If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about gambling, it’s Jeff Ma.
While Ma’s latest gig is working with Troon Golf as its chief digital officer for the golf operator’s new loyalty program, he is perhaps best known for his brilliant blackjack work as an MIT student, which inspired the book “Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six Students of -MIT Who Took Vegas for Millions,” and the movie “21.”
Ma still hosts a golf gambling podcast, and on this week’s episode of Subpar, Ma talked in detail about his Vegas ventures. But he also has a fun proposition for a group of friends looking for a new way to bet golf together. One warning: you may have to be patient to get the money.
The first step is to gather a group of friends to participate. For Ma, it was a circle of three. Then, you create a draft of the top players. Ma went with eight.
“Each person took eight golfers, and if your golfer wins a major in the next five years, the other two people have to pay you $500,” Ma explained to hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.
“So, the obvious first choice is Scottie [Scheffler],” continued Ma. ” But then it’s like, when we did the draft, which was a little over a year ago, my next pick was [Jon] Rahm at that time. But now that looks like the next second choice might be Xander [Schauffele].”
Part of the appeal is the long-term nature of the bet, Ma said. But if the designated player signs the contract, the payment must be made immediately.
“You have to give them just one minute after the end of the competition,” said Ma. “Very sweet.”
Who would Knost and Stoltz watch such a bet? Both were burning with the hopes of Ludwig Aberg.
“I thought it was cool at the Memorial this year, and Jack Nicklaus was in the room, and they were talking about who do you think would be the one to challenge Scottie, because at the time, Scottie was the No. 1 in the world,” Knost said. “And Ludwig had played one major tournament.” at that time. And he chose him.”
“People see it every day, it’s different,” Stoltz admitted. “And he’s still young. You’re just getting started.”
For more from Ma, Knost and Stoltz, including Ma’s perspective on how to approach golf betting, check out the full Subpar episode below.
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