Ace drawn in Bay de Verde, group of 10 to split $733K jackpot

Chris LeDrew of Foxtrap ended an almost year-long game of Chase the Ace in Bay de Verde Wednesday night when he drew the elusive winning card.

LeDrew plucked the precious ace of spades from three remaining cards in the town's game, and won his group a jackpot of more than $730,000.

According to LeDrew, the winnings will be split between 10 people — including his own father.

Spectators in Bay de Verde erupted in applause when LeDrew flipped the ace of spades on the game's table.

Good timing

The windfall couldn't have come at a better time for LeDrew, who said he recently lost his job.

He's said he's thrilled with the win, and will likely use some of the prize to pay down some debt.

"It really is important, being unemployed with three kids, it's going to help me out big time," he said.  "And I'm sure the boys are going to like it too. I can't believe it."

• Elusive ace: Lottery saga continues in Bay de Verde as $250K jackpot goes unclaimed
• Oh so close in Bay de Verde as two of spades means another week of chase the ace saga

Bay de Verde's Chase the Ace began in October of 2015, and the weekly game has been going ever since.

Parish organizers said they're overjoyed at the prospect of raising about $500,000 for their church — and that the long-running event is finally over.

"Next week, I don't have to do this anymore," organizer Diane Sparkes told CBC News laughing, as 50/50 ticket stubs rained above her.

"I'm happy it went tonight, I'm exhausted. Everyone is exhausted."

Wednesday night's 50/50 draw was worth $48,000 and was awarded to Pauline Oliver of Gull Island.