Welcome Robert F Griffin to MTR Gaming CEO Spot

MTR Gaming will have a new front man soon! According to this article: http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/514613.html, Robert F. Griffin will be taking over the helm no later than January 2nd, 2009. He replaces Ted Arneault, the 13 year casino operations veteran who was instrumental in securing table gaming at MTR's "flagship" property Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, in Chester, WV. Some of the details of his "signing" bonus are listed, heavy on the stock options side of things.

Recently MTR Gaming stocks have fallen in value, with many pointing a finger at Arneault, but frankly everyone and everything in the stock market is taking a beating right now. I'd be willing to wager Arneault's compensation package will likely be quite beefy as he makes his exit for all his efforts in marketing and government relations.

When I finally head north, to visit the Mountaineer Casino... maybe I'll stop in just to say whassup to Mr. Griffin. "Yo Bobby, it's me cheer_dad, howsabout some cocktails over here on table 1!" Yeah, I'm sure that'll be the absolute 'best' approach. Nonetheless Mr. Griffin, congratulations on the new position! You're not looking for an all-too-chatty blogger to help get the word out about Mountaineer Casino are you?!? = )

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP Day 4 up to the dinner break

Once again, posts such as these prove that the guys playing in the Main Event are a lot like the rest of us twisted poker degenerates:

Posted by MeanGene Refer to Your Tournament Director's HandbookNo doubt quite a few players were out last night celebrating the fact that they cashed in the Main Event. One such player is sitting at Table 6 and looking a little green around the gills, and he asked the dealer, "If I throw up on the table, is that a penalty?"

Just over 5 hours ago Robert Mizrachi's Main Event journey came to an end. He got in in with the best of it but was rivered by his opponent.

And not long after he made his exit, Mountaineer qualifier Brian Schaedlich made his final stand with A-9os, he was called down by Darren Grant with a Q-7os. A queen came up on the turn and Schaedlich makes his exit in 456th place and $27,020 in his pocket. Not a bad return on a $135 tournament entry fee back at the Mountaineer Casino in Chester, WV. : ) Congratulations to him!

According to postings at PokerNews.com the first level of play on this Day 4, has taken its toll on the field. They have averaged a bustout a minute throughout the level.

Wow, Table #6 in the green section doesn't sound all that fun, at all! Five hours ago, Jeremy Joseph found himself there, with two empty seats that were filled by Alexander Kostritsyn with 900,000 in chips, and Johnny Chan joined soon after. ESPN setup shop, soon after!

Oh there's a surprise, Phil Hellmuth has a blow up after losing a hand with a great big pot... and openly berates his opponent.

Just as Round 17 was about to begin, the T500 chips are no longer required and the color up took place just before a quick break. The price of poker is going up! 350 players remained.
Maya Gellar-Antonius was eliminated in 331st place for a $32,166 payday. Congratulations, and hubby Patrik should be proud!

Hevad Khan was busted by the lovely Tiffany Michelle, and makes it up to 660,000 chips! Did I say lovely? Okay, yeah... I did.

Just over an hour ago another lovely and talented lady makes her exit from the Main Event. Evelyn Ng has been eliminated, but congratulations on her deepest finish yet in the Main Event!

An hour ago, Gus Hansen was moved to Mike Matusow's table, amid cheers from the spectators.

And oh look another blowup by Phil Hellmuth. You know he really is an ass...

And the stack of Jeremy Joseph just keeps growing and growing, an hour ago, he was at 2.5 Million!

And with that, or there abouts, the players head off for dinner break. Upon their return at 9:30pm PDT, they will play one final level before calling it a night.

The field now stands at 218. Still much poker yet to be played, but with that I'm calling it a night. We have 2 baseball games tomorrow, the first of which is at 9:00am. By the way, tonight the boys won, against "Tubby's" Team, Nate and Kevin know what I'm talking about. We pounded them, 30-6 before they finally cried uncle at the end of the 3rd inning. That is the boys first win in tournament play, against a team that beat us previously, that we just knew we could beat! : ) Cole may not be of much use in the games tomorrow, since he was injured running to 2nd base. His ankle is pretty swollen and stiff, but he seems to be getting around, albeit slowly and a bit tender. Sorry buddy.
As soon as the games are over, cheer_dad and family will start the drive SOUTH to Myrtle Beach!

Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S. Oh and one other really cool item of interest, Big Red's mom (the original Big Red) called us while we were at the baseball game all excited. Seems she was at BINGO, and playing the tips, and she was playing my son, Cole's birthday numbers, and she hit for a COOL $9,000!!! $6,500-ish after taxes!!! Since it was his numbers, does that mean he gets splitsies?!? Yeah like he wouldn't anyway from his Mamaw!

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort WSOP Satellite winners doing well!

After mentioning Brian Schaedlich who is the current WSOP Main Event chip leader (with a now reported 745,000 in chips) and Ohio native who won his way into the WSOP via winning a $135 Satelite at West Virginia's own Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort; I got curious as to how all the other winners from the Mountaineer are doing.

So, here's what I've found...

Doug Craine finished Day 2a with 201,600 chips. Leland Smith will enter Day 2b play with 63,025 chips and Darren Horvath with 24,550.

All others noted on the Mountaineer Casino website do not appear to have played in the WSOP including: James Retton, Daniel Whitaker, and Leland Smith.

I'm still trying to wade through and search the players roster for any of the other names. But congratulations to all of them for winning the package and doing so well thus far!

Wheeling Island's website however has no mention of the WSOP Satellite's OR their winners. This has honestly been "par-for-the-course" for Wheeling's website though. They should really get on the ball with this. They're really missing out on some GREAT advertising if any of their winners even went to the WSOP, let alone if they happen to still be in the running!

Ron White was right... "You can't fix stupid."

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP Main Event 2a aftermath, and local boy Brian Schaedlich

According to the head counts available from http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/tourney/updatelander--new.asp there are 2,852 players remaining of the original 6,844 who began the journey that is the 2008 Main Event of the World Series of Poker. Still to come is Day 2b of the event, where the herd will continue to be thinned. It has now been announced that the top 666 will be payed out. (Look momma, it's the devil in the poker.) The field will be easier to maintain and track once all players remaining come together in one room at the same time, to allow play to continue. Needless to say, I'm really interested to see where things stand after Day 2b. But that being said let's take a look at what happened yesterday.

Off the cuff, the first notable point is that both Scotty Nguyen and Robert Varkonyi have both been eliminated from the field. They were the only remaining previous winners of the Main Event remaining entering Day 2a. Other players that I had my eye on fell by the wayside as well, including Barry Greenstein, Paul Wasicka, David Grey, Greg Mueller, Kathy Liebert, Dario Alioto, Barry Schulman, Nick Schulman, Erick Lindgren, and Svetlana Gromenkova.

The top 10 players after Day 2a are Brian Schaedlich 745,000, Hunter Frey 400,000, Jeremiah Smith 390,000, Brandon Adams 371,000, Kellen Hunter 360,000, Patrick Fortin 355,000, David Rheem 320,000, Farhad Sinaei 312,000, Garth Paul 265,000 and Soren Peterson 258,000. With a field with an average stack of 47,994 chips... these guys are pretty healthy at this point.

Recall that I had my eye on the following players, and I'm holding out hope for them: Vanessa Rousso is very short-stacked but I'm holding out hope for her and her 28,000 in chips. Patrik Antonius with 64,125. (I have to add in to my watch list MRS. Antonius (Maya Geller-Antonius) who is currently sitting on 130,000 in chips! Erik Seidel with 145,000, Hoyt Corkins 131,000, Thor Hansen 117,000, Chau Giang 115,000, Robert Mizrachi with 237,000 and of course Brandon Adams who I've already noted (because he's in the top 10) with 371,000 chips. And I can't believe I left out Vince Van Patten, who is above the mid stack with 53,000. Hang in there gang!

Another VERY COOL thing to note is that the current chip leader Brian Schaedlich (745,000) is a local boy, having won his way into the WSOP by winning here in my home state of West "by god" Virginia at the newly opened poker room of the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort. A Big Thanks to Frank for pointing this out over at his blog and reminding me of the fact! He's also being noticed as is pointed out by this article http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/news/article.asp?newsid=2150. Best of luck to you Brian! You've already done well for yourself, now just keep doin' what your doin' and make for yourself a big payday!

I also can't believe I didn't make mention of the fact that Erick "E-Dog" Lindgren has been named the 2008 Milwaukee's Best Light Player of the Year with a total of 5 cashes AND $1,348,528 in earnings. Congratulations! Check out all the standings at http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/players/2008.asp.

The action gets back underway today at Noon for Day 2b when those who survived Days 1c and 1d will gather to battle on in search of the elusive Main Event WSOP bracelet and ultimately a $9,119,517 payday!

We'll be watching, or rather reading all about it, over at http://www.pokernews.com/live-reporting/2008-world-series-of-poker/main-event/.

Back here, close to home I was told last night what our baseball schedule is like for the Belpre Tournament for this "extended" weekend. Thursday 6:00pm, Friday 6:00pm, Saturday (ugh) 9:00am, 11:15am, and 3:45pm. We'll likely be done after that, as I don't expect us to advance in the finals. Particularly, since there is NO DIVISION between the "A" and "B" All-Stars. In other words, our B team will be going up against A teams too. What kinda idiocy is that?!

Anyway, it is what it is...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Uber posting time my minions

It's been many moons since my last post, but to be absent from the blog is to be present in the depths of the workforce! TGIF has never sounded so good to me. I've had enough. I spent the vast majority of my waking hours at work dealing with a server security initiative that was dropped in our lap. First, let me get some acronyms out of the way for you. (Oh yeah, you know the gub-ment just luvs it some abbreviations.)

CIS = The Center for Internet Security

NIST = National Institute of Standards and Technology

The agency which I find myself employed with has mandated (or has had it mandated upon them) compliance with security configurations as outlined by CIS and NIST. The lines between those two "initial-sporting" agencies is blurry to say the least. Let's just say that standards and best practices for securing computers/servers/ and the applications and data which reside on them is admittedly of absolute importance. I take it serious. Very Serious! This week I've proven my obsessive nature, and dug into the utter bowels of the method behind the madness. Yes, my inner-geek has been fully embraced and given the reach around to boot!

What CIS and NIST establishes are the benchmark solutions for locking the computer world down. They formalize standards and best-practices, and analyze the hell out of the pros and cons for each configuration setting. This all sounds really great doesn't it. I'm with you, I'm all about tightening the screws down, and locking her down... but here's where things get messy. CIS and NIST think tanks have a degree of common sense, and readily assert that some of their settings have NEGATIVE IMPACT on some applications and technologies. So, they point out degrees of security and what trade offs must be faced. Unfortunately, in the "real-world"... managerial types don't tend to read the FUCKING FINE PRINT!!! Instead they treat these benchmarks as absolutes, and demand total compliance and adherence to standards they have no hope of understanding! And thus pass off to the underlings in the trenches (that'd be your lowly civil servant "cheer_dad") and say get it done... and not only get it done, do it faster than the speed of light AND then prove that you did it in a simple report, and while you're at it report on that in the form of a monthly compliancy check. Are any of you still with me so far? Well thanks, but I fear for your mental well-being.

Anyway, so someone other than the administrators gets to make the decisions about what will be done, and the tools to be used for verification and the report that they'll get in the end. As luck would have it, we've been directed to use the CIS-CAT or the Configuration Assessment Tool. OOOOh AAAAh!!! Before demanding its usage... no one in the agency really bothered to take it out for a test drive. NOW, I applaud the tool in some areas, but like a lot of things in life it still needs some work. But time is not a luxury that I really have, since despite the problems being encountered, the demands and the deadlines have NOT SHIFTED in the least.

So, I've had to educate myself quickly (down and dirty) on a compliance tool I just had thrown at me, on a project I just inherited, which is looking at new standards that are frankly a moving target. They are ever-morphing to make things more and more secure. The powers that be in the organization, simply want the check marks in place right next to the dotted i's and crossed t's. I know, I know... cheer_dad quitcherbitchin'!!! I'd say it's enough to drive me to drinking, but that's a habit that well we've established I'd long/long ago acquired and refined to the level of High Art!

I've gotten pretty good at setting up the tool and making it run in ways that many others have not. And I've put it through paces that I don't think anyone else bothered with. I've been in contact with one of the Developers of the tool and she's been great, and very receptive to feedback and suggestions and to her I am VERY GRATEFUL! Thanks Nancy! But even she recognizes where some improvements can be made. My management or the BIG GUY beating the drum at the front of this little slave ship... doesn't need to or want to hear much of it though. I'm still hearing a lot of this work harder, better, longer, faster, and be perfectly accurate.

Lucky for me I'm beginning to see at least some light at the end of the tunnel on this and along the way have picked up some valuable allies in my plight. Eventually I do believe this will get better. Eventually I think I can help to make it work better. I also think I'll have a decided impact on how secure things can be, and more to the management point... documentable. I'm learning more lately that it's more about the process than the result, at least in this stage of the game that we're in.

Anyway, I've bored you, thanks for listening, but feel free to pat me on the back and buy me a drink at the bar to congratulate my efforts. Remember, I'm with the government and I'm here to help you! (You are all so in trouble!)

While I've been away from the blogosphere though, the world has continued to spin on its axis. I've tried to play some cards online to keep my sanity at night, before heading back to work. But that hasn't been all that pretty. JR and I have been trading bad beat stories each morning when we first get to work. We've both had Kings and Aces stories to swap. JR really got to feel the warm and squishy feeling when he got it all in with pocket rockets, only to meet up against someone else's pocket rockets, and then watch as 4 cards line up all pretty like on the board of the same suit... as his opponents ACE and not his. Checks on table friggin' ONE!!! Ouch buddy, I've had that happen to me. I'd tell you I feel your pain, but frankly I don't feel like feeling that sick right now. I can do without the feeling of having my nuts yanked off! : ) I've dropped $$$ considerably, but ehhh, I've been here before. Feel the grind of the tilt-o-whirl!

In other corners of the web, there have been some really cool things that have happened that only this evening have I been able to catch up with. So, here goes:

Hillary Clinton took the state of West Virginia in the primary election. (cheer_dad shudders!) I wish I could tell you I was excited about someone running for the top office... but I'm not. I've got something not to like about all the contenders. But frankly... Hillary Clinton just friggin' scares me. People that power hungry need it, want it, and will do anything to get and keep it! In the words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I've got to say about that."

Still close to home, MTR Gaming Group (headquartered in Chester, WV) has appointed a new CFO and Executive Vice President, David R. Hughes. He's no stranger to MTR, having worked with them since 2003, in other capacities, but in total brings 24 years of experience in the gaming industry to the proverbial table. He replaces Edson R. (Ted) Arneault who recently announced that he was stepping down. Read all about it here.

According to this article from the AP Wire that I just found, Charles Barkley could be facing charges on failing to pay back $400,000 in casino markers to the Wynn Casino. Hmmm. IDIOT! Jock/celebrity that didn't do much for me before, and now does even less. If you can't pay, don't play. When you can pay, and don't... shame on you!

This article from Pokerlistings.com let me know that GSN is opting NOT to renew "High Stakes Poker." Thank goodness they'll be able to get back to showing those reruns of Family Feud! Oh wait, I forgot one thing... friggin' 'tards!

Pennsylvania is conducting hearings on House Bill 2121 which would allow Pennsylvania to enter the "casino table gaming" market. Recall it's been only a few months that the state of WV opened table games at existing racetracks... 2 of which are VERY near to PA, and causing residents to make a run for the border. Read all about it here.

Well, it's time to wrap up. I hope this makes up for my absence. Hope you all understand. I'll see many of you tomorrow night at JR's for our latest in the NDPT series. Not just cash folks there's points for this one too! : ) I for one could use a little (or a lot) of both!

Regards,

cheer_dad

An evening's ramble, with sincere finish

I ask you... is this a news article. Penned by the fine folks at the Associated Press, does this qualify? http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5681350.html

Yes, I'm interested... just because it's related to the parent companies of one of the only (current) 2 full fledged casino/racetracks in the state of West By God Virginia. But I mean I've got Google Alerts watching for little tidbits like this. It hardly qualifies as a news article though. Hell, it looks like a mini quote from a prospectus sent out to MTR Gaming investors. I guess I just don't get what is truly newsworthy.

And a shout out to the ass hat who caught his two outer against me earlier. Glad to see that someone else took your/my chips from you shortly after you temporarily felted me. Then, I read your profile on the site, and found that Gus Hansen was your fave player ever, and you hadn't even hit the age of 25 yet. Bad news for ya dude... the whole frackin' table wrote down your name. I swear, and if they didn't I'm telling everyone I know... and staking them. But... as usual I digress.

The bright side to the story, I throw some cash out to the evil realm of blackjack (online) and for once, double up, win back what I lost to the aforementioned ass hat, and then I was able to continue playing comfortably for the remainder of the "late-night."

And now wonder of wonders... I'm on an upswing, of course fueled, by the evil minions of the accursed Jack Daniels.

Okay cheer_dad quitcherbitchin!

Despite all my whining and my woe-is-me talk today, I need to pause and be thankful. Others have had it worse than me today... and I've got no reason to complain further. Some very sad news came today to some very special and dear friends of mine. I'm very sorry. And at the risk of sounding quite sappy, I love you both very much. Whatever, whenever... we're here for you. Hope to see you very soon!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Ted Arneault stepping down as MTR Gaming's front man

According to a variety of sources Ted Arneault will at the end of the year step down as chairman and chief executive officer of MTR Gaming. Recall I've written before of MTR Gaming, as they are the company which operates the Mountaineer Casino and Racetrack to my north in Chester, WV. Despite the good fortune which allowed the Chester based casino to open first a poker room and then later full casino gaming, and what would appear to be record crowds the greater corporation conglomerate has continued to see declining profits. In fact when a company reports in its 2007 annual report that it lost $11.4 million, well that tends to suggest a losing session. At least that's what I'd tend to call it. Heck, I lose $11.40 in an online session and I feel like a failure, but I digress.

Read the rest of the coverage here:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44461

It must be pointed out that MTR has "unloaded" a number of its other properties already in an attempt to focus on more of its closer-to-home properties, right here in the hills of West By God Virginia. I hope the move leads to greater stability for both MTR and the region's gambling as a whole. We'll just have to stay tuned.

Ted Arneault has held the CEO spot of MTG Gaming now for 13 years. Oddly enough that was always a lucky number for me. MTR and Mr. Arneault seem to be a bit tight lipped on additional details of his departure from the company. Regardless though, in the interest of good karma, I wish the man well... it's a tough market for the unemployed. : )

Sorry this is about as serious as I get on the journalistic front gang. If you came here looking for cutting edge reporting, boy is your search engine outa whack!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Methinks trouble's a brewin'!!!

You see Google Alerts are good for something. I got my daily Google alert email related to MTR Gaming and what do I find but the following articles which report that some of the Mountaineer Casino's employees may very well go out on strike THIS SATURDAY! Read all about it:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5650059.html (oddly enough I found it in the Houston Chronicle.)

http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=24164 (and subsequently found a similar story back in West Virginia.)

According to the articles 206 employees are set to go on strike in protest of "poverty wages." Included in these workers are the cashiers, slot technicians and money room employees, all of which are represented by Local 23 of the United Food & Commercial Workers. I won't requote all of the particulars of dispute (when you can read them in the articles above) but in my estimation I would kind of agree with the workers in this labor dispute. The fact that the wages being paid do seem a bit skimpy is an understatement. Add to it that the same Union Local represents the employees at Wheeling Island, which is the only other casino in the state of West Virginia currently offering table gaming and poker. The wage differences between the two casinos are as much as $2.00 per hour. And according to the article Wheeling employees insurance is paid 100% by the casino. This in a casino less than an hour away. Sorry MTR Gaming, that's going to be a difficult position from which to offer up any legitimate argument! Face it, if Delaware North Companies Inc. (owner of Wheeling Island is doing it and remaining profitable then I think there can be little excuse, that MTR cannot do the same.)

Recall that poker and table gaming only recently came to the Mountain State, and the voters in each of the counties where casino/racetrack establishments existed had to approve it. One of the arguments was that increased revenue for the state and new jobs would be a positive result of passing the initiative. But as the Union Representative Tony Helfer is quoted from the MetroNews article as stating, "...our members qualify for a lot of state assistance benefits and we think it's wrong that the residents of West Virginia should be subsidizing a racetrack." I for one would have to agree, pumping money into the state's coffers via taxes only to suck them right back out to the people employeed by the casino. Well, something just doesn't seem right about that, particularly when both Wheeling Island and Mountaineer Casinos are both boasting such profits and successes directly related to the recent addition of table games.

MTR Gaming, I think you can do better! In fact, I think I'd bet you on it!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Happy Hump Day = )

Not much to report on the ole homefront folks, but I will say that I have continued to plug away on the treadmill. I managed to get myself "back" into a real habit while I was Shepherdstown and back into running mode. Now I just have to keep it up, and maybe some of these extra pounds will begin to fade away. Of course the sparetire and the double-chin will be the last to go. Yeah, you all know it too!

I haven't played much poker lately, other than the tournaments at JR's and well I guess there was the one at Yanok's as well. And speaking of Yanok's they'll be hosting again this weekend! Wahoo! We always have a great time over there, the people and the poker make it that way!

I keep thinking about going up to Chester to the Mountaineer. No one from the crew has made it up there yet, I'm ashamed to admit. I'm really curious to go and check out the place. The poker room, the other table games, and even watch the horses run. That's something I've never watched in person and it sounds like it'd be a lot of fun to lose money on! All things are better, when beer is involved! Maybe one day in the not so distant future I'll muster up the time and money, and "gumption" to head north. I doubt seriously that I'll have much trouble trying to convince many of my fellow degenerate NDPT'ers including the lovely Big Red to make the trip. We'll see.

Anyway, Happy Hump Day all, we're on the downhill slide of the week now. As always, workin' for the weekend.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Terry Caudill, New Binion's Front Man

Say hello to the new owner of Binion's! Check out the article from the Las Vegas Review - Journal. http://www.lvrj.com/business/14309607.html



The Nevada Commission approved Mr. Terry Caudill to run the downtown casino, and thus paved the way for him to take control as early as February. Recall that the property is currently owned and operated by the MTR Gaming Group, headquarted in Chester, WV.



According to the article, he has many plans and upgrades for the property in mind. Time will tell, but I wish him luck in the endeavour, as it would be a shame for the historic Binion's to disappear from the Las Vegas landscape!



You'll probably catch a few glimpses of Binion's on the right hand side of the blog slideshow, since this was one of our many destinations on our Vegas trip.



Frank and I both commented that we wouldn't mind at all staying downtown on a future trip to Las Vegas. Downtown and The Fremont Street Experience offered a party atmosphere and cheaper prices. : ) We liked the smaller, homier feel to the casinos of Fremont Street. From the sound of the article this is exactly what Mr. Caudill has in mind, and wants to build upon to save the struggling casino. For what it's worth...we'll be back!



Regards,



cheer_dad

Sitting at the airport

Well folks it's about time to wrap up this Las Vegas trip. I'm sitting here at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas and honestly I feel tired. It's been a long week. Big Red played today at Blackjack and Let It Ride and climbed a little out of the hole for us. No we still didn't finish up but it was a great time.

This time at Frank's urging we headed downtown to "old" Vegas. I was pleasantly surprised. The casinos were older, but nearly all of them had been updated and looked just as good as the others. Granted there was no Wynn or Bellagio down there to rival the strip but compared to Imperial Palace and Harrah's type properties, which is more "my" class they were just fine. Table games were alot cheaper. We even found a $3 table at the Golden Gate, and it wasn't a free-for-all, either. We signed up for lots of player's cards for the innocuous crap that they were handing out. Well undoubtedly receive lots of mailers as a result. It was funny on the 22nd to stick a card in a slot machine and have it tell me Happy Birthday Brian!!! I did note already receiving a number of emails from the casinos wishing me well on my big day, although none included any money savings.

Talked over lunch today with Frank and told him it just wasn't one of those "lucky" feeling trips to Vegas. So rather than throwing additional money out I opted to wander around sight see and drink mass quantities. Don't anyone go reading anything into it. Nothin's wrong, I'm not depressed, just goin' with the gut from time to time.

Frank says the only was he won this trip was losing. From 8 to 11am each morning when he played and got Aces and/or Kings cracked he of course lost, BUT made the bonus dollars from the casino at $100 and $50 respectively. He generally hit both, so those were winning sessions.

He also talked to the Imperial Palace Poker Room Manager and told him that he and I were bloggers from WV, and he comped him on the spot for some buffet tickets, which wasn't what Frank was looking for, he was just making small talk. He also mentioned that he had friends who used to work here in Vegas who went back "home" to WV to manage the poker room and blackjack pit area at none other than Chester, WV's Mountaineer Casino. Small world, isn't it.

Of all the casinos we visited, I'd have to say that drink service was best at the Palazzo. When you're sitting at a bank of penny slots, drinking double fisted already and the waitress hands you another and asks if you want another on her next trip, she's either made you for a serious alcoholic, or maybe we were just situated near the waitress/bar station.

We picked up several new $1 chips to add to the collection. Also stopped by the Gambler's General Store again on this trip and got some cool little trinkets, including some cut cut cards.

We've got about an hour before takeoff, and we're hoping that it'll be less than full and allow for some stretching out room. I'll sort through some of the pictures later and start getting them uploaded, and shared out to the blog.

Hope all is well back home and we'll see you all soon!

Regards,

cheer_dad

MTR closes another sale in Vegas

According to the Associated Press, in a story picked up by the Houston Chronicle, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5452536.html. MTR Gaming has closed the sale of yet another of their Las Vegas properties.

This time the Chester, WV based company has sold the property "...owned by its Speakeasy Casino in North Las Vegas for about $11 million..." to Ganaste LLC . Oddly enough the gambling operations have been sold separately to Lucky Lady D LLC for nearly $7 million, while Speakeasy Gaming Inc, will continue to operate the gaming operations onsite under the terms of a short term lease. Of course all of this is contingent upon approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

As has been reported previously MTR, is selling off it's other properties in order to focus on newer, growing markets, particularly on its touted "flagship property" in Chester, WV Mountaineer Racetrack & Gaming Resort.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Declining profits for Atlantic City casinos

The New York Times is running the following article from the Associated Press regarding Atlantic City casino yearly profit reports. According to the released report although revenues taken down were a staggering $4.92 billion that this is actually cause for concern for the Eastern gambling Mecca. Since 1978, profits for the casino city have steadily increased, but not so for 2007. Profits in 2006 were listed as $5.21 billion.

Blame is being zeroed in on competition from outside Atlantic City, primarily slot parlors which have opened in Pennsylvania and New York. A partial smoking ban is also a contributing factor.

What this brings to my mind, is what sort of affect will the opening of casino gaming in West Virginia (Wheeling Island and Mountaineer Casinos) do to the Pennsylvania market? Obviously there will be a huge impact. By the same token thinking further down the line, will these future losses fuel efforts to push for casino gaming in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere including Kentucky, when slot parlor visitors make their exodus from their own home states and cross the West Virgina borders, in search of something other than the slot machines being offered?

If approved elsewhere, what will ultimately be the saturation point for new casinos. Exactly how many is too many, and what can revenues actually support in the long term? Which casinos or better yet which state(s) will emerge as the winners in the Gaming Wars?

The answers to these and many other questions will provide a wealth of topics of discussion from now until well into the next decade and beyond I'm sure. I'll continue to throw my two cents worth into the mix for what it's worth, and keep my blog minions apprised of the situation. Stay tuned!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Status on proposed sale of Binion's by MTR Gaming Group

From the article on The Times West Virginian courtesy of the Associated Press:

"CHESTER — The Nevada Gaming Control Board has approved MTR Gaming Group’s plan to sell its Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.

The plan unanimously approved Wednesday now goes before the Nevada Gaming Commission for consideration.

If approved, the $32 million cash deal with TLC Casino Enterprises should be completed by February.

MTR also has a North Las Vegas property under contract for sale.

The company decided to sell its Nevada properties so it could concentrate on holdings in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Midwest.

Last month MTR launched casino-style table games at its flagship property, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester.

The company also has interests in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Ohio."

Note that the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in Chester, WV is identified as the "flagship property," and that the sale of Binion's would allow MTR to further concentrate on holdings in WV, and PA, and the Midwest.

We've made it north to Wheeling Island, gang, but we're yet to drive the additional 45 minutes to behold the Mountaineer and all it's gambling goodness. If the casino and its ownership continues to receive newswire nods, I think it's our duty to make the trip...and soon. Okay, maybe after next weeks trip to Las Vegas!!!

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

Mission Accomplished

I got it done. The cheer_dad household once again has a functional oven! A trip to Allied Appliance, $58 for an ignitor, and a lot of crawling around on the floor, shoving my head into the bowels of my oven, and swearing only a few times, and it's all working again. I was more than a little anxious when I first fired it up, ready to run for the door. Then, after that I tackled the job of putting together my son's heavy bag. It has a fixed stand, that had to be filled with water...a lot of water. I really don't want to have to move this sucker around much. Oh wait, didn't I set it up where all you NDPT'ers will soon be gathering...in my basement?!

Speaking of that, don't forget folks this Saturday, December 29th, at 6:00pm, is the End of the Year Tournament for the NDPT. Julie Wolfe as you will recall earned her entry into this event by finishing on the top of the pack in the Point Race. Go She-Wolfe! The rest of us will be pony-ing up the $50 buy-in. I should have in the neighborhood of 26 players. A few of you were tentative. I understand with the time of year. I'll see you all real soon.

Tomorrow will be a special day in West Virginia. In Chester, WV at the Mountaineer Casino and Racetrack, the FIRST EVER poker tournament will be held. Registration starts at 9:15 tomorrow morning. Limited to 300 players, with a $100 total buy-in which includes 20 to the house and 5 to the dealers. I had planned to cover the event with my fellow blogger Frank, from River's Edge, but the holidays in general have stretched the ole wallet pretty thin. And with the Vegas Trip being only 23 days (and some change) away it's hard for me to justify "blowing" another $100. Yes, I know I 'could' win. But I only show up planning that I'm not coming back with it. It happens, and it has been rather par for the course for me lately anyway. Why throw caution to the wind... I don't want to be playing so down on my belly as that. It makes for poor play, that others are able to sense and exploit. There'll be another game, another day.

Also, wanted to give a big thank you to the Brothers household for their hospitality, and lots of alcohol and food on Christmas Eve. We had a great time, and wanted to thank you for all the hard work that you put into the night, and for welcoming us, as always into your home. And that Wild Turkey American Honey is REALLY good SHHHHHHHTUFF!

See everyone real soon...

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

Drum roll please!

According to reports in less than 10 minutes, the dice will roll, and the cards will be dealt from the shoe, at Chester, WV's Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort. According to the news release on their site: http://mtrgaming.com/news/07/12_19_07.html, the West Virginia Lottery Commission gave them the go ahead to go live with full casino gaming on Thursday, December 20th. The ribbon cutting will be at 10:00am.

As more is posted, I'll let you know!

Regards,

cheer_dad

MTR Gaming article

Article found on The Intelligencer. Wheeling News-Register...
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/501943.html
Discusses losses by MTR Gaming, the parent company of the Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino in Chester, WV. However, it should be noted losses can be attributed to expansion. Also, it is mentioned that a bright spot for the company is the addition of the poker tables at the Chester location. And the company is already considering adding additional tables to their already 37 table room! Very cool. But nothing the rest of us didn't already realize would happen.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Additional news coverage

Here's a shot of the Wheeling Island Poker Room. Wow, the carpet really was that loud...and not just my beer-goggles! You cannot see the cashcage in this picture, is way in the back, to the right. This picture is from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Also, check out all of the following articles on this past weekend's opening of poker rooms at Wheeling Island & the Mountaineer Racetracks and Gaming Centers...

http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/501172.html
http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/501173.html
http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007101924
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07293/827003-336.stm

I'll keep following the story. But it's difficult since the local Parkersburg News and Sentinel doesn't seem interested in providing news about it at all. I think they should probably rethink the mindset that no one is interested.

Regards,

cheer_dad