Our Story

In 2012, I had purchased 8 decks of real casino cards, a card shoe, a discard holder, a chip case, and a beautiful set of chips.

And … I simply dealt to myself, practicing as if I was dealing at a blackjack table while simultaneously betting as a player at a blackjack table. I lost some; I won some. One night I stopped by  Dos Gatos downtown Jacksonville, my favorite lounge, where my other company Trivia Night Live performs every week. I flippantly … even whimsically … said to the owner “… Sooooo, have you ever thought about having a blackjack game here?” As kismet would have it, his reply was “… As a matter of fact, I have!” He wanted something different, something NOT-poker, something that could draw a regular crowd on a Wednesday night and make his patrons happy. I wanted to deal blackjack. I also wanted to find another excuse to be at the best lounge in North Florida. That night we added a new dimension to our personal and professional relationship, and 5 years later, with two softball seasons under our belt, new customers, new Dos Gatos family members, and one Blackjack tournament, we’re still going strong, every Wednesday night* of the month. So to my business associate, paisan, brother, and friend, I want to say thank you, Jason Albertelli.  I owe you a debt. Those aren’t just mere words – no other person has been more crucial to the success of this company than you. In truth, this company and this unique concept would never have been born had you not said yes “as a matter of fact I have” so many years ago. I am grateful you have supported my efforts, that you made such great prizes (two shots and a slap in the face), and that we have successfully created an environment where players have become lifelong friends.  Again I say, thank you Jay. (By the way, the Double Down Wednesday crowd misses you)

I could save the best for last … but I’m not going to. The best part of dealing blackjack are the players and I’m grateful to all of them especially the die hard ones, both now and in the past:

• Amber
• Seanna
• Spenser
• Sarah
• Brian

I need to thank Mr. Matthew Obrero who created SUCH an incredible logo. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done for me for both companies. This logo is absolutely phenomenal. I also continue to be grateful for your artistic input. And I thank you for your patience and your forgiveness when I may have inadvertently tested that patience. 🙂 I look forward to continuing to work with you and I ask you to please let me know how I may support your professional efforts.

I eagerly thank all present and future owners, but I’d like to make special mention of Scott McAlister, owner of The Rogue in Riverside Jacksonville. Aside from giving professional support for my efforts, you have been there for me personally. I’m grateful for our talks about God. I am grateful that you are an excellent example of a person, again both as a business owner and friend.

To Mr. Dave Head, entrepreneur of this very website, thank you to you and your designers for making a great website, both here and for Trivia Night Live. You have helped transform my Unartistic ideas and made them wonderful. It would be my wish that everyone who is interested in having a webpage be introduced to you and your company so that they may have the same assurance that I do everytime we communicate. I value our friendship and your professional support.

And finally I thank the bartenders and managers: Casey, Quentin, Abbas (who can’t play), Kat, Seanna, Thomas, Clarence, Cody, Sammy Jo, and many many others. Your enthusiasm for blackjack night comes through to the customers who then become players. Thank you for that.