The World's Greatest Gambling Scams Season 1 Episode 6 Unusual Suspects
- January 25, 2006
- 45 min
In this episode of The World's Greatest Gambling Scams, titled Unusual Suspects, we delve into some of the most unusual and creative ways that scam artists have swindled casinos and gambling establishments out of their money. We learn about some of the most outlandish characters and the unconventional methods they used to cheat the system and win big.
One of the stories we explore is about a woman named Monique Laurent, a Frenchwoman who was the mastermind behind a roulette scam that left casinos baffled. Laurent would use a specially designed remote control to manipulate the ball on the roulette wheel, allowing her to predict with incredible accuracy where the ball would land. Over the course of several years, Laurent and her accomplices were able to scam several casinos out of millions of dollars before being caught.
Another tale we examine is that of Ron Harris, an engineer who used his knowledge of computer programming to cheat at slot machines. Harris designed a special program that would prompt the machine to pay out a jackpot whenever a specific sequence of buttons was pressed. Harris used this method to win thousands of dollars at casinos around the United States before being finally apprehended.
We also learn about the infamous MIT Blackjack Team, a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who used advanced mathematics and card-counting techniques to win millions of dollars at casinos. The team, which included some of the brightest minds in the country, was able to take down some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas before being banned from gambling establishments across the country.
Other stories featured in this episode include a group of con artists who used a counterfeit chip-making scheme to cheat at baccarat, and a duo who were able to successfully cheat at craps by pretending to be superstitious players.
Throughout the episode, we hear from experts in the field who shed light on the psychology behind gambling scams and the measures that casinos take to prevent them. We also get a glimpse into the motivations of the scam artists themselves, and the lengths they were willing to go to in order to make a quick buck.
Unusual Suspects is a fascinating look into the world of gambling scams and the colorful characters who perpetrated them. With its engaging storytelling and in-depth analysis, it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of gambling and the people who have tried to beat the odds.