Best Gambler in the World: The Most Successful Gamblers of All Time

When people search for the best gambler in the world, they are usually looking for more than just a lucky streak or a single big win. They want to know who consistently beat the odds, turned gambling into long-term success, and built extraordinary wealth through skill, strategy, and discipline.

Unlike casual players, the world’s top gamblers didn’t rely on chance alone. They combined sharp decision-making, emotional control, and a deep understanding of probability to stay ahead in games designed for players to lose.

From casino tables to poker tournaments and betting exchanges, a select few names stand out as the most successful gamblers ever.

This article explores who truly deserves the title of the best gambler in the world, based entirely on proven success stories, earnings, and impact drawn from top-ranking sources.

What Defines the Best Gambler in the World?

There is no single formula for determining the best gambler in the world. However, the most respected and successful gamblers share several defining traits that separate them from the rest.

Consistent Profit Over Time

The best gamblers didn’t win once and disappear. They achieved repeated success over many years, proving that their results were driven by skill rather than luck.

Strategic and Mathematical Thinking

Many elite gamblers relied heavily on probability, statistics, and systems. From card counting to betting algorithms, strategy played a major role in their dominance.

Ability to Handle High Stakes

Top gamblers were comfortable risking millions while staying calm under pressure. Emotional control allowed them to make rational decisions even during massive wins or losses.

Influence on Gambling History

Some gamblers changed how games were played entirely. Their methods, books, or systems influenced future generations and reshaped the gambling world.

Who Is Considered the Best Gambler in the World?

The answer depends on how “best” is defined. For some, the best gambler in the world is the one who made the most money. For others, it is the gambler who consistently beat casinos or dominated competitive poker environments.

In reality, the title belongs to a small group of individuals who combined:

• Massive lifetime earnings
  
• Proven skill across multiple games
  
• Long-term consistency
  
• Global recognition
  

Rather than naming a single winner, it makes more sense to examine the world’s most successful gamblers and understand why each of them is considered among the best.

Kerry Packer – The Richest and One of the Best Gamblers in the World

Kerry Packer is widely regarded as the richest gambler of all time and is often the first name mentioned when discussing the best gambler in the world. An Australian media tycoon by profession, Packer was legendary for his fearless approach to gambling, particularly at blackjack tables.

Known for placing enormous bets, he regularly intimidated casino dealers with his confidence and willingness to risk millions in a single session. While gambling inevitably came with losses—including a famously recorded loss of over $22 million in 1999—Packer was equally known for winning big.

During his annual trips to Las Vegas and the United Kingdom, he reportedly averaged millions in winnings each year.

With a net worth of approximately $6.5 billion, Kerry Packer represents the extreme end of gambling success, where wealth, nerve, and experience combined to produce extraordinary results.

Tony Bloom – The Strategic Mastermind

Tony Bloom is one of the most respected names in professional gambling and a strong contender for the title of best gambler in the world. An English entrepreneur with a mathematics degree, Bloom built his reputation on precision, patience, and data-driven decision-making.

Nicknamed “The Lizard” for his calm demeanor at the poker table, Bloom achieved early success by winning the Australian Poker Championships in 2004. He followed this with major victories in international poker tournaments, including the No Limit Hold’em VC Poker Cup.

Beyond poker, Bloom became one of the world’s biggest sports and horse racing bettors. His disciplined, analytical approach demonstrates how gambling success can be built on logic rather than emotion, making him a favorite among those who value skill over spectacle.

Bill Benter – The Algorithm Genius

Bill Benter is proof that intelligence and innovation can redefine gambling success. Often cited among the best gamblers in the world, Benter revolutionized horse race betting through the use of sophisticated software and statistical models.

After leaving university at a young age, he moved to Las Vegas and mastered blackjack by learning to count cards. Later, he applied his mathematical expertise to horse racing, developing a system that reportedly earned him close to $1 billion.

Benter’s success wasn’t based on instinct or luck—it was the result of data analysis, probability, and continuous refinement. His achievements highlight how systematic thinking can overcome traditional gambling odds.

Edward Thorp – The Man Who Beat the Casinos

Edward Thorp is a legendary figure in gambling history and a strong candidate for the best gambler in the world, particularly for his intellectual contributions. A mathematics professor by trade, Thorp is best known for inventing card counting in blackjack.

His groundbreaking book, Beat the Dealer, changed how blackjack was played forever and exposed weaknesses in casino systems. Thorp’s success earned him global recognition and a place in the Blackjack Hall of Fame.

With an estimated net worth of $800 million, his influence extends beyond money. Thorp didn’t just win—he reshaped the gambling landscape itself.

Andrew Black – The Entrepreneurial Gambler

Andrew Black built his gambling fortune through a blend of passion and innovation. Known as a British entrepreneur and racehorse owner, Black became one of the world’s wealthiest gamblers with a net worth of around $670 million.

While working in London, he developed a deep interest in gambling and enjoyed early success. However, recognizing the limits of personal betting, he expanded into entrepreneurship by founding an online gambling exchange in the early 2000s.

His journey shows that long-term gambling success often comes from evolving beyond the tables, making him a unique contender among the best gamblers in the world.

Phil Ivey – The Best Poker Gambler in the World?

Phil Ivey is frequently described as the greatest poker player of his generation and is often labeled the best gambler in the world within poker circles. With ten World Series of Poker bracelets and numerous major tournament wins, Ivey’s dominance at the table is undeniable.

He famously won approximately $16 million in a single game, cementing his reputation as a high-stakes legend. Starting out by playing poker against coworkers, Ivey turned raw talent into a world-class career.

His influence on poker culture, combined with consistent success at elite levels, makes him one of the most skilled gamblers ever.

Chris Ferguson – The Early Poker Prodigy

Chris Ferguson discovered his passion for gambling early and went on to compete at the highest levels of professional poker. With six World Series of Poker bracelets, he earned recognition as one of the most accomplished players in the game.

Ferguson also played a significant role in the growth of online poker, starting while he was still a university student. His ability to adapt to both live and online formats helped him build substantial wealth and long-term credibility.

His disciplined approach and longevity place him firmly among the best gamblers in the world.

Howard Lederer – The Poker Educator

Howard Lederer rounds out the list of elite gamblers, with multiple World Series of Poker bracelets and World Poker Tour titles to his name. Coming from a family of professional poker players, Lederer contributed not only through competition but also through education.

He helped develop poker books and online learning programs, influencing countless aspiring players. Like many top gamblers, he left university to pursue poker full-time—a decision that led to remarkable financial success.

His dual role as a competitor and mentor makes him a respected figure in discussions about the best gambler in the world.

Richest vs Best Gambler in the World – Is There a Difference?

The terms “richest gambler” and “best gambler in the world” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t always mean the same thing. Some gamblers accumulated massive wealth because they already had significant financial resources, allowing them to place higher bets and absorb losses.

Others built their fortunes purely through skill, strategy, and long-term consistency.

For example, Kerry Packer stands out for his extraordinary wealth and fearless betting style, while figures like Edward Thorp and Bill Benter earned recognition for changing the way gambling itself is approached.

Poker professionals such as Phil Ivey and Chris Ferguson, on the other hand, proved their dominance in highly competitive environments where skill outweighs chance.

Ultimately, the best gambler in the world is not just the one who earned the most money—but the one who consistently beat the odds over time.

Can Gambling Really Be a Career?

The stories of the world’s top gamblers show that gambling can be a career—but only for a very small group of people. These individuals treated gambling like a profession, not entertainment. They studied probabilities, managed risk carefully, and avoided emotional decision-making.

At the same time, every successful gambler experienced losses. What set them apart was discipline and the ability to walk away when necessary. Their success highlights that gambling is risky by nature and only sustainable when approached with extreme caution and expertise.

Lessons From the Best Gamblers in the World

Despite their different backgrounds and gambling styles, the best gamblers in the world share several common traits:

• Emotional control: Staying calm during both wins and losses
  
• Strategic thinking: Using math, data, and systems instead of instincts
  
• Risk management: Knowing how much to wager and when to stop
  
• Patience: Waiting for favorable opportunities rather than chasing losses
  

These qualities played a major role in turning gambling into long-term success for a select few.

Conclusion: Who Truly Is the Best Gambler in the World?

Determining the best gambler in the world ultimately depends on how success is measured. Some gamblers dominated through unmatched wealth, others through intelligence and innovation, and some through pure competitive skill. What unites them is their ability to consistently outperform odds designed to favor the house.

From Kerry Packer’s legendary high-stakes bets to Edward Thorp’s mathematical breakthroughs and Phil Ivey’s poker dominance, these individuals represent the highest level of gambling success ever achieved. While gambling remains risky and unpredictable, their stories show that, in rare cases, skill and discipline can turn the odds around.

FAQs

Who is the best gambler in the world of all time?

There is no single definitive answer. Kerry Packer is often considered the richest gambler, while Edward Thorp, Bill Benter, and Phil Ivey are frequently cited for skill-based dominance. The best gambler in the world depends on whether wealth, influence, or consistency is prioritized.

Is the richest gambler also the best gambler?

Not always. The richest gambler may have had access to larger betting capital, while the best gambler in the world is typically defined by skill, strategy, and long-term success.

Who is the best poker gambler in the world?

Phil Ivey is widely regarded as one of the best poker gamblers in the world due to his tournament wins, high-stakes success, and reputation among professional players.

How much money has the best gambler in the world made?

Earnings vary widely. Kerry Packer accumulated billions in wealth, while others like Bill Benter and Edward Thorp earned hundreds of millions through systematic gambling strategies.

Can gambling skill really beat the odds?

Yes, but only in specific situations and with deep expertise. Many of the best gamblers in the world relied on mathematics, probability, and disciplined systems to gain an edge.