Straight flush vs. straight flush: how Playground players shared $1.6 million in the Bad Beat Jackpot

In the world of poker, "Bad Beat Jackpot" is that rare moment when losing brings in more money than a win. This is exactly what happened on October 13, 2025 at the Canadian poker room Playground Poker Club in Quebec, where one of the players lost… with a straight flush. But it was that very loss that brought in millions not only for him but for dozens of other participants as well.

A Bad Beat Jackpot (or “jackpot for unlucky loss”) is a special bonus awarded when a strong hand loses to an even stronger one. For example, four of a kind can lose to a straight flush, triggering the jackpot.

Why playground is famous for such hands

The Canadian Playground Poker Club is one of the best-known live poker venues in the world. Major tournaments such as the World Poker Tour (WPT) are held here regularly, and jackpot records are often set.

This club already made headlines in 2023, when it paid out CAD $2.6 million for four of a kind losing to a straight flush.

Moment of truth: Night of October 13

The game was going in the usual $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em format. At 11:59 pm, what started as an ordinary hand turned legendary. Two players got suited hole cards — and both flopped a straight flush draw.

Cards and flop

• Player 1 (Darin H.) had 9♣ 8♣
• Player 2 (Bill K.) had 4♣ 3♣
• Board: 4♦ 5♣ 6♣

On the flop, both players caught a potential straight flush. Darin hoped to make a higher flush, but fate had other plans.

The turn that changed everything

When the 7♣ fell on the turn, both players made straight flushes. What might have been just a big pot transformed into a million-dollar event.

Total payout amount

According to poker operations director Andrew Johnson, the jackpot reached CAD $1,595,087 — roughly $1.14 million USD.

Prize distribution:

• Loser (Bill K.) — 40%, about $640,000 CAD
• Winner (Darin H.) — 20%, about $320,000 CAD
• Other players at the table — 20%, split between all
• Other players in the room — 20%, divided equally among active tables

In this way, one incredible hand brought joy to the whole room — dozens of players applauded, snapped photos, and shared videos on social media.

The rarity of the situation

Two straight flushes in one hand — odds of less than 0.0001%. In live poker, this is extremely rare, especially when both hole cards are used — a mandatory condition for triggering the Playground jackpot.

Room’s reaction

Eyewitnesses say the room literally exploded with emotion. Players stood, hugged, and the dealer even stopped the game for a moment — just to ensure everything was counted and recorded correctly.

August 2023 — The Largest Jackpot

In August 2023, a world record was set here — CAD $2.6 million when four of a kind lost to a straight flush.

October 2025 — A New Rare Scenario

Now Playground is in the headlines again, but with an even more incredible combination — straight flush versus straight flush.

How the jackpot is formed and renewed

After every triggered hand, the jackpot “resets” and starts over. At the time of publishing, the new pool was already about CAD $170,000, and the minimum qualifying hand was four aces (AAAA).

Playground also has separate progressive jackpots for Omaha and high limits — the more you play, the better your shot at the next big payout.

A Bad Beat Jackpot isn’t just extra thrill — it unites players. Even those not involved in the specific hand get a share of the win. This creates a unique atmosphere at the tables: everyone is rooting for that rare “bad beat.”

Many pros note that such events inject fresh life into live poker.
“Playground has long been a symbol of luck and drama in poker,” comments scene veteran Mike Leighton. “Nobody wants to lose with a straight flush, but if it happens — let there be a million on the line.”

Poker is a game where everything is decided by cards, mathematical calculation, and a little luck. Sometimes, even losing can be the most profitable moment in your life. The event at Playground on October 13, 2025 is shining proof that poker can still surprise even its most seasoned players