Gambler Celebrating 25 Years Serving Colorado’s Gaming Community www.coloradogambler.com coloradogambler cogamblerr
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Commemorative Edition 2 of 2
May 2 - 15, 2017
Check out valuable coupons on page 9
POKER TALK
Pocket Jacks: Two matching paint cards are hard for some to resist overplaying Page 2
MSPT REGIONAL EVENT Golden Gates Casino hosts exciting events Page 6
HUMOR
I know an old woman Who swallowed a ... Page 7
TRAILS END
Celebrating Centennial James Michener novel Pages 10
COUPONS • COLORADO HISTORY • CASINO GUIDE •GAMING • MAP • ENTER TAINMENT
7
The Last Hand
Gambler
How to Beat the House:
Slot Players Looks for Winning Systems
He weaved a tale that he You meet all kinds of instarts betting at a slot materesting individuals in casinos. Certainly many sechine with very small waniors who have decided not gers. The computer driven to take their money with slot then attempts to lure them and do as the book him in to wagering higher says, “Slide into home base amounts and rewards his broke and yelling, “Yipsingle line play and small bets. He slowly edges up pee.” Let the kids work as his bets and pay lines lurhard as the adults as the greatest generation ages. ing the slot machine to give BY BOB SWEENEY But, there are all kinds him a jackpot. He seems of people enjoying a day, or evening to think, if he is telling the truth, that in the casino universe. I met an in- as he ups his bets slowly that he has a teresting slot player who was count- better shot at hitting a jackpot. At some point the slot machine is ing his money and was eager to brag a little bit to a passerby that he had going to go cold, but he might have a won something like 20 jackpots in his reasonable concept that indeed slot recent gaming career playing slot ma- machines do tempt the player to continue to play. How many times, right chines. That captured my attention as a before you run out of spins, the slot very limited slot player and more into will show an almost jackpot scenario table games especially blackjack and you just miss the big money by I asked him what his secret of win- one wild card, cherry, or symbol. In the old mechanical days when ning. This is what he related, take it for what it’s worth as free information. one hit a jackpot and the coins came
Pocket Jacks
Last weekend I was playing in a $2 - $5 / $100 Hold em poker game in the Ameristar poker room in Black Hawk when the following hand came up. I was in the big blind with $5 in the pot, there were two BY callers, and a player near the button raised to $40. LARRY As I thumbed up my cards JOHNSON I saw I had pocket Jacks and the action was to me. The question is - should I play want to risk a large portion of their pocket Jacks in this spot? chips on a hand that will only win Author Neil Gibson wrote an ar- 54% of the time? According to a quote attributed ticle in which he pointed out “The two matching paint cards are hard to famous poker pro Doyle Brunson for some to resist overplaying es- “There are only two ways to play pecially for new players — with pocket jacks and they are both the Hooks nickname for the hand wrong.” I take this to mean a player eiindicative of the way fish or novice players tend to get themselves ther raises with them, takes the lead caught in unfortunate situations in the betting, and plays them agwith the hand.” gressively; or simply lay them down Before the flop, a pair of Jacks and waits for a better opportunity. rates as the fourth-best starting Thus, in this hand, within the hand in NLHE in terms of its likeli- few seconds between the raise behood to prove the best hand by the ing made and my turn, I considered river and wins 54% of the time. Only many factors including: Aces, Kings, and Queens are better • Does the player who raised play preflop - although some sources tight or aggressive? Does he also say A-K suited are more likely bluff or does he play his hand? to win. (Answer - I had played with him So, the question is - does a player before, he was a very tight player
poker talk
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Publisher
Subscriptions
Robert Sweeney B.T. Galloway tumbling out, players would take a 303-773-8313 x301 bsween1@aol.com bucket and clear out the coins and subscribe@villager carry the tub to the cage for a payoff. V.P. Marketing publishing.com Those days changed with some player Sharon Sweeney Contributing Writers heartache a decade ago but now the cogambler@mac.com payoff comes on a coded paper receipt. To advertise, call Sharon Much easier now, and it keeps hands 303-503-1388 much cleaner than those old metal Managing Editor coins. But how much fun when the Becky Osterwald coins came pouring out and the bells gambler@villagerpublishing. started to ring and the light blinked. com I’ve won a few jackpots, but I never knew why, just kept putting coins in Design/Production Manager the slot and now pulling the handle or Tom McTighe pushing the button using the bill reproduction@villagerpublishing. ceptacle that grabs the paper bills. com Casinos are very generous to their Design/Production slot players and reward them with Renee Novitsky great buffets and prizes placed upon renee@villagerpublishing.com the casino player’s cards. The points add up to complimentary rooms and free food. If you have a winning system and www.coloradogambler.com coloradogambler cogambler wish to share your lucky tips, send them in to this newspaper and we’ll share your advice or experience.
and the larger bet showed he had a good hand.) • What is his chip stack and is he committed to the hand? (Answer - he had just over $150 in front of him so with $40 in the pot already was more than likely committed and would play the hand out.) • Was I in a good position to control the betting or one that will get me into trouble? (Answer - I was in first position so would have to either bet immediately or have to be a call station - and either one could cost me lots of chips unless I flopped a big hand.) • What do I have committed and what will the hand cost me? (Answer - at this point I have $5 committed due to being the blind so it would cost another $35 - and the bets on the flop, turn, and river.) • What are the odds of me being ahead? (Answer - with the player, the size of the bet, and his demeanor - I believe he had pocket A’s, K’s, or Q’s so the odds were slight I was ahead.) Thus, taking all the above into consideration and thinking about my move for maybe five seconds, I held up my pocket Jacks a bit so
the player next to me could see the lay down and tossed them into the muck. While I do not show cards often I wanted to see his reaction, get credit for a good laydown, and maybe take advantage of it in a hand later on. To his credit, he waited until after the Qh - 5s - 4h - Qc - 10c hit the board and the hand was over to exclaim “Did I see what I thought I did?” I shook my head yes and he went into a couple minute long diatribe on how he would never lay down pocket Jacks and it was a big mistake. When I replied, “Maybe so - but I thought I was behind” he quickly came back with, “It wouldn’t have mattered to me, I would have rode those all the way” with a player on the other side of him agreeing. This then led to a few players at the other end of the table tossing in their thoughts on what a good play it was with a player stepping over from the $30 - $60 ½ kill limit hold em game and adding his two cents worth saying, “the hooks will win more then they will lose.” This discussion went on for a good five minutes with no final consensus and players all over the board on how they would play the hand from raising a little bit;
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
to raising all in; to just calling; to folding. Professional poker player Daniel Nagreanu once said of pocket Jacks, “Most of the time I treat pocket Jacks like pocket 6’s, 7’s or even 10’s” and added playing them for value or in position is good but it’s ok to let them go. I tend to agree with this strategy when it comes to playing pocket Jacks - be careful, play them like a middle pair, and bet big once you make the hand because you probably have some big cards out there willing to pay off. By the way, in the above hand the raiser turned over pocket Kings to win the pot with the caller having pocket 10’s. I would have lost at least the $35 but possibly more as I may have called a bet or two. So, in this situation, I believe laying down the pocket Jacks was the right play. And you know - it’s this kind of hand and discussions that makes the game of poker so fun and continually challenging because while the book says one thing, almost every player will play this hand differently. Remember - have some fun; win some money; and play your game!
May 2 - 15, 2017
$500 cash, and the seventh is the lucky winner of a 2017 Nissan Altima SR!
Mother’s Day Giveaway – Amy Miller home ultra plush robes!
Central-city.cnty.com Altima Cool Car Frenzy! Win a 2017 Nissan Altima SR!
Fridays 5-11 p.m, Saturdays 3-11 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.! Winner drawn every half hour! Win $100-$250, plus Car Finalist entries! $500 winner at 11 p.m. Fri./Sat. and 6 p.m. Sun.! Win drawings every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in April and May for Cash and Insta-Play prizes, plus finalist entries to win a 2017 Nissan Altima SR on Memorial Day! Every drawing day, each half hour we draw a guaranteed winner. The winner picks a prize from our Cool Car Frenzy Board, scoring from $100 to $250 with bonus car entries! Stay for a guaranteed $500 cash prize at the final daily drawing! Entries earned from April 3 on are valid through Memorial Day. Sunday, May 28 our drawings will proceed from 3-11 p.m. On Memorial Day, Monday May 29, starting at 3 p.m. we draw for winners of $1,000 cash prizes and 50 finalist entries on-the-hour, and we draw for contestants for our Cool Car Frenzy board to win up to $250 on-the-half-hour! At 10 p.m. we draw seven finalists from our finalist barrel. Six of them will open their envelope to reveal
Just earn 250 base points on your Player’s Club card on Sunday, May 14 to earn an Amy Miller Home Ultra Plush Robe, in red or white, for mom or yourself! Packaged in retail gift box with ribbon around the robe, this soft robe will keep any mom cuddled with coziness! One gift per guest, your choice of one of two colors once you’ve earned the points, while supplies last!
Feature food Tuesday
Play & Eat Free every Tuesday when you earn just 100 base points on your Players’ Club card that day. Our May Feature Free Food is lobster lasagna rolls served with garlic bread (or you can choose our Prime Rib or Salad Bar Buffet) available from 11 a.m. every Tuesday!
Tuesday bonus entries!
Earn 5X Entries on Penny Slots and 2X entries with all other machine play on May Tuesdays to win our Friday through Sunday Altima Cool Car Frenzy Drawings to win up to $500 plus finalist entries to win a 2017 Nissan Altima SR on Memorial Day at 10 p.m.!
$7.99 Soup n Salad buffet every day!
Fill up on healthy choices at our new expand-
Central City Nuggets ed 35-item Soup N Salad Buffet, just $7.99 from 11 a.m., just by having a player’s card! Soup N Salad buffet also available for $11 with no card. Not to be combined with any other discount or coupon.
#Winnerszone Party at Century
Hit a handpaid jackpot at Century and you’ll get an entry for our new monthly Jackpot Party! Let us take and share your picture of your ($1,200 or greater) Jackpot for a bonus entry! April handpaids are invited to the #Winnerszone Party on Tuesday, May 9 from 6-7 p.m. for appetizers and cake, plus your chance to win $500 Cash each hour from 6-8 p.m.! Winners after that night can look forward to the next party on June 13!
$7.99 prime rib every day!
Enjoy our 8 oz. slow-roasted Prime Rib Special, accompanied by choice of potato with seasonal vegetables, for just $7.99 from 11 a.m., just by having a player’s card! Prime Rib special is also available for $14.99 with no card. Not to be combined with any other discount or coupon.
New members get up to $20 in day one Insta-Play!
Sign up for free at our Player‘s Club for a card and earn 10 base points on your day of signup and return to the Player’s Club for $5 in Insta-Play added right to your account! Earn 100 base points total
on your signup day and redeem at the Club for $5 in Insta-Play added to your account! Earn 200 base points that same day for another $5 Insta-Play bonus! Finally, earn 300 base points that same day for another amazing $5 in Insta-Play bonus available at the Club! That’s up to $20 in Day One Insta-Play for New Members! Give us your email address and/or phone number for an even more of an extra bonus!
Mail-My-Multipler Monday
Guests who play with their Player’s Card enough to receive our direct mail receive our Automatic Weekly Multiplier up to 5X points! Nothing to redeem, just play with your Player’s card to get your multiplier on Mondays 8 a.m. through 10 p.m.!
Bigger Bingo –Thursday Bingo
Enjoy free Bingo every from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with $100 Insta-Play Play or Table Games Play Chips prizes, with $250 cash prizes for our Bigger Bingo Games for three random hourly games each Thursday! Players with a Player’s Card can pick up their Bingo card at the Player’s Club one hour before each game.
Miltary appreciation Monday
Guests with military ID will receive a free ice cream, plus 50% off meals (up to $25 in one day) at the Retro Deli or Mid City Grill.
WIN A
Fantasy Golf Wednesday!
Earn up to seven Fantasy Golf Card Scratch Tickets Each Wednesday (at 250 base points, 400 base points, and 1,000 base points, and every thousand base points thereafter up to 5,000) and Win your share of $1,000 in Cash and Insta-Play prizes if you have one of the lowest five scores recorded that day! Win double prizes if your score is under par for the card! Scores are tallied and winners posted the next day and prizes must be claimed within one week.
Senior celebration – Wednesday and Thursday
Guests aged 50 or better receive 2X points on play all day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus 50% off purchases (up to $25 in one day) at the Retro Deli or Mid City Grill. Please note that 50% food discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount, and including daily food specials.
Birthdays at Century
All guests can come in on the day of their birthday and get 2X points plus a free gift! Guests who come in on the day of their 21st birthday receive the 2X points and the gift, plus $10 in comp added to their account, plus a $5 Promo Chip to use at the tables! Guests with a birthday coupon from our mailer redeem it at the Player’s Club for a gift of 10X their age in points!
2017 NISSAN
ALTIMA SR
May 29th at 10pm!
Winners every half hour! Win up to $250 plus car entries!
Guaranteed $500 final daily prize! Fridays 5-11pm, Saturdays 3-11pm, Sundays 12-6pm!
2012-2017
May 2 - 15, 2017
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
PAGE 3
Gemstones & Minerals
The Pink Star Diamond On April 4, in Hong Kong, Sotheby’s set a new world auction record for any diamond or jewel when the Pink Star, a 59.60-carat oval mixedcut fancy pink flawless diamond, sold for $71.2 million. The Pink Star was acquired by renowned jeweller Chow Tai Fook, with the winning telephone bid placed by Dr. Henry Cheng Kar-Shun, chairman of the company. The Pink Star has been renamed CTF Pink Star in memory of the late Dr. Cheng Yu-Tung, father of the current chairman and founder of Chow Tai Fook, and commemorates the esteemed brand’s 88th anniversary. The CTF Pink Star is the largest pink diamond that the Gemologi-
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cal Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded. It has received the highest color and clarity grades from the GIA for pink diamonds. It was cut by Steinmetz Diamonds over a period of nearly two years - a process in which the 132.50 carat rough was cast in epoxy more than 50 times in order to create models upon which the design team could experiment with different cuts in order to transform the stone into the remarkable flawless oval-cut Pink Star Diamond. The diamond was mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa. It was first unvailed to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink,” and was modeled by Helena Christensen at a dedicated event
thrown to coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix. Writing in the Finanacial Times on May 31, 2003, it was discribed as “the rarest, finest, most precious stone the world has ever seen.” The stone was first sold in 2007 and was renamed “The Pink Star.” In the same article, Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer of the GIA, is quoted as saying: “It’s our experience that large polished pink diamonds - over 10 carats - very rarely occur with an intense color. The GIA Laboratory has been issuing grading reports for 50 years and this is the largest pink diamond with this depth of color (vivid pink) that we have ever characterised.” Of all fancy colored pink diamonds, those graded “Fancy Vivid”
are the most precious and desirable. The current world auction record for a pink diamond is the Graff Pink, a superb 24.78 carat diamond which sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2010 for $46.16 million. Weighing in at 59.60 carats and graded as Fancy Vivid, the Pink Star is twice the size. In the summer of 2003, this amazing gem was exhibited at “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Displayed in the Winston Gallery alongside the 55.42 carat blue Hope Diamond, the exhibition featured seven of the world’s rarest and most extraordinary diamonds. Also on view for the first time in the United States was the 203.04 carat De Beers Millennium
Star, one of the largest diamonds in the world; the Heart of Eternity blue diamond; the Moussaieff Red, the largest known red diamond in the world; the Harry Winston Pumpkin Diamond; the Allnatt, one of the world’s largest yellow diamonds at 101.29 carats; and the Ocean Dream, the world’s largest naturally occurring blue-green diamond. In the three months the exhibition ran, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History attracted more than 1.6 million visitors. From July through November 2005, the Pink Star again took center stage, this time at the “Diamonds” exhibition held at the Natural History Museum, in London. For five months, the dazzling exhibition attracted approximately 70,000 visitors a day.
Todd from Black Hawk took home a check for $1,405 after winning on the Lightning Link slot at Century Casino.
Gerald from Longmont was playing Double Diamond Strike slot when he won $1,200 at Century Casino.
Century Casino was the spot for Butch from Greeley was on the Triple Black Tie slot when he won $22,536.
John from Brighton was playing the Princess Andromeda slot and won $1,611 from Century Casino.
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
May 2 - 15, 2017
Central City Nuggets johnnyzscasino.com Get in the Zone!
Featured exclusively at Johnny Z’s in Central City, the Multiplier Zone. Play slots in the Zone and get 10X points all day and night. That’s right, a full 10X points on all of your slot play in the Multiplier Zone! Why settle for less when you can play in the Zone?
10X Points
Johnny Z’s Casino is the place for the most points. Every day this month win up to 10X Points, just play our kiosk game!
Free Pearl Necklace
Stop by Johnny Z’s May16 to pick up your free pearl necklace! All you need is
50 same day base points, the giveaway for two winners and four $500 in Z-Play voucher from the promotional kiosk. will start at 11 a.m. Quantities are limited winners. see Club Z for details. Rib dinner Are you 60 years of age or Prime Join us every day this month for our older? $7.77 Prime Rib dinner special after you Who’s ready to BBQ? Join us every Monday and Tuesday earn 50 same day base points. Receive Spend Memorial Day May 29 with this month for our Silver Tsunami Club us. Just earn 25 base points on Memorial 60+ days. Just earn 60 base points that your voucher from the promotional kiDay to get your free BBQ plate, BBQ will day and receive one free special of the osk. be from Noon-4 p.m. day and a free nonalcoholic soft drink, coffee or tea. Just one more way to win Want to convert your Bahama Mama Tropical comps to free gas? at the Z! Getaway Drawings Earn Turbo, Nitro or Flame status and Club Z Every Wednesday through Sunday redeem your comps for up to $20 in gas Sign up for a new Club Z card at John- each day! from April 2 through June 17 join us for our $77,000 Bahama Mama Tropical ny Z’s and receive up to $100 in Z-Play Getaway Drawings from noon- 10 p.m. the same day! See Club Z for complete Play and Ride! every other hour with an additional details. Earn 75 same day base points, redrawing at 11 p.m., win up to $500 in Zdeem your bus ticket at Club Z and rePlay at each drawing. We will have two Don’t want to pay for ceive $25 in Z-Play. Earn 500 same day winners per drawing hour. Earn entries Breakfast? base points and get an additional $5 in On Mondays and Tuesdays just with every 100 points for that day of play. Z-Play. On June 17 from 1 p.m. to Midnight ev- earn 10 same day base points before ery hour we will have one drawing win- 11 a.m. and receive a voucher for a free ner for $150 in Z-Play. Earn entries from Double Down Breakfast and Wednesday Get reimbursed for your April 2-June 17 with every 250 points at through Sunday just earn 20 same day ATM fees Stop by the Z Stop Gas Station to use 9:30 p.m. we will have one Bahamas Trip base points before 11 a.m.! Receive your
our ATM and bring your receipt to Johnny Z’s within two hours from the time on your receipt. You will receive $5 in Z-Play or $3 Cash back!
Z Cafe
Stop by Z Cafe located on the 2nd floor of Johnny Z’s to get your favorite cappuccino, latte, mocha and much more.
Come celebrate your birthday with us
New and existing members play our kiosk game to win free Z-Play.
Hottest table games
Play the Hottest Table Games in Central City at Johnny Z’s Casino every day from 10 a.m. to close! We have all your favorites from Craps, Three Card poker, Double Deck Blackjack, and Buffalo Blackjack! Whether you’re in Central City or Black Hawk win at the Z!
Catch the free shuttle!
The shuttle stops right in front of Johnny Z’s in Central City. With quick, easy access to Z Casino in Black Hawk.
WELCOME TO THE Z CASINOS FAMILY OF PROPERTIES
JOHNNY Z’s • Z CASINO • RESERVE CASINO HOTEL PAGE 5
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
May 2 - 15, 2017
Gaming Corey Zedo Wins MSPT Golden Gates $360 Regional Event for $47,420
Back in February, the Heartland Poker Tour held a $300 buy-in nolimit hold’em tournament that drew 871 entrants, which made it the largest poker tournament by attendance ever held in Colorado. The record didn’t last long. From March 23-26, the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) set a new record by attracting 893 entries in the MSPT Golden Gates $360 Regional Event. After two days of play, 34-year-old Corey Zedo, formerly of Orlando now residing in Denver, emerged victorious to capture a $47,420 prize after a heads-up chop with Drew Schulz. It marked a career-high score for Zedo and brought his lifetime earnings up to $269,293. “It felt great,” said Zedo, who plays poker while investing in small entrepreneurial ventures. “I spend a lot of time up here playing tournaments, so having cards cooperate in big spots was really nice.” Zedo, who has been in a longtime
Corey Zedo relationship with girlfriend Andrea, reflected on the turning point of his tournament, as well as what inspired the chop. “There was one big hand where someone overplayed a pair and I had aces,” he said. “I got a full double. Having them hold in that big hand allowed me to play comfortably the rest of the day, so that was a big one. Heads-up,
we were close in chips so we ended up chopping straight up, though I got the trophy because I had the chip lead. He played really well, and it was an honor to take away a chop as anything can happen heads up.” Other highlights on his poker résumé include fifth in the 2014 World Series of Poker Circuit Lodge Casino Main Event for $28,967, fifth in the 2015 HPT Daytona Beach Main Event for $28,350, and 10th in the 2014 Venetian Deepstack Extravaganza III Event #66: $5,000 NoLimit Hold’em for $27,452. Furthermore, Zedo has cashed every season since the MSPT started coming to Golden Gates back in Season 5. In November 2015, Zedo finished 36th in the Main Event for $2,425, and a year after that he placed ninth in the same tournament for $9,893. In April 2016, he notched his Season 7 cash by finishing 12th in the Main Event for $7,239, and his Regional win, which brought his total
MSPT earnings up to $66,977, gave him his Season 8 cash. Zedo also won $4,000 for taking down a $200 no-limit hold’em deepstack side event during last November’s MSPT stop.
Final Table Results
1. Corey Zedo (Denver) $47,420* 2. Drew Schulz (Littleton) $47,420* 3. Erik Macias (Cheyenne, Wyo.) $23,361 4. Brian Hartner (Northglenn) $16,181 5. Sammy Aweida (Broomfield) $11,788 6. John Patrick Dugan (Denver) $9,055 7. Daniel Sullivan (Littleton) $7,474 8. Jim Hansen (Denver) $6,242 9. Daniel Notice (Denver) $5,010 10. Jerry Eachus (Brighton) $3,831 Others who cashed in the tournament include Sammy Aweida (5th $11,788), Michael Wolf (18th - $2,143),
World Series of Poker Colossus II champ Ben Keeline (28th - $1,366), Danny Gonzalez (45th - $1,125), Kevin “1$ickDisea$E”” Eyster (52nd - $991), and Kirk Miller (81st - $697). The latest tournament marked the fifth time the MSPT has hosted a Regional Event at the property. The inaugural event, which took place two years ago, attracted 637 entries and saw Bruce Carter come out on top for $45,883. In November 2015, Bobby Sanoubane bested a field of 770 entries to win $33,000 after a heads-up chop with Troy Allgeier. Last year, Stephen Zipprich outlasted 835 runners in the spring Regional for $29,331 after an eight-way chop, and in November “Money” Mike Maruna won $50,997 after besting a field 838 entries. Congratulations to Corey Zedo, winner of the 2017 MSPT $360 Regional Event at Golden Gates Casino!
61-Year-Old Retiree Fred Garcia Wins MSPT Golden Gates Main Event for $109,881
The latest MSPT Golden Gates $1,100 Main Event in Black Hawk, drew 472 entries, and after three starting flights and a long Day 2, it was 61-year-old Fred Garcia of Durango, who emerged victorious to capture a $109,881 first-place prize. “I’ve been wanting to make a final table, that was my goal, and things just worked out,” Garcia said after the win. He then showed his card protector, which was a picture of him and his late fiancé. “My girl had passed away in July, so she’s been with me all tournament.” Garcia, who fired just one bullet into the tournament, has been playing poker recreationally for 30 years. He spent 25 of them working for the Colorado Department of Transportation, but retired on Nov. 1, 2009. Now, he managed properties in Durango and plays poker on the side. He’s also an accomplished pool player, motorcycle enthusiast, and a dancer – he can swing, two step, and waltz for those wondering. As for the money, Garcia had two plans. The first is to head to Las Vegas this summer to try his luck in the World Series of Poker Seniors Event, and the other is to buy some more property. “I’ve been telling my boys that, if I made enough, I was going to buy a piece of land in California, just pay cash,” he said. “So, there’s some plans there.” Prior to the win, Garcia’s prior
PAGE 6
best cash was $11,667 for finishing 13th in a 2013 Heartland Poker Tour Golden Gates Main Event, and back in February he finished 27th in the same tournament for $7,288.
Final Table Results 1.
Fred Garcia (Durango) $109,881 2. Keith Block (Pomona, N.Y.) $66,387 3. Joey Michael (Austin, Texas) $43,266 4. Sammy Aweida (Broomfield) $29,989 5. Baskaiyel Baker (Lafayette) $22,892 6. Griff Malatino (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla,) $17,627 7. Fernando Galvan (Denver) $14,651 8. Larry Davidson (Ridgefield, Wash.) $12,133 9. Erasmus Morfe (Highlands Ranch) $10,256 10. Michael Campbell (Rapid City, S.D.) $7,783 Day 2 saw 88 players return to action, but with only 45 slated to get paid, nearly half the field would leave empty handed. Among those to fall before the money were Corey Zedo, who had won the MSPT $360 Regional Event the weekend before for more than $47K; start-of-theday chip leader Jim Morrison, who lasted all of two levels; and World Series of Poker bracelet winner Ben Keeline. Among those to cash but fall
short of the final table were Nader Wahdan (39th - $2,289), Samuel Spiwak (28th - $2,747), MSPT Season 6 Regional champ Bobby Sanoubane (19th - $3,434), and the last woman standing Ruth Graham (13th - $5,952). Sammy Aweida, who was one week removed from final tabling the MSPT $360 Regional Event, began the final table as the chip leader, but a lot changed over the course of six hours. It took just nine hands for Michael Campbell to fall after running Big Slick into Griff Malatino’s pocket kings, and that set up a length ninehanded battle. It wasn’t until Hand #49 that Erasmus Morfe, who finished 19th in the 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event for $262,574, saw his pocket nines collapse against Baskaiyel Baker’s ace-king. Three hands later, the short-stacked Larry Davidson bowed out after running ace-three into Keith Block’s ace-eight. After Day 1B chip leader Fernando “Certified Gangster” Galvan took his leave in seventh place – his kingnine failed to overcome Joey Michael’s ace-queen, Malatino followed him out the door on Hand #68 of the final table. It happened with the blinds at 30,000/60,000/10,000 when Garcia raised to 120,000 under the gun with the KdQd. Aweida called from the button, Malatino shoved for 65,000 from the small blind with
Fred Garcia
the 9s9c, and Garcia opted to call. Aweida got out of the way and Garcia ended up the winner after the board ran out 6cQh6hAc7c. On Hand #81 in the 40,000/ 80,000/10,000 level, Block dispatched Baker in fifth place after the latter called off 1.6 million with kingten and failed to get there against the former’s ace-seven. Ten hands later, Aweida took his leave after getting it in with ace-ten only to run smack dab into Michael’s kings. Three-handed play turned out to be a back-and-forth affair as the trio took turns holding the chip lead. Eventually, on Hand #118 of the final table in the 60,000/120,000/20,000 level, Garcia looked down at the A♠A♥ on the button and raised to 240,000. Block called form the small blind, Michael three-bet all in for 2 million with the 2♦2♥, and Garcia moved all in over the top. Block folded and Michael hit
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
the rail after the board ran out an unhelpful 3♠8♣3♥K♣J♥ Garcia began heads-up play with a slight chip lead, but Block, an experienced poker pro from New York who once finished third in the WSOP’s 10,000 Heads-Up World Championship, wouldn’t go down easy. In fact, the two battled for well over an hour, each holding the chip lead on more than one occasion. In what would be the final hand of the tournament, the blinds were 80,000/160,000/20,000 when Garcia limped the button with the Q♥7♠ and Block checked his option holding the 3♦2♥. The 4♣5♥6♣ flop was interesting in that Block flopped a straight, but Garcia held an openender. Block checked, Garcia bet 300,000, and Block check-raised to 775,000. Garcia made the call and then called a bet of 1.15 million when the Q♦ turn gave him top pair. Block had him right where he wanted him, at least until the 8♥ spiked on the river to give Garcia a bigger straight. Block moved all in for his last 1.4 million and Garcia snap-called to put an end to the tournament. Congratulations to Fred Garcia, winner of the 2017 MSPT Golden Gates for $109,881! The MSPT will now head to Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee Wisconsin for next weekend’s $1,100 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed Main Event.
May 2 - 15, 2017
I know an old woman
You know that chilstays in his cage as long dren’s song about the as the 17-pound block old woman who swalsits in front of it to keep lowed a fly? It’s been it from being knocked running through my over by the 10-pound head for a week now, cat. Peace reigns—until but I still don’t know the block is dislodged by why she swallowed the 40-pound dog who that fly. I guess she’ll is visiting us. die. Not that it has You’ll recall she been—yet. But it has BY DOROTHY ROSBY swallowed a spider to come precariously close. drosby@rushmore.com catch the fly, and then The dog is a red heeler a bird to catch the spider, and a mix, and to say she is somewhat cat to catch the bird, and a dog to more rambunctious than our cat catch the cat, then a goat, a cow and is like saying swallowing a horse is eventually a horse. And she died of somewhat more difficult than swalcourse. Who wouldn’t? Frankly, lowing a fly. The dog is adorable, I’m surprised she lasted as long as though both the cat and the bird would disagree if they’d come out she did. At any rate, that’s exactly what of hiding long enough to discuss it. It’s hard to tell by the dog’s beI did this week. Except I didn’t die. And I’m not old, though I have aged havior if she’s just curious about considerably over the past week. our critters, or if she wants to hunt Also, there were no horses, goats, them down and swallow them or cows involved. Just a dog, a cat, whole. But it doesn’t matter; the rea bird and the occasional fly and sult would be the same. You know spider. And I didn’t actually swal- that old cliché about curiosity killlow any of them. But other than ing the cat? I think it may have the that, it was exactly the same story. same effect on a bird. We have a cat and a canary who Any way you look at it, this long ago came to an uneasy truce, house isn’t big enough for the three the pet peace accords, based on of them. So, for now, we’ve moved the simple fact that the bird is safe the cat food to the bedroom, otheras long as he’s in his cage. And he wise the dog eats it. The cat, who
usually has free roam of the house, has also been moved to the bedroom, otherwise the dog might eat it too. The bird cage is in the office with the door closed. The dog it not interested in the bird’s food, but she is terribly interested in the bird. Meanwhile, the dog has taken over the house. She’s our guest after all. Plus, she’s harder to corral and more vocal when you do. But she’s not taking full advantage of her freedom. When she’s not sitting outside the office door, she’s sitting outside the bedroom door, whining and waiting for someone with hands to come along and open the door.
Humor Eventually one of us human types does. But we say “stay,” and she stays—usually. The one time I forgot to say “stay,” she was in the bedroom faster than I could say, “Do I really have to tell you every time?” Next thing I knew, the dog was chasing the cat and I was chasing the dog. The cat was hissing, the dog was barking, I was screaming, and the bird was singing
cheerfully, happy the door was closed, the block was in place and, for the moment at least, no one was trying to swallow him. (Dorothy Rosby is the author of the humor book, I Didn’t Know You Could Make Birthday Cake from Scratch: Parenting Blunders from Cradle to Empty Nest. Contact drosby@rushmore.com.)
Horoscopes ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You can only proscratinate for son long, Aries. Soon enough this will catch up with you, so it’s best to start addressing your to-do list as soon as possible.
LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Sometimes even Leos needs to work through their feelings on their own. Don’t be afraid to spend some time reflecting on what you need to resolve.
SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Others can use a dose of your optimism right now, Sagittarius. Find a way to include as many people as possible as you look to spread some sunshine around.
TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Your patience will boil over this week if you do not find a way to let off steam, Taurus. Exercise may be just what you need, so schedule some time to work out.
VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, it’s nice to have like-minded people around you to support your efforts. But sometimes you need someone who sees things differently to shake up your perspective.
CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may develop a soft spot for someone who needs your help in the next few days. Do all you can without stretching yourself too thin. Your assistance will be appreciated.
GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, speak up and share your opinion this week. Others will appreciate your straightforwardness. Explain your point of view in detail and others will see where you are coming from.
LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, make a concerted effort to block out any distractions in the days ahead. You might not avoid all the turmoil, but your efforts will prove fruitful.
CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, you wear your heart on your sleeve, and those closest to you will be able to figure out what is going on in your head. Accept their support when it is offered.
AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, in your search for a different perspective, you may find yourself confiding in a coworker in the coming days. Give careful consideration to any advice you receive.
SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, take others’ point of view to heart in the days ahead. This signals to others you value their opinions and recognize their efforts.
PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, your imagination is running wild and this could lead you on an unexpected adventure. Take a level-headed friend along for the ride.
May 2 - 15, 2017
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
PAGE 7
Colorado History
Madonna of the Trail celebrated pioneer mothers
Supported by contributions from San Francisco’s Panama–Pacific he had promised. She, believdonors, the DAR funded 12 mon- International Exposition of 1915. ing him to be in danger, put her In 1928, the Daughters of the uments along the route of the He created the Madonna’s design little child in a blanket, grasped American Revolution commisoriginal Santa Fe Trail, one in in three days at the suggestion of a the gun and with the boy ran out each state through which the monument builder and garnered in the field to look for the father. trail passed. Future President $1,000 for each statue. The artist The gun is sketched from the gun Harry S. Truman, at the time also designed larger works of art of Daniel Boone, with his carva relatively unknown Missouri and became fairly well-known. He ings on the shaft. On the ground is justice of the peace and head and his wife returned to Germa- prairie grass and cactus brushes, of the National Old Trails ny sometime around World War also arrowheads, and on one side Road Association, strongly II, although three of his grown in the shadows, there is visible in encouraged the endeavor and children remained in the United the original, a rattlesnake, partly attended every one of the States. (One website, roadside- covered by grass.” dedications. As the new president of the association, Truman periodically drove the National Old Trails Road from coast to coast and met with members in each state to discuss improvements. Also called the Oceanto-Ocean Highway, the road established in 1912 became part of the U.S. Auto Trail System, running more than 3,000 miles from Maryland to California. Most of it eventually became U.S. Highway 40 or Route 66. The materials for the Madonna installations were selected Madonna’s sculptor also did most of the artwork for the Pan Pacific Exhibibefore the artist was tion in San Francisco. chosen and the design approved. Created by Ger- america.com, maintains that he In Colorado, the Madonna is man immigrant August Leim- was deported and later incarcer- located in the city of Lamar, situbach, the sculptures were cast ated in a Russian prison. If this is ated on the Arkansas River in the from a composite stone called true, the DAR and Congress did a southeastern part of the state. Inaldonite, a mixture of crushed good job of keeping it quiet.) The stalled in the Santa Fe Railroad marble, Missouri granite, artist died in 1965 and lies next to Park, it was dedicated Sept. 24, stone cement and lead ore, his wife in Michelstadt, Germany. 1928. When the DAR took on a The original idea for the sculp- major renovation project of all resulting in a pinkish color. The artwork depicts a deter- ture came from Arlene B. Nichols the statues, which was completed mined pioneer woman hold- Moss, chairwoman of the DAR in 2014, Colorado’s statue was in ing a rifle and clasping a baby, Monuments Committee, who better shape than most. Restorawith a small child clinging envisioned a statue similar to tion specialists, however, found a to her skirt. While revision- one designed by Denver sculpbullet hole in her back, according ist historians maintain that tor Alice Cooper in Portland, Orto The Prowers Journal. No one the Madonna oversimplifies egon called Sacajawea and Jeanknows when it happened or who women’s role in the west- Baptiste (1905). As it turned out, the culprit was. The project also ward movement, it is well to the completed sculpture bore remember that the piece was no resemblance to Moss’s vi- involved removal of nearly a cenThe inscription on Colorado’s Madonna of the Trail in Lamar reads: created in 1928 and financed sion. Leimbach later related in tury’s worth of dirt with the use West face: Madonna of the Trail, N.S.D.A.R. Memorial to the Pioneer by the D.A.R. The Madonna a 1928 article for The Federal Il- of a powdered granite aggregate Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days. South Face: A Place of Historical stands 18 feet from its base lustrator, “The idea I had, when I to fill in some hairline cracks. AcLore Noted for Indian Lodges, Shelter from the Heat, Bivouac for expeand weighs approximately five modeled the design was this: The cording to the Journal, black ore ditions, scene of many councils. East Face: National Old Trail Road. pioneer mother with her children and mortar were used with epoxy tons. North Face: In Commemoration of “Big Timbers extending eastward The talented German artist was waiting for the father at their polymer that covers the statue and westward along the Arkansas River, approximately 20 miles east also provided much decora- blockhouse in the wild West, for from top to bottom, protecting it and of Bent’s New Fort, later Fort Wise,1852-1856. tive architectural sculpture for the father did not come home as from wind, rain and sun.
BY ROSEMARY FETTER
PAGE 8
sioned a major project to celebrate the courage of pioneer women who settled the West.
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 24 Years
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THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
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PAGE 10
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
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October 18- 31, 2016
THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 25 Years
PAGE 27