TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

As reported by the Kansas City Star: ``The odds of hitting a royal flush in video poker are about 40,000 to 1. But what are the odds of hitting that top jackpot hand during a 15-minute game malfunction?

``...But that's what happened the other day at Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel.

``According to the Missouri Gaming Commission, player Kimberly H. sat down last Tuesday evening at a bank of 25-cent progressive poker games that feed a central bonus jackpot that pays off whenever a royal flush is dealt at any participating machine.

``The jackpot amount showing on the progressive meter at the time was in excess of $22,000 — which any video poker regular knows is way more than those games typically pay.

``The progressive jackpot meter should have read $1,153, according to Steve Johnson, Gaming Commission enforcement director.

``Turns out a casino technician performing service failed to properly reset the games' electronic innards.

``...Naturally it was during this brief malfunction that a player hit the big one while the wrong jackpot was displayed. Casino rules are clearly posted on all electronic games warning players that any jackpot due to a malfunction is void, Johnson said..."