28/08/2008
SKYCITY Adelaide Casino Croupier Wins International Croupier Championships
South Australian croupier Cherie Harbridge-Marks, returns home to Adelaide today after winning the TCS JOHNHUXLEY International Casino Dealer Championship in Sydney on Monday night (25 August 2008).
Held at the L'Aqua, Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Cherie represented South Australia and competed against 19 contestants, selected from casinos throughout Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The contenders were required to deal both blackjack and roulette to a panel of experienced judges, who were looking for a range of qualities including accuracy, game flow, positive demeanour and customer interaction.
As the overall winner, Cherie has won an all expenses paid holiday for two to Macau with $1000 spending money and she brings home with her, the international croupier champion trophy.
The Adelaide mother of two from Mitcham Hills, has been a croupier since she left school, for over 20 years. She says she loves the job and that it's taken her around the world and back.
"Now it's taking me overseas again," she laughs.
Cherie says she is overwhelmed and is still not sure who she is taking to Macau.
"I still can’t believe it and keep pinching myself," she says.
"I'm just so thrilled to win this for South Australia and for SKYCITY Adelaide Casino, it's great to be recognised," she says.
As one of the original Adelaide Casino staff who was there at the inception of Adelaide's Casino when it opened in 1985, Cherie believes the training she received then was "a fantastic foundation which helped me throughout my career."
"I even met my husband at Adelaide Casino over 10 years ago – we met in the lift when he was also a croupier," she laughs.
Cherie says there is much to love about her job.
"Once you are a casino croupier, you can travel virtually anywhere with the job. I lived and worked in London for four years and had no problems finding employment in a range of Casino clubs in the UK – including The Ritz.
"With two young children, I choose to work nights, which means I have the day to look after my children – I can take them to school in the mornings and spend quality time with them when they get home from school.
"Roulette is my favourite game," she says definitively.
"I love the customer interaction and the people I work with – that's what has kept me motivated working in the same job for 23 years now."
SKYCITY Table Games Manager, Ken Devine congratulates Cherie on her big win.
"Cherie is a fantastic asset to SKYCITY Adelaide Casino. She stands out because she has the experience to be calm under pressure, great table presence, good pace, excellent presentation and customer service skills," he says.
For further information or an interview/photos with Cherie:
Vanessa Regan
SKYCITY Communications Manager
Phone 08 8218 4240 or 0421 582 271
