In this article Southern Gaming writer, Eric Floyd, fills you in on everything you need to know about the Super Bowl’s Miami stop this year.

I couldn’t help but recall a fond memory from the annals of my gambling career when I heard that the 44th edition of the Super Bowl was going to be held at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 7, 2010. The reason being is that the previous time the NFL Championship was contested on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, I was a mere 200 miles away from my Central Florida home. When the Indianapolis Colts kicked off the ball to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, I found myself thousands of miles away in the middle of a desert trying to stave off cardiac arrest.

Wagering on professional football should come with a warning label. On the surface, picking winners seems easy enough if one simply applies a reasonable amount of logic. The harsh reality, though, is that every Sunday, fans are repeatedly left scratching their heads after getting showered with unexpected outcomes. The Las Vegas point spread that supposedly “evens out” the two teams facing one another on the gridiron only complicates the situation for a patron trying to pad their wallet at the expense of a sports book.

My personal register in matters of NFL betting is similar to the final regular season record of the 2008 Detroit Lions. As I watched the opening seconds of Super Bowl XLI unfold in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, there was no doubt in my mind that my deplorable historical pattern would continue to hold true.

After Devin Hester, of the Chicago Bears, returned the game’s opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, I felt like tying a millstone around my neck and jumping into the deep end of Bellagio’s famed fountains. You see, lying nestled inside the pocket of my sports coat was a betting ticket purchased for $220 that read “Indianapolis Colts -7.” As I stared at the Bears celebrating their early lead in the end zone, the grim reality of defeat manifested itself inside my intestines.

After the initial shock of the moment had worn off, I took a seat near the bar and hunkered down in bleak anticipation of the rest of the game. The Colts shook off their initial catastrophe and rallied to secure a two-point lead as the gun sounded ending the first half. I was still losing by five points on the line, but as I took a walk to settle my nerves, a slight flame of optimism still burned inside my billfold.

In the fourth quarter, with the Colts leading the Bears, 22-17, quarterback Rex Grossman of the Bears launched a pass down the sideline in an attempt to invade Indianapolis territory and Kelvin Hayden of the Colts intercepted the pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. The converted extra point made the score 29-17 in favor of the Colts. These were the last points scored in Super Bowl XLI, and I celebrated my victory until the sun rose over the Red Rock Canyon Mountains the next morning.

As the popularity of professional football increased with every passing season, it became glaringly evident that the stadiums hosting the games had to become more progressive. This trend would eventually make its way down to the Sunshine State and even though the Orange Bowl had been a prized jewel of the American sporting landscape since its inception in 1937, officials inside the front office of the Miami Dolphins realized their beloved franchise deserved a modernistic coliseum.

The name of the stadium that Super Bowl XLIV will be contested in has gone through quite a metamorphosis since the Miami Dolphins played their first football game there on Aug. 16, 1987. Originally labeled Joe Robbie Stadium after the first owner of the Dolphins, the structure is a major upgrade from the outdated Orange Bowl. The state-of-the-art arena features 75,000 seats and numerous circular ramps so fans can easily access any level. Additionally, two high-definition video boards mounted above either end zone enable patrons to attain an unobstructed view of the action on the field.

Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga announced in 2005 that the stadium, now known as “Pro Player” after the corporation that purchased the naming rights in 1996, would undergo various renovations. The changes included new club-level and luxury seating along with contemporary score boards and additional parking. Huizenga also decreed that the facility would now be dubbed “Dolphin Stadium,” but in 2009, Land Shark Beer purchased the naming rights to the home of the Dolphins and attached their brand to the edifice. Due to the expiration of the Land Shark contract at the end of 2009, the home of Super Bowl XLIV will once again be called Dolphin Stadium.

The results of the past four Super Bowls played at the home of the Miami Dolphins are: Super Bowl XXIII — San Francisco 49ers 20/Cincinnati Bengals 16; Super Bowl XXIX — San Francisco 49ers 49/San Diego Chargers 26; Super Bowl XXXIII — Denver Broncos 34/Atlanta Falcons 19; and Super Bowl XLI — Indianapolis Colts 29/Chicago Bears 17.

It is no accident that Miami will host its record-breaking 10th Super Bowl at the beginning of next month. This metropolis offers several elements that make it the perfect backdrop to crown the champion of our countries most popular sport. South Florida is famous for its beautiful weather and, even though Super Bowl XLI offered a plethora of precipitation, organizers have their fingers crossed that the forecast will remain clear and cool come game time the evening of Feb. 7. Aside from the hospitable tropical climate, Miami and its surrounding suburbs offer visitors a variety of activities to take part in before and after the big game. Let’s take a quick tour of the vicinity, and the hot spots that offer the gaming enthusiast exactly what they are looking for!

Fifteen miles removed from Dolphin Stadium lies the vortex of nightlife in the Southeast United States. South Beach and its famed Washington Avenue will undoubtedly provide thrill-seekers from any walk of life an antidote to the mundane. This stretch of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs regularly pulses with energy until the early dawn. If you visit during peak season (Oct. 15-May 15), bring some walking shoes to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic that typically lines the street.

In spite of the congestion that laces the South Beach corridor, make no mistake that a nocturnal visit to this labyrinth of pleasure will certainly overshadow any populous inconvenience one may encounter. Though the choices of entertainment are practically limitless, here are five staples of the South Beach strip that should be put at the top of any visitor’s “must see” list.

1. Mansion — People Magazine voted this two-story nightclub the hottest in South Beach. Its “residence meets nightlife” design presents its guests with sweeping staircases, ornate fireplaces, Venetian glass mirrors and crystal chandeliers. The sound system within Mansion consists of the industry’s top compilation of components that causes the music to come alive. This decadent forum has lured Hollywood stars and sports icons to its entrance since opening.

2. Jazid — Live music reigns supreme here seven nights a week and can be comfortably enjoyed in an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere. A cornucopia of rhythms including soul, hip-hop, jazz, R&B and pop top the list of tunes that will let you escape into a realm of tranquility.

3. The Cameo (formally known as Crobar) — This 16,000-square-foot club housed in an Art Deco theater is divided into a main downstairs dance floor and an upstairs glass-enclosed VIP room. A catwalk that extends around the second floor offers bottle service and an excellent view of the humanity celebrating far below.

4. The Clevelander Hotel — After a multi-million-dollar renovation, this 70-year-old landmark is poised to stake its claim as South Beach’s ultimate one-stop entertainment destination. Highlights of the property include: 60 revamped guest rooms, multiple “Rock Star” suites, two rooftop decks with ocean views, and elite entertainers prepared to amaze the clientele with their wide array of talents.

5. Club Deuce Bar — If you want to see how the locals live, then this is the place to go. Cheap drinks, great music from the jukebox and a cast of characters right out of a Hunter S. Thompson book await the brave soul who uses this pub as a stopover. Here, you must roll with the punches and submit to the interior culture. As Thompson once so eloquently stated, “Buy the ticket and take the ride!”

Now that the traveler is equipped with knowledge of the upcoming Super Bowl and nightlife intricacies available in the Miami area, it is time to focus on where the gaming enthusiast can attempt to amass a fortune on their visit to South Florida. There is certainly no lack of opportunities across this landscape where one can go to multiply the number of greenbacks in their possession. Being that my life’s passion is the Sport of Kings, I will interject my own personal bias as to where one should commence their search for wealth.

Just west of Miami, a gaming resort with brilliance matched only by the cultural splendor of its founders awaits your discovery. The Miccosukee Resort and Casino that lies nestled along the southeastern edge of the Florida Everglades stands as an alcazar for gaming enthusiasts that treasure life’s optimum pleasures. The gaming elements of this vibrant property include more than 1,900 video machines, a 24-hour poker room, high-stakes bingo action and a high-limit salon with more than 90 of the industry’s most exciting electronic games.

I can make a strong argument that the greatest value a patron can receive for their gambling dollar lies within a jai-alai fronton. The fact of the matter is, though, that unless you call Florida home or frequent the Sunshine State on a regular basis, you may very well have absolutely no knowledge regarding the world’s fastest game.

Jai-alai came from the Basque region of Spain to Cuba in 1898 and was introduced to Miami in 1926. The game is played by single players, or teams of two, that participate in a round-robin series format. Athletes competing on the three-walled court use hook-like wicker baskets called “cestas” and a “pelota” (ball) to score points until they arrive at the assigned game total. There is not a whole lot of strategy in handicapping a jai-alai game, but the action during the course of play will no doubt keep your pulse racing. With all due respect to all frontons in the state of Florida, I must confess that, in my opinion, the Miami Jai-Alai Fronton serves up the highest level of play. It is well worth a trip to 3500 NW 37th Ave. in Miami to witness this exotic and breathtaking sport.

As much as I fancy the ponies, I must admit that I have a soft spot for greyhound racing. I first discovered the wonders of sprinting canines as a teenager at the Sarasota Kennel Club and thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit to Miami’s Flagler Greyhound Track. This oval is situated just five minutes from Miami International Airport inside of the Magic City Casino complex. Aside from the year-round live racing that is offered five nights a week, Magic City offers its patrons a poker room, wide variety of slots and plenty of simulcast feeds from racetracks around the world.

There are plenty of other additional gaming properties in the South Florida area that any player will want to be aware of. Below are some other options that are sure to quench your thirst for action!

Calder Race Course — This equine-lover’s paradise offers live racing 10 months out of the year and daily full-card simulcasting as well as a brand-new casino boasting state-of-the-art slot machines, dining outlets and other indulging amenities of a casino resort. They also recently opened a lavish casino with a poker room, so be sure to stop by!

Palm Beach Princess Casino — Prepare to set sail for a five-hour adventure featuring Las Vegas-style gaming, food and dancing.

Pompano Park Harness Racetrack — This historic strip offers live harness racing, and a poker room and full-card simulcasting.

North Collins Bingo Palace — Located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, this bingo hall offers 10 regular games starting at just $8.

Having lived in Florida my whole life, there is no doubt that I have been spoiled by the beautiful weather, white-sand beaches and endless entertainment destinations that make the Sunshine State second to none. For those of you mulling around the thought of planning a furlough here to see the Super Bowl or simply take in the sights, do not delay. The word that seals the deal when it comes to South Florida is “variety,” and from our whirlwind tour of the peninsula’s lower tip, it is easy to see that there is something here for everyone who craves a bit of fun in the sun.

___________________________________________________________

By Eric Floyd
Eric Vaughn Floyd is a turf writer for various gaming publications and is a consultant to several nationwide media outlets in regards to the Triple Crown. Excerpts of his gambling memoir “The Backstretch (My First Decade Playing the Game)” can be viewed at LULU.com.

Posted January 8th, 2010 under Features Articles, In this Issue. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.