Betting $135,300 Life Savings On a Single Roulette Spin - The True Story

Have you ever had the desire to bet everything on a single flip of the coin, turn of the cards, spin of the roulette wheel or throw of the dice? I think all of us gamblers at one time or another have experienced the thought process that goes along with risking everything for a life-changing payday. But generally, cooler minds prevail, and we stick to our regular betting patterns and tendencies. However, there are those gamblers who do indeed take the ultimate plunge, and Ashley Revell is one of them.

Ignoring friends, family members and even casino personnel who tried to dissuade him from gambling his life savings on a single spin of the roulette wheel, a nervous and excited Mr. Revell in early April of 2004 stood ready to make the bet of a lifetime. Wearing a rented tuxedo (he had sold all of his clothing) and standing in front of a roped off roulette table at the Las Vegas, Nevada Plaza Hotel and Casino, Ashley Revell assembled the chips which reflected the monetary value of everything he had owned up to that point in his life.

The young man had sold his house, his vehicle and even every bit of significant piece of clothing he could manage to build up his single spin bankroll. Telling friends he was ready for a new start, he then contacted an un-named casino in Las Vegas which said they would honor his bet. They pulled out after a few days, leaving Ashley wondering if this was a sign he should stop this foolishness. However, he eventually got the Plaza to accept his massive and unprecedented roulette wager, television crews and news reporters were contacted, and the big date was set up.

With his life savings totaling $135,300 and sitting in a meager pile of high denomination chips in front of him, the 32 year old Revell is asked multiple times by the casino manager if this is indeed what he wants to do. He is then clearly told exactly what is going to happen, and given yet another chance to pull out. Finally confirming that he is completely happy to make the staggering bet, the roulette dealer then asks him what his wager will be. Unsure how to risk his life savings, the smiling but obviously nervous young man asks the crowd for help, and they begin yelling out possibilities.

As soon as the ball is spun, Ashley lunges forward decisively and pushes his two short stacks representing $135,300 forward, saying just one word ... red. What took only a few seconds must have seemed to last forever for the risky gambler, but when the ball bobbled around the wheel and fell it landed in the lucky #7 slot, which just happens to be red. His stake instantly became $270,600, and number seven was definitely lucky for this aggressive young gambler from the UK. Asked what his next move would be, Mr. Revell stated he was using the money to start his own online poker site. Do you have the ice in your veins required to make such a single spin roulette wager?