Nick Dandolos – The King of All Gamblers
Nick Dandolos, also widely known as Nick the Greek, was an iconic figure on the US gambling scene at the beginning of the last century. His curious character is an inspiration to many urban legends. With his talent for horse races and card games, Nick was famous for going from rags to riches more than a few times during his lifetime. Join us and learn the story of Nick the Greek – the man who loved the thrill of playing more than anything else.
Nick the Greek – Early Life
The story of Nikolaos Andreas Dandolos begins in Rethymno, Greece, where he was born. Nick originated from a wealthy family, thanks to which he attended the Greek Evangelical College and got a degree in philosophy. The gambler had a special relationship with his grandfather and was influenced by him. When Nick turned 18, his family sent him to the USA with a weekly allowance of $150. After spending some time in Chicago, Dandolos headed to Montreal.
| 📆 Date of Birth | 27 April 1883 |
| 📍 Birthplace | Rethymno, Crete, Greece |
| 📜 Education | Greek Evangelical College |
| 🌎 Place of Residence | USA |
| 💰 Winnings | Over $500 Million |
| 💼 Occupation | Professional Gambler |
| 🎲 Favorite Games | Faro, Poker |
What followed next was a prosperous gambling career. Thanks to his talent for on-track betting and card games, Nick became a world-famous player. Until the end of his life, he was betting against other professional gamblers. His personality and poker marathons became an inspiration to many poker movies.
Nick Dandolos – Beginning of Gambling Career
With the money from his family, Nick was struggling to survive, so he had to find a way to make more cash. At the time, in Canada, horse races were starting to gain popularity. Nick felt attracted to the racetracks, and it was there when he met Phil Musgrave, a notable Canadian jockey. Phil became a friend of Nick and taught him some tricks about betting on horses.
Dandolos could easily calculate the odds and quickly became an expert in horse race betting. The two friends continued betting together with great success – they won over half a million dollars. Naturally, rumours started spreading about their strategy. Phil Musgrave’s career as a jockey was endangered, so they had to split.
The Greek’s passion for betting, however, was persistent. He decided to go back to America and try his luck in casinos. In this period, the gambler travelled through many states and competed with other players in Illinois, New Orleans, New York, and Nevada. He practiced his poker skills and gained a reputation for being a world-class player.
Nick Dandolos Poker Tournaments
1949 was the year in which The Greek participated in a five-month marathon against Johnny Moss, another professional poker player from the USA. From January until May, the two gamblers played every variation of the game that existed at their time. According to the sources, Benny Binion organised the games as an attraction. Many believe this was the event that inspired the modern-day World Series of Poker and many other poker tournaments at the top gambling sites.
After losing between $2 and $4 million, Nick decided it was time to give up. At the end of the poker marathon, he said to his opponent: “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go” – it became one of the most famous Nick Dandolos quotes known in gambling history. There are speculations that this tournament didn’t take place at all, but unfortunately, there are no proven indications of whether this is true or not.
Another curious story about Mr. Dandolos is the poker tournament he played against Ray Ryan, a famous gambler and businessman from the 1950s. The games took place in Fleming Resort, Las Vegas, where, at the same time, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were performing. The two gamblers played Five Card Stud Poker, but luck wasn’t on Nick’s side – he lost over half a million.
Apparently, it wasn’t only lack of chance that led to this outcome. Nick was suspicious that his opponent cheated during the game. After asking around, Nick discovered that Ray had hired a man to hide on the roof of the building. Indeed, Ryan and the man exchanged information about Nick’s cards through a small hand-held transmitter.
Nick decided to seek revenge, so he turned to a famous mobster, Marshall Caifano. Then, Caifano and his crew hunted down Ray to pay back Dandolos the money he won by cheating. During this scene, the police interrupted – Caifano was arrested and spent ten years in prison. Rumours say, after this accident, Nick got a big part of his money back, and no other gamblers dared to trick him anymore.
The Urban Legend of Nick the Greek Dandolos
Nick the Greek played against many other notable gamblers and went through many ups and downs in his life. A character with a passion for gambling games and adrenaline, Nick gained the reputation of a world-class player. The media followed each step of his, which contributed to his great popularity in the US and Europe.
A legend says that Dandolos once met Albert Einstein and gave him a tour around the Las Vegas Strip. To fool the other players and hide the fact that Einstein was a well-known scientist, Nick introduced him as “Little Al from Princeton” and said he was controlling the state of New Jersey. The story, of course, could be a fruit of speculations, but one thing is for sure – Einstein visited Las Vegas at the time Dandolos was living there.
Nick the Greek – An Inspiration to Novels and Fictions
When we say Nick was a celebrity at his time, we are not exaggerating. There are several books about his life. One of them is called “Gambling Secrets of Nick the Greek” – written by Ted Thackrey in 1968, two years after the gambler died. Here is a full list of the novels and stories inspired by the gambler:
- “Gambling Secrets of Nick the Greek” by Ted Thackrey
- “Nick the Greek” by Harry Mark Petrakis
- “Romance in the Roaring Forties” by Damon Runyon
- “Blood Pressure” and “Madame La Gimp” by Damon Runyon
Another author than was inspired by Nick the Greek is Damon Runyon, who mentioned him by name in “Romance in the Roaring Forties” – fiction about the guys-and-dolls culture in the Broadway area. Dandolos appears in other stories by Runyon as well. In one of them (“Blood Pressure”), Nick is described as one of the high rollers of New York City, while in the other (“Madame la Gimp”), he is a guest at a party.
The Last Days and Legacy of Nick Dandolos
For several decades, Nick was one of the most famous high rollers in the world. During his most prosperous years as a gambler, Nick won more than $500 million. Ironically, at the end of his life, he had nothing left. He spent his last years in Gardena, California, where he kept playing poker at local casinos.
Never bet on anything that can talk. – Nick the Greek, quoted in Eliot Asinof’s “Eight Men Out”
Nick Dandolos died on Christmas day in 1966. Apart from his gambling career, he is well known for contributing to education and charity. Over the years, he donated over $20 million to various charitable and educational causes. Nick has no wife or children. He confessed that during his lifetime, he went from rags to riches more than 73 times. In 1979, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nick the Greek
Nick ‘the Greek’ Dandolos was, without any doubt, a legendary high roller and a key figure on the US gambling scene in the early to mid-1900s. An inspiration to many, he left a trace in the most prestigious US casinos and won a spot in the Poker Hall of Fame. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about him and his poker skills, participation in tournaments, winnings, and more.
