My favorite “tell” I pick up on other poker players is shaking hands.

If they’re quivering when they throw their chips into the pot, they’re on an adrenaline rush, and a hand so big their body can’t control it.

Knowing that saves me money; I fold.

Unfortunately, I have the same tell myself.

That’s why I tried what is called an “oxytocin accelerator,” a homeopathic spray that is meant to put you more at ease. Oxytocin is a natural hormone from our pituitary gland; it’s what overcomes that feeling of panic.

HBC Protocols sent me a sample, and I tried it during a recent All-in Free Poker tournament at the Isle Casino and Racing. I sprayed a little in my mouth and sat down to play.

Now, poker is a game with unending variables: different cards, different players each time you sit down.

I can’t say I was any more or less calmer, and, well, I didn’t get enough big hands to accurately measure.

But with my chip count dwindling, I got ace-king in late position and called an early raiser.

When the flop came up three low cards, I fired all in. The early raiser, a tight player, called. And turned over pocket kings.

The turn and the river were no help to me and I went home, with an early night.

The spray may or may not have helped my nerves. The problem is, there’s no spray to prevent stupidity.

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A response to an earlier post on which TV poker show do you watch piqued my interest.

The reader said he prefers "High Stakes Poker" on the Game Show Network.

First, I have Comcast, and after about six months and eight technician visits (honest!) I figured out how to use the extra channels switch and access channels higher than 78.

It was worth it, for Fit TV, and for the High Stakes Poker.

I liked the players' dialogue on the show, and learned about "straddle" blinds and people playing out a hand twice. I know, I don't play much.

Heck of a show, though. Heck of a show.

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I got scooped by a blogmate: David Anesta posted below about Dania’s $25 game.

For those looking to play live multi-table poker, but not yet ready to play for big bucks, there are two options at Dania Jai-Alai: A $5 tournament at 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and a $25 tournament at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Dania puts on the tournaments to get people in the door. The jai-alai fronton is permitted to have slots, but hasn’t put them in yet. Management is awaiting word on renovations plans, similar to what has happened at Gulfstream Park, Mardi Gras and the Isle. But for now, all it has is jai-alai, and, very small crowds. (Update: They also have $50 multitable tournaments at 5 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Thursday; $100 tournaments at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Check the schedule atwww.betdania.com.)

So it offers inexpensive poker tournaments, with the hope that players might stick around after they get knocked out from the tournament and play a cash game (more lucrative for the fronton), or bet a few jai-alai games or the simulcast horse races. (Gulfstream recently granted permission for Dania to simulcast its last two races each day.)

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Where was everyone at the $25 multi-table tournament at Dania Beach Jai-Alai on Monday night?

A $25 tournament is a bargain down here. I figure there should be at least 100 people playing.
But by my count, there were only about 40.

That's not enought to make it worthwhile.

Tell me why there weren't more players?

The tournament starts at 6:30 p.m., right after work.

Bud on tap is $1 during happy hour.

The tables are comfortable and not crammed together.

The entry fee is affordable.

And there's plenty of parking.

Sure, Dania Beach Jai-Alai is no Hard Rock. It's definitely more of a local venue.

So where were you guys? Are tournaments just not that big down here?

Here's your chance to rant: What could make this tournament better?

I think it simply needs more players. I was disappointed that the first-place prize was only about $250, and only the top five players were paid.

I think a better big-screen TV could help the place, too.

Here's the schedule: www.dania-jai-alai.com/poker/pokercalendar.htm

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The service at the $2.95 breakfast buffet at the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek is exactly what I expected: scarce and grumpy.

However, for for such a cheap price, the food was well worth it.

I am not an early riser, but I couldn't resist such a deal.

So, here's a rundown of my fare (all of it was surprisingly fresh):

Scrambled eggs: Dense and salty.
Potatoes: Soft and greasy.
Sausage: Meaty. Not from the frozen aisle.
Bacon: Tasty but just a little chewy. Just a little.
Coffee: Fresh, thank god.
Croissant: Flaky and buttery.
Frittata: See scrambled eggs.

I skipped the breakfast pizza, but the French toast looked good. There were also bread, pastries and fruit.

Yes, it was basic.

Yes, it was $2.95.

And yes, I am sure I will find myself there after playing poker all night.

For more information, go to http://www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com/restaurants/

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