Lessons from a Professional Gambler

“You have to understand how the ecosystem of Vegas works”

Here at the Moonlight Graham Show, we have a pretty good track record of knowing when to hold ‘em, when to fold’ em, and when to walk away. In fact, part of being an Underdog is knowing your limitations but being willing to go for broke sometimes. This week we welcome a pro gambler named, well, let’s just call him Tom Hagen. Guys have been participating in a March Madness office pool each year or making some bets through their ‘guy’ forever. But in the last 20 years, online gambling has really changed the game. Now, with DraftKings and MGM Bets, any guy can start living like he’s best buddies with Joe Pesci in Casino. 

Tom Hagen got his start gambling long before it was legal in Iowa. Hagen’s freshman year of college coincided with the rise in popularity of online poker. He was broke and getting into the freerolls in online gambling sites to try to be the next Chris Moneymaker. In fact, his Biology professor was giving him reminders to leave class early to get online in time to register. Hagen was able to accrue lots of hands worth of experience really quickly and rapidly improved as a player. Before long, he was winning tournaments and in one run turning $65 into over $22,000. Nowadays, Hagen doesn’t consider himself a big-time card player as the game has continued to evolve. It isn’t Rounders or Johnny Chan anymore.

Playing cards online was really only an entry point for Tom Hagen. It wasn’t long before he turned his own sports betting into running his own sportsbook. From football season through March Madness, Hagen stated that it is impossible for a book to lose money. The low point for any single client was being down about $18,000. While he wasn’t De Niro, the book was successful but overtime wasn’t worth the amount of attention it required.

When he wasn’t running his own book, he was still very active as a gambler himself. He has seen the high roller side of just about every major casino in Las Vegas. We are talking about rubbing elbows with guys being chauffeured in Rolls Royces and having his own butler. Between the private pools, cigar rooms, and  VIP access, the high roller lifestyle is one that will have every listener daydreaming.

“The sandwich cost me $70k”

Since he has mostly put his sports betting days behind him, he has put his focus on horse racing. Hagen’s experience with the ponies ranges from going to the Kentucky Derby and scouting horses to being a part owner in a horse that could have sold for a million bucks. Picking winners was something he has had a knack for. In fact, one time he was ready to pick the winners in a 5-part bet that could have netted him almost $90,000. But waiting to place the bet until after he got a sandwich turned a pick-5 into a pick-4 that only brought home $18,000. But that’s the life of a gambler. 

Whether or not his name is Tom Hagen, this guy has stories to tell. Every guy has put a few bucks down on a game or taken home the last pot at a basement poker night. Hagen’s stories aren’t that different from the rest of us, except for a few more Rolls Royces and high roller suites.

Are you a proud supporter of the Moonlight Graham Show? Buy the "Moonlighter Tee"
 https://www.moonlightgrahamshow.com/buy-swag/moonlighter-tee-1

We would love to meet you on social media. Give us a follow!