Virginia Player Strikes Staggering Million Dollar Hold'em Jackpot

One lucky Virginian has struck it rich at MGM National Harbor, walking away with a staggering $1.259 million progressive jackpot while playing Ultimate Texas Hold'em.

The seven-figure win, which occurred on Sunday, May 5th, is thought to be one of the largest payouts ever recorded in the United States.

The player, whose identity has remained anonymous, struck the winning jackpot by hitting a Royal Flush of diamonds, a legendary poker combination that should occur in around 1 in every 30,939 hands.

MGM National Harbor describes itself as the 'East Coast's premiere gaming floor' with a two-level casino that includes slots, table games, poker and more across over 160,000 square feet of space.

Speaking on the incredible progressive payout win, Alex Alvarado, Vice President of Casino Operations at MGM National Harbor, said, "What an incredible moment for our guest to win this huge jackpot at MGM National Harbor."

We’re thrilled that a local struck a big payday on one of our many table games that feature progressive jackpots. - Alex Alvarado, VP of Casino Operations at MGM National Harbor

“As an entertainment destination, our mission is to provide a variety of options for guests to have an unforgettable experience - whether at a restaurant, a show, or in the casino. We’re thrilled that a local struck a big payday on one of our many table games that feature progressive jackpots.”

What is Ultimate Texas Hold'em?

Ultimate Texas Hold'em is a popular poker variant based on traditional Texas Hold'em, but it is played against the house rather than other players. For this reason, the game is incredibly popular among less experienced poker players who enjoy the hand combinations of Texas Hold'em but are worried about being exploited by more skillful players.

In Ultimate Texas Hold'em, players aim to form the best five-card poker hand using a combination of their own two-hole cards and the five community cards on the table. The game begins with each player making two equal bets - the Ante and the Blind. There is also an optional Trips bet that allows players to wager on the strength of their hand.

After placing their bets, the dealer deals two cards face down to each player and three community cards face up on the table. Players then have the option to either check or make a Play bet, which is typically 3 or 4 times the Ante bet.

The dealer then reveals the remaining two community cards. To win, a player must have a better hand than the dealer. If the dealer's hand does not qualify with at least a pair, the player wins even money on the Ante bet and the Play bet pushes. If the dealer qualifies and the player's hand is better, the player wins both bets.

Ultimate Texas Hold'em combines strategy, skill, and luck, making it an exciting and engaging game for poker enthusiasts and casino players alike.