The Greatest Casino Cheats of All TIme

by Jennifer Grey Content Writer

The glittering world of gambling, with its irresistible lure of quick riches, has often attracted characters with a less than honest approach. These characters, driven by cunning and audacity, employ methods that range from sleight of hand to high-tech schemes, often challenging the law and gambling establishments' security measures. This article embarks on a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of the gambling world, profiling some of the most audacious and notorious gambling cheats of all time. It is intended not to endorse these illegal activities, but rather to inform and intrigue readers about the lengths some have gone to defy the odds.

Richard Marcus: The Master of Deception

Beginning our journey, we encounter Richard Marcus, one of the most famous casino cheats of the 20th century. Marcus specialized in past-posting, a method of subtly altering the amount of a bet after the outcome is known. Marcus's signature technique, known as the "Savannah," involved placing a high-value chip beneath several lower-value ones. If he won, he would reveal the high-value chip. If he lost, he would quickly remove his bet before anyone noticed the high-value chip. Despite the simplicity of his method, Marcus managed to elude capture for years due to his charisma and acting skills.

Tommy Glenn Carmichael: The Slot Machine Genius

The next character in our narrative is Tommy Glenn Carmichael, a man who capitalized on the technological advancements of slot machines. Carmichael designed various devices, the most famous being the "monkey paw" and the "light wand." The monkey paw, constructed from a guitar string attached to a metal rod, was inserted into the slots plus machine to trip the payout switch, triggering a jackpot. The light wand employed similar principles, using a light bulb to blind the machine's optical sensor, causing it to payout coins. Carmichael's ingenuity eventually led to his downfall when he began selling his devices, which attracted the attention of law enforcement.

The MIT Blackjack Team: Counting Cards to Millions

No list of gambling cheats would be complete without mentioning the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of mathematically gifted students and ex-students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology who perfected the art of card counting. This team used statistical analysis and team play strategies to gain a significant edge in blackjack, earning millions before casinos caught up. Their story remains a testament to the power of the intellect over chance, and their methods, while frowned upon, weren't technically illegal at the time.

Ron Harris and Reid McNeal: The Computer Whizzes

Moving into the realm of high-tech, Ron Harris and Reid McNeal took advantage of Harris's position as a Nevada Gaming Control Board computer programmer. Harris manipulated the source code of the Keno machines to pay out large sums when specific conditions were met. With McNeal as the player, the duo managed to hit multiple jackpots before their unusual winning patterns raised suspicion. Their downfall showcases the fine line between clever use of insider knowledge and illegal manipulation.

Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo: Roulette Beater

Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo, a Spanish record producer turned gambler, used a simple principle: no machine is perfect. Garcia-Pelayo realized that slight imperfections in roulette wheels could lead to biases, resulting in certain numbers being hit more frequently. After analyzing thousands of spins, he was able to predict which numbers were most likely to win, amassing over a million euros before casinos caught on.

Phil Ivey and Cheung Yin Sun: The Edge Sorters

Lastly, we have Phil Ivey, a world-renowned poker player, and Cheung Yin Sun, his accomplice in a method known as edge sorting. This method involves recognizing subtle asymmetries on the back designs of certain playing cards and then capitalizing on this information to predict the value of the cards. Ivey and Sun won millions at baccarat by persuading dealers to rotate high-value cards, thereby exploiting these imperfections. Their story stirred the gambling world as their tactics were not viewed as cheating by all. Nevertheless, their winnings were contested by the casinos, leading to a series of legal battles.

These audacious individuals and groups provide a fascinating insight into the lengths some are willing to go to outsmart the system. It's important to note that while their stories might sound like daring adventures, their actions were illegal and led to serious consequences, often involving significant legal battles and jail time. Casinos and gambling establishments have since tightened security measures, employing advanced technologies to detect fraudulent activities, making the world of gambling more secure. While the thrill of the gamble might be alluring, these stories remind us that the only surefire way to win is through skill, strategy, and a fair dose of luck.

In the end, these stories are emblematic of a broader truth: the house always wins. From Marcus to Ivey, each of these gamblers ultimately found that their short-term gains couldn't outmatch the long arm of the law or the relentless odds of the games they tried to beat. These tales serve as cautionary reminders that there is no such thing as a foolproof scheme when it comes to gambling. Rather than attempting to cheat the system, it's more beneficial to understand the rules, play wisely, and remember that gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a path to easy riches.