Some bars across the country have been doing the “Queen of Hearts” raffle for years. Others are just getting on board recently. The latter could be because of what is happening in Austintown, Ohio right now.
Almost a year ago, Barry Dyngle’s Pub started an unprecedented run with their raffle, that on Wednesday night, found no winner. The result is a $778,203 jackpot rolling over to next week’s drawing. The jackpot will undoubtedly get dangerously close to $1,000,000 by next Wednesday for the 8pm drawing.
For those unfamiliar, the “Queen of Hearts” raffle at Barry Dyngle’s works like this:
- 54 cards (all cards in the deck plus both Jokers) are face down, numbered 1-54, and sealed to a board.
- For a week leading up to the drawing, patrons can purchase unlimited raffle tickets for $1 each.
- On the raffle ticket, they put their name, phone number, and the number card they want drawn.
- If their ticket is pulled, the corresponding number card they selected is cut from the board. If it is the Queen of Hearts, they win the jackpot. If they aren’t present, they win half the jackpot and the rest rolls into new game.
- If their number is not the Queen of Hearts, there is no winner that week. All tickets are disposed of and a new raffle begins with the jackpot rolling over.
Needless to say, things were hectic on Wednesday night where there was an estimated crowd of 10,000 people at the establishment. Enough to cause the local police to have to shut down a portion of the road in front of the pub. Next week will surely be even worse.
@BarryDyngles general manager shuffling the tickets up real good #queenofhearts pic.twitter.com/amA5vTSli7
— Brandon Klein (@brandoneklein) September 17, 2015
The crowd one hour prior to the @BarryDyngles drawing. pic.twitter.com/6kZGto4ma6
— Rich Berry (@Racer9213) September 16, 2015
And the Queen still stands! Another week of Queen of Hearts! Pot begins at $778,203 this week!!! pic.twitter.com/q59H7TnE86
— Barry Dyngles (@BarryDyngles) September 17, 2015
Like the schmuck that I am — and no matter how many times I say I’m done — I’ll be there again next week.
