April 23, 2004

Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A New Jersey woman says she has no intention of cutting back on her poker playing as she gets ready to celebrate her 95th birthday Saturday.

Anne Kolmetsky heads to the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City six days a week. She plays for a few hours and trades barbs with her fellow players and the casino employees who have become her extended family. She tells The Press of Atlantic City that it beats sitting around the house all day thinking about her aches and pains.

Kolmetsky has lived in Atlantic City since she was 7 and worked at several casinos. She used to be a blackjack player until her professional poker-playing niece suggested she try poker.

Kolmetsky won $85 her first time out and says she's been hooked on seven-card stud ever since.