It is not ideal to make an all-in with a one-pot game because its just an all-or-nothing game and we know the possible odds with the game mostly with this kind of game, at the end get the courage and make a risky still decision of the player to make it with this large amount it will really test your friendship if you will make it continue or not well if you decision will become tough because its a battle against friendship vs the money situation and trust is really the big deal.
I think that was the motto of most gambler. It is better for them to go home empty than winning only small amounts so they just bet huge and accept if it's a loss. There is no need for them to stay longer inside the casino because they will do other important things. In the story it is said that the bettor is winning but the wins are cut off because of a concerned friend but I don't really know if he is truly concerned or he is only tripping.
This is disappointing in the side of the bettor and incidents like this can potentially end a friendship. I know it sounds selfish and inappropriate but there are really people who can value the money more than anything else.
I do agree that it wouldn't be an easy thing to "accept", it's something you just have to live with, what are you going to do put a gun to their heads and ask for the money? You just have to move on, but emotionally you would be damaged afterwards even if you just carry on with your life.
You will live all your life thinking what would have happened if you just hold it, or kept looking at it and not allow your friend to do something like that and so forth. I mean even in the USA that type of money is a lot.
If you bought a house for about 80k, that house would generate at least 700-800 dollar rent, probably a bit more but lets take the taxes out, that means you could have bought 4 houses with that money, which means about 3-4k income give or take per month, making it about 35-50k range per year, after taxes, that's insanely good income if you also have a job, that means you will life a very comfortable life.