[Read part 1 and part 2]
Next time you find yourself in Chicago; go east, young man (or woman), go East . . . to East Chicago, that is. From downtown Chicago, it's an easy drive of less than half an hour to the Resorts East Chicago Casino's 16-table poker room. When you arrive, you'll actually be in Indiana. Even though Resorts East Chicago is a fully functioning boat, it remains docked at all times. The hotel and amenities leading into the casino are truly first class in every respect and reminded us of Las Vegas style shopping and dining.

When we drove up to check in at the hotel, we were pleasantly taken off guard by the friendly, professional man greeting all new arrivals. Even though we were bone tired when we arrived, his upbeat cheerful manner infused us with renewed energy.

We found much to our liking at this property. Our hotel room was oversized with both an eating table and desk as well as easy access to the Internet. At the foot of the bed was a seat for dressing plus recessed reading lights over the bed. The dimmer controls to the overhead lighting was positioned within easy reach from the bed.

When you want to play in one of their poker tournaments, you must have their player's cards, called The R Card. However, avoid the lines. Go directly to the poker room where they gladly handle the entire process for you!

The week we arrived, Resorts started their Thursday $330 buy-in, No-Limit Hold'em tournaments, limited to the first 120 players. Registration is at 10am on Thursday, and the tournament begins at noon. With a full field, first place pays $14,400.

The tournament structure was good and gave us plenty of play for our $330 investment. At least, it gave many players plenty of play. Even though I decided to shoot myself in the foot and bust out early on, I was rewarded with lively cash games. To my delight, when I sat down in a No- Limit game with $2 and $5 blinds, the action was stimulating, the players were fun, and the staff was accommodating. Poker Manager, Gordon Hinckle, who comes from a table games background, said he was amazed at how loyal poker players become when you take care of them. By the way, he has a loyal group of players!

On a daily basis, you'll find $1-5 and $2-10 Stud plus No-Limit Hold'em with $5-10, $10-20 and $20- 40 blinds. You will occasionally find Pot Limit Omaha high on Monday and Tuesday evenings and Omaha Hi-Low on the weekends. Higher $30-60 and $40-80 Limit Hold'em is spread on request.

Mark January 29, 2006, on your calendar for an opportunity to win $48,000 in first place at the Resorts East Chicago Winter Poker Championship - limited to 120 entries. The only way you can compete in this event is to win your entry through a $120, single table, sit 'n go qualifying satellite. These entry tournaments start November 28 and run Monday - Thursday, 9am to 10pm. Scheduled for December 10, 2005, the SCORE Celebrity Tournament ($330 buy-in) is a charity event with radio personalities and sports superstars from the Chicagoland area. Any celebrities who finish in the money will donate their prize to the charity of their choice, and Resorts will match their donation dollar for dollar. Advance registration is now on sale Previously a Harrah's property, Resorts East Chicago joined the Resorts International family in April 2005 as one of their six Premier Gaming Destinations. The Resorts Family includes Resorts East Chicago, Resorts Atlantic City, Resorts Tunica, Hilton Las Vegas, Hilton Atlantic City, and Bally's Tunica. Check out ResortsEastChicago.

Remember, if you can't raise, don't call.