One of the best games for players to press their luck is roulette. Londoner Ashley Revell pressed his luck at the roulette wheel as far as anyone could. He sold all of his possessions for US$135,000 and bet it all on “red” at Las Vegas’ Plaza Hotel. When the ball landed on “red 7”, he doubled his money in less than a minute.
From spinning wheels to roaring crowds, the Super Bowl is the biggest day every year for Las Vegas, both in and out of the sports book. The biggest win ever recorded on a Super Bowl bet was paid to Las Vegas casino owner and entrepreneur Bob Stupak. He bet US$1 million on the Cincinnati Bengals to stay within seven points of the powerhouse San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XXIII. Final score: San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16. Legend has it that Stupak carried out his US$2 million winnings in paper bags from a local McDonald’s restaurant.
While poker players pride themselves on the skill, intellect and clear thinking that often leads to success at the game, a little luck always helps. During the 2009 World Series of Poker, American Justin Phillips called the all-in river bet of Japanese player Moriyuki Mabuchi. Phillips held a king and a jack, both diamonds, while Mabuchi showed two black aces. The board was (Ah 9c Qd)(10d)(Ad). Mabuchi had four aces, but lost to Phillips’ runner-runner royal flush in what has become the definition of a “bad beat”.