News
October 26, 2008
Card dealer doesn't let handicap slow him down
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Before he came to work at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center in Nitro, Dave Puzzuoli had been in a casino only once in his life.

He lost.

Patrons find the outgoing Dave Puzzuoli, with his quick wit and razor-sharp repartee, both fun and personable.
Now the 51-year-old Charleston man brings his wheelchair up to the table all week long, dealing blackjack as one of the racetrack's newest card dealers.

"It's a lot better than working in a stamping plant and punching out headers for a Chevy truck all day," said Puzzuoli, who has been working at the racetrack for about two weeks.

A former bookkeeper, day trader, bartender, helicopter pilot and paratrooper, Puzzuoli heard that Tri-State was looking for blackjack dealers in a radio ad and decided to give the job a try.

"It's like being at a bar," he said. "It's not the bar you get used to, it's the guy who's schlepping the drinks. It's a face you become familiar with, and you keep coming back.

Patrons find the outgoing Puzzuoli, with his quick wit and razor-sharp repartee, both fun and personable.

"David is a good dealer," said Tri-State table games director Ron LaDuca. "He excels at guest service and his guests always have a good time."

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