Edinburgh man wins £213k poker jackpot during trip to Las Vegas
Peter Ferguson scooped the top cash prize from an £11 bet
Last updated 15th Apr 2022
An Edinburgh man has hit the jackpot after winning a six-figure sum while playing poker in Las Vegas.
Peter Ferguson is returning home to the Capital around £213,000 richer after striking it lucky on a trip to Sin City.
The 46-year-old travelled to the US with a friend for a long weekend in the gambling capital of the world on Thursday, April 7.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon attacks Scottish Tory leader's support for Rwanda asylum seeker plans
The following day, the pair decided to play a few hands of Texas Hold 'Em at The Palazzo casino.
Peter watched his friend play before getting involved himself, placing a $15 (£11) bet.
The events management company boss scored a rare royal flush - winning him the jackpot of $280,007.
'Totally and utterly shocked'
Peter told Forth News: "I was first dealt the Ace and Jack of Diamonds, and then I placed my bet thinking, 'Okay, that could be a good hand. That could make up a flush or a straight'.
"So, I took a chance and then the dealer played the first three cards for the community and it was the King, Queen and ten of Diamonds.
"That made a royal flush, which is hugely rare, and I couldn't quite believe it."
READ MORE: Man, 45, seriously injured in Wester Hailes hit and run
He added: "It just took a couple of minutes to process. Then the dealer said, 'Sir, you've just won $280,000 dollars. That's a royal flush - it's the rarest thing ever'.
"I was totally and utterly shocked. I was shaking. I didn't know what to do; I didn't know what to say.
"I couldn't quite understand what was going on until the management all came over and confirmed that was a win and I'd won the money."
A 'one-in-two-million' hand
He said he couldn't believe his luck after the dealer told him his winning hand was "one-in-two-million".
As the word began to spread around the casino, people flocked to see the cards on the table.
Peter said: "Everyone was really excited because it's such a rare hand to be dealt. It was pretty mad; it created a lot of attention.
"The first thing I did was phone my mum and she just burst into tears. She was so happy and couldn't quite believe what was going on - neither could I."
READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst full of pride as Rangers reach Europa semi-finals
He added: "I was too hysterical to tell her properly what had happened, but all my friends and family are absolutely delighted for me. It's been a huge joy."
Peter admitted he's still unsure about what he'll spend his winnings on, but said he'll be "sensible" and put some cash towards his mortgage.
"I'm going to blow some on me and my husband and I'm taking the family on a big family holiday this year," he said.
"I think we all deserve it. We've had a rubbish couple of years with the pandemic and whatnot, so we'll treat ourselves a little bit.
"It's so, so humbling. I still can't believe it."