(one's) gamble pays off

One made a risky maneuver or decision that ended up being successful. A: "The client agreed to double their order after I told them that the original order wasn't big enough to justify our time." B: "Wow, looks like your gamble paid off. Lucky, too—if they had called your bluff, you'd be looking for another job right now!" The government is hoping that their legislative gamble pays off in the long run, otherwise they will suffer at the next election. Their gamble on that undrafted kid really paid off when he scored the championship-winning goal for them.