Collocations for gamble - noun

big, enormous, great, huge, major, massive
calculated
high-risk, risky (esp. AmE)
dangerous, reckless
desperate
It was time for a last desperate gamble.

bold
financial (esp. BrE), political

take
lose

pay off
I took a calculated gamble and it paid off.

fail

gamble on
Backpackers with a heavy load should resist taking a gamble on the weather.

a bit of a gamble, something of a gamble
Trying to find the right pension can be a bit of a gamble.