Kevin Schaffel of Coral Springs finished eighth in the World Series of Poker Saturday night at the Rio All-Suite Hotel in Las Vegas.

Schaffel had entered Saturday's play in sixth place and had made a little bit of a run. Then he ran into some bad luck on his final had. He was dealt pocket aces, and went all-in.

Eric Buchman called with pocket kings. But then a king came on the flop, and another on the turn -- giving Buchman four of a kind and eliminating Schaffel.

It was the second time Schaffel got pocket aces in less than an hour and he also got pocket nines -- which eliminated James Akenhead. His stack had grown to 19 million before he got knocked out.

"Bad luck," said his brother Jordan, Saturday night. "There was 38 million in the pot. If his aces hold up, he's sitting in second place.

"All the poker players here just keep telling him he played great. We're very proud of him."

A note to stats freaks: They say the best all-in you get is when you have pair-over-pair. You're an 80 percent favorite.

He earned $1.3 million, but he had been guaranteed $1.2 million after making the World Series final table of nine in July. So that's a disappointment.

Schaffel had a contingent of about 100 friends and family watching, most of whom wore shirts created by his brother Jordan that said "Schaffel up and deal," a play on words on the opening phrase at most poker tournaments.

Jordan called me just before the cards flew today. He said he couldn't sleep, so he got up at 5 a.m. Las Vegas time. He texted Kevin, who wasn't asleep, either. So they came downstairs and played Texas Hold 'em Bonus poker, a gimmicky kind of game that's at the Hard Rock and other places, where players try to beat the dealer, not each other.

Who else shows up? Darvin Moon, the chip leader. Moon, a logger from West Virginia, and Schaffel yukked it up, playing $10 a hand, and drew a crowd, Jordan said.

For more updates go to ESPN's Andrew Feldman's Poker Blog. Not to turn away business, but most of the stuff I'm getting is coming from there so if you really want to follow it, read his blog tonight. Or join http://twitter.com/WSOP

Think they should have sent me to cover Schaffel?

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Tom Winingham of Team Duck won the All in Free Poker finals in October at the Isle.

He got over $1,600 in buy-ins to Isle events, including two into a $440 tournament.

Next in line were Andy Payson, Maria Dellutri, Walter Chance and Al Hinson. Then came Mitch "Magic Man" Davie, Pam McDole, Janice Dippel, Robert Filter and John Lynch, All won a $100 entry to the AIFP Cruise Satellite. The top 50 all qualified for the WWT season finale tournament in early 2010.

The next event is Jan. 10. All-in offers a full report.

Continue reading "Winningham wins All-in season-ender" »

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The Palm Beach Princess Casino has a "swipe and win" game on each cruise, giving away a convertible Mustang GT, WaveRunner and a Yamaha V-Star 1300 motorcycle. The first giveaway is Nov. 22.

And they're doing something interesting in the poker room: Sharing 100 Florida lottery tickets every Saturday night. If any of the 100 tickets hit 5 of 6 or 6 of 6 -- the big money -- everyone in the poker room splits the loot. I'm not exactly sure how you qualify -- what if you're just off to the side with a beer? -- but it's a fun idea. I give them credit.

There also is a blackjack tournament the first three Thursday nights in November, with a $5,000 final. One qualifier will be chosen each tournament, with a 90 percent payback.

Poker is having a $1,000 high hand promotion on Nov. 6, a WPT satellite tournament during the day on Nov. 14 and a free $300 prize pool no buy-in tournament on Thursday evenings.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Veteran’s Day: Veterans sail free both cruises, Nov. 11
Thanksgiving Celebration: Nov. 26, both cruises
Ladies Night: All women sail free on the evening cruise, Nov. 12. Lady voted best singer of the night will be crowned Princess Idol.

Continue reading "Palm Beach Princess casino has Mustang, motorcycle, WaveRunner giveaways" »

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The Seminole Tribe of Florida has settled up with a Daytona Beach man who thought he had won a $166 million jackpot Sunday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa.

Bill Seebeck had been playing the Bally Ultimate Party Spin slot machine for about a half-hour spending close to $80. The machine's bells began ringing and the numbers flashed the amount he'd won, according to wire reports.

"$166,666,666.65. So I was screaming. I was up and around screaming...and I have high blood pressure but it went up really fast," he said.

Seebeck spent an hour deciding how he'd spend the money. Then the bad news came.

Casino workers told him the machine had spun out of control, malfunctioned and he wouldn't be paid any money. The casino has since reached an agreement with Seebeck.

In a statement, the casino says:

"The Seminole Hard Rock Casino has made an offer to William Seebeck, and he has accepted, recognizing that the slot machine he was playing on Sunday malfunctioned, in what can be best described to the layman as a "computer glitch." The maximum payout on the Ultimate Party Spin machine played by Seebeck is $99,000, although his bet of $1.50 at the time of the malfunction could have generated a maximum payout of only $2,500, with the right combination. Determination of a malfunction was made by representatives of the machine’s manufacturer and software provider, according to established gaming industry standards, with confirmation from an independent third-party laboratory analysis. The casino has opted to settle this matter for an undisclosed amount as a good faith gesture, and we look forward to welcoming Mr. Seebeck on future visits."

The Seminole Gaming Commission and officials from Bally, the software maker for the slot machine, are heading to Tampa to investigate the malfunction.

Continue reading "Why a $166 million win at the Hard Rock doesn't make cents" »

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A Jeep Patriot and a Lincoln MKZ are top prizes at the Isle Casino and Racing in November.

From 6 to midnight Saturday, Nov. 7, play a slot machine with your IsleOne card and be eligible to win $500 every five minutes.

From 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, enter to win a Jeep Patriot and a share of $5,000 in IslePlay.

Every Tuesday in November, qualify for the point progressive by playing every week starting at 2 times points on Nov. 3 and progressing to 5x points on Nov. 24.

Every Thursday in November, receive a 10 percent bonus up to $1,000 on all taxable jackpots.

From 3-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, enter the high-tech sweepstakes and win a netbook every 10 minutes.

Beginning Nov. 29, collect a plush holiday toy. Earn 10 points every Sunday from Nov. 29 – Dec. 20 and collect a different cuddly toy every week.

Every Wednesday in November, IsleOne card members are invited to play in the Race for the Riches Slot Tournament from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fifty winners will take home a share of $10,000 weekly. Earn “jewels” based on weekly scores. The finale is on Dec. 30 and top score wins $5,000 cash.

Enter to win a Lincoln MKZ and a share of $10,000 IslePlay on Nov. 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Open Road Sweepstakes. Receive 2x entries on Mondays, 3x entries on Tuesdays and 4x entries on Wednesdays during the month.

Continue reading "Isle giving away Jeep Patriot, Lincoln MKZ in November" »

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Mardi Gras' new Big Easy Poker Room is coming together.

The idea is to have a more upscale location on the first floor, where players will have their own entrance and easy access to a full service liquor bar, video poker bar tops and their own dining area.

They hope to open by mid-November, and will have 30 tables. Currently, the poker room is on the second floor, where there are no slots but there is betting on the dog races and simulcast races.

The new room will include the the Bravo system from Genesis Gaming.

"This will allow us to rate and comp our players as a reward for their patronage, expedite seating, and food and beverage service as well," said Wil Herrera, poker room manager. Mardi Gras still plans on offering high hand promotions, with a special emphasis on no-limit players. Basically, it's $100 every hour, with $500 at 6 p.m. on weekdays.

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Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is giving away a Cadillac each Saturday, and has set up a poker points system similar to Gulfstream:

Mondays: 55-plus Silver Stars slot tournament, 9 a.m. to noon. Top 30 scores in the money. Free.

Tuesdays: Black Gold Scratch Off: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Earn 200 points and receive a scratch off ticket with prizes of various amounts of free play, cash, bonus points or shares in the Black Gold Stock Promotion.

Wednesdays: Beat Bonner Slot Tournament: beat posted score and win up to $500 in free play. $20 entry fee.

Thursdays: Black Gold giveaway, Earn an entry for each 50 points, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Four winners each hour from 7-10 p.m.

Saturdays: Cash and Caddies: Earn an entry for each 50 points from 2-8 p.m.. Five winners each hour from 6-8 p.m. and 2009 Cadillac drawing at 8 p.m.

Sundays: Gold Digger Cash Grab, Each an entry for each 50 points, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Five winners each hour, 1-5 p.m.
and one winner enters the money machine to win up to $20,000.

SPECIAL CASINO PROMOTIONS

Nov. 1-30: Black Gold Shares promotion. Maximum amount allowed to be redeemed per day is $200

Nov. 8: $25,000 guaranteed giveaway: 6-10 p.m.; Five $1,000 winners at 6 p.m., 10 $500 free play winners at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.; One $5,000 cash winner at 10 p.m.

Nov. 16: Platinum Giveaway, Five $1,000 winners and one $5,000 winner at 8 p.m.

Nov. 29: Big Deal Day: 7 p.m.: Guest selected for quiz game and stuns to win their share of $30,000 in free play and prizes.

Continue reading "Coconut Creek promotions for November" »

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So we finally got up online a big story I wrote about Kevin Schaffel -- and the overall poker boom -- that ran in Sunday's Sun-Sentinel.

(Had a few computer problems, sorry.)

The chip count:

Darvin Moon: 58,930,000
Eric Buchman: 34,800,000
Steven Begleiter: 29,885,000
Jeff Shulman: 19,580,000
Joseph Cada: 13,215,000
Kevin Schaffel: 12,390,000
Phil Ivey: 9,765,000
Antoine Saout: 9,500,000
James Akenhead: 6,800,000

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Cathy Abbott of Hollywood took the winner’s trophy Wednesday night in the Dan Le Batard Celebrity Poker Tournament at Dania Jai-Alai.

The tournament drew over 200 poker players despite game one of the World Series and the Miami Heat opener. Buy-in was $50.

The final four players decided to “chop” the pot equally giving each player $1,381. Abbott (pictured with 790 The Ticket's Mike Ryan -- congrats on making the blog) was the chip leader and was awarded the tournament trophy.

By my stats, it's the first Le Batard female winner in the history of the tournament, which is about a year old. I think she's a regular at Dania, but I am not sure. Anyone know?

Dania Jai-Alai’s cardroom is open Sundays through Thursdays from noon to midnight, Friday and Saturdays from noon to 2 a.m. The fronton is located at 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd in Dania Beach.

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Got this press release today:

Gulfstream Park today announces the resignation of Bill Murphy from his posts as President and General Manager, effective October 30. Gulfstream Park opens its 2010 meeting Jan. 3 and Mr. Murphy will assist with the management transition as opening day approaches.

“I’d like to thank Magna Entertainment Corp. and Frank Stronach for the opportunity, and honor, of working with an incredible staff and with the greatest horsemen and jockeys in the world,” Mr. Murphy said. “I can’t say enough about the employees here. They successfully ran a business through the five years that this property was under constant construction. They put a great deal of pride into their work and I am very proud of my association with them.”

Mr. Murphy started at Gulfstream Park in June 2006 as a Vice President in charge of racing and in January 2007 was made President and General Manager.

Greg Rayburn, Magna Entertainment Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer stated “I would personally like to thank Bill for his contributions to Gulfstream Park and MEC over the years. He was instrumental in keeping Gulfstream Park the premier track for winter racing on the East Coast following our rebuild. We look forward to building on the solid foundation Bill helped establish as we look to the opening of the Village at Gulfstream Park and a new racing season.”

Working to get more info... Any thoughts or comments?

More in tomorrow's paper; watching UM and Gator games, filed the story for tomorrow's paper.

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I take back anything bad I said about Key West: A state legislator there says he's drafting legislation to get the pari-mutuel portion of the compact rolling.

St. Pete Times' Shannon Colavecchio beat me to it, but here it is.

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Slot machines, poker chips and cards -- and, hopefully, money. Plenty of places for the swine flu to lurk.

The Isle Casino and Racing has announced initiatives to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

The casino has advised employees to wash their hands frequently, make an effort to avoid contact with individuals who have the flu, if sick, stay home and limit contact with others and get a flu vaccination.

The Isle also has placed seven alcohol based (70 percent ethyl alcohol) hand sanitizer gel dispensers throughout the casino floor.

"I am most concerned with the health and well-being of our team members and our guests during what could be a very challenging flu season. We are taking steps to decrease the spread of flu by keeping our team members healthy and taking common sense measures to stop the spread of germs in our public spaces," said Michael Bloom, general manager and vice president of the Isle.

Dr. Frank Toscano, an emergency physician who writes about health and poker for Ante Up magazine, says the Isle is doing the right thing.

Continue reading "Isle takes flu prevention initiatives" »

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The best player in the game, a logger with no credit card or cell phone and the possiblity of the youngest champion in World Series of Poker history.

“Those three storylines alone are facscinating,” ESPN’s Norman Chad said Thursday at the network’s pre-series press conference.

He's referring to Phil Ivey, who has won seven WSOP bracelets; Darvin Moon, the chip leader, a logger from West Virginia; and 21-year-old Joe Cada.

ESPN will show a feature at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Ivey in its show, E-60. Coincidentally (?) he's on the cover of this week’s ESPN The Magazine. Then the final table narrows to nine in the 9 p.m. telecast.

Part of the conversation focused on Tuesday's telecast, where Ivey mucked his hand, although it was a winner. He had a pair of eights, and four spades hit the board. He mucked when he saw an overpair, costing him about 2.1 million chips.

"On the tape; my first reaction wwas something’s wrong with the tape; I just couldn’t believe it was happening," Chad said. "It was like watching Michaelangelo drop his paint brush.".

The November Nine meet Saturday, play down to two, who vie at 10 p.m. Vegas time Monday night.

Other topics: Jeff Shulman apparently is the only player with a coach, and he has Phil Hellmuth.

"It’s either the greatest move in history or the greatest mistake in history," Chad said. "He could win the main event and be overshadowed by his coach."

Lon McEachern on Kevin Schaffel of Coral Springs: "He’s not a flash in the pan. He’s been playing longer than anybody else. He carries himself well and is very charismatic."

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Three casinos are getting into Halloween, encouraging patrons to dress up.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is having a Scary Rock Star Costume Contest tonight. First prize is a $16,000 package that includes a motorcycle and $5,000 cash; second prize is a $3,700 package that includes a cruise for two. Registration begins 7:30 p.m. for the contest at 9 p.m. Contact: SeminoleParadise.com/scaryrockstars

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is giving away more than $5,000 in cash and prizes at its costume contest Saturday. Register between 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. for the contest at 11. A Haunted Masquerade Carnival dinner and live entertainment party will be 8 p.m. Saturday, for $55. Contact: SeminoleCoconutCreekCasino.com; 954-977-6700. And a Haunted Masquerade dinner and party benefiting the SOS Children’s Villages Florida will be 6 p.m. Sunday, for $50. Contact: 954-420-5030

Mardi Gras Gaming Casino and Racetrack in Hallandale Beach invites all to its Hallo-Gras III Scarefest costume contest at 8:31 p.m. today. The casino will award $500 cash and trophies for scariest, funniest, most original, best casino theme and best couple. Contact: PlayMardiGras.com; 954-924-3200.

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Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is hosting a satellite tournament at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 that will give the winning two-person team a free trip to Las Vegas to compete in the fifth annual World Series of Beer Pong.

Entry fee is $20 and players will receive $20 in free play in the casino.

"We expect a big turnout,” said Seminole Casino Coconut Creek GM Steve Bonner.

Last year's WSOBP, created by BPONG.COM, drew more than 800 players from the United States and Canada. This year's event is Jan. 1-5 at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

Grand prize is $50,000, with additional payouts and prizes for second through fourth place winning teams.

Beer Pong consists of an 8-foot table on which 10, 16-ounce cups are arranged in bowling pin formation and filled with approximately four ounces of liquid each. Each two-person team takes turns tossing ping pong balls into their opponent’s cups. If a ball goes in, the cup is removed. The first team to eliminate its opponent’s cups wins.

Satellite tournament registration forms are now available at the casino’s cashier’s cage and by phone at 954-283-2826. The tournament is limited to the first 64 teams registered.

Participants must be 21 years or older. For more information email BeerPong@stofgaming.com or call 954-283-2746.

Second prize at Coconut Creek is $1,000, third is $750, and the top 12 get at leat $50 in free casino play.

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