Archie Karas Dies at 73
Legendary gambler Archie “The Greek” Karas, known for turning $50 into $40 million, has passed away at 73. Karas made history with his unparalleled gambling streak, starting in 1992 when he borrowed $10,000 and built his fortune by playing high-stakes poker and other games in Las Vegas. His journey is one of the most remarkable in gambling lore.
Despite losing his entire fortune by 1996, Karas remained unfazed, famously stating that money meant little to him. His life took a darker turn in 2013 when he was banned from Nevada casinos for cheating at blackjack, marking a blemish on his gambling career.
Born in 1950 in Greece, Karas left home at 15, worked on a cruise ship, and eventually made his way to the U.S., where he built his legendary gambling career. Known for playing against the likes of Stu Ungar and Doyle Brunson, Karas once claimed, “I’ve gambled more money than anyone in the history of the planet.”
