Archie Karas

jrhendy

Verified Member
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
5,717
From
Placerville, CA
Interesting article at AZ Billiards about Archie being arrested.

IIRC, there's been stories on this man on AZ before. I thought some here might find this of note. Pretty sad stuff, who'd a thunk it?

Famous gambler accused of cheating casino By Monica Garske, NBCSanDiego.com

"A notorious gambler known for the largest and longest documented winning streak in gambling history now faces charges of cheating in connection with a card-marking scheme allegedly carried out at San Diego’s Barona Casino.

Back in July, world-famous gambler Anargyros Karabourniotis, 62, who goes by the name “Archie Karas,” was caught by the Barona Gaming Commission allegedly marking cards at a Barona Casino blackjack table.

On Friday, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced that Karas had been arrested at his Las Vegas home on Sept. 24 for his alleged involvement in the gambling scheme.

He’s now facing charges of burglary, winning by fraudulent means and cheating, and will be extradited to San Diego to face those counts, Dumanis said."

Advertise | AdChoices
According to the DA’s office, card-marking is a gambling cheating technique in which a person “puts a subtle, but distinguishable mark on the back of playing cards.”

A good mark will likely not be apparent to the dealer or others at the table, but the cheater will be able to identify the mark and use the card to increase his or her chances of winning.

The DA’s office says Karas was caught on surveillance tape marking cards in an effort to identify the value of the cards that he was dealt at the Barona Casino blackjack table. Through the ploy, investigators say he was able to cheat the San Diego casino out of more than $8,000.

The incident was investigated by multiple agencies including the Barona Gaming Commission, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities were able to identify Karas on tape as the perpetrator.

Dumanis said the Nevada Gaming Control Board assisted with the arrest of Karas in Las Vegas and the search of his home. The DA’s office will now coordinate the suspect’s extradition to San Diego.

In the meantime, Karas is being held without bail in Las Vegas jail. His extradition hearing is scheduled for Monday.

If the case goes to trial and he is convicted, Karas could face up to three years in local prison.

The DA’s office says Karas’ best-known winning streak happened between 1992 and 1995 when he turned $50 into $40 million by gambling. He’s been referred to as the “greatest gambler of all time” in the world of high stakes.

However, Dumanis said it appears that Lady Luck wasn’t on Karas’ side this time.

“This defendant’s luck ran out thanks to extraordinary cooperation between several different law enforcement agencies who worked together to investigate and prosecute this case,” said Dumanis.
 

wincardona

Verified Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
7,693
From
Dallas Tx.
Interesting article at AZ Billiards about Archie being arrested.

IIRC, there's been stories on this man on AZ before. I thought some here might find this of note. Pretty sad stuff, who'd a thunk it?

Famous gambler accused of cheating casino By Monica Garske, NBCSanDiego.com

"A notorious gambler known for the largest and longest documented winning streak in gambling history now faces charges of cheating in connection with a card-marking scheme allegedly carried out at San Diego’s Barona Casino.

Back in July, world-famous gambler Anargyros Karabourniotis, 62, who goes by the name “Archie Karas,” was caught by the Barona Gaming Commission allegedly marking cards at a Barona Casino blackjack table.

On Friday, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced that Karas had been arrested at his Las Vegas home on Sept. 24 for his alleged involvement in the gambling scheme.

He’s now facing charges of burglary, winning by fraudulent means and cheating, and will be extradited to San Diego to face those counts, Dumanis said."

Advertise | AdChoices
According to the DA’s office, card-marking is a gambling cheating technique in which a person “puts a subtle, but distinguishable mark on the back of playing cards.”

A good mark will likely not be apparent to the dealer or others at the table, but the cheater will be able to identify the mark and use the card to increase his or her chances of winning.

The DA’s office says Karas was caught on surveillance tape marking cards in an effort to identify the value of the cards that he was dealt at the Barona Casino blackjack table. Through the ploy, investigators say he was able to cheat the San Diego casino out of more than $8,000.

The incident was investigated by multiple agencies including the Barona Gaming Commission, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities were able to identify Karas on tape as the perpetrator.

Dumanis said the Nevada Gaming Control Board assisted with the arrest of Karas in Las Vegas and the search of his home. The DA’s office will now coordinate the suspect’s extradition to San Diego.

In the meantime, Karas is being held without bail in Las Vegas jail. His extradition hearing is scheduled for Monday.

If the case goes to trial and he is convicted, Karas could face up to three years in local prison.

The DA’s office says Karas’ best-known winning streak happened between 1992 and 1995 when he turned $50 into $40 million by gambling. He’s been referred to as the “greatest gambler of all time” in the world of high stakes.

However, Dumanis said it appears that Lady Luck wasn’t on Karas’ side this time.

“This defendant’s luck ran out thanks to extraordinary cooperation between several different law enforcement agencies who worked together to investigate and prosecute this case,” said Dumanis.
Archie is the most aggressive person playing gambling games that I have ever met. His overly aggressive mind set has obviously cost him many times, this is no different. But you got to love this guy for his "balls" if anything, he's really "one of a kind"

Dr. Bill
 

petie

Verified Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
Messages
3,314
From
Citrus Springs, FL
I love anybody that beats Vegas. What they do is have the odds all their way. When somebody turns the odds in their own favor, they call it cheating.
 

gulfportdoc

Verified Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Messages
12,654
From
Gulfport, Mississippi
... The DA’s office says Karas was caught on surveillance tape marking cards in an effort to identify the value of the cards that he was dealt at the Barona Casino blackjack table. Through the ploy, investigators say he was able to cheat the San Diego casino out of more than $8,000.

The incident was investigated by multiple agencies including the Barona Gaming Commission, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities were able to identify Karas on tape as the perpetrator.

Dumanis said the Nevada Gaming Control Board assisted with the arrest of Karas in Las Vegas and the search of his home. The DA’s office will now coordinate the suspect’s extradition to San Diego.

In the meantime, Karas is being held without bail in Las Vegas jail. His extradition hearing is scheduled for Monday.

If the case goes to trial and he is convicted, Karas could face up to three years in local prison. ...

Held WITHOUT BAIL for a lousy $8000 crime??? Can this be true? There must be more to this story than what was in this article. Facing a "possible 3 year sentence" (which may mean no time at all), but still being held without bail? Doesn't make sense.

But nevertheless I'm sorry to hear that such a legendary guy had to stoop to marking cards. I guess he needs GA...

Doc
 

Billy Jackets

Verified Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
2,735
Held WITHOUT BAIL for a lousy $8000 crime??? Can this be true? There must be more to this story than what was in this article. Facing a "possible 3 year sentence" (which may mean no time at all), but still being held without bail? Doesn't make sense.

But nevertheless I'm sorry to hear that such a legendary guy had to stoop to marking cards. I guess he needs GA...

Doc

Sounds like they are trying to do what he did , turn a toothpick into a lumberyard.
 

jrhendy

Verified Member
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
5,717
From
Placerville, CA
Archie

Archie

I have known Archie since the late 60"s when he was cooking hamburgers in one of the many Greek owned hamburger stands outside of Los Angeles. We hung around Five Points Bowl, a 24 hour bowling alley with a pool room open 24 hours.

Later on, Indian Joe Monzingo and his son in law opened The Golden Cue in Rosemead, just outside Los Angeles, and Archie was a regular there. You could not chase Archie to play, but if you were the guy he picked out for action, he was relentless trying to get you down. I would give him outrageous spots and fire one barrel at him. If I won, he would usually double the bet and keep on raising it until he won or went empty.

I once turned a $100 flyer into a $4,800 win. He broke his Tad cue over his knee and threw it in the trash can. One of the regulars was an electrician and did all the electrical work on Tad's machines. He took the cue to Tad and got it fixed. Archie saw this but never said anything.

A month or two later, playing with another Tad cue, Archie went off big to someone and once again, snapped the cue over his knee. He was ready to throw it in the trash, but saw John, the guy who had his old Tad fixed, and took his cue outside, laid it on the curb and broke it in a dozen pieces. Then he gathered it up and took it back in the pool room and threw it into the trash can next to John and said "Fix that son of a bitch".

Archie is the best action guy any pool room out west ever had. Even before he won millions shooting dice, he always managed to pump up and all he had was in play.

I hope he gets out of this mess ok.
 

oldspurguy

Verified Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
346
From
Beaumont, Texas
I love anybody that beats Vegas. What they do is have the odds all their way. When somebody turns the odds in their own favor, they call it cheating.

They don't even like it when you just reduce the odds so that you have about an even gamble. A guy known as Action Jackson has made some good scores on the craps. He bets high and likes to take advantage of casinos offering 20 times odds bets. If you have enough money to fade this kind of betting, the casino's edge gets watered way down by taking full odds bet, because there is no house advantage on the odds bet.

I was talking to a guy that worked at one of the Louisiana casinos and he told me they told Action that they didn't want his business anymore. Why, well, they don't really like to gamble, Action, if he got lucky could hurt them. The casinos would much prefer to push the sheep through that are playing table minimum bets and busting them pretty quickly.

BTW, that was only one casino over in Louisiana, Action still plays at some of them.
 

oldspurguy

Verified Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
346
From
Beaumont, Texas
It was the old Harrah's in Lake Charles, Doc. It was the first casino in Lake Charles, started as Player's, then Harrah's bought it. It is no longer operating.

Action Jackson has quite a life story. Made most of his money booking and gambling and parlayed that into a nice car business. He knows all the moves, quite a character.
 

jazznpool

Verified Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
233
From
Orange, CA
I hope he gets out of this mess ok.

I agree with you John. Archie was a total gentleman and action guy around Hard Times Bellflower whenever he wandered in. I sold him a few cheap cues a few times when I saw him around the Las Vegas tournaments. Always easy to deal with and a sense of humor. I hope he doesn't have prior offenses as he'll be more likely to get off lightly. It almost sounds like the authorities want to make him the poster boy for anyone considering tampering with the gaming in any way. Martin
 

petie

Verified Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
Messages
3,314
From
Citrus Springs, FL
They don't even like it when you just reduce the odds so that you have about an even gamble. A guy known as Action Jackson has made some good scores on the craps. He bets high and likes to take advantage of casinos offering 20 times odds bets. If you have enough money to fade this kind of betting, the casino's edge gets watered way down by taking full odds bet, because there is no house advantage on the odds bet.

I was talking to a guy that worked at one of the Louisiana casinos and he told me they told Action that they didn't want his business anymore. Why, well, they don't really like to gamble, Action, if he got lucky could hurt them. The casinos would much prefer to push the sheep through that are playing table minimum bets and busting them pretty quickly.

BTW, that was only one casino over in Louisiana, Action still plays at some of them.

In the movie "Casino" Robert DiNero is chewing some guy out for not catching a cheater. The guy said, "I couldn't see any move he was making." DiNero says, "He was winning, that's your proof." ...or words to that effect.
 

onepockethacker

Verified Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2012
Messages
3,408
People always say what a maniac Archie is for blowing 40 million... well you have to be a maniac to win 40 million.. Most people would stop after they won a million or 2
 

gulfportdoc

Verified Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Messages
12,654
From
Gulfport, Mississippi
I agree with you John. Archie was a total gentleman and action guy around Hard Times Bellflower whenever he wandered in. I sold him a few cheap cues a few times when I saw him around the Las Vegas tournaments. Always easy to deal with and a sense of humor. I hope he doesn't have prior offenses as he'll be more likely to get off lightly. It almost sounds like the authorities want to make him the poster boy for anyone considering tampering with the gaming in any way. Martin
I agree with your assessment, Martin. Unfortunately I read somewhere that he has four priors, so the San Diego courts will probably hit him pretty hard, especially if corporate casinos have any clout with them.

I hope he socked some dough away, but if he's an O/C gambler, he probably hasn't...:(

Doc
 

Fatboy

Verified Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2007
Messages
678
From
Vegas & LA
who's Robo? describe why you believe he can give Archie the 5ball, please.

Dr. Bill


robert alxaner the guy that played scott 40-3 at the derby a few years back, he cant play a lick of pool. however i seen him win 10's of millions at the dice table-i was there one night and say 5M, he plays 540,000 across working on the come-out. he is part of the chicago crew, amjed, larry schwartz knows him. I think he had action the last time scott played dip for 100K or 200K. he knows you, he weighs 325 wears glasses, big guy 45 years old, very nice. bets bigger than Michael Jordan(they are good friends) i never met MJ :( always wanted to.


I just meant he is a bigger gambler and has more gamble than archie(I know archie since before the deal at the shoe) he was dead bust in the pool room playing terry $100 1 ball one pocket 5-6 nights a week, then he beat bobby baldwin for 1.5M at the rum runner over 3 nights for 50K/rack 9B on the BB. How bobby could go like that to him is beyond me. Archie didnt have a pot to piss in at the time, i suppose his reputation preceeded him, fred guarino told me that "years ago archie had $$$", fred said that to me in 93.

I was around for the whole shebang , i aint gong to put any business in the street beyond that, i was there and know what really happened and how he got pumped up to 26.4M NOT 40 like he claims now days. phony baloney.
 

Frank Almanza

Verified Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
2,569
From
Upland, California
People always say what a maniac Archie is for blowing 40 million... well you have to be a maniac to win 40 million.. Most people would stop after they won a million or 2

This is what I always thought. I played him many times back in the early seventies and back then I knew that some day he was going to hit a big score because of the way he gambled.

I talked to him shortly after he lost the money back and he told me he was trying to win controlling interest of Binions.
And then he asked me if I had 3k to put him into a craps game and I said no while thinking that would probably last all of three minutes. I like Archie. What a lot of people don't know is that he speaks fluent Spanish.
 
Top