NICK THE GREEK by Jim Fridas

A GAMBLERS GAMBLER      article by James Thomas Fridas                                                                                                                                                                                                       January 21, 2014

What a gambler!  When Nick the Greek came to America in 1933 during the great depression and I challenge anyone to prove to me it was "Great"!  He was an Ambassador from Greece he was escorted by the Secretary of State around the nation and when he came to Las Vegas he was introduced to the game of Baccarat, at this game he won $5,000. and promptly resigned as Ambassador to take to his new calling as  the greatest gambler to ever play the game no one before or since has amassed a fortune like Nick the Greek.

His game was one that snared losers to his table, he would lose and that would be a small thing, because the next game the stakes were higher and he would somehow win!    Nick the Greek was in the hospital Christmas eve of 1966 when he died.  Nicholas Andreas Dandolas was born on the Island of Crete in the year 1883.  Later in life he would be known as the King of Gamblers!

When Nick the Greek played a game in New Orleans the stakes were 1 million dollars to enter, five men and the winner take all ended the game when Nick the Greek after 9 grueling days finally bested the bunch and walked away with the jackpot.  There were games he lost as well but in his life Nick the Greek was said to have won and lost over 1 and a half billion dollars!!

There is a whole lot more to the story of this incredible person, when he died in 1966 every known celebrity he knew attended his funeral and Frank Sinatra actually is said to have been in tears!  Ironically this King of Gamblers graduated from the Greek Evangelical College!  

One of the most notorious gamblers to play with Nick the Greek was stone face Kelly, he and others ponied up 1 million dollars winner take all, while Nick the Greek was famous for his set up games the next would be 5 million but stone face was as they say in those days whacked bu the mob, so no replay after that for Nick the Greek and stone face!

*********************************************************************************    Copyright © 2013 [JAMES THOMAS FRIDAS]. All Rights Reserved.