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SACRAMENTO, Cal (Gambling911.com) The Thunder Valley Casino Resort, 30 miles outside of Sacramento, announced this weekend it had paid out $496,685 on a jackpot with just $9 bet.
“Summer is always an exciting time at Thunder Valley, but a jackpot approaching half a million dollars definitely turns up the heat,” said Thunder Valley Casino Resort CEO Dawn Clayton. “Congratulations to our latest winner.”
The win occurred on a Smokin’ Hot Stuff slot machine.
The premium linked-progressive slot from Everi builds on the company's long-running Smokin' Hot Stuff franchise. It's designed for land-based casinos and combines a classic fiery theme with modern bonus mechanics and progressive jackpots. The slot features 5 reels and 50 paylines, making it a modern video slot rather than a traditional three-reel game. Landing three or more bonus symbols awards six free spins.
The resort's public Casino Winners page currently highlights at least 18 major jackpot winners from this year, including:
$604,598 – Monopoly Cash Wheel
$381,009 – Dancing Drums
$236,314 – Buffalo
$217,464 – Buffalo
$190,700 – Selexion
$147,541 – Egyptian Jewels
$143,764 – Shy Winner
$139,422 – Dragon Link
$134,829 – Face Up Pai Gow
$108,452 – Fortune Ox
$100,677 – Dragon Link
Plus numerous jackpots between roughly $16,000 and $42,000.
More recently, Thunder Valley announced two big jackpot wins during the month of June.
Two back-to-back six-figure slot jackpots of $203,945.65 and $205,218.95 on June 5.
Two separate six-figure Pai Gow Poker jackpots awarded within the same hour in late June, including one worth $122,260.
Smokin’ Hot Stuff Online Slot Variations
Can't make it to the casino? Not a problem.
Smokin' Hot Stuff slot variations can be found online.
Dragon Link (Light & Wonder) - Probably the closest overall. This one is found on some U.S. regulated online casino sites in a select few states.
It features a hold-and-spin component with locked symbols as well as four progressive jackpots (Mini, Minor, Major, Grand) and hiigh-volatility gameplay.
Lightning Link (Light & Wonder) - This is another close comparison that features frequent bonus triggers.
Phoenix Link - This slot features a higher-volatility style and must-hit-style elements.
Ultimate Golden Dragon Inferno – Hold & Win is actually one of the better online alternatives if you're looking for a game that feels similar to Smokin' Hot Stuff Link. This one is found on the BetPhoenix Casino.
The game takes the familiar Hold & Win formula and adds some twists that include 243 ways to win instead of fixed paylines.
Six or more bonus symbols trigger the Hold & Win feature.
- Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com
