Casino Gaming Through History
The first casino was built in Ancient Rome. Roman Emperor Nero used his palace as a place where he would throw lavish parties. He liked to gamble with dice and cards and sometimes even had fights over who won.
During medieval times gaming became more popular. Italian cities began building elaborate theaters and palaces where they could spend their spare time. Gambling halls were built near these theaters so visitors could enjoy the entertainment while also playing games like dice or roulette.
A Different Time
During the Renaissance Period (1450-1650), gambling increased in popularity. People started turning to casinos because they wanted something they could rely on. They didn’t want to risk losing everything when they played card games so they turned to casinos instead. At this point, gaming was becoming more formalized and the rules were being written down. Some of the most important rules included: don’t cheat, don’t lie, don’t drink alcohol, and show up to the game sober.
Gaming Becomes Professionalized
As time went on, the rules became stricter and more complicated. Because of this, professional gamblers began learning how to beat the odds. They realized that they could make millions if they knew exactly what the casinos were doing. They then started setting up “houses” where they could practice their skills. These houses set the standards for how games should be played.
Names That Rang Out The Most
From Julius Caeser himself to historical figures like William Tell, gaming has been present throughout history. And although we don’t often think about it, some of the most notable names are linked to gambling. In more recent history, however, the following individuals dominated the industry.
Charles Darrow – Monopoly
Charles Darrow was born in 1874. He grew up during the 19th Century which was a period of rapid technological growth. During this time, it became clear that inventions like the telephone and the telegraph were going to revolutionize society. As a result, people began spending less time working outside the home. Instead, they spent most of their time indoors.
Edward Thorp – Blackjack
Born in 1919, Edward Thorp is considered one of the greatest mathematicians alive today. He was responsible for creating mathematical methods that have helped many casino owners outsmart their opponents. Although he never actually got involved with the gambling business, his work did help change the way casinos do things today.
Tommy Winder – Baccarat
Thomas Winder was born in 1902. He grew up during an era where technology was advancing rapidly. As a result, gambling was becoming more sophisticated than ever before. By the 1930s, baccarat had become one of the most popular ways to gamble. It was a simple yet complex version of poker. Players bet on whether the next player would get closer to 9 or closer to 0. If you won, you took a hit, but if you lost, you could cover your losses by betting even more money.
Billy Walters – Roulette
Billy Walters was born in 1935. His family owned a tavern and hotel in Atlantic City called The Golden Nugget. After watching other players lose huge amounts of money at roulette, Billy decided to try his hand at the game. Before long, he was winning big! Within months, he was able to turn a small profit. Eventually, he opened up his own place, Atlantic Club Casino Hotel. Today, everyone knows him as the man who invented electronic roulette.
Phil Ivey – Poker
Phil Ivey was born in 1972. Like Tommy Winder, Phil Ivey grew up playing cards. But unlike Tommy, Phil Ivey has always loved poker and video games. So much so, he was once banned from playing online poker after he cheated a bunch of players out of $1 million.
Stanford Wong – Craps
Stanford Wong is widely regarded as the best craps shooter around today. However, he’s not just known for shooting dice. He’s also a world-class pianist. Stanford Wong studied music at New York University and Boston College. At both schools, he composed classical pieces that no one had ever heard before.
The Final Verdict
While these men may be great musicians, actors, businessmen, inventors, gamblers, or whatever else you want to call them, there is only one thing they all have in common: fame. These guys definitely made the headlines and changed the face of their industries. They are legends in their own ways, and we hope that you enjoyed learning about them as much as we did writing this biography report!