So I quickly touched on Jason Mercier of Fort Lauderdale two days ago, and to be honest, I blew it off.

Now he's at the final table at the World Series of Poker Europe, with some pretty big names. And he's the chip leader by more than 2-to-1.

Mercier has more than 3.2 million chips. Next is London's James Akenhead, a November Nine final tablist at WSOP in Las Vegas, with 1.4 million. Daniel Negreanu and Barry Shulman also are at the final table.

Play resumes today. First prize: 800,000 pounds. (No, that's not a person.) That's what, $1.4 million or so?

As the WSOP release says:

Mercier has performed very well in Europe, winning the 2008 European Poker Tour’s championship in San Remo, Italy. He also won the ONE MILLION POUND showdown here in London, last year. Despite all his winnings, it’s reported that Mercier would not shell out the money for a hotel room while staying in London, preferring instead to crash on the sofa at a friend’s house. Mercier has dominated play in this tournament so far, and arrives at the final table as the player to beat, as the current chip leader.

You know, this is getting kind of sick. Mercier has an unbelievable run last year in Europe, wins a WSOP bracelet this year, and now this. Life is good for him. Gotta be. Real good.

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A woman hit a $1.1 million jackpot at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tuesday.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, played the Megabucks Video MegaJackpot game.

The win came on a progressive machine, meaning a portion of each spin at Native American casinos nationwide are lumped into one large jackpot.

It’s the largest jackpot ever at the Hard Rock. The state record is $3.5 million hit by a man on Aug. 30 at Seminole Casino Immokalee.

According to a press release, a player’s club coupon brought her to the casino. When asked what drew her to the winning machine, the winner said she had never played the winning machine before, but "liked the way it looked" with the "spinning wheel on top," the release said.

Combined, Seminole casinos have now awarded ten MegaJackpot prizes totaling over $9.7 million. The Seminole Casino Hollywood is part of a Native American progressive gaming network which includes over 300 casinos nationwide.

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The Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County are holding their fourth annual charity poker tournament and social event, on Oct. 23 at the Diplomat Country Club & Spa, 501 Diplomat Pkwy., Hallandale Beach.

First prize is a seat at the World Series of Poker. Second place is a diamond tennis bracelet.

This is the tournament that Steve Feren won in 2007, back when he was mayor of Sunrise. Now a circuit court judge, Feren went on to place 472nd in the field of 6,484 in July (he deferred his WSOP entry for a year), cashing in for $25,027.

Entry is $100 and includes a free buffet. For buffet only and for spectators, it's $25.

The event is in memory of former club member Dennis Sutton, who died Oct. 24, 2006. Sutton, who made a living as the maitre d' at Joe's Stone Crab, help the club raise thousands of dollars and was a board member for the Hollywood club. There is now a scholarship fund set up in his name.

For more info, call 954-537-1010 or email Matt Organ at morgan@bgcbc.org or Megan Johansen at mjohansen@bgcbc.org

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United Way of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties are the beneficiaries of a one-night cruise Nov. 29-30 on Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas.

United Way gets the profits from the sale of the cabins plus gets a cut from the ship’s casino profits for the night.. The casino, called "Casino Royale," has 450 slot machines, 27 table games (including blackjack, roulette and craps) and a poker room.

Staterooms and sponsorships from $1,000 to $100,000. (But if you offered more, I bet they'd take it.)

Contact Tamara Klingler, United Way of Miami-Dade, (305) 646-7120, klingler@unitedwaymiami.org; Michael Maucker, United Way of Broward, (954) 462-4850 ext. 118, mmaucker@unitedwaybroward.org or Fran Folic, Bitner Goodman, (954) 730-7730, ext. 117, fran@bitnergoodman.com

From their release (usually I take out the adjectives and adverbs but this caveat saves me the work):

Oasis of the Seas has 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She will be the first ship to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas:

Central Park, located at the center of the ship, showcases an innovative open design with lush tropical grounds spanning more than the length of a football field. It features the Chops Grille signature steak house, 150 Central Park exclusive dining, Giovanni’s Table Italian Trattoria, Park Café - an indoor/outdoor gourmet market, Vintages wine bar and the Trellis Bar featuring the Crystal Canopy and Rising Tide bar – the first moving bar at sea. Boutique shopping includes The Parkside Gallery showcasing original artwork and Picture This, a unique portrait studio.

Dedicated to family fun and nostalgia, the new groundbreaking Boardwalk neighborhood is a slice of old-world charm with a modern twist. An interactive experience for the entire family, it offers fun, food and engaging entertainment. Here, guests will find the innovative AquaTheater, the only carousel at sea, two rock-climbing walls, Johnny Rockets® diner, Seafood Shack casual seafood restaurant, Boardwalk Donut Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Boardwalk Bar and Pets at Sea where passengers can create their own plush animal. Shopping includes Candy Beach, Star Pier and Pinwheels for kids and teens and Smile, a novelty photo shop.

The Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, is an exciting central area for guests to gather, dine, shop and be entertained. This neighborhood, with impressive glass-arched skylights allowing natural sunlight to cascade from Central Park above, features Sorrento’s Pizzeria, Mondo Coffee Bar, Café Promenade signature café, the Globe and Atlas Pub, Schooner Bar, Boleros Latin Bar and a Champagne Bar. Shopping and services include fine jewelry, cosmetics, gifts, souvenirs, Guest Services, Explorations! Shore & Land Excursions and the Focus photo gallery. The moving Rising Tide bar takes guests on a leisurely ride to Central Park, three decks above,

Set high above Boardwalk and Central Park, the Pool and Sports Zone offers everyone a place to play, satisfy a sense of adventure or simply relax and bask in the sun. This neighborhood features the H2O Zone aqua park for kids and families, Sports Pool, Beach Pool, Main Pool and a total of 10 whirlpools. It also houses four bars – Sand Bar, Pool Bar, Mast Bar and Sky Bar. Also here, is the Solarium, a tranquil adult environment featuring plush seating and loungers with another pool, two traditional whirlpools, four cantilevered whirlpools and the Solarium Bistro - a cafe by day and a healthy specialty restaurant by night. The Sports Deck includes two FlowRider® surf simulators, a sports court with basketball, volleyball, ping pong and more, miniature golf course and the Wipe Out Bar and Wipe Out Café. The first ever zip line at sea offers a thrilling experience which takes riders across the open-air atrium suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk,

A place to soothe mind, body and soul, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center is a state-of-the-art setting that combines the most advanced spa and anti-aging therapies with the latest fitness equipment and healthy dining options. Here, guests can rejuvenate in solo and couples massage suites, a Thermal Suite with heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms, a Beauty Salon, the Youth Spa and the Vitality Café offering healthy selections including smoothies, snacks and entrées. This space also offers 158 state-of-the-art cardio and resistance machines, a free-weight area, studio fitness classes, spin-class area and KinesisTM – the newest, most innovative form of resistance exercise, designed to burn 30 percent more calories while improving posture and flexibility.

The Entertainment Place is the stop for casino thrills, show-stopping theater, laugh-it-up comedy and late night action. Stellar choices include Casino Royale featuring 450 slot machines, 27 table games (including blackjack, roulette and craps), a poker room and a bar/lounge area, Studio B with spectacular ice shows, guest ice skating and other themed events, the Opal theater – a 1,380-seat venue offering two original production shows and one headliner show each week. Additional options include Blaze nightclub with its large dance floor, huge oval bar and private seating areas, Jazz on 4, an intimate live jazz and blues lounge and Comedy Live featuring family shows, late-night adult comedy and specialty comedy acts. Other entertainment venues include Dazzles, offering spectacular musical experiences with themes ranging from big band to disco, the On Air Club bar with karaoke and interactive music gaming and the Schooner Bar, providing sing-along piano fun for all.

The Youth Zone is where kids and teens will find their perfect place to have fun, learn and make plenty of new friends. Programs are available for all age groups from six months to 17-years-old. The Youth Zone features a large, central, open gym area featuring all types of activities and games, Adventure Ocean® Theater offering theater-related classes, a pirate parade, talent show, family improv and more, the interactive Adventure Science Lab and Imagination Studio, The Workshop – a dedicated space for jewelry making and scrapbooking and other dedicated Adventure Ocean rooms for age specific groups plus The Royal Babies and Royal Tots infant and toddler nursery. For teens, check out Fuel, a teen disco with soft drink bar, computer games, relaxation corner and dance floor; The Living Room, a teen lounge with movies, gaming systems and DJ booth; The Back Deck for teens only; Youth Spa and Youth Fitness Center.

To accommodate this cruise world first, Port Everglades is more than tripling the size of Passenger Terminal 18 making it the largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world. The new $75 million expansion, overseen and built by Hewett-Kier Construction of Pompano Beach, will feature 3,000 seats, a children’s playground area, free wireless Internet and accessible outlets to recharge electronic devices. It will also feature a welcoming and dramatic 3,000-square-foot lustrous inlaid bronze globe created by international artist Michele Oka Doner.

To learn more about ticket and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.unitedwayoasiscruise.org or call (954) 462-4850, ext. 136 in Broward or (305) 646-7011 in Miami-Dade. Additional information about Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com .

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Jason Mercier, who had a crazy hot streak in Europe last summer, apparently is on his way again.

He's in second in the WSOP Europe main event, after the first day.

More later.

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The Isle has its second annual Deep Stack Championships. Players start with more chips than usual for a tournament, which better players like because they aren't crippled if they get one bad break on a big hand.

At 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28 is a $100 bounty tournament, with a $30,000 guarantee. Players start with 7,000 chips. Buy-in is $300.

At 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 is a preliminary event, with a $50,000 guarantee. Players start with 10,000 chips. Buy-in is $550.

There are two opening days for the main event. They are at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and 1 p.m. Oct. 4 for the $150,000 guarantee event. Buy-in is $900 and players start with 20,000 chips.

The Day 1A and Day 1B players resume at 1 p.m. Oct. 5, and the tournament will run to Oct. 6 if they don't finish on Oct. 5. Players can enter only one of the opening days, as per Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel wagering law, said Mike Smith, Isle director of poker operations. (The Hard Rock, exempt from PMW, lets players enter both days.)

A $20 add-on will net you 2,000 chips in all tournaments.

Meanwhile, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will have its Fall Open, a series of XX tournaments Oct. 2-12.

No. 1: At 11 a.m. Oct. 2 is a $150 tournament with a $25,000 prize pool.
No. 2: At 11 a.m. Oct. 3, it's $350 with a $30,000 pool.
No. 3: At noon Oct. 4, $150 for a $15,000 guarantee.
No. 4: At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4, it's $75 with an $8,000 guarantee.
No. 5: At 11 a.m. Oct. 5, it's $75, with a $6,000 guarantee.
No. 6: At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5, $300 for a $25,000 guarantee.
No. 7: At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6, $150 for a $15,000 guarantee.
No. 8: At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, $75 for a $8,000 guarantee.
The main event is event No. 9, with starting days at 11 a.m. Oct. 9 and 10. Entry is $1,100 and the tournament carries at $150,000 prize pool. Survivors meet Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. to play it out.
No. 10: 6:30 p.m. Oct 11, $75 for an $8,000 guarantee.
No. 11: 11 a.m. Oct. 12, $350 for a $35,000 guarantee.

There will be satellites at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 for $75.

So, where are people playing and why? And who gets the time off during the week to play. (Even on a Yom Kippur Monday?)

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The David Posnack Jewish Community Center will have its annual charity poker tournament, and the winner gets a seat at the World Series of Poker.

The event is at 7 p.m.. Oct. 14 at the Orlove Ballroom at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie.

Entry is $150

Players who sign up by Sept. 30 get a free re-buy ticket. Optional re-buys are available during the first 90 minutes and are $25. Add-ons are $50.

Call 954-434-0499, ext. 311 or visit www.jccpoker.com

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Mardi Gras Gaming Center and Racetrack is offering double and triple slot jackpots through Nov. 30.

If you hit a jackpot on the first floor they will double it; if you hit a jackpot on the third floor they will triple it. (I think part of the idea is to increase action on the third floor, which has a nice view of the dog racing but is a little bit of work getting to.)

The minimum jackpot they'll double is $1,200; the maximum is $5,000.

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Doron Malinasky of Hollywood won the main event Sept. 11 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

He took home $24,550 from the field of 68. Entry fee was $1,100.

Malinasky is a Hard Rock regular, and won the first-ever $3,000 charity tournament about a year ago at the casino.

Franklin Rojas of Plantation won the $575 cruiserweight event, earning $12,275, also from a field fo 68.

David Samoel of North Miami Beach won the $350 middleweight event, cashing for $18,705 from a field of 221.

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Kelly Elliott of Lake Worth prevailed in the High Heels Poker Tournament at Dania Jai-Alai on Sept. 12. She took home $1,120.

Next in line: Patty Hederson, Fort Lauderdale, ($700), Robin Deeter, Daytona Beach ($550), Peggy Penning, Miami ($440); Karen Hudson, Davie ($375), Stephanie Streeter, Hallandale Beach, ($315).

Meanwhile, the tour hits the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2. Buy-in is $200.

Then on Oct. 10, the tour is participating in the "Battle of the Sexes" to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The buy-in for the 4 p.m. event at Tampa Bay Downs is $100 with $20 rebuys and an unconditional optional $50 add-on offered at the end of third round.

The event will have the women and men playing separately until they get down to the final five women and five men to make a final table.

"We are proud to be able to find a unique competition to include everyone since breast cancer is not a gender specific disease," the release says. Cool.

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A full-page ad in our Showtime section today served as likely the most information the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek has ever given out, and it shows what we suspected.

THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY!

Twice as much as even the hottest state-supervised casino.

"No Other Casino Stacks Up," it read, with a graphic of gold coins.

Then it showed slot payouts for four casinos:

Coconut Creek: $221,452,536
Pompano Isle: $88,548,255
Mardi Gras: $51,499,299
Gulfstream: $36,562,236.

Now, the bottom three numbers are public. The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering web site lists them each month, if for no other reason than to document how much tax money the state is getting (50 percent).

But the Seminoles never tell how much they make. Until this ad. They frame it as "slot payouts," meaning how much you and I win when we go there to play (I like video poker).

"We had conversations whether or not we wanted to do it, but it’s such a good story to tell that we’re having that kind of volume and paying out that much money," GM Steve Bonner said. "It’s a number we’re proud of."

He said the ad is a "positioning statement" for Coconut Creek, and that's why it didn't include the Hard Rock or the Hollywood Classic casinos (and everyone knows the Hard Rock will cream them -- and he has a point, that the Hard Rock is a whole 'nother game). Coconut Creek decided to do it now because it technically lost the "jackpot capital" claim this month when the Seminole Casino Immokalee had a $3.5 million payout, largest in the state, besting a $2.1 million payout at Coconut Creek last year.

The ad will run on billboards soon, too, Bonner said. Isle GM Michael Bloom, Coconut Creek's closest competitor, declined comment.

From their number, presuming it's true (and I do), we can glean:

If they pay out 92 percent (same as the Isle), they had almost a $240 million handle (amount of money put into their machines) in August. I get that number because the $221 million is about 92 percent of $240 million.

And they'd have a win of more than $19 million for the month (if they were a racino that'd mean $9.5 million to the state).

For their 1,500-plus slots, that'd be a "win per machine per day" of $400, almost double the Isle's and more than triple Gulfstream's and Mardi Gras'. Each Isle machine made $161 in August; Gulfstream's took in $122 and Mardi Gras' $101.

It also shows how far the other casinos are behind -- and that's Bonner's point, of course.

I need some comments here. I love numbers, but would like some thoughts as to what this means. Did you think they made more, or they made less?

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When the harness racing season resumes Saturday, Isle Casino & Racing will unveil a new simulcast area on the second level of the casino. It will encompass the Trackside Grill as well as two adjacent viewing/betting areas..

The Trackside Grill, the largest part of the simulcast section, has 30 televisions, 46 seats and 10 individual viewing areas. In the bar area, there are two 32-inch flat screens and also booth seating, according to a press release from the Isle.

One of the recently constructed viewing sections features 16 42-inch flat screen televisions. Carrel seating is also available for 40 patrons with individual televisions at each station.

A second new section was created with four privacy suites that each have two 26-inch televisions and a personal betting machine. Reservations are accepted for the suites and cocktail service is available.

Self-service bill accepting machines are located throughtout the simulcast area.

“We’ve taken a wonderful space and devoted it to our racing fans so they may enjoy this spectacular sport according to their preferences. We have made a great effort to create, and become, South Florida’s ultimate racing establishment,” said Michael Bloom, Isle vice president and general manager, in the Isle's release.

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The new "Gator Skybox" makes its debut Saturday at Dania Jai-Alai, in time for the Tennessee game.

Wear a UF Gator shirt or show your Dade-Broward Gator Club card and get a free pitcher of beer. (As bad as Tennessee's offense, you could play a drinking game: chug after every Vol first down. You'll still have beer left over.) You also could get in some jai-alai bets, horse simulcast wagers or play poker.

The skybox has a 110-inch screen, prize drawings and barbecue from Scruby's (the place that has so many coupons in Showtime each week that my brother-in-law can eat there and almost turn a profit).

Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

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Interconnected moves: Mardi Gras Gaming Casino and Racetrack has retooled its French Quarter Restaurant and is moving the poker room down to the first floor.

The current poker room is on the second floor of the Hallandale Beach facility, next to the pari-mutuel wagering area where dog-racing fans hang out. Slots are on the first and third floors.

“We wanted to have a first-floor poker facility with its own entrance,” Mardi Gras president Dan Adkins said. “It’s just more accommodating and it flows into the main casino.

“Poker’s a very important component, especially when you consider the tax,” he said. Casinos send only 10 percent of their poker profits to the state; for slots it’s 50 percent.

The poker room is set to move on Nov. 1, and the empty area created on the second floor will become a VIP area for pari-mutuel bettors, Adkins said. Construction has already begun, so restaurant tables at The Bourbon Street Bistro on the first floor have been removed — although you can still get food at the counter.

Meanwhile, the French Quarter Restaurant on the third floor, which opened in January, expanded its space toward the dog track so patrons can watch races as they eat.

“We also altered the menu to make it more price-friendly,” Adkins said.

That includes a $9.95 all-you-can-eat prime rib or fish-and-chips deal on Fridays.

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Another advancement in self-service: Now there are vending machines for lottery tickets at South Florida supermarkets.

The Florida Lottery has been installing 1,000 machine statewide, starting in August in Tampa and Fort Myers. The machines have 24 games, including Monopoly and Million Dollar Blockbuster, ranging in price from $1 to $30 and take bills only.

They are the instant scratch-off games, meaning that you don't get to pick your own numbers. (Or, what we learned in kindergarten: "You get what you get and you don't get upset.")

Independent contractors hired by the lottery are installing machines at 26 Publix stores and 3 Winn-Dixies this week in Broward County. Palm Beach County is likely next week. When exactly your store launches has some wiggle room: After the independent contractors set up the electrical portion of the machines, another contractor comes a day later to put in the tickets. (One complaint when the Lottery tried vending machines from 1997-2001 was that the machines didn't stay fully stocked. Imagine going to buy a Coke and seeing a "Sold Out" light.)

A Publix in Weston was among the first supermarkets up and running, and did about $600 in business Tuesday, employees said. (I can't quote them directly unless I go through Publix corporate.)

Zoe Pirella, a regular player who pledges to give at least a 10 percent tip to the counter person if she ever hits a jackpot over $1 million, bought a ticket from the counter Wednesday morning, but says she'll try the vending machine during busy times.

"It'll be quicker if there's a long line," she said.

While the supermarkets can place soft drink and even DVD machines near their entrance, the lottery machines must be near the customer service area, because employees have a kill switch nearby if the person buying tickets is suspected to be under 18. The machine then reboots in six minutes.

The instant machines have prompted some complaints, including from Pat Fowler of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling. She said the machines will enable compulsive gamblers to go from store to store because they're embarrassed about how many tickets they buy.

This comment from Publix: "Publix offers the lottery to our customers as a service; however, we do not endorse or promote the lottery," emailed Kim Jaeger of Publix's Miami division.

Parimutuel owners also point out that the lottery pays out only 50 percent of what it takes in; horse racing, dog racing and jai-alai pay back about 80 percent and slots return 90 cents of each dollar to players. But lottery helps education, so you can argue you're being noble...

A few more numbers: There will be 185 ITVMs are being placed in the Miami District (which includes Miami-Dade, Monroe and Broward counties) and approximately 115 in the West Palm Beach District (which includes Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The Lottery will release the exact locations later.

Overall, the scratch-off games have been down slightly, and some attribute it to Powerball coming to the state this year. Officials hope the machines will boost business. Other states have had the vending machines for years, and it helps sales.

So, the usual question applies: Will these machines affect your playing habits?

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Rob DiGiacomo outlasted a field of 50 competitors to claim the Harley Davidson ~ Sports Legends Challenge at Gulfstream Park Sept. 4.

DiGiacomo claimed a 2009 Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle and more than $13,000 in cash. Runner-up Fred Attias received $6,500, and Khampetch Seignarack got.$3,900 for third.

Diane Devereaux was the top female finisher, eliminated in eighth place and receiving $1,251.

For the past year, Gulfstream has conducted "poker seasons" and keeps a leaderboard. The top 50 point earners from tournaments over a couple of months then sit down to play for free for big prizes, such as the Harley.

Gulfstream Park will begin its second Annual Mercedes Challenge on Oct. 1.

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Dawn Olitsky of Naples won $1 million as champion of the “Seminole $1 Million Slot Tournament” at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood over the weekend.

Olitsky earned entry into the tournament through the Seminole Casino – Immokalee where she plays regularly.

Participating Seminole Casinos include Seminole Casino Big Cypress, Seminole Casino Brighton, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Seminole Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Immokalee, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Her sister has cancer and the money will give her time to take off of work to be with her, Orlisky said.

Players from each of the Seminole Casinos earned entries to the tournament through a promotion that began eight months ago. Each "Seminole $1,000,000 Slot Tournament" entry included a four-day, three-night stay for two, two tickets to the Ice Breaker cocktail reception, two tickets to the awards banquet and a tournament shirt.

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The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is holding invitation-only blackjack tournaments.

According to a release Tuesday, Mark M. of Fort Lauderdale won the weekend's tournament and $75,000.

It's the first news of such tournaments to be released, probably because the Seminoles didn't want to do anything to inflame the discussion about their gambling compact with the state.

Trying to get more info.... if anyone out there has some, help me out.

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So, it was a great concept: Get 25 sports legends, get 25 poker pros, get everyday people to pay $4,000 to come play poker with them.

It was all set for next week, at a heck of a hotel: the Atlantis in the Bahamas.

But it ain't happening. In an obtusely worded press release, which came out just before Labor Day weekend, Sports Legends Challenge organizers say the event will be in 2010 at a new location "in a move designed to help ensure that this incredible opportunity for both poker players and sports fans fully meets the expectations of all involved."

More from the release:

“While the decision to reschedule the inaugural event was not an easy one, “ commented Bruce Bibbero, Sports Legends Challenge CEO, “There is no doubt that it is the best possible decision to help ensure the ultimate success of this amazing concept.”

The reaction from sponsors, partners, Sports Legends, Poker Pros and participants has been almost universally supportive. (Nick's note, though they don't mention any by name.)

... While at the moment details on the new venue and dates are being finalized, organizers have indicated that the venue will be one that provides easy access to major population centers and that certain enhancements to the program are also in the works, for example, including a guaranteed prize pool.

“In addition to the logistical changes, it is also an opportunity to respond to specific input from the poker world,” said Sports Legends Challenge President, Larry Lubin. “In discussions with players and Poker Pros around the world, it became clear that adding a guaranteed prize pool will be a major step forward.”

Sports Legends Challenge is honoring all prior entries for the rescheduled event and organizers anticipate a major press event within the next few weeks to announce the new location and dates.

That means the player that, say, won the charity event at Tootsie's Cabaret last weekend will have to wait.

One interview with Bibbero also quoted him as saying people were concerned about hurricanes, so they didn't sign up, and told of a 2007 failure Bibbero also had in trying to put together a similar event.

My thought: The next time you see a first-time event go off successfully, nod your head in appreciation. They're hard to get going.

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Slot machines traditionally employ the number seven to symbolize good fortune, but four casinos are betting on nine.

They have promotions Wednesday, Sept. 9. (9-9-09).

They are:

The Seminole Casino Hollywood will give away $999 in free play every nine minutes from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Players can earn additional entries by earning 500 points in slot play daily.

The Isle Casino & Racing in Pompano Beach is giving away $99 in free play every nine minutes between noon and 9 p.m For the finale at 9 p.m., nine people will be chosen to win up to $999,999 in the 9-9-9 sweepstakes.

The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek will give away $999 in cash every half hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa has a 9 million point giveaway. At 7, 8 and 9 p.m. three players' names will be drawn to receive 1 million points on their Players' Club card.

What's the big deal about 9-9-09? A Yahoo article tells about the math (remember "casting out nines" in elementary school), culture and numerology.

My thought? I just think it looks kind of cool.

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PokerStars.net, which calls itself the world’s largest poker school, announced a sponsorship with South Florida-based High Heels Poker Tour.

The PokerStars sponsorship will include support for HHPT’s growing roster of tournaments; the first of began this month at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, N.Y. After New York, the tour heads to South Florida.

The Dania tournament is at 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at Dania Jai-Alai. Buy-in is $125. Tournaments are set for Oct. 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Oct. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

"PokerStars has all of the attributes in a online partner that female players crave: an incredible variety of quick, entertaining games that range from low buy in sit-and-goes and cash games to serious tournament play, all in an environment where women can learn the game, develop their skills, and truly become champions,” High Heels Poker Tour founder Lauren Failla said in a press release. “With champions like Vanessa Rousso, Katja Thater, and Vicky Coren, our players have a whole new set of role models to emulate and challenge, online and at the tables.

In addition to the tour sponsorship, PokerStars.net and HHPT also will collaborate on the HHPT Grand Finale and PokerStars $1000 buy-in ladies event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January 2010.

For more information about HHPT’s upcoming tournament schedule, go to: http://highheelspokertour.com/tournament-schedule.html.

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MONDAYS:55+ SILVER STAR SLOT TOURNAMENT: 9 a.m. to noon. Top 30 scorers get free play.

SWIPE & SCORE: Sept. 14, 21 and 28, 5--9 p.m. Swipe your card & receive a ticket for
various prizes (T-Shirt, Fresh Harvest voucher, free play or cash).

TUESDAYS:

$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS:

$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

THURSDAYS:

$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

TWO OF A KIND SLOT TOURNEY: 6-9 p.m. $40 entry fee per team. 5 minutes sessions.

FRIDAYS:
$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

SATURDAYS:
$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

CASINO CAMARO RALLY: Sept. 12, 19 and 26. Noon- 3 p.m. Six winners each hour.

SUNDAYS:$25K in 25 DAYS: 6-10 p.m. 36 winners each day, with a $5,000 winner at 10 p.m.

SPECIAL CASINO PROMOTIONS

SEPTEMBER 5th: $30K PROGRESSIVE – 1pm-6pm. Paper Ticket. 11 winners (one every 30 minutes. Ten ($2,000)
winners, 8pm: One winner of all unclaimed prizes + $10,000.

SEPTEMBER 6th: 250 WINNERS TONIGHT – 2pm-6pm. 50 winners each hour win $100 Free Play.

SEPTEMBER 7th: TAKE THIS JOB & STUFF IT – 1pm-5pm. 50 winners. 10 winners each hour. Winners receive Cash &
Free Play prizes ranging from $300 - $2,000 + one Mini Cooper.

5-9 p.m. Sept. 28:
$10K BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY: Five dates will be selected (one September date each
hour). Any player whose birthday falls on the date that is selected and provides valid ID, wins a
share of $10,000

2-10 p.m. Sept. 29: BONUS ENTRY DAY Show Wild Card at Player’s Club and receive five entries for the Camaro Car Giveaway on Sept. 30.

Sept. 30: CAMARO CAR GIVEAWAY: 8-10 p.m. Five $1,000 winners at 8 p.m., 10 $500 free play winners at 9 p.m. and one Camaro winner at 10 p.m.

SUNSET GRILL

BEER PONG: 6-10 p.m. Mondays; $20 for 2 pitchers, 20 cups & 4 balls.

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Seminole Casino Hollywood, known to many locals as “The Classic”, has what it calls "chill out plans" on Labor Day weekend.

So guess who the entertainer might be?

Yup, a free concert by rapper Vanilla Ice of Ice, Ice Baby.

There's also a classic car show and Cosmic Bingo on Sunday and two $50,000 cash giveaways on Labor Day. Also a skating rink will be erected for free skating all weekend long.

The schedule:

Saturday

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Free ice skating rink

Noon to 7 p.m.: Outside Festival (includes free food vendors, Jahfe and High Ground band playing all day; World’s largest free Mojito tank; Free Miller beer, Bacardi girls; a special food presentation by Chef Max with free sampling)

8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.: Free Vanilla Ice Concert (I am starting a rumor that GM Steve Bonner will make a guest appearance on stage, wearing rock-star duds. It's not true, but it would be cool if it were.)

Sunday

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Classic Car Show

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Entertainment all day

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: World’s largest free mojito tank

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Free turkey legs, corn, and soft drinks

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Free ice skating rink

2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: "Cold hard cash" giveaway (drawings every half hour)

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Classic car giveaway

10 p.m. to midnight: Cosmic Bingo

Monday
10 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. - $50,000 “Chill Fest” Giveaway ($1,000 every 15 minutes)

5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: $50,000 “Beat The Heat” Slot Tournament (drawings every hour)

The release says: "Laid back in comparison to its sister property, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, just across the street, Seminole Casino Hollywood actually pioneered Indian gaming when it opened as the country’s first large stakes bingo hall in 1979, eventually expanding with gaming machines and poker." (Just a gentle, friendly reminder: Seminole casinos allow smoking, so dress accordingly.)

Seminole Casino Hollywood is located at 4150 North State Road 7, Hollywood, FL 33021. Call 954-961-3220 or 1-866-2-CASINO or www.seminolehollywoodcasino.com.

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The Isle is bringing back Football Frenzy, giving true sages a chance at $1 million.

The promotion begins at 9 a.m. Monday.

Pick 165 out of 245 games correctly during the 2009 season and win $1 million.

Pick 100 percent of the games correct for any week and receive $1,000 in free play.

Pick 100 percent correct and exact final scores from the Monday night game and receive the $1,000 in free play and a $2,500 bonus.

The best picker each week gets $1,000 in cash, second place is $500, third place is $400, $300 for fourth and $200 for fifth.

Casino visitors can hit the kiosk once a day, increasing their chances to win.

People can start playing at 9 a.m. Monday; cutoff time is noon Sunday. The Thursday and Saturday games won't be in play.

Winners will be announced by noon Tuesday at the web site and in the casino.

Gulfstream has a similar promotion, which I'm linking to here.

Meanwhile, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, the Isle is moving $15,000 in prizes, including two tickets to the big game in Miami (the casino can' t use the words "Super Bowl," but I can). They'll also offer a cash option for the tickets. (Nick's note: Or you can sell them to a broker.)

At noon Sunday on the second floor of the casino will be specials, such as $1 draft beers and $2 hot dogs, and special promotions:

Sept. 13: Cigar rolling demo by Frank Paul
Sept. 20: First 250 patrons receive a free cooler
Sept. 25-27: Sports memorabilia silent auction

Meanwhile, the casino has other promotions in September:

Every Thursday, IsleOne card members can earn extra points. Swipe your card and earn 2x, 3x, 5x or 10x points. Point multipliers are issued randomly every week.

On Sept. 9, the casino is giving away $99 in IslePlay every nine minutes between noon and 9 p.m. and then for the finale, at 9 p.m., nine people will be chosen to win up to $999,999 in the 9-9-9 sweepstakes.

The $15,000 All Cash slot tournament is Sept. 12. Tournament hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. First place wins $5,000 in cash and top scores split an additional $10,000.

A Cadillac SUV and a share of $10,000 Isleplay is the prize from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 26. Receive 2x entries on Mondays, 3x entries on Tuesdays and 4x entries on Wednesdays during the month.

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The Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino has a $1 million football prediction promotion, called Pigskin Payoff:

9 a.m. Tuesday is the first day for entries, because the NFL season starts next weekend. Only Sunday and Monday games are included in the promotion.

Each week players are invited to swipe their players card at one of the casino's two kiosks, and make their picks on the touch-screen. Players choose their winning teams and enter a total score for the Monday Night Game to be used as a tie-breaker in the event of a tie.

Entries are accepted Tuesday through 11 a.m. Sunday. Players may play once per day, up to six entries per week. Each entry receives a receipt that is date and time stamped.

Weekly winners will be announced by 3 p.m. Tuesday and will be posted at both Players Clubs.

1st Place: Choice of $100 Cash or NFL Memoribilia
2nd Place: Choice of $ 75 Cash or NFL Memoribilia
3rd Place: Choice of $ 75 Cash or NFL Memoribilia
4th & 5th Place: $75 Free Play
6th-10th Place: $50 Free Play

The picks are straight-up, not against the spread. If players can correctly predict 201 winners or more out about 246 games (about 80 percent) of the NFL regular season Sunday and Monday games through Jan. 3, they will win $1 million. If there is more than one winner the $1,000,000 prize will be split equally amongst all winners.

The Isle has a similar promotion, which I'm linking to here.

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A Bonita Springs man hit the largest jackpot in Florida's history Sunday, good for $3.5 million at the Seminole Casino Immokalee.

Christopher Detzler, 59, who said recent jobs including driving a truck and reupholstering patio furniture, hit for $3,577.517.97 on a $5 Wheel of Fortune wide area progressive. He bet $10 a spin.

Detlzer, who regularly play at Immokalee and at the Hard Rock Tampa, attributed his multi-million dollar win to a recent lucky streak.

“I was on a roll for the last two months," he said, noting he had his eye on the winning machine, but had to wait until the game was open to play. He had cashed $22,000 and $8,000 wins recently.

Said Immokalee GM Tony Sanchez: "I'm glad to see it happen to a regular customer."

The Seminole Immokalee Casino is part of a Native American progressive gaming network that includes over 300 casinos nationwide. Each time a coin is played in a linked machine, anywhere in the network, the jackpot accumulates until it is won.

(I wrote a 1A story a few weeks ago about linked progressives coming to South Florida's parimutuels once this whole compact thing gets worked out. In other words, there will be a similar jackpot available at the Isle, Gulfstream, Mardi Gras and Miami-Dade, eventually.)

Sunday’s MegaJackpot is largest to be paid in the state to date. It's also part of a hot run that includes three prizes of over $1 million each, including a $2 million prize July 19, 2008, at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

More coverage at the Naples Daily News site, reported by Steven Beardsley.

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Chase Lalani of Miramar took the coveted trophy Wednesday night, winning the Dan Le Batard Celebrity Poker Tournament at Dania Jai-Alai. The Wednesday night multi table Texas Hold’em tournament drew 241 Texas Hold’em players paying $50 to enter.

The final six players decided to “chop” the pot equally giving each player just over $1,000. Lalani (pictured with 790 The Ticket's Roy Bellamy), being the chip leader, was awarded the tournament trophy and $1,500.

Once again, it was someone from my table. And it was interesting. He was all-in several times, if my memory is correct, including one call of another player that he sucked out on that set his opponent into a f-bomb laden rant that drew rebuke from the dealer. (My story is I won three hands all night, never making it to a river, and while starting with 3,500 never got above 5,000. Finally with 3,000 and blinds at 1000-2000 plus an ante I called three players with my 9-3 in the small blind, because my only hope would be to quadruple up. Maybe I should've pushed with the 8-6 I got one hand earlier in the big blind?)

According to a press release, Dania Jai-Alai is featuring a big Labor Day weekend of poker tournaments, the first being Friday night, Sept. 4, with the popular $100 entry fee tournament and a special low house fee $150 multi-table at 12:30, Saturday.

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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