Battery: NBA owner wins BJ tourney

[Battery]

This is from the Tuesday Chicago Suntimes

'No strategy,' no matter

Here's a rich tale about Joe Maloof.

The Sacramento Kings owner won $1 million in a blackjack tournament Sunday at a casino near San Diego.

He bet $25,000 on the last hand in the winner-take-all tournament and drew blackjack to beat five other finalists.

"I don't know how I won,'' Maloof told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I have no strategy.''

The tournament had a $10,000 entry fee. Gavin Maloof, Joe's brother, was ousted in the semifinals.

"I guess it was my lucky day,'' said Joe Maloof, who flew back to Sacramento for the Kings' game Sunday against the Suns. "I couldn't believe it when I won. I was giving out a lot of chips as tips afterward. I've got to cut in my three brothers, too.''

Joe Maloof still is looking for his lucky season, with an NBA title the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

"If I had my choice between Vlade [Divac] making a three-pointer to beat the Lakers in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, I would take Vlade making that shot,'' he said.

In case anyone was wondering whether he already had enough money.

[Parker]

In case anyone is not aware of it, in addition to the Sacramento Kings, the Maloof family owns the Palms hotel/casino in Las Vegas.

The "casino near San Diego" is Barona.

I was not invited to the tournament. :-)

[Doc]

Speaking of the Palms, how are the "conditions" there at the DD game? I will be staying there mid April. Also, is it still the hot place in vegas on Fridays and Saturdays?
Thanks,
Doc

> In case anyone is not aware of it, in
> addition to the Sacramento Kings, the Maloof
> family owns the Palms hotel/casino in Las
> Vegas.

> The "casino near San Diego" is
> Barona.

> I was not invited to the tournament. :-)