Archie Karas: The Run

Archie Karas (Anargyros Karabourniotis) is a Greek American gamer dubbed as The Run famed for his winning line in casino, the longest recorded in gambling history. Though frequently likened to Nick The Greek, another gamer, he is thought of as the greatest gambler of all time.

Karas originated from Antypata, Cefalonia in Greece. He came from a poor family with a construction worker father. He grew up struggling financially and so, as a teenager, he shoots marbles to earn money. At the age of 15 he left home in fury of his father throwing shovel at him. Years later, his father died and never got to see him again. Currently, he resides in Las Vegas while his family, a 87-year old mother, an older brother, and two sisters, all stay in Greece.

He is believed to have gone from broke to millionaire. When he left home, he worked as a waiter on a ship earning $60 a month, which he would gamble unhesistantly. Later, he worked in a restaurant in Los Angeles located near a pool hall. He polished his pool skills and made money from it. After his luck in playing pool, he tried poker and eventually ventured to bigger games in Las Vegas.

Karas went to Vegas with only $50 in his pocket. During the run in six months, by playing poker and pool, he turned his money to $17 million. A lot of players witnessed how Karas plays with risks they have never seen before. For him, money means nothing that he has no fear of losing it. This is because he has everything that money can't buy: health, freedom, love, happiness. Karas is open to bet everything he made and persist to raise the stakes. He had competed with poker champions and millionaires, from whom he got that $40 million with a $50 as capital.

Karas' luck came to an end in 1995 by losing it all at dice and baccarat, wagering at the highest bounds. He was arrested in September 2013 because of marking cards at a gaming place and charged with burglary, fraudulent means of winning, and cheating.