Casino City's Friday Five: Crazy blackjack win in Las Vegas edition

On Tuesday, Ukraine Parliament passed a bill that would regulate online and land-based gambling in the country. Other top stories this week include a third career bracelet win at the World Series of Poker, an unlikely and massive blackjack score at The STRAT, a new look for a pool scene in Las Vegas and DraftKings debuting its online casino in two U.S. states. Let’s start by hitting the blackjack tables: 5. $150,000 blackjack win at The STRAT Hotel Casino in Las Vegas One lucky guest at The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod won a total of $149,003 on a single hand of blackjack on Thursday, 9 July. That’s right, one hand of blackjack equaled nearly $150k! The out-of-state visitor hit to win $109,879 on a $5 bonus jackpot and $39,124 on a $1 bonus jackpot. Just for fun, he pocketed an additional $116 by hitting “21” two split aces.

#OnlyInVegas can you win $149,003 on a single hand of Blackjack! ?? ?? Our lucky out-of-state guest hit $109,879 on a $5 bonus jackpot AND $39,124 on a $1 bonus jackpot – plus $116 while earning Blackjack on two split aces. CONGRATS! ?? #STRATwins pic.twitter.com/8HeH8wcQUG
— The STRAT Las Vegas (@stratvegas) July 11, 2020

4. A preview of Circa Resort and Casino’s giant pool amphitheater On 28 October, Circa Resort & Casino will open its doors ahead of schedule and also debut Stadium Swim. The multi-tiered Stadium Swim at the new Las Vegas resort will boast six pools and two spas, with 15,756 square feet of wet space and a massive 135-by-41-foot LED screen. The venue also will feature state-of-the-art Ultraviolet Light sanitation and water-recirculation patterns, providing guests with a clean and healthy public pool experience. “We’re building Stadium Swim to be unlike any pool in existence today and to reinvent the Vegas pool party, 365 days a year,” said Circa’s CEO Derek Stevens.

The only thing you need to worry about is whether you’d like your poolside drink frozen or on the rocks. ?? With state-of-the-art sanitation and filtration, constant monitoring, and plenty of space, it’s safe to get your float on @stadiumswim Opening 10/28/2020 #CircaLasVegas pic.twitter.com/LqcC6kVquV
— Circa Las Vegas (@CircaLasVegas) July 15, 2020

3. DraftKings unveils online casino in West Virginia and Pennsylvania This week, DraftKings debuted its online casino in West Virginia and its mobile casino app in Pennsylvania. In association with Hollywood Casino at Charlestown Races in West Virginia, the launch includes the DraftKings Casino mobile application, in addition to access to DraftKings Casino via the DraftKings Sportsbook mobile application. It also features virtual table games including popular slot machine games as well as blackjack, roulette, Three Card Poker and Keno. With the online casino launching in Pennsylvania, players have access to new games only found on DraftKings, plus revamped classics, including blackjack and roulette. In addition to popular slot and table games found only on DraftKings Casino, the new app will also offer games from third-party providers like International Gaming Technology. DraftKings players in Pennsylvania will soon have access to the DraftKings Live Dealer Studio. 2. Ukraine parliament passes bill to legalize gambling Ukraine passed a bill that would regulate online and land-based gambling on Tuesday, following a special sitting of the Verkhovna Rada, the country’s parliament. Draft Bill 2285-D, which was approved following a second reading, could become law in August after being voted in favor of by a margin of 248-95. The legal age to gamble in the Ukraine, which officially banned gambling in 2009, will be 21. Bookmakers will be allowed to work at horse tracks and three-, four- or five-star hotels with at least 50 rooms in Kyiv and 25 in other cities. A five-year bookmaker’s license will cost nearly Hr 141.7 million ($5.2 million), according to the law. 1. Third WSOP bracelet win for McKeehen The $3,200 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller had 496 entries and a $1.5 million prize pool. 2015 WSOP Main Event champ Joe McKeehen prevailed the $352,985 win. Five years ago, McKeehen etched his name in poker history by topping a field of 6,420 players to win the Main Event for $7,683,346. Two years later, he showed just why he's one of the best in the world by taking down the 2017 WSOP Event #38: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship for $311,817. Now he's a three-time bracelet winner joining players like David "Chip" Reese, Dewey Tomko, and Lyle Berman – all Poker Hall of Famers. McKeehen played a patient game at the final table, carefully picking his spots. In fact, he didn't notch a final table elimination until the last one.

2015 MAIN EVENT CHAMP JOE MCKEEHEN WINS HIGH ROLLER TO CLAIM 3RD BRACELET AND $352,985
Read more and watch rebroadcast of the final table on https://t.co/k6cF9AXBYe pic.twitter.com/bDooCQ9Njy
— WSOP (@WSOP) July 15, 2020