William Lee Bergstrom

2021年10月28日
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A legend in Vegas for his fearless nature and his large betting practices,
William Lee Bergstrom is a story that still to this day amazes anyone who hears
it. Better known around the Vegas community as “The Suitcase Man” or “The
Phantom Gambler” William made a name for himself in a rather short period of
time on the gambling circuit.
*William Lee Bergstrom Birthday
*William Lee Bergstrom’s Birthplace
*William Lee Bergstrom Birthplace
Back in 1980, a player named William Lee Bergstrom asked if he could really bet $1 million. He didn’t have the money at the time, but the Binions told him he could. A few months later he showed up. View phone numbers, addresses, public records, background check reports and possible arrest records for William Bergstrom in Washington (WA). Whitepages people search is the most trusted directory. Background Checks.
He wasn’t like many of the other gamblers that had taken up residence in the
casinos on the Vegas strip. He was a courageous gambler who wasn’t afraid to
stick his money where his mouth was and make the casino owners do the same.Early Years
*One of our favorites stories from this casino was that of an adventurous gambler named William Lee Bergstrom from Austin, Texas. Bergstrom had heard that Benny Binion’s latest gimmick was that the “sky’s the limit” when it came to maximum betting amounts at the Horseshoe. Bergstrom called to ask Binion if he would really accept a bet of.
*William Lee Bergstrom (1951 – Feb­ru­ary 4, 1985) com­monly known as The Suit­case Man or Phan­tom Gambler, was a gam­bler and high roller known for plac­ing the largest bet in casino gam­bling his­tory at the time amount­ing to $777,000 ($2.41 mil­lion pre­sent day amount) at the Horse­shoe Casino, which he won.
William was born in Austin, Texas in 1951 and had a brother named Alan. Alan and
William had an unsettling childhood growing up in a family with divorced
parents. The divorce hit William hard and led to him striving for approval from
his absent father.
He graduated from high school in 1969 and went on to attend college at the
University of Texas until dropping out in 1974. Once he dropped out of college
he started selling real estate which became his livelihood for the remainder of
his life. He did very well as a real estate agent and that allowed him to start
purchasing his own properties.
He likely never would have come to Vegas had it
not been for Benny Binion and his gimmicks. Binion had started a new promotion
with the name “The Sky’s the Limit” where he promised that any gambler who came
into his casino and was willing to make their first bet their highest, he would
match it.
William just happened to be one of those people who just couldn’t let
something like that go by. So he did everything he could to put enough money
together to make a bet that would be life changing, and when he did he headed to
Vegas.
He didn’t have a life of luxury before going to Vegas but he wasn’t a poor
man. He had become a real estate mogul by the time he started his career as a
gambler. He never gave up his real estate business, but after his trip to Vegas
he decided to travel the world for a few years.Gambling
In the early 1980’s a casino in Las Vegas owned by the Binions declared that
they’d match any high stakes bet that was placed at their casino as long as it
was the player’s first bet. This was just another of Benny Binion’s gimmicks to
get more people into the casino and raise the wagers at the start of the game.
Back in Texas, William heard of this promise and decided to see just how real
it was. He placed a call to the Horseshoe casino to talk to Benny Binion. He asked
if he placed a $1,000,000 bet if it would still be matched. Binion said yes, but
at the time William didn’t have the money.
He started gathering the money up and when he had accumulated $777,000 he
decided he was going to try his luck. He packed one suitcase with $777,000 and
took another empty suitcase and headed to Vegas. When he arrived at the
Horseshoe casino he headed straight for the craps table. He apologized to Binion
for not being able to raise the full $1,000,000 and asked if the $777,000 would
be matched as well.
When he entered the casino he didn’t exchange his money for chips, he just
took his suitcase full of money and placed it on the table. He placed his full
bet of $777,000 on a single dice game of craps don’t pass line. Instead of only
playing with his $777,000 cash bet he was also playing with the casinos $777,000
match, which gave him a total wager of $1,554,000 on a single bet at the craps
table.
The current shooter established a point of six and just two rolls later
rolled a seven giving Bergstrom the win. He placed the bet anonymously but when
he won one of the owners, Benny Binion, came down and introduced himself and
even helped William pack up his winnings. Together they packed his empty
suitcase up with the casinos $777,000 and William picked up both suitcases and
was walked out to his car by Benny’s son Ted, and that was the last they saw of
William for years.
This is not the end of William Lee Bergstrom’s time in Vegas. He, like most
other high stakes players, couldn’t stay away and was back at the Horseshoe
placing another large bet. He’d been gone for around three and a half years
before he showed back up on the scene.
William came back to town on March 24th, 1984. He placed a bet of $538,000 on
another craps game. He won this bet and was on a roll. He ended up winning an
additional $190,000 and another large win of $90,000 on the don’t pass line on
craps games. He used his winning for good and took his mother to see Willie
Nelson, then disappeared again.
On November 16, 1984 he finally made his million dollars bet he’d wanted to
make that first time he walked into the casino. He called his now friend Benny
Binion to check and make sure that the casino would still honor their promise.
Benny agreed that as long as his first bet was his highest bet he would match
it. When he walked into the Horseshoe on that November day he had a suitcase
filled with $550,000 in cash, $140,000 in gold Krugerrands, and $310,000 in
cashier’s checks. He made the same bet as before, and put it all on the don’t
pass line on a game of craps.
This was not to be a repeat of his first bet with the casino, as on the first
roll of the dice the shooter won with a roll of seven, causing William to lose
everything. He left the casino and would not be seen there again.
William had become known as the “Suitcase Man” throughout the gambling world
because of the way he always carried his money. Every time he came into a casino
he would be carrying two cases. One case was full of money, and one was empty so he had some way to
carry out what he won.
He had a confidence about him when he walked into the casino that appealed to
other gamblers and the casino owners. Benny and Ted Binion got to know William
over the years. Ted is even noted as saying that the money that William used to
place that first $777,000 bet was all borrowed money.
He said that William had told him that if he had lost that bet he was
planning on committing suicide instead of going back without the money. By some
good fortune he won that bet and was able to instead travel the world before
returning to do some more gambling in 1984.Death of William Lee Bergstrom
A few months later, on February 4th, 1985 William was found in the Marina
hotel on the strip, dead. He had committed suicide by taking too many pills. It
is said he left a will in the room but what was in the will has never been
released.
His friends and family believe that at the time of his death he was not broke,
but that he was actually still working in the black with about $647,000. Many
thought his suicide was a result of his epic $1,000,000 dollar loss but his
friends and family believe it had nothing to do with his loss at all.
He had recently gone through a break up with his partner who was 10 years
younger than him and this is believed to be the real reason for his decision to
end it all.
Although his life ended at a young age, William will be forever remembered for
his courage to challenge a casinos promise to match any bet no matter the size,
and making that bet as large as he could.Legacy of William Lee Bergstrom
Bergstrom didn’t belong to the lifelong member club of the gambling elite in
Las Vegas. He didn’t spend years making a name for himself and he didn’t have
to. Instead, all he had to do was take up the challenge put out by Todd and
Benny Binion to seal his status in Las Vegas Lore.
Not only did he win that first bet and double his money but he also had a
very dramatic loss just a few years later that gives his legacy a fairy tale
gone wrong feel. Just like many others in the history of gambling and that high
stakes world of Las Vegas, William became known by a nickname. He was dubbed the
“Suitcase Man” because of his tendency to arrive at the casino with two
suitcases.
His legend is so well known in Vegas that just the mention of William or the
Horseshoe casino is sure to get the story going. William’s story was even referenced
in an episode of CSI. In the episode, a man comes into a casino
and places a $1,000,000 dollar bet on a single roll of the dice, and lost. Even
though this is a fictional show, it shows just how legendary this story really
is.William Lee Bergstrom Birthday
Since his passing, there have been a number of awards and prizes established
throughout Vegas in his name. Even with The Horseshoe Casino no longer being
under the ownership of the Binion family, it doesn’t change the story of William
Lee Bergstrom from being told to the newbies.Conclusion
William Lee Bergstrom will forever be known as “The Suitcase Man”, and will
always be remembered for his courage to take the casino’s challenge and win.
Even with his epic loss being the last bet he ever placed, the story of that
first bet lives on and above his losses.
It’s no secret that Las Vegas is a town rich with casino culture. Its long and lively history is comprised of legendary gambles, bigtime players, and astonishing events revolving involving the City of Vice. The scintillating bright lights, glitz and glamor of Glitter Gulch has always attracted casual gamblers and professional sharps, like moths to a flame. From high stakes to high rollers, heavy losses and gambling superstardom, individuals like Archie Karas, Ken Uston and Stu Ungar are just a few of the names that follow the words: gambling legend.
Vegas holds a mythical status as a haven for those who dare to tread the path of chance, patiently awaiting their dance with Lady Luck. The gambling halls of the city echo tales of smoky lounge acts, whales with vast fortunes, cool celebrities and flashy stage performers the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The casinos’ brilliantly colored lounges ring with the clinking of champagne glasses and raucous laughter. Gambling floors come to life with busy casino-goers looking to let loose among the beehive of activity along green felt tables. The sound of the stacking of casino chips plays as a symphony to the marathon gambling sessions that stretch into the wee hours of the night. Vegas truly is a player’s paradise – the Mecca of Gambling.
Yet throughout its extraordinary history, there is one tale in Vegas lore that seems to stick out from the rest. The unusual story of a man, who threw caution to the wind, truly lived in the moment and risked it all. This is the true story of Sin City’s most enigmatic player, the tale of the mysterious Suitcase Man, William Lee Bergstrom – the Phantom Gambler.Early Years
Very little is known about William Lee Bergstrom’s personal life. However, his mysterious origins can be traced with some research. Bergstrom was born in Austin, Texas in 1951. He had a brother named Alan, and sadly, their childhood growing up in a house of divorced parents was an unsettling one. The circumstances hit a young William hard, which led to a lifetime search of approval from an absent father. Upon graduating high school in 1969, William Bergstrom would go on to attend college at the University of Texas, eventually dropping out in 1974. Burswood casino western australia. After a string of odd jobs, he would ultimately settle on real estate and became a successful salesman. Despite his successes, and even having purchased properties of his own, deep down Bergstrom felt something was missing.

It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Bergstrom heard of the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, and his life would forever change. Benny Binion, a notorious man known for his exploits in organized crime, was co-owner of the Horseshoe. At the turn of the decade, he managed to create a buzz with a new kind of promotion. “The Sky’s the Limit”-wager, was a bold strategy unheard of in Vegas, a scheme created by Binion. This offer promised that his casino would honor a wager of any size as long as it was a gambler’s first. Once Bergstrom heard of this, he took it upon himself to see just how real the offer was. He placed a call to the Horseshoe, and asked to speak to Benny Binion. Bergstrom asked Binion if his casino would allow him to make a $1,000,000 bet. To his delight, Binion said yes. This would spark an obsession for Bergstrom, as he was the type of person who could not let such an offer pass, and by 1980 decided to head to Las Vegas to make a life-changing bet.The first big gamble

To this day, standard practice for casinos is to enforce maximum betting limits. However, at the time, the Horseshoe Casino was a rare exception. Thanks to Binion’s proposal, Bergstrom decided to capitalize on chance, and on September 24, 1980, a quiet, solemn looking man, wearing a grey suit, thick-framed glasses, and sporting a crewcut walked into the Horseshoe with two plain suitcases. Bergstrom was unable to acquire the total $1,000,000 wager that he had promised, but instead had with him one suitcase with $777,000 in cash, and one that was empty. After having previously discussed with Binion if the house would still honor his bet, Binion reassured him that the casino would.
On that fateful day, and without exchanging his money for chips, Bergstrom walked directly to the craps table with his money. In one bold move, Bergstrom bet all of it on the “Don’t Pass Line”. The current shooter established a point of six and just two rolls later rolled a seven. Bergstrom won. Because he placed his bet anonymously, Binion decided to come down and congratulate the winner. Realizing it was Bergstrom, he helped him pack up his winnings, filling Bergstrom’s empty suitcase with the casino’s $777,000. The suited man said no more, picked up both full suitcases and casually walked out of the casino to his car. This would be the last that anyone would see of Bergstrom for years.
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Bergstrom was not one to live a life of luxury, and little is known of what he did during the next few years. Although he continued to maintain his real estate business, some claimed that he travelled the world. However, like with all serious gamblers, it would not be long until Bergstrom started to feel the overwhelming urge to make another big wager. After nearly three and a half years, he would return to Las Vegas.No fear and the gambler streak
On March 24, 1984, in walked a familiar face to the Horseshoe Casino. Bergstrom was back to play another round of craps with another whopping wager. Like before, he knew that the casino would honor his bet, no matter how large, as long as it was his first. Coolly, Bergstrom placed $538,000 in cash on the “Don’t Pass Line” as before, and managed to win again. He would go on to win an additional $117,000 on three separate craps bets. Satisfied with his performance, Bergstrom collected his winnings and calmly exited the casino.
There is little knowledge of where Bergstrom went after collecting yet another massive win. One source verifies that he took his mother to see a Willie Nelson in concert, but everything after this appears to remain a mystery. Disappearing like a ghost, “the Phantom Gambler” was gone. By now, Bergstrom’s monikers were well known, the other being “the Suitcase Man” due his salesman-like appearance. People admired his ability to risk it all, and celebrated the fact that he came out on top. Despite all of this, Bergstrom would yet again return to Binion’s. Sticking to his original promise, he wanted to make a $1 million bet. Something that had been eating at him from the beginning.

On November 16, 1984, Bergstrom strolled into the Horseshoe determined to take home one of the biggest wins in Las Vegas history. A crowd appeared, and casino security held back the eager onlookers as he approached the craps tables. With his trademark demeanor, Bergstrom placed a suitcase filled with $550,000 in cash, $140,000 in gold Krugerrands, and $310,000 in cashier’s checks on the craps table. He had with him a second suitcase that was empty. Placing his money on the table, he made his million-dollar bet. Once again, risking everything on the “Don’t Pass Line”, his favorite bet. The shooter stepped up, and with onlookers holding their breath, rolled a seven with the come-out roll. Bergstrom lost everything and silently left the casino empty-handed. Despite the cheers for his efforts, he would not be seen there again.The passing of a legend
Tragically, only a few months later, on February 4, 1985, Bergstrom was found dead in his hotel room at the Marina on the Vegas Strip. Police later confirmed that he had committed suicide by swallowing the contents of various unidentified capsules. A suicide note and will were left at the scene. In his note Bergstrom stated that he wanted to be remembered as “the Phantom gambler at the Horseshoe”.
Remarkably, he was not broke at the time of his death, and actually had nearly $650,000 to his name. Those closest to him, believe that his suicide was not the result of his epic loss, but due to heartbreak from a recent break-up. Although his life sadly ended by his own hands at the young age of 33, Bergstrom’s gambling feats mad

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