Pennsylvania’s Blazing 7s progressive jackpot winner

Blazing 7s has proven to be one of the most popular side bets when it comes to playing blackjack. The only problem has been that, until now, every jackpot winner that we’ve read about has been over on the west coast. That all changed back in March of this year. One lucky blackjack player, enjoying the Blazing 7s side bet at the Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania, walked away with a progressive jackpot that ran into 6 figures.

This lucky blackjack fan, named as Vincent P from Clarks Summit, picked up his winnings that totalled almost  $200,000. The exact total came in at $199, 790.60, but you can be fairly certain that the winner wasn’t left quibbling over a few dollars.

Considering that, just like any other side bet, Blazing 7s is purely optional, it has to be said that this win is pretty spectacular. Does that mean that the next time you visit your favourite casino you should be taking every side bet going? Let’s have a closer look at Blazing 7s and consider just how important side bets really are.

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Blazing 7s progressive jackpot – Who said side bets are bad anyway?

Let’s be honest, if you’re a true blackjack enthusiast who’s read up on side bets, there’s a good chance that you’ll have come away with an overwhelming feeling that they’re to be avoided. Whether you’re looking at perfect pairs, 21+3, or any other of the numerous side bets out there, we’re always told the same thing: avoid them!

The winnings of Vincent P

When you look at the winnings of Vincent P, it certainly appears that this advice is a little shoddy, to say the least. After all, where else could you land yourself $200,000 in such a small space of time? The thing is, when playing the main game, blackjack is the perfect combination of skill and luck. By mastering basic strategy, or even getting to grips with card counting, you can bring the house edge down and significantly increase your chances of a win. When it comes to side bets, that simply isn’t the case.

Side bets aren’t about realistic chances to win. Instead, what side bets add to the game is a sense of excitement. The reality, as you’ll know if you’ve ever truly investigated side bets, is that they tend to benefit just one side, and it isn’t yours! While blackjack is referred to as the casino game with the lowest house edge, the moment that you start dabbling in side bets, that no longer applies. Side bet wins are all down to luck!

A look at where the big Blazing 7s progressive jackpot win took place

When it comes to a win as big as this, it’s not just the player that receives recognition. The casino where the action took place is just as important. Rationally, or not, many players will find themselves visiting a casino purely because they’ve read about a big win. In this case, the Blazing 7s progressive was won while gambling at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The Mohegan Sun Pocono boasts 82,000 square feet of gaming space. That space is certainly utilised with over 2,300 gaming machines, along with a slot room for those seeking high limits. To top it all off there is also a private player’s lounge to enjoy. When it comes to table games, you’ll find that there are 90 to choose from. These include all of the classics such as craps, roulette, and blackjack.

The selection of blackjack games isn’t perhaps the best here, but there’s enough to keep fans of the game entertained. The versions that you can expect to find include:

  • Traditional blackjack 
  • Blazing 7s (of course)
  • Down Under Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Interlock Electronic Blackjack 

As well as the casino action, Mohegan Sun Pocono also has something to offer those who like to wager on the horses. If that’s something that you’d like to get in on, you’ll need to visit during those warmer months. It’s then that you’ll come across live harness racing. If that’s enough, you can also take your chances on other races that are simulcasted from other tracks. 

So, should you be heading to Pennsylvania to play blackjack?

Now, let’s be honest, heading to Pennsylvania, and playing blackjack at the Mohegan Sun Pocono, isn’t a guaranteed way of collecting a progressive jackpot! In fact, if that’s all your travelling for you’re certain to be wasting your time. However, there are other reasons why Pennsylvania is a great place to play. For starters, Pennsylvania blackjack rules are perhaps the friendliest that you’ll come across in the US. 

Playing blackjack in Pennsylvania casinos can see the house edge falling as low as 0.35%. Of course, to get an edge as low as that you’re going to need to use the basic blackjack strategy chart to get the odds swinging in your favor.

So, what are you going to come across while playing in Pennsylvania? These are the player-friendly rules that you’ll find:+

  • A natural blackjack pays 3:2
  • Late surrender is permitted 
  • Aces can only be split by players once
  • Dealers stand on soft 17
  • Players are allowed to double down after splits
  • Players can double down on any two cards

When you compare these rules to what you’re likely to come across in Las Vegas, you can see why PA is a great place to play blackjack. The truth is that it’s one of the best places in the whole of the country to play.

Final thoughts

The wins that you read about on the likes of Blazing 7s can make side bets seem hugely attractive. While the prizes are certainly impressive, just keep in mind that side bets are there to add an extra, fun, dimension to blackjack. The chances of walking away a winner aren’t always the best.

Beyond the huge win here, what we have really shown is that blackjack differs so much across the US. If you can’t get yourself over to PA, you still need to be doing all that you can to hunt down the online casinos that offer the most player-friendly rules. 

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