Blackjack makes its debut at Seminole casino

Hollywood, Florida - Blackjack and baccarat are among the card games now available at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Hollywood casino unveiled 71 new card tables, including about 55 for blackjack. The rest are divided among mini-baccarat, pai gow, Let It Ride and Three Card Poker. Bets up to USD 10,000 can be made in a special high-limit room.

The first blackjack deal Sunday evening was accompanied by bursts of confetti and loud puffs of white smoke.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida had sought the Vegas-style games at its casinos in the state for 17 years before signing a compact in November with Gov. Charlie Crist.

A tribe spokesman says thousands of people packed the casino for the first blackjack deals. Among them were actress Carmen Electra and "The Sopranos" cast members Frank Vincent and Lorraine Bracco.