March 26, 2002 – For the first time since the Divi Carina Bay Casino began offering Caribbean Stud Poker more than a year ago, it had a big winner Saturday night.
Christiansted resident Felipe Confidente won $102,356.65, which Divi management said was the largest jackpot since the casino opened in March 2000. Casino general manager Barbara Shattles said he went home with a check for $70,000 after leaving a tip of $629.09 in the dealers' pot and giving the government its cut of $31,730.56 in taxes.
Fran Geocaris, Divi's advertising coordinator, said that Confidente had a royal flush — the ace, king, queen, jack and 10 of spades.
"This was only my second time playing Caribbean Stud Poker," Confidente said in a press release. "My wife was teaching me. She must be a great teacher!"
Shattles said Confidente, whose name means "confident" in Spanish, and his wife, Josefina Brea, were married last October. He could not be located for further comment.
Confidente did not realize his good luck until the dealer pointed it out, Shattles said. Then, "He was all smiles."
Shattles said Confidente, who carries a Dominican passport, had to show identification before collecting the money. He was supposed to stop by the casino at 1 p.m. Monday for the check but didn't make it until 6 p.m.
"We weren't at all nervous," Shattles said. "Nobody doesn't show up for the jackpot."
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