Poker News

Tony Cosentino, Golden Nugget Director of Poker Operations

Tony Cosentino was born in Chicago, Illinois and right after his first year at Northwestern University he was drafted into the Army. He served his tour of duty in Germany and was honorably discharged in November of 1966.

Within a few months of his discharge Tony headed to Las Vegas hoping to reunite with some of his old friends in the gaming business. His first taste of employment in Las Vegas was as a shill at the Mint Hotel for $12.00 a day and no tips.

In 1968, Tony left the Mint and was hired on at the Stardust as a Pit Dealer and soon after was promoted to Floor Supervisor. In 1971 he moved to the Dunes as a Dice Dealer. In 1974 Tony took a Casino Supervisor’s position at Caesars and four years later he returned to the Stardust as a Pit Manager.

In 1980 he left the Stardust and accepted a Shift Supervisor’s position at the Riviera. In 1988 Tony took a Shift Manager’s position at the Aladdin.

In 1991, Tony left Vegas and moved back to Illinois to assume the position of Vice President of Casino Operations for the Alton Belle Riverboat. Two years later he headed back to Las Vegas and returned to the Riviera as a supervisor. In 1997 he went to the Luxor as an Executive Host and in 2002 Tony went to Green Valley Ranch as an Executive Host.

In January of 2004 Tony made his last move to the Golden Nugget as an Executive Host and in Juneof 2004 he was promoted to the Director of Poker.

DB: When the Nugget reopened the poker room in April of 2004, it opened with 20 tables but now you only have nine tables…why the reduction with poker at such a high point?

TC: The original plan was to open the room to coincide with last years WSOP, in the Pavilion, which is part of our pool area but we understood from the beginning that the location was only temporary. After the WSOP we found space to accommodate nine tables and we’ve been very fortunate to be as successful as we are, mostly because of the loyalty of our customers, both local and tour and travel.

DB: Owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling have recently sold the Nugget…who are the new owners?

TC: Landry’s Corporation, as in the Restaurant. They are a very successful corporation.

DB: Are the new owners poker friendly?

TC: Absolutely, Landry’s has indicated they’d like to see it’s continued growth

DB: Are there any future plans to increase the size of the poker room?

TC: I believe they have some expansion plans scheduled for the future.

DB: What incentives does the Nugget offer poker players?

TC: Our players receive $10 food coupons after four hours of play that are good at the buffet and snack bar, they are also good at the Carson Street Cafe between midnight and 8 a.m.

DB: Does the Nugget offer daily tournaments?

TC: Yes, we have two nolimit tournaments a day, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The morning tournament is a $60 buy-in, a $40 rebuy and a $40 add on. Players receive 2000 in chips and they get 1500 in chips for the rebuy and 1500 for the add on. Sunday through Thursday has a $125 price tag with a rebuy and an add on. Friday’s buy-in is $230 and Saturday’s is $330, both have one rebuy and one add on. Seating is limited to five tables and we usually have a full house. We have recently started daily $40 one-table sit and goes.

DB: Are there any plans for a major tournament here at the Nugget in the future?

TC: We have talked about that and it will depend on if and when we get the expansion.

DB: What live games can players expect to see spread on a regular basis at the Nugget?

TC: The room is entirely limit and no-limit hold’em. We spread $2-$4 and $4-$8 limit hold’em and our nolimit games are $1-$2 blinds and $2-$5 blinds, both have a minimum $100 buy-in with no maximum. Of course we will spread higher limits to accommodate the players.

DB: What is Nugget’s policy on abuse?

TC: We do not tolerate abuse of any kind from players or staff. I don’t believe abuse is necessary and we’ve been very fortunate not to have any problems. We treat our customers with respect and I expect them to treat my staff with the same respect. I have a great staff of people and the response has been positive and we hope to continue that trend.

DB: Has the relocation of the WSOP hurt your cardroom in any way?

TC: I’ll miss it being across the street but you have to change with the times. It was great for us being across the street but we have players that came for the WSOP staying at the Nugget and the first week of the WSOP we have shown growth. We’re seeing a lot of new faces, especially the young players. Anything that happens in a positive way in Las Vegas is good for all the properties which has proved to be very obvious in the growth in the last 25 years. Poker has been tremendous and that spills over to everyone.

DB: Is the Nugget planning on anything special during the Series?

TC: To be very, very busy and work very hard.

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