The billionaire owner of Newcastle United has won
£1.3million on the single spin of a roulette wheel. High-rolling
Mike Ashley collected the windfall after betting a total of
£480,000 on his lucky number, black 17 – the same number favoured
by James Bond.
The maverick retail tycoon placed bets on every combination that
included 17 – such as the wheel stopping on black, odd and a number
between 1 and 18 – in a complex bet known as a "complete". As the
chips piled up before the spin, fellow punters in the luxurious 50
London casino in St James Street, Mayfair, where 45-year-old Mr
Ashley is a regular, gathered around the table.
Divorcee Mr Ashley watched impassively as the roulette wheel
turned. As the ball dropped into slot 17, the expectant crowd broke
out into loud applause. Mr Ashley calmly looked up at the croupier
and said: "That'll do me, thanks very much," and walked off with
his winnings. He had spent just 15 minutes at the table.
One onlooker said: "Mike's a regular at the casino. He'd come
along with a group of male friends and placed what's known as a
complete bet on 17. His chips surrounded the number in every
possible combination, and when he won the crowd went wild and
clapped and cheered. Everyone loves a winner."
Soon afterwards, Mr Ashley, who jealously guards his privacy,
left the casino, which dates from 1827 and charges £650 a year
membership, with his winnings. The number 17 is said to be one of
the most common bets in roulette as it lies in the exact centre of
the table. Mr Ashley placed a house maximum of £2,000 on the number
17, which won him £70,000 at odds of 35-1.
The rest of his winnings came from the complex "complete" bet,
which is generally not advised by gamblers as it is tantamount to
"putting all your eggs in one basket". One London casino source
said:
"This gentleman certainly knows his roulette, and left no stone
unturned when he played."
...and here's how he did it
First, he bet the house maximum £2,000 on the single No 17. At
odds of 35-1, it paid out £70,000.
Then he placed £4,000 on each of the four 'splits': that
the number would be either 17 or the number immediately adjacent –
14, 16, 18 or 20. A total bet of £16,000 at odds of 17-1 means a
win of £272,000.
He placed £8,000 on each of the four 'corner' bets – groups of
four numbers including 17. A total bet of £32,000 at odds of 8-1,
winning £256,000.
A 'street' bet that the number would be 16, 17, or 18.
His £6,000 bet at 11-1 nets £66,000.
Two £12,000 bets that the number would be between 13 and 18, or
16 and 21. A £24,000 stake at 5-1 yields £120,000. £100,000 on each
of the even-money bets: black, odd and between 1 and 18. £300,000
staked, £300,000 won.
£50,000 on each of the two 2-1 bets: the middle column
on the table and the middle dozen numbers, 13 to 24. Total stake:
£100,000. Total win: £200,000.
TOTAL BET: £480,000 TOTAL WIN: £1,284,000
