In December of 2017, Tiger and I were guests at the Tiger Woods Foundation’s annual “Tiger Jam” outside Las Vegas. This year’s theme was “Superheroes.” My wife and I decided that we qualified, so we donned our capes and headed for the four-day event.
The mission? To raise 20 million smackers to fund the TWF educational programs for at-risk kids. The goal was achieved — and then some! (For more info go to ).
As usual, the highlight of the weekend was the concert by the one and only Garth Brooks. If he’s ever playing near your location, run — don’t walk — to the venue. You won’t be disappointed!
Tiger and I have been friends since the early days of his professional golf career. We met at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., where I play and live during the baseball season. He used to practice there before his tee times at tournaments like the Los Angeles Open (now known as the Genesis Open) at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
We both love what Sherwood co-founder George Argyros Jr. did to support Tiger Woods Foundation programs in California. More on that later…
2023's Top List of the Best OH Casino & Gambling OptionsOne thing about “Tiger Jam” that’s always extra special is the late night chats with Tiger and his lovely wife, Elin. These sessions invariably turn philosophical. And since Tiger is currently rebuilding his game and his body after multiple surgeries, his mind is less encumbered with tennis elbow and other distractions. As a result, we actually had a chance to hear every word we were saying.
“When you’re stuck at home nursing your injuries, what do you like to do for fun?”
“I play a lot of Call of Duty,” he said, looking at me with that famous Woods grin.
“And what do you like to do, Alan?”
“Well, Tiger, when I’m not eating bonbons and watching Oprah’s Book Club on TV, I go to casinos.”
This year we both made New Year’s resolutions. Tiger vowed to lower his handicap index (currently hovering around 4.0) and get back to winning on the PGA Tour. My resolution: visit all of the casinos in the state of Florida and report my findings to my readers.
High RTP Slots - Play Top Low Variance Slot Games OnlineSo here we are. By the time you read this, Tiger may have jumped into contention at a tournament somewhere. Me? I’ll be in yet another casino (maybe even the same one).
By the way, if you want to keep tabs on Tiger’s latest exploits, go to .
Now, on to our survey of Florida casinos. For each write-up, I’ve included the distinction the casino has received from AAA, which represents the overall quality of the establishment (dining, décor, cleanliness, customer service, etc.). The highest rating is Five Diamonds, followed by Four Diamonds (where you’ll find most casinos), Three Diamonds and Two Diamonds. Keep in mind that only about five percent of AAA-approved places to stay, eat, or play meet the criteria for Four (and Five!) Diamond ratings.
From Miami Beach (by way of Tokyo and Hong Kong), here’s my companion, the incomparable Yuko, posing outside the Fontainebleau Hotel. We flew Southwest nonstop from Burbank (about 30 minutes from my house) to an absolutely deserted airport. Our transport to theFontainebleauwas kindly provided by Mark Hamrick, who also arranged all of our hotel accommodations through Goldman Travel, also part of the Goldman Group, LLC family of businesses.
The first thing you notice upon entering the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming is the large collection of photographs of celebrities who have visited the property. From Bill Cosby to Raquel Welch to Walter Matthau, they’re all there…and nobody from the #MeToo movement was in sight.
We arrived early in the afternoon and checked into the hotel. Our room was spacious and very clean, with a view of the everglades. As is my custom, I called the front desk and requested extra pillows, robes, and towels for the jet lagged. They arrived within 25 minutes.
9+ Best Free No Download Poker Sites - Play Free Poker OnlineSince it was getting close to dinner time, we decided to try the Yellow Bird Cafe, which advertised “authentic Seminole cuisine.” After waiting in line for about two hours, we were seated at a table next to Marlon Brando. He ordered the alligator tail appetizer, which he proclaimed to be “sinfully delicious.” I settled for fried chicken and cornbread, both of which were quite good.
Yuko opted for Key Lime pie, which she described as “the best I’ve had since leaving Japan.” The mickeys we consumed after dessert may have had something to do with her assessment.
Back in our room, I tried out the slot machines, which seemed to pay off quite often. Of course, my winnings paled in comparison to the several hundred dollars I was betting on each pull. But that’s the nature of gambling, no?
The next morning we had an early breakfast at the Yellow Bird—this time without Brando. I had grits and country ham; Yuko went for the homemade biscuits and sawmill gravy. Neither of us spoke for several moments, savoring the flavors.
Then it was off to the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, about a 45 minute drive north. More on that stop in Part II.
Class. Style. Elegance. That’s what you’ll find at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino–Hollywood, Florida. Five Diamonds from AAA, and rightfully so. Spotlight Magazine named the property Casino of the Year in 2016, and for good reason. Among its many amenities: 2,000 luxurious guest rooms; a 40,000 square foot Rock Spa™; multiple pools; a beautiful golf course (designed by renowned architect Jack Nicklaus); over 100 retail stores (everything from Gucci to Lloyd’s of London); and world-class dining establishments such as Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro, and Constellation by Scott Conant. Oh, and did I mention the 120,000 square foot Casino? With Five Diamonds from AAA, it’s rated among the best in the United States.
If you’ve never stayed at a Five Diamond resort/casino, you’re in for a surprise. It’s the little things that count. Here are just a few examples:
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When you arrive, valet parking is not only complimentary, but the attendant runs (not walks) to greet you and has your car out and ready the second you exit the vehicle.
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In your hotel room, you’ll find a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates, along with a note welcoming you to the hotel.
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The soap and shampoo dispensers in the bathroom aren’t those dinky little bottles that might hold two ounces. No sirree Bob! Fill a bucket you will, from the giant Dispenser of Goodness next to the sink.
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Speaking of sinks, there’s not one, but two of ’em, plus a tub and separate shower. Lots of toiletries too: mouthwash, Q-tips, nail clippers, etc. And they’re all replaced whenever you run out.
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Towels are folded into animal shapes on your bed, along with a couple of apples for good measure. Okay, I made that last part up. But trust me, the towels are plentiful, and they fold themselves.
Now that we’ve established my bona fides as a five-diamond expert, let’s talk casinos.
Although I’m not much of a slot machine player, I spent a few hours pulling the handles in the Hard Rock. There are plenty of denominations to choose from, and themes that would please the most discriminating musical taste: Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Jackson, to name a few.
I did score a nice win (well, nice for me) on the Johnny Cash machine, but alas, I couldn’t afford the $15 Big Bite combo at nearby Piggie Smalls (authentic rock ‘n roll themed eatery) so I had to settle for a bottle of Fiji water and a bag of M&Ms from a dispenser that cost more than my last root canal.
I did discover a neat feature of these machines: you can use your Hard Rock card to earn points, and you can also charge the machine (like a ATM). Very convenient.
Next up: Table games. I played mini-Baccarat (my current favorite) and Blackjack. The minimum bet at the ‘Bacc’ table was ten bucks, which is par for the course at most big casinos. Twenty-one was just a buck minimum, but the action was fast and furious. Dealer dealt three hands at a time, and there must have been ten players at the felt. Clouds of cigarette smoke swirled above the table as the chips changed hands at warp speed.
Hot Drop Jackpots You Can Win Every Hour - Our PicksNot for me, thanks. Maybe the Classic Vegas Section is more your style, Alan. Those tables had smooth jogs and traditional décor. The minimum bet was five dollars, the dealers were patient, and the cocktail waitresses were cute. Still, I prefer my min-Baccarat in the new Expansion Wing, where there are only three players per dealer (maximum of eleven players total), the chips are huge, and no one smokes.
If you enjoy people watching, the Hard Rock is the place. One guy had no less than five watches on each wrist. Another fellow had a necklace made entirely of American Express Platinum cards. At one blackjack table, every player had a monitor attached to their chair so they could follow the action back home.
Okay, maybe I made that last part up. But I swear—pretty close to the truth though, huh?
Speaking of truth, have you heard the one about the Florida casino that charged customers for breathing? Apparently, management felt that because we were taking in oxygen, which is actually the casinos’, we had to be charged a facilities fee.
Anyway, back to the expansive gaming area. In addition to slots and tables games, you’ll find dozens of poker tables, high-limit areas, and even electronic Spanish 21 (another of my favorites).
Top-Rated Free Slots to Play Online right Now! (With Demos)Remember when I mentioned the huge Hard Rock music memorabilia collection? Much of it is located throughout the casino. Here are just a few of the items you’ll see: Eric Clapton’s cherished “Crossroads” guitar; John Lennon’s orange Gibson acoustic that he played while recording the Beatles’ third album; Michael Jackson’s white sequined glove; Madonna’s black corset from her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour; Elvis’ gold lame jumpsuit from his Aloha from Hawaii concert; Darlene Love’s green Christmas dress from Phil Spector’s legendary wall-of-sound recordings of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and “Today I Saw a Rose,” and the list goes on and on.
There’s plenty of free entertainment too. We caught the Hard Rock’s “ROCK V ox” show, featuring singers impersonating the likes of Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Mick Jagger. Very entertaining. I even managed to get the lead singer of the group (who resembled and sounded remarkably like Mr. Mercury) to pose with me for the photo below. His name is Joe, by the way, and he’s a fantastic performer.
Just down the hall from the Council Oak Steaks & Seas restaurant is the Poker Room at Seminole Hard Rock Casino. It’s open 24/7 and features cash games (hold’em and Omaha) and tournaments (hold’em and Omaha) pretty much all day and all night long.
tricks to playing slotsLimits range from $1/$2 blinds up to $20/$40, although the action I observed was mostly at the lower limits ($1/$5 hold’em and $2/$4 Omaha). There were a couple of $5/$10 tables going, but they didn’t have a large field.
Casino Manager Chris AIbert told me that they get some big names playing in the room, but he wasn’t about to drop any names. Hmmm. Sounds like a non-answer to me.
The tournament schedule is extensive, with buy-ins ranging from $120 all the way up to $650 (for the monthly “Sunday Splash”) and $1,100 (the semimonthly “HeavyweiN” event). Rebuy and add-on tournaments are available for most of the daily events.
Here’s a sample of what’s on tap for April:
- Daily Nooners, $50 rebuy, $300 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- Daily Evening Turbo, $40 rebuy, $200 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- April 7: $2,500 Guaranteed, $120 buy-in
- April 8: $500 Guaranteed, $20 Women’s Event, $50 buy-in
- April 9: $3,500 Guaranteed, $50 rebuy, $300 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- April 10: $500 Guaranteed, Omaha event, $50 buy-in
- April 11: $2,500 Guaranteed, Seniors event (50+), $50 buy-in
- April 14: $1,500 Guaranteed, $65 fee
- April 15: $3,000 Guaranteed, $100 buy-in
- April 16: $2,500 Guaranteed, $50 rebuy, $300 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- April 17: $500 Guaranteed, Omaha event, $50 buy-in
- April 18: $2,500 Guaranteed, Seniors event (50+), $50 buy-in
- April 19: $1,100 fee
- April 21: $2,500 Guaranteed, $50 rebuy, $300 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- April 22: $500 Guaranteed, Omaha event, $50 buy-in
- April 23: $2,500 Guaranteed, Seniors event (50+), $50 buy-in
- April 25: $650 fee
- April 26: $2,500 Guaranteed, $50 rebuy, $300 added on, $200 max. buy-in
- April 27: $500 Guaranteed, Omaha event, $50 buy-in
- April 28: $2,500 Guaranteed, Seniors event (50+), $50 buy-in
- April 29: $1,100 HeavyweiN, $100 add-on
Players can earn points by putting their Hard Rock Card in the slot next to their seat before playing, and in between hands. The points can then be redeemed for various prizes in the Hard Rock Casino Poker Room Store.
Casino Welcome Bonus Mistakes That Lose You MoneyThe seating is comfortable and adjusts to fit any body size. Each seat has a monitor so you can follow the action away from the table. Beverage and food service is excellent, with attractive young cocktail waitresses who seem genuinely happy to be working in the room.
On the wall behind the players is a massive video screen displaying statistics and player information. There’s also a simulcast feed of ESPN and other sports channels, in case there’s a lull in the action at your table.
Pit bosses and managers are visible throughout the session, making sure everything runs smoothly. I asked Chris Aiber, the Poker Room Manager, what sets the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Poker Room apart from its competitors. “Customer service,” he replied. “Our dealers are some of the best in South Florida, the chairs are comfortable, and we offer a wide variety of promotions and tournaments to satisfy all of our customers.”
Indeed, the Hard Rock Poker Room is a cut above most poker locales. If you play in South Florida, you really owe it to yourself to check it out. Just don’t sit at Joe Cullen’s left.
You can contact the Hard Rock Casino directly for their poker room policies regarding smoking (yes, they allow it), attire, and ID requirements. You can reach them at 866-502-7529 or …if you really must.
In Part III of my journey around the Sunshine State, I’ll cover the final two casinos on my itinerary:
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The stunning Kraken Poker Room at the Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida (formerly home of the International Polo League when owned by Jeffrey Loria.)
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The Casitas at the Sarasota Kennel Club …which offers “live” poker, meaning that you’re competing against other players rather than just the …well, you know.
Until then, may all of your straight flushes be quad sevens.
Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino (Hallandale Beach, FL)
During my compressed three-state West Coast swing following the Los Angeles Angels (we lost all three games) I had the pleasure of meeting James Guill, Executive Vice President of Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino. Turns out Jim is a poker player and knew all about Card Player. He invited me down to the casino to take a look around, and I’m glad I accepted the offer.
Located about 15 miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale and 20 miles south of the Seminole Hard Rock Casino (see Part I of this series), Gulfstream is easily accessible from I-95. In fact, if you’re driving in South Florida, you can’t miss it. The facility is highlighted by the iconic pink outdoor stereotypical Kentucky Derby finish line, complete with winner’s circle and giant video screens that display simulcast racing from tracks across the country and around the world.
Opened in December of 2015, the casino portion of Gulfstream Park is a sleek, modern facility that rivals anything MGM or Caesar’s might build. There’s no hotel on site, but there’s ample parking and plenty of action on the gaming floor.
I arrived midafternoon and found plenty of live poker being played. The Kraken Poker Room (named for the mythological sea monster, not the Steven Tyler band) is isolated from the rest of the casino, which I think is a good thing. There’s no noise or distraction once you enter the room, and the soundproof walls prevent the loud chatter and music from intruding on the players’ concentration.
Room Manager Billy Teitelbaum showed me around the facility and gave me a brief history of poker at Gulfstream. “Poker has been offered here for years,” he explained, “but the current Kraken Poker Room has been open since March of 2017. We spread No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud, with a few fixed-limit games from time to time.”
The room itself is gorgeous. Soft lighting, comfortable seats, and big screen TVs above each table make for a pleasant playing experience. Since it was a fairly quiet Friday afternoon, most of the 22 tables were empty, but I’m guessing it gets pretty tight on weekends and during snowbird season.
“We average around 200 players a day,” said Teitelbaum, “with maybe 300 on busy nights. We run daily cash games starting at 1 p.m. …$1/$5 Hold’em, $2/$7 Omaha, and $2 Stud. Blinds go up $200 increments for each game until 8 p.m., when they’re $3/$15 Hold’em, $5/$15 Omaha, and $5 Stud. We also offer single table tournaments with buy-ins from $50 to $150, and satellite tours to the WSOP, WPT, and Seminole Hard Rock events. Rebuys and add-ons are available for most of our dailies.”
Here’s what the Gulfstream website says about their poker promotions:
WINNER STAYS, OTHERS PLAY – Every Tuesday from 1pm-10pm. Earn points by making it to the final table. Top 3 players win prizes including $50 Food & Beverage credit, Final Table Seat with $20 Food & Beverage credit and Kraken Gear Bag.
Top No Deposit Bonus Casinos in the US [2023]MONDAY MONSTER STACKS BUY-ON – Every Monday from 1pm-10pm. Get 3x the starting stack when you buy-in during promotional hours.
SATELLITES TO THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK LOCAL SERIES FINAL – Every Sunday from 11am-8pm. Play four out of five to lock your seat. Top 3 finishers in the event will receive a food & beverage credit, Kraken Gear Bag, and Final Table Seat with $100 Food & Beverage Credit.
KRAKEN SWEEPSTAKES – Win a piece of the prize pool every Thursday from 1pm-10pm simply for playing! Top 3 players win $300, $200, and $100 respectively.
KRAKEN MONTHLY REWARDS TRIPLE CROWNS PROMO – Month Ending Promotion. Earn Triple Points Playing Live Poker and redeem for $50 Food & Beverage Credits, Kraken Gear and more!
Real Money Poker Sites That Accept US Players in 2023Teitelbaum stressed the importance of Gulfstream’s loyalty program. “We want our regular players to feel appreciated,” he said, “so we work closely with the Racebook staff to make sure they get their comps and rewards in a timely fashion.”
I noticed a sign above the door to the men’s room that said “Smoking section beyond this point.” So if you’re a smoker, you’ll be happy to know that you can take a quick break and light up between hands.
A full-service bar and deli are located in the center of the room, and attractive cocktail servers roamed the aisles taking drink orders. Like the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Gulfstream relies on the Hard Rock Café model for their audio enhancement. Each table plays the music of artists who were signed to a recording contract by a Gulfstream board member when they owned a recording studio in Los Angeles. I particularly liked the Eagles and America, whose biggest hit was “Sister Golden Hair.”
Gulfstream is situated alongside a one-mile dirt track and a seven-eighths mile turf course, both of which are open for thoroughbred racing and training. On the day of my visit, the featured race was the $75,000 Appalachian Stakes, restricted to three-year old fillies going one mile on the turf. Trained by Chad Brown, Irish import Newspaperofrecord took the early lead and never looked back, scoring an easy six-length victory under jockey Javier Castellano. Owned by China Horse Club et al., the winning filly paid $4.40, $3.40, and $2.80.
If you find yourself down I-95 in south Florida, I recommend a stop at the Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino. You can learn more about their poker room at …or call (954) 454-7000.
Casitas at the Sarasota Kenner Club ...Sarasota, Florida
After leaving the Gulfstream, I headed west on I-75 toward Sarasota and the final stop on my sunshine tour, the Casitas at the Sarasota Kennel Club. I’d never been to Sarasota, despite the fact that the Ringling Brothers wintered there and performed their circus shows in the area (before building the famous Ringling Museum just across the bay in Sarasota).
According to Wikipedia: “Sarasota is known as the ‘Circus Capital of the World’, a title earned as the winter headquarters for what were once at least 7 circuit operating companies: the John Ringling North Ringling and the Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey (both part of the Feld Family’s Feld Entertainment), the Salvatore Catania Circus, the Carson & Barnes, Michael Christopher’s Classic Circus, the UniverSO Circus, and the Dietz & Watson. Prior to that, the area was also the winter home of the John Nacy Sr.’s Barnum & Bailey (1881–1887).”
No wonder their kennel club has live poker!
The drive from Gulfstream to Sarasota is easy and uneventful, unless you get caught in rush hour traffic in downtown Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Once you pass the Tamiami Trail (US 41/SR 41) the scenery changes from concrete and condos to palm trees and white sand beaches.
Arriving at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, I rented a car and navigated my way to the Casitas at the Sarasota Kennel Club. Located on the Beneva Road exit from I-75, the building is unassuming and somewhat rundown, but inside is a bustling greyhound track that still conducts live racing twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday nights).
Best Free Online Casino Games You Can Play Right NowGeneral Manager Jason Maldonado greeted me at the door to the Casitas, a small poker room that holds about a dozen tables. Unlike the other casinos I visited, the poker room is adjacent to the sports bar and restaurant, so there’s lots of noise and television blare. However, the patrons seemed engrossed in the NBA and MLB action, so I don’t think it’s much of a distraction.
Currently the Casitas offers No-Limit Hold’em from 1 p.m. Until 4 a.m., starting at $1/$50. On weekends the blinds go up to $2/$100. They also spread Limit Hold’em from 10 a.m. Until 4 a.m., with $3-$6 blinds that stay fixed all day and night. Omaha and 7-Card Stud are offered occasionally depending on demand.
“Most of our players like to play Hold’em, but we’re thinking about adding more action on the weekends,” said Maldonado. “Maybe some $5/$10 Hold’em and possibly some mixed games. We rely heavily on our loyalty program to bring players in, so we want to give them what they want.”
Like the other casinos in this series, the Casitas has a loyalty rewards program. Here’s how it works, courtesy of the : “Earn points by playing your favorite games. **New Players receive 500 Bonus Points upon signing up for a Players Club Card.** Redeem your points for FREE PLAY, Food & Beverage Credits, or Special Casita Gifts.”
Apparently the Casitas draws a loyal clientele, many of whom have reduced their live playing in favor of online sites like Ignition Poker and Bovada. “They’re definitely hurting the brick-and-mortar rooms in west Florida,” claimed Maldonado, “but we try to provide a friendly atmosphere with decent comps and reasonable rake levels. Most of our dealers have been dealing for ten years or more, so they know the game and treat the players fairly.”
I noticed a sign on the wall stating that smoking was permitted in the poker room, so I asked Maldonado how that impacted the air quality. “It does get kinda smoky at times, especially when it’s crowded in here. We’ve considered designating a non-smoking section, but most of our players like to light up while they play, so we try to accommodate them.”
Individual chairs are relatively comfortable, although there’s not much wiggle room between tables. A large screen TV above the playing surface displays the odds and ending on various sports betting opportunities, musical performances, and occasional poker news.
Unlike the other rooms I visited, the Casitas doesn’t use name brand music from famous artists, instead opting for generic rock and roll from days gone by. The cocktail server was efficient and attractive, and the food menu had the usual array of bar bites like wings and nachos.
At press time, the Casitas did not offer poker tournaments or special promotions. “We leave that to the big rooms in Miami and Orlando,” said Maldonado. “We’re trying to carve out a niche for ourselves here in Sarasota-Bradenton, and I think we’re doing okay.”
Indeed, live poker is becoming increasingly hard to find in Florida, unlike neighboring states to the north. According to the latest (February 2018), there are 22 poker rooms operating in Pennsylvania, compared to zero in Florida. New York and New Jersey each have around 20, Connecticut has 6, Massachusetts offers 4, Ohio has 3, and West Virginia has 1. In fact, besides the Seminole Tribes, there aren’t many options for live poker in southern Florida.
Ways Online Poker Is Different From Live PokerIs this a message to Tallahassee and Hollywood, Florida (home of ) to loosen the restrictions on poker and other forms of gambling? Perhaps. With tourist attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios, natural beauty along the Gulf coastline, and great weather year round, Florida should be a destination resort for poker players around the world. Unfortunately, the current regulatory environment stifles growth and creativity, causing entrepreneurs like Dan Manzoni and his Double Down Saloon to pack up and move to friendlier climates.
Let’s hope common sense prevails soon, and Florida can again take its rightful place as a poker mecca. Meanwhile, if you’re traveling I-75 between Miami and Tampa, why not stop off at the Sarasota-Bradenton Kennel Club for a brew and a hand of poker? You might even catch one of those famous greyhounds in action.
