Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Florida Derby This Saturday

It's been almost a year since Big Brown romped in the Fla Derby on his way to capturing the Kentucky Derby.

The 58th running of the Florida Derby (Gr I) is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, March 28th. Top contenders include Dunkirk, Quality Road, Beethoven, and Theregoesjojo. Other graded stakes races on Saturday's card included the Swale (Gr II) and the Appleton (Gr III). Three year old fillies compete on Friday in the $200,000 Bonnie Miss (Gr II).

America's Got Talent Auditions & Live Taping

It's not gambling, but you can win 1 million dollars and become quite famous.

NBC's hit show America's Got Talent will be holding auditions in Miami on March 28 & 29 at the Hyatt Regency. Click here for more information.

If you're like me and you've got no talent, then you can be in the television audience for a live taping of the show at the Jackie Gleason Theater. There will be 4 shows taped March 31st & April 1st. Click here for free tickets.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

St Patrick's Day Promos and Events

Here are the specials for St Patrick's Day at South Florida casinos and pari-mutuels:

3rd Annual St Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Fest - Food, live entertainment, beads, boas, green beer, and give-a-ways (Mardi Gras Gaming, March 17).

$17,000 St Patrick's Day Swipe & Win - Swipe your IsleOne card at any kiosk, win up to $1000, guaranteed $5 (the isle pompano, March 17, 9am - midnight).

St Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Bonus - Texa Hold'Em high hand of the hour wins $150-500. Win is doubled if hand was dealt by a specially designated leprechaun dealer (Seminole Hard Rock, March 17, 8am-2am).

Double High Hand - Every high hand winner recives $300 on St Patrick's Day (March 17, Flagler Dog Track Magic City Poker Room).

Monday, March 9, 2009

The Amazing Race - Casting Call Comes to SoFla Casino

CBS's hit tv show The Amazing Race is holding an open casting call for contestants at Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale on Saturday, March 14th from 10AM to 2PM.

Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis. Hopeful two person teams should arrive early.

Click here for more details.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Poker News March 2009

Promos, Special Tournaments, Food & Drink Specials

Here's a look at some of the poker promotions and more notable tournaments for March in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. We'll update as additional news becomes available.

March Lucky Hand Hand Jackpots (the isle pomapano) - Sunday through Thursday, March 1-15, hourly high hands from 2pm to 10pm win $200 (limit hold'em & omaha) or $500 (no limit hold'em).

$300,000 Guaranteed Battles at the Beach (the isle pomapano) - March 22-25. Multiple tournaments with buy ins of $550 to $900, and guaranteed prize pools of $50k to $150k.

$100,000 Guaranteed Championship Event (the isle pomapano) - A heads up bracelet event with $50,000 going to the winner guaranteed. The buy in is $900, and entries are limited to 128 players.

St Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Bonus (Seminole Hard Rock) - On March 17th, high hand of the hour pulls an envelope out ofthe pot of gold with cash prizes from $150 to $500, doubled if dealt by a designated leprechaun dealer.

The Main Event Poker Tournaments (Seminole Hard Rock) - Three tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $350 to $1100. The $350 tournament starts at noon on March 9th. Play the $575 tournament at noon on March 11th. And the two day $1100 event begins March 14th at 11am. Satellites are held the day before.

Special Guaranteed Tournaments (Seminole Hard Rock) - The Hard Rock has added more events to their popular guaranteed tournament schedule this month. $8k guaranteed on March 8th & 22nd ($75 buy in); $15k guaranteed on March 10 & 24th ($150 buy-in). $25k guaranteed on March 2 & 16 & 30th ($300 buy in). $30k guaranteed on March 13 & 27th ($150 buy in).

Big Slick Tournament (Seminole Hard Rock) - The monthly event is scheduled for March 28th at 11am ($1100 buy-in). Satellites available on March 20, 26 and 27 ($150 buy-in).

$10 Off Any Tournament Entry (Seminole Hard Rock) - Simply sign up for the Hard Rock's promotions and events email newsletter (click here), then print out the coupon you receive and take it to the poker room.

Cash for Play (Dania) - Earn cash based on hours played at any non-tournament game throughout February. For example, 25 hours of play will get you $50 back, up to $400 for 200 hours of play.

Food and Drink Specials (Dania) - Dania offers complimentary house beverages while playing. $1 beer, dogs and sodas on Sunday. Happy hour 5-7PM daily. Complimentary sandwich from 1 to 3 PM Mon-Fri. Coffee and sweets served at 3PM to all players. 99 cents Wednesdays (hot dog & fries, 3 wings, 20 oz Coke fountain drinks, 16 oz draft beer, frozen drinks, and soft serve cone).

Iron Man Prize (Flagler) - This is a new daily contest with a $200 prize. To be eligible, a player must check in by 3pm, and still be present and playing at 11pm (with no more than 30 minutes spent outside the poker room). There will be a random drawing among eligible, carded players.

$150 High Hand Awards (Flagler) - Every day, awarded every two hours.

St Patrick's Day Double High Hand (Flagler) - On March 17th every high hand winner receives $300.

$1,000 Guaranteed Winner Take All Tournament (Flagler) - Every Sunday at 2pm. Entry is $25 and limited to 50 entrants.

Spring Break Tournament (Flagler) - March 21st at 2pm. Buy in $55.

$500 Freeroll Tournaments (Miami Jai Alai) - Saturdays at 3pm.

March Madness Tournament (Miami Jai Alai) - March 22nd. $100+10 buy in. 4000 starting chips, $10 add on for 2000 chips. 30 minute levels.

More Jackpots & Awards (Miami Jai Alai) - The Crystal Card Room has the following promotions: Royal Flush progressive jackpots, daily four of a kind jackpots (4-8pm), early bird and late night hourly high hand awards ($100), straight flush awards ($100-$300), aces cracked $50 (Fri-Sun 6pm-12am), pocket kings cracked by pocket aces ($25, daily 12pm-2pm & 8pm-12am), set cracked by straight or flush ($50, daily 12pm-2pm & 8pm-12am).

Aces Cracked (Seminole Hollywood Casino) - Aces cracked wins $100 on Mondays (3 & 6pm), Tuesdays (3pm), and Thursdays (3pm).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Magna Entertainment Files For Chapter 11

Magna Entertainment Corp, which owns Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, filed for bankruptsy on Thursday, March 5th. The company will be seeking to sell its South Florida assets, which also include the Palm Meadows training facility and its interest in The Village at Gulfstream Park (its new shopping mall, a joint venture with Forest City Enterprises, that is expected to open later this year).