Dana White's Passion for Blackjack: Inside the UFC President's Gambling Love
Dana White's Passion for Blackjack: Inside the UFC Pr...
By Jason Bolton August 23, 2024 13:28
Dana White, the boisterous president of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), is a name that resonates with him and his charming aura even amidst this age. And while White has aged, one passion of his continues to boil with a fiery intensity of blackjack. This high-stakes hobby has weaved itself so seamlessly into White's life that it even plays a role in his public persona and business enterprises.
In any case, White's love of blackjack began in the early 2000s when he took money from his pocket after purchasing UFC with the Fertitta brothers. White had been living in Las Vegas long enough to be familiar with the appeal of casinos. But blackjack was what really piqued his interest and caused his love of gambling to flourish along with his moonlit career in this world.
In an interview with Grantland, he mused, "I have always loved the strategy and psychology of blackjack. So it's not just an arbitrary luck thing. There's some genuine know-how to this process if you have a clue." This deep understanding of the game's nuances reflects a traditional White approach in business, with calculated risks and strategic thinking being the chief ingredients behind his success.
The High-Roller Lifestyle
Through the initial blow-up of the UFC, White's fortune also grew with it. In Vegas, he gained something of a reputation as a big-time gambler thanks to his go-big-or-go-home attitude. According to reports, he is known for regularly playing hands of $25k or higher, and it's not uncommon for him to bet $100K in one hand.
His blackjack play is the kind of stuff that legends are made of in Las Vegas. He's been spotted at the high-limit tables of some of the city's most exclusive casinos, often for hours. Among the storylines that White will forever be tethered to, is the one about him winning $7 million in a night from Palms Casino Resort.
White used to joke with the press, "I'm a degenerate gambler," but I'm good at it." His self-humor tone hides a very professional outlook toward the game. White has been known to study blackjack strategy and use card counting techniques, such as what some MIT students did 30-plus years ago. But White insists that is a thing of the past.
White Makes a Plan to Play Blackjack
Whereas most people view gambling as luck, White treats blackjack with the same approach that characterizes his business strategies. Advanced techniques such as splitting and double down are his calling cards, and he knows more than a little about when to hit or stand based on what shows on the dealer's up card.
John Mehaffey, a pro gambler and casino game expert, says, "Dana's not just throwing money around. He's a numbers guy and makes calculated moves. This is why he can continue to perform so highly."
White has also stressed the significance of bankroll management, even for a high-roller like himself. He is known for stipulating that his gaming sessions end after a certain amount of time or when he has won a predetermined sum. His disciplined style of action probably has something to do with his ability to stay in high-stakes games for so long.
White's hobby has also spilled over into his occupation as UFC president at times, excitingly enough. In 2012, the Palms Casino Resort ruled that White could no longer play blackjack at their casino since he was continually beating them. But as a result, White slammed the door on them taking place at Palms ever again, further proof that he does let his gambling desires affect business calls.
But White has also used his gambling infamy to help the UFC. He entered celebrity poker and blackjack competitions, giving him the promotional outlet he needed to help bolster UFC events. White even held a blackjack tournament for UFC fans in 2023, marrying his game love with fan engagement efforts.
The Psychological Appeal
More than that, though, for White, blackjack is about money but also magic. But those who do not know White often suggest the game provides as much of a thrill for him almost every night as he gets in the high-pressure business environment that his world-fight promotion offers. "Dana lives for that pressure and making these decisions," says Lorenzo Fertitta, the former UFC co-owner who has been close with White since high school. "Blackjack, for him, is that same thrill, but it allows you to test his ability and judgment in an environment where he knows the rules."
It seems to strike a powerful psychological chord with White. He has talked in the past about how thrilling it can be to close a high-stakes deal with just seconds on the clock, likening it to closing major UFC sponsorship deals or stepping into the cage for fight night.
Controversy and Criticism
Of course, White's infamous gambling habits have not been without cause for controversy. Critics maintain it's irresponsible for him to be so candid about his high-stakes gambling, especially with most UFC fans on the young side. Others have also noted that his betting habits could create gaps for the sport to be fixed.
So what Lies Next for White's Blackjack Addiction?
Blackjack figures to remain a major part of White's life in the future, but, moving forward, he'll also have his UFC hat on quite often as it tries to expand its brand. Others have held out for him to apply his gambling knowledge in a more literal sense, either by buying up casino properties or creating other types of wagering enterprises.
Summary: Not Quite A Game
Dana White's love of blackjack is a revealing snapshot into the mind of one of the sport's most powerful and polarizing figures. While it may have started as a simple hobby, White's blackjack forays appear to encompass much of what has led him to succeed in business strategic thinking, risk management, and fierce competitiveness.
Some may ask whether it's the right move to gamble so much, but there is no denying that blackjack has become integral to White. A passion that speaks to his big personality and reflects the man who goes all out in business or at the cards table.
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