Craps has been a source of excitement and intrigue for centuries.
It’s a game of chance, strategy, and high stakes, where fortunes can be won or lost on the roll of the dice.
Over the years, there have been some truly remarkable wins that have gone down in the annals of gambling history. Here are some of the biggest craps wins of all time.
Top 7 Biggest Craps Winner Ever
- Kerry Packer: An Australian media tycoon known for his high-stakes gambling, Packer once won around $30 million playing craps at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
- Mr. Royalty: A mysterious aristocrat who reportedly won a combined total of around $6.2 million over two visits to The Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.
- Patricia Demauro: Holds the record for the longest craps roll in history, rolling the dice 154 times over four hours and 18 minutes at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City.
- Stanley Fujitake: Known as “The Golden Arm,” he rolled the dice for over three hours at the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, winning more than $1 million.
- Archie Karas: Famous for “The Run,” turning $50 into $40 million over three years in Las Vegas, with craps being a significant part of his incredible streak.
- William Lee Bergstrom: Also known as the “Phantom Gambler,” he placed one of the largest single bets in craps history, betting $777,000 at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas and winning.
- Don Johnson: A professional gambler known primarily for his success in blackjack, but also had significant winnings in craps, including a notable streak where he won $15 million from three Atlantic City casinos in six months.
1. Kerry Packer
Kerry Packer, an Australian business magnate with a net worth of around $6.5 billion Australian dollars, was known for his love of casinos.
His most significant win came at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, where he accumulated around $30 million in winnings over several days of playing craps.
This feat remains unparalleled in the game. However, Packer’s gambling history wasn’t always victorious; he once lost around $20 million in a single night at a London casino, albeit at the roulette table. Check out my article to discover how craps compares to other games.
2. Mr. Royalty
An aristocrat known as Mr. Royalty made his mark at The Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. Over the course of a single night, he won around $4.7 million.
A week later, he returned to the casino and won an additional $1.5 million. His strategic moves and skilled play left him significantly richer after his craps endeavors.
3. Patricia Demauro
Patricia Demauro, a New Jersey grandmother, holds the record for the longest craps roll in history.
On May 23, 2009, at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, Demauro rolled the dice 154 times over four hours and 18 minutes without ever hitting a seven, the number that would have ended her streak.
The odds of this happening are a staggering 1 in 1.56 trillion. While the exact amount she won has never been disclosed, it’s safe to say that she walked away with a substantial sum.
4. Stanley Fujitake
Stanley Fujitake is another legendary figure in craps history.
On May 28, 1989, at the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Fujitake rolled the dice for three hours and six minutes, a record at the time. He managed to roll 118 times without hitting a seven.
His hot streak resulted in a win of more than $1 million, earning him the nickname “The Golden Arm.”
5. Archie Karas
Archie Karas, known for “The Run,” one of the greatest hot streaks in casino history, also had his fair share of craps success.
In 1992, Karas turned $50 into $40 million over a period of three years, with craps being one of his games of choice.
Although he eventually lost his winnings, his story remains one of the most legendary in the gambling community.
6. William Lee Bergstrom
Known as the “Phantom Gambler,” William Lee Bergstrom made one of the largest single bets in craps history. In 1980, he walked into Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas and placed a bet of $777,000 on a single roll of the dice.
He won, doubling his money in an instant. Bergstrom continued to make large bets throughout the 1980s, with varying degrees of success.
7. Don Johnson
Not to be confused with the actor of the same name, Don Johnson is a professional gambler known for his success in blackjack.
However, he also had a significant win in craps. In 2011, he reportedly won $15 million from three casinos in Atlantic City within six months, part of which came from craps.
Are You The Next Big Winner?
These stories of the biggest craps winners serve as a testament to the thrilling unpredictability of craps.
While the game can be intimidating for beginners, with its fast pace and complex betting system, it also offers the potential for massive wins.
But remember, while these winners have beaten the odds, gambling should always be done responsibly.
