I received a flier in the mail not too long ago on the subject but the following article http://www.wtov9.com/news/17705985/detail.html just brought it back to mind. I'm writing about the 1st Annual Wiener Dog Nationals to be held on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Owners of dachshunds from all over will be bringing the short-legged racers to the Wheeling Island Racetrack to run where the longer-legged greyhound counterparts run daily. I think it sounds like a very cool idea, and should be a lot of fun, or least good for a few laughs. Check out the article for additional details and also click on the video link to see "Coco" being put through paces in order to prepare for the competition. I would really like to go check this out, but I'm afraid I would need a big win the night before at the Wolfe's house where NDPT #15 will be held on October 18th. Plus, I'd need a travelling companion which is going to be hard to come by now that Tri-State has opened their poker room and table games. It's a simply matter of geography people. They'll be hard to convince, I'm afraid. Among my arguments, only one stands clear... "guys there'll be beer and friggin' wiener dogs running around the track!" If that doesn't get the job done, I'll likely have to question my own mortality. My faith in the human existence will have reached rock bottom. Okay... maybe it's not as bad as all that! But c'mon Wiener Dogs!!!
Regards,
cheer_dad
Showing posts with label tri-state. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tri-state. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tri-State, Bodog, Borgata, etc...
I liked Frank's coverage over at http://frankwolfe.net/riversedge/?p=110 on the Charleston Gazette article which spoke about the obvious public relations problem that Tri-State Racetrack has brought upon itself. The stalling and dragging of feet have the public and now the lawmakers questioning why the hell the approved table gaming in the first place for the Kanawha County, WV casino. The only positive note (though once again hints are dropped that there is no certainty) is that:
"Tri-State hopes Aug. 21 will be the kickoff date for poker. The track will run a charity tournament on Aug. 18 and 19, Lawrence said. Other table games should be ready by mid-September."
Frank, buddy... stop holding your breath! I hope they open the Poker Room by then too, but thus far Tri-State's been donkin' it up!
Next, I'll point you over to a recent article by IGGY: http://guinnessandpoker.blogspot.com/2008/07/bodog-in-trouble.html in which he discusses the "legal trouble" that Calvin Ayre (former/current) founder/owner of Bodog. The U.S. Department of Justice sunk its teeth in to the company's assets to the tune of $24 Million! The line that reads: "the court papers detail an elaborate international structure put together to allow Bodog to collect money and write checks to winning gamblers in the U.S." doesn't sound so good for Calvin. No one currently seems to be absolutely sure of Mr. Ayre's whereabouts, though he denies he is in hiding through postings to the web. I encourage you to visit Iggy's Blog for his full coverage and wander around and check out some of his other, excellent writing. Aside from that though, I wonder if my paltry sum out on Bodog is still safe. Oh what's the difference... lose it at the tables or having it seized by the friggin' DOJ! wtf...
And I got a great laugh out of this article http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hv6UShWgSXLt7AMSH5aFP9rd1prgD928G7T06 which tells the tale of Michael Wax who on Tuesday was told that "he stinks!" Okay, that was newsworthy in this case because Mr. Wax who tips the scales at 440 pounds happened to be playing poker at the Borgata in Atlantic City for going on 17 hours, when the rest of the table had had enough and complained to the casino staff that they couldn't take his odor anymore. When asked to leave because he smelled so badly he asked for a "free room" to go clean up. Uhmmmm, hmmm how 'bout no, you stinky bastard! Okay, the Borgata just declined the request. No Mr. Was would like an apology. I for one applaud LOUDLY for the Borgata in this instance. I've suffered through the stench of a few friggin' behemoths a time or two in a casino. There's just not enough alcohol to numb my senses, or Vick's to shove up my nose to cover the stench of some forms of humanity. Maybe he should stick to online play. "In cyberspace, no one can smell your funk!"
Oh well that's enough of my pseudo plagarism. There was another article I wanted to comment on but I've misplaced the link, and it's nearly time to head up to the Eagles for another drawing night. The weekend is nearly here!
Regards,
cheer_dad
"Tri-State hopes Aug. 21 will be the kickoff date for poker. The track will run a charity tournament on Aug. 18 and 19, Lawrence said. Other table games should be ready by mid-September."
Frank, buddy... stop holding your breath! I hope they open the Poker Room by then too, but thus far Tri-State's been donkin' it up!
Next, I'll point you over to a recent article by IGGY: http://guinnessandpoker.blogspot.com/2008/07/bodog-in-trouble.html in which he discusses the "legal trouble" that Calvin Ayre (former/current) founder/owner of Bodog. The U.S. Department of Justice sunk its teeth in to the company's assets to the tune of $24 Million! The line that reads: "the court papers detail an elaborate international structure put together to allow Bodog to collect money and write checks to winning gamblers in the U.S." doesn't sound so good for Calvin. No one currently seems to be absolutely sure of Mr. Ayre's whereabouts, though he denies he is in hiding through postings to the web. I encourage you to visit Iggy's Blog for his full coverage and wander around and check out some of his other, excellent writing. Aside from that though, I wonder if my paltry sum out on Bodog is still safe. Oh what's the difference... lose it at the tables or having it seized by the friggin' DOJ! wtf...
And I got a great laugh out of this article http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hv6UShWgSXLt7AMSH5aFP9rd1prgD928G7T06 which tells the tale of Michael Wax who on Tuesday was told that "he stinks!" Okay, that was newsworthy in this case because Mr. Wax who tips the scales at 440 pounds happened to be playing poker at the Borgata in Atlantic City for going on 17 hours, when the rest of the table had had enough and complained to the casino staff that they couldn't take his odor anymore. When asked to leave because he smelled so badly he asked for a "free room" to go clean up. Uhmmmm, hmmm how 'bout no, you stinky bastard! Okay, the Borgata just declined the request. No Mr. Was would like an apology. I for one applaud LOUDLY for the Borgata in this instance. I've suffered through the stench of a few friggin' behemoths a time or two in a casino. There's just not enough alcohol to numb my senses, or Vick's to shove up my nose to cover the stench of some forms of humanity. Maybe he should stick to online play. "In cyberspace, no one can smell your funk!"
Oh well that's enough of my pseudo plagarism. There was another article I wanted to comment on but I've misplaced the link, and it's nearly time to head up to the Eagles for another drawing night. The weekend is nearly here!
Regards,
cheer_dad
Friday, July 18, 2008
Governor Manchin wants answers from Tri-State Racetrack
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin is not happy with Tri-State Racetrack, according to the following article http://www.dailymail.com/Business/200807170126 which appeared yesterday in the Charleston Daily Mail. In the article by Jake Stump, titled Manchin says racetrack owners need to be accountable for delays; it seems clear that the governor is upset over the time which has elapsed thus far in which Tri-State Racetrack owners have failed to open their table gaming operations which were approved last August. Not only has the track not opened table games they have not even broken ground on a promised "$250-million-plus expansion much less the creation of 1,000 jobs." It is mentioned that Tri-State had initially planned to open its table games by the end of 2007, but according to management plans were stalled because of "financial reasons and because of difficulty in finding instructors."
Oddly, I've never seen a lack of people on my visits to the casino/dog track, so "financial reasons" seems to be a weak excuse. In addition, my (and my friends') trips north to Wheeling Island Casino for poker and table game fun could have just as easily been turned 180 degrees and headed south to Charleston, which is a closer trip from Parkersburg. So, I know it's not due to a lack of interest. But, I know it's not all about me. As for the "difficulty in finding instructors" what kind of horse-hockey is that?!? Uhhhm, maybe you boys at Tri-State haven't been paying attention but two casinos in the northern panhandle of West Virginia were able in very short order to get their operations up and running, and from all reports PROFITABLE!
The latest report is that Tri-State will open its doors for Poker by Labor Day. The Poker Room is still under construction. Frankly though, there has been no official announcement or advertising effort on the part of the casino, so what gives?
The casino also only recently applied for its 1.5 Million Dollar license for its first year of operations. That cost will go up to 2.5 Million thereafter.
I'm not sure what the real reasons for Tri-State's delays are, and neither is Governor Manchin. If he gets his answers I sure hope he shares them with us all. For something that the casino owners and the public fought so hard for and for such a long time the current management is allowing it all to fall flat.
C'mon guys get the cards in the air already!
Regards,
cheer_dad
Oddly, I've never seen a lack of people on my visits to the casino/dog track, so "financial reasons" seems to be a weak excuse. In addition, my (and my friends') trips north to Wheeling Island Casino for poker and table game fun could have just as easily been turned 180 degrees and headed south to Charleston, which is a closer trip from Parkersburg. So, I know it's not due to a lack of interest. But, I know it's not all about me. As for the "difficulty in finding instructors" what kind of horse-hockey is that?!? Uhhhm, maybe you boys at Tri-State haven't been paying attention but two casinos in the northern panhandle of West Virginia were able in very short order to get their operations up and running, and from all reports PROFITABLE!
The latest report is that Tri-State will open its doors for Poker by Labor Day. The Poker Room is still under construction. Frankly though, there has been no official announcement or advertising effort on the part of the casino, so what gives?
The casino also only recently applied for its 1.5 Million Dollar license for its first year of operations. That cost will go up to 2.5 Million thereafter.
I'm not sure what the real reasons for Tri-State's delays are, and neither is Governor Manchin. If he gets his answers I sure hope he shares them with us all. For something that the casino owners and the public fought so hard for and for such a long time the current management is allowing it all to fall flat.
C'mon guys get the cards in the air already!
Regards,
cheer_dad
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Opportunities still abound
I have to agree completely with Frank on the "state" of the websites of Wheeling Island and Mountaineer. Although, we STILL haven't made it to Mountaineer to play, since it is a little further north, it is obvious that they are attempting to embrace poker much more on their website. Then again, maybe it's not just poker, but more a fact that they place more value in their website, than does Wheeling Island. Slot machine play still seems to be the focus of their interest. Historically slot machines appeal to an older demographic. (Nobody better point out that I'll soon be hitting the BIG-40.) Poker on the other hand, with the recent online and tv explosion has become a game enjoyed by a MUCH younger crowd! Once upon a time, even many Las Vegas casinos only offered poker as a way of enticing couples in the door. Older men could sit down in a small poker room, with other older men, smoking bad cigars with horrendous comb-overs, and avoid the "one-armed-bandits." Their wives were actually the intended "targets" though. The ladies (blue hair and all) could then be fully engaged and uninterrupted at the slot machines. Fast forward now to today and roughly the past few years, and you will see an entirely different demographic. Younger and younger players are coming out in droves to casinos. Granted no "younger" than 21 (don't get me started on the tangent of they can go 1/2 way round the world and wage war over some ass-end of desert, but they can't be trusted or permitted in a casino, or gasp, don't let 'em drink either.) These young guns of poker are stoking the fire and casino traffic in general is heating up. And while the availability of the close to home option of playing poker at Wheeling or Chester is great, these will still NEVER replace the pilgrimage WEST to SIN CITY! Even when this month they open their other table games to entice the masses, and yes, you bet I'll be hitting them at some point, the thrill of VEGAS still remains to great to pass up.
Some of you have even asked if I'm concerned that with the opening of Wheeling and Chester and later Cross Lanes (Tri-State) poker rooms and sundry games, will actually hurt our home games. I don't think so at all. In fact, I think it will only add to the frenzy. The home tourneys and cash games that we continue to have, are VERY social events. And in a lot of cases present an entertainment option to a lot of us, particularly couples, that is much cheaper than any other entertainment available to us here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. I think more and more home games will be available for a long time to come, so don't worry about it. I'll keep the light on in the local card room, and keep the chips stacked up nice and neat for you all. This coming year, I will continue to host poker tournaments, but may actually be able to cut back on the number of times per year, that I personally host, and instead attend the games of others instead. More and more of you are hosting games thereby alleviating some of the "stresses" involved with putting a game together every other week, or month. Since Erik S is still hosting his tourneys and the oh so "juicy" cash games that's always an option. Frank has River's Edge Poker Club in full swing, JR (a.k.a. Smartass, Junior, or Uncle Jun) set off a Vegas grenade in his basement and boasts a helluva poker room now, don't forget the Yanok's game (although I can't elaborate since what happens there, stays there!) And for the more adventurous among you there are the IBEW games that Julie M can ALWAYS be counted on to give the scoop on, and when I can once again "afford" to wander in to the other game with Matt and his brother-in-law, I'll do so. Seriously though, the guy in for $1,500 that night still freaked me out a little!!! I really gotta improve my game! There are also the Moose games that are still going on, although I've never taken part there. Lundo, is still running his game, last I heard. And there are some other "beefy" below the radar games that I can point you to if you've got some deep pockets, and a hankerin' for a little sumpin' sumpin'. And I know that a number of you have other games that you attend with your "other" friends, whoever in the heck they are. You know the ones that you're willing to be seen with in daylight hours, as opposed to this pack of degenerates! We look better in a little less light, and a beer or twelve! Anyway, I've way over beleaguered a point I think I was trying to make. There's lots of poker to be played here in our hometown and surrounding area. A renewed poker boom is taking place at a lot of local levels, despite a possible reduction at the big name events and television tournaments. People have rediscovered the game. And not just hold 'em, which many believe will begin to take a backseat to Omaha, and the H.O.R.S.E. tournaments and ring games are gaining a lot of popularity, forcing mastery of a multiple of poker disciplines.
All I can really say is, that poker in it's many forms and venues, is Alive and Well, and will be that way for many moons to come. Hang on tight folks, this Merry-Go-Round is moving fast. I'll see MANY of you this weekend, and many more next. But for now, I gotta run off to Project Management Class, and be a good little government worker.
Regards,
cheer_dad
P.S. Countdown to Las Vegas... 44 Days, 10 Hours, 7 Minutes!!! We gotta look up the little Korean? dealer whose name was also Frank, and see if he actually did "...prolly ROOOOSSSE his job!"
Some of you have even asked if I'm concerned that with the opening of Wheeling and Chester and later Cross Lanes (Tri-State) poker rooms and sundry games, will actually hurt our home games. I don't think so at all. In fact, I think it will only add to the frenzy. The home tourneys and cash games that we continue to have, are VERY social events. And in a lot of cases present an entertainment option to a lot of us, particularly couples, that is much cheaper than any other entertainment available to us here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. I think more and more home games will be available for a long time to come, so don't worry about it. I'll keep the light on in the local card room, and keep the chips stacked up nice and neat for you all. This coming year, I will continue to host poker tournaments, but may actually be able to cut back on the number of times per year, that I personally host, and instead attend the games of others instead. More and more of you are hosting games thereby alleviating some of the "stresses" involved with putting a game together every other week, or month. Since Erik S is still hosting his tourneys and the oh so "juicy" cash games that's always an option. Frank has River's Edge Poker Club in full swing, JR (a.k.a. Smartass, Junior, or Uncle Jun) set off a Vegas grenade in his basement and boasts a helluva poker room now, don't forget the Yanok's game (although I can't elaborate since what happens there, stays there!) And for the more adventurous among you there are the IBEW games that Julie M can ALWAYS be counted on to give the scoop on, and when I can once again "afford" to wander in to the other game with Matt and his brother-in-law, I'll do so. Seriously though, the guy in for $1,500 that night still freaked me out a little!!! I really gotta improve my game! There are also the Moose games that are still going on, although I've never taken part there. Lundo, is still running his game, last I heard. And there are some other "beefy" below the radar games that I can point you to if you've got some deep pockets, and a hankerin' for a little sumpin' sumpin'. And I know that a number of you have other games that you attend with your "other" friends, whoever in the heck they are. You know the ones that you're willing to be seen with in daylight hours, as opposed to this pack of degenerates! We look better in a little less light, and a beer or twelve! Anyway, I've way over beleaguered a point I think I was trying to make. There's lots of poker to be played here in our hometown and surrounding area. A renewed poker boom is taking place at a lot of local levels, despite a possible reduction at the big name events and television tournaments. People have rediscovered the game. And not just hold 'em, which many believe will begin to take a backseat to Omaha, and the H.O.R.S.E. tournaments and ring games are gaining a lot of popularity, forcing mastery of a multiple of poker disciplines.
All I can really say is, that poker in it's many forms and venues, is Alive and Well, and will be that way for many moons to come. Hang on tight folks, this Merry-Go-Round is moving fast. I'll see MANY of you this weekend, and many more next. But for now, I gotta run off to Project Management Class, and be a good little government worker.
Regards,
cheer_dad
P.S. Countdown to Las Vegas... 44 Days, 10 Hours, 7 Minutes!!! We gotta look up the little Korean? dealer whose name was also Frank, and see if he actually did "...prolly ROOOOSSSE his job!"
Monday, December 03, 2007
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
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
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