TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

The Cedar Lake resident there to see one of the celebrity poker players: Gayle Sayers, the Chicago Bears Hall of Famer.

“I’ve been waiting 40 years for this moment,” Usewicz

said as he handed his Sayers’ No. 40 jersey. “Look at me. I’m shaking.”

Sayers joined Dahl and several other stars — Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci on “Saturday Night Live”), Frederico Castelluchio (Furio Giunta on “The Sopranos”), Tony Darrow (star of “Goodfellas,” “Analyze This,” “Small Time Crooks” and “Mickey Blue Eyes”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Mike Star and NBC anchorwoman Amy Jacobsen — in the inaugural poker match, sponsored by Trump Casino and radio station WCKG, 105.9 FM.

The players started with $2,500 in tournament

chips, and the game was No Limit Texas Holdem, the most popular game around, according to Sonja Dactelides, table game director for Trump.

“Each player gets two cards, and the dealer turns over what’s known as a 'flop,’ or three cards,” Dactelides explained. “Each player has the chance to bet or fold. Then the dealer turns over the fourth card, and the players have the chance to bet or fold again.”

The last card dealt is called the river card, she said, and whoever has the best hand after it’s dealt wins.

Jacobsen, who arrived late to the event because of traffic from Chicago, had the game explained to her on the way, said colleague Natalie Martinez, who was interviewing the players after they bowed out.

“She was getting pointers on her way in, and she still managed to come in sixth,” Martinez said.

The tournament winner was awarded a $10,000 check, to be presented to the winner’s charity of choice, and a custom Tiffany & Co. crystal trophy.

Microphones were placed on the contestants, but it was more for the TV broadcast, said Ken Churilla, marketing director for WCKG. Still, there was a lot of smack talk going around the table and a lot of laughing.

All non-winning participants received $1,000 donated to their favorite charity. Novello, in his best zebra print Father Guido attire, had

his charity all picked out.

“Had I won, I’d have given my money to Steve’s charity,” Novello said. “But I’m going to give my money to For Goodness Sake. They bring toys to zoo animals at Christmastime, and they also provide shoehorns at airports. Isn’t that a good idea?