Ready to hear insane gambling stories? We’re talking about the kind of tales that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering how they could possibly be true. Well, we’ve got some doozies for you. From big wins to weird stories and wild nights in Vegas.
These stories will take you on a wild ride through the gambling world. So grab a drink, sit back, and prepare to read some bizarre stories.
Double or Nothing
Ashley Revell is a famous English entrepreneur who gained fame for his incredible gambling story in Las Vegas in 2004. He sold all his possessions, including his clothes, and bet his entire net worth of £76,840 (about £105,400 or $164,286 today) on a single spin of a roulette wheel at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event occurred on April 11, 2004, and Ashley’s incredible gamble paid off as the roulette ball landed on red, doubling his money in seconds.
Revell’s journey to risking his life savings in Vegas began over drinks in a pub with friends, per his own admission. He decided to take the risk after contemplating his life’s purpose and realizing that he wanted to do something memorable and meaningful with his life. His unique gambling story made him famous overnight. He changed his name by deed poll to “Ashley Blue Square Revell” after a famous UK bookmaker company as part of a sponsorship deal.
Michael Jordan Can Bet on Anything!
Michael Jordan is famous for his legendary basketball career, but many do not know about his love for gambling. Jordan has gotten himself in several high-profile gambling incidents throughout his life, some of which have been scrutinized and criticized.
The most infamous story of Jordan’s gambling habit is when he was called in front of a jury in 1992 to discuss a $57,000 personal check endorsed to James “Slim” Bouler, a known golf hustler and drug dealer. Jordan had denied knowing Bouler was a drug dealer but later admitted that he had made a judgment mistake and had been trying to help a friend.
Despite the scrutiny, Jordan has always maintained that he doesn’t have a gambling problem but rather a competition problem. In an interview with Ahmad Rashad, he said, “I don’t have a gambling problem. I have a competition problem.”
ESPN’s documentary “The Last Dance,” also highlighted Jordan’s gambling habit. Jordan’s former teammates and friends revealed that Jordan loved to bet on everything, from golf to card games to coin tosses. His former coach, Phil Jackson, even recalled Jordan betting on which luggage would first arrive at the airport.
FedEx Came From Gambling
This is our pick for the most insane gambling stories ever. Frederick W. Smith is the founder of FedEx, one of the largest courier companies in the world. However, he also has a notable gambling story from his past.
In the 1970s, when Smith was trying to get FedEx off the ground, he struggled to keep the company afloat. He had invested most of his inheritance, taken out loans, and raised venture capital, but it was still insufficient to cover the company’s expenses. In fact, at one point, FedEx was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Desperate for a solution, Smith decided to try his luck at gambling. He took the last $5,000 in the company’s bank account and flew to Las Vegas, where he played blackjack for the weekend. He turned the $5,000 into $27,000, which he used to keep the company going for a few more days.
However, this was only a temporary fix, and Smith knew he needed to develop a more sustainable solution. He flew back to Memphis, where FedEx was headquartered, and had a meeting with his team. He explained his gambling escapade and shared his new idea to approach General Dynamics, a military contractor who recently lost a bid for a government contract. Smith proposed that FedEx could take over General Dynamics’ unused planes and facilities and use them to expand its delivery network. The team was skeptical, but Smith was convinced it was the right move.
The Million Dollar Gambler
Akio Kashiwagi was a Japanese businessman and high-stakes gambler. He made a name for himself in the casinos of Las Vegas in the 1980s. He was known for his fearless betting strategy and willingness to risk millions of dollars on a single hand of baccarat or blackjack.
Kashiwagi made his fortune in real estate and trading, using his wealth to fuel his passion for gambling. He was a regular at the high-stakes tables in casinos around the world. He would bet millions of dollars in a single session.
In one famous incident, Kashiwagi arrived at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City with $12 million in cash, ready to take on the casino’s top players. He played for three days straight, betting up to $200,000 per hand. At one point, he was up over $6 million.
But things took a turn for the worse on the final day of the game. Kashiwagi had lost several hands in a row and became frustrated and reckless. He began to make impulsive bets and take unnecessary risks. He quickly lost all of his winnings.
By the end of the game, Kashiwagi was down $10 million, a staggering sum of money even for a man of his wealth. He left the casino in defeat, but he was undeterred. He continued to gamble at high-stakes tables worldwide and even set up his own casino in Australia.
Sadly, Kashiwagi’s gambling career came to a tragic end in 1992. He died in his home in Japan. He had been brutally murdered, and his killer was never caught. Some speculated that his gambling debts may have played a role in his death, but the truth remains a mystery.
In Conclusion
While some of these stories are inspiring, others had a tragic end. Regardless of the outcome, these gambling stories are fascinating and remind us that life is full of risks, but it’s up to us to decide whether or not to take them.
