Sam Angel, a colorful character known as the “Suitcase,” launched himself into the Vegas limelight in the 1950s. We don’t know that much about his early life, aside from that he served in World War II. But once he stepped onto the Vegas scene, the arc of his remarkable life becomes quite clear.

Sam Angel was hired as a driver by Nick “The Greek” Dandalos, a legendary high-roller, which gave Sam his entry into the world of high-stakes poker. Angel began to gain his reputation as a poker player by the 1960s. And as his reputation grew, he began to sit in on some of the town’s biggest games.

Most of Sam Angel’s fame was gained by playing razz. He won two gold bracelets and made four finals tables during his razz career. He also had a passion for duece to seven lowball and no limit Texas Hold’em.

Sam Angel picked up the nickname “The Suitcase” as a result of his carrying around a suitcase full of jewelry everywhere he went. Where ever the hottest action was happening, you’d see Sam Angel popping open his suitcase for all to see. He was graced not only with exceptional poker skills but also with excellent sales ability. This unique combination of skills allowed him to build his fortune. He also hosted hundreds of folks for his parties.

Sam Angel’s nickname was earned because of the suitcase full of jewelry that he carried everywhere. He would open the suitcase wherever the hottest action in gambling happened to be. His exceptional sales abilities and personality of a winner helped him build his fortune by selling to gamblers the jewelry he had brought along. He was also known to hold parties that hosted hundreds of people.

Sams downfall can be attributed to three things. He was an alcoholic who began drinking at noon. Even after his doctor warned him drinking would kill him, he could not resist down Heinekens and Seagrams V.O. Canadian Whiskey. And, when he drank, he had a bad temper. The charismatic salesman was loved by many, but his temper also made him many enemies.

His third downfall was actually and ironically due to the wealth and fame that his legitimate sales of jewelry earned. Over the course of his life, Angel was robbed (by estimate) over 130 times. That attrition due to theft in combination with the extravagance of his lifestyle slowly depleted his assets.

With his wealth diminishing his poker began to suffer. If Angel lost his ability to join in a game of high-stakes poker, he would not play poker at all. Angel’s personality could fill a room, in spite of his diminutive height of just a hint over 5 feet, and his mark on poker’s history in Vegas is undeniable.