Coconut Creek Poker Blog
- Pensacola Greyhound Track & Poker Room: Open. Plexiglas dividers. Mask and temperature checks required. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek: Open. Masks and temperature checks required. Plexiglas dividers. Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday tournaments. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood: Masks and temperature checks required.
- This 25-year-old rounder from Coconut Creek, Florida, brings a big background in poker to Las Vegas, however, with more than $2.1 million in live tournament winnings. That includes a ninth-place finish in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio in Season XV for $89,875 for a total of more than $100,000 on the tour.
On Friday out of 177 total entries there were 19 survivors from both Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Hard Rock. Among them were the tournament’s namesake Chris Moneymaker who bagged the chip lead at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and Scott Baumstein who led the way at night’s end at the Hard Rock. A fully integrated, energized, local's casino experience. 2,000 Las Vegas-style slots. 70 live table games with blackjack, baccarat, poker & more. Seven dining options plus two lounges and a 1,200-seat entertainment venue.
Once in a while, the darkness resurfaces. The difference between me now and several years ago is that I no longer initiate stealthily tilting up an opponent. It’s very rare and only if it’s reactionary.
I was playing a Nightly at Coconut Creek and this dude Crazy Eyes (named him that for good reason) said to me out of the blue, “I play at Hard Rock.”
I looked back at him (to my left) and said, “This is Coconut Creek, but okay. I’ve only played cash games at Hard Rock. How are the tournaments there?”
He tilted his head down while keeping his crazy eyes trained on me. “The best in the world!”
I ignored his prideful comment and said, “I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
“Where?”
“ESPN.”
I don’t think he knew that was a dig. Either that or he wasn’t listening. A few minutes later, we were heads-up in a hand and I folded to his river bet when there were four hearts on the board. I said, “I had a nice heart.”
His eyes widened and he showed me the Ace of hearts. “Better than THIS HEART?!”
I laughed with Hoodie Dude to my right because he noticed that I was being verbally steamrolled. Crazy Eyes didn’t like this and wanted the attention again. He asked, “Where are you from?”
At the same exact time, Hoodie Dude asked me an unrelated question and I answered it. Crazy Eyes was now slightly agitated and asked again, “Where are you from?”
A massage therapist was working on a guy two seats to my right, looked at me, and asked if I had ever played at Coconut Creek before. I replied to the massage therapist, “Yeah. A few years ago when the poker room was upstairs.”
Crazy Eyes: “WHERE ARE YOU FROM?!”
“Jeez,” I replied. “I got people asking me questions, I’m secretly chewing gum, and I had to take a breath.”
“Well…” Crazy Eyes leaned forward on the table and in my direction.
“Now or originally?” I asked.
“Now.”
“Huntersville.”
“What STATE?!”
“North Carolina, but that’s not where I’m originally from.”
“OKAY! WHERE ARE YOU FROM???”
“New York, but not the city.”
He waved his hand at me in frustration. His mood had now shifted from happy and accumulating chips to frustrated and playing too fast. Happens all the time. Very effective against weaker minds. He busted within 15 minutes. In my opinion, poker goes so much deeper than people think. That said, I no longer apply these tactics unless a douche decides to test his luck.
The Sunshine State has an endless supply of ways to keep you occupied. Gambling is among the up and coming forerunners.
If you’re over the Disney resorts and have had your fill of sand getting in all the wrong places, check out these seven best casinos for gambling in Florida.
1 – Seminole Hard Rock Casino
The Hard Rock brand was launched in the 1970s. It was the 90s when the brand hit its peak level of popularity.
While the brand isn’t the juggernaut it once was, it still holds enough weight to draw in the crowds.
Visitors to Tampa can enjoy a unique partnership between the Hard Rock brand and the Seminole Tribe. The result of the collaboration is the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The luxurious hotel-casino offers guests well-appointed rooms to recharge after a long day and night of gambling fun. Of course, there are several bars and restaurants to choose from aligning with the brand’s principle area of operations.
The casino at the Hard Rock is a true standout. The impressive gaming floor has nearly 50 tables for gamblers to enjoy games like Mississippi Stud, baccarat, and Texas Hold’Em.
If you’re not into card games, you’ll be happy to hear about the casino’s slot machines. The casino recently expanded the casino to make room for over 100 new machines.
However, I encourage you to take advantage of brilliant rooms after a long night. The Rock Spa offers a full-service experience for visitors.
You can receive services ranging from a complete barbershop to the latest in spa therapy treatments.
If you’re in the Tampa area and looking to party like a rockstar, the Hard Rock definitely fits the bill.
2 – Dania Jai-Alai
Jai-Alai is not at the forefront of most casino gamblers in the U.S. I imagine it’s not top of mind for many Americans at all.
Despite that, the sport is alive and thriving in South Florida. The Miami establishment offers jai-alai matches every day of the week.
Bettors crowd the facility to place their wagers on the forgotten sport. Weekends are especially busy at Dania, with multiple matches taking place.
Visitors are also able to place simulcast bets on harness racing, thoroughbreds, and jai-alai.
The gambling no longer stops there, though. The Dania has added a traditional casino to its repertoire, and the games have made an immediate impression.
The casino has over 900 slot machines for gaming enthusiasts to pick from. Gamblers also have their choice of the most popular table games.
The standards like blackjack, craps, and roulette all sit at the ready. If you’re a poker aficionado, you’ll be right at home on any of the two dozen poker tables.
Poker is the Dania casino star, and you can choose from Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud.
If you’re expecting a Las Vegas experience at Dania Jai-Alai, you’ll be disappointed. However, it’s proving to be a great place for locals and tourists to get their gambling fix in Florida.
3 – Seminole Casino, Brighton
The Seminole Casino Brighton is an entertainment mecca in the heart of Florida. The casino draws large crowds from both Tampa and Orlando year after year.
Gamblers at the Seminole Casino can enjoy over 400 different slot machines during their visit. From classic games to the latest video slots, Seminole has it all.
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If you’re not having fun on one game, take a stroll around the 28,000 square feet of real money slots, and you’re sure to find a game you like.
From penny slots to $5 per spin, the Seminole can keep you gambling all night regardless of your bankroll.
If you’re in the mood for table games, you’re in luck. Table games are where the Seminole truly shines. Players gather around the blackjack and poker tables well into the morning hours.
Be sure to sign up for the Seminole’s Wild Card. The Wild Card is a tier-based rewards program and is accepted at several different Floridian casinos.
You can earn player bonuses and comp dollars to spend on food, hotel rooms, and even merchandise in the gift shop.
4 – Magic City Casino
Magic City Casino is on the cutting edge of casino gambling. Magic City transitioned from a Greyhound racing complex to Jai-Alai back in 2018.
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So, if you’re traveling to Florida in search of the elusive jai-alai, you can find matches Wednesday-Sunday. Of course, jai-alai doesn’t really qualify as cutting edge casino play.
However, electronic table games are some of the latest in casino technology. In fact, all 40 of the casino’s table games are electronic.
That means virtual dealers for games like blackjack and a virtual wheel for roulette. When you enter the gaming area at Magic City, it’s easy to mistake the electronic games for slot machines.
The entire floor resembles a massive arcade, and players gather around the machines to play and out of general curiosity.
The slot machine selection at Magic City is large enough to impress almost any critic. The casino has over 800 slot machines to choose from and plenty of variety to boot.
Poker is king at Magic City. The poker room has 18 tables with action going into the wee hours of the morning seven nights a week.
The poker room has daily promotions for rewards members to earn bonuses. There are massive poker jackpots that can instantly turn a player’s luck around.
The Big Mouth Buffet is worth mentioning. I’m not a buffet connoisseur by any means, but if you’ve drained the battery and in need of a recharge, this buffet has you covered and smothered.
5 – Victory Casino Cruises
Victory Casino Cruises makes a list for many reasons, but I’ll be real. Ingenuity is at the top of the list.
While it’s illegal to gamble in many parts of Florida, Victory has found a massive loophole and exploited it.
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You see, by taking the casino 12 miles out to sea, the vessel is no longer bound to federal or state laws. Maritime law becomes the authority aboard the vessel, and gambling is fair play.
Victory Casino Cruises take passengers on their open water adventures twice a day, seven days a week. The length of the excursions varies between five and six hours, and you’ll have your pick of the time.
Sports bettors often crowd the ships on their trips to the sea. Sports bettors are able to find competitive lines on everything from MMA to golf.
Victory Casino Cruises definitely gets the win for ingenuity, but they also boast an impressive table gaming experience.
6 – Seminole Coconut Creek Casino
Seminole Coconut Creek is one of the biggest casinos in the state of Florida, and it has plenty of casino games.
For starters, the poker room at Coconut Creek has 15 Poler tables. This means reduced wait times when looking for a table. Still, it also means the Seminole Coconut Creek can host some of the state’s largest poker tournaments.
Also, Coconut Creek offers an impressive 70 table games. Including a dozen electronic roulette tables.
Rounding it all out are the 1500 slot machines for players to spin the hours away on.
So, by the numbers, the Coconut Creek has nearly 1600 available games to be played at any given time. This amount of action makes Seminole Coconut Creek one of the most action-packed casinos in Florida.
7 – The Big Easy
The Big Easy took the place of the Mardi Gras Casino after storms damaged it, this is Florida.
You won’t find any table games at the Big Easy, but the casino does offer over 30 poker tables.
Slot machines are a popular attraction at the Big Easy, and players have hundreds to choose from, 1300 to be exact. You can even enjoy slots on the casino’s designated outdoor smoking patio.
The Big Easy’s claim to fame is the video poker machines. The casino claims to have more of these games than any casino in Florida.
If playing video poker is your favorite casino activity, load up the family and take a trip to The Big Easy, Florida.
Conclusion
You don’t have to battle the traffic or cold weather in Atlantic City for your casino getaway on the east coast. Nor do you need to make a Clark Griswold-Esque pilgrimage through middle America to Las Vegas.
You can find all the casino fun you’re looking for and perhaps even learn a thing about jai-alai in the sunshine state. The seven best casinos in Florida may not have all of the bells and whistles of the Strip, but you’re sure to have a great story to tell.