Cash-game poker players have a chance to get a leg (or hand, as it were) up on the competition this coming weekend at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City.

The bayside gaming hall is hosting the first World Series of Poker Academy cash-game seminar for players looking to upgrade their games.

The two-day program will feature poker experts--among them Mark Seif and Paul Wasicka--offering instruction in such aspects of the game as how to "read" opponents, how to determine the range of hands they may hold against you, and bankroll management. There will also be a Cash Game Competition whose grand prize is an all-expense-paid trip to Caesars Palace Las Vegas and a seat at the WSOP Academy Tournament of Champions which will take place just prior to the Main Event of the 2009 World Series of Poker.

Tuition for the sessions, which commence 10 a.m. Saturday, is $1,899, with $499.75 due up front and the balance paid in three monthly installments. For information and registration go to http://www.wsopacademy.com/schedule/january-24-25-harrahs-atlantic-city.html.

It looks like the Frank S. Farley Marina--the nautical facility that gives Trump Marina its name--won't be neglected when the casino-hotel changes hands later this year.

Last week, boaters who lease slips at the state-owned marina received a letter from Coastal Development LLC, the company that is slated to buy the property from Trump Entertainment Resorts, containing good and bad news.

The good news: Coastal Development--in partnership with Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand--plans "substantial investments and improvements" in the Farley complex. 

The bad news: When work begins (probably not before the end of the '09 boating season, according to the missive), renters will most likely be asked to "temporarily vacate" their slips while the work is being done.

May 28 is the target date for the sale to close.

World Series hero Cole Hamels made about 100 Phillies Phanatics very happy Friday night at Resorts Atlantic City.

Sure, the high-stakes players and their guests got a thrill from posing for pictures with the awesome lefty with the killer changeup and movie-star looks. But what undoubtedly made their night was Hamels' declaration during a brief Q-and-A session moderated by ESPN 950 afternoon drive-time gabber Mike Missanelli.

When asked by a high-roller whether the Phils' lowballing of Hamels during the 2008 arbitration process has made him eager to leave the team when he achieves free-agent status in a few years, the NLCS and World Series MVP replied: "I'll be here for a really long time. That's something I really want to do." 

While last night's meet-and-greet was an invite-only affair, Hamels will be in a public setting tonight as he is scheduled to hang out at the Taj Mahal's Casbah disco. He'll be joined at the danceteria by teammates, Jayson Werth, Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero.

The party starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $20 for guys; women are admitted free (you must be 21).