Brief Summary
This video tells the story of Daryl Purpose, a genius casino cheat who used a specially designed shoe with a hidden circuit board to win big at blackjack. The summary covers his early fascination with casinos, his time with a blackjack team, and his innovative shoe-based cheating method that allowed him to win significant amounts of money across multiple casinos in Europe. Despite facing close calls and increased casino security, Daryl managed to evade capture and eventually retired from cheating, later being inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame.
- Daryl Purpose used a shoe with a hidden circuit board to cheat at blackjack.
- He started as a card counter and later developed his unique cheating method.
- Despite close calls, he evaded capture and retired with his winnings.
Introduction
The video introduces the story of Daryl Purpose, a gambler who used a modified shoe to cheat casinos out of significant sums of money. Casinos were baffled by his winning streak and couldn't detect his method of cheating, which involved a device hidden in his shoe. This method was unprecedented in casino history, making it difficult to detect.
The Arrest
In 1997, police officers in Leicester, England, were called to the Annabelle Casino to intercept an American man who had suspiciously won £10,000 shortly after registering. Casino staff noticed he hadn't looked at his cards and a dealer reported a faint buzzing sound from under the table, along with the man tapping his foot rhythmically. Despite the normal appearance of his behavior, something seemed amiss. When apprehended, the man cooperated and was taken back to his hotel room along with his friend.
The Evidence
A search of the hotel room revealed casino loyalty cards from various cities, a locked metal briefcase containing lithium batteries, shoe insoles, and maps of casinos. The most significant evidence was found on the man himself: a battery strapped to his leg connected to a wire leading to a circuit board hidden in the heel of his right shoe. This circuit board had pressure switches that could be activated by his toes, making it a sophisticated winning machine. This device had helped him win over $1 billion across six countries.
Daryl's Background
Daryl Purpose, born in 1975 in Los Angeles, developed an early interest in casinos and read books about them. Inspired by "Beat the Dealer" by Edward Thorp, he left home at 15 with $50 and headed to Las Vegas, intending to win at blackjack through card counting.
Card Counting Explained
Card counting involves assigning point values to cards: +1 for 10s and Aces, 0 for 7-9, and -1 for 2-6. Players mentally track the running count as cards are dealt, adjusting their bets based on the true count, which estimates the proportion of high cards remaining. A higher count favors the player, prompting larger bets.
Joining Ken Uston's Team
In Las Vegas, Daryl practiced card counting and caught the attention of Ken Uston, who ran a successful blackjack team. Daryl quickly passed Uston's test and joined the team, initially as a spotter signaling high card counts to players at the table through subtle gestures. The team's coordinated efforts led to significant winnings.
The Dangers of Cheating
The casinos of the 1970s were dangerous, often run by mafia figures who didn't take kindly to being beaten, especially by a 17-year-old. Despite the risks, Daryl continued to play and win. By 1976, the team was operating smoothly, but suspicion began to grow as Daryl was repeatedly seen on casino surveillance cameras.
Ken Uston's Capture
Daryl's team faced a setback when Ken Uston was caught at the Hilton Casino and severely beaten. This incident made Daryl realize the need to be more cautious, leading him to temporarily stop playing.
A Close Call
Daryl returned to smaller casinos but was soon confronted by a man in a black coat who led him to a basement filled with threatening tools. He was presented with a paper showing his winnings and offered half the amount to leave quietly. Daryl complied, realizing the casinos were aware of his activities.
The Idea for the Shoe Device
To continue playing undetected, Daryl needed a new approach that didn't involve visible signals. He conceived the idea of a device hidden in his shoe and enlisted the help of Craig, a skilled shoemaker.
Designing the Shoe
Daryl explained his need for a discreet card counting method to Craig. They worked together, using cards, a notebook, and a stopwatch, to develop a system where signals could be sent through the shoe. Craig designed a shoe with a small circuit board in the heel, connected to switches under the insole and a buzzer near the toes. A lithium battery was taped to Daryl's leg and concealed under his sock.
How the Device Worked
The device worked by tapping the toe up to add card points and down to subtract them. When the count reached a limit, the buzzer would activate, indicating high or low cards without any visible signals.
Testing and Refining the Device
Craig created a prototype with visible wires and parts from an old radio, which surprisingly worked. After initial testing, Craig refined the design, making the circuit board smaller and using thinner wires. By the end of the month, the entire device was concealed within the shoe's heel, powered by a battery that lasted eight hours.
Targeting UK Casinos
Las Vegas was too risky due to Daryl's notoriety, so he decided to target casinos in England, which had less sophisticated security and less knowledgeable players.
The UK Plan
Daryl and Craig packed two shoes, a spare circuit board, and batteries, and traveled to London. Their plan was to test the device with small bets and leave after winning. However, UK casinos required a 48-hour membership registration period.
Reconnaissance and Practice
During the 48-hour waiting period, Daryl and Craig scouted different casinos, noting cameras, tables, and exits. They also practiced hand movements and chip handling, perfecting the silent buzzer signal.
The Annabelle Casino
After 48 hours, Daryl chose the Annabelle Casino as their first target. He wore a black suit and plain shoes to conceal the lithium batteries under his socks. He started with small bets, using his toes to count cards. The buzzer indicated high cards, and he increased his bets, winning £10,000 in an hour.
The Interrogation
The next morning, upon returning to collect his winnings, Daryl and Craig were intercepted by police officers. They were separated and interrogated. Daryl claimed to be a real estate businessman and denied being a professional gambler or using any cheating devices.
The Hotel Search
Meanwhile, another police team searched their hotel room, finding circuit boards, wires, switches, lithium batteries, and casino membership cards in a briefcase. However, the officers didn't understand the significance of these items and couldn't prove cheating.
Release and Realization
Without concrete evidence, Daryl and Craig were released with a warning. They collected their winnings, relieved that their system had worked. Daryl realized they had been lucky because the officers didn't understand the device's hardware and the cameras hadn't recorded anything suspicious.
Upgrading the Device
Back in the US, Daryl and Craig analyzed their experience and upgraded the device. They made the buzzer smaller, changed the circuit board wires to reduce heat, and replaced the toe switches with smaller sensors.
Expanding the Operation
With the upgraded device, Daryl planned to target casinos in Amsterdam and Brussels. He used different names and disguises, changing his haircut, appearance, and shoe colors to avoid detection. He stuck to a rule of not revisiting casinos after winning.
Growing Suspicion
Daryl's overconfidence led to increased scrutiny. Security guards in Frankfurt and Geneva began to monitor him closely, prompting him to cash out and leave. He realized casinos were becoming more vigilant and employing trained staff and undercover police officers to catch cheaters.
Retirement
Daryl gradually stopped going to casinos, not wanting to risk exposure. By 1980, he had completely retired from casino cheating, never having been caught. He quietly left Europe.
Blackjack Hall of Fame
In the following months, casinos banned Daryl based on suspicion, though they lacked concrete evidence. Daryl decided to never return to casinos, content with the money he had made. In 2010, Daryl was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame for his innovative and successful cheating methods.
Life After Cheating
After leaving casinos, Daryl formed a band and performed across America, his past as a casino scammer unknown to his audience.
