Good news for poker players in St. Petersburg, Florida. Derby Lane is welcoming back players to the property, along with those looking to bet on greyhounds.
Staring Wednesday, May 20th, the poker room will operate from 10am to 10pm ET, 7 days a week. The new outlined protocols limit capacity to 50 percent, with 26 of the 52 tables open for games and a maximum of 6 players per table.
The 6-max format is welcome news to players concerned that 4-max would become the norm at tables across the country.
Other businesses in the state are already opening, including a number of casinos, so Derby Lane felt it was the right time to get back to business as usual since the March shutdown.
“We’ve been waiting to get open as we had a difference of opinion with the local authorities," Derby Lane CEO Richard Winning said. “I guess now that all the bigger venues are opening everybody had a change of heart. We’re going to make a run for it. I think it’s great we’ll get our employees back to work, which is important for the local economy. Just moving forward.”
Winning noted the property feels comfortable with the safety protocols in place. It starts with subjecting all patrons, vendors, and employees to temperature checks as soon as they enter the property.
And it continues inside on the floor with social distancing markings — something that’s become quite common at supermarkets around the country. Plexiglass barriers are also in place, as are cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Employees are required to wear masks and gloves (with the exception of poker players who aren’t required to wear gloves). Players seated at the poker tables will be required to wear both masks and gloves. Those who don’t have a mask will be provided with one upon entering the property.
The greyhounds track at Derby Lane has been open since May 8th, but patrons were barred from the property to bet on them. That, too, changes on Wednesday.
