When Richard Lord arrived at Wynn Las Vegas for the ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational Freeroll, his eyes were fixed on one goal: the coveted $1,000,000 winner’s prize.
Despite putting on his best performance at the World Poker Tour World Championships, the professional magician’s tricks weren’t enough to get him past the money bubble. He was eliminated before reaching the payout stages, but Lord’s journey didn’t end there—he still had one last card up his sleeve.
A Chance Encounter Leads to High Hopes
Leading up to the freeroll, ClubWPT Gold—WPT’s sweepstakes-based online poker room—held prize drawings offering players a chance to win Golden Passports to the exclusive tournament, along with exciting rewards like WPT chip sets, exclusive merchandise, and Wynn Field Club seats for the December 16 Las Vegas Raiders vs. Atlanta Falcons game at Allegiant Stadium.
Yet, one prize had every player talking. Up for grabs was a 2025 McLaren GTS sports car valued at an eyebrow-raising $240,000.
Lord had already secured his Golden Passport before arriving for the WPTWC, but while strolling the Wynn’s corridors on December 11, eager to confirm his freeroll spot, he came across the prize drum at the ClubWPT Gold Booth.
Curious, Lord reached in and drew an envelope. As he opened it, his gaze fell on the word “JACKPOT.” Initially unsure of what he had won, Lord began celebrating—only to be told that he, along with two other players, now had a one-in-three chance to take home the luxury sports car. And if luck wasn’t on his side for the car, he’d still have the chance to walk away with up to $50,000 in cash from the ClubWPT Gold Cash Booth.
The timing couldn’t have been better for Lord. His regular performance venue had just closed for good. But to learn his fate, he’d have to wait until Sunday, December 15.
The Moment of Truth
On Sunday afternoon, Richard Lord and the two other JACKPOT winners stepped into the spotlight as the WPT World Championship and Ladies Championship unfolded nearby. Play paused in the Encore Ballroom as the crowd held its breath, eager to see who would claim the stunning custom McLaren GTS.
A briefcase containing three envelopes was brought out. Only one held the metaphorical keys to the luxury car. Lord, picking last, chose his envelope as anticipation filled the room. A drumroll followed, and when the envelopes were opened, Lord’s uncontainable reaction instantly revealed who the winner was.
“This is exhilarating. It smells amazing in here. My gosh,” Lord told PokerNews as he sat behind the wheel of the McLaren for the first time.
“I’m currently driving a 2010 Subaru Outback, so this is 15 years newer—and about $245,000 more expensive. It’s a big upgrade.”
Reality soon caught up with Lord, sparking a humorous admission.
“I don’t have a garage. That’s the hardest part now. I live in an apartment with a parking lot. I think this car might be worth more than all the other cars in the lot combined. So… we’re going to have to figure that out.”
And where will he take his new car for its first drive? Lord didn’t hesitate: “I’m going to go surprise my girlfriend at work.”
Images courtesy of the World Poker Tour
Senior Editor & Live Events Executive
