TOM BREITLING
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
HOW TWO FRIENDS RISKED IT ALL TO BUY ONE OF LAS VEGAS' LEGENDARY CASINOS
by Tom Breitling
What are the odds that a “square from Barnsville, U.S.A.” and a kid whose family moved to Las Vegas with less than two nickels to rub together would become the youngest guys to own and operate a flourishing hotel/casino in Nevada, deal blackjack to the Sopranos, perform with the Barenaked Ladies, and make their second $100 million by age 35?
Inventive, daring, and smart, Tom Breitling and Tim Poster made their first megabuck when they created the “merchant model” that allowed people to quickly search, compare, and reserve hotel/vacation packages online and then sold it to Expedia in 2000 for $105 million. Now, Tom Breitling tells how they hit the jackpot in two industries in DOUBLE OR NOTHING: How Two Friends Risked It All to Buy One of Las Vegas’ Legendary Casinos (Collins; $24.95; March 18, 2008). Written with Cal Fussman, DOUBLE OR NOTHING is an engrossing true story of friendship, trust, risk-taking, fearless gamesmanship, and the hard work it takes to charm Lady Luck and keep her at your end of the green felt table. (You could try the insider’s tips that Tom shares.)
Tom and Tim’s incredibly successful partnership began with a handshake on a frozen lake in Minnesota. Both strove to be the best and accepted a man’s word as his bond. Together they called Barry Diller’s bluff, appeared on People’s 50 Hottest Bachelors list, starred in the FOX-TV reality show “The Casino,” partnered with Andre Agassi and Perry Rogers, and in 2005, sold the legendary Golden Nugget casino for $113 million in profit (226% on their $50 million investment)—called the highest rate of return in such a short time in the gaming industry.
With a multitude of entertaining and jaw-dropping stories from his career and DOUBLE OR NOTHING, in an interview Tom Breitling can discuss:
· Going for Broke – Knowing when taking a major risk in business is worth it;
· Beating the Odds – Strategies gamers use to beat the house;
· Next Generation Vegas – The new frontier of opportunities, the spirit of integrity, and the business trends taking place on and off the strip;
· Expecting the Unexpected – How he met Tim, his best friend and business partner, over a veal parmigiana sandwich; you never know when life will present an opportunity;
· The Power of Partnerships – Building a winning team, balancing weaknesses with strength;
· Getting to Yes – Negotiating in tough, tense and tight spots;
· Mentoring Matters – What he learned from Tony Bennett, Steve Wynn, and Andre Agassi, and how he gives back to young entrepreneurs and the community;
· The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get – The role of luck in business and life.
A highly respected team-builder, businessman and community leader, Tom Breitling is primed for the next roll of the dice. We look forward to speaking to you about Tom Breitling, his wild ride with partners Poster, Agassi, and Rogers, and DOUBLE OR NOTHING.