I recently returned from an 11 day trip to Las Vegas. During those 11 days, I played a lot, a whole lot, of Video Poker. During all that Video Poker play, I had something happen to me that I think is absolutely amazing. Here is my story.

I’m playing $1 Jacks or Better Video Poker on the strip at the Monte Carlo Casino. At this particular time, I’ve been without sleep for longer than I can remember. I’ve also taken advantage of the free drinks while gambling policy at the casino. As a matter of fact, I’ve consumed so much Bud that the brewery probably had to hire an extra team Clydesdales! I’m now gambling at a point when I'm not at my best, to say the least. While chatting with the lovely cocktail waitress (and don't forget about my lack of sleep and all those Buds) I play a hand of Video Poker. I’m dealt: Queen of Hearts – Queen of Spades – Ten of Spades - Ace of Spades – Two of Diamonds. I hold the two Queens and draw three cards. I end up with a pair of Queens. Here is what I drew (in this order): King of Spades – Jack of Spades – Four of Hearts. As my heart skipped a beat, I immediately realized that I had blown a Royal Flush. Yes, I know that I should have saved those three Spades. After that hand, I did go back to my hotel room and tried to get some sleep. This is not the amazing part of my story. Read on.

Later that day, my brother joins me in Las Vegas. I had just changed hotels from the Bellagio to New York New York. My brother is in the mood for a good Vegas buffet, however, we can’t find the buffet at New York New York. Turns out they don’t have one (!). So, we take the short walk over to the Monte Carlo to enjoy their buffet. After a lot of eating, my brother suggests we play some Video Poker. We just happen to end up at the same bank of machines I was playing less than 24 hours earlier. I had not told my brother about my earlier missed Royal Flush. Within a short amount of play, at a Video Poker machine right next to the one I had played earlier, I am dealt: Queen of Diamonds – Ace of Spades – Queen of Spades – Ten of Spades – Four of Hearts. This time I hold the three Spades, and draw the Jack of Spades and King of Spades. Yes, that would be a $4,000 Royal Flush win. Nice. Note that my earlier missed Royal Flush also consisted of Spades in positions 2, 3 and 4, as the cards are dealt. What are the odds of that happening twice in less than 24 hours? Amazing.

At first, I felt terrible about missing out on that earlier Royal Flush. However, I’ve come to realize that I would be getting “just” one Royal during this 24 hour period of play. The reason for this is because after any kind of a good win, and a $4,000 Royal counts as a good win, I always have dinner that evening at a nicer restaurant. No way would we have been at the Monte Carlo buffet that evening if I had won the earlier Royal. I would not have been playing when and where I was, which I believe means that I would not have had the opportunity to win the Royal that I did win. I hope you can follow that logic, or lack thereof! What do you think? Given the circumstances of my play and dinning habits, do you think I could have won those two specific Royals in one 24 hour period? I don't. I welcome all comments and would love to hear your Video Poker stories.