Inverness fails to Chase the Ace, jackpot now tops $600K

Next weekend's Chase the Ace jackpot in Inverness, Cape Breton will be at least $600,000 as the ace of spades continues to elude players of the popular game.

Chase the Ace is something like a 50-50 draw, but instead of winning half the value of the ticket sales, the winning ticket holder receives a smaller cut of the take and a chance to draw the ace of spades from a deck of regular playing cards to win the big prize.

On Saturday, people lined up for hours for a chance to buy a ticket. Some arrived at 7 a.m. to ensure they had a chance to play.

The fundraiser has turned into a huge boost for the entire community, with food and gas sales soaring to help support the hundreds who go the town every Saturday to play.

At draw time Saturday night, it was DennisJessomewho had his ticket drawn to try for the ace of spades.

Jessome pulled the king of diamonds, missing out on the jackpot, but he still went home a winner. Jessome received20 per cent of the ticket sales for the day, amounting to $136,344.95.

The jackpot for next Saturday will be $601,837.48 plus 30 per cent of the ticket sales for the day.

Proceeds go to the Inverness Cottage Workshop charity for people with disabilities and the local legion.