Robert Daily was born in Dallas, Texas in 1943. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1961 and followed that up by earning a BBA degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas. Robert enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He spent the majority of his tour of duty as a pilot in Southeast Asia and was honorably discharged in 1969.
Following his discharge from the Army, Robert took an assignment in the gaming business as a pit dealer in a casino in Tehran, Iran. To prepare for his new appointment, Robert trained in all table games for a year at a London Casino prior to reporting for his Iranian Casino assignment.
The Iranian Revolution that hit in 1979 ended his employment in Iran. Robert claims his Persian language (Farci) skills are rusty but welcomes the opportunity to brush-up.
In 1980 Robert went to work for an Asian Casino Company that operated several casinos in the Pacific Rim Countries as the Director of Operations.
During this period, Robert, also played tournaments and high stakes poker in Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, winning two no-limit tournaments and making four additional final tables. It's that experience that has driven Robert to continually strive to grow poker into a generally accepted and respectable pastime and profession, not only for himself but for poker players and professionals around the world.
From that time until now, he has been playing and working in poker.
When Colorado passed legalized gambling Robert returned to the States to assist in the opening of several Colorado Casinos.
In 1992 Robert left the States for Alma-Ata Kazakhstan, Russia to accept the position of Casino Manager and Director of Joint Ventures for Casino Mirage where he trained poker players and dealers and opened the first known casino style poker room in the former Soviet Union. Robert still retains his conversational skills in Russian..
In 1994 Robert returned to the States and took the position of Manager of Table Games and Poker at Harvey's Casino in Central City Colorado.
In 1996 Robert left Colorado and headed for Las Vegas, accepting a position as a Pit Supervisor at the Rio. When Harrah's purchased the Rio, Robert remained in Table Games in the High-Limit Salon and Dice Pit.
In December of 2004 Robert was appointed to Manage Tournament Poker and to take on the responsibilities of the World Series of Poker Operations. Shortly after the 2005 World Series Robert also assumed the responsibility of the Rio Poker Room.
To date Robert holds the positions of Manager of Tournament Poker, operating and directing all the marketing and special Poker Tournaments for all six of Harrahs' Las Vegas properties, Rio Poker Room Manager, and will continue his Operational Manager duties for the WSOP. Robert will also share the Co- Tournament Director's title along side Michael Matts, the Cardroom Manager at Caesar's. Robert will direct day shift while Michael will handle the swing shift at the 2006 WSOP.
Robert married Brazilian born Beauty Queen, Maria Lorenz in June of 2001. They happily reside in the Green Valley area of Las Vegas and still consider themselves newlyweds. DB: How many poker tables are in the Rio poker room? RD: By the time this article is printed, we will have 15 tables.
DB: Are you expecting to expand anytime soon?
RD: We will not add tables at this time but there will be a total reconstruction of the Rio poker room during the 2006 WSOP. We want to improve the ambience, create a more friendly and warm room, plus upgrade to a "state of the art" room to improve the overall operational functionality. In other words, we want the players and employees to get that "warm and fuzzy" feeling when they walk into the room..
DB: What live games are offered in the Rio poker room?
RD: We will spread any game, of course. We have a wonderful crew of dealers and floor supervisors that can expertly handle all the games. However, our most popular games have become a no-limit hold'em game with $2-$5 blinds and a minimum buy-in of $100 and a maximum of $500, also $4-$8 and $6-$12 limit hold'em tops the favorite list of limit games. Plus, limit $2-$6 and $2-$10 anytime spread games are growing in popularity. We might be the only room in the city offering a spread limit game. The spread game is an easy transition from limit to no-limit. Our players seem to like it.
DB: Are you offering any daily tournaments?
RD: Yes, seven days a week at noon we run a nolimit event. The buy-in is $40 with one $40 rebuy and one $40 add on. We also run a Monday thru Thursday night no-limit tournament at 6:00 p.m. with a $70 buy-in, a $70 rebuy and a $70 add on.
DB: What incentives does the Rio offer it's poker players?
RD: We comp our live players $1 per hour and they can use their comp anywhere in the casino. Daily at 10 a.m. we offer free poker lessons to interested players. We are considering offering special room rates for poker players and instituting an incentive for Rio and WSOP logo wear items such as caps and shirts and other logo items. Those programs will be forthcoming soon.
DB: Is the room convenient for local poker payers? RD: Absolutely!!! Of course the location of the Rio makes it convenient for both locals and non-locals. The room is convenient to valet and self parking with both covered and open parking near the doors. The room is located adjacent to the Race and Sports Book and across from the famous Carnival World buffet. The room is convenient in every respect.
DB: What promos does the Rio offer at the moment?
RD: We have two major promotions. We have high hand jackpots that start at $40 and cap at $599. There are 26 different hands that pay and players that accumulate 80 hours or more of live play per month, qualify for our FREE ROLL tournament for a seat into the main event at the 2006 WSOP. These are two great promo's that are not only popular but provide a vehicle for our guests to experience the opportunity of the WSOP and all that implies.
DB: What is your prediction for entrants into the Big Dance at the 2006 WSOP?
RD: We are preparing for easier?
RD: The word "little" is an understatement. There is no doubt that Harrah's total commitment to POKER has opened the doors to a renewed and refocused dedication for the operational side of poker. My supervisors, Howard Greenbaum and David Patent are very supportive and they know and understand poker. I can speak poker lingo and I am understood. What a thrill that is for me. Through Howard and David, Harrahs has provided the tools necessary to execute tournaments and maximize poker revenues not only at the Rio but throughout the city. We've developed a highly professional staff of dealers and supervisors that compliment our overall devotion to poker.
DB: Any last comments?
RD: Of course; I can be found at the Rio Poker Room. Come by for a chat. I love to talk poker. I or one of the tournament staff will be happy to address any and all questions about the Rio poker Room or the WSOP. Also, as the organizer of the WSOP, I want the poker playing public to know that the 2006 WSOP will not only be larger but more organized than the 2005 event by successfully addressing the major issues such as; bath rooms, food and smoking. It will truly be the BEST EVER. Come share the experience...and Good Luck.
