No article or television program about modern methods of cheating in a casino or outstanding cheaters of last decades is complete without mentioning Richard Marcus. This name has already become a household name. He is almost a hero in the eyes of gamblers not burdened by high moral principles.
Marcus is really very talented. To prove it, it's enough to recall his innovations in this field, that brought a lot of money not only to his team, but have been adopted by hundreds of less-known speculators.
But the main achievement was decision of Richard to take gamblers in the ranks of writers and experts on casino security. If he did not do this, he probably would have long been in jail and would not have been such a popular person and a wealthy man, interviewed by various editions.
Let's focus on the career of Marcus.
Teen age
Richard was born in New York, but spent his childhood in New Jersey. From his school years, he had an interest in gaming. He got his first skills playing on baseball cards and pocket money with his classmates. Later, he and his friends have mastered the bones they played right in the school cafe.
Marcus later recalled that his childhood was perfect for the future of tricksters, but he insisted that in those years this idea never came to his young head. But the usual life did not suit him.
Las Vegas
Richard decided that the banal life of an average American did not suit him and went to Las Vegas. There, he became a very good player trying to make a living with his skills, but not always well. He won much rarer than lost, so Marcus decided to get a job at a casino and became a dealer at the blackjack table and baccarat.
First steps in cheating
Perhaps, Richard would continue his career of the casino employee (it causes us serious doubts!) if had not met Joe Classon, an experienced gambler successfully hunting in American casinos. The moment he came to the casino and Richard started to deal the cards he offered Marcus to become his partner.
Realizing how much risk he takes, Richard agreed, and Joe started to teach him the ropes. Marcus first stack the cards when Joe played at his table. Later, he left his job at the casino and started to perform various secondary tasks in the operations team. But gradually his role became very important. Moreover, it was said during the Soviet era, that he began to push the idea of rationalization.
Savannah
One time, Marcus was sitting in a strip bar watching one of the girls dancing and reflecting on new tricks. Suddenly it dawned on him how to fool dealers using a small stack of chips to cover one big chip. This technique, which later brought them millions, was called Savannah - in the name of the dancer. We described it in detail in another article on Casinoz, so we will not repeat the story.
This technique was not only in the arsenal of Richard Marcus and his new team, which included Pat Melleri and Bolles Abramovitts, but it was the most successful and profitable. It is difficult to say how much they managed to win on Savannah, but the amount is millions of dollars.
Changing the job
Even such a genius as Richard Marcus could no eternally lead by the nose the powerful system of casino security. He knew that it may be the end if he continued in the same spirit. Clouds were gathering above Richard and he left their craft.
However it would be foolish to simply throw it all away. Marcus decided to become a writer and published several books where shared his knowledge with readers. In American Roulette he told about his career. In Dirty Poker, he revealed the secrets of cheating at the poker table. And in The greatest gambling fraud of the world, he told about many other cheats in the casinos.
All books of Marcus are very popular and sold in many countries, allowing him not to worry about financial stability. Besides, Richard, periodically acts as a safety adviser for the casino.
Personality of Richard Marcus can be treated differently. He may be just a cheater, even very successful. And it hard to believe in his memoirs. He realized just in time that he could earn good money without risking his freedom. So we do not suggest cheering Marcus (especially trying to repeat his way) but his talent deserves respect.
