We’ve all pushed our luck at one point or another, but not to the extent Ashley Revell did.
Back in 2004, the British man tempted fate by selling his home, car, and even his clothes so he could gamble with his life savings in Las Vegas.
If that weren’t enough, the heart-stopping moment was even filmed as part of a Sky TV show.
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While most of us would never risk so much on a single roulette bet, Revell, then 32, committed an insane amount to the audacious gamble.
Originally from London, Revell spent the months prior to his big blowout selling his possessions at car boot sales and auctions.
In fact, he was so committed to cashing in his chips that he even secured backing from an online bookies and changed his name by deed poll to 'Ashley Blue Square Revell'.
Upon arriving in Sin City, Revell made his way to the Plaza Hotel & Casino with around £76,840 (US$135,300) in his pocket.
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To amp up the pressure (not that he needed it), Sky even filmed the incredible moment for a reality show, Double or Nothing, with viewers urging him to back black on the night.
Under the watchful eyes of those in the venue and viewers back at home, Revell made the biggest gamble of his life on a single roulette wheel and chose red.
Fate was on his side though, with Revell doubling his prize fund and walked away with a staggering £153,680 ($270,600) - all thanks to the split-second decision.
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In a later interview with CNN, the Londoner revealed just how close he’d come to ruin.
“I was seconds away from losing all I had. I sold everything of value that I owned to fund this crazy bet,” Revell admitted, adding: “I could have left Las Vegas with nothing more than the hired tuxedo I was wearing.”
The rest of his life wasn’t so lucky though, as Revell set up his company, Poker UTD, which shortly folded.
He then used the rest of his funds on an extensive motorbike ride across Europe, not knowing what fate would have in store for him.
The 32-year-old went on to meet his wife during the trip and would eventually set up a URL shorting service in 2022.
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Maybe, Revell did have luck on his side after all?
Katherine Sidnell