http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/ Gambling in Miami, Broward, Palm Beach Counties en Copyright 2009 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:27:04 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss There are bad beats, and now there is a Mega Bad Beat: The six Seminole casinos poker rooms begin accumulating a unique jackpot come Dec. 1. A bad beat in poker parlance is when an outstanding hand loses out to an unbelievably good one. For this bad beat to hit, someone will have to have four 10s, and lose. That's a little higher than normal: Many poker rooms have a floor of a full house of aces over jacks. But it'll pay better, too. It's almost like a linked progressive slot jackpot, culling money from six places, instead of one. “Based on our current weekly play, we estimate the Mega Bad Beat Jackpot will accrue at about $50,000 per week and generally we see a bad beat hand every four to six weeks,” said Peter Arsenis, director of poker operations for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. He puts the jackpot often at $250,000. Dealers will rake $1 from each pot of $10 or greater from each of the six Seminole Poker rooms. The Hard Rock Hollywood, Hard Rock Tampa, and casinos in Hollywood, Coconut Creek, Brighton and Immokalee. Jackpot amounts will be updated daily and displayed at the poker rooms. At least four players must be dealt in a qualifying table. Tables with less than four players will not have a jackpot drop. Multi-table tournaments are excluded from winning the Mega Bad Beat Jackpot. Single-table tournaments are eligible until less than four players remain. How the Mega Bad Beat will be awarded: 50 percent to the loser's hand; 30 percent to the winning hand; 20 percent divided among the rest of the table. http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/seminole_casinos_combine_for_m.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/seminole_casinos_combine_for_m.html Poker Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:27:04 -0500 Seminole Casino Coconut Creek will hold its first Fresh Harvest Food Drive every Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. in November. The casino’s Fresh Harvest restaurant is offering dinner for $5 to guests who bring at least five canned or non-perishable food items such as bread, cereal, juice and juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly. The donated food will be collected and distributed by Feed South Florida, a non-profit organization originally formed as the Daily Bread Food Bank in 1981. Its mission is to feed the needy and educate and engage the community to fight hunger and poverty locally. A fire recently destroyed its Broward warehouse and it relocated to 2501 SW 32 Terrace, in Pembroke Park but since then, more than 3,000 meals have been donated to help replenish what was lost due to smoke and fumes. Susan Wise, the morning DJ on LITE 101.5 FM, also will be at the casino during the food drive, according to a Coconut Creek news release. http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/seminole_coconut_creek_has_foo.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/seminole_coconut_creek_has_foo.html charity events Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:40:58 -0500 Howard Appledorf of Pembroke Pines was the big winner Sunday in the Main Event poker tournament at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Appledorf won the $1,100 heavyweight tournament. He took home $27,800. There were 78 entrants. Perpetual winner Doron Malinasky of Hollywood took home the $575 Cruiserweight and $13,123 Wednesday. There were 75 entrants. On Nov. 9, the Middleweight ($350) went to Christine Kirsch of Plantation. She won $13,606; there were 144 players. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/pembroke_pines_man_big_winner.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/pembroke_pines_man_big_winner.html Poker Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:51:14 -0500 Isle Casino & Racing in Pompano Beach, moved to his company's sister property, in Lake Charles, La. His last day here was Friday. Bob Strom is now the interim Isle GM, according to Jill Haynes, senior director of corporate communications for the chain of 14 casinos. The St. Louis-based company has not announced a permanent replacement. Bloom came to the Isle after being president of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. He resigned in October 2007. He came to the Isle in May 2008 and hired Strom, who worked in the food and beverage division at the Hard Rock. Sources say Strom is expected to eventually move to Lake Charles as well. They also say Bloom worked several years ago with Isle CEO Virginia McDowell; she wants him on her team, to the point that he was considered for a regional VP job over several casinos a few months ago. (I don't usually go with "sources said," but because this is a positive, I'm comfortable putting it on this blog. Plus, he always called me back.) The Lake Charles operation looks a little bit bigger, with 1,800 slots, compared to the 1,500 in Pompano Beach. There's also a hotel in Lake Charles. The new Pompano Isle GM will be in a holding pattern. The parimutuels overseen by the state are waiting for the tax rate to drop from 50 percent to 35 percent, as the compact between the Seminoles, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature has been stalled. The economy has meant lower slot revenues, but the greater question is long-term. Meanwhile, the Isle is making less than half of what Seminole Coconut Creek takes in, according to numbers I blogged about in September. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/isles_michael_bloom_moves_to_n.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/isles_michael_bloom_moves_to_n.html News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:38:48 -0500 Mardi Gras Gaming Center & Racetrack has moved its poker room down to the first floor. The cards began flying at 4 a.m. Friday, said Wil Herrera, director of poker operations. The 30 tables are at the north part of the building, with a distinct entrance for the poker players. The no-limit players have a nice area closer to the dog track; the limit games are pretty much on the other side, and automatic shufflers are in place at many tables. "Poker players know that a fast game is a happy game," Herrera said. Herrera called it a "more upscale" location. Players have a full service liquor bar, video poker bar tops and their own kitchen with sit down meal service. The poker room had been on the second floor, near the dog track simulcast area but pretty much off to the side. The slots are on the first and third floors. Being on the same floor as the ding-ding-ding of slot machines, with nice lighting and new chairs makes a big difference, said player Kenny Baker of Hollywood. "It's 100 times better," he said. Chris Harris of Hallandale Beach, who says he comes to Mardi Gras for "the personalities," agrees. "It feels more like a poker room," he said. "They've really stepped it up a lot." I stuck around and played a little big, and liked the chairs. I also felt I was at a table of decent players, which suits my game more. (As they say, you can't bluff a bad player.) I did have a problem hearing my name get called from the brush stand, they have a little work to do on the sound system, I think. Mardi Gras players, and others: Does a new poker room affect where you decide to play? ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/mardi_gras_new_poker_room_is_o.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/mardi_gras_new_poker_room_is_o.html Poker Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:14:30 -0500 has been on a hot streak at Broward venues. The $3 million hit a few days after (I had incorrectly written "before") a $28 million ticket was sold in Hallandale Beach. No person has yet to step forward for that ticket, although I haven't been able to reach a co-worker since that day (I'm kidding). Souza, chose the one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,741,176. He bought it at Kwik Stop, located at 1320 S. Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach. The winning numbers were: 02 - 19 - 25 - 26 - 36 - 40. Souza is the 85th Florida Lotto jackpot winner to purchase a winning ticket in Broward County. To date, there have been more than 960 jackpot winners statewide since 1988. Webcasts of Florida Lottery drawings are available on the Lottery’s Web site at flalottery.com. And, I'm announcing two things: 1.) Please bookmark me at www.sun-sentinel.com/action and 2.) We have a game, called "What comment did Billy make that I deleted?" Enjoy! ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/lottery_3_million_deerfield_ti.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/lottery_3_million_deerfield_ti.html Lottery Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:55:20 -0500 It almost feels like those old Bud Light commercials, where the men wore dresses to get into ladies night. Greg Sessler, 22, a student at University of California-Davis, won $9,932 in the Saturday's Ladies Poker Championship at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe. The victory came in a World Series of Poker circuit, which are played at 10 Harrah’s properties throughout the Unites States. Women's events have been included on the WSOP schedule every year since 1978. Since 2005, most WSOP Circuits have included a ladies-only poker tournament as part of their schedules. "While the WSOP makes a sincere effort to promote women in poker and offers quasi-exclusive tournaments designed to increase female participation in the game, officials generally do not turn away those who want to play in the event, based solely on gender," the WSOP's Nolan Dalla says. In other words, they kind of have to take your money, if you show up. Actually, four men were in Saturday's field of 96 in Lake Tahoe, and Jose Canseco entered a women's tournament a few years ago. The High Heels Poker Tour stops often at South Florida casinos, but I can't think of a time they've even had a male entrant. But it's the second time this fall a man has won: In September, Abraham Korotki won a tournament in Atlantic City, upsetting the second-place finisher. "In short, the WSOP hopes that by offering and supporting ladies-only poker tournaments and providing an event for which there is considerable interest (by women), others (namely men) will respect and understand the spirit of competition," Dalla says. Dalla says there is some controversy as to whether “ladies-only” tournaments are really necessary in poker. "Those who object, including some women, correctly point out that poker is a gender-neutral game. That means women are equally capable of playing and winning, just as men," he says. "Detractors also point out that holding ladies-only events demeans women in poker (their view), by suggesting that females need an exclusive event. However given that the WSOP wants to promote more women in poker and is eager to meet player demands, based on the popularity of tournaments for ladies at many WSOP Circuits, its irrefutable there is a strong demand for their inclusion." Personally, I think women have an advantage playing poker. Men get caught up in flirting, playing soft or underestimating their opponents -- all three of which are dangerous. Sessler, who is studying communications and film in college, said Saturday was his first and only day off in two weeks. He badly wanted to play in a poker tournament, and the ladies championship was the only one-day event within driving distance of his home. When three of the four men busted out, the women broke into spontaneous applause and cheers, Dalla noted. “Me playing in this tournament really had nothing to do with trying to take advantage of the ladies or thinking it was a softer field,” Sessler told Dalla. “If (poker pro) Jennifer Harman would have come and played in the ladies event, she would have been much tougher competition than me. I came here because I only had one day, and I really like the structures and the payout. This was the only tournament I could play.” The hand he won with: Pocket queens. So, dear readers, especially the women: what do you think about him playing? And winning? And, men: Would you ever enter a women's tournament? ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/man_makes_history_wins_womens.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/man_makes_history_wins_womens.html News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:34:09 -0500 mess with Sasquatch. Feed your wild side! (Sorry, I'm losing it.) ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/world_series_of_poker_draws_21.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/world_series_of_poker_draws_21.html World Series of Poker Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:46:37 -0500 is reported today by Bob Rathgeber of the Fort Myers News-Press. Several legislators say the compact is dead, and that having counties vote on what they want is the way to go.]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/florida_gambling_compact_legis.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/florida_gambling_compact_legis.html compact Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:45:55 -0500 $28 million Lotto ticket hit in Hallandale Beach, the Florida Lottery today says a ticket sold in Deerfield Beach matched matched the six winning numbers in Wednesday's drawing and will win the $3 million jackpot. The numbers were: 02 - 19 - 25 - 26 - 36 - 40. Like Saturday's winner, this one was a Quick Pick. It was sold at Kwik Stop, 1320 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach. And on top of that, a Miramar man claimed his $500,000 prize from an Oct. 27 Mega Money drawing, the Lottery announced Monday. "Broward is certainly having a streak of lottery winners," the Lottery's Shelly Safford said. Including last night's $3 million jackpot winner, there have been 85 jackpot-winning Florida Lotto tickets purchased in Broward County since 1988. Last night's winning ticket marks the third Lotto jackpot-winning ticket this year from Broward County. Also, since January, 60 top-prize winning Fantasy 5 tickets and five Mega Money jackpot-winning tickets have been sold in Broward County. The next drawing is at 11:15 Saturday and will be for $3 million. Webcasts of Florida Lottery drawings are available on the Lottery’s Web site at flalottery.com. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/lottery_broward_county_is_on_a.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/lottery_broward_county_is_on_a.html Lottery Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:39:04 -0500 says Brad Willis, of PokerStars.net. Now Schaffel says he’s going to get some rest, play some golf and get ready to pay more poker. “I’ll be back,” he said. “Absolutely.” ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/kevin_schaffel_talks_about_his.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/kevin_schaffel_talks_about_his.html World Series of Poker Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:49:26 -0500 The Florida Lottery today announced that Peterson Acluche, 52, of Miramar, claimed the Oct. 27 $500,000 Mega Money jackpot. According to a press release, Acluche chose the one-time, lump-sum payment option for $351,705.25. He bought the ticket at Skylake Citgo, located at 1590 N.E. Miami Gardens Drive in Miami. The retailer received $1,000. The winning numbers were: 04 - 11 - 12 - 16 and the Megaball was 07 According to Acluche, he found out he won two days after the drawing when he checked his numbers. “My wife didn’t believe me at first,” he told Lottery officials. “She only believed me when she saw the numbers on the computer.” Acluche plans to use his winnings to buy his wife the car of her dreams and help his fellow church members. http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/miramar_man_hits_mega_money_fo.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/miramar_man_hits_mega_money_fo.html Lottery Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:07:08 -0500 I'll give you a link. I kind of know how you commenters Sunday felt upon reading the Saturday results. I wanted to not know today and watch it "plausibly live" tonight. But WIOD radio spouted out who won at 9 this morning, then I got an email that has photos of the winner, a press release, etc. Part of the travails of being a gambling writer, I guess. Meanwhile, if you want some Kevin Schaffel, here are some post-tournament comments, via PokerStars link. So, I want some quick input here: Who is watching cold, and who doesn't care if they already know who won?]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/world_series_of_poker_has_a_wi.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/world_series_of_poker_has_a_wi.html World Series of Poker Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:56 -0500 Mardi Gras is giving away three BMWs this month. The drawings are at 10:15 p.m. Nov. 14, 21 and 27. Slots players get more entries based on how much they play. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/mardi_gras_giving_away_three_b.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/mardi_gras_giving_away_three_b.html Slots Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:33:19 -0500 The first shipment of slot machines arrived at Calder Casino & Race Course in Miami Gardens on Monday morning. Track officials and state regulators were at the casino loading dock to check in 242 slot machines. Calder will eventually have 1,225 slot machines when it opens in January 2010. The 242 machines came from WMS and were delivered to Calder’s new 104,000-square foot casino, which is approaching the final phases of its construction, according to a press release. In addition to the slot machines, the Calder Casino will also have three new restaurants. Calder is currently conducting its 39th horse racing season. The live racing season started in April and continues through Jan. 2. This weekend, Calder hosts its annual Florida Million, featuring $1.2 million in stakes showcasing the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Simulcasting is offered year-round at Calder and the track also opened its Studz Poker Club on Oct. 23. Studz is holding three $10,000 Guaranteed Deep Stack Tournaments on Nov. 14, 15, and 21. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/slot_machines_arrive_at_calder.html http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/news/gambling/blog/2009/11/slot_machines_arrive_at_calder.html Slots Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:15:47 -0500