Thanks to its spinning wheel and suspenseful ball trip, roulette has captivated gamblers for centuries. However, its main attraction lies in the chance to defy the odds and turn a modest bet into a fortune while your heart pounds as the wheel spins. As such, in the UK, where gambling has a rich history, several individuals have taken a chance and etched their names into casino legend through extraordinary wins. These records may be the result of audacity, strategy, sheer luck, or all three.
From the daring Ashley Revell, who bet his entire net worth on a single spin, to the astute Joseph Jagger, who exploited a biased wheel, these tales encourage all enthusiasts to play live roulette, as luck can smile on anyone.
Highlighting Four Famous Wins We Can’t Forget
Numerous players have recorded famous wins through roulette in the United Kingdom. However, some of these victories have better backstories than others, meaning they live rent-free in our heads. Who are these people; can you remember them? We’ll take a trip down memory below.
Ashley Revell
Revell’s story is one of the most daring among gamblers. In 2004, the Englishman sold everything he owned, including his clothes, and travelled to Las Vegas with a single goal: to risk it all on a single roulette spin. With an audience watching, he placed a bet of $135,000 on red at the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
As the wheel spun and the ball travelled, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. The ball finally landed on Red 7, doubling Revell’s money to $270,600. This unbelievable moment was captured on film and inspired a reality TV show.
Chris Boyd
Over three years, Boyd—a computer programmer—saved up $220,000 for one massive roulette stake. His search for a casino willing to take his bet ended at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Vegas. They even agreed to remove the ‘00’ from the wheel to give him better odds.
Boyd placed his entire savings on red, and the rest is history, as the ball did stop at Red 7, earning him a $220,000 win. After his win, Boyd asked the house to lock up his winnings to resist the temptation of betting again, and he repeatedly never placed another.
Joseph Jagger
Jagger was an English engineer who cemented his name in casino lore by an unusual means. His story isn’t about a brilliant strategy or fortune smiling; rather, it was a keen observation to observe and exploit a flaw.
Jagger was working at a casino in 1873, when he realised that one of the wheels had a bias towards specific numbers, so they appeared more frequently: 7,8,9,17,18,19,22,28, and 29. Knowing this, he spread his wagers and beat the system without getting caught for several days. His accumulated wins totalled about 2 million francs, earning him the name ‘the man who broke Monte Carlo.’
Mike Ashley
Mike Ashley is currently the billionaire owner of Newcastle United. While his business acumen is well-known, he also has a history with roulette. In 2008, Ashley visited the Fifty St James Casino in Mayfair and placed a complete stake centred around his favourite number, 17.
Ashley’s bets totalled £480,000, covering every possible combination involving 17. As fate would have it, the ball settled on 17, yielding a staggering £1.3 million. This strategy of betting on multiple combos on a number and exiting right after the win is a classic ‘hit-and-run’ move by high rollers.
Spin the Roulette Wheel Today
Roulette invites dreamers and daredevils to test their luck and mettle on its unpredictable wheel. It’s a world where everyone can taste victory, no matter how fleeting. So, if you’re undecided, come spin and let the chips fall where they may. However, never throw caution to the wind as you play; always gamble responsibly.
