Canadian Woman Wins 10 Billionth Hand at PokerStars

What a return on investment.

On May 19, Canadian university student, Justine Hall, parlayed a microscopic buy-in at a $0.01/$0.02 no-limit table to win the $100,000 jackpot for winning the 10 billionth hand at PokerStars.

The 19-year-old, who had only $12 in her Stars account prior to hitting the mother load, said she is going to use the money to pay for her education and also for “a little shopping.”  She said that she actually did not realize that it was the 10 billionth hand until the action was paused and a PokerStars announcer confirmed the significance of the moment to everybody.  In the table chat, she even asked how much they had won, before the hand was dealt.

All six players at the table were dealt cards, which meant that they all won at least $10,000.  As the holder of the best hand after all the community cards were dealt, Justine won the grand prize of $100,000. 

Most onlookers assumed that every person at the table would go all-in pre-flop, as folding would eliminate any chance to win the $100,000.  Shockingly, however, two players folded, for reasons only known to them.  Justine’s paltry starting hand of 3-8 of clubs turned into a flush on the turn, giving her the winning hand.  One other player thought for a moment that he had won, as he held T-9 on a board of Ac Kc Td 9c 8h for two pair.  PokerStars pushed him the side pot before revealing Justine’s hole cards, so he most certainly felt a little bit of heartbreak when he realized he did not win the main pot or the $100,000.  One-tenth of that probably helped dry his tears, though.