The Most Successful Casino Players of All Time

Bill Benter

Bill Benter, born in 1957 in Pittsburgh, is one of the most successful casino players. After mastering card counting, he went on to develop a software for predicting horse racing results, amassing a fortune of $1 billion.

Zeljko Ranogajec

Australian Zeljko Ranogajec excelled in Keno and horse race betting, earning an estimated net worth of 600 million Australian dollars. He even dropped out of college to pursue his gambling career.

William T. Walters

Walters, born in Kentucky, started his professional gambling journey in 1981, winning over $100 million through extensive roulette and sports betting sessions.

Edward Thorp

Thorp, a blackjack legend, revolutionized card counting, leading to a net worth of over $600 million. He was banned from numerous US casinos but continued winning under different identities.

Patrik Antonius

Finnish professional poker player Patrik Antonius claimed over $13 million in winnings, both in stationery casinos and online.

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey, a Californian native, is among the top professional poker players, with over $18 million in tournament earnings. He won $16 million against a Texas billionaire in a three-day heads-up game and another $20 million through Baccarat edge sorting.

Jon Heywood

In a surprising turn of events, Jon Heywood, a Scottish soldier, won over 17 million euros in a progressive online slot jackpot after depositing just 30 GBP.

Stu Ungar

Stu Ungar, renowned for his genius-level IQ, won the World Series of Poker Main Event three times but sadly succumbed to alcohol and drug problems, passing away at the age of 45.

Pius Heinz

German poker player Pius Heinz clinched the World Series of Poker title in 2021, winning an impressive $8.7 million.

Overall, these players amassed significant wealth through years of experience and strategic gameplay. Their success stories stand as a testament to their exceptional skills and dedication to the craft.