A Hoosier State poker player visiting Las Vegas, Nevada scored a major jackpot on Thursday, May 29, after landing a royal flush at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, according to the casino.
Key takeaways
- An Indiana gambler hit a rare royal flush at Planet Hollywood, winning a $128,774 jackpot instantly.
- Odds of hitting a royal flush in Mississippi Stud are around 1 in 649,740.
- Las Vegas continues a streak of big wins, including jackpots at Harry Reid International Airport and other venues.
The guest was seated at a Mississippi Stud poker table for over an hour before hitting poker's top possible hand — a royal flush made of an ace, king, queen, jack, and 10 of the same suit. The payout totaled $128,774, and the casino awarded it instantly after dealing the rare hand.
A royal flush is considered the game's most elusive hand and comes with steep odds. According to game statistics, the chance of hitting a royal flush in Mississippi Stud is approximately 1 in 649,740.
Unlike traditional poker, where players compete against each other, Mississippi Stud is a house-banked table game where players are paid based on a payout table.
The win is one of several notable jackpots reported in Vegas recently, with a lucky player winning over $1 million on a $2 spin at Circa Resort & Casino.
On Monday, May 27, another traveler had a life-changing moment — not inside a casino, but at Harry Reid International Airport. The guest played a "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine located near the D Gates and hit a $1,816,404.94 jackpot, according to the airport's official Facebook post. After placing a bet and spinning the reels, the symbols aligned, triggering the million-dollar payout.
Vegas continues to pay big, despite declining visits
A California resident won $416,949 in a separate big win while playing a "Wheel of Fortune" Gold Spin slot machine at the Fremont Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas on Friday, May 23. The player placed a $1.75 bet, activated the Gold Spin bonus, and watched as the machine awarded the six-figure jackpot. The casino confirmed the win in a news release.
Royal flush jackpots are rare but not unprecedented in Sin City. In January 2021, Red Rock Casino, operated by Station Casinos, reported two of its gamblers hit royal flush jackpots within hours of each other.
Both occurred on the same day, January 15, making headlines in local gaming news due to the statistical improbability. The chances of one royal flush hitting are just 1 in 649,740.
Planet Hollywood is one of several Caesars Entertainment properties located on the Vegas Strip. The casino floor features a range of table games and over 1,000 slot machines.
Yet, despite big payouts in recent months, Sin City has experienced a steady decline in tourist numbers. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported a 12% year-over-year drop in February numbers, a 7.8% decline in March, and a 5.1% decrease in April.
Rising costs due to inflation appear to be an outlier for Vegas’ drop in visitors.
