Independent Reviews

Mike Sigmundi, poker room manager for the Ocean Jewel, said when he started dealing
about six years ago, the average poker player was male and age 40 or older.

"Today, they are younger and there's a lot more women playing," he said. "And now the
top players become celebrities and get sponsors like NASCAR drivers."

Sigmundi is helping train a staff of 40 dealers who will work the Jewel's poker room
when the casino ship opens.

"I think every college kid in Florida is playing poker," said Jim Pinchot, poker manager
on the Majesty. "I've been doing this about seven years and I'd say interest in poker
is up about 400 percent.

"The younger players come in knowing all the lingo because they've learned it from
TV," he said. "Also, the lower- stakes games at dog tracks are allowing more people
to learn how to play."

Chris Martin, card room manager at Derby Lane, said about 70 percent of the players
there are regulars. "They are all ages, from college kids to retirees, and some of
them will come in dressed like their favorite TV poker star - with dark glasses or
the hat on backwards," he said.

Poker only came to the greyhound track on Gandy Boulevard this year. Tampa Bay Downs
also has a poker room.

Changes in state laws last year regulating card rooms eliminated the $10 pot limit.
Now, the only limit in effect is a $2 maximum bet. This resulted in an increase in
the pots. The state also allowed tournament play at parimutuel outlets.

Card rooms at Derby Lane and Tampa Bay Downs started filling up. A $45 tournament entry
fee at Derby Lane can be parlayed into more than $1,000.

"It beats playing nickel and dime poker at home," said Peter Harris, a 42-year-old
businessman from Largo who recently entered a Derby Lane tournament.

Wearing his "Dogs Playing Poker" shirt, Harris and his buddies joined about 300 players
who come early each day to sign up for the afternoon tournament.

Similar crowds show up for the daily tournaments at the Hard Rock, where entry fees
run higher ($100 and more) and the play runs longer.

"Derby Lane is more laid back and friendly than the Hard Rock, but the Hard Rock is
open 24 hours a day and Derby closes at midnight," said Mike Davis, a 28-year-old poker
fan who plays at both places. "I like to go the Hard Rock for late-night games."

Andy Orsmby, 24, who has been playing poker since he was 18, also likes Derby Lane.

He's a recent Eckerd College graduate who gave up a career as mortgage broker to
become a professional player. "I win enough to make a living and I'm looking for
a sponsor," he said.

Nicola Byers, 32, of St. Petersburg, said she enjoys playing poker so much she's
in training to be a dealer on the Ocean Jewel. "It's a lot of fun. I love to play
and soon I'll be playing all day," she said.

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