Derren Brown fails to beat a casino

The famous illusionist, Derren Brown has failed in his latest trick: How to beat a casino. The illusionist placed £5,000 from a member of the audience and bet it on one number on the roulette wheel.

Derren placed the bet on number 8 and the ball stopped on number 30, which is right next to number 8. After losing the bet, Derren was heard apologising to the person over the hidden camera and then a crew member tells the person that they will give him his £5000 back.

Questions are now being asked if this was a staged event, did it even take place in a real casino, was the hidden camera staged, did he mean to lose? And even though the ball ended up next to the number he bet on, does this mean that he was close or it was just luck it even ended up near the number 8?

There is a great deal to be gained in terms of credibility from being seen to fail but at the same time, come very close.

It is a statement to the audience saying “look how honest I am, you expected me to get it right but I didn’t, however I didn’t hide the fact, have another go or not show the film. I failed in public”.

What would be the possible ramifications had he actually taken the house for £175,000?

It would have become known to the casino operators and who knows what possible legal ramifications or backlash may have ensued. It is certainly something to think about.