Q. Especially given the popularity of blackjack.
A. One of my quotes was, "Baseball's not America's game, blackjack
is." I really felt that such a large piece of the American public had such
familiarity with blackjack that this would just explode. I think a lot of
average players were intimidated and felt that they didn't have a chance
against the pros. In reality, in a tournament session with 28 or 30 hands,
all of your normal card-playing strategies go out the window anyway.

Q. I saw the TV production of the first event and thought it was
pretty disappointing.
A. Yeah. They focused on a couple of individuals who didn't win,
but we were happy that they were doing it at all. I would have liked to
have seen more coverage on the monthly events to show how they got into the
finals. They tried to do that, but the people they were following couldn't
get lucky and they never qualified.

Q. Who won?
A. Edward Rhoades

Q. Did he give you any more play?
A. No. He played in one qualifier, was fortunate to win a seat,
then played in the final. I knew very little about him prior to winning the
final.

Q. How much did the dealers get for a tip?
A.$10,000.

Q. What is a customary tip from a tourney winner?
A. Well, it varies. They (the dealers) would expect ten percent, although I think
it's little unrealistic ...

Q. That's a lot unrealistic ...
A. ... to expect someone to give them a hundred thousand dollars.
Don't forget that although this is a cash prize, they still have to pay
taxes on it.

Q. Do dealers ever get stiffed in these tourneys?
A. Yes they do, but it wasn't frequent, like on the monthlies,
because by the time they got near the finals the players had a personal
relationship with these dealers.

Q. Was Mr. Rhoades the favorite?
A. No. I'd made Blair Rodman the favorite, along with Ken Einiger.
Both Ken and his father had qualified for the million-dollar final.