For one night, the USO of North Carolina in Jacksonville will have all the makings of a casino - full-sized, Las Vegas-style tables manned by professional dealers, slot machines, whirling roulette wheels, even a roving pit boss. But players will know they aren't in Atlantic City. For one thing, they'll be playing with funny money; and instead of briskly flipping out cards, the dealers will be friendly. And patient."The dealers will teach you how to play, so when you go to an actual casino you'll know what you're doing," said Sharon Malloy, director of operations for the USO of North Carolina. Card players will want to get in on the 60-man Texas Hold 'Em tournament - register for this one in advance - as well as Three Card Poker, Triple Shot Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker. Proceeds from the event, to be held Sept. 16, will fund the USO's upcoming holiday programs, mainly benefitting the troops.Poker is still red-hot, played by celebrities in TV tournaments and by more than 100 million gamers in U.S. card rooms and online, according to industry figures. Young troops like it, too. "It's a very big craze for Marines," said Tony Ross, a former Marine sergeant. "It's a good way to kill time in the desert or on ship. All you need is a deck of cards and a case of chips."
Ross began playing poker about two years ago, after watching a televised tournament, and he's since studied the game in experts' books.
A search for poker Web sites brings up millions of hits. One of them, describes poker as a game that sharpens your judgment skills by learning to read people's faces, and strategic skills by learning how to play the hand you're dealt.
Players are drawn to the game's mix of sociability and critical thought, where skill will be more important than luck.
Ross also likes the way a game can shift suddenly, depending on which cards are dealt with each round of betting.
He has some advice for beginners: make sure you sit in the right place, so you can make your decisions after everyone else, and play your hand straight until you get to an advanced level.
"That's when you should play off the other person," said Ross. "What cards can they have? What do they think I have?"
Though the USO Casino Night is billed as a "Black Tie Affair," Malloy said she doesn't really expect guests to wear tuxedoes. Sunday best would work equally well, she said.
The evening is going to be user-friendly in other ways, too. A $45 entry fee pays for each guest's wine and hors d'oeuvres, as well as $1,000 in funny money. There will be a cash bar for beer as well.
Door prizes will be awarded throughout the night, as well as prizes for the top three players in the Texas Hold 'Em Tournament.
And another bonus: for those whose enthusiasm is greater than their skill, they don't stand to lose much.
"This is great for beginners," said Ross. "People who play in my cash games, some walk out down $300 - $400. At the casino night, it doesn't cost a lot. You're not going to lose more than $45."
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