Drawing set for lodge's largest Queen of Hearts prize ever

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WATERTOWN — One lucky ticket holder will have a 50-50 chance to win the largest prize ever offered in a game of Queen of Hearts hosted by Elks Lodge 496.

“The odds are better than in the state lottery,” said Timothy E. Kelly, who runs the game at the Watertown lodge.

The lodge’s overall earnings have escalated to $373,000 as of Sunday after 47 weeks of drawings, Mr. Kelly said. The number of cards to select from is now down to two. If someone obtains the Queen of Hearts after selecting one of the two random, concealed cards, that person will walk home with more than $220,000. The drawing will be held at 7 p.m. today at the lodge, 728 Bradley St.

“This is the largest we had; I think the largest in the state,” Mr. Kelly said, adding that people “stand in line waiting to get in when we go up to open. ... It’s been that way every day.”

Participants can buy raffle tickets for $1 each for a chance to win the opportunity to draw a random card from the deck each week of the game. This week is the 48th in this year’s game.

Mr. Kelly said the lodge continues the game until someone selects the Queen of Hearts. The winner collects 60 percent of the earnings pot, but can take away no more than $300,000.

“Every card pays someone anywhere from $5 to $50,” Mr. Kelley said. “Once the queen is drawn, we shut the game down.”

The lodge allocates the other 40 percent of its earnings from the game to general maintenance and charitable causes.

“We’re working on that right now, drawing up a list of charities to give too,” he said. “It’s a great money maker for a nonprofit organization (like the lodge).”

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