Review of Gambling Wizards

Title:

Gambling Wizards

Author:

Richard Munchkin

Publisher:

Huntington Press

Date:

2002

ISBN:

0-929712-05-6

Pages:

306

Price:

$19.95

Reviewed by Nick Christenson, npc@lvrevealed.com

December 7, 2003

Being a successful gambler means winning, and winning far more than a person's "fair share". Few gamblers can rise to the level of being a long-term winner, a laudable goal for most of us. For fewer still, gambling winnings will be a meaningful contribution to the gambler's income. At the top of the food chain are the elite of the gambling world, those who not only make their living from gambling, but make a very comfortable one, year in and year out. These are some of the most recognizable names in gambling, and these are the people Richard Munchkin interviews in his new book, "Gambling Wizards".

The following is a list of the people whose winning ways are explored in this book: Billy Walters, David "Chip" Reese, Tommy Hyland, Mike Svobodny, Stan Tomchin, Cathy Hulbert, Alan Woods, and Doyle Brunson. Any gambling aficionado should immediately recognize most of these names and be able to name their games. These folks represent the most successful sports bettors, blackjack players, backgammon players, poker players, and horse bettors alive, and most of them have excelled at more than one of these endeavors.

Each chapter is an interview between the author and his subject. This format allows the author to cut straight to the details that are likely to interest the reader, and it is effective in getting us right in to the action. Many interviewers seem to like to listen to the sound of their own voice. It is clear from the ratio of the number words spoken by interviewer and subject that Richard Munchkin wants to hear what these people have to say.

One thing I found interesting is that in many ways the subjects of "Gambling Wizards" couldn't be more different. We see a vast assortment of humanity, with very different styles and approaches to their chosen professions. At the same time, there are some remarkable similarities between these diverse individuals. From these stories, I find it worthwhile to consider what elements are required for someone gambling at these stakes to be successful. There are some surprises here, I think.

The poker players interviewed here are an interesting mix. Chip Reese talks about the days when poker came of age in Las Vegas. Cathy Hulbert was a world renowned blackjack player who is now a highly respected mid-limit poker player in Los Angeles. Doyle Brunson needs no introduction to poker players. Perhaps the most famous poker player in the world at the present time, Brunson is a fixture in ultra-high limit games in Las Vegas and the biggest tournaments in town. He also pre-dates the modern era in poker, having gotten his start as an old-school road gambler in Texas and surrounding states. Needless to say, these three have plenty of interest to say about the current state of poker.

Regarding the game of blackjack, there are few aficionados of the game who haven't heard of Tommy Hyland. He has been running successful blackjack teams for more than two decades. Hulbert has also been a successful blackjack player, having played with both the famous "Czech Team" and Ken Uston. Stan Tomchin and Alan Woods have also made a not inconsiderable amount of money playing blackjack, as well as exploiting many other profitable situations, but they're best known for betting sports and horses, respectively. Billy Walters and Chip Reese also are notorious sports bettors. Mike Svobodny is possibly the most successful proposition backgammon player in the world, but he, too, has made a fair bit of change playing poker as well.

Munchkin's book is all about personalities. The book doesn't contain "winning tips" that will help the reader become rich overnight, but there's a thread of subtle wisdom that floats through this book. More than anything else, though, Gambling Wizards is entertaining. Munchkin asks good questions of his subjects, and when people of this caliber are willing to talk, I listen. The book is well written and I expect most gambling aficionados will enjoy reading it. I know I did.

Capsule:

In Gambling Wizards Richard Munchkin interviews eight of the most well-known and successful gambling professionals in the world. I found it fascinating to read about the differences between this diverse group of people, as well as to learn what they had in common. This book isn't a book filled with gambling advice, but there are several threads of subtle wisdom winding throughout the book. Mostly, though, Gambling Wizards is just highly entertaining, and I give it a strong recommendation.