Throughout the colorful and unpredictable history of gambling, a few legendary figures have risen above the rest—men and women whose skill, daring, or sheer audacity carved their names into the lore of casinos and card tables. These aren’t just gamblers; they’re strategists, hustlers, innovators, and risk-takers who turned games of chance into stages for brilliance or deception. These are the card sharks and casino kings who changed the game forever.

One of the most iconic figures in gambling history is Edward O. Thorp, the father of card counting. A mathematics professor, Thorp used probability theory to develop a system for beating blackjack. His 1962 book Beat the Dealer was the first to prove that blackjack could be beaten with skill rather than luck. Thorp’s groundbreaking strategy transformed blackjack into a battleground between players and casinos and led to sweeping changes in casino policies. His legacy continues to influence professional gamblers and teams today.

Another name that echoes in the halls of gambling legend is Amarillo Slim (real name: Thomas Preston Jr.), a poker player famous not just for his skill but for his larger-than-life personality. A master of both poker and proposition bets, Slim became a cultural icon in the 1970s after winning olxtoto  the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in 1972. Known for outrageous side bets—like challenging a horse to a race on a golf course—he brought charisma, flair, and media attention to the poker world. His memoir, Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People, is filled with wild tales from smoky back rooms to televised poker tables.

Then there’s Phil Ivey, often called the “Tiger Woods of Poker.” With ten WSOP bracelets and millions in career winnings, Ivey is considered one of the most skilled and feared poker players in the world. Known for his cold, unreadable demeanor and surgical gameplay, Ivey’s brilliance has been both celebrated and controversial. In recent years, he was embroiled in legal battles over “edge sorting,” a technique he used to win millions from casinos—raising questions about the line between strategy and cheating.

But not all gambling legends wore poker faces. Archie Karas, a Greek-American gambler, pulled off what many consider the greatest run in gambling history. Starting with just $50 in 1992, Karas turned it into over $40 million through a mix of poker, pool hustling, and high-stakes craps in Las Vegas. Known simply as “The Run,” his story became mythic. But like many gambling tales, it didn’t end well—Karas eventually lost it all, serving as a cautionary figure for both gamblers and dreamers.

Outside of card rooms, casino owners have also etched their names into gambling lore. Bugsy Siegel, the notorious mobster, was instrumental in turning Las Vegas into the gambling capital of the world. Though not a gambler himself, Siegel envisioned luxury casinos like the Flamingo that combined gambling with high-end entertainment. His role in Vegas’s transformation shows how gambling legends aren’t only made at the tables—they’re also built in boardrooms and back alleys.