Roy Lee Walford
Childhood
Roy Lee Walford was born on June 29, 1924. He pursued his medical education at the University of Chicago, where he received his medical degree in 1948. Prior to completing his education, Walford would have an extraordinary gambling adventure that would later become part of casino folklore.
Career
Gambling Achievement
In 1947, while still a medical student on vacation, Roy Walford and his friend Albert Hibbs, a mathematics graduate student, achieved what many gamblers only dream of—they "broke the bank" in Reno, Nevada. Using statistical analysis to identify biased roulette wheels, the pair meticulously tracked spin results and strategically placed bets on wheels they determined were unbalanced.
Their scientific approach to gambling proved remarkably successful. The casinos eventually recognized their strategy and asked them to leave. Different sources report their winnings ranging from $6,500 to $42,000—a substantial sum in the late 1940s. The higher figure is considered more likely, as Walford reportedly used his winnings to partially fund his medical education and purchase a house.
Career
Following his gambling success and medical education, Walford established himself as a respected scientific researcher:
- Intern at Gorgas Hospital, Panama (1948-1949)
- Resident at V.A. Medical Center in Los Angeles (1949-1951)
- Served in the US Air Force during the Korean War (1951-1953)
- Faculty member at the University of California at Los Angeles (1954-1991)
- Professor of Pathology at UCLA School of Medicine (1966-1991)
- Director of the Blood Bank and Hematology Division of Clinical Laboratories at UCLA (1959-1980)
- Director of the School of Medical Technology at UCLA (1962-1972)
- Chairman of the Vivarium Committee at UCLA (1965-1968)
- Crew member and physician for Biosphere 2 (1991-1993)
Personal life
Walford was married to Martha Sylvia Schwalb for 20 years before divorcing in the 1970s. He had three children: Peter, Morgan, and Lisa Walford. He passed away on April 27, 2004, at age 79, from respiratory failure as a complication of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Revenue
The precise amount of Walford's roulette winnings remains somewhat unclear, with sources citing between $6,500 and $42,000. What is known is how he spent these winnings:
- Partially funded his medical education
- Purchased a house
- Bought a yacht with Albert Hibbs
- Funded a year-long sailing adventure in the Caribbean
Interesting facts
Walford and Hibbs were featured in the December 8, 1947, issue of Life magazine, photographed drinking milk and counting their chips after their roulette success.
Their statistical methods for beating roulette were mentioned in the book "The Eudaemonic Pie" by Thomas Bass.
Unlike many successful gamblers who continue in the profession, Walford used his winnings as a springboard for his scientific career.
Walford received numerous scientific awards and honors, including having asteroid #4629 named after him by its discoverer in 1986.
While serving in Biosphere 2, Walford implemented his calorie-restricted diet when the crew couldn't grow enough food.
Legacy
Though Roy Walford is primarily remembered for his contributions to aging research, his early gambling success demonstrates the potential overlap between scientific analysis and gambling strategy. His approach to roulette represents one of the earliest well-documented cases of using mathematical and statistical analysis to gain an advantage in casino games—a practice that casinos now actively work to prevent.
Frequently asked Questions
Walford and his friend Albert Hibbs used statistical analysis to identify biased roulette wheels. They meticulously tracked the results of spins, determined which wheels had mechanical imperfections that created bias, and then placed strategic bets on those unbalanced wheels. This scientific approach allowed them to predict, with greater accuracy than chance, where the ball might land.
Sources vary on the exact amount, reporting between $6,500 and $42,000. The higher figure is considered more likely based on his subsequent purchases and investments, which included partially funding his medical education, buying a house, and purchasing a yacht.
There is no indication in the available information that Walford continued professional gambling after his Reno success. Instead, he focused on his medical career and scientific research.
When the casinos realized that Walford and Hibbs knew what they were doing and were systematically winning, they asked the pair to leave—a common practice known as "barring" skilled advantage players.
Yes, Walford's strategy was legal. They simply observed the wheels, tracked results, and made bets based on their observations. They did not physically tamper with the equipment or collude with casino employees. However, casinos have the right to refuse service to anyone they believe has an unfair advantage, so they were eventually asked to leave.
