Kerry Packer, gambling legend, dies at 68

Just have to pass along that Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man passed away yesterday at the age of 68. He had an estimated fortune of $5 billion from his media and gaming empires, which is a little more than me. So why do I even him in my sports blog? Just look at this number.

$26 million

That's how much he won playing blackjack at the MGM Grand in 1997 over several days! One of the biggest wins if not the biggest in Vegas history. He bet $200,000, six hands at a time. If you've gambled you know it's hard to get on a good run and beat the house. Well he cleaned them out big time. Plus they probably flew him privately for free and paid for his stay.

The funniest part was that this sunken MGM's quarterly earnings report. He their stock price went down. Several casino executives were given the axe for bringing in this big "whale" (a high stakes gambler). Like they knew he was going to win that much. More likely than not, big whales lose their asses betting that much at a time.

He's was banned from the MGM Grand after that. But when you win as a gambler, you're certainly going to lose. Kerry Packer was a big loser too. He lost $20 million over three days at the Bellagio in 2000. He was also reported to have suffered the biggest losses ever sustained in the UK in September 1999, dropping $16.5 million at Crockfords casino in London.

But there have been tales of him also tipping dealers and waitresses $100,000!

So enjoy this story on your Tuesday working your job that pays less than what Mr. Packer bet on one hand of blackjack.

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