TOM BOYLE

Weblog: Playing his cards right . . . some of the time

There are more scooters in the Rio than Clacton
It is a glorious morning. My lookout on the 24th floor of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino faces south.

I've gotviews of nondescript low level buildings stretching out into low-rise suburbs and onto the desert - it looks even better at night. To my left is The Strip - I can see the back of the Bellagio - and to right Palms where Jay-Z will be doing a musical turn tomorrow to celebrate the fourth Of July. I'm not on the guest-list.

I've not seen much in the way of glamour here yet. Sure, I looked on for 15 minutes as various celebs played some poker for charity, but it's hardly been an Ocean's Eleven or a Rat Pack week so far.

Quite the opposite in fact. The walk that takes me from my room, through the casino, to the convention centre where the poker action takes place is faintly depressing. Even early in the day punters are to be found slumped with glazed eyes in front of the fruit machines. Some have loyalty cards plugged into the slots. These are attached to the user via bungee-style cords giving the impression that the players are attached to a life support machine.

Outside the Amazon Room

  PICTURE: Tom Boyle  

And who says Americans are unlikey to take to electronic powered vehicles? There are more electric buggies in this hotel alone than in the whole of Clacton. I speak from experience, I had reason to visit the Essex seaside resort earlier this year.

What is more depressing still is the nature of the drivers here. Some look young and fit enough to be selected for my pub football team. There are also some seriously overweight pilots.

To give these motorists some credit they do heave themselves out of their motorised chairs for meals and to play the machines.

I know many will be keen to hear the results of the charity event - news has only just reached us - there was a delay because of a dispute over how much was raised.

The winner was professional player Aleksandr Bolotin from Brooklyn, New York. He collected $177,730 for his troubles half of which he donated to Ante Up for Africa. Over $360,000 was raised for the crisis in Darfur.

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