This old acquaintance won't be forgotten anytime soon.
As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, one lucky player at Gila River Resorts & Casino – Vee Quiva had more than just the arrival of the new year to celebrate.
An incredible $524,259 jackpot was hit, marking one of the top 10 table-game wins in the property’s history.
The winner wishes to remain anonymous, but the casino posted a picture of the winning hand on its Facebook page.
The jackpot came from an Ultra-level table games progressive, a type of jackpot shared across Gila River Resorts.
Unlike those found in standalone poker room promotions, this jackpot was part of a larger network, allowing for some pretty impressive payouts. Specifically, this win involved a special side bet called the Jackpot Party, which is tied to a community-style poker game.
This win took us back to October when two lucky players each walked away with poker progressive jackpots that totaled almost $1 million. And the Pai Gow Poker jackpot landed another man more than $300,000.
What Triggered The Winning Hand?
But back to the big win at Gila River Resort Casino on New Year's Eve. The pivotal moment came when a royal flush was hit.
Now, a royal flush is the best hand you can get in poker, and in this case, it was a spade royal flush. The flush was formed using the dealer’s ace and king, and the player's queen and jack, showing a community-style play in which the house played a role in completing the hand.
This setup is part of what makes these kinds of jackpots both thrilling and complicated. The odds of hitting one are roughly 1 in 650,000.
With progressive jackpots, payouts can vary based on how the winning hand is configured.
Here, the royal flush hit unlocked 50% of the Ultra meter, which explains why the payout was $524,259 instead of the full jackpot amount.
The system rewards players based on hand strength, offering a unique twist to traditional table games.
A History of Wins at Gila River Resort and Casino
Gila River Resorts and Casino, which includes properties like Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte in addition to Vee Quiva, is no stranger to big wins.
Their multi-level progressive systems allow jackpots to reach impressive heights, oftentimes climbing into the mid-to-high six-figure range. While this New Year’s Eve win isn't the largest the casino has seen, it certainly adds a memorable highlight to their history of significant table-game payouts.
This incredible win at Vee Quiva was more than just a stroke of luck; it was the culmination of exciting game dynamics and clever play. It's events like these that make Gila River Resorts and Casino a thrilling destination for poker players and gaming enthusiasts alike.
Here's to more big wins in the future and a prosperous year ahead for all players. Just remember that if you do decide to play, always exhibit responsible gambling habits.
