividers? [27:09] Will there be changes to the W2G procedures? [27:34] Will employees be wearing gloves? [28:44] Will the pay tables change? [29:14] What will happen to the unfinished March promotion? [31:59] Poker room procedures [34:12] Restaurant reopening plans [37:10] Will the movie theater reopen? [38:41] Will there be special rules at the pool? [39:16] When will the lounges and showroom reopen? [40:14] Employed training information [41:59] Managing employee schedules and opportunities [44:41] South Point Casino - free video poker classes are cancelled through this fall [45:16] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [45:45] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - card counting training website and community, a few spaces are still available for the June boot camp [46:00] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correct on most games, Pro membership includes Ultimate X [46:51] Recommended - The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova, Peaky Blinders on Netflix Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.com VideoPoker.com/gwae Recommended: The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova https://amzn.to/2XGGiNJ Peaky Blinders on Netflix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No guest this week as Bob and I once again dip into the 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction [00:57] Women's physical appearance in AP [02:57] Home field advantage and crowd size [05:15] Peter Griffin stories [12:00] Physical versus virtual casino drawings [14:19] Will casinos be non-smoking after COVID-19? [15:48] Negotiating loss rebates [20:34] Loss rebate calculators [21:27] Factoring in deck composition [23:41] South Point Hotel Casino and Spa [24:18] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [25:24] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, free Pro Membership trial for GWAE listeners [26:44] Will Bob and Richard travel when casinos reopen? [28:23] Trading AP info [32:10] Cashing out chips at non-local casinos [35:38] Recommended - Be Better Bettors podcast, public library ebooks, archive.org, MasterClass.com, Extreme Sudoku Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge VideoPoker.com/gwae GWAE Links: GamblingWithAnEdge.com Facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge Twitter @RWM21 Links referenced: Freakonomics.com/2011/12/18/football-freakonomics-how-advantageous-is-home-field-advantage-and-why/ Freakonomics.com/podcast/world-cup/ Wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/composition-dependent-benefit/ Books Mentioned: Theory of Blackjack by Peter Griffin https://amzn.to/2AFdddx Recommended: Twitter.com/bebetterbettors Archive.org Masterclass.com ExtremeSudoku.infoLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is Captain Jack Andrews. Recently Captain Jack has been producing a considerable amount of quality YouTube videos on the art and science of sports betting. 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of sports bettor and GWAE contributor, Captain Jack Andrews [00:39] Captain Jack's Youtube Channel [08:38] Daily fantasy sports market [10:30] Does educating suckers ultimately affect vig? [13:09] How to find Captain Jack's broadcasts [16:56] Captain Jack's chat with Rufus Peabody and Spanky [20:38] South Point Hotel and Casino - more than 10,000 games returning over 99% [21:26] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small wagers on various political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [22:45] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - card counting training site and community [23:34] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games [24:51] Captain Jack's online icon [27:43] American Bettors Coalition [33:35] Will the NFL play a full schedule? [34:54] Billy Walters [37:35] Could playing football in empty stadiums affect home field advantage? [40:11] Futures bets and opportunity costs [42:17] Tips to trim house edge, save time, handicap, etc [45:53] Beating lines versus shopping lines [50:00] Captain Jack's future content and target audiences Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.comVideoPoker.com/gwae Captain Jack's Links: Youtube.com/channel/UC5qdmM1k5chVxcUuF56sLuQ LasVegasAdvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/author/captain-jack/ Twitter.com/capjack2000 Links Referenced: AmericanBettorsCoalition.org Twitter.com/americanbettor Books Referenced: Sharp Sports Betting by Stanford Wong https://amzn.to/3dI5rhi The Logic of Sports Betting by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow https://amzn.to/2LyDlZH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No guest this week as Bob and I once again dip into the 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction [00:47] Background noise and taping info [01:31] AP Twitter [04:26] Learning video poker and blackjack card counting [07:12] How can Bob make a living playing break-even video poker? [09:00] Offers when casinos re-open and shutdown plays [12:24] Sign-in at South Point Casino video poker classes [16:30] VPfree2.com [18:25] Why don't table games players get W2G's? [19:30] Are there any good BJ games in Europe? [21:06] Craps terms, house edge, etc [22:30] A card counter got a players card before becoming a counter [23:44] Finding reliable hole-carding strategy [26:33] South Point Casino Hotel and Spa [27:36] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [28:28] BlackjackApprenticeship.com - excellent card counting and training website [29:15] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games [30:40] Calculating bankroll and risk statistics [33:00] Why haven't casinos cut odds everywhere? [38:03] Leveraging the Asian gambler super power [41:41] When casinos reopen will they require players to wear masks and gloves? [44:45] Risks of counting cards in the Dominican Republic [46:20] Recommended: review video poker strategies, After Life on Netflix Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge BlackjackApprenticeship.com VideoPoker.com/gwae Referenced Links: VpFree2.com WizardOfOdds.com/gambling/glossary Youtube.com/channel/UCdnKUMfRVRHuGrciZAqaCwQ Qfit.com BlackjackTheForum.com Books: Gambling 102 by Michael Shackelford https://amzn.to/2WdpgaA Beyond Counting by James Grosjean Exhibit CAA by James Grosjean Recommended: After Life https://www.netflix.com/title/80998491Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No guest this week as Bob and I once again dip into the 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction [00:39] COVID-19 [03:07] Richard's intermittent fasting [05:20] Estimating the edge in a loss rebate promotion [07:35] Recommendations for musical or comedy shows in Vegas [10:00] Questions from an female AP looking to get into blackjack [15:57] What happens if a dealer tip results in a W2-G? [17:42] AP questions in preparation for trips to Australia and Ireland [21:24] Are there craps teams that are similar to blackjack teams? [22:56] No comps on 9/6 Jacks or Better at the Borgata [28:20] 9/5 DDB with a royal flush progressive calculations [31:13] What information to pit bosses see when looking up a player's card? [32:19] What is the legality around using a fake ID at a casino? [33:14] Barring players from the Grosjean Cup [36:17] Do you have to play rated at higher stakes? Is using an alias a good idea? [39:35] South Point Casino March Promotions - Free Play with a Kicker [40:11] Predictit.org/promo/edge - place small bets on political events, $20 deposit match for GWAE listeners [40:44] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, Pro Membership includes UX and Quick Quads [41:34] Strategies for ticket drawings [43:20] Casino comps and promos during poor macroeconomic conditions [44:42] The disappearance of full pay Joker Wild [45:30] Hedging bets in craps [48:31] Does the theoretical vary by the type of video poker game? [50:54] Recommended - Brave web browser Sponsored links: SouthPointCasino.com Predictit.org/promo/edge VideoPoker.com/gwae BlackJackApprenticeship.com Links mentioned in this episode:  MacKingShow.com TheSmithCenter.com EatMoreArtVegas.com SuperSummerTheatre.org Bard.org BlackJackTheForum.com TheBlackjackDiscord.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is part 2 of our discussion with Houston Curtis. We talk more about Molly's Game, and discuss the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, and the Ultimate Bet scandal. His new book is Billion dollar Hollywood Heist. 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 Click to listen - Alt click to download Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of Houston Curtis, author of The Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist [00:46] Where is The Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist available? [02:31] Jamie Gold makes a big game even bigger [07:44] Ultimate Blackjack Tour [10:49] Ultimate Bet and Russ Hamilton [20:33] Does Houston fear any repercussions from his book? [24:44] South Point Casino - over 10,000 games that return over 99% [24:58] Predictit.org/promo/edge - a market where you can place small bets on political events, $20 [25:30] VideoPoker.com/gwae - Gold Membership offers correction on most games, free trial of Pro Membership for GWAE listeners [27:00] Brad Ruderman joins the game [35:40] How is Houston's health today? [39:03] Houston's other projects [40:38] Pretty girls and drugs [44:54] Card manipulation in other games [54:06] Recommended: James Grosjean's new article on GamblingWithAnEdge.com Sponsored Links: SouthPointCasino.com Predict.org/promo/edge VideoPoker.com/gwae Houston Curtis' Links: KardSharp.com Youtube.com/c/HoustonCurtisKardSharp Billion dollar Hollywood Heist. https://amzn.to/2xJBC0J Recommended: Lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/author/james-grosjean/Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices