Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos - The High-Stakes Gambler Who Won and Lost Billions
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos was not just a gambler but a living legend who played in high-stakes poker games with absolutely no fear and loved every minute of it.
- In this article
- Highlights
- Beginnings
- Career
- Nick Dandolos Net Worth
- Where Is He Today?
- FAQ
From the life of an aristocratic indulgence to ascending to an iconic position in poker, Nick's story stands out as spurred by daring and essence for action. During his career, the net worth of Nick Dandolos dramatically fluctuated, with estimates of winning and losing over $500 million at the casinos.
But to Nick, it wasn't about the money; it was about the action. From marathon poker matches in Las Vegas to going against hall of fame gamblers such as Johnny Moss, Nick's name became synonymous with the highs and the lows of gambling.
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BornThe Greek’s ability to keep going, no matter what the outcome was, made him a figure that gamblers still look up to today. Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos net worth saw some crazy seesaws, but his love for the game and larger-than-life presence was actually what defined his legacy.
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos Highlights
- Won and lost over $500 million in his lifetime, equivalent to $15 billion today
- Played a legendary five-month poker marathon against Johnny Moss, inspiring the World Series of Poker
- He is known for his massive $100,000 daily turnover during high-stakes gambling sessions
- Once lost $1.6 million in a single dice tournament during a 12-day session
- Introduced Albert Einstein to a poker game, famously calling him "Little AI from Jersey"
- Claimed to have gone from rags to riches over 70 times throughout his career
- Donated over $20 million to charity and education, equivalent to nearly $400 million today
- Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979
Upbringing and Childhood of Nick 'The Greek'
Nikolaos Andreas Dandolos was born into an extremely privileged upbringing. Born in 1883 to a very wealthy family on the beautiful island of Crete, Nick had it very good from the outset.
His father was a carpet seller, and his godfather was a shipbuilder, so Nick grew up with prosperity oozing from every direction.
His parents were big on education, insisting that he learn multiple languages and dive deep into literature to prepare him for what they believed would be a future in business.
But Nick wasn't exactly on the same page. When he turned 18, his grandfather, who was a huge influence in his life, sent him off to America with a pretty generous allowance of $150 a week.
The only thing that was expected of Nick was to make a name for himself in the business world.
But instead of pursuing that very path, Nick found himself in Montreal, where a chance meeting with a former jockey would completely change his life.
The jockey introduced him to horse racing, and with a little bit of luck and a whole load of guts, Nick was able to turn a bit of family backing into an incredible $500,000 in winnings in less than one year.
That taste of success set the tone and Nick's life was hooked on gambling, and the world of poker was just around the corner.
Nick Dandolos's Iconic High-Stakes Career
Nick 'The Greek' had a professional gambling life that was the stuff of legend. Having returned to Chicago with $500,000 from horse racing, Nick divorced any dream of business for life at the tables.
His love of cards, dice, and high-stakes gambling led him to travel across America, going from casino to casino and learning the ins and outs of many different games. Put that together with his ability to win, and the man was an instant draw wherever he played.
It wasn't just the size of his bets, though those were huge-rumor has it that Nick's daily turnover was often in the region of $100,000. He was known for betting thousands on games, be it poker or dice, and equally spectacular were his winnings and losses.
One famous story has Nick losing $1.6 million on a single dice tournament in New York, while another time, he bought into a poker game for $20,000 and, after seven hours, was leaving the table with more than $500,000 in cash, including an amazing hand that cracked his opponent's full house with quads.
But he is unlikely to have ever had a boss in view of the tempting offers from casino owners, not to mention the Mafia, all of which he resisted, always staying on the player's side of the table, after the thrill rather than after the paycheck. Nick moved to Las Vegas in 1931 as gambling was legalized by Nevada.
The Greek Moves to the City of Sin
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos really secured his place in gambling lore in Las Vegas, though. A regular at the Pioneer Club, Nick would show up, cigar in mouth and sharply dressed sans gaudy jewelry.
He never spoke more than he had to, never tipped, and always had a briefcase full of cash on his person. His low-key style was worlds away from the weighty stakes that he played for, often wagering several thousands on poker, craps, and roulette.
One of the most mythical stories about Nick 'The Greek's time in Las Vegas was his marathon poker match in 1949.
At Nick's behest, Benny Binion arranged a high-stakes heads-up match between Nick and fellow poker legend Johnny Moss.
These two poker titans then played every variation of poker imaginable, straight from January to May, only breaking for sleep and food.
The game, which was played at Binion's Horseshoe Casino, would draw in crowds of tourists who were simply there to witness the marvel of it all. It is said this match inspired the modern-day World Series of Poker.
Eventually, Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos reportedly lost between $2 and $4 million to Moss. As he rose from the table, Nick is famously quoted saying, "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go," a quote still remembered as one of the most iconic moments in poker history.
Nick Dandolos 's love for high stakes gambling didn't stop there. Stories of his wins and losses became the stuff of Las Vegas legend. The idea that he might introduce Albert Einstein at a poker game, calling him "Little AI from Jersey," is evidenc that the world of gambles is about people and stories, not just money.
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos's net worth has fluctuated wildly, but his reputation as a true gambling icon remains untouchable.
"Remember this: The house doesn’t beat the player. It just give him the opportunity to beat himself."
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos Net Worth and Winnings
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos net worth throughout his life was like a roller coaster. Due to the fact that he was known to have wild swings at the tables, estimations of The Greek’s casino wins and loses runs upwards of $500 million in his career. He bragged about going from rags to riches over 70 times.
Despite all the massive wins, Dandolos was also a giving back to society. He donated over $20 million to charity and education during his time, which equates to almost $400 million today.
During his latter stages of life, though he played small $5 limit games in Gardena, California, Nick remained unfazed, saying, "Hey, it's action, isn't it?"
Where Is Nick 'The Greek' Today?
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos passed away on Christmas Day in 1966, but what remains is his legend as an icon of punting. Despite earlier wins and massive fortune swings, Nick was virtually broke in later years, still playing low-stakes poker games in California.
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos' fortune varied hugely throughout his life. The one thing that remained constant, though, was his enthusiasm for gambling.
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979, Nick was recognized as one of the most legendary figures in poker history.
Attended by icons like Frank Sinatra, his funeral became a huge affair-showing how much respect and admiration he'd garnered, even in death.
FAQ
Who is Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos?
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos was a legendary high-stakes gambler and poker player. He was known for his fearless approach to games of chance, playing marathon poker sessions and wagering enormous sums, making him an iconic figure in the gambling world..
Was Nick 'The Greek' a Gangster?
No, Nick "The Greek" Dandolos, often remembered as one of the most legendary gamblers in history, was not a gangster. He was a professional gambler renowned for his skills in poker, craps, and other high-stakes games.
What is Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos Net Worth?
Nick Dandolos’ net worth is hard to determine due to the lack of records from his time, as he lived before the internet era. It’s estimated he won and lost over $500 million, equivalent to $15 billion today. However, by the time of his death, he was nearly broke.
Was Nick Dandolos Married?
Nick 'The Greek' Dandolos was not married. His life was primarily focused on gambling, where he became known for his high-stakes games and legendary wins and losses. While his personal relationships were less discussed, his gambling exploits are what defined his legacy in the poker world.
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