Casino Profiles

Ocean's Eleven Casino
By Jan Fisher

Walking into the Ocean's Eleven Casino in Oceanside, California, one immediately gets the feeling that there is something different about this property. The risks taken by owners Haig Kelegian, Dan Dreger, Walter Lack, Bob Carter, and Bob Moyer were well worth the gamble as they have garnered a home run with this venture. This hugely successful casino has gone from 15 to 30 live table games in four short years and now has more than 300 employees. This friendly, community minded property takes its image very seriously, and it shows. From the moment a guest walks through the doors, there is a sense of family among the employees and patrons.

Bob Moyer

Partner and General Manager Bob Moyer told me "I feel fortunate to have a team around me who makes me look so good and is so hard working." Bob is a tireless worker in his own right. He is a "hands on" manager and owner and is "one of the guys" when on the property. Beginning in the gaming business in 1973, Bob has a varied and interesting background and a wealth of casino experience. Opening his own poker room in 1973 (conveniently called "Bob's Place"), and then buying and selling several other properties through the years, he has operated both large and small rooms. It certainly appears that he has found a home here and has assembled a family around him.

Possibly the biggest thing that makes this casino stand apart from many of the others is its dedication to its community and its willingness to be involved in local affairs. Standing by its promise to be a good neighbor, Ocean's Eleven is civic minded and a major player in the functions of the city of Oceanside. Donating money is an easy thing for any corporation with deep pockets, but this site takes it one giant step further. They give of themselves to those in need within their community.

There are several main charitable organizations to which Ocean's Eleven is deeply dedicated. Ivey Ranch, a home for able and disabled children, is a cause that is always the focus of the leading event of the year, the California Ladies State Poker Championship. Gathering sponsors for this and other events, Ocean's Eleven is able to contribute large sums of money to this home annually. Deeply involved in the local street fairs and visitor centers, they also host banquets as fund raisers and conduct toy drives at Christmas time which takes care of 450 underprivileged Children . Recently concluded was a banquet and blackjack tournament for the Children's Home Society, which raised over $13,000 for this worthwhile organization. On December 1, 2000, they will be hosting a victory party for the newly elected mayor, as well as providing the food for the State of the City banquet on February 8th at the San Luis Rey Mission. Always seeking a worthwhile cause for their tireless efforts, Marketing Director Billie Brown says that their primary concerns are those of children in need and battered women.

Although totally committed to the community, there is lots of poker at Ocean's Eleven. One of their newest and most popular ongoing promotions is the brainchild of Director of Casino Operations Chuck McCormick. It is called "Oh, what a night." Its main focus is that of cultivating a new player base by providing gaming education and free play. Lessons are offered as well as a $500 freeroll event to the attendees. Coupons for $20 for $10 buy-ins are given as well as a free buffet. Anyone who has ever eaten there knows that this alone makes it worth attending! Small-limit games are spread for the beginners and these games are "protected" in that they will not allow experienced players to play in them. Many of these novices have gone on to play in the bigger games and have become regular players.

Poker at Ocean's Eleven

There are 13 major events each year at Ocean's Eleven and their newest is the upcoming Ocean's Eleven Open in July of 2001. It will have five events including a golf tournament. The buy-ins for the poker events will range from $100-$200. Tournament Director Star McCormick has her hands full with this grueling schedule, but she seems to love every minute of it. She told me, regarding working in the same casino as her husband, Chuck, "As a husband and wife team, Ocean's Eleven is an intricate part of our lives and we have never been happier"! Chuck wholeheartedly agrees!

Bob Moyer, Star McCormick and Chuck McCormick

Coming up in December 27-30-00 will be the $200,000 freeroll. This is an event funded by the casino for any and all players who accumulated 600 hours of live action play during the qualifying period. 1,000 players participated and more than 300 actually played the 600 hours! The nice thing about this type of event is that it is almost a certainty that the winners will be locals, as it would be almost impossible for anyone else to have qualified to play in it. The winner will take home $80,000. A new similar promotion will begin soon where players will again be tracking their hours with the option to reach certain milestone numbers and cash out, or go for the top money of $5000 for 800 hours of play. The casino will feed this promotion with $250,000. The promotion is called Racing for Dollars and when all the cash is given away the promotion is will be over. Players may begin cashing out when they have accumulated 40 hours. Then, they will receive $50. If they wait until they have 80 hours, they will get $150. Each time a player cashes out, the remaining hours he has will carry over and his total will begin again. The longer you wait to cash in, the more your incremental hours are worth.

When you are in the Oceanside area, it would be well worth the time to stop by and say hello to any of the personable staff and get to know the place. They spread a wide variety of games, from the smallest stud games to pot-limit hold'em. There are limits for every bankroll and games for every preference. This well may be one of your most memorable poker experiences.