Famous Gambling High Rollers: Tips On How to Become One
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High rollers seem like a myth, but that’s far from the truth. Read on to find everything about the most notorious high rollers gamblers and their secrets.
- Top High Roller Gamblers of All Time
- Famous High Roller Gamblers of the Modern Era
- Tips for Becoming a High Roller Gambler
- High rollers are meant to up the game
Top High Roller Gamblers of All Time
Many famous gamblers have existed throughout history, but men such as Wild Bill Hickok come first to mind.
Most of them have become well-known because of the skill they possessed or the luck that followed them.
However, the concept of a high roller was born out of the exploits of several gamblers that received notoriety for wagering massive amounts at top online casinos.
Archie Karas
Gamblers typically brag about triumphs, and most of those claims should be viewed with suspicion, but nobody doubts Archie Karas.
The holder of the longest consecutive winning streak had success in most casino games. For a man to make millions in Las Vegas is rare but not unheard of.
However, Karas is a historical figure in the gambling industry because he arrived in Sin City with £50 in his pocket.
The best estimates are that Karas made over £40 million through his gambling career. Although losses were expected along the way, Archie had many well-known ‘runs’.
Adnan Khashoggi
Khashoggi can efficiently serve as the prototype for a movie villain.
The international arms dealer was a famous jet setter during the closing decades of the Cold War, and gambling played a significant role in his lifestyle.
Khashoggi’s wealth was reinvested in the world’s biggest casinos, which made him a centrepiece story for tabloids.
Despite the momentous winning streak, which undervalued the stock of casinos where he played, Khashoggi also lost a ton of cash.
At one point, he allegedly owed £3 billion to the Ritz in London.
Akio Kashiwagi
Thanks to their deep pockets, tycoons are at an advantage over regular gamblers and are quick to leave a table when luck is not smiling.
It’s a philosophy Akio Kashiwagi practised with zen patients during visits to popular casinos.
This Japanese gambler regularly made £200K wagers per hand, receiving worldwide acclaim in 1990 after winning a reported £6 million at the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City.
Fouad al-Zayat
When the gambling community bestows a nickname as the Fat Cat of London to a Syrian businessman, its precise large amounts are at stake.
If popular gambling folklore is believed, Fouad al-Zayat stayed true to the nickname by wagering nearly £90 million as an active high roller in London.
Fouad was not looking for attention and tried to shy away from fame. Yet, when you lose a reportedly £25 million, it’s hard to avoid getting noticed by the public.
It took a £3 million debt and a court order to make al-Zayat quit the London gambling scene.
Famous High Roller Gamblers of the Modern Era
Every chapter in the history of gambling has its legends, and the modern era has produced many high rollers actively trying to redefine the concept through astronomic bets.
Some names are even deserving of the epitome.
Victor Chandler
Descending from a long line of gambling enthusiasts, Victor Chandler is rightly known as the ‘godfather of gambling.’
Growing up around his father’s chain of betting shops in the UK, Victors was destined to be one of the industry’s most successful high rollers, who simultaneously managed to run the family business BetVictor.
Chandel was among the first to embrace the internet and move its operations offshore and on the virtual landscape.
However, while redefining the industry, Victor was fearless in taking bold bets on popular sports events, earning him another nickname – ‘the gentleman bookmaker’.
Kerry Packer
Legends say Kerry Packer is a big tipper, leaving seven-digit tips to servers. And for a billionaire who regularly wagers half a million on a single blackjack hand, the stories might be true. Back in the 90s of the last century, Packer’s voracious gambling life centred around London and Las Vegas casinos.
The Australian media mogul is not shy about flaunting his wealth in casinos.
There are many anecdotes about Kerry’s gambling escapades, such as making a £15 million bet on roulette and losing £13 million playing baccarat.
However, many wins are credited to his name, such as the payout of £33 million in Las Vegas.
Charlie Sherm
Charlie Shrem was one of the leading crypto entrepreneurs, jumping on the Bitcoin bandwagon in 2011 by creating an infrastructure which made the digital token accessible to millions.
Shrem’s significant contribution to the gambling industry was opening the doors for wagering with crypto.
Today, most online casino cashiers accept some cryptocurrency for gaming purposes or to access casino bonuses. But the Bitcoin millionaire’s luck took a turn for the worst, and Charlie got convicted of unlicensed money transmitting.
Phil Ivey
It’s not an overstatement to proclaim Phil Ivey as one of the greatest poker players. Ivey’s track record speaks for itself.
The American player regularly participates in gambling tournaments, where millions are won and is a visitor to various casino floors.
Yet, poker is not the only game Phil has an affinity for. It’s been reported that Ivey once made a £100.000 wager on a craps roll.
Pinpointing the amounts Ivey has won and lost is complicated. But for a player who doesn’t flinch when losing 100k, Phil is the epitome of a high roller.
Tips for Becoming a High Roller Gambler
Players that have set their goals high are aiming for high roller status. It’s a recognition achieved through hard work and the proper mindset.
Nothing gets guaranteed on the casino scene, but the following tips can steer you in the right direction as you pave a path toward becoming one of the following famous gamblers.
Define a gambling budget
Creating a budget ahead of time is a priority. You can prepare a daily, weekly, or monthly budget, but always stick to the limit, no matter the wins acquired.
Formulate guidelines about the amount you will wager with each hand and the cut-off point for a gaming session.
Learn the game rules
It makes no difference if you are playing blackjack, roulette, or poker; you must master the rules and understand the odds for each bet.
Many proven strategies can provide an edge. Learn the most valued winning techniques and incorporate them into your game.
Control your emotions
Make decisions with your reason, not your feelings. Emotions can influence your game during both winning and losing streaks.
Patiently make wagers do not dwell on previous hands, only focus on the future.
Anger will only cloud your judgment and make you play like an amateur. High rollers must know how to keep their emotions in check.
Play at reputable casinos
Always check the reputation of the casino you plan to play at. High rollers must only gamble in venues renowned for safety.
See if they offered fair outcomes and good customer support before signing up at one.
High rollers are meant to up the game
Most high rollers have substantial financial resources and are not scared to wager a chunk of their wealth on casino tables, knowing they have much more in the bank.
While it is true that most famous high rollers had success during their run at the best casinos, they also experienced episodes of epic losses.
Although a lot can be learned from their examples, the gambling careers of famous gamblers are not to be replicated by people on fixed incomes.