My Video Poker Story

[case]

I just got home from a long holiday that started in Florida January 10th and ended with 18 days in Las Vegas. A long time to spend in Vegas but we get free rooms and have enough comps for free food.

My wife and I were both in a slot tourney at the Gold Coast and we did terrible missing the money. She did manage a royal flush after the slot tourney though so that eased the pain. While we were staying downtown I hit a royal at the Cal on one of those dealt 4 to a royal that we all seem to miss but this time the right card popped up.

My final tournament was at Sams Town and was a video poker tourney. This is a story that will remain with me for life. You started with 1000 coins and played double double bonus. It was a 2 session total point event. After the first round I sat in 32nd place with 1050 points the leader had just over 1700. There were close to 200 people entered. The top 25 got into the money so I had some work to do.

So I draw machine 28 for the second round. I press my hands when ever I can trying to make something happen. Shortly after the start I am dealt 3,3,k,k,8. I throw the k,k,8 and just keep the 3,3. Full houses are nice but you don't get in the money with just that. I get lucky....really lucky and draw 3,3,2, for threes with the kicker and 800 credits. So it continues and later I get three 4s and draw the next one plus another kicker! I am now getting excited and see my won credits sit at over 2,000. I am in good shape so I go back to playing conservative trying to add to my total and what happens next....no not a royal, but I am dealt 4 aces PLUS the kicker for another 2,000 credits! Imagine getting dealt that at such a crucial time. Unbelievable to get three kicker hands in one round.

Never in my life have I had such a string of good hands. My score for the second round ends at over 4,300 and my two session total is over 5,400. It will now take a royal to beat me and then it might be close.

The banquet is later the afternoon so I would have to wait for the results. They start with 25 and go up. The 4th place person gets 500 dollars and has 2,770 points. So far so good. 3rd place gets 1,000 dollars and has 2,900 points. So I still don't know if anyone got a royal as they announce second place with 3,580 points good for 1,500 dollars. YA, I had won!! My total was almost 2,000 more points than the runner up. They then read my name and the tournament winner of 5,000 dollars! What a rush that was. I had placed in many tournaments but never won. I had drawn the golden machine and it was my time.

The win came on our second last day so the money was going home. I have been to Vegas more than 60 times and this was out longest stay ever and we brought home the most money ever. It was our time.

[Come Back Kid]

What a great story Case, congratulations!!!

[Tedlark]

Wow Case what a great story, I'm happy for both you and your wife. The one time I played in a video poker tournament was in Las Vegas and I managed to finish in 31st place and good for $100.00 cash. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to come in first place like you did.

Best of luck to you.

[alpax]

Outstanding story case and congrats to you and the Mrs. on the wins!

It was great that you were able to depict the details of the tournament session which I hear is fast paced to think about other things. I know you play mostly nickels or maybe quarters, but judging by the outcome of the tournament, it felt like Boyd Gaming let you freeroll at dollar denomination for a short time and you've capitalized with the premium quads coming at the right time!

It is worth remembering for as long as you may live, and hope that the $5000 (after Uncle Sam gets a cut) will allow you and the Mrs. can go on more of these trips in the future!

[LovePlusOne]

Congratulations! What a wonderful experience for you!

[FloridaPhil]

Very cool!   You definitely picked the right time to get hot. 

[olds442jetaway]

and what a story it is.... There was once a forum member called case...they played in Vegas all over the place...not much was won, but they were having lots of fun...the final part of their journey, took them to a vp slot tourney...not much happened at first, but then case got the thirst...the hands started commin and the numbers up they were runnin...time's up what a score, he hoped there weren't any more...close or ahead of his, cause the big prize he wanted not to fizz... away from his grasp...and when the numbers were announced at last...his score was still a mile past...the next one and the last....5k all his to bring home to enjoy another day...and for sure not too far away!!!!!!! Congrats again....Olds....

[billryan]

Nice hit and even better story.

[case]

Olds, that was quite good. All this time I thought you were just another VP player!

[Vman96]

Congrats! Crazy run! And pretty fortunate there wasn't any royal at all!