Wheeling impromptu trip again

Startingly following last night's AMBUCS drawing that Big Red and I, along with Chris and Laura; our degenerate quartet jumped in the car and headed to... yup you guessed it... Wheeling! JR and Vince were already there (having called me much earlier, to rub it in and invite me along.) I don't know where the idea for us to go to Wheeling came from, but the decision was ultimately Big Red's to make. It probably wasn't the brightest thing I've ever done, but hey any day playing cards and a little casino gaming is just all too appealing.

It was going on midnight when we arrived in the Wheeling Island Poker Room. I was seated immediately, and waved my hellos to JR and Vince, who remarkably were not seated together, and I didn't catch either of their tables either. The room wasn't really all that busy either. Now, I did get to play with Chris at the table with me, so that was kind a nice to have a somewhat friendly face there with you. There were really only a couple of players with issues at the table, you know issues that I can spot and try to exploit! : ) The one, I never got involved with in the #6 seat. I think he tended to push a little hard but he was playing a lot of stuff. The other guy in the #7 seat however, I got involved with. He was first to act and simply called the $2 BB. I popped it to $10, and everyone but the #7 seat folded, he made the call. Now I popped it to take it down then and there... simply playing my position as I should, but in this case it wasn't a terrible hand. The flop came 3-K-3. I bet out $20, and I got a quick call, so there is concern in my mind now. But then the Turn fell a beautiful 9, giving me K's and 9's. As soon as it drops, the #7 seat makes this grossly exagerated motion like he's conducting a symphony orchestra and says "all of it!" I pause only briefly and tell him if you got the 3 I'm paying you and I'll congratulate you on your win. He's got me covered. I turn over my K-9, he shows K-10. So, yes he had me dead to rights and was trying to rope me in, but making the smooth call earlier. But I hit the card and had already decided what I was going to do before it came to that. At first a couple of the guys at the table miscalled the hand as a split, the dealer nodded agreement just like my opponent did, when the River Ace fell. I had to remind them I had Ks and 9s for the win. Yes, it was an ouch for him. And the pile headed my way. What was more interesting was to begin listening to the guy after that. He first criticized me to the girl beside him, saying he couldn't figure out how people who didn't know how to play could win like that. Then, for the next few hands, he couldn't get away from a hand to save his life. Tilt had arrived, and his stack began to dwindle, and finally got off the table. Not long after that I gave some of my stack to the guy beside me, when I raised with AJs in position and got him as a caller. I flopped TPTK with my Jack. I bet out he called, and then the board began to unfurl. We both check the turn, but the river came out filling in a potential straight. He wisely priced me in, with a small bet, which I had to call. He immediately told me that he'd sucked out and hit the straight. Not long after, the table broke up as players filtered their way out of the poker room.
I cashed out up around $30-ish, and headed up to look for Big Red. I played a few slot machines and then finally perched myself at a Three-Card poker table with my wife. She lost the last of her money and I was about to join her when I went on a run and hit two straights in a row, with the dealer qualifying. These paid out 6 to 1. A few other decent hands and I went from the brink of disaster to be up an additional $100.
Not long after that because my eyes were getting heavy, we cashed out and rounded up the herd and headed back home. Of course we had to make our obligatory stop at Denny's for breakfast. When I got home, I grabbed a couple hours sleep and then got up to go into work for patch maintenance on our servers. Thank goodness for coffee.

All in all, last night and early morning was a really good time. Of course I'm tired and it'll take a while to catch up on my sleep. I'm off tomorrow, so that'll help. Hope everyone's day goes well, oh and keep your fingers crossed for my daughter PLEASE. Cheerleader tryouts are today, and she's really busted her ass to try to make it. Just once let her have some luck of her own, and not the lousy kind that usually befalls me.

I'll see you all soon!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Wheeling Island Floor Manager Arrested!

The eye in the sky is always watching...
Michael DiTaranto found that out the hard way.
The article was posted in The Intelligencer/ Wheeling News-Register today: http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/506198.html

To paraphrase; Mr. DiTaranto (a Floor Manager at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack) got caught on video "allegedly" trying to swipe a few $500 chips (13 to be exact, for a $6,500 attempt.) In addition, the story goes on to give the history that the suspect attempted to get cooperation from a West Virginia Lottery Commission Official in the escapade. You can check out the article above by FRED CONNORS Staff Writer for all the juicy/pathetic details. It would appear from the article that the Lottery Official was in on the sting to apprehend Mr. DiTaranto. So, despite a bad incident... the WV Lottery Commission AND Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack are showing their ability to keep a handle on the illegal activity in the casino. Kudos to both!

It's sad when you see a patron of a casino try this...but even worse when it's an employee, and a floor manager no less. He was taken to Moundsville, WV's Northern Regional Jail and charged with grand larceny. Yeah, that's not gonna look good on the ole resume.

I know how oft times these little nuggets of information go unnoticed, so I wanted to make sure to give it a boost and share it with the rest of the blogosphere.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Shepherdstown simulation under way...

The ICONS simulation has begun. We met breifly prior to ending our afternoon session, and outlined some of our purposes. The scenario revolves around Shell Oil Company expanding its drilling operations in the African nation of Nigeria. In addition to Shell, the Nigerian government, Nigerian military, the Odoni people, The Women's Group Coalition, the International Monetary Fund, and Human Right Watch, my team and I are representing Greenpeace! See I told you this gathering was about tree hugging, and singin' kumbaya, didn't I!!! Okay, it's not as all bad as that.

I'm really please with the team that I'm working on and we will continue in this vein through the remainder of the week, in addition to the many other projects that are coming to fruition as the week draws to a close. I actually may get to finish up with this little training encounter on Thursday afternoon. That'd be cool, would get me home early and I might even get there, barring bad weather by the time LOST is coming on. Now would I actually make it in to work on Friday...hmmm...

Hope all is well on the other side of the "wild and wonderful." JR are you seeing to Big Red's needs? If you drink the last of the beer in the fridge, you damn well better restock!

Chris and Laura I really had a good time on Saturday. Dinner at Logan's was great and I know Teresa had a ball. And the slot machines certainly were hummin' that night. And you ladies were able to easily find the "Cash Out" button. How great is that!!!

Chris... Big Red mentioned "not" going to Wheeling Island after JR's but instead maybe just waiting until the next day, and leaving early. I think she's itchin' for some table game action West by god Virginia style!!! Let It Ride, 3 Card, BlackJack... oh yeah... I'm salivatin' myself.

I'm currently posting to the ole blog here in Rumsey Tavern, (the hotel bar.) I'm sampling the local hops and barley blends, courtesy of the Mountaineer Brewing Company. Just chilling out and unwinding from a long Monday. Although long... and at times exhausting I've enjoyed my time here in Shepherdstown, and I have to commend the training staff and their program. As much as I hate to admit it... I'm sure I'll be back for another round in the near future, since I can see the "+EV" in it. Are they turning me to the dark side? Only time will tell.

And with that...I'll bid you all a good evening, with a special shoutout to my simulated Greenpeace brethren in arms. Oh wait...we're non-violent, so it's just a shoutout. "All we are sayin'... is give TREES a chance!"

Regards,

cheer_dad

Friday uber-posting

At one point last evening, Big Red turned to me and asked, "...so are you winning?" My answer, "...uh no." Short and to the point. Those best laid plans, just ain't gonna pan out there people. Ah but it was fun to pretend. I'd like to be able to say that I've been distracted and too interested in winning and getting the $$$'s to head to Vegas with but I can't say that's been the problem. No really. I honestly can't blame it on... well... anything at all. It is what it is. I can't even particularly say that those others at the tables have been donks or sharks. I can't say that I've been playing badly or well either. In hindsight, I can't even pinpoint anything that I might or might not have done. Most of my reads have been very good, but unfortunately they've been reads which tell me that I'm beat! The reads which are most disturbing are those hands, when I start with an AK or AQ, and big PP, and I get a caller or so, just calling my bets, pre and post flop. All-too-often I've found these guys are "just" calling or "smooth" calling and they got or get the goods. I've had sense and the presence of mind to get away from it, but not without giving away good money on good cards all for naught. Also, lately it's been my experience that when I opt NOT to fire the third bullet on after the Turn card, and the guy to act after me, tosses out a pot or larger than life bet...he really does have it. I've been fortunate in the fact that I've normally had at least one other guy in the hand that invariably makes the call so I've been able to witness the slaughter, and have proof positive that I was in fact beat! Yes, it provides comfort to know that I'm not winning but I'm losing the RIGHT way. (interpret thick layer of sarcasm) I did contribute a bit of extra loss to the affair last night with another $10-spot to the evils of blackjack. Okay, I get it...it's a guilty pleasure. The ring games last night didn't do me any good. I did however hit 3rd in an el cheapo SNG. It was a miracle. I am mystified by how some people severely over value hands. I've watched bets and reraises out there by guys who you can just feel actually believe they have a great hand, and I get to watch from the sidelines as they get butchered. In most cases the hand that I already dropped was superior to the one they are out there gunnin' with...but I had the presence of mind to step away from it knowing that the NUTS hand is there just itchin' to felt me. I've avoided those traps. I've seen guys slow playin' their pocket aces, with 4 and 5 people in the pot. This just floors me. I've had my all-ins called down by J-8s type hands, and I sit in awe. Don't confuse awe for admiration!

I'd like to start shadowing some players at the tables. But picking the players is a bit of a mystery. I've wandered YouTube and found postings of extended virtual table cams, where a player is recording his own session to show how and what they are doing. One I thought was very interesting to say the least was Annette Obrestad's video of her playing a SNG with a post-it note covering her holecards from her own view (in the video you the viewer could see her holecards of course.) I watched her early on fold pocket Kings, unbeknownst to her at the time. She was playing primarily by position...to an extreme, regardless of her cards or stack. I had heard some on the forums attest to how well she played position and that this video was a testament to how important that is, and how truly great annette_15 really is. And while I admire Annette's accomplishments and continued success and repeatability, what I saw in the video was some monstrous good luck. I recall several KEY hands in which she used her position to raise big but should have been clobbered when pushed, but she sucked out! BAD! I'm not saying that we all don't do it from time to time, but man she was runnin' hot at the right times. Not all the time, but just at the right time.

I'm also struck by the fact that my play does typically allow me to win "a little." But NEVER "a lot." I know that's subjective, but here's what I mean. Sure I'm down a few bucks on PokerRewards, but I can drop back and hunker down and over time I'll rebuild back to where I was before. But I'll approach and reach a glass ceiling. And then it'll begin to drop off again. My online and offline sessions are typically punctuated by SLOW starts. No cards, early on, blinding off and giving away 1/4 to 1/2 of my stack in blinds and bets on my good cards, but not connecting. Then I'll hit something...that'll JUST get me back up, just shy of where I started out and I'll just kind of tread water at the table. I never hit big. I never weight my end of the table down with a copious amount of chips. Baby Steps...lotsa baby steps, but never a big or medium profitable run. Reading some guys out there routinely 8-12 tabling at $.50/$1.00 or $1/$2 NLHE tables and turning up profitable sessions nearly all of the time. Now you KNOW 8-12 tabling they're not paying an enormous amount of attention to any one table or any specific players, or taking meaningful notes. They're playing "by the numbers" poker. And I think many of you would classify MY GAME as such. Not a lot of bluffs, very few hands, played, usually no more that 30-35% played preflop, which I don't think anyone would argue that is too many or few, but is probably about right. As of late however, my showdown wins have been under 60%. I would think that number needs to be A LOT higher. Getting rivered, sucked out on, blahblahblah, accounts for some of it, but I would think I need to be closer to around 80+% win rate at showdown. So there's a hole in there somewhere, I just gotta find it. I don't think I'm taking mediocre holdings too far, but it is possible and I'll have to admit it. I need to be tracking progress better. I really do need to get Poker Tracker or some equivalent up and cranking in a useful fashion. Rather than speculation, I need some cold hard facts to point to. So that'll be my next goal on the road to Pokerdom. I need better notes and session tracking information to look back to. I need to pick a style and stick to it exclusively! No mish mash of my method, as it usually just frustrates no one but me.

I also need to pick my poison. Ring Games and levels, SNG's or MTT's.
I need to get some money out on Full Tilt Poker, because I'd really like to try my hand at the Mookie tourneys and some of the other blogger goodness tournements that I keep reading about. Some of my favorite bloggers that I read daily are playing there, and I think I should give that room a shot again. : ) I didn't do so well there once upon a time, but then again it was a very long time ago AND I risked more than a fair share with a really good hand that encountered the nuts and sent me to the rail. At the time I had money on a lot of different sites and I just opted to slink away to one of them instead of redepositing. It made more sense, and it seemed to me that if I'd deposited again, I'd feel like I was playing from behind and I'd be trying too hard and ultimately I'd give way to the forces of TILT! So there was a thought process...and maybe I'm not as all ZEN as all that, but I was at least trying to control my heart beat and rate of breathing, so at least give me the "A" for effort people. Speaking of Zen, I'm currently reading "Zen and the Art of Poker" by Larry Phillips. I know...weirdo, geek, card playerey type shtuff. I'll probably finish it and something else while I'm in Shepherdstown, WV for the next couple of weeks for training. Incidentally, I'm STILL mad at you voters in Jefferson County for not approving "table gaming" at Charles Town Races and Slots, which I'll be within 15 minutes of for this trip. You know where I'd have been every night after class don't you! My prediction in like 3-ish years that you'll be reversing this decision and rolling in the tables and chips. But you know you'll have to wait the full 4 years before putting it back on the ballot now, don't cha! : ) That wasn't a very Zen thing to say now was it! : P

But enough about poker... (pant, pant)

The other topic I wanted to at least give "some" attention to is the SEASON FOUR PREMIERE of LOST!!! Wahoo!!! At least the next 8 episode installments that the writers have decided to grace us with in this mid season/year time to be releasing a series on tv. Whatever it is, I for one am EXTREMEMLY grateful! As always there were more questions than answers in this episode. So much to continue wondering (obsessing about.) The Oceanic 6, Jacob, Charlie, Daniel Faraday, Christian, and a new mystery Matthew Abbadon! I loved the intermingled Oceanic Airlines commercials! THIS is what TV should be! I won't try to cover it for anyone in depth. If you haven't watched it, that's your own fault, go rent it starting from Season 1 and get caught up. For those of you who are avid fans, you know I could spend days out here writing and theorizing about what all is going on on the show. Instead, I'll point you to http://losteastereggs.blogspot.com/ or the homepage proper for it http://darkufo.blogspot.com/. This is a blog/site that I thoroughly enjoy. Visitor participation is great and the Hi Rez screencaptures are fantastic. These guys are workin' hard. Thanks for feeding the addiction and keep up the good work!

And oh there's JR's email announcing NDPT Tourney #2 of the year! February 16th at 6:00pm, this time at his house. I've responded...how about YOU!!!

I've got to wrap this up now...got a few loose ends to deal with before leaving!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Casino gaming articles from The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register

A couple of articles in The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register that I missed regarding table gaming and associated tourism. The first: http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503740.html discusses the award of grant money to "local tourism hot spots" including Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, in addition to Oglebay Park and the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau. Of the $766,073 being awarded in Wheeling, the Wheeling Island casino will receive $145,587. This grant package in Wheeling is part of a larger $5.1 million funding being handed out by the West Virginia Tourism Commission. The goal is to target more tourism to the various destinations within the state. Trying to turn "day-trippers into overnight visitors," is one of the major goals of floating money into this advertising effort. In any case, the grants awarded are matching funds, so it is clear that double the capital will be utilized in attracting tourism.

The second article: http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503958.html discusses West Virginia tracks getting table gaming...well yeah, we know. However it does further outline, that one of the cornerstone arguments employed by officials to bring casino gaming to the Mountain State (at least in the Northern Panhandle was the creation of jobs and battling the competition presented to video lottery gambling, as the Pennsylvania General Assembly moved to allow the machines in Pennsylvania as well, cutting into that WV market. Well the argument did in fact work, and Chester and Wheeling have both enjoyed an incredible shot in the arm as far as increased revenues AND new jobs. Wheeling Island, according to the article, has created 500 new jobs and Mountaineer has added 725 new jobs, following the opening of casino style table games at each of the locations.

Check out the articles for yourself...I don't want to steal the thunder of the original writers Shelley Hanson and Joselyn King. They did all the leg work and deserve the credit. I think it's even more interesting to read through the list of comments following each of the articles. Not everyone supports the state's "gambling ways, and are letting their voices be heard. Regardless of the opinions the state is beneficiary to the gambling revenues to the tune of 35% of the profits. Not to mention, the initial $1.5 Million table game licensing fee, which when renewed the following year will increase its price tag to $2.5 Million.

Dollars and cents of this magnitude cannot be ignored!
The boost to a struggling West Virginia economy is much needed!

Regards,

cheer_dad

No love for cheer_dad : (

Well, the Yanok tournament is over and there was no love for cheer_dad. The poker gods spit in my general direction! I can't say completely card dead, but very card inconvenient. I was folded to in the Big Blind once with pocket aces, without even seeing a flop! I got clobbered with Big Slick, even when I hit my King. My opponent rivered a backdoor flush on me. I had pocket 7's once and flopped K-K-7! and everyone checked to me, and I bet out a measly $5 and all 4 folded to me. Later again with pocket 7's with 3 people in, flop comes all low (highest 8) and of course someone had it. In all of these cases, I never lost a great deal, just "enough." I simply watched my stack dwindle away. The only 2 short stacks at our table were able to effectively snipe chips away, when folks were mildly interested, by pushing all in. You knew they had nothing, but your nothing was smaller than theirs. Hey, it happens. I can't really fault my play with "maybe" the exception of the Big Slick example above. I could have saved $45 there I suppose. Also, late in the tournament, when I had pocket 8's in the small blind, it was raised and reraised before it got back to me, the reraise was an all in by Julie M. Scott B was the original raiser. I mucked to get away from the coin flip (a call would have put me all in.) In hindsight, I would have taken it down, but I thought I might get a better opportunity. The original raise was by Scott with a pair of ducks. Julie, of course never to be trifled with had A-Q. She did not improve and the ducks waddled away with it. My snowmen would have been good after all. Sally was right for slapping me in the back there. : ) But then again, I'm in to the pain thing! The blinds skyrocketed soon, and I ended up getting it all in with A-9 suited. Jenny hit a Jack with her K-Jos, and the rest is history. Cheer_dad became the bubble boy! On a positive side, Big Red played well, and managed to profit at the other table, early on, and came to the final table with a good stack. She was able to take down the #4 spot and $70, yes she went out right after me! I guess I took one for the team huh. (Yeah, that makes it feel SOOOO much better. ) Chris S took 3rd, Jenny 2nd, and congratulations to Scott B for taking down the top spot! His pocket 4's turned into a monster against Jenny, when 4 CLUBS showed up on the board, and he was the only one who had another. I enjoyed it...despite being a big loser. It happens. It was good to get together with good friends. I'm sure we'll all do it again real soon. Even Frank, Julie, JR, Nikki, and Sally came over to spend time with us, despite the fact that they weren't playing. I guess they just can't get enough!

Tonight we're heading over to the Wolfe's for dinner and games, no poker this time. I'm thinking Scattergories, charades, and pictionary. It's prolly not going to be a naked twister kinda night! : ) (OOh look how bendy!)

Heard last night from Brian Y that he played and lost in Wheeling yesterday at the blackjack and craps tables. He didn't care for the continuous shuffle blackjack and did I hear correctly that the minimum bet was $25 at the blackjack table!!! Recall casino operations that this IS West Virginia, sheesh!!! Maybe it's just because it's all so new. I didn't expect $5 tables, but hmmm $25 minimums rivals some of the upper crust Las Vegas casinos in minimums.

Time to go get motivated.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Opening Day

The Wheeling Intelligencer has the following two articles detailing the opening of table games at both of the northern panhandle casinos.
Chester http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503642.html?nav=515
Wheeling http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503641.html?nav=515
Sounds like both casinos are off to a great start with their table games.

I want to go up to see it all (especially Chester) but I just don't know when that's going to happen seeing as things are so busy with the Holiday Season, the kids, and a few big home poker games to be played in a short amount of a remaining hear. Then, not long after that, in 29 Days, 2 Hours, 36 Minutes...we're headed to VEGAS! So, who knows when I'll make it North.

The day's almost DONE!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Wheeling Island website, checkup from work...

Quick note, checking the Wheeling Island website today from work...the screenshot I posted from home late last night is current, and is NOW showing at work (through the proxy) as well. SOOO, what's it all mean? Either work sucks, which we all knew already, or in fact the web admins for the casino to the north, were in fact working whilst in production. No-No boys...bad form.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Wheeling Island website!?

I visited the Wheeling Island website yesterday, to see if there were any news to be found. There was something new, but it wasn't good. Their website is "new." I cannot say improved, and honestly it would not have been hard to improve upon it. I actually crossed my fingers and hoped they were "in the process" of updating it when I visited, but finding it again in this state I'm guessing the powers that be in charge of advertising at Wheeling Island are content with it as a finished product. I decided to echo Frank's comments and email my comments to them as well, I hope it makes an impact, and soon. Here are my comments, and I hope they do NOT go unheard:

What have you done to your website!?! The redesign, if that's what it is, doesn't even have your name at the top of the home page. The old site was amateurish, at best, but at least it had the basic elements of a web presence. Please tell me that the web designers are NOT doing a redesign while in production...if so you should fire them now. With the enormous advertising campaign that Wheeling Island is currently involved in (what with advertisements in CardPlayer and Bluff Magazines, billboards, radio and television commercials) it should be realized that you are doing yourself a disservice with your website. A number of my friends, colleagues, and fellow bloggers continue to track the progress and experience of the newly opened poker room at Wheeling Island, and as well will continue to report on our blogs as the additional table games are formally opened next week, BUT your website definitely needs an overhaul!

Regards,

cheer_dad

http://ndebtpokertour.blogspot.com/

Some stuff and a word of the day

I'm glad to see that my buddy Frank has been following the "state" of poker in the "state" of West Virginia so well. I haven't been in much of a blogging mood lately, much less in an investigative reporter mood. Although I do and accomplish nothing, I seem to have very little energy or oomph lately. To say that I have a waning interest in life, would seem to put it a little harshly! Eh...but if the shoe fits, put the other one on. Anyway, I am still a bit surprised that Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center has not even applied for a gaming license to permit table games at the facility. Poor choice if you ask me. They could use the ramped up revenue to help or completely finance their "pie-in-the-sky" expansion plans. Meanwhile Wheeling and Chester will move forward with their table games plans, and possible expansion. Sooner or later surrounding states will jump on the bandwagon in some way to stave their residents from crossing the border to the Mountain State, to slough off their hard earned dollars. Instead keeping it for themselves to fill the governmental coffers. How is it that something that appears so sensible, from a business perspective, could elude the powers that be of the Tri-State facility?

In other news, it seems that JR got the last laugh on the Murray's and the Wolfe's on Saturday night. During the WVU game/cluster-frack Frank texted JR to see how the date was going, and throughout the evening we were entertained with replies, stating that the date ended early during dinner, and he opted to head instead for the $1/$2 NLHE table in Wheeling. Laughter (and a little jealously ensued!) Turns out, that the date continued, and he parted ways with said maiden in the neighborhood of 1:30 in the AM. So, he didn't get any poker in after all, or at least any that involved a deck of cards! : ) Sorry, lady...don't know you yet, so I can continue to talk trash!

It is bitter cold and windy outside. The morning's walk from the truck to the building was enough to bring tears to the eyes and left you gasping for breath. BRRR! I hate the cold, hate the Winter, hate having those clearly defined 4 seasons. I'd be much happier with, oh say ONE!!! I wonder if I can retire to someplace tropical, or very warm?

Oh and finally, my word for the day is DONKTARD! After reading it on the AnteUp Blog, I got a good chuckle and found that it is VERY fitting of a number of the players I've encountered recently at Wheeling Island's poker room. You should be able to mop up with them, but as is pointed out at AnteUp, too many of them at a table can be a VERY dangerous thing. You can't bluff a donktard. You need powerful, if not nuts hands to take it down, but the suckouts can be severe.

There's a lot of poker coming up in the the next few weeks, the Yanok's, JR's, Mine, and a couple of year-end games yet to be scheduled. Then maybe a short, well-deserved break before a big contingency of us head of to the land of lights in the desert (Las Vegas.) ETA is 47 Days, 3 Hours, 10 Minutes, according to the iGoogle gadget I've got in place. Rest up...save your pennies gang, it's going to be one heckuva ride! See you all soon.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Another baby step online, and WVU sucks!

After WVU's dismal failure during last nights game, the family and I returned from the Wolfe's. I won't even go into detail about the game it irritated me so much. I logged on briefly to Poker Rewards to play just a few hands. A few is all that I did. But for a good reason! After about a 1/2 round of play, I look down at rockets! The table has moved slow thus far, so I opted just to make it 2X the BB. I get only 1 caller. The flop is 2-2-5. I bet the pot. Lone caller just calls. The turn is an 8. I bet 1/2 pot. Lone caller again, just calls. Now before you go, yeah those'll get you every time, you shoulda dropped the bullets, let me tell you the river card. Another ACE!!! Only one hand in the deck can kill me now. Normally I would accept your pity, but not this time. I bet pot again, for all my marbles. He CALLS! I show...and he MUCKS!!! I make $18.xx in less than 10 minutes of play. Big Red says it's time for bed...sounds like a good idea, I'll quit while I'm ahead. Have $133.xx on that site now.

Only other thing I'm interested in, is finding out what brought JR's date to an end last night. BUT on the positive side, it sounded like he was having a great run at the $1/$2 NLHE table! Apparently everyone but of course him, was interested in the WVU vs Pitt game. Gotta run.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Wheeling again...

I guess I never got back around to posting anything about Friday evening's antics in Wheeling by "da boys." But we did head north, and the cards were in the air. We made good time on the trip up, despite the traffic. The bad part was that it took us nearly 3 hours to actually get seated at a poker table! The place was packed. There were over 100 names on the list for 1-2 NLHE. I put my name in for 1-2 and on the 2-4 Limit. I got seated first at the 2-4 table...and stayed there for the duration. Of course while we waited we tried to play the doggies. It didn't work out for any of us really. Seemed like every dog we picked ended up going wide in a turn, or getting bumped. Oh well... Cooler in JR's truck had plenty of beer in it, and I had brought the Jack Daniels along. When we did get to the tables, Frank and I ended up at the same table, side by side. We started having a good time, just joking around with each other and the dealers and other players. The more we did...the better the cards seemed to come. I had a great run...and was having a great time. I hit several flushes and straights, and flopped boat once as well, oh wait sorry Frank that was against you. : ) I made around $120 for my time at the tables. Not bad for under 4 hours at the tables. It was around 9:00 when we got to the tables, and we started to head for home around 1:00am. All in all a good time was had by all.



I do have to tell a bit of a story on this guy...
I wish I had a better picture of this guy, who I nicknamed "pimp-daddy." He made the trip worth it to me. It seems like there's always one punk-ass-fool in the room. And brother it was him! His matching hat and shirt, were black and "shiny" silver. So shiny that every time Frank tried to take his picture with his phone, he was just a big blur in the middle of the image. Cheesy little goatie, lots of jewelry. The gold rope necklace with the medallion really set off the ensemble. I got a lot of laughs over him. When we sat down at the table next to him, he caught my eye right away. He had a big chip stack, but as Frank and I observed throughout the evening it continued to dwindle. He was always trying to get people to join his table, and was always talking loudly early on. He finally lost it all, and I'm sure that table was sad to see their lil cash cow go away.

On the way home we stopped at Denny's for a late night breakfast. That was a great choice, nothing like a little grease to polish off the evening of drinking and gambling. I wandered in the house after 4:00am, and headed to bed. Thanks to all who went along JR, Chris, Steve, and Frank. We'll do it again sometime soon. We've got to agree in advance at least once to head further north to Chester next time, and check out that other room.

I've written enough for one evening, but I promise tomorrow to cover the antics from last night. Birthday gathering for Big Red and Angie at the Eagles and the BPD band JINX was playing there as well. More good times, but that's for the next post.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Here we go again...

Once more into the abyss. Imagine that, it's Friday, we're guys, there's a poker room in Wheeling. You do the friggin' math. There's a support group for this sickness I just know it. It's JR's fault, in truth, and Frank too! Don't know how or why, but it is. Live with it! That's right JR, Frank, Steve, Chris, and yes me too, are all headed to Wheeling tonight, to see if we can't donate some time and money to the greater poker good. I STILL hate this friggin' game. But then again, what else am I gonna do. Right? I'm off at 3:30, gotta rush home, quick change, take some meds, say hey to the kids, get MOM out the door. Haul ass over to Chris', pick up a bottle of Jack, drive to JR's pile in with the rest of the degenerate gamblers...and head off to swim with the fishes, and the occasional shark. One of these days, we'll make Chester, I swear. Really! I Promise! Please?! Oh enough already. I'm already getting psyched up. I've also already filled out my racing form, for the doggies too. Yup, all 17 races! I've got right at 30 minutes to go, and yet another road trip from hell will be under way.

Lady Luck beckons me once again to dive deep into the abyss. CANNONBALL!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Still sick, Bodog, and Gus for good measure

Will this cold EVER go away? I've been hacking and snotting now for a couple of weeks. Meds just aren't cutting through it completely. I'm much better...it's moved (for the most part) out of my lungs and chest, but this upper respiratory thing is a real problem. I feel like I'm always snorting something just to draw fresh breath.

We're zeroing in on Turkey Day! Let the overeating and bloated slumber begin! I know we're heading to mom and dad's, and eventually we'll end up at Kathy's as well. You can't just eat one turkey after all! : )

Just got a Sametime from JR, saying that he's going to Wheeling again tonight with Mr. Yanok! He's running the kids up north to see family, and wanted to throw in a night of poker to boot! JR, of course being the degenerate gambler is headed off for another whirlwind poker-palooza. No, I'm not jealous... (friggin' no good son of...) Okay, just a little! Hope they both enjoy the trip, and tear up the tables! Remember boys, some people will chase a flush off a friggin' cliff!!! So, make sure there's something in the water below them...like a BOAT! Don't know when I'll get a chance to go up again. Don't know when I'l get a chance to go and actually come back with more money than I left with. Wouldn't THAT be nice.

In other news, playing briefly last night on Bodog got me back up to $181.06! Accidentally called a small stacks all-in, with the touchpad on my laptop. He got another caller as well. It was a good thing for me the original raiser was short stacked, because before it was all said and done I got it all-in with the other guy and came out on top. The original raiser got to take his smaller win though, since he made QUAD JACKS! I flopped a set of 8's, but he had already flopped a set of Jacks. The other guy in the hand, was on the flush draw, which he hit, BUT I as well, made a boat with the very same card! I love it when a plan comes together! Kind glad I called by accident now...especially since it brought me out of a hole on that table. The other table was doing fine as well. It felt good to breach the 180 mark again. Now, I'm setting sites on the magical $200. That's always been a problematic peak to climb. Don't know why, just is...just need to play good, solid poker, and never look back. Then let you next goals be only in increments of $100 marks! Just a little bit at a time. Enjoy the ride.

I read over at http://www.pokerlistings.com/gus-hansens-crazy-streak-up-17-million-20468 that Gus Hansen is back to his winning ways, to the tune of 1.75 Million. According to the write up a lot of it was at the expense of Patrik Antonius. Sorry Big Red, he's gonna need a shoulder to cry on. I'm sure you'll be there for him. But this article got me to thinking that maybe I should start watching a little more of the online play that goes on amongst the pros, and the fish on which they prey. It all might give me some new insight, of course it might also make me a little sick to watch those kinds of dollars being shoved from stack to stack. OH look there goes my house...oh and the truck, and my future pension. This is a reason I'll never make it to the upper echelons of poker. My feet are much to planted on this Earth! Anyway, congratulations, GO GUS!!! I've always liked his WILD style of play, since seeing him for the first time on the WPT. Don't think I could emulate it, by any means. Like to...can't!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Sum up the weekend

Friday after going to see Saw IV, we opted to go play some cards at Shuman's. I know, oh how romantic on our anniversary, but hey after 16 years, you kinda just like hangin' out together and you've developed similar likes and dislikes. And well...we "likes" poker. I lost about $25, not from anything completely reckless, just lotsa nothing cards. I'm still MOST proud of the read I got on Kima. Like I said before, my cash cow! He tried to bluff/steal a pot with a $5 river bet. I made the call with my 7-8os. Which gave me only 2nd or 3rd pair, with a craptacular kicker. To put it simply he had an 8 as well with a 3, for an even worse kicker than even I had. That was between a $15-20 pot to drag over. But I just couldn't get involved with just Kima enough, and so the night trudged on. No harm no foul. We left in the neighborhood of 3:00am. Good night, good times. The following evening we found ourselves childless AGAIN. Cole stayed with my parents again for the night, and Whitney spent the night w/JoJo. We had Jeff and Michele's reception to go to, and pounded down a few Jim Beam, Crown, and beer type drinks, and then made a call or so, and found that JR was hosting some of his family playing cards that night. I guess we were close enough so away we go again. Finally, I had a good night at poker. Let me say it again... I had a good night at poker. I actually dragged more than the occaisional pot. I think I made like $45 bucks. I had some decent hands which held up, including Kings once. More often than not, what I was getting absolutely paid on was the oddball hands. K-3s paid off when the flop came 3-3-K. WOW!!! You really can't go wrong very many ways there. Yes, I know there are some, but hey, flop that boat...you ride it out to sea. I didn't even get to show it despite making tiny bets. Anyway, yet another good night playing cards. I think Frank was correct in a way. I wasn't having much fun, as of late. BUT, then again poker is a lot more fun when you're winning. Sometimes, however, despite your best efforts, you will come out on the short end of things. But not Saturday night anyway. : )

The following day was a rest and recuperate kind of day. I skipped the weekend and didn't run or walk on either Saturday or Sunday. But today, as soon as I dragged myself out of bed, I headed immediately for the treadmill, and did my half hour of run/walk. Listened to another podcast, just can't seem to get enough. More discussion of the Absolute Poker debacle. After showering, Cole and I headed for Wally World, for the week's provisions.

I wanted to get in a post, so I guess I've got that accomplished now, I guess I took a blog break for the weekend as well. But it's back to business now. Poker will be played AGAIN this weekend at the Wolfe house, and yes of course Big Red and I will attend. I don't think we could keep those two ladies apart anyway. Go Red Snappers!

I did hear discussion again about heading north to Wheeling and/or Chester for our upcoming long weekend, for Veteran's Day. Let the debauchery begin. Cross your fingers.

Regards,

cheer_dad

carpe viam :-)

Dreary day...but despite this fact, I managed to get in my walk up Market Street at lunch. I haven't posted much about this BUT I've actually been giving an honest effort at trying to get "active" again. Decided to work up slowly for a while and walk, instead of jumping right back into the running thing, and frustrating myself. Ticker might have given out on me...and I thought I should spare the world from that much blubber flappin' in the breeze. I read a while back that one of the Bloggers I read frequently was none too pleased with the body staring back at him in the mirror, and was going to get back on a diet and lifestyle change. I started to post a comment to his blog, wishing him well, and tell him we were pulling for him, but then I thought...his decision (like mine) is a very personal one. You're not doing it for anyone but yourself. It's the one time that it might be okay to be selfish. It's yours and no one can force it on you, or want it enough for you. So, I stayed out of it. I didn't even bother to tell him that I've been walking for about the past 3+ weeks. Honest. Around 3-4 times a week, when I started. No it's nearly every work day. AND now in the past week or so, I've also added in a treadmill walk/run for around 30 minutes. I'm working my way back up to where I'll easily be able to run that first mile without being winded, or in pain. I gotta stick to this. Lotsa reasons. I think the mysterious abdominal pain I had a while back was due to carrying around too much tonnage. My cholesterol is still high, despite medication, and the doc already told me that my cholesterol levels were "directly" tied to my weight, and that yes that sucks, but it does empower me to at least do something about it. I just needed to stop living a sedentary life, and get up and fargin' MOVE! I've seen that same type of comment from some of the pro poker players as well. You have to work at your own physical and mental well-being in the same fashion that you would work on your poker game. So, I've been trying to do something about it. I've made some "small" modifications to my diet, trying to limit the overindulgence, but I'll admit, that I still occasionally dive into a little junk food. Sadly, when I used to run ALL the time, so many years ago, I ate just about whatever I wanted. I was burning off the calories quickly and easily. I want that body back again. I want to fell that "good" again. Why did I stop? Life... I don't know, I wish I had an answer. Now I have the "privilege" of going through the long and arduous struggle of getting back to where I was. Feels like a back at zero proposition. I'm also convincing myself that efforts in this physical fitness realm are going to have a very real and profound affect on my poker game. I'll become more happy, more confident, eager and aggressive, or so I'm telling myself at least. I may be fooling myself BUT as with other tricks we play on ourselves, it just might work. Sometimes when you feel lucky, or your confidence level is high, a great many good things happen. I'm tired of moping around about the weight...and for that matter my run of cold cards. It's time to take the bull by the horns. It's time for me to get off my "fat" ass and get moving again. In keeping with the motto of the Dead Runner's Society of which I spent a great deal of time reading and discussing a passion for running it's time to:



-translation from the Latin: 'Seize the Road!' or specifically 'Seize the Way!'





Words to live by, at least for a runner. I wish I'd never lost the passion for the thing. I'm hoping I can get it all back. I think it is absolutely essential at this point to my mental and physical well being. No need to comment, this is about me, for me, and not for any of you. I've gotta do this thing. It's not only going to be healthy for me, but it may lift the "brain-cloud." Now how many of you know what that means? Where it came from? Hell I think I may have even mentioned it one other time, in a past blog post.

Enough about my turning over a new fitness leaf...on to other things.

A few more articles in the press regarding poker in WV:

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Business/2007102213
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/501292.html

High points (quotes) from these articles:

"Seats in the poker rooms were filled to capacity until at least 5 a.m. Sunday, and even then the rooms remained largely filled, officials said."

"He added that from an operations standpoint, the opening went 'very well.'"

"Neither Marshall nor Mountaineer track officials would say just how much revenue was taken in over the weekend, but West Virginia’s state coffers are awaiting their take."

"The tracks are responsible for paying the state taxes equaling 35 percent of their gross revenue."

“Even during our very busy opening this weekend, guests only experienced a 45-minute wait time," he said. “We are confident players will be able to be accommodated throughout the gaming day at Wheeling Island.”

I wish them all luck, in continued successful operations. May my well wishing, contribute to the "karmic-well" and some of the will flow back to me in spades, or aces, or just some nice friggin' starting hands!

Enough uber posting for the day.

Regards,

cheer_dad

WV, really open for business (poker that is)

Two articles below speak more about the coming of table games (particularly POKER) and 24/7 operations in West Virginia casinos. I copied them here, in there entirety for the proxy challenged:

http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007101128

The Charleston Gazette

October 12, 2007

24/7 racetrack operation OK’d
By Phil Kabler Staff writer
With Thursday’s unanimous vote of the Lottery Commission, the state’s four racetracks can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
However, it could be days, perhaps weeks, before track employees and Lottery personnel are ready to do that, Lottery Director John Musgrave said.
“We have to make sure that they’re ready, and we have to make sure we’re ready, and that everyone is licensed who’s going to work the floor,” he said.
- advertisement -State Racing Association President John Cavacini said Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester and Wheeling Island Racetrack and Racing Center hope to test the waters with charity table games early next week.
Those test-runs would use tokens or play money instead of chips, and could help determine whether new table game employees at the tracks — as well as on-site Lottery personnel — are sufficiently trained and prepared.
The charity games would also let the tracks and Lottery make sure that surveillance cameras and other security measures work properly.
“Whether that happens Monday or Tuesday will depend on whether we’re ready and they’re ready,” Musgrave said of a test-run.
Commissioners Thursday also approved 292 pages of rules of play and standards of accounting and internal controls for table games — effectively, the Lottery’s handbook for supervising and regulating table games.
The rules cover everything from the proper manner for dealers to cut and shuffle cards to procedures for track personnel to report suspicious activity within the casino areas.
They also included detailed rules of play for seven-card stud poker, hold-’em poker, Omaha poker, five-card draw, five-card stud, three-card poker, four-card poker, pai gow poker, blackjack, craps and mini-craps, roulette, Big Six wheel, Let It Ride poker, Caribbean Stud poker and baccarat. Musgrave said the voluminous rules and regulations were prepared with the assistance of Spectrum Gaming, the international gaming consulting firm hired by the Lottery in August.
He said that once table gaming begins, the tracks will ease into daily operations. The tracks will begin with player-versus-player games such as hold-’em, before initiating games where the players play against the house, such as blackjack.
Eventually, the tracks will expand into more difficult games to supervise, such as craps and roulette.
- advertisement -While Thursday’s vote technically also applies to video lottery, Musgrave said it is likely to be six weeks or more before the Lottery has the technology in place to operate the video slot machines 24 hours a day.
The central computer system that operates the more than 12,000 machines at the tracks has to shut down the machines for about three hours each day to download and tabulate data, he said.
New software on order that would allow 24/7 video slot operations is being tested by the Lottery’s consulting firm, Gaming Labs International. The software will get additional in-house testing, Musgrave said.
“We would want to test it for several weeks to make sure it operates properly on our system,” he said.
Procedurally, the Lottery Commission would have to vote to approve the new software before it could go into use.
The 24/7 operation approved Thursday also applies to Charles Town Races and Slots, the only West Virginia track where county voters rejected table games.
To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.

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http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/501046.html?nav=515&actionAlert=emailcontent

The Intelligencer/ Wheeling News-Register
POSTED: October 16, 2007

Tracks Deal Cards - Charity Poker Games Held at Casinos
By JOSELYN KING
WHEELING — He lives close to The Meadows, but Scott McKinnen of Washington, Pa., made the 35-mile drive Monday to Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center for a few hands of poker.
The racetrack opened the doors to its smoke-free poker room Monday for a charity event that benefited local organizations and served as a dry run training session for dealers and table gambling personnel. A second event is set for 4-8 p.m. today.
If all goes well, poker games for money will start at 10 a.m. Friday, according to Robert Marshall, president and general manager at the track. The track is to open at 7 a.m. that day and to remain open around the clock.
Similar games to benefit charity were held Monday and continue today at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester.
McKinnen was one of the first in line at Wheeling Island on Monday and said he came to the track “just to see what was going on.” He added he has been to The Meadows racetrack and video slot machine casino “a couple of times.”
“They don’t have table games,” McKinnen said. “I’m not much of a machine player.
“If The Meadows gets table gambling, I probably will go there,” he added. “It’s closer. But I’d still come down here once in a while.”
Though the dry run opening wasn’t widely publicized, visitors from Blacksburg, Va., and Canton, Ohio, were among the first to sit down at the Island gambling tables.
‘‘We learned about it just by chance,’’ said Julie Hoffman of Canton, who came with a friend. ‘‘We wanted to see the room.’’
Letha Penyak of Powhatan Point said it was curiosity that brought her out for the poker games, while Eric Knierim said the charity aspect was a major reason he came.
“It’s also a lot of fun,’’ Knierim added, saying he ‘‘absolutely’’ would be returning for more poker games at the track.
Proceeds from the poker events are to benefit the Wheeling Island WISH Foundation, Family Services Upper Ohio Valley, Wheeling Health Right, YWCA, The United Way-Upper Ohio Valley and the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling.
Patrons are being asked to contribute $20. In return, they receive $100 in poker chips. Refreshments are provided to them, and their name is entered into a drawing for a door prize.
There are 20 tables in the poker room, and each can seat up to 10 players. This means as many as 200 can be at the poker tables at any given time.
And when the games officially start Friday, they will be non-stop, according to Marshall. Current plans call for the track to open at 7 a.m. Friday and to remain open 24 hours a day.
There will be daily poker tournaments at the track, and it will be a stop on the World Series of Poker Tour beginning Jan. 6.
“We’re not sure if we’ll have television coverage here, but we’d like to have it,” Marshall said. “They start with local tournaments, then it moves on to regionals.”
The poker room is on the lower level at the track, near the non-smoking area for slot machines and the new Jim Beam Sports Grill. Smoking is prohibited in the poker room, which is common in poker rooms in the United States, according to Marshall.
When roulette and blackjack games begin at the track in the coming months, these will be on the upper level of the track in the smoking areas. Smoking will be allowed at those tables, Marshall added.

Photos by Scott McCloskeyPatria Bledsoe of Wheeling, a new card dealer employee at the Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center, deals during the first poker games at the track Monday night. The racetrack opened the doors to its poker room for a charity event that served as practice for its dealers and table gambling personnel, and a similar event is to happen from 4-8 p.m. today. The track is slated to open for actual poker play for money on Friday morning.

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That's right boys and girls...it could be as early as this FRIDAY, October 19th, that the poker room in Wheeling will be in FULL swing. See you all there real soon, as a matter of fact, "some" of us may be headed up on Veteran's Day weekend.

In the meantime, however, there's a game to be played at the Yanok's on Friday...and at my house on Saturday.

Regards,

cheer_dad

3 Topics Foremost in my Mind

There are three topics which are foremost in my mind. And not in chronological order here they are:

1. Did you SEE the Sopranos Series Finale???! I was glued to the TV to witness the end of a series which I've looked forward to for more Sunday nights than I can even remember. I love mob movies, stories, books, you name it. Last night though, sort of shattered that for me. I watched every second, felt the tension mount through the hour. I saw Meadow and AJ start to get their acts together, sorta. I saw Tony visit Uncle Junior, and affirm to himself that he was gone. His mind was gone. The mafia and all memory of it was gone. Tony in a way made peace with it all. I watched Phil Leotardo get whacked...and go out with a bang, and worse still a ROLL! EWWW, squish! Then as it all built to climax. The diner interior, Meadow parking the car...the uneasy hurried glances of the guy at the counter, the pounding beat of Journey's " Don't Stop Believin'" the door to the diner opens as Meadow enters and then...FADE TO BLACK {extended pause} roll credits...end an era. The series sleeps with the fishes. Ouch...my mouth dropped open, Big Red was convinced the cable went out or that I'd accidently hit the remote, but then when the credits started to roll, her eyes got as wide as mine! Wow, what a build up...what a let down. I mean I understand it, leaving it to the imagination, but so many things were left unsaid and undone. I knew they couldn't tie it all up, but sorry Mr. Chase this was bad form. The fans were owed a bit more than this. This is the sentiment of the majority of that fan base. Of course in you mind I'm sure it was a tremendous success because it got us all talking. But for ill or naught...it's over. Bada Bing!
2. Phil Hellmuth made history in the Poker World. He broke the threeway tie between he, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan, when he won his 11th Bracelet at the World Series of Poker. The event was the $1,500 NLHE tournament. 2,500+ players did battle, and Phil came out with win. Just over like $650,000, which is nothing to sneeze at, but the honor and glory of the bracelet must have been sweet. BUT, all that's now in my mind...you'll never get the Poker Brat to SHUT UP now...EVER!!! But hey, you gotta hand it to him. He's the man. The win is his. Kudos Phil, kudos. Gotta give it to ya...well done! Additional info from the blogosphere regarding this: The Poker Brat (Phil Hellmuth) made poker history as became the first player to win 11 bracelets, which surpasses Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan both at 10 each. Phil also set the record for total number of cashes at the WSOP at 59, which I'm sure he'll keep adding to over the next six weeks. He's also made 38 final tables at the WSOP, which is just one shy of TJ Cloutier's record. Information obtained from the Tao of Poker Blog: http://taopoker.blogspot.com/ Congrats Phil!
3. Finally, Ohio County in West Virginia voted 2 to 1 to permit Wheeling Island Gaming Center to add TABLE GAMES at their dog track and slots-o-rama!!! While similar measures were defeated in Charles Town, Wheeling okay'd it! Two other counties are also set to vote on the issue for other race track and gaming centers. Wheeling says it will be up and ready to roll by Labor Day this year...that's just 83 short days away! Poker room will be up and running by then and the claims are that by October all the other casino acoutrements will be in place for an honest to goodness casino. Unreal! Now, when will I have the stones to hit the tables myself?!? I'll keep information about this posted here as it becomes available. For more information see this article: Table Games Are Coming To Ohio CountyWheeling Island Ready To Begin Construction On Poker Rooms
   FINAL RESULTS:
   YES - 7,568 (66%)
   NO - 3,956 (34%)
   100% Precincts reporting
   36% Voter turnout

Voters in Ohio County, W.Va. have approved a proposal to add table games at a racetrack.
With all precincts reporting, a referendum to allow Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center to expand its gambling offerings won 66 percent to 34 percent.
Hit hard by the decline of steel and other heavy industry in recent years, Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center has pitched the vote on table games as a chance for an economic boost, with promises of hundreds of new jobs and millions in new construction.
Bob Marshall, the track's general manager, said the track will begin hiring immediately, and could begin construction plans as soon as Monday.
Current track employees celebrated at the gaming center's showroom after the votes were tallied Saturday night.
"I'm excited and thrilled and I'm honored that the people of Ohio County have stood up for us," said Lee Ames, who works at one of the restaurants at the casino.
"I mean it sincerely when I tell you it is a thrill to be a part of this and most of all it is a thrill to be an Ohio County resident and know that we stood up and did the right thing."
Members of the First Baptist Church in Wheeling had opposed the expansion of gaming.
"We are concerned about what it's going to do to the life of our community and the negative impact it will have on families: increased divorce, child abuse and domestic violence," said Pastor Darrin Wright.
Local state lawmakers took the lead on the legislative intiative to bring the issue of expanded gaming to a public vote.
"I think the real winner today was the people," said State Senator Andy McKenzie (R-Ohio County).
"No one can walk away and say their voice was not heard."

And that's the way it is boys and girls...that's where my mind is.

Regards.

cheer_dad