Bargain tournament a bummer
Where was everyone at the $25 multi-table tournament at Dania Beach Jai-Alai on Monday night?
A $25 tournament is a bargain down here. I figure there should be at least 100 people playing.
But by my count, there were only about 40.
That's not enought to make it worthwhile.
Tell me why there weren't more players?
The tournament starts at 6:30 p.m., right after work.
Bud on tap is $1 during happy hour.
The tables are comfortable and not crammed together.
The entry fee is affordable.
And there's plenty of parking.
Sure, Dania Beach Jai-Alai is no Hard Rock. It's definitely more of a local venue.
So where were you guys? Are tournaments just not that big down here?
Here's your chance to rant: What could make this tournament better?
I think it simply needs more players. I was disappointed that the first-place prize was only about $250, and only the top five players were paid.
I think a better big-screen TV could help the place, too.
Here's the schedule: www.dania-jai-alai.com/poker/pokercalendar.htm
NICK SORTAL began playing 3-card "gut" and "Indian poker" on high school band trips, moved on to "night baseball" and "pass the trash" during a Dr. Pepper-infused midnight game in the 1980s at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and now play in a regular neighborhood Hold 'Em game in Plantation. I have been given the assignment of writing about the gambling life in South Florida casinos for the Sun-Sentinel...which means sitting around watching poker on TV now counts as research.
