Mr. Jai-Alai’s World’s Fastest Column

Did you know “The Most Interesting Man in the World” played our sport in his younger days. Yes, legend has it, the Dos Equis Mexican beer man was a star in Tijuana or Mexico City, or maybe he just hung around the beaches in Cozumel with a cesta on his hand.

For those that don’t know what I’m talking about, you don’t watch much television. One of the big ad campaigns going is for Dos Equis, a very popular Mexican beer where there is a bearded gentleman somehow tagged with being “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” He has done many things in his past that apparently make him, ummmm, interesting.

So,through the assistance of Jeff Conway, the force behind the amateur courts in St. Pete, who contacted our announcer and ex-Newport “star” Lou, who put the parties together, there is a good chance that our great sport will be part of the next “Interesting Man” television spot. I will keep you posted on the progress. “Stay thirsty, my friend.”

New 7-Card Stud Tournament….Play Your Way Promo Will Continue in December

For those of you that like 7-Card Stud and have been having trouble finding a room that offers a tournament, Dania Jai-Alai is the place for you. We now offer a 7 Stud tourney every Saturday at 4 pm. Entry fee is $50.

Our “Play Your Way to Hi-Def” comes to conclusion at the end of November, but there will another Play Your Way in December. The structure of prizes has not been decided, but if you have not signed up for your Dania Play Your Way Card, do it now. It’s free and you will be entered into current and future Play Your Way promotions.

Your amount of poker play in non-tournament games will be tracked and those with the most minutes played at the end of the month will win. Check in the Cardroom for more details.

NOTICE: Don’t forget, the fronton will be completely dark on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28th. Normal activity resumes on Friday, November 29th, with simulcasting, poker, and live jai-alai.

A couple of familiar names join the 2008/2009 Winter roster, Minte and Garita. You remember Minte, who played here a few summers ago. This young backcourter has shown improvement and is back to challenge in the early games.

If you noticed a very large, hulking new figure in the backcourt, it’s Garita. Not to be confused with other “Garita” named players that have played in other frontons, our new guy is actually the son of past backcourt star Garita who played in Dania and Miami in the late 70’s and early 80s. Garita the Elder was on the large side, but to put it kindly, it was more width than height. But, boy could he catch. He was a feature player and a fan favorite.

Now, it’s Garita the Younger, being 6′5″ tall and a build like a true athlete, he is already showing tremendous power. If he catches anything like his dad, Garita is a very bright prospect.

Play Your Way to Hi-Def in the Cardroom

For those of you that frequent our Cardroom, the November “Play Your Way” promotion features some nice LCD large screen Hi-Def televisions. The more you play, the better your chance of winning. There are 5 to be won and the first prize is valued at over $2,000.

Just go into the Cardroom and sign up. There’s no charge and you will get your Dania Play Your Way Card. Your amount of poker play in non-tournament games will be tracked and those with the most minutes played at the end of the month will win. Check in the Cardroom for more details.

Dania Jai-Alai held the season ending ceremonies Thursday night, October 30th, with the traditional Parade of Champions and award’s presentation to the title winners for the summer meet.

They talk in other sports about trying to achieve parity, which makes things much more exciting for the fans. Well, it seems that parity was achieved on our roster this summer.

It was a season where no one player dominated the championships. It was great to see so many different players receive the plaques of recognition for their achievements. From the vastly improved Medrano, who won Game 2 honors with most wins to Sierra II, who was the Most Wins champ, this summer roster proved to be one of the best.

Mr. Jai-Alai would like to congratulate all the winners. Special “felicidades” go out to frontcourt veteran Arregui who took home the coveted Most Wins championship. Not only is Arregui won of the nicest guys on the roster, but he showed that it doesn’t take overwhelming power or size to be the best.

Solozabal comes back from a serious injury to run away with the singles title, not an easy task. This sport is tough enough. Nice job, “Solo.”

I already mentioned Sierra II. He’s a fan favorite because of his never-say-die attitude on the court. Well, it paid off this summer with Most Wins, 2nd in Campeonato, and most wins in Game 5.

Backcourter Leo showed steady play can get you the trophy. Since coming here from Orlando, Leo has developed into one of the most consistent performers on the roster. Leo ended up numero uno in the backcourt race.

The Campeonato plaque goes to the player that finishes in-the-money the most. Angel played like his name and accumulated the most points to win that title. He can amaze you with his variety of shots.

So, now we start our 55th Dania Jai-Alai season. Thank you for being such loyal fans. Good luck to you all!

Another Great Le Batard Poker Tourney

For the first time in tournament history, a female poker player won the Dan Le Batard Celebrity Poker Tournament held at Dania Jai-Alai Wednesday night, October 22nd.

With almost 300 participants, including the world’s greatest American jai-alai player, Joey Cornblit, the tournament, again, had a party-like atmosphere with players cheering the “all-in” victories.

But, at almost 11:30 pm, the big moment came for Pembroke Pines resident Elizabeth McKinney when she flopped a full house of fives full of sevens to take the biggest pot of the night, not only assuring her a seat at the final table, but giving her the tournament trophy.

“I was so nervous after I won that pot that my hands were shaking,” said Elizabeth as she posed for a post-tournament picture with 790 The Ticket’s host Dan Le Batard, also of ESPN.

Being the obvious chip leader, she agreed to chop with the other 9 players at the final table. McKinney was happy with the $1,077 payout, which all 10 players received.

“In poker, you never can tell how things will turn out and I could lose this big stack just as fast as I got it. I am thrilled, nothing like this has ever happened,” she said happily.

2008 Summer Season Champions to be Crowned October 30th

Another season ends, and it seems it seems shorter each year. Or, is Mr Jai-Alai just getting older?

The stats to decide the titles end Tuesday night, October28th. It’s a battle between Angel and Sierra II for the Overall Wins title and could come down to the wire.

Solozabal looks like he’s already clinched the Singles championship with a 9-win lead over Diego. Nice recovery for Solo who was plagued with some injuries.

Arregui has the lead in the frontcourt title and Leo currently leads in the backcourt. But, those are not yet locked up.

For those that look at in-the-money percentages, Erik would be your favorite having a very high .482%.

Please come out Thursday night, October 30th, where all the champions will be recognized for their efforts this summer season. They deserve the support of the Dania fans.

Sign up Now For November “Play Your Way to Hi-Def” in the CardRoom

Though the competition for free cash play is continuing through October 31st, the November Play Your Way contest is being finalized. Hi-Def televisions are now a must and we are going to reward the most frequent players in November’s competition with just that. There will be multiple Hi-Def tvs given away, but the winner will get the big one.

Those players that sign up and play in live action games (non-tournament) will get a Play Your Way card that will tally the time they play at the tables. Those that already have a card can use it for November’s contest.

Make sure when you sign up you give your e-mail address on the entry form. There may be some special offers through e-mail so you won’t want to miss out.

Check at the podium in the Cardroom for more details.

How long does an average Jai-Alai player play and how old are they when they are the best?

Jim Beck of Hallandale

Most Jai-Alai professionals start playing as children or early in their teenage years. It takes years to become proficient at the sport for the vast majority of players. Many who’ve played compare Jai-Alai to golf when it comes to difficulty.

One exception to that was former Dania star Jimbo, who was a Major League Baseball prospect when he became enthralled with Jai-Alai. Though he started at 19 years of age, Jimbo was known to practice up to ten hours a day. He went on to become one of the best backmen in the world.

Jai-Alai is a mental sport, maybe more so than physical. In that regard, many Jai-Alai players have longer careers than you may see in sports like football or basketball. It’s not rare to see a Jai-Alai player play well until they are forty. There have even been a couple players compete into their fifties.

Since Jai-Alai requires so much mental preparation and experience, players usually peak later than in other major sports. While a football player normally peaks in their mid to late twenties, Jai-Alai players are more likely to peak in their early thirties. With a ball that can travel in excess of 150 miles per hour, not even the fastest man on the planet can chase it down. Good Jai-Alai players have to anticipate where the pelota will be, which takes years of play.

Dan Le Batard Celebrity Poker Tournament, Wednesday, October 22nd
Sign up now for the biggest event in the Dania Jai-Alai Cardroom. The tournament has a $50.00 entry fee with the winner receiving almost $5,000. It looks to be a sell-out. Go to the Poker Cage to sign up.