Park training dealers to staff poker room

BY DONNA BALANCIA

FLORIDA TODAY

The Melbourne Greyhound Park needs dealers, and it's going the distance to train the right people.

"We want these people to learn how to deal poker the right way," said Patrick Biddix, general manager of the Melbourne Greyhound Park.

The facility will launch a temporary, 10-table poker room on Jan. 17. In April, it will kick off its permanent 40-table room.

"There's a need for a variety of positions," said John Niebler, manager of the poker room. "We will need an additional 100 poker dealers. We'll need cocktail waitresses, security personnel and support people, such as hosts and floor persons. Believe me, there's a lot to do, and we need good people. "

Dealer trainer Peter Zucco said it takes a special breed to cut it as a dealer.

"What I've noticed is dealers have a great sense of humor," he said. "It's the one thing they all have in common, because dealers are a really diverse crowd."

The dealers now in training at the Melbourne Greyhound Park include everyone from carpenters and a locksmith to housewives and bank tellers.

"I've always loved cards, and this is a way for me to make some money at doing something I love," said Joni Elliott, a housewife from Cocoa Beach. "And this is a great group of people here, so it's going to be great."

Buzz Ablog, a former blackjack dealer from Melbourne, said he is looking forward to a new opportunity.

"It's going to really bring the people in," he said. " Poker is a great game. It's the hottest game now, and it's all about having fun."

The next session of dealer school will start at the end of January. For more information, call the Melbourne Greyhound Park at 259-9800.

Contact Balancia at 242-3647 or dbalancia@flatoday.net