5 Famous Baccarat Players That Made Casinos a Run for Their Money

Baccarat is a popular card game that has been played for centuries, and over the years, it has attracted many famous players from around the world. These players have made a name for themselves in the world of baccarat, and many of them have earned vast amounts of money through their gameplay.

1. Akio Kashiwagi

One of the most famous baccarat players is Akio Kashiwagi, a Japanese businessman known as the “Warrior of Baccarat.” Kashiwagi was a high roller known to bet millions of dollars on a single hand of baccarat.

In 1990, he played a game in which he wagered $12 million, which was, at the time, the largest baccarat bet in history. Kashiwagi had his ups and downs in the game, but over his career, he reportedly won and lost hundreds of millions of dollars playing baccarat. 

Sadly, he was killed in 1992 in what is believed to have been a Yakuza-related assassination.

2. Phil Ivey

Another famous baccarat player is Phil Ivey, an American professional poker player who has also made a name for himself in the baccarat world. Ivey is known for his exceptional skills in card games and has won many World Series of Poker events. He is also a regular player at the baccarat tables in Las Vegas, where he has won millions of dollars over the years.

In 2012, Ivey won $12.1 million playing baccarat at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, his winning streak came under scrutiny when the casino accused him of edge sorting, a technique that involves identifying small irregularities in the pattern on the back of the cards to gain an advantage. The case went to court, and while Ivey initially won, the casino appealed, and the judge ruled in favor of the casino, ordering Ivey to repay the winnings.

3. Zeljko Ranogajec

Another famous baccarat player is Zeljko Ranogajec, an Australian professional gambler who is believed to have made more than $1 billion playing baccarat and other casino games.

Ranogajec is known for his ability to use complex algorithms and data analysis to identify patterns and gain an edge in the game. He has a team of analysts and players who work together to identify the best bets to make, and he is known to bet millions of dollars on a single hand. 

Despite his success, Ranogajec is notoriously private and rarely gives interviews or appears in public.

4. Don Johnson

Another famous baccarat player is Don Johnson, an American businessman who made headlines in 2011 when he won $15 million playing baccarat at three Atlantic City casinos over six months. 

Johnson negotiated special rules with the casinos, giving him a significant edge in the game. For example, he was allowed to split aces, which is not usually allowed in baccarat, and he was given a rebate on his losses, which reduced the house edge. 

His winning streak was unprecedented, and he is believed to be one of the only players to have ever beaten the casinos at their own game.

5. Kerry Packer

Finally, we have Kerry Packer, an Australian media magnate known for his high-stakes gambling. Packer was a regular at the baccarat tables in Las Vegas, where he was known to bet millions of dollars on a single hand. 

He was also a big supporter of casinos in his native Australia and was instrumental in developing the Crown Casino in Melbourne. Packer’s net worth was estimated to be over $6 billion at his death in 2005, and much of his fortune was built through his successful gambling ventures.

Conclusion

Baccarat is such a popular game for centuries, and over the years, it has attracted many famous players who have made a name for themselves in the world of high-stakes gambling. These players have used their skill, knowledge, and sometimes luck to earn vast amounts of money playing baccarat in some of the most exclusive casinos in the world.

However, not all baccarat players have been successful. Many have lost vast amounts of money, and some have even become addicted to gambling. While the allure of baccarat can be irresistible, it is important to approach the game cautiously and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

In recent years, baccarat has become more accessible to the average person, with online casinos and mobile apps allowing players to play from the comfort of their homes. While the stakes may not be as high as those in the exclusive high-roller rooms of Las Vegas and Macau, the game remains as exciting and potentially lucrative as ever.