Opportunities still abound

I have to agree completely with Frank on the "state" of the websites of Wheeling Island and Mountaineer. Although, we STILL haven't made it to Mountaineer to play, since it is a little further north, it is obvious that they are attempting to embrace poker much more on their website. Then again, maybe it's not just poker, but more a fact that they place more value in their website, than does Wheeling Island. Slot machine play still seems to be the focus of their interest. Historically slot machines appeal to an older demographic. (Nobody better point out that I'll soon be hitting the BIG-40.) Poker on the other hand, with the recent online and tv explosion has become a game enjoyed by a MUCH younger crowd! Once upon a time, even many Las Vegas casinos only offered poker as a way of enticing couples in the door. Older men could sit down in a small poker room, with other older men, smoking bad cigars with horrendous comb-overs, and avoid the "one-armed-bandits." Their wives were actually the intended "targets" though. The ladies (blue hair and all) could then be fully engaged and uninterrupted at the slot machines. Fast forward now to today and roughly the past few years, and you will see an entirely different demographic. Younger and younger players are coming out in droves to casinos. Granted no "younger" than 21 (don't get me started on the tangent of they can go 1/2 way round the world and wage war over some ass-end of desert, but they can't be trusted or permitted in a casino, or gasp, don't let 'em drink either.) These young guns of poker are stoking the fire and casino traffic in general is heating up. And while the availability of the close to home option of playing poker at Wheeling or Chester is great, these will still NEVER replace the pilgrimage WEST to SIN CITY! Even when this month they open their other table games to entice the masses, and yes, you bet I'll be hitting them at some point, the thrill of VEGAS still remains to great to pass up.

Some of you have even asked if I'm concerned that with the opening of Wheeling and Chester and later Cross Lanes (Tri-State) poker rooms and sundry games, will actually hurt our home games. I don't think so at all. In fact, I think it will only add to the frenzy. The home tourneys and cash games that we continue to have, are VERY social events. And in a lot of cases present an entertainment option to a lot of us, particularly couples, that is much cheaper than any other entertainment available to us here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. I think more and more home games will be available for a long time to come, so don't worry about it. I'll keep the light on in the local card room, and keep the chips stacked up nice and neat for you all. This coming year, I will continue to host poker tournaments, but may actually be able to cut back on the number of times per year, that I personally host, and instead attend the games of others instead. More and more of you are hosting games thereby alleviating some of the "stresses" involved with putting a game together every other week, or month. Since Erik S is still hosting his tourneys and the oh so "juicy" cash games that's always an option. Frank has River's Edge Poker Club in full swing, JR (a.k.a. Smartass, Junior, or Uncle Jun) set off a Vegas grenade in his basement and boasts a helluva poker room now, don't forget the Yanok's game (although I can't elaborate since what happens there, stays there!) And for the more adventurous among you there are the IBEW games that Julie M can ALWAYS be counted on to give the scoop on, and when I can once again "afford" to wander in to the other game with Matt and his brother-in-law, I'll do so. Seriously though, the guy in for $1,500 that night still freaked me out a little!!! I really gotta improve my game! There are also the Moose games that are still going on, although I've never taken part there. Lundo, is still running his game, last I heard. And there are some other "beefy" below the radar games that I can point you to if you've got some deep pockets, and a hankerin' for a little sumpin' sumpin'. And I know that a number of you have other games that you attend with your "other" friends, whoever in the heck they are. You know the ones that you're willing to be seen with in daylight hours, as opposed to this pack of degenerates! We look better in a little less light, and a beer or twelve! Anyway, I've way over beleaguered a point I think I was trying to make. There's lots of poker to be played here in our hometown and surrounding area. A renewed poker boom is taking place at a lot of local levels, despite a possible reduction at the big name events and television tournaments. People have rediscovered the game. And not just hold 'em, which many believe will begin to take a backseat to Omaha, and the H.O.R.S.E. tournaments and ring games are gaining a lot of popularity, forcing mastery of a multiple of poker disciplines.

All I can really say is, that poker in it's many forms and venues, is Alive and Well, and will be that way for many moons to come. Hang on tight folks, this Merry-Go-Round is moving fast. I'll see MANY of you this weekend, and many more next. But for now, I gotta run off to Project Management Class, and be a good little government worker.

Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S. Countdown to Las Vegas... 44 Days, 10 Hours, 7 Minutes!!! We gotta look up the little Korean? dealer whose name was also Frank, and see if he actually did "...prolly ROOOOSSSE his job!"