There is a University of Florida and a University of North Carolina and, of course, a University of Nevada.

Now there is a University of Poker.

A University of Poker?

Yes, and it’s in Commerce, California, USA, of all places.

But it’s not a real university–at least not one where you can learn philosophy or art history or nuclear physics.

It’s a “university” run by a casino–the Commerce Casino in Commerce–and the only course of instruction that’s taught is the fine art of the fine game of poker.

And it’s free!

The casino announced in a press release this week that beginning on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, it will be offering free on-site classes in how to play poker.

Calling the program the Commerce Casino University of Poker or CCUP, the casino said it will be offering two levels of poker instruction: “No Beginner Too Green” and “Intermediate.”

Both classes are to be taught by Roger Rodd, a poker coach who was a consultant for the poker movie “Lucky You.”

According to the release, the “No Beginner Too Green” class, “demystifies all facets of poker for any aspiring new player. Starting with the ranking of hand values and continuing through an explanation of fundamentals and blinds, students will soon be fluent in the colorful jargon of the game.

“The class ultimately moves into actual casino-formatted poker playing, with the initial goal to establish the concepts of hand values, antes, betting fundamentals and rounds. Upon unanimous student comprehension, the class is taught the process of how pots are built and awarded, with an emphasis on Texas hold ‘em.”

The “Intermediate” class, according to the release, is for, “the existing home game, online or casino poker player who wants to improve results or go to the next level (and learn) how the pros play top set against a double double, an overpair in the two hole and a donkey playing an airball who just picked up color with one to come!”

Both levels of poker class will explore limit Texas hold ‘em, no-limit Texas hold ‘em, tournament play and live game play, the release notes.

“Our switchboard receives at least a handful of calls every day from people asking if we will teach them to play poker and asking what it costs,” said Dave Mosikian, Commerce Casino’s player relations manager, in the release.

“Since people want to learn the game, we decided to offer instruction to them for free. At our University of Poker, Commerce Casino mixes first class instruction with laughs, and there is no intimidation whatsoever.”

For more information about the Commerce Casino, visit its website at www.commercecasino.com.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)