The Most Ridiculous Casino Bets

While the vast majority of casino patrons are completely satisfied grinding away at the blackjack tables, a specific breed of gambler craves something much more extreme.


From extreme weight loss challenges to living in absolute isolation, the history of gambling is littered with tales of these ridiculous, high-stakes bets.

A Month in the Dark

One of the most famous and psychologically terrifying prop bets in poker history involved the wealthy professional player Rich Alati.


Incredibly, after 20 grueling days in absolute darkness, the opposing bettor realized Alati was not breaking and negotiated an early buyout, paying Alati $62,400 to end the terrifying bet.

Many prop bets center around rapid, extreme weight loss or unhealthy weight gainGolf course prop bets often involve massive sums wagered on a single, impossible puttThese wagers prove that for some, the adrenaline of the risk is vastly more important than money
The Extreme Weight Loss (and Gain) Bets

The most famous example involves poker legends Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan, and the notoriously overweight gambler Ted Forrest.


Shockingly, Forrest hit the exact target weight on the final day, looking completely emaciated but winning the massive $2 million prize.

The Most Bizarre Bet in History

Perhaps the absolute most ridiculous and permanently life-altering prop bet ever recorded belongs to a magician and high-stakes gambler named Brian Zembic.


Zembic, utterly fearless and lacking any shame, immediately found a cosmetic surgeon who agreed to perform the bizarre operation.

The GamblerThe Ridiculous BetThe Massive StakesRich Alati30 Days in a Pitch-Black Bathroom$100,000Ted ForrestExtreme Rapid Weight Loss (Under 138lbs)$2,000,000

These unbelievable tales perfectly illustrate the extreme, almost incomprehensible psychology of the professional gambler.