California

Player wins six-figure jackpot with ‘coveted’ Pai Gow hand at Sacramento casino

A gambler at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento won a six-figure jackpots with a “coveted” Face Up Pai Gow Poker hand, casino officials reported.

The first player won a progressive $120,123 jackpot with five aces on Thursday, July 9, the casino said in a news release.

“Five aces is what all table game players are hoping for,” said Dawn Clayton, general manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resort. “Celebrating incredible wins with our guests is what it’s all about at Thunder Valley. Congratulations to our lucky guest.”

Thunder Valley has paid out more than 251,000 jackpots over the past year, averaging nearly 700 jackpots per day, or roughly one every two minutes.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort at 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln has 3,500 slot machines and 89 table games. It is about 35 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 9:31 AM with the headline "Player wins six-figure jackpot with ‘coveted’ Pai Gow hand at Sacramento casino."

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DS
Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
916-321-1028
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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