Card Rooms

Yes, folks, poker is now being played in my home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Cherokee Nations Enterprises is the name of the Casino in Cartoosa, Oklahoma where a lot of poker is now underway.

The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino was opened in 1985 by Michael Gaughan, son of Las Vegas legend, Jackie Gaughan. Michael already owned the successful Barbary Coast on the Las Vegas Strip when he correctly read the local market potential for Las Vegas neighborhood resorts even though his critics forecast failure for his off-strip Gold Coast project. Doubters even criticized the overall size of the casino, saying it was all wrong...far too big.

More tourists come to the southern part of England, including London, so the poker there is much more varied. There are far more no-limit games to cater to the visitors from the States (and take their money). South of England is also the home to several large tournaments. The European Poker Classic, held at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in London, will take place Mar 18-26. Last year's event was Mar. 29-Apr.

Green Valley Ranch Casino and Spa became the benchmark for luxury local resorts when it opened in December, 2001. Located high above the Las Vegas Valley in Henderson, Station Casinos built the premier resort and included a large, European style health spa. Acres of plush grounds offering a variety of pools and lounging areas where guest enjoy all the special amenities of a world class spa, and all of this ambience comes with a million dollar view by day that becomes even more spectacular after dark.

We're all Vegas this week! Log 50 hours of live poker play at any Station Casino (Palace Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Green Valley Ranch, Santa Fe Station, Boulder Station or Fiesta's) poker rooms by February 28, 2006 and receive a colorful free logo jacket.

Fasten your seatbelts - this column's going international!

First stop is the United Kingdom, and we're tackling Scotland and the northern regions of England.

Caesars Palace opened its doors to the public in 1966 and was immediately accepted as the most luxurious place in Las Vegas. Las Vegas' original entrepreneur, Jay Sarno, borrowed $10 million from the teamster's pension fund and began construction of the resort in 1962. His goal was to produce a Las Vegas hotel/casino that would provide guests with the experience of visiting the home of a king.

In my last column, I discussed the benefits of what Mike terms "a wild image."

His image at the poker table borders on a fun, but friendly form of insanity. It's an image that he has perfected so well that it comes naturally and smoothly to him.

On a busy Friday afternoon in mid-winter in my local poker room, I folded my hand in a ten-handed $4-8 Hold'Em game. Just on my left, LindaMae raised and everyone except the Big Blind folded. The Flop came [Ah]-[6s]-[7d]. The Big Blind bet $4 and LindaMae mucked her pocket Kings. "Damn Ace-magnets!" she swore quietly. While I waited for the next deal, I wondered whether Kings really do attract Aces the way funerals draw politicians. Given that she held pocket Kings, the probability that one or more Aces would flop is (1-C(4,0)*C(46,3)/ C(50,3)), or .2255.

Mississippi: 1990 - Legislature approves dockside gaming. Over the years, Mississippi's economy and infrastructure benefited immensely as the gambling tax revenues flowed into state and local coffers. By 2005, the coast casinos generated tax revenues to the tune of $500,000 a day, according to the state Gaming Commission.

August 29, 2005: The heavy hand of Hurricane Katrina devastated most of the 12 coast casinos and the 13th that was just about to open. The least damaged of the Gulf casinos was the Imperial Palace, which reopened in December.