Third time’s the charm for R750 000 GrandWest poker winner

Lady Luck smiled broadly on one GrandWest patron in August. The fortunate punter won not once, not twice, but three times on the tables in the space of a couple weeks!

Her latest – and biggest – win came just before the last three poker hands were called to remind players that the casino would be closing for the lockdown curfew. It was then that she realised that she had just won R750 000!

Describing her experience as “surreal”, she said: “I had just played my last hand before the call, and I was waiting to be chucked out. Then – wow! I could hardly believe it. I was absolutely dumbfounded.”

Play was immediately stopped to verify the win and she left shortly after “with the loot”. The winner said she was calm at the time, but was a “bit shaky” over the next few days.

It continued a lucky streak that began when she won R85 000 and an additional R25 000 when GrandWest gave away non-negotiable chips to six players the previous week. She laughed: “I must go back for the car draw tonight. I’ve had a good run, but I’ve never won a car.”

"I had just played my last hand before the call, and I was waiting to be chucked out. Then – wow! I could hardly believe it. I was absolutely dumbfounded."

Although she enjoys blackjack most, that night she decided to play poker. A dab hand on the tables, she says she does not have a clue about how to play slot machines.

“The casino managers all congratulated me. They were genuinely happy because I’m a long-hauler. I’ve been visiting GrandWest since it opened in 2000, so the staff all know me well. They like me because I’m never rude to the dealers or disorderly.”

What is she doing with her winnings? She’s given some of her windfall to the homeless, spread her blessings to a few other people and spoiled her children a bit.

“I’m not the type of person to go out and buy million-dollar gifts for myself. I’m content with what I have. I might buy an iPad. Reading emails on a cellphone is hard on my eyes. I also owe some money to my bank.”

The beaming poker player complimented GrandWest on its security and COVID-19 health and safety measures.

“They are annoying with all their sanitising, but I know it has to be done. As a woman, I feel 100% safe going there. I never feel that anyone looks at me strangely when I’m on my own in the casino. And when I do go there with friends, we have a lot of fun.”