Hard Rock launches casino-style card games

The ace dropped on the player's jack. Another blackjack on the first day of previously banned card games at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino. "God bless America,'' said Scott from Tampa, in the midst of winning nearly $5,000 in 90 minutes. "I love the Indians." He started into a version of the Twist.

Without a single billboard or news release, the Seminole Tribe of Florida launched the Tampa Bay area's only casino-style games of blackjack, baccarat and poker variants at 104 card tables before dawn Thursday.

By noon, customers crowded tables to play Let It Ride and Texas Hold 'Em for minimum bets of $10. Sixty-eight tables are designated for blackjack. But with bets at most tables starting at $25 or higher, blackjack players were scarce.

Still, there was plenty of buzz as word got out among regulars — many of whom like Scott didn't want to give their last names — that the long-awaited card games were finally on.

"Tampa Hard Rock always has a whole lot of energy,'' said James Allen, chief executive of Seminole Gaming. "This just takes it to a higher level.''

The tribe expanded its $1-billion-plus gambling empire last year by signing a deal, called a compact, with Gov. Charlie Crist. The 25-year agreement let the Seminoles offer Las Vegas-style slot machines and "banked" card games such as blackjack where gamblers play against the house.

The slots are spinning in all but one of the tribe's seven casinos, including Tampa. Card games debuted June 22 at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood in a flashy event that included a ceremonial guitar smashing by rocker Rob Patterson and an appearance by entertainer Carmen Electra.

Eleven days later, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a challenge to the compact by legislative leaders. Justices ruled that Crist overstepped his authority by allowing the card games.

The games have continued. As a sovereign nation, the tribe isn't under the state's authority. Seminole leaders "look forward to working with Gov. Crist, the House and Senate to resolve any issues regarding the legality of the compact,'' Allen said Thursday.

Attorney General Bill McCollum contends the new games are now illegal. "They're not pulling them back, and they're not maintaining the status quo,'' said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for McCollum. "They're expanding them.''

Crist was briefed on the Tampa launch Thursday. "We'll look forward to working with the Legislature to see if we can reach a compact," he said in Miami. Asked if the tribe's decision was premature, Crist said, "I have to get more details on it."

The tribe hired 1,000 new workers to run the local card games, Allen said, bringing employment at Tampa Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to 2,800.

Derby Lane, the venerable greyhound track in St. Petersburg, lost customers when the Hard Rock got slot machines in April, says vice president Richard Winning.

The track and other local pari-mutuels host poker where players compete against each other, but not the Hard Rock's poker variants played against the house like Let It Ride , Pai Gow and Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker.

The novelty of games will likely take another bite from the track's business, he predicted. "Every time you offer something new, people want to test it out,'' said Winning.

But Mike Florian and Bob Collier, two retired cops from Buffalo, N.Y., said blackjack games were too rich for guys with $100 to gamble. "I'd play if games were $5 minimum,'' said Florian of Palmetto. "But I haven't seen any.'

Dealers will adjust minimums if play is slow, especially during off-peak hours, said Gary Bitner, a tribe spokesman. But on evenings or weekends minimum bets could go up and people may have to wait to play, especially in the busy winter season, he said.

Times staff writer Steve Bousquet contributed to this report. Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

Comments on this article

by J.T.	Nov 18, 2008 7:34 PM
HEADS UP HEARD THE FEDS WILL SHUT THEM DOWN BY FRIDAY

by gatorjude	Nov 18, 2008 1:56 PM
Right ON Bowels you heap smart as is Lou..BUT the Church and :Daddy " Disney will lobby against casinos while we Floridians stand with our noses pressed against the Candy Store window of LOST revenue,jobs and tourists attractions in Non Indian areas

by Bowels	Nov 16, 2008 11:05 AM
Indian make plenty good wampum on everyone. State of FL make scotoume (excrement from dead water buffalo) Now Chief Bowels no move. Man in Big House in Panhandle very golnack (stupid) for making pack with me.

by Lou McDermott	Nov 16, 2008 11:03 AM
I hope they rule Christ's compact giving sole rights to the Indians for gambling. Then perhaps Floridians would relaize that WE would profit tax revenue. Legalize casino gambling! Wake up Florida!!!

by bob	Nov 16, 2008 12:44 AM
hey its 2 percent more the the florida goverment is putting in florida is trying to cut back on all state spending if crist did not negotiate the state would have got nothing their here to stay get used to it

by TARA	Nov 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Only 2% of that indian money goes to schools. Go read that ILLEGAL compact again. The indians have a history of backing out of contracts so why would this one be any different? I hope they are ready for their "soft closing".

by luke	Nov 15, 2008 11:59 PM
Yes, Bob, it is the 21st century. Someone should tell the indians that. It's time to stop playing the victim. Don't even say they were here first because they weren't.

by Wendy	Nov 15, 2008 8:43 PM
The deal the state made was stupid, they should have asked for a %,not a set amt. Also, they locked us, state of Fl. into giving the seminoles sole right, why not open casinos elese where in Fl, so the boats, can become land based, we'll win then.

by Jack	Nov 15, 2008 8:35 PM
Without $5 min bets at all hours, they won't see me. Can always do the boats. That is how other casinos start around the country and now finally Foxwoods has dropped the min bet to atract all customers. A half of loaf is better than none at all.

by bob	Nov 15, 2008 8:23 PM
would you rather have dealers who know what they are doing on a table or some 1 who does not casinos are here to stay moeny for the communites and jobs for the masses get a grip we in the 21st centry not 50 years ago were their was nothing here

by bob	Nov 15, 2008 8:23 PM
right fist of all why are you all complaing the money what crist negotiated was for the state the money what the indians pay is for local schools communitys they putting spomthing back more then the goverment the goverment would have got nothing back

by Matt	Nov 15, 2008 7:30 PM
Hey FEDERAL RIGHTS - Can we say accountability for one's own actions? Oh wait, that's not the American way. If I go to the casino and blow my paycheck instead of paying my mortgage or putting food on the table it's not my fault, it's the casinos...

by jr	Nov 15, 2008 6:23 PM
Competition!Casino gambling should be enacted.Those that want to will,those that don't,won't!

by Ray	Nov 15, 2008 5:29 PM
Florida voters were ginve several options to get casinos, regulated and providing some needed assistance to the state. But all you Goobers were too busy listening to your bible thumping church ministers so toou got nothing.

by tupak	Nov 15, 2008 4:54 PM
The state didn't make the deal. Remember? It was a secret deal put together by our bonehead governor while he was bending over for the chief. I hope none of you get sick or hurt while you are at Hard Rock. They just let you die over there, you know?

by Frankie	Nov 14, 2008 9:26 PM
Jobs? Maybe a few. But the greater impact will be on all the poor fools from our area who gamble away money they can scarcely afford to lose in this economy. Who regulates Indian casionos anyway??

by johnms	Nov 14, 2008 9:26 PM
Just like any business transaction, the state regrets the deal they made. they probably now see the "real" potential the casiono can bring and now want to re-negogiate their end. Too bad, you'd like to a beneficial deal for both side, hardly happens

by johnms	Nov 14, 2008 9:16 PM
The idiots that stated that "the Indians think they are above the law" and where is ouor police/gov. School, elementary, has the answer to those questions. Casinos are what is best for FL in the long-term.

by Chris	Nov 14, 2008 9:12 PM
According to the tables its stand on any 17 and of course regular 3-2 on BJ and 2-1 on insurance. dont know how many decks. I hope the games will stay. if this isnt worked out, the feds will allow them to keep the slots, and the state gets no money

by Bob	Nov 14, 2008 9:09 PM
Thanks to John McCain and cronies, the Seminoles are not only exempt from state law on the reservation, but anywhere else they choose to set up a casino. Yeah, in your backyard if there's a buck to be made by the tribe, lobbyists and politicians.

by Jeff	Nov 14, 2008 9:08 PM
Everyone was happy to steal the Indians land and stick them out in the swamp in Immokalee where they had to walk 5 or 6 hours just to get provisions. I guess you should have tried to get a peek at their hole card before you grabbed the pot back then.

by Jeff	Nov 14, 2008 9:03 PM
Darn Uncle Louie you should have hit that 10 & 2

by BlackieJackie	Nov 14, 2008 8:55 PM
I stopped by there Thurs evening to check out the tables. Talked to a very unhappy gent who was already down $2,800. The $25 tables were pretty open, lower limits stayed packed.

by florida is the	Nov 14, 2008 8:54 PM
that casino is great! i go for the 5 cent machine! thats all i can afford, but its a fun atmosphere!! lets bring florida back to what its suppose to be, land of paradise, where everyone wants to live! cmon down!! charlie needs to be like jeb!

by Jesse	Nov 14, 2008 8:48 PM
I assume all the people at the $25 min. tables earn at least 100K per year. If not, they are idiots, whom I certainly hope are not receiving gov't assistance.

by steve	Nov 14, 2008 8:42 PM
They pay 3 to 2 on Bjacks, and dealers hold on 17, according to the instruction cards they're giving out. I saw one $15 min. table for Bjack around 1 p.m. Thurs, but most were $25.Dealers will adjust minimums depending on traffic, their PR guy said.

by Jim W.	Nov 14, 2008 8:37 PM
Bingo, State Lottery, Dog Track, Horse Racing and Casino Boats are all acceptable, Black Jack Tables are not? What is the difference? It is all some form of gambling whether some of you want to admit it or not. And I am all for it!!

by FEDERAL RIGHTS	Nov 14, 2008 8:37 PM
THIS IS NOT A GREAT THING FOR FLORIDA, YOU ARE ONLY MAKING THEM MORE RICHER AND ALLOWING THEM TO STEAL FROM THE POOR, IT IS ILEGAL AND THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE...JOBS IS FINE FOR THE PEOPLE BUT THEY ARE STEAL FROM CHILDRENS BEEN FED

by Bettie Cason	Nov 14, 2008 8:32 PM
It's about time Florida caught up with the times.Go Hard Rock!!!!!!!!!!1

by Tina	Nov 14, 2008 8:29 PM
They say we stole their land and chased them into hiding....sounds like defeat to me. If we didn't defeat them as they claim, then why do they feel like we owe them anything?

by Dan	Nov 14, 2008 9:44 AM
Since the politicians can't bring in new jobs at least this will. We should allow the Seminoles to build casinos right on the beach to bring in more tourist. It's the only industry left in Florida.

by DR	Nov 14, 2008 9:44 AM
The state or feds can't tell me how to spend my money. I'm glad they allowed this to happen. Screw you religious hypocrites and your million dollar churches. Religion has no right to be in law. This is a step closer to true freedom and democracy.

by bj dealer	Nov 14, 2008 9:24 AM
C'mon guys!! Don't hate...appreciate!! We're here so let's get along and help this awful economy that is in such dissary!!!

by rickey	Nov 14, 2008 9:24 AM
The Seminoles should of hired local people for those "$100k" dealing jobs but no. They all came from out of state. They were in a hurry to ram this casino down our throat. $100 Mil. is cheap comparing what other states get. Obey are laws. Then talk

by Larry	Nov 14, 2008 9:23 AM
The Seminoles did a good job of disinformation on the opening of Tampa. Now they want to resolve the legal issues with the state. How can we trust them? 100 Mil a year! Fla. budget is 60+ BIL. It is not enough $$. They need to stop. It is not legal