With the new $100 maximum bet and the 24/7 operating hours of the casinos, poker has changed in Colorado. To offer a version of hold 'em that feels like no-limit, but conforms to the $100 max bet, casinos are offering small blind hold 'em with a $100 bet at any time. Let's take a tour of the games being offered and see where the action is. Isle of Capri-The biggest hotel and casino (33 floors) in Colorado is still looking for more dealers and other personnel. Thus they have put all tournaments on hold and deal mostly $3-$6 limit hold 'em.
Gilpin-Live action includes $3-$6 limit hold 'em and their signature game of limit hold 'em with 50 cents-$1 blinds and $100 bets anytime. Tournaments are really the focus at the Gilpin. Multi-table no-limit Hold 'em tournaments are conducted everyday at Noon, 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Monday thru Thursday at Noon each player gets $7,500 in chips for a $50 buy-in. Friday through Sunday players receive $7,000 in chips for $70. At 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday the Gilpin hosts $60 buy-in no-limit hold 'em tournaments with players receiving $10,000 in chips.
The Fan V is a special promotion sponsored by a Denver radio station. Every Monday - Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday - Sunday at 3 p.m. during August qualifying no-limit hold 'em tournaments are conducted for a $100 buy-in for $10,000 in chips. For full details contact the Gilpin poker room.
The only re-buy no-limit hold 'em tournaments are on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. You get $15,000 in chip for $60 and two re-buys of $60.
The $200 at Two and Wacky Wednesdays are special no-limit Hold 'em tournaments and details are available by calling the poker room at 303.582.2092.
3. The Lodge-No tournaments here, but great live action and big bad beat jackpots. As I write this the jackpot stands at $209,000 with two backups exceeding $100,000. The live action includes $1-$2, $4-$8, $10-$20, and $20-$40. The Lodge also runs a $2-$5 ($100 anytime) game. All the games are hold 'em. Contact the net or poker room for details.
4. The Lady Luck-Offers $3-$6 hold 'em and occasional tournaments. This casino recently purchased the Colorado Station Casino which formerly had a lot of daily tournaments as well as two Heartland Poker Tour events annually. The most recent HPT event was very successful and saw two local players win over $250,000 for finishing first and second. The future of the HPT at the Lady Luck is questionable, but some casino will probably step in and run it if the Lady Luck decides not to. For full details contact the poker room at 303.582.3000.
5. Golden Gates-One of the few casinos offering $4-$8 limit Omaha as well as small $1-$2 and $3-$6 hold 'em. No-limit hold 'em tournaments are also conducted regularly. Call 303.582.1800 for full details.
Nearby Central City as well as Cripple Creek (near Colorado Springs) casinos are offering a few small poker rooms, but Blackhawk is where the biggest games and action are.
Five Costly Mistakes in Limit hold 'em
• Playing with too weak a hand before the flop, especially when the pot is raised.
• Continuing to play on the flop with small pairs especially when the pot is small.
• Checking or calling with the best hand on the turn.
• Not value betting the river because of a scare card if there are several other losing hands that your opponents could reasonably be playing.
• Playing on scared money or playing in too big a game for your bankroll.
Mike Eikenberry got his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, where he played varsity tennis and basketball. Founder of one of the leading national tennis camps, Mike is an avid amateur who has played both tournaments and live games for over 25 years. He can be reached at theeiks@comcast.net.
