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Legendary and Controversial Poker Icon Archie Karas Passes Away at 73

Archie Karas, a polarizing figure in the world of poker, is no more. In 2015, certain activities led to his ban from casinos in Nevada for several years. He passed away over the weekend at the age of 73. The cause of his death has not been immediately revealed.

Karas’ most prominent run was in 1997, when, as legend states, he turned $50 into $50 Million in Las Vegas. That is a bit exaggerated because many reports noted that he took a $10,000 loan during that streak. He went on to lose all that over the years, but the winning streak went on to be named ‘The Run’. Karas’ rise to the poker table was equally interesting.

He began his life waiting tables and took up pool as a side hustle. He progressed to poker and claimed that he had built a $2 Million bankroll from his time at the felts. In 1992, he lost that money and had just $50 when he travelled to Las Vegas. He then turned a $10,000 loan into a $30,000 payday. Poker fans and players refer to that as ‘The Run’. Itx became part of poker folklore and was featured by other formidable poker players. 

Karas was popular for his game, but he was more popular for his audacity in challenging some of the biggest names in the game to a hand and winning. He challenged poker players like the three-time WSOP Main Event winner Stu Ungar and won big—it didn’t matter that Ungar was a two-time WSOP Main Event winner at the time of the challenge. 

Karas defeated Puggy Pearson, Johny Chan, and other poker players, cementing his place in poker lore. While his story took a downturn a few years later, he did have better times at the WSOP, cashing out six times with four final table appearances. His last appearance at the WSOP was in 2013.

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Also Read: How A Man Turned $50 Into $40 Million.

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According to Hendonmob, his total live earnings were $204,368. His best live cash was $53,783 in 2009 at the 40th WSOP in Las Vegas, at the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw, when he placed 5th in the ITM list, which was led by Nick Schulman, who took home $279,751 that year. 

His first recorded cash was in 1997 at the Hall of Fame Poker Classic in Las Vegas, where he placed second in the $1000+60 Razz event and took home $39,000. He has had six cashes at the WSOP: in 2004, 2005, 2008, twice in 2009, and once in 2013.

Karas’ legacy has not been pristine. He has tried his hands at poker, craps and baccarat, and some accounts reveal that he lost a lot of money at the craps and at baccarat -taking in a lot of money that he made during ‘The Run’. At one point in time, he was even barred from all Nevada casinos of charges of cheating.

At Gutshot Magazine, we monitor everything that happens in the world of poker, from big cash-outs to acquisitions and personal stories of individuals. For more updates, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram

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