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A man bet his entire life savings on a single spin of a roulette wheel – and won. Ashley Revell did what most would never dare. He sold every possession he had, from his house to his clothes, and took $97,500 to Las Vegas to make a life-changing gamble at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. What made it even more dramatic? He did it all on a reality TV show, “Double or Nothing,” broadcast on Sky One.
The tension built as viewers were asked to vote on whether Revell should bet on red or black. “It was just… pleading that I’d pick[ed] it and that it would come in red,” Revell shared with CNN, describing the moment before the spin.
In 2004, Ashley Revell placed sold all his possessions & put his entire net worth of $135,300 on red at the Plaza Hotel & Casino
The ball landed on Red 7, doubling his money to $270,600
Revell's bold gamble has since become a legendary story in gambling history pic.twitter.com/MfOFpoQQZt
— Monkey Tilt (@MonkeyTiltPlay) August 14, 2024
Initially, Revell had considered betting on black, but in a last-minute change, influenced by the viewers’ vote, he decided to bet on red. “Before I actually walked up to the wheel, I was thinking about putting it on black, and then suddenly the guy was spinning the ball around and all the Sky viewers said … they [had] voted that I should put it on red,” he explained. With everything he owned on the line, his mind raced with the thought of disappointing his parents, family, and friends if he lost.
His father, understandably, had been completely against the idea. He even called Revell a “naughty” and “bad boy” for even considering such a risky move. Revell reflected, “So, you know, I think most all dads are just concerned, and he’s seeing all my friends being married off and having kids and stuff, and he’s like any father, he just wants me to settle down and make sure I’m secure.”
Ashley Revell just bet the celebratory first bet on our brand new Single Zero Roulette table! The only one in Downtown Las Vegas! He bet $7,000! Watch to see if he wins or not! #PlazaLV #Vegas #Roulette #SingleZeroRoulette pic.twitter.com/HoN3DDxIei
— Plaza Hotel Casino (@PlazaLasVegas) November 3, 2019
Despite the overwhelming pressure, Revell’s luck paid off in spectacular fashion. As the ball landed on red, he doubled his money, walking away with $195,000. The crowd erupted, and Revell became a global sensation almost instantly. His daring gamble became so famous that it even inspired a new reality show, “Red or Black.” After his win, Revell was greeted by his family, who celebrated with him, champagne in hand.
“It was just wicked. I can’t describe my feelings going through that. It has just been a complete sort of roller coaster ride. First, it’s on, then it’s off,” Revell said, reflecting on his emotional journey from uncertainty to victory.
In the wake of his win, Revell used part of his new fortune to embark on a cross-Europe motorcycle trip, which turned out to be more than just an adventure – it’s where he met his future wife. His life after the big gamble wasn’t just about the thrill of the win, though. Revell remained deeply connected to the gambling world, starting his own online poker site, pokerutd.com. However, that venture eventually closed down for reasons that remain unclear.
Years later, Revell returned to Las Vegas to revisit the site of his legendary bet. The hotel commemorated his win with a new roulette table and handed out promotional chips to players in celebration of Revell’s unforgettable gamble.
In the end, Revell’s life changed not only because of his bold bet but also because of the experiences it led to. From a whirlwind victory to new business ventures and a life-altering love story, his journey serves as a reminder that, sometimes, taking the biggest risks can lead to the greatest rewards.
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