The fifth annual Deep Stack Charity Classic at Daytona Beach Kennel Club, concluded May 5, was another sellout, as 667 players competed for packages to the popular Venetian series in Las Vegas. John Valevich of Palm Coast, Fla., was the overall winner, capturing the $12K package, which included a seat into the $5K main event. Other top winners were Carlos Dezza, Douglas Wright, Philip Barrett, John Barnosky, Reuben Jacobs, Terrance Laugherty, Robert Cole, Robert Vaughan and Manuel Rivera.
In more news, the DBKC poker room will host the Fossilman Weekend Extravaganza on July 18-20. Three separate tournaments with three separate bounties on Greg Raymer. Here’s your chance to meet and play against the 2004 World Series of Poker champ. Also, Aug. 2-4 the room will have its $30K guarantee ($85). Call the room for more details.
JACKSONVILLE BESTBET: The poker room’s Facebook page (facebook.com/BestbetJacksonvi lle) has a new look and way of keeping in touch its customer base. It also has announced live music June 29, July 27 and Aug. 17, with drink specials.
While we’re talking about Jacksonville poker rooms, I’d like to let you know about Alan Lutz. We have known each other since January 2004, when I first came to Jacksonville and taught all of the initial poker dealers for the Poker Room at St. John’s. It’s no surprise he has risen through the ranks of bestbet Orange Park to the position of shift manager. He always has been a dedicated employee. He’s played poker for the past 35 years, has done a poker radio show for the past five years and teaches a poker course at UNF called Poker 101. I recently had a conversation with him about his career.
What made you become a poker dealer? I had just moved to Jacksonville and saw the original ad to become a poker dealer and attended the job fair. I have always played poker and thought this would be a perfect job for me.
What made you decide to become a dual-rate and then floor manager? I used to own a company and I really loved dealing, but one of the things that attracted me to bestbet was that it was a young company and I knew there was an opportunity for advancement.
How do you feel bestbet has treated you as an employee? I cannot say enough about this company. They have always treated me fair and I work hard and I think they recognized that. I love coming to work and I love the people I work with.
