After finally paying out the $124,252 jackpot that it initially refused to at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa poker room back in July, Station Casinos has decided to cancel its bad beat promotion.
Last week, Lori Nelson, spokesperson for Station Casinos, informed a reporter from the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the players have been compensated in accordance with a ruling by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) in February.
The bad-beat jackpot, funded by the players, was always set for payout upon the decision of the (NGCB). The three players who lodged a claim were compensated following the standard procedures of the Gaming Control Board. Moreover, we’ve been awarding jackpot prizes to all eligible poker players who participated, not only to the three who lodged a claim.
The end of a poker era
Nelson reports that Station Casinos has put its Jumbo Hold ‘Em Poker Progressive Jackpot promotion on hold. In its place, they have launched poker room promotions that they assert are even more profitable.
The Jumbo Hold ‘Em Poker Progressive Jackpot by Station Casinos had gained a reputation as one of the top bad beat promotions in Las Vegas casinos. This was due to its promise to pay players in all five of the Station Casinos’ poker rooms in the Las Vegas area whenever a qualifying hand is hit.
Nonetheless, on July 7, 2017, and the subsequent months, this reputation was significantly damaged when Stations refused to pay after a qualifying hand was invalidated.
The unfortunate defeat occurred on a summer day in 2017 at Red Rock, when Len Schreter’s straight flush outdid Avi Shamir’s lower straight flush.
Bad beat invalidated
Schreter, however, revealed his hole cards prematurely. He showed his cards following the final community card, but prior to the hand’s last betting round. Upon examination, the Red Rock staff decided to nullify the hand.
Shamir believed he had won $62,126 for taking the beat, and Schreter assumed he was entitled to half of that amount after distributing it. In addition, the 78 other individuals playing poker at Station Casinos at that moment thought they had each won $565. However, Station Casinos declined to make the payment.
Red Rock executives reportedly based the refusal to pay out on bad beat jackpot rules which stipulate that discussing a hand during play may make it invalid. They concluded that revealing hole cards is essentially the same thing.
The players involved stated that the early exposure of the card did not influence the hand’s result. They eventually requested the NGCB to investigate the issue.
Bill Olliges, an investigator from NGCB, examined the situation and decided in favor of the players. However, rather than settling the payment, Station Casinos requested the NGCB to conduct a hearing.
In January, a hearing was presided over by NGCB Audit Supervisor Chan Lengsavath. Eventually, he concluded that Stations should make a payment.
His decision was finally affirmed by the board on Feb. 7.
Station Casinos had 25 days to appeal the ruling to Clark County District Court as per NGCB procedures. However, they chose not to use this option and immediately decided not to appeal, opting instead to start paying the players.
Too little too late?
For some, that decision may have been too little, too late.
A reporter interviewed a player who had returned to a Stations Casino poker room after collecting her $565 payout. During her first session back, she had a disagreement about a high-hand promotion. Ultimately, she decided not to play there again.
Some players reported to journalists that they have been playing less often at Station Casino poker rooms. Meanwhile, others observed a slight decrease in the number of players at the same location.
Nelson stated that the company would refrain from commenting on the traffic in the rooms since the incident occurred. However, all signs point towards Station Casino poker rooms as the ones suffering a significant blow.
