Biggest Blackjack Win: Legendary Wins and High-Stakes Players

Kerry Packer

Kerry Packer was an Australian businessman who recorded some of the biggest-ever blackjack wins and losses.

He is said to have won millions of dollars playing blackjack and roulette throughout a single night, with most of the action occurring in UK or Australian casinos. He didn’t have it all his way, though, as there were times when he lost tens of millions of dollars over several days.

Don Johnson

Don Johnson is probably the most famous blackjack winner in history. His story inspired many others to take up the game, and he continues to be talked about in films, TV shows, forums, and blackjack strategy books.

Johnson’s streak began in late 2010 when casinos struggled to deal with the recession and needed to attract more players. Johnson used their desperation against them and convinced them to change the rules in his favor. These rules included a low house edge, high betting limits, and cashback on losses.

Armed with these favorable terms, Johnson used a basic blackjack strategy to win over $15 million at several casinos. Ultimately, those casinos reset their conditions, ending his winning streak, but he had more than enough time to claim the biggest blackjack win.

The MIT Blackjack Team

If you’re looking for the most successful blackjack players and the most blackjack hands won in a row, you can’t go wrong with the MIT blackjack team, whose exploits were recorded in the Bringing Down the House book and the film 21.

The MIT team used blackjack strategy and card counting to take millions of dollars from the casinos. The exact winnings weren’t disclosed, but estimates put them between $50 and $100 million.

There are some important caveats to this information, though. Firstly, card counters don’t clean out a new casino every night, as some novice players seem to believe. It’s a long and slow game, as they typically don’t play for the highest stakes and don’t want to draw attention to themselves.

$50 million is certainly a lot of money, but it’s worth remembering that this team lasted for decades and included more than half a dozen players, equaling a lot of action and countless games.

How Much Can You Win Playing Blackjack?

In most blackjack games, you’re limited to payouts of no more than 3:2, which comes when you land a natural blackjack. There are exceptions for side bets, such as the blackjack side bet 21+3 and Perfect Pairs, but big wins usually come from extended winning streaks and high stakes.

We did a little research regarding the most blackjack hands won in a row and found that the average record for long-term players is between 9 and 13. That might not sound like a lot, but if you’re betting $100 at a time, land a few blackjacks, execute a double or two, and split a couple of hands, you could easily double your bankroll in that time.

That’s not bad for about 15 minutes of work.

How to Get the Biggest Blackjack Win

If you want your name to go down in blackjack history, you need to match the exploits of Kerry Packer, Don Johnson, and other greats of the game.

That’s not going to be easy, and for the vast majority of players, it’s impossible, as those guys regularly wagered over $100,000 a hand.

There are a few things you can do to become a frequent blackjack winner, though:

• Learn everything: From the basic rules—such as blackjack rules about Ace, the chances of winning with insurance, and moves such as Surrender and Double, to basic blackjack strategy—the more you learn, the more you can win.
• Find the right games: All blackjack games aren’t created equally. Differences in player rules, dealer rules, and deck counts can all impact the eventual house edge, affecting your chances of winning.
• Get bonuses: Collect whatever welcome bonuses are available and pick up as many reload offers as possible. If there is a loyalty scheme, join it.
• Discuss better rates: High rollers are at an advantage, as casinos highly covet them. If you’re depositing and wagering large sums, ask the casino about VIP schemes and see if you can discuss some improved terms, such as more cashback, higher table limits, and more perks.

Summary: Join the Biggest Blackjack Winners

Don Johnson claimed the biggest blackjack win, but other players made a huge impression on this game. These include UFC president Dana White, who is said to have won millions, and Ken Uston, one of the most famous card counters in history.

These guys might serve as your inspiration the next time you sit down at the blackjack table, but remember always to gamble safely and responsibly and make sure you stay within the limits set by your bankroll.