Top 10 of the best casino players in history

Our list begins with the famous mathematics professor Edward Thorp, also known for writing The Book: “Beat the Dealer”, in 1966, which describes card counting techniques used by him, when he won more than 11 thousand dollars in a casino on his first weekend at the table.

Thorp was also known for his victories in baccarat, backgammon, and roulette, using several other techniques of advantage that Thorp developed, some of which are now illegal. In addition to being one of the first players to use disguises so as not to be recognized by casino owners.

Regarded as one of the most successful professionals in the United States, Billy Walters started in the betting world at a very young age and had a winning streak for almost 30 years of his career. In addition to being great at sports betting, Walters also became famous for his performance in casino games such as poker, blackjack and roulette.

Over the years, Walters also became known for his other ventures, including stock trading, car dealerships and even a golf course. However, in 2017, Billy Walters was convicted of Insider Trading, which resulted in five years in prison and a$10 million fine.

Listing all of Phil Ivey's victories would be virtually impossible. Ivey's achievements are among the achievement of 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, the title of the best poker player is one of the highest paid players in history. In addition to his participation in nine World Poker Tour final tables.

However, Ivey also became known for getting involved in an edge rating scheme in 2012 when he won more than$ 11 million with baccarat in London. Subsequently, the courts ruled in favor of the casinos.

This man's story is surreal. Moneymaker started betting at an online casino in 2002 with$ 86 and won the main event of the 2003 World Series of Poker, where he pocketed a total of $ 2.5 million. His victory resulted in what was called the “poker boom” when thousands of punters began playing on online poker sites.

Moneymaker has since quit his job as a mechanic to become a spokesperson for Harrah's Entertainment and the Lucky Nugget, releasing an autobiography and continuing with his gaming career, with a total of$ 3.5 million in earnings. He currently lives with his wife in Nashville, Tennessee.

Also known as “Texas Dolly,” Doyle Brunson became famous for his legendary poker exploits. With two wins in the World Series of Poker, Texas Dolly is also the author of several poker books. His book “Super / System " is one of the most influential and widely used to date.

Retired from the poker world, Brunson currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Another poker legend is Phil Hellmuth, with a total of 14 World Series of Poker bracelets and ten other titles in WSOP events, most of them in Hold'em. Phil is currently the biggest WSOP winner in history.

Today, Hellmuth, his wife and children live in California and his poker achievements total more than$ 8 million.

When we talk about blackjack it is difficult not to mention John Ferguson, better to say, Stanford Wong, as he prefers to be called, after changing his name in 1974. Wong became a legend when his surname came to be used as a verb in the blackjack gaming community. "Wonging" is the action the bettor takes when counting cards as an observer and only placing a bet when the count gives an advantage over the casino. He still owns his own publishing house, “Pi Yee Press “and author of the book”Professional Blackjack".

With a degree in Political Science and law from Yale University, the former poker player made her name in the sport. This is because Selbst is to date the only woman to reach the first place of the Global Poker Index. She is also the first woman to win three WSOP bracelets. His poker tournament winnings total more than$11.8 million.

Archie is more of a Las Vegas legend, but his fame is not only for his victories, as it is also related to criminal stories.

When he started out in the poker world, Karas was unemployed and with $ 10,000 he borrowed from a friend. However, he was able to easily turn that money into$ 40 million. Unfortunately, after a few years, Karas lost everything with high-stakes bets in Las Vegas.

And to round off our top 10, we couldn't fail to mention the MIT Blackjack card counting team, who during the 90s, made good money in Las Vegas. Led by Bill Kaplan, a former professional gambler banned for card counting, the team raised more than$400,000 in one weekend alone.

Over the years, and as the students graduated, the team members also changed. Despite constant casino swapping and elaborate use of disguises, the team was eventually caught and was also banned from casinos.