Our casinos may not be Vegas-style, but our entertainment sure is inspired by Sin City.

The “Flying Elvi”, a 10-member skydiving team first featured in the 1992 movie, Honeymoon in Vegas will jump July 3 (unless the weatherman ignores our pleas to Don't Be Cruel) at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

They'll make a jump of 5,000 to 12,000 feet just before sunset to kick off the casino's Independence Day weekend.

The Las Vegas skydiver show includes smoke trails, pyrotechnic fireworks, and precision maneuvers. An over-the-top “Elvi” stage show will follow the sky dive, according to the casino.

Free-falling for up to 9,500 feet at speeds ranging from 120 to 160 mph, the Flying ELVI -- dressed in complete Elvis Presley outfits -- are serious daredevils with an average of more than 2,000 jumps each. All of them are U.S. Parachute Association Pro rated; they also have Elvis' approval, according to their site.

Their business took off after the movie, when they called themselves "the Flying Elvises," since tweaking their name. I just remember Sarah Jessica Parker fawning to Nicolas Cage: "You jumped out of a plane for me!" Aww.

The Elvi in some ways are a continuation of GM Steve Bonner's air fetish: he's given away space flights, painted a target on the roof for space debris to fall on and had "Dinners in the Sky" promotions. Can't say the guy's feet are planted firmly on the ground...

Meanwhile, the casino will hold a barbeque from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4; cost is $7.77.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is east of State Road 7 (U.S. 441) and north of Sample Road at 5550 NW 40th Street. Call 954-977-6700.

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This is a story about re-entries, chops and a poker player who hopes her luck is changing.

Ebony Kenney, 27, prevailed in the main event of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Summer Open Poker Series June 22. Here's the story.

Kenney, who lives in Estero, near Fort Myers, had played poker full-time for two or three years, including some World Series circuit events, but took a break for about eight months after a long losing streak.

"I enjoy poker so much, but just hit a bad slump," she said. "I couldn't win a race."

A single mother of two, she recently earned her real estate agent's license, and came to the Hard Rock with three friends to play in the tournament, which has two opening days. She used to player there some, especially in $500 single-table tournaments before more players switched to cash games.

She got knocked out on the first day of the main event. But the tournament allows those knocked out on the first day to re-enter on the second day, something most tournaments don't allow. (It's written in state gambling rules, but the Seminoles don't have to comply with the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.)

"I had not heard of tournaments doing that before, but I said 'What the heck,'" she said.

So she surived her second "Day One," and was in 49th place out of 50.

"But then I just hung on, and caught a couple of hands," she said.

She was among the two top chip leaders when the field narrowed to about seven. They agreed to divide the pot -- a "chop" in poker parlance -- with Kenney and one other player getting a little bit more. (She took home $54,230 in the tournament, which had 182 entries/counting some people twice. Entry fee was $1,100.)

To determine the trophy-winner, the choppers each drew a card, and Kenney and the other leader were allowed to draw two, to more fairly weight the chop.

She got the ace of hearts, and a king of hearts kicker.

And the trophy.

Now she's in Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker. She busted out of a $1,500 event on Monday but hopes to play in the main event this weekend. She's cobbling together a backer or two to cover part of the $10,000 entry -- common practice in the poker world.

The "other" poker that goes on during WSOP can be just as lucrative, players note, and that's part of Kenney's plan. She's playing the $300 tournaments that aren't associated with the WSOP, and perhaps that will also help bankroll her.

"I'm in Vegas, and playing poker," she says. "You never know what can happen."

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The Isle Casino Pompano Park promotions include a golf bag mystery sweepstakes and Mercedes C300 giveaway and slot tournaments:

Every Sunday in July is the "everyone wins" Sizzling Summer Free Slot Tournament from noon- 6 p.m. Over $20,000 in IslePlay will be awarded each week.

Every Thursday in July, earn five times points from 9 a.m.– midnight. The points can be redeemed for food and at the retail shop.

On Saturday, July 4, 11, 18 and 25, enter the $2,500 IslePlay Sweepstakes at 11 a.m. Swipe your IsleOne card at the kiosk and receive an entry for the 11 a.m. drawings when 20 winners will receive $100 in IslePlay. The grand prize of $500 will be awarded to the 21st name drawn.

From noon - 5 p.m. on July 18, it’s the $25,000 Golf Bag Mystery Sweeps. Two winners will be selected to choose four numbered golf balls at the top of the hour. The order in which the balls are chosen will represent the total amount of the cash prize. At 5 p.m., one lucky winner will draw to win the $10,000 cash prize. Plus, all participants putt for an additional $2,500 in cash.

On Friday, July 31, from 6-10 p.m., enter to win a Mercedes C 300 and a share of $10,000 in IslePlay. Earn two times entries every Monday in July; earn three times entries on Tuesdays and four times entries on Wednesdays.

Meanwhile, the Isle buffet will offer a 2-for-1 Italian dinner night every Thursday in July for $17.95. It includes antipasto, pizza, pasta, carved beef and desserts.

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Gulfstream Park’s Independence Weekend fireworks show returns July 3, and this year it features a $17.76 All-American buffet; live music and a three-Jeep giveaway.

The buffet will be served in Gulfstream Park’s 1,000-seat Ten Palms on the second floor, which overlooks the fireworks display.

The menu includes traditional Independence Day fare, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans and apple pie.

Meanwhile, the tiki huts in the Jameson Jockey Club will host two 45-minute sets from the popular local artist Davie Rey and will also be the setting for the giveaway of three Jeep Libertys.

Ten Palms will be open at 4 p.m.; the music starts at 6:30 and the fireworks begin at 9:15.

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Palm Beach Kennel Club’s 2008-09 season of greyhound racing ends Tuesday afternoon and for gamblers that means the Twin-Trifecta and Tri-Super carryover jackpots gotta go.

The Twin-Trifecta is played on races 5 and 7 each racing performance while the Tri-Super encompasses races 11 and 13.

The Kennel Club kicks off its 2009-10 racing season Wednesday afternoon. All racing statistics will start anew.

July 1 will also be the kickoff of the Palm Beach Poker Room’s 2009 Yukon Denali giveaway.

From the first of the month thru July 25, hourly high-hand winners (4 of a kind or higher) will receive a chance to win the 2009 Yukon Denali. Ten finalists will be selected on July 25 and each will receive a key, only one of which will start the $55,000 decked-out automobile.

Post time for the first race Tuesday afternoon is 1 p.m.

Call 561-683-2222.

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Just a quick visual today, on the progress at Gulfstream Park's The Villages project. Photo/courtesy of Gulfstream

Gulfstream said earlier this year that completion date for The Villages was Feb. 11, but with Calder making a big push to finish before the Feb. 7 Super Bowl, so might this project.

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The Isle is getting into the annuity business, and it involves newspapers.

The casino will conduct a drawing at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 28, and give away 10 annuities: The top prize is $2,500 a month for a year, second is $500 a month for a year, on through $100 a month for fifth through 10th.

The SunSentinel and Palm Beach Post will publish coupons on Friday and the New Times will have them this week's edition. Bring in the coupon on Sunday and get an entry for the drawing. Players' Club members also can get a bonus entry by swiping their cards on the 28th.

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Results from the Isle's main event, which wrapped up Monday:

Amount Name Home Town
$67,860.00 Harrison Gimbel Jupiter
$39,780.00 Taylor Jon Stelfox Edgewater, MD
$25,740.00 Claudionel Barbosa Deerfield Beach
$16,380.00 Glenn Fullone St. Petersburg
$11,700.00 Robert Blanchette Ft Lauderdale
$10,062.00 Marc Bronstein Delray Beach
$7,722.00 Daniel Vranich Lake Park
$5,616.00 Jerry Leong Boca Raton
$5,382.00 Peter Han Boca Raton
$5,148.00 Greg Rosen Plantation
$4,914.00 Adel Jo Miami
$4,680.00 Stuart Paterson Boca Raton
$4,446.00 David Gerber Deerfield Beach
$4,212.00 Michael Lipman Miami
$3,978.00 Fernando Halac Aventura
$3,744.00 Nissin Vaknin Davie
$3,510.00 Robert Chusid Cooper City
$3,276.00 Howard Darnold Fort Pierce
$3,042.00 Mike Delgigante Boca Raton
$2,808.00 Frank Andrews Boca Raton
$1,840.00 John Lacognata Coral Springs
$1,840.00 Anthony Ruberto Everett, Ma
$1,840.00 Marc Levy Boynton Beach
$1,840.00 Donald Keneipp Ft Lauderdale
$1,840.00 Jacob Roden Estero, FL
$1,760.00 Romel Nicolas Miami Gardens
$1,760.00 Dave Albertson Margate
$1,760.00 Charles Alexandra Coconut Creek
$1,760.00 Devin Shalmi Boca Raton
$1,760.00 John Davis WPB
$1,600.00 Alan Gould Plantation
$1,600.00 Leonard St Germain SW Ranches

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The Florida Lottery announced today that Florida Lotto winner Jeffrey Thomas Youel, 47, of Sunrise, claimed the $6 million jackpot drawn on June 20.

Youel chose the one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,348,662. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased at Publix, located at 13700 State Road 84 in Davie. The retailer received a bonus incentive of $15,000 for selling the ticket.

The winning numbers were:
04 - 23 - 29 - 38 - 45 - 52

Youel is the 83rd Florida Lotto jackpot winner to purchase a winning ticket in Broward County, according to the Lottery. To date, there have been more than 950 jackpot winners statewide.

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I'm not able to put live news up this week, but I had some items in the can that will pop up daily, using my "scheduled" feature. See below.

I gotta have eye surgery late Tuesday afternoon; detached retina.

If I have this right, they're going to inject a gas balloon into the top of my eye area and try to move the unattached part of my retina into where it needs to go. Right now if you picture a full moon, I can see only about a quarter sliver, so it really needs fixing. I gotta hold my head still the rest of the week, so as not to disturb the balloon.

Then once they reattach the retina, they gotta hope that the eye nerves regenerate to the point that I can approach full vision. It often does, but not always. So, this is freaky stuff.

Update:This is Nick's son typing (he is not supposed to be on the computer)
They attached the retina, and their is some cloudy vision. We expect it to recover, but we do not know how much time it is going to take. Here is a poker comparison: It's like getting two good cards,but there is still a flop, a turn, and a river.

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Ebony Kenney of Fort Myers won the main event of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Summer Open Poker series.

She took home $54,230; the $1,100 buy-in event drew 182 entrants.

I'm trying to find out more about Kenney, who I've never met. She shows up on CardPlayer magazine rankings and such, but there's only spotty info.

Anyone else help me out?

Meanwhile, the Hard Rock's complete list:

EVENT# 1 $150 BUY IN (6/12) (25K) 305 $36,600 Luis Cristobal $9,744
EVENT# 2 $150 BUY IN (6/13) (20K) 224/169RB $39,555 Ronnie Johns $11,262
EVENT# 3 $75 BUY IN (6/14) (10K) 310 $18,600 Gary Lopes $4,960
EVENT# 4 $75 BUY IN (6/15) (6K) 173 $10,380 David Albertson $3,114
EVENT# 5 $300 BUY IN (6/15) (25K) 139 $34,750 Steven McKean $11,120
EVENT# 6 $150 BUY IN (6/16) (15K) 190 $22,800 Edgar Villamil $6,800
EVENT# 7 $75 BUY IN (6/17) (10K) 267 $16,020 Anonymous $4,385
EVENT# 8 $1100BUY IN (6/19) (150K) 182 $182,000 Ebony Kenney $54,230
EVENT# 9 $75 BUY IN (6/17) (10K) 276 $16,560 Steven McKean $4,507

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Here's what I have after my interview with Joe Giaimo. I had to do a phoner, so I missed getting to walk around the tables and get eyeball details:

Ten-dollar blackjack players have their wish: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino promises to have low-limit tables all the time.

Blackjack arrived at the Hard Rock on June 22, 2008, with a minimum bet of $25 and 41 tables carrying $100 minimums. Had minimums been lower during the public’s opening-weeks rush, wait times for a table would have been even longer, Hard Rock officials noted at the time.

Within a couple of months, the minimums dropped to $15 and, sometimes, to $10 — depending on crowd size. In October, the casino announced it would operate $10 tables from 7 a.m. to noon weekdays.

That changed last week, when casino officials announced there would be $10 tables round-the-clock.

The reason for the switch? Customer demand. Also, the action is a little slower this time of year, said Joe Giaimo, the Seminoles’ regional vice president of table games. Las Vegas and Atlantic City, for example, have busy summers and slow winters; South Florida has the opposite, he said.

“Business has declined slightly, but not that much,” he said. The Seminoles don’t release revenue figures.

There will be at least four $10 tables in the mornings, and about 12 when all of the casino’s 64 blackjack tables are running, Giaimo said.

Having $10 tables has been the No. 1 request pertaining to blackjack, he said.

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Dania Jai-Alai, which doesn't have the advantage of a spillover slots crowd, is holding its most lucrative poker tournament ever on July 11. The fronton's promotions for entries into that tournament begin now.

The guaranteed prize pool is $40,000, with about $13,000 going to the winner. Entry fee is $250, and entries are capped at 250.

Single-table $30 satellite tournaments for those who want to earn an entry into the big game are being held through July 10.

There also are $55 single-table satellites where the top two get in and even a multi table satellite game where all of the players that make the final table score a ticket.

Meanwhile, the fronton promotes its $100 Friday night game, where players start with 9,000 units and blinds are 30 minutes apart. Dania is giving one "golden ticket" each Friday night to the big tournament.

And note that the monthly Dan Le Batard Celebrity tournament is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24.

Visit www.betdania.com or call 954-920-1511.

Just a note here, though, to keep it in perspective: a $40,000 tournament isn't that unusual; it's just unusual for Dania. For example, the main event at the Isle over the weekend carried a $150,000 guarantee, and even their No. 2 event had a $75,000 guarantee.

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Looks like the lower-limit players now have a place to play, whenever, at the Hard Rock.

I'm talking to the Hard Rock's VP Joe Giamo Monday.

Anyone have questions to ask? Has blackjack gone like you thought it would this year?

From the release:

Just one year ago on June 22, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino launched South Florida’s first legal games of Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Let it Ride, and Three Card Poker at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, creating a myriad of excitement, nearly 1,000 new jobs and increased tourism dollars. To celebrate this important milestone, the casino is expanding special $10 minimum bet Blackjack games to be available 24/7... In addition to the excitement of the change in the regional gaming landscape, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the State of Florida celebrated the creation of new jobs needed to operate the games and support the increase in staff. Presently, the Seminole Tribe of Florida employs 45,000 individuals directly and indirectly at all of its Seminole Casino facilities as the introduction of table games created destination and expansion opportunities.

“This has been an incredible year for Seminole Gaming,” said Joe Giaimo, regional VP of table games for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. “Today, we celebrate a significant move that gave Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and South Florida an opportunity to shine as a signature gaming destination with a first-rate hotel, top-name entertainment, world-class dining and increased leisure tourism. Plus, as one of the largest employers in the state, we’re proud to have had a positive impact on the economy. It’s been a tremendous win-win opportunity for everyone involved.”

According to Giaimo, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino table games have been at full capacity since their introduction. Based on conservative calculations, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood estimates that more than one million players will have tried their luck during the first year of Blackjack and other table games.

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Three regulars at Gulfstream Park Casino & Racing earned seats in next month's World Series of Poker.

Billy Greisman of Davie, Toufik Beloualhi of Sunrise and Erwin Saltos of Aventura survived the field of 50 and will play in the WSOP main event, which begins July 3. Greisman, who finished in first place, earned a seat at the main event, airfare and hotel stay. Beloualhi, runner-up, received a seat and hotel stay. Saltos receives a seat only.

The event is the culmination of Gulfstream's spring poker season. Gulfstream keeps a points leaderboard -- it's called the "Tournament Challenge Series" -- for a couple of months, then awards a prize. It started with a tournament last December and a Mercedes, then the winter season ended a couple of months ago, with a Rolex as prize. The top 50 point winners play down for the prize.

The summer series begins July 1,with a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle as first prize.

Four female qualifiers made it to the recent free roll event at Gulfstream, with two, Mia Higginbotham and Peggy Penning, making the final table, according to Gulfstream's Scott Poole. Penning was the top female finisher, eliminated in seventh place and receiving $500.

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After you give Dad his tie and waffles in bed, here are some options if they like gambling, free stuff or to get stuffed:

Mardi Gras Gaming & Casino is giving away $250 in bonus play every 30 minutes, from noon to 8 p.m. and has live entertainment, a barbecue and other giveaways.

The Isle Casino gives away $10,000 cash, outdoor grills, a fishing trip, game system bundles, a scooter and other prizes.

Gulfstream is giving away at 42-inch plasma TV every 30 minutes, from 6-11 p.m. Saturday; and a trip to the baseball all-star game in St. Louis at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek has a $26.95 brunch that includes a 14-ounce Porterhouse steak. It's open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, the casino also has an "Ultimate Player Weekend," giving away $1,000 every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Seminole Casino Hollywood has a $12.95 brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. that includes an omelet station, eggs Benedict and herb-crusted New York strip steaks, as well as a massage and a cigar station.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has a variety of options:

At the Blue Plate: Porcini-Crusted Dual Chicken Breast served over Mushroom Risotto & Truffle Beurre Blanc for $16.99, Crab-Crusted Filet of Salmon served with a Polenta Cake with Lobster Reduction for $18.99 or Surf and Turf: Grilled 12-ounce New York Strip Steak with three jumbo shrimp for $25.99.

Council Oak has an Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch that includes a free mimosa, a raw bar with shrimp, crab claws, oysters and smoked salmon, and a chocolate fondue fountain. It's $49.95 for adults and $17.95 for children 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 954-327-7501.

The Contour Spa has the Men’s Spa Experience that includes a 50-minute Swedish Massage, facial, manicure and pedicure for $199. Call 954-587-5905 for reservations.

At Seminole Paradise, Bluepoint Ocean Grill is serving up a $58.95 per person Dad’s Day Package of a Maryland Crab-stuffed Portobello Mushroom served with Lemon Beurre Blanc appetizer, a choice of Homemade Seafood Chowder or Classic Caesar Salad, entrée selection of Prime Porterhouse Steak 20-ounce select cut served with Goat Cheese Cappeliene Pie and select vegetables with Demi Glace, Twin Warm Water Lobster Tails with Drawn Butter, Garlic Wild Rice and Grilled Asparagus and a Chocolate Truffle Amaretto Torte with Raspberry Coulis and Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream dessert. Reservations are suggested by calling 954-327-8911.

Renegade Barbeque is offering complimentary draft beers to all dads on Sunday.

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The New York Times says online poker accounts are frozen in some cases, meaning poker players are at risk of getting stiffed.

Here's the story on the Times web site.

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Here are the results of the early tournaments at the Hard Rock's Summer Open Poker Series, as, provided by the casino.
There are two opening days for the main event, Friday and Saturday.

The rest of the schedule left: $150 tournament, 6:30 p.m. June 16; $75 tournament, 6:30 p.m. June 17; $150 satellites into main event, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 18, and $50 satellite at 7:30 p.m. June 18; $1,100 main event, with two starting days, at 11 a.m. June 19 and 20, continuing on June 21.

More info: 954-327-ROCK or www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com

In event No. 1, (a $150 buy-in), Luis Cristobal of Coral Gables outlasted a field of 305. He took home $9,744.

In event No. 2 (also a $150 buy-in, but with rebuys), Ronnie Johns of Labelle prevailed. He earned. $11,262.

Event No. 3 (a $75 buy-in) went to Gary Lopes of Naples. His first place netted $4,960 in the field of 310.

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Here are the results of the early tournaments at the Isle's Florida State Poker Championships, provided by the casino.
There are two opening days for the main event, Friday and Saturday:

The rest of the remaining schedule: a $550 No-Limit tournament, 1 p.m. June 17; $60 satellites for Florida State Championship, 2 and 7 p.m. June 18; $800 Florida State Championship, with two starting days, at 2:30 p.m. June 19 and 20, continuing through June 22 or 23.

More info: 954-972-2000, ext. 5123 or 5124.

Event 1: $330 buy-in to the six-handed no-limit tournament:
Name Home Town $
1 Kevin McBride Boca Raton $11,000
2 Jeffrey Balsewich Boynton Bch $9,500
3 Steven Senter Plantation $8,500
4 Ezekiel Eberly Ft Meyers $3,690
5 Alex Ripps Boca Raton $2,706
6 Sal Kamal Coral Springs, FL $2,214
7 Jay Green Boca Raton $1,624
8 Mike Amato Boca Raton $1,181
9 Michael Tait Hallandale, FL $1,132
10 David Fetzner Jensen Bch, FL $1,082
11 Chaim Halpern Boynton Bch, Fl $1,033
12 Richard Gettino Weston, FL $984
13 Shane Biggar Coral Springs, FL $935
14 Daniel Gimbel Jupiter, FL $886
15 Donald Keneipp Ft. Lauderdale, FL $836
16 Walter Scovronski Hardeeville, SC $787
17 Todd Rich Loxahatchee, FL $738

Florida Ladies' Championship ($200 buy-in)

Name Home Town $
1 Susan Tolson Fort Lauderdale, FL $3,917.00
2 Lisa Woodburn Margate, FL $2,398.00
3 Christy Pham Kissimmee, FL $1,562.00
4 Georgia Felgev Lantana, FL $1,085.00
5 Sirima Hecht Deerfield Beach, FL $792.00
6 Lisa Adams Boca Raton, FL $608.00
7 Ruth Gaskins GreenAcres, FL $488.00

Event 3: $225 buy-in, which drew 253 players:
1 $13,977.00 Robert Zelinjka Delray Beach
2 $8,194.00 Francisco Regalado Miami
3 $5,302.00 Jerome Weinberg Lake Worth
4 $3,374.00 Scott Debenidetto Boca Raton
5 $2,410.00 Johnathan Gold Boca Raton
6 $2,073.00 Allen Epstein West Palm Beach
7 $1,591.00 Michael Sarabjit Miramar
8 $1,157.00 Richard Bratter Ocala
9 $1,109.00 Seth Gregg Elovitz Pompano Beach
10 $1,060.00 Max Gesenhues Fort Meyers
11 $1,012.00 Gus Decarlo Aventura
12 $964.00 Ravi Varma Palm Beach Gardens
13 $916.00 Thomas Battaglia Pompano Beach
14 $868.00 Orlando Comrie Davie
15 $819.00 Nissin Vaknin Davie
16 $771.00 Christy Pham Kissimmee
17 $723.00 Tim Morgan Pompano Beach
18 $675.00 Daniel Genachte Deerfield Beach
19 $627.00 Hosney Boutros Fort Lauderdale
20 $598.00 Arnold Erenstoft Margate, FL
21 $400.00 Doug Eddy Hollywood, FL
22 $400.00 Dan Kolchkov Pompano
23 $400.00 Marene Ledo Miami
24 $400.00 Tony Aobano Deerfield
25 $400.00 Brian Sekel Oakland, NJ
26 $400.00 Mike McBribe Lighthouse Point

Event 4: $330 tournament, with $100 bounties. The tournament drew 230 players, a record, according to director of poker operations Mike Smith:
1 Tony Petruzzi Boca Raton, FL $4,869.00
2 Toufik Beloulki Sunrise, FL $4,869.00
3 Aleem Chandrani Fort meyers $4,869.00
4 Daniel Letts Miami, FL $4,869.00
5 Ray Nalbandian Tamarac, FL $4,869.00
6 Tim Morgan Pompano, Fl $4,869.00
7 David Fetzner Jensen Beach $4,869.00
8 Alan Winters Gainsville, FL $1,068.00
9 Walt Vanzuidam Lighthouse Point, FL $1,024.00
10 Brandon Terry Kady, TX $979.00
11 Ken Campos Miami, FL $935.00
12 Michael Mack Tamarac, FL $890.00
13 Gil Nagar Hollywood, FL $846.00
14 Devin Barta Coral Springs, FL $801.00
15 Amy Devoe (who got a seat via AIFP) Oakland Park,FL $757.00
16 Jorge Aristizabal Parkland, FL $712.00
17 Roy Goodman Pompano, Fl $668.00
18 Nick Visconti Boca Raton, FL $623.00
19 Anna Calder Hallandale, FL $579.00
20 Eric Kolodny Aventura, FL $534.00
21 Robert Drexler Delray Bch, FL $500.00
22 David Weaver Ft. Laud., FL $500.00
23 Mark Yee WPB,FL $500.00

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The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has joined the multiplayer community slot gaming trend, adding Slingo Bonus Deluxe and Super Bankroll Bonus. The Isle, Seminole Coconut Creek and others have also tapped into the community gaming trend (I wrote about it awhile back).

Slingo Bonus Deluxe features a vivid 21-inch LCD screen and uses International Game Technology’s (IGT) highly competitive Double Diamond 20-line program. Three bonus symbols on any activated pay line ignite the “Deluxe” bonus round in which the player “flips” a blinking award card to reveal the bonus spins won, from eight to 16. Each spin sends the five video reels into motion. If a reel matches a number on the column above on the player’s grid or comes up as a Joker, the player wins a “spot hit,” earning him or her anywhere from one to 100 credits. Earning “Slingo,” which is all the numbers covered in a column, row or diagonal, or a full card (all numbers in the grid covered) awards additional credits, from 20 to 100.

Super Bankroll Bonus is a six-station community bonusing game with a five-reel, 20-line video slot that capitalizes on the popularity of AC Coin’s Bankroll. Like its forerunner, it promises to enhance the group experience on the casino floor with the excitement of a shared bonusing event. Over the last three years the original Bankroll has been placed in more than 400 casinos throughout North America.

Super Bankroll, at 7 feet by 6 feet 9 inches, entices players with jumbo-sized signage that features a scrolling display of a printing press printing oversized dollar bills while it broadcasts the song “Money (That’s What I Want).”

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No, NickSortal isn't in there. Yet. (Hint: Add now!)

Bluff Magazine listed its top five Twitter feeds, and why. Meanwhile, I'm compiling my own post of my Twitter faves -- got any ideas?

From Bluff:

1.) dwpoker (David Williams). "The busiest Tweeter in the poker world," Bluff says.

2.) barrygreenstein (Barry Greenstein). Greenstein, known as a cerebral player, includes details such as seeking a new mouse for his computer after a Sprite spilled.

3.) Phil_Hellmuth (Phil Hellmuth). The life of one of the most famous names in poker.

4.) JeffMadsenobv (Jeff Madsen). Not only does he tell about his hot streak, but also about al his prop bets and his sudden obsession with golf, Bluff says.

5.) RealAnnieDuke (Annie Duke). The Apprentice runner-up has plenty to say.

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Two disco balls scatter silver light over the dark room. Dance music thumps. And the bingo caller implores, “Somebody scream!”

Cosmic Bingo has hit Seminole Casino Hollywood.

“Definitely not your grandma’s bingo,” general manager Adrian Fox said.

The staff wear outlandish wigs and fluorescent shirts that say: “Play With Me In The Dark.”

Players have glow-sticks around their necks. Danceable oldies blare ... Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours, Kool & The Gang’s Ladies Night and the BeeGees’ Stayin’ Alive.

It's at 10 and 11 p.m. Fridays. A package of cards for eight games costs $6. Winners usually get $100, but the last game is for $250 in free casino play, and there’s a “progressive” game where the prize can grow to $1,000. Call 954-961-3220.

There’s also free liquor. As part of a temporary promotion, the casino has been began giving free drinks to people playing slots, poker or bingo.

The casino, known to locals as Seminole Classic, opened in 1979 as a bingo hall before adding slots and poker. Fox said Cosmic Bingo has drawn a younger crowd.

Guillermo and Eneida Vega, of Miramar, recently came with their 31-year-old son, Guillermo Jr. Eneida — whose son calls her “a professional bingo player” — has been visiting the bingo hall for 16 years. She said the noise and the darkness of Cosmic Bingo make the game “confusing but fun.”

Adds Fox: “I think we have a bright future ahead of us. Or maybe a dark future with glow sticks.”

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If you need a reason to check out Florida’s poker rooms, a new tour might be enough for you to reach for the keys and hop into your car.

Ante Up magazine, which covers Florida poker, has created a yearlong series of tournaments with a special incentive to the player who accumulates the most points: a spot on the magazine’s cover.

There are 30 poker rooms in the state, at horse tracks, dog tracks, jai-alai frontons, cruise ships and Indian casinos. About half of them have agreed to hold a tournament connected to the Ante Up tour in the first month. The tour began June 6 in Immokalee; the first South Florida event is Friday.

“The goal is to get people to travel around the state and see all the great poker rooms,” said Scott Long, co-publisher of Ante Up.

Long and co-publisher Chris Cosenza are former St. Petersburg Times editors who began a poker blog and podcast at the paper in June 2005. In July 2008, they left the paper to start the magazine.

The magazine is free in racks at 29 rooms, or sold by subscription for $25 at AnteUpMagazine.com.

Players accumulate points by finishing in the top 10 in a tournament. The person who earns the most points through May 31, 2010, will be on the magazine’s cover and receive a championship bracelet. Meanwhile, Long and Cosenza are lining up other tour prizes.

In South Florida in June:

6:30 p.m. Friday: Dania Jai-Alai, $100

9:30 a.m. Sunday: Palm Beach Princess Casino, $100

2:30 p.m. June 19: Isle Casino & Racing, $900

6:30 p.m. June 20: Gulfstream Park, $150

6:30 p.m. June 25: Mardi Gras Gaming & Racetrack, $100

1 p.m. June 27: Palm Beach Kennel Club, $200

More information is at AnteUpMagazine.com/tour.

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Amy Devoe of Fort Lauderdale outlasted more than 220 players on May 19 to win the season-ending tournament in All in Free Poker at the Isle.

She won $2,000 in buy-ins to the Florida State Poker Championship events at the Isle casino, including the $900 buy-in for the main event. She also got a $2,000 poker table from the WPT Boot Camp.

She is a regular at the Sports Den, according to All in's Bryan Oulton. For the uninitiated, bar poker is free game, played at bars. Then there are four or five big tournaments a year, for big prizes.

She defeated Greg Danver, who regularly plays at Ye Olde Falcon Pub. Danver won two entries to the Isle’s Florida State Poker Championships; each worth $330.

Ben Vassallo finished third and won a $330 tourney entry. Robert Oulton, chip leader after day one, gets a satellite for fourth as did fifth through 10th: Nancy Thomas, Frank "Lazarus" Greentree, Jean Fluery, Deb Vashon, Marc Hansen and Stacey Rosso.

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With the 40th Annual World Series of Poker starting, WSOP officials have begun their nomination process for the 2009 Poker Hall of Fame class.

The public, for the first time ever, has the opportunity to nominate inductees. Log on to http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/pokerhalloffame/halloffamevoting.asp and nominate away.

Each submission will allow for a nominee name as well as up to 250 words supporting that nominee’s worthiness.

During the Main Event of the WSOP, Harrah’s will announce the Top Ten list of nominees by the public. These ten names become the players among consideration for induction in 2009.

In August, the Hall of Fame committee will then spend the month reviewing the public’s nominations and determine if any others should be added (such as non-poker players who have contributed greatly to the game, any glaring omissions, etc.) and determine the final list.

In September, a finalist ballot will be sent to the current Hall of Famers (16 living) who will each rank the nominees in order of preference – yet only ranking those they deem worthy of admission in 2009. Each Hall of Famer will also have the ability to add a write-in candidate, whom won’t be eligible for admission in 2009, but will automatically be added to the consideration list for 2010.

In addition, a select group of media members (not to exceed the number of HOF voting members) will also be sent a ballot for ranking the finalists. All votes will be cast in private, with each HOF and media member entitled to keep their vote secret but not obligated to.

After receiving back all ballots, the HOF committee reviews the selections and helps finalize any tiebreakers or errors.

Any finalist receiving 75% or more of the votes will be inducted during the enshrinement ceremony at the Final Table of Main Event in November.

The main criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame are as follows:
A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
Played for high stakes
Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
Stood the test of time
Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

Maybe we should have a local hall of fame. Nominees?

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The big prize at Seminole Casino Hollywood in June: A 114-day world cruise. The "Classic" casino has a variety of ways to try to give it away:

Around the World Game Show: (Think of the game show Press Your Luck.) 4-11 p.m. Thursdays and noon-7 p.m. Sundays. One winner every hour will be called to play the game for their chance to win cash, free play and a 114-day World Cruise. There will be an electronic display with various countries, whammies (pirates) and a cruise ship. Behind each country there is cash, free play or final destination. The winner will press a red button to start the scrolling and press it again to stop it. They will continue playing and accumulating money/free play in their Swiss Bank account until they either chose to stop, get the final destination, win the cruise or hit a whammy. The bad news, if they hit the whammy, they lose it all.

$180,000 Seven Wonders of the World Giveaway: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Every 30 minutes one winner will be called. They will be escorted to the stage where they will chose one of the 7 World Wonders on display. Behind each of them is either a cash prize or a Passport Advance, which takes them to the next round. The next round is the trip portion where they will select an airplane. Behind the airplane there’s either cash or the globe, which advances them to the globe portion of the display. During this round, the winner selects one of three countries with up to $5,000 cash behind it.

Amazing Chase Free Slot Tournament: 2-8 p.m. Mondays. Players Club members can play one round. Depending on their score from that session, they can win up to $250 free play. The person with the highest score at the end of the day will receive $1,000 cash.

Frequent Flyer Free Play Miles: from June 14-18 and 21-25, Players Club member that earn 500 points in a day can redeem those points for a Frequent Flyer Mile. The Frequent Flyer Free Play Mile can be turned in for the daily free play exchange amount up to $200 in free play.

$50,000 First Class Frenzy: 10 a.m.-10:15 p.m.: June 27. Drawing for $1,000 in free play will be held every 15 minutes.

$30,000 Sail Away Giveaway: Drawings for $500 will be held every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. June 30. Three winners at every drawing. If the world cruise has not been won by this date, a guaranteed world cruise drawing will be held at 10:30 p.m.

Just a quick question here: Is there anyone in your office that you'd hope would win a 114-day cruise? Not that I have one to suggest or anything...

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They're up to three slot tournaments a week at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, plus a qualifier for the $1 million tournament and a Mustang giveaway on June 14:

The details:

9 a.m. to noon Mondays: 55+ Silver Star slot tournament.

6-9 p.m. Tuesdays: Race to the Finish. Six winners each hour play the board game for free play and cash.

3-8 p.m. Wednesdays. $1 million slot tournament qualifier. Top five score accumulators
for the month qualify for the $100 buyin July 4 semifinal with more than $5,000 in prizes. Free.

8-10 p.m. Thursdays: GM Company Car giveaway. Five winners each hour. Each winner picks an envelope. Two contain an invitation to play the final round after 10 p.m. The final six winners will be given a key to unlock a lock. The one that unlocks it wins the car. The five other finalists get $1,000 cash.

7-10 p.m. Fridays: 2 of a Kind Slot Tournament: $40 per team (2 people). Each session will last five minutes.

7-10 p.m. Saturdays: Slot machine free for all: 12 winners (three each hour). Top prize $15,000.

1-4 p.m. Sundays: GM bonus. Eight winners each hour will select one of the bonus boxes on the wall. Each will win various free play and cash.

Special events

3-6 p.m. June 6: $1MM ($100) SLOT TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER – 3pm-6pm. Participants pay $100 to play and receive $50 in free play. Tournament consists of one round with 5 minute sessions.

June 14: Mustang Giveaway: 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Total of 16 winners (Ten $500 Free Play winners at 7 p.m., Five $1,000 cash winners at 8 p.m. and one winner of the 2009 Mustang at 9 p.m.).

10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 20-21: ULTIMATE PLAY $100K GIVEAWAY: One winner every 15 minutes wins $1,000.

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He's been on fire for more than a year, and now Jason Mercier is a World Series of Poker bracelet winner.

Mercier, a 22-year-old professional poker player who attended Florida Atlantic University for one year, won the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament Wednesday night at the World Series of Poker. There were 809 entrants.

Mercier collected $237,462 for first place. He graduated from Sheridan Hills High in Hollywood and he and his parents still live in South Florida. I wrote about him back in October.

Mercier has enjoyed an astounding 14-month run. He cashed for the first time ever in a major poker tournament in April 2008. Since then, he has won five tournaments -- including two European Poker Tour championships and a WSOP gold bracelet. He already has accumulated $3,069,194 in career earnings, at age 22.

“Winning always feels good,” Mercier stated in a post-tournament interview. “Especially after last year (2008 WSOP). I played in 22 events. I went deep in just one of them. I finished 13th and that made me sick. I cashed three times and all three times I busted out with the worst (starting) hand, in marginal spots. I was really upset with how I played last year. Now, it feels great to win a gold bracelet, especially so early in the Series.”

“Every time I enter a poker tournament, I think I can win it,” Mercier said. Of course, you have to win some key pots.”

Mercier’s online poker name is “treysfull21.”

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The Super Bowl drive has begun at Calder Race Course.

Officials at the horse track, just north of Land Shark Stadium, site of Super Bowl 44 (XLIV to you purists), conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday. They plan to open a casino in time for the NFL, fans and their money to descend on Miami for the big game Feb. 7.

"The goal is to open in 242 days," Calder General Manager Tom O'Donnell said, as Cummings Construction trucks rumbled in the background. That would put the first slot spin at Feb. 1.

The $85 million project includes 1,225 slot machines and three restaurants and employ 250 to 300 people, officials said.

Miami Gardens city officials, building architects and designers, horse trainers and racing officials and staff from the neighboring El Palacio Hotel gathered under a large tent on the southwest side of the 220-acre track site for the groundbreaking. (The slot room is in the foreground of the rendering, the track in the back.) Afterward, they dined on sugar cookies decorated as miniature horses and the ace of hearts.

Miami-Dade voters on Jan. 29, 2008, approved slot machines at county horse tracks, dog tracks and jai-alai frontons. That followed Broward voters' OK in 2005, and slots' arrival in late 2006.

Calder, on the Dade-Broward border, is the county's first parimutuel to start on a whole new building.

Flagler Dog track is expanding its existing area and will hold a job fair in July. Flagler owner Izzy Havenick said he expects to open its first phase with 700 machines and a 2,000-seat amphitheater in mid-October. A second phase will increase slots to 1,500 machines, three bars and a dance club.

Miami Jai-Alai originally announced plans to open in 2010 but later acknowledged any renovations to the fronton, near the Miami International Airport, have been slowed by a lack of money. Officials could not be reached this week.

Hialeah Race Track, which has been closed since 2001, received the state's approval this spring to put in slots -- but only after the decrepit track conducts races for two years.

The only other venue offering slots is Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in southwest Miami-Dade, which has Class II slots, which play an instant game of bingo, rather operate via a random number generator (known as Class III slots). Miccosukee officials declined comment on whether they plan to work with the state to either a.) upgrade to Class III slots or b.) negotiate a compact and offer blackjack, as the Seminole Tribe is doing.

O'Donnell said Calder's proximity to Landshark (formerly Dolphin) Stadium, could attract Dolphins, Marlins and concert fans looking to extend their night out. Market research predicts attendance at 5,000 a night, he said.

He also said he'd consider tying in to football. But then, the NFL embraces gambling about the same way dog lovers embrace Michael Vick (my words, not his).

Meanwhile, O'Donnell said Calder plans to open a 30-table poker room in the existing clubhouse this fall. The track a few years ago had a small spot for poker, but has not been offering poker because "it was not a competitive venue."

"Horse racing will always be the core of our company, and we look at this as an enabler," he said. "We will never stray from our core."

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The Isle Casino at Pompano Park in June has a Preakness promotion, free slot tournaments, a $25,000 Father’s Day Sweepstakes, and a two Mini Cooper and cash giveaway.

The Isle has changed the format of its slot tournaments, awarding free play based on score, rather than just paying off the winner. If you score 0-39,999 points, it's $5 in free play, 40,000 to 69,999 nets $25, 70,000 – 99,999 gets $50 and 100,000+ credits wins $100 in what the casino calls Isle Play. The slot scorer gets $1,000 in free play.

On Saturday, the Belmont Sweepstakes is from noon to 5 p.m.You swipe your player's club card at the kiosk and receive a randomly generated number corresponding to a racehorse. If your number is the winning Belmont horse, you win $100 in free play.

Father’s Day (June 20) the casino gives away $10,000 cash, outdoor grills, a fishing trip, game system bundles, a scooter and other prizes.

On Saturday, June 27, the casino gives away two Mini Coopers and a share of $10.000 in prizes. Drawings are at 3 p.m.and 6 p.m. for the Mini Coopers with $500 cash drawings at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. There are also IslePlay drawings at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. The casino gives away double entries on Mondays in June, triple entries on Tuesdays and quadruple entries on Wednesdays.

On Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m., the Isle holds the $10,000 Jackpot Sweepstakes. Win a share of $10,000 cash. Earn entries in June when you win any hand-paid jackpot.

From June 12-22, bid on memorabilia from your favorite sports and entertainment celebrities in a silent auction. Part of the proceeds benefits Gilda’s Club.

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Vivica A. Fox, host of the TV Land show The Cougar, will sign autographs from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

The Cougar, from the creator of The Bachelor, sets up single older women with younger men, who vie for her attention. Fox will also hang out at the casino's Nectar lounge to watch the first season’s finale of her show, which airs at 10 p.m.

Stacey, a 40-year-old mother of four, has two final suitors: 23-year-old Jimmy, who made out with her on a pool table last episode, and 25-year-old Colt, who disappeared with her in her suite for a while and shared a bubble bath with her.

Fox was the retired female assassin in the Kill Bill movies, and was a 2007 contestant in Dancing with the Stars. Named as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, her first big acting break came in 1996 with a role in the movie Independence Day.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located just east of State Road 7 (U.S. 441) and north of Sample Road at 5550 NW 40th Street. For more information call 954-977-6700.

And if you can’t get enough of cougars (and I, for one, can't, but I married one), check out photos of celebrity cougars at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-0508cougars-pg,0,1087371.photogallery

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The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is having a “Coupes, Convertibles and Cash” giveaway in June.

Drawings are 1-4 on Sundays and 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays (except the 30th). Grand prize drawings will be held at 5 p.m. on Sundays and 9 p.m. on Tuesdays where four players will win $1,000 cash and one will win their choice of a Nissan 370Z, Mustang Convertible or cash.

Patrons who swipe their Player’s Card get an additional entry for each 50 points earned.

The casino also has a “School of Rock Game Show” giveaway for a chance to win cash prizes of up to $10,000 per day, from 2-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in June.

Virtual drawings will be held throughout the casino for five participants to play per session for denominations from $250 to $1,000. The grand finale is Saturday, June 27 for cash prizes from $500 to $2,000.

The “Hot Seat Guitar Spin Giveaway” is back in June with a chance to win $10,000 per day on Mondays (1, 8, 15, 22 & 29). Participants with their Players Club card properly inserted into a slot at the time of the drawing will be eligible. Five slot machine locations will be selected from the floor at random between 4 and 9 p.m. Each participant gets an opportunity to spin the Guitar Wheel to win cash ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Player’s Club members 55 and over are eligible to join the “Classic Rockers” and participate in the “Classic Rockers Giveaway” on Tuesdays (2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to win a share of $5,500 in cash and free play. Virtual drawings will be held throughout the casino for five participants who will draw from five envelopes containing first place of $250 cash; second place of $100 free play; third place of $75 free play; fourth place of $50 free play and fifth place of $25 free play.

Meanwhile, Seminole Hard Rock is also inviting guests to “Take Center Stage” for an opportunity to win $3,000 after the following shows: June 17 for Bad Company, June 24 for The Machine: A Tribute to Pink Floyd, June 26 for Juan Luis Guerra and June 30 for WAR and the Average White Band. Beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 10:45 p.m., swipe your Player’s Card daily for electronic entries and get an additional entry for each 100 points earned. Virtual drawings will be held throughout the casino with a final drawing at 11 p.m. where three winners will get $1,000 free play or Hard Rock concert memorabilia.

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So the Lottery and the parimutuels can get along...

The Florida Lottery announced today that two players matched all five winning numbers in Sunday's Fantasy 5 drawing. They'll split $176,878.24 ($88,439.12 each).

The interesting part is that one of the winners was via a Quick Pick at Palm Beach Kennel Club. The winning numbers: 06 - 13 - 15 - 22 - 24

The Lottery is fun, but I find it interesting that a person would take that in addition to dog racing, simulcasting and poker. So the question out there for those who hit the paris: How many of you play the Lottery?

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In the Florida Lottery, some weeks might yield a winner, and some might not.

In a raffle, winners are guaranteed.

So the Florida Lottery has brought back the raffle concept and the Firecracker Millionaire Raffle, which was popular last year. Seven players will become millionaires and 1,020 players will win $500 to $50,000.

But tickets are $20. They went on sale in May and are limited to only 750,000 statewide.

In addition to making seven players new millionaires, the Lottery is working with Travelocity to offer players who purchase their tickets by June 3, the opportunity to instantly win one of 60 three-night cruises to their destination of choice, according to a Lottery press release.

A cruise horn will play on the Lottery terminal, a prize alert symbol will appear on the Firecracker ticket, and a prize coupon will print, indicating an instant win.

The odds of winning $1 million are 1-in-107,143. Players holding the first seven numbers drawn will each receive the top prize of $1 million. Players holding the next nine winning numbers will each receive $50,000; the next 11 winners will each receive $1,000; and the final 1,000 winners will each receive $500 – for a total prize payout of $8,005,000.

Ticket sales will end once the 750,000th ticket is sold or at midnight on July 3, whichever occurs first.

All winning numbers will be available on the Florida Lottery’s Web site at about 3 p.m. July 4.
For more information about the promotion or the Florida Lottery, visit www.flalottery.com.

If tickets sell out, the game will generate approximately $5.5 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), the Lottery says.

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