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People bet on almost anything—sports, elections, even the weather. But some gamblers take it to the next level, placing bizarre bets that seem almost too crazy to be real. Here are some of the strangest wagers in history that led to shocking wins and devastating losses.
In 2004, Ashley Revell, a British gambler, decided to risk everything he owned on a single spin of the roulette wheel. He sold his house, car, clothes—everything—and went to Las Vegas with $135,300. He placed it all on red. The ball landed on Red 7, doubling his money to $270,600. He wisely took the winnings and never made another crazy bet again.
In 2007, wealthy businessman and poker player Antonio Esfandiari took part in one of the highest-stakes coin flips ever. He and another gambler, Andrew Robl, agreed to flip a coin for $1 million. No skill, no strategy—just pure luck. Esfandiari lost the toss and walked away a million dollars poorer.
In 1980, British bookmaker William Hill accepted a bet from a man who wagered £10 that before the year 2000, a meteorite would hit Earth and cause catastrophic damage. The odds? 5,000 to 1. Fortunately for humanity (and unfortunately for the bettor), the Earth survived, and he lost his money.
In 1876, Wild Bill Hickok, a famous gunslinger and gambler, sat down for a poker game in Deadwood, South Dakota. Despite being warned that the town was dangerous, he ignored the advice. During the game, he was shot in the back of the head by a drifter. His poker hand—two black aces and two black eights—became known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.”
Frenchman Michel Lotito, also known as “Monsieur Mangetout” (Mr. Eat Everything), was famous for eating metal, glass, and even an entire airplane. In the 1980s, he reportedly accepted a bet that he could eat a Cessna 150 aircraft. He did it—over two years, by grinding the plane into small pieces and consuming it with meals. He won the bet, proving that some wagers go far beyond the casino.
