KING OF GAMBLERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20280, 14 April 1934, Page 17 (Supplement)

KING OF GAMBLERS.

Silent Man Who is Known as Human Bank. VICIIOLAS ZO-GRAPHOS the Greek King of Baccarat—was in London recently with four members of his gaming syndicate. The stream of inquirers who call at his hotel do not see M. Zo-graphos, says the special representative of the ‘ Daily Express.” The Gaming King pleads his ignorance of English and is never on view. Instead they are met by his chief lieutenant, M. Jacques Ehrlich, who answers all questions. I sent the man of mystery a little note in French recently. True to form he sent down Jacques Ehrlich. “ Understand,” said the chief lieutenant, “ Zo-graphos never speaks to any one. He is the silent Baccarat Bank. Call him a Sphinx if you will. Many have done so. "But I tell you he is merely simple, honest, good, and straightforward. To these qualities he owes his success as a gambler. “ People like to play with a man they can trust, and for thirty years now he has led the Zo-graphos Syndicate, who tour from casino to casino in France. “ The game is between the punters and the bank. It is played until the bank is either broken or the punters are beaten out. “ The French are a nation of gamblers, and among them the good name and credit of Zo-graphos are as firm as the national bank. It is a pity that these hard times have killed gambling in France.” “ Is that why you have come to England?” I asked. “ All, non, non, NON,” he burst forth. “ Gambling is against the law in England. C’est defendu. Absolument” “ We have come to get clothes,” he said, exhibiting his Bond Street tie and Savile Row grey suit. “ And to see, our English friends.” k He kissed my hand, clicked his heels,/ and was gone. A gambler of charm. ]