The long-time poker fixture had gone up against some of the best in the game
Well-known – and also somewhat controversial – gambler and poker player Archie Karas has passed away at the age of 73. Known for his great streak of success in the 1990s, Karas was born Anargyros Karabourniotis in Greece on November 1, 1950. He earned the nickname “The Greek” and became famous for his massive wins and equally dramatic losses.
Karas made headlines in 1992 when he arrived in Las Vegas with just $50 in his pocket. With a $10,000 loan from a fellow poker player, he quickly turned that amount into a fortune of $50 million. This hot streak, known simply as “The Run,” is one of the most famous in gambling history. Karas accumulated millions by playing high-stakes poker and pool, eventually defeating legendary players such as Stu Ungar, Chip Reese, and Johnny Chan.
However, the fortune he built during “The Run” didn’t last. By 1995, Karas had lost almost everything, betting much of his fortune on games like craps and baccarat. Although he would experience smaller winning streaks in the years that followed, Karas ultimately continued to lose back his winnings. His story became a cautionary tale of the highs and lows of high-stakes gambling.
In later years, Karas found himself in legal trouble. In 2014, he was caught cheating at a San Diego casino and was sentenced to probation and a fine. The following year, he was added to Nevada’s infamous “Black Book,” which banned him from all casinos in the state. Despite his controversies, Karas remains a legendary figure in poker history, remembered for both his incredible rise and dramatic downfall.
Karas is survived by his unique legacy, illustrating the unpredictable and thrilling nature of gambling at the highest levels.
