bˈɔːɹn ɪn kˈɑːɹbəndˌeɪl, ˌɪlənˈɔɪ, hiː ɐtˈɛndᵻd hˈɑːɹvɚd ænd ɹˈoʊt fɚðə skˈuːl pˈeɪpɚ, ðə kɹˈɪmsən, bᵻfˌoːɹ kəmˈɪɾɪŋ tə fˈʊl tˈaɪm bˈɛɾɪŋ.
Born in Carbondale, Illinois, he attended Harvard and wrote for the school paper, the Crimson, before committing to full time betting.