My buddy won the bad-beat jackpot...now what?

[tekmo7]

Last night my buddy won the bad-beat jackpot at Hollywood Park Casino for $9,500 +. That's the good news. The bad news was that all these bums and mooches had an eye on him that night and were begging him for $20, $5 there, or some "lucky chips." It didn't help that the floorman brought out a rack of 7 large pink chips ($1K EACH!) and a potpourri of other large denomination chips and set them down right on the table. Then again, they didn't have a choice.

In any case, the floorman advised him to open up an account at the casino from which he can withdraw any amount at any time. He said that "You should let everybody see that you are not walking out with this money. You don't want to risk your life with this."

I am worried about his safety: There are a lot of shady characters at HPC and a guy told me a story about some kid who won a bad-beat jackpot and was followed home and murdered. Ultimately, he deposited the money at the "HPC Bank," but I don't think he should go back to HPC for a while until these bums forget about him.

Am I being too paranoid? Anyone have a similar experience?

As an aside, the funny thing about the jackpot was that I was at his table. I went up to turn in a voucher at the concierge and thought "That would suck if the bad-beat jackpot hit right now." I always think that when I go to bathroom or smoke anyways (LOL). Lo and behold, I return to find a mob and 5 of my buddies huddled around the jackpot winner. I got cut out of the table-share and everyone laughed and celebrated. LOL? I guess so.

[bones]

Really? All this over 9k? Is the biggest game like 3/6 limit?

[rgold79]

FWIW I always valet when I play at HPC. Costs like $2 and keeps me from having to walk through that parking lot at night. It's a leak I'm more than willing to put up with.

[Taso]

Casino can't give him a check eh?

[FyteOn]

CAZ gives you a check for the big end. Definitely valet at HPC.

I do remember a story of a guy getting gunned down at a gas station in Valencia after being followed home from Commerce after a big win. That's not a short trip, either.

Sounds like HPC just wants to keep the money in-house.

[PokerGolfFiend]

[ QUOTE ]
Casino can't give him a check eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

[mingorama]

HPC is in a pretty darn shady area. I certainly would not want to walk out with more than $5K. Of course, I suck at poker, so that's not an issue.

[Assani Fisher]

$9.5K really isn't that much money. Valet the car and just walk out with it.

[ShawnHoo]

It's retarded as hell that HPC still does their jackpots this way. At Commerce, they take the big winners into a secured, private area of one of the cashiers cages and award it there. Much less mooching that way.

As far as your friend is concerned, I think he would be fine going back there this week to pick up the money. If his schedule permits, he might want to swing by in the morning before work, as there will be fewer people around. Regardless, I doubt the type of people who railbird low-limit games are bright enough to remember some random guy's face a few days later.

[eurythmech]

HPC is in Uganda?