Bonnie Demos

Tons of cash and a very cool toy are on the horizon for players at the Comanche Red River Casino. Poker players will have the opportunity to compete for the coveted Comanche Custom Chopper pictured above in addition to cash prizes in the upcoming Falls Fest Poker Tournament, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 15 at 2:00 pm. The $1,000 + $100 buyin event has the potential of a $90,000 prize with the participation of 100 players.

"The first thing you gotta learn about this game, Doc, is it ain't about hitting a little white ball into some yonder hole. It's about inner demons and self-doubt and human frailty and overcoming all that crap. So... what kinda doctor'd you say you were?"- Roy McEnvoy played by Kevin Costner in the 1996 flick Tin Cup.

In your wildest dreams, could you ever imagine your grandmother as boss of your favorite poker room? Since 1998, Lil Duquaine, appropriately nicknamed Tiger Lil, has been a driving force in Wisconsin's poker scene as the Table Games Manager for Menominee Casino Resort's Forest Edge Poker Room, no small feat for this mother of three and grandmother of two-soon to be three.

opponents' tells-a mannerism that gives away their holdings-as an integral part of their strategy. As obvious as sweating while shaking hands or as subtle as the blink of an eye, it takes experience and a keen eye to read an opponent's tells. Enlightened players go to great lengths to hide any tells when they're at the table. A pair of sunglasses can do the trick. So can downright wacky antics. Tells are as varied as the players themselves. Most poker players agree that reading and hiding tells is vital to achieving success in poker.

The Majestic Star Casino in Gary Indiana hosted the largest tournament in Heartland Poker Tour history this past weekend with a total prize pool that exceeded $800,000. A sold out main event field of 422 players concluded when the final six players squared off in front of the TV cameras in the Majestic Star poker room.

Verona, New York-Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) events are beginning to attract national attention. This small but growing televised poker tour emerged from the Midwest three years ago, has steadily grown in popularity nationwide, and televised HPT events continue to gain a wider viewing audience.

Majestic Star Casinos, Gary, IN- It all began in October of 2006 when Majestic Star Casinos hosted their first, wildly successful, Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) event and shattered all records with a prize pool of $450,000 and a field of 186 players. First place paid more than $122,000.

In the past, legendary women such as Calamity Jane and Poker Alice played major roles in Deadwood's colorful history. In keeping with that spirit, Rosie Paules of Torrington, Wyoming carved out her place in Deadwood history as the first woman to win the Deadwood Shootout.

Rosie's cool, calm and consistent play throughout the tournament was a key factor as she battled her way through a field of 202 regional and local players to capture first place and top prize money of $30,665 from a total prize pool of $97,974.

MotorCity Casino (MCC), owned by Marian Ilitch, is the only locally owned and operated casino in Detroit.

MotorCity Casino opened in December 1999 and is located in the historic Corktown neighborhood. The Casino is currently undergoing a $275 million dollar renovation at its current site, which includes expanded gaming space totaling 100,000 sq. ft. and a new 17-story, 400-room hotel tower. The project includes convention and banquet space, a 1,200-seat theater, a spa, retail outlets, new dining options and additional parking. It is expected to be complete by fall 2007.

Lil Duquaine (whom I refer to as Diamond Lil, because she is such a gem), Forest Edge poker room manager, has done it again, living up her reputation as the Poker Tournament Diva with her recent Spring Classic Poker Tournament on May 19th at the Menominee Casino in Keshena, Wisconsin. The Forest Edge Poker Room, voted No. 1 by players throughout the Midwest, keeps the excitement going with numerous attractive tournament offerings.