Seminoles are serious: They hire VP of table games
If you were sitting back still doubting whether the Seminoles were putting in blackjack, here's more proof: The Tribe has hired a senior vice president of table games.
It's Howard Dreitzer. His appointment was announced by Seminole Gaming CEO James F. Allen.
In his new position, Dreitzer has primary responsibility for blackjack, baccarat, pai gow and other card games at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, Florida, as well as five other Seminole casinos, according to a news release. The card games are part of the compact agreement signed between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida.
Dreitzer most recently was Senior Vice President and General Manager for Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Dreitzer worked directly for Caesars Entertainment, which managed the gaming resort, and he directed overall operations, the release said. He previously was vice president and general manager and vice president of casino operations of the Conrad International Treasury Casino & Hotel in Brisbane, Australia.
He also has worked at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, LA, where he was senior vice president of casino operations and chief operating officer for two years. He also served as executive vice president of gaming at the Atlantic City Showboat Hotel & Casino and Senior Vice President of Casino Operations for the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. (Personally, I've never been to any of those places, so I can't say I've seen him around.)
But he was born in Miami Beach and studied at the University of South Florida, the University of Las Vegas, Columbia University, Wharton Business College, Harvard, Cambridge and Cornell, according to the release.
The next pressing question regarding table games is the blackjack rules, which I'm sure the Seminoles know by now, but are waiting to release. Will it be hit or stick on soft 17? Double on any two cards? Insurance? Surrender? 3-to-2 or 6-to-5 on a BJ? And what stakes? $25 min. during peak hours and weekend?
As soon as I know, you all will know. So bookmark this blog. Now.
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.
