Poker News

‘Tiger’ Lil Duquaine

In your wildest dreams, could you ever imagine your grandmother as boss of your favorite poker room? Since 1998, Lil Duquaine, appropriately nicknamed Tiger Lil, has been a driving force in Wisconsin’s poker scene as the Table Games Manager for Menominee Casino Resort’s Forest Edge Poker Room, no small feat for this mother of three and grandmother of two-soon to be three.

Located in Wisconsin’s scenic northwoods, The Forest Edge Poker Room is a favorite poker destination for many Midwesterners, receiving top honors year after year from readers choice surveys, including Favorite Poker Room and Best Tournaments to name a few.

A Wisconsin native, Lil’s deep-rooted midwestern values and ethics play a key role in her success. It is no surprise that her role model is not a poker celebrity, or a high profile casino operator, but her own mother. Although widowed at any early age, she’s a woman who worked hard to raise and support her seven children.

The excitement at Menominee Casino continues with plans for expanding the entire casino, including the poker room. Lil is currently adding some great new tournaments to their already popular tournament schedule.

BD: You one of very few woman card room managers in the Midwest. Do you feel that gender plays a role in this position?

Lil: Regardless of gender, you have to gain the trust of those who come to your Poker room. You really need to take an interest in what they say and you sure can’t dismiss what they ask for.

You need to weigh all the comments and facts and see what fits your venue. Ours is a small town, at home atmosphere and I think it works well for us in our area. Come visit us and we’ll be sure to make you feel at home.

BD: Do you feel there were any specific obstacles that you had to overcome in this position as a woman, if so, how did you overcome them?

Lil: Well there is always someone who knows more than you do and they try to knock you down. They overlook the good qualities about you and pick at your weaknesses. When this happens, you need to step up your game and learn more. I think you should always continue to grow in your profession. The day I stop learning about gaming should be the day I stop working in gaming. I really do learn something new each day either professionally or personally.

BD: Do you think more opportunities will open up for women in this field?

Lil: I think they already have opened up for women. You just need to assert yourself no matter what profession you choose. Being a woman should never hinder you in the success you are looking for in a career.

BD: What advice would you give any woman that aspires to become a card room manager?

Lil: Read, play, and listen. Like I said, you can learn from everyone if you take the time to listen. I have several of my players who stop in to give me little tidbits of information or to make a comment on how to improve a game or tournament. Listen!

BD: What is your management style?

Lil: I like to have my people come in and share concerns and ideas with me. I like to maintain an open door policy. I also think that the pit managers should be allowed to run their shifts. If we’ve taken the time and expense to train them, we should let them shine in their jobs!

BD: What key factors have contributed to your success?

Lil: Being a team player, a lot of managers take credit when they do well and place blame when they don’t. I have an eagerness to see my staff excel. I like to share the credit with my staff. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. For two years in a row Menominee Forest Edge Poker room won top honors in a readers choice awards survey and was ranked best in poker comps, most comfortable poker room, favorite poker room, and best poker tournaments in Wisconsin. I’m no fool; I know that my staff has everything do to with such success in the Poker room!

BD: Has poker changed since you began, if so, how?

Lil: Yes, young people are getting more involved with poker. I hear it everyday from my 20 year old son. He is impatiently waiting for his twenty-first birthday so he can play poker, brick and mortar style. His friends all play poker and they want to be part of the casino action! It’s exciting to see younger players taking an interest in poker. They are poker’s future and a lot of that can be attributed to all the television coverage poker is getting right now.

BD: What trends do you see for poker in the future?

Lil: Women are fast becoming an important part of poker. Just flip on TV and you will see top women players competing against the big guys. As I said before, younger players are flooding into poker rooms every day. Most are playing hold’em; I’d like to see them take on the game of Omaha. Omaha is a great game too.

BD: This is your chance to tell the world what you think, any statement that you would like to make?

Lil: Keep focus and balance in your life. Share and celebrate your successes with the people around you, both professionally and personally. Take the time to listen to people. You just might learn something. Know who you are and where you are going. Live, love, laugh and play poker!

The Forest Edge Poker/ Menominee Casino is located in Keshena, Wisconsin, one-half hour from Green Bay. For additional information, reservations or driving directions you may contact the casino directly at 1.800.343.7778 or visit their website at www.menomineecasinoresort.com. Weekly tournament listings can be found in our Weekly Tournament Section, or contact the poker room directly at 1.800.343.7778 ext. 5274. You may call up to 2 hours prior to your expected arrival reserve your place on their waiting list.

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