CCCIA planning Caribbean-style poker tournament

Florida -- The stakes will be high and the competition fierce at the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association’s first-ever Caribbean-style Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Friday.

The La Venezia ballroom will be transformed into a tropical paradise for the four-hour tournament, complete with casino style tables, dealers and a mojito bar.

Event Chairman Don Schnell of Regions Bank said the idea for the tournament came about because of the rising popularity of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.

“In the last three or four years, the popularity has grown a lot for the game,” he said, “and we really wanted to have a fun night for the construction industry and its members.”

Schnell, who has chaired several local poker tournaments in the past, hopes the event will be relaxing and, most importantly, fun.

“We thought it would be a nice thing. Everybody can just chill out, and forget about everything around them,” he said.

For those not up to doing a little gambling, spectator tickets are available for $30. That will allow people to still enjoy the food, the mojitos and the general atmosphere of the party. Beginner’s tables will also be available for the spectators who might want to try their hand at poker, but do not quite know the ropes.

Schnell said there are 75 players pre-registered for the tournament, which requires a $75 buy-in. He added that pre-registration is not required, and players are welcome to walk up with their buy-in just prior to the tournament.

Schnell said his poker skills, while average, usually depend on the cards themselves.

“I’ve been playing for 2 1/2 years,” he said. “You know, some nights I’m great. It just depends on how the cards fall.”

There will also be prizes given away all evening long, including a “Kegonator” as one of three large prizes. Schnell promised that even the losers will walk away winners.

For more informationt, call the CCCIA at 772-0027, or Schnell at 565-7473.


Cape Coral Daily Breeze

News Added: 10 July, 2008

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