Las Vegas, the glittering heart of the gambling world, has seen countless players come and go, but only a few have left an indelible mark with their seemingly supernatural ability to win big. These gamblers, often dubbed as having the “Midas touch,” turned the tables in their favor with a combination of skill, luck, and nerve. Here are five legendary Las Vegas gamblers who, for a time, seemed to have the golden touch.
1. Archie Karas: The Unstoppable Streak:
Archie Karas is perhaps the most legendary of all Las Vegas gamblers, known for the most extraordinary winning streak in gambling history. In the early 1990s, Karas arrived in Las Vegas with just $50 in his pocket. Over the next three years, he turned that meager amount into a staggering $40 million. Karas was a master of poker, pool, and high-stakes gambling, taking on the biggest names in poker and beating them consistently. His run, known as “The Run,” became the stuff of legends. However, like King Midas, Karas’s fortunes eventually reversed, and he lost nearly all of his winnings. But during his peak, his golden touch was unmatched.
2. Kerry Packer: The High-Rolling Billionaire:
Australian media mogul Kerry Packer was known for his immense wealth and love for high-stakes gambling. Packer’s “Midas touch” was evident during his visits to Las Vegas, where he was known to win and lose millions in a single night. On one occasion, Packer reportedly won between $20 million and $40 million in just a few hours at the MGM Grand Casino. His wins were so significant that they impacted the quarterly earnings of the casinos he frequented. Packer’s sheer audacity and willingness to bet millions on a single hand made him a legend in Las Vegas gambling circles.
3. Don Johnson: The Blackjack Mastermind:
Don Johnson is a gambler who made his fortune not through luck, but through skill and strategy. In 2011, Johnson took on three Atlantic City casinos and won over $15 million in a matter of months. His success was due to his deep understanding of blackjack and his ability to negotiate favorable terms with the casinos, including discounts on losses and rules that tilted the odds slightly in his favor. Johnson’s methodical approach and cool demeanor allowed him to exploit the casinos’ weaknesses, turning him into a modern-day Midas in the gambling world.
4. Stanley Fujitake: The Craps King:
Stanley Fujitake was a modest Hawaiian man who became a Las Vegas legend for his incredible run at the craps table. In May 1989, Fujitake played at the California Hotel and Casino, where he rolled the dice 118 times without losing, a streak that lasted over three hours. His lucky roll earned him $30,000 and made him a casino legend. The odds of such a streak are astronomical, making Fujitake’s feat one of the most impressive in Las Vegas history. His incredible luck at the craps table gave him a reputation as having the “Midas touch” when it came to dice.
5. Phil Ivey: The Poker Prodigy:
Phil Ivey is widely regarded as one of the best poker players in the world. His skill at the poker table has earned him millions in winnings, but it’s his ability to win in various forms of gambling that gives him the “Midas touch.” Ivey’s most famous streak occurred in 2012, when he won $9.6 million playing baccarat at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Using a technique called “edge sorting,” Ivey was able to gain an advantage over the house, leading to his massive win. While his methods were controversial, there’s no denying Ivey’s golden touch at the gambling table.
Conclusion:
These five gamblers epitomize the allure and danger of Las Vegas. They walked into the casinos with confidence, skill, and a little bit of luck, turning the odds in their favor and winning fortunes that most can only dream of. However, like King Midas, their stories also serve as a reminder that fortunes won can just as easily be lost, proving that in the world of gambling, nothing is ever guaranteed.
Photo: Freepik
Archie Karas, born Anargyros Karabourniotis in Greece, is one of the most legendary figures in the world of gambling. Known for his extraordinary rise and dramatic fall, Karas’s story is one of the most compelling narratives in Las Vegas history of 
Las Vegas, the city of lights, luxury, and high stakes, has always been a playground for the wealthy and daring. But while some leave Sin City with pockets full of cash, others have lost fortunes in pursuit of the ultimate win. Here are five 