To all you nay-sayers...

Well you thought the day would never come. Two outa Three ain't bad huh!?! Well what's been nearly a year in the making is finally going to happen. "What's up, cheer_dad," you ask, "what's the earth shattering news?" Well according to this article http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x1846891047/W-Va-racetrack-given-OK-to-offer-poker/index.html?printview=true Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center will FINALLY be opening its doors to offer poker to the masses! That's right people the third West Virginia casino will finally be offering something other than slots and dogs. This comes nearly ONE YEAR after the initiative was passed by Kanawha County to allow the casino to open poker and table games at the existing casino. Wheeling Island and the Mountaineer jumped on that bandwagon long ago and has thrived at least as far as my personal observations and the various articles have thus far suggested. I wish Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center good luck, and yes eventually I'll be down to give it a go, but I'm still a little irritated that it took so long to make it happen. The people of Kanawha County were none to happy either, and even the Governor weighed in on it you'll recall from a previous post I threw out here on the blog. But anyway, today's the day following 2 days of successful "charity" poker tournaments to get the ball rolling, the Lottery Commission gave their blessing and a quiet sigh of relief which says, "sheesh, it's about friggin' time Tri-State!!!" Anyway, read the article, and make plans to visit this new poker room when you can. My buddy Frank, was headed down to indulge in the madness of the first day/night, this evening. I haven't talked to him since I left for vacation so I'm not sure how all that's panning out.

I'm back in town now, having just arrived home after that long drive back from Myrtle Beach, SC. It's good to be home, but as usual there's already a lot to get done after a vacation. So rather than sitting here pecking away at the keyboard, I better get to it.

See some of you later this evening at the Eagles drawing, and others I'm sure over the weekend. It's good to be home.

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

You guessed 'er Chester!

Sweet news from fellow blogger and poker enthusiast.
I thought it was worthy of repeating!
I've bolded and italicized the most important part to me.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Poker for Charity
from Rivers Edge Poker Club by wolfe
All below comes directly from MTR Gaming site. They run the track in Chester, WV.
This is posted here directly to help the proxy impaired.
09/03/07
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA PETTIT
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335(OFFICE) 304-479-8097(CELL)

CHESTER, WV – Three Hancock County charities will be the recipients of proceeds from two charity nights featuring Texas Hold ‘em poker at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort. The Weirton Area United Way, New Cumberland United Church Social Service and the Upper Hancock United Fund will sponsor two nights of Texas H’ld’em poker on October 15 and 16. For a donation of $25, those attending will enjoy a complimentary cocktail hour before being seated at a $10 to $20 limit Texas Hold’em game for two hours of competitive fun. Each participant will receive $500 in play money which will be exchanged for non-value gaming cheques. Prizes will be awarded every ten minutes.
The event will debut Mountaineer’s newest gaming entertainment as well as its new Poker Room located in the Grandstand Area Trackside. The event will also serve as a practice run for the newly trained dealers in preparation for the soon-to-be – announced official opening of the Poker Room.
The Weirton Area United Way will host the October 15 event which begins with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7 p.m. with Texas Hold’em from
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. The New Cumberland United Church Social Service and the Upper Hancock United Fund will host the event on October 16 with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 8 p.m. and Texas Hold’em from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Kanawha County says YES to table games!

ExtraExtra...read all about it...

Table Games officially passed in Kanawha County, following recount from the August 11th, 2007 Election. Read all about it here:

http://www.dailymail.com/story/News/2007082938/BREAKING-NEWS-Recount-ends-with-table-games-passing-by-a-339-vote-margin

Now the question is "when?"
As has been noted previously, Wheeling Island was all set to fire up the poker room and all the other table games, right around Labor Day. But enforcement was said to be a problem, meaning the "State of WV" was not ready or equipped to regulate and enforce the new gaming enterprise. So, it has been "back-burnered." I for one have heard no additional update. I'll keep you posted, when one arrives.

Of course what does this all really matter to me...since I SUCK at poker anyway. Blackjack hasn't been so kind lately either. Aw, who am I kidding. I'm sure there will be visits to both Cross Lanes and Wheeling in my near future...or at least the future in which the tables are open for business.

Regards,

cheer_dad