Roulettedreams.com - William Nelson Darnborough Info

William Nelson Darnborough

Over a seven year period, between 1904 and 1911, William Nelson Darnborough from Bloomington, Illinois, challenged the monstrous Monte Carlo casino at roulette, winning close to 500.000 dollars (in early 1900s currency, mind you).

Mr. Darnborough was probably the most remarkable man, so far as gambling is concerned, that ever passed into the casino at Monte Carlo. Never before or since have such masses of gold and notes been heaped upon a roulette table. The most astonishing feature of his operations was the lightning speed with which he placed his bets.

How he beat roulette at Monte Carlo from 1904 to 1911 has always been a well-kept secret.
Darnborough was a wheel watcher, a man who could anticipate with an unusual degree of accuracy where the ball would land.

After winning his fortune, William quit playing to marry a beautiful young woman of noble blood whose family frowned on gambling.

It may be added that Mr. Darnborough left the game when at his best as a winner and never returned to the scenes of his amazing triumphs. He left many friends in France when he retired from Monte Carlo in order to return to the English country life he loved.

During that time periode at Monte Carlo he amassed a fortune of 415,000 US playing roulette (in early 1900s currency).

It is a fact that Darnborough bet on number 5 and won on five successive spins.

(Once upon a time, you walked into the casino and the crowds parted for you. The other players knew there was something very special about you this night. It must have been that look you had that said: "Tonight belongs to me." And tonight did belong to you, as you won bet after bet at game after game. And the story of that night became a legend and was told over and over and over again -- it was the night that you brought the mighty casino monster to its knees and plucked out its golden teeth). - By Frank Scoblete 2001