High Stakes High Thrills – Tales From the World of Professional Gambling
3 min readGambling can be an exhilarating hobby that offers huge payoffs and an exhilarating experience, but also poses the risk of financial ruin. The promise of big wins may tempt individuals to wager amounts beyond their financial comfort zones – leading them down an unpredictable path that leads to emotional stress and strain on relationships.
1. “Gambler” by Billy Walters
Gambling offers some a thrilling escape into high-stakes heists or sports betting; for others however, it can become an addictive and self-destructive pastime with potentially serious repercussions.
This 1974 James Caan drama, written by screenwriter James Toback and directed by Abel Gance is less about gambling than it is about addiction and self-destruction. It follows Axel as he gets deeper and deeper into trouble through betting before realizing his addiction is taking him too far and finally decides to call it quits before his problems spiral any further out of control.
Walters’ New York Times Bestseller chronicles his remarkable American Dream journey against all odds, unveils the secrets of his proprietary betting system, and sheds light on Phil Mickelson. Walters holds that, like investing, gambling requires serious disciplined commitment in order to be profitable.
2. “Inside Job” by Charles Ferguson
The 2008 financial crisis cost millions of people their jobs and homes, often as a result of greed on both sides of the aisle in America. Filmmaker Charles Ferguson contends that greed was ultimately to blame; his film explores how financial industry professionals used manipulation of markets to inflate a bubble which burst. Ferguson interviewed bankers, economists, journalists and former officials as evidence.
Inside Job is an impressive documentary which uses charts and other visual aids to make complex economic concepts easily digestible for viewers. With an authoritative tone that establishes credibility with viewers and facilitates understanding of events leading up to global financial meltdown, Inside Job does an exceptional job of explaining complex economic concepts without losing viewers along the way.
3. “The High-Stakes Game” by Stephen King
Since 1974, Stephen King has published one novel per year since 1974 – cementing himself as an unrivaled master of pulp fiction. Writing anything and everything (including occasional nonfiction pieces) at any given time (sometimes multiple books at once!), King usually occupies several spots on paperback best-seller lists at any one time.
These slim books explore the thrills and dangers associated with high-risk ventures, whether that means robbing a bank or fleeing from a deadly mobster. King’s characters explore new approaches while testing themselves and breaking conventional boundaries – often to catastrophic results.
4. “Gambler: A True Story” by Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar was born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, an area teeming with money. His father managed a local bar where young Stu was introduced to sports gambling at an early age through bets on baseball games or boxing matches.
He learned to count cards, an invaluable skill in high-stakes gambling. To devote more time to card game activities and develop his expertise further, he decided to forgo seventh grade; Victor Romano became his mentor.
Ungar’s life ended far too early at only 30 when his addiction to drugs cost him everything – yet his deep love for Stefanie kept fighting until his very last breath. His story has since been documented and dramatized in multiple documentaries and films including 2003 movie One of a Kind.
5. “The High-Stakes Game” by William Hill
No matter the stakes are emotional or financial, high-risk bets may not be for everyone. Their allure of potentially substantial winnings may lure many down a dangerous path of addiction leading to compulsive gambling habits that erode finances and threaten personal wellbeing.
From pool sharks and road hustlers to punk rock horse handicappers who move the lines, this six-part anthology series showcases real people who make their living through betting on outcomes.
William Hill was established in 1934 and listed on the London Stock Exchange; its rich legacy makes it one of the UK’s premier gambling enterprises. William Hill offers high-limit online poker tables through the iPoker network; players can place bets on sporting events too! William Hill Casino provides an incredible variety of games as well as regular promotions for their members.
