Scuba Poker - Play With The Sharks!

(Photo: Trbimg.com)

If like me you live on an island and can’t swim (I know, I know!) then it might be bit daunting to take to the poker table 100’s of feet below the surface, but that’s exactly what the latest charity event plans – a scuba diving final table where sharks are hopefully unwelcome!

The sinking last month of the 324-foot tanker ‘Lady Luck’ has opened up a host of opportunities, and the faux casino planned for the deck (which will be 50 feet below the sea off Florida’s Fort Lauderdale coast) is planned to host the Six lucky finalists from a charity poker event.

The Isle Casino in Pompano Beach will feature the first part of the event, but the final table will require scuba gear and a liking for the fish and other denizens of the deep expected to railbird the game!

"Imagine the photo ops divers will enjoy,” said Isle Casino general manager Rob Wyre. “They will be swimming up to poker tables, card sharks and slot machines on the ship’s deck, a cascade of gigantic dice and an octopus dealing craps, among other artworks.”

The ship is the centerpiece of what will become known as Shipwreck Park, surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks covered with marine life. Shipwreck Park is a unique underwater cultural arts park with rotating underwater art exhibits and is already booked out for dive trips to the latest addition.

"It's kind of like a wall dive," said Chris Torode, the owner of South Florida Diving Headquarters in Pompano Beach. "If you're not qualified to dive 120 feet, there's plenty of stuff to see up above there."

Torode explained there were plans afoot for a charity poker tournament starting at the Isle Casino in Pompano Beach and ending with the six finalists playing underwater on one of Lady Luck’s gaming tables.

Somewhat surprisingly it won’t be the first such event ever held, with Northern Colorado’s High Plains Scuba club hosting a regular Underwater Poker Tournament and Silent Auction in aid of the Veterans Helping Veterans Now charity, although this one is a pool event not requiring any scuba training.

According to BluffEurope:

"The first European underwater poker tournament took place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield in 2013. Players and sponsors raised £6,500 for Macmillan CancerResearch."

George Forsyth, from Napoleons Casino in Owlerton, Sheffield, said of the event:

"It was great to see so many people come to witness this one-off event. An underwater poker match is such a fantastic and unique idea and I’m ecstatic the day was such a great success and plenty of money was raised for Macmillan.”

For Fort Lauderdale’s Lady Luck event you’ll need a dive certificate if you reach the final table, but more worrying is the thought of going into the tank and meeting a shark as you come out! Jaws vs Poker pro might sound like a really bad B-movie title, but it certainly would make for fun viewing!