Orange Park's new poker site a big hit

Orange Park, Florida -- New dealers try a career change as the 40-table room opens its doors

Hundreds turned out for the noon opening Wednesday of the Orange Park Kennel Club's Poker Room, a 40-table operation complete with sushi bar.

Join Casino Tournaments At The Venetian. Earn $15 In Casino Credit.

Dozens of people were lined up outside before the doors opened. Later inside, dozens more stood in line waiting to buy a stack of red or white chips and sign up for a game of Texas Hold 'Em, seven-card stud or other games. Most tables appeared to be full.

"The turnout was great. I'm very pleased," said Josh Zuckerman, director of poker operations for Jacksonville Greyhound Racing Inc.

Vendors congratulated Howard Korman, president of Jacksonville Greyhound, as he sat at the bar watching visitors pour in. His company owns the Orange Park and St. Johns County poker rooms - the First Coast's only poker venues. The games have various betting limits.

"This has got to be the nicest poker room outside of Las Vegas," said Russ Alexander of Jacksonville as he played. To him, the poker room was "beautiful."

"Talk about sweating," said John Soultanian as he was about to deal his first official hand. The Orange Park man worked in the housing industry before training to become a poker dealer.

The opening also launched a new career as a poker dealer for Janet Adams of Orange Park, a former real estate agent. Adams said dealers rotate from table to table every 30 minutes, so they stay fresh and alert.

"I know I will like it. It's fun, interesting people. This is a well-run, professional operation," she said, adding that if she has any trouble a floor manager is available to help.

"There's no cursing here and if someone curses at your table, you can call the floor [manager]," she said.

News Added: 10 April, 2008

Number of views : 183