An Edinburgh based man has quite literally hit the jackpot by winning $280,007 - around £213,000 - off of a $15 (£11) Texas Hold ‘Em bet in Las Vegas.
Peter Ferguson, 46, is still pinching himself just a day after returning home from the gambling capital of the world and securing a one in two million win.
He was travelling with a friend to Sin City for a long weekend over five days in order to take in some of the shows and casinos that Vegas is so famous for.
Peter arrived on Thursday April 7 and settled into his hotel and became accustomed with his surroundings.
But the very next day his life was about to change forever at The Palazzo casino.
Peter, who runs an events management company, said that he and his friend were contemplating Blackjack but decided instead upon a few hands of Texas Hold ‘Em.
His friend played a few hands before Peter got involved - when the magic happened 4,872 miles from home.
On what happened, he said: “I decided to set off for a short break with a friend for five nights in Vegas.
“The plan was to just go to relax and let the hair down a bit, maybe go and see some shows and play some games at the casino, just to take in the experience really.
“It happened on Friday morning, the day after we arrived.
“We had just had breakfast and went for a wander and ended up in the Venetian at The Palazzo.
“We sat down and discussed whether to play black jack and then sat over by the Ultimate Texas hold 'em and my friend played a couple games before I thought ‘I’ll have a shot.’
“The bet I was playing was a progressive $5. I played my ante ante to be part of the game then another $5 progressive. The dealer dealt me my first two cards and it was a jack and ace of diamonds.
“So I put $15 in total down to play the bet. The community cards were a king, queen and a ten of diamonds.
“I thought I’ve got a straight, so will at least get my money back. This is amazing. But then I looked again and noticed it was a straight flush.
“My friend nudged me and went ‘mate, I think you have just won $280,000. I just went ‘oh my god’ as the dealer said to me ‘sir, you have just won $280,000.
“Before I knew it, the table was surrounded by management. They were asking me to get my passport which I had to run back to our hotel for. It bloody killed me as it was so hot outside and I was running like an idiot.
“They told not to make too much noise as there are some dodgy people around but we just sat for two and a half hours going through the processes before they paid me in chips.
“And that was that. A security guy had to walk me to the cage so that they could pay up. I was offered a cash or a cheque and of course took the cheque.
“They put on a Rolls Royce to take us back to the hotel and we were properly spoiled.”
Peter says that was in complete shock at was unfolding around him and that he was told it was a “one in two million” chance that he was dealt the hand he was.
He adds that word began to spread around the casino and people were flocking to come see the cards on the table.
He thanked his friend who he said was level headed throughout and kept them calm whilst they went through the various checks.
On what he will spend the money on, he said: “We got back yesterday morning (Wednesday 13 April) and to be honest I slept like a baby on the flight over.
“My husband was in Amsterdam on holiday at the same time and he just can’t believe it.
“My whole family are buzzing and my mum is just in complete shock.
“I’ve no idea what to do with the money to be honest. I will definitely take the whole family, my mum, dad, sister, brother in-law, their kids and my husband, on holiday somewhere nice.
“I’ll probably also help my parents with work on their house as well.
“Although we will do something nice for the two of us with the winnings, I will probably do something boring like pay off a chunk of the mortgage with the remaining funds.
“It has been such a welcome boost during such a difficult time for everyone with rising energy and living costs. I feel very humbled and lucky to have won this.”
