were shooting and then just playing cards.The st

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The closing of the Trump Taj Mahal casino on Monday will cost thousands of workers their jobs and bring a final end to Donald Trumps legacy in the seaside resort, but it will also mean the closure of what was once one of the premiere destinations for poker outside Las Vegas.The poker room in the casino on Atlantic Citys boardwalk long ago lost its luster, but in its heyday drew packed crowds of gamblers from around the region and country to dozens of tables around the clock.Around lunchtime Wednesday, the 24 remaining tables were empty. A security guard and two soon-to-be unemployed employees milled about, but there were no dealers, no chips being shuffled, no cards flying through the air.After opening in 1993 when poker was legalized in New Jersey, the Taj became the center of the East Coast poker world, certainly the legal poker world, said Brian Koppelman, who used the mix of locals, tourists and pros as inspiration for scenes in his 1998 film Rounders.It was the place that you could go play without violating any laws and where, if you were someone who wanted to get better at poker and study the best players, you were there, Koppelman said. If you were someone who wanted to hustle people, you could go there and find tourists to hustle.Koppelman, creator of TVs Billions on Showtime along with Rounders writing partner David Levien, said the scene in the film where Matt Damons character plays for more money than he should against poker legend Johnny Chan was inspired by him sitting at a table at the Taj with brash World Series of Poker champion Phil Hellmuth.Koppelman and Levien traveled there for research after deciding to make a film about the New York underground poker scene. When they shot there, none of us slept. We were shooting and then just playing cards.The steady stream of players from the New York and Philadelphia region made the room popular, but it was the U.S. Poker Championship in 1996 that turned it into a destination. Some of the games top players laid down $10,000 in what was the first tournament on the East Coast on the same financial level as the World Series of Poker.When we went there, the Taj Mahal poker room was kind of a mess, said former World Series of Poker tournament director Jack McClelland, who Trump hired to launch the tournament that was broadcast on ESPN. They ran the poker room like you run the blackjack pit. ... It was just a mess.McClelland says the tournament organizers helped to change some of the problems, and he said he enjoyed working for Trump, for whom he plans to vote in November.Connecticuts Foxwoods Casino had already begun splitting up the lucrative New York market, but it was the opening of Atlantic Citys Vegas-style Borgata casino in 2003 that started the end of the Taj poker room. It began drawing most of the citys big action, and the opening of poker rooms in Pennsylvania, Delaware and later Maryland took away most of the rest. The room closed for renovations in February 2015 and didnt reopen until this past May, less than two months before workers at the casino went on strike.Kevin Thompson, 38, was walking through the room on Wednesday, looking for one last game. When that didnt happen, he reminisced with a reporter about the good times. A full room. An attached horse racing and keno lounge. A place where the locals played and staffers treated you like family.There was always something to do. You could always enjoy yourself here, he said. Im going to miss it a lot. Sad, its real sad.---Follow Cornfield at https://www.twitter.com/JoshCornfieldFred Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Tyler Blackett Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. http://www.jerseymanchesterunitedsoccer.com/womens-marcos-rojo-manchester-united-jersey/ . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Sam Johnstone Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Jesse Lingard Manchester United Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend.Adelaide have accused Carlton of making unrealistic demands for star Bryce Gibbs after failing to land a trade for the contracted midfielder.The two sides reached the end of the AFL trade period unable to agree on a deal for the 27-year-old, who wanted to go home so he and his partner could receive family support with their young son.Adelaide were reported to have offered Carlton their No.13 pick in this years draft, as well as a future third-round selection, but could not convince the Blues to part with Gibbs.He is a quality player and person but, like in all trades, there has to be fair value for both parties, Crows list manager Justin Reid said on Thursday.We do not believe that wouldve been the case if we were to hand over at least two first-round draft picks or a combination of players, who are crucial to our short and long-term success, as was requested.Gibbs is contracted through to the end of 2019 but Reid signalled that the Crows would sound him out at the end of next season.ddddddddddddHes a South Australian, hes got a strong intent to come home so well review that in 12 months time, he said.The failure to land the Gibbs deal means Adelaide have failed to strengthen their midfield after sending onballer Jarryd Lyons to Gold Coast.Gibbs manager Nigel Carmody said the Blues refusal to accept the trade was disappointing.We think the deal that Adelaide put forward was more than fair and reasonable, particularly in comparison with some of the other deals that have been done during the trade period, Carmody said.But Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said he was confident Gibbs would remain committed to playing at his best next year.Bryce loves the Carlton football club and hell play some really good footy for us next year, McKay said.Were going to support him to the hilt and get him through this period. ' ' '