What Happens When Two Players Hit the Same Progressive Jackpot?

You're at a table (Ultimate Texas Hold 'em) and two people hit any progressive jackpot (royal or straight flush). How do the payouts work? The first hand gets the full amount, the second hand the reset? Or you both split it? Or you both get the full amount? Or does it depend on if you're on the left or right of someone?

[Editor's Note: We went to Michael "Wizard of Odds" Shackleford for his take on this question. He agreed with our initial impression, which you can read below.]

My understanding is, since the dealer adjudicates the hands from left to right (from the player's perspective), the first hand to qualify for a progressive jackpot is paid the full amount. Then the jackpot resets to the seed value and the next qualifying hand wins the reset amount, even if it's sitting right next to the first jackpot winner.

That being the case, the odds are a little better for players on the left side of the table.

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Comments

Timothy Grant May-15-2022

Progressive Jackpots

Most table game progressives I have seen have some small print under the meter to the effect that multiple qualifying hands on the same deal split the pot.

Kevin Lewis May-15-2022

Fine print

In this situation, the two players arm wrestle for the jackpot.

ahawley May-15-2022

Duel

They usually bring out a box with two flint-lock pistols and settle the dispute outside in the street.

Roy Furukawa May-15-2022

Dreams

I am sure this situation will happen most often while dreaming.

Sean Lowery May-15-2022

Odds of Occurrence

While two players at the table getting a royal flush at the same time is stastistically possible at some table games, I don't think it is at Ultimate Texas Hold'em.  Correct me if I'm wrong, I do not play this game.  But, each player has 2 cards in the hole and uses 5 community cards to make a royal flush.  I think there would need to be 6 community cards in Ultimate Texas Hold'em for 2 players to get the royal.  So, if this is your game, you might take comfort in knowing that your seat placement is probably irrelevant.

AL May-15-2022

Position at the table; suits

I think that Sean Lowery's comment is right-on. But assuming that there is some other game in which 2 players can hit the jackpot on the same deal, if it is true that the player to the dealer's left (to our right) would win the progressive while the other player only gets the re-set amount, then doesn't that mean that we should always try to sit as far as possible to the dealer's left at the table? Also, another question: is there any game at which the winner between the two players would be determined by what suit their royal or straight flushes are? If so, would it be the same order as with bridge? (1) Spades, (2) Hearts, (3) Diamonds, (4) Clubs?

Ray May-16-2022

But...Straight Flush

A non-Royal straight flush is possible twice at an Ultimate Texas Hold'em deal, e.g. the community cards are 8s 9s 10s and player 1 has 6s 7s and player 2 has Js Qs. Even though the Q-high wins the pot, both hands are straight flush.

Question of the Day - 15 May 2022

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