Visited the Crystal Bay Club recently? Then, undoubtedly you’ve noticed a change in the former arcade room that once sported air hockey, foosball, and various video arcade games. Opened in December, the remodeled area is the Crystal Bay Casino’s new poker room – operating Wednesday through Sunday nights starting at 7 p.m., with a variety of games offered throughout the weekend.
Heading operations are two local poker veterans, Manager Jeff Schmidt and Assistant Manager Sal Giambrone, with over 30 years of working together at various casinos. They are thrilled with the opportunity the room presents, as well as the chance to work with Bill Wood, general manager of the club, and Roger and Elise Norman, the owners of the casino.
‘As far as facilities, this is the nicest poker room I’ve worked in, and we’re excited. We enjoy working with Bill, as well as Roger and Elise Norman – they’ve been very supportive of the poker room,’ Schmidt said.
Defining longevity in the poker world, Schmidt and Giambrone have previously worked with Wood, a key figure in hiring the two experienced card hands.
‘As a business decision, the Crystal Bay Casino is the best casino on the North Shore. Bill was influential in us coming to work here; we are very pleased, the room is spectacular, and business has been enjoyable here,’ Schmidt said.
The room welcomes something unique to the area – a romantic setting atypical of average casino poker rooms. Players and onlookers experience a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
‘Elise chose the décor, and it gives the feel of being in someone’s living room, giving games a home game feel,’ Schmidt said. ‘We’re proud of the hospitality aspect of our business, we enjoy providing the support to our customers.’
Crystal Bay offers Texas Hold ‘Em variations on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with limits of $3, $6 and $12, and a $40 buy-in minimum. Wednesdays and Sundays offer no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em with a minimum $100 buy-in, as well as Crazy Pineapple, and $5 and $10 Texas Hold ‘Em.
Those involved in the room are confident it will be a success and are pleased with the turnout thus far. They feel they provide an exclusive service in the area.
‘We are proud to offer a more poker-friendly environment in a room designed for poker, providing our players all of the finer things of a casino – a pit, food, restaurants,’ Schmidt said. ‘This is the finest casino on the North Shore and we want to be a part of it.’
Beyond the aforementioned games, there is also a weekly tournament each Friday night. Registration begins at 7 p.m., play starts at 7:15. Buy-in is $55, no re-buy-ins, tournaments are canceled during July and August, and major holiday weekends.
Feeling lucky? Throw down in the new room. Sit back, relax, and good luck. For more information on the non-smoking poker room contact Jeff Schmidt at 775-690-2404.
