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Gambler Celebrating 22 Years Serving Colorado’s Gaming Community y www.coloradogambler.com coloradogambler cogamblerr

Black Hawk, Central City holiday giveaways Pages 4, 6, 9-11

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See Cover Story on page12

HOLIDAY GIVING

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk gives back Page 7

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December 3 - 16, 2013

Check Out Valuable Coupons On Page 9

PROMOTIONS

Volu m

TRAIL’S END

Hired-gun Tom Horn and his mysterious life Page 17

HAPPENINGS Head to the hills for the Holidays Page 18

COUPONS • COLORADO HISTORY • CASINO GUIDE •GAMING • MAP • ENTER TAINMENT

The Last Hand

Gambler

Lot’s of Hard Work

Changes keep coming in gaming industry

around $100 million a year to state and local governments agencies.

This money goes to schools and historical preservation and has made some huge differences in gaming communities and higher education. he gaming industry conSeems slightly unfair to tax gaming tinues to evolve just like more than other sports. our society. Everything The industry is very competiseems to be faster, but tive and each casino has to figure more complex and compli- By Bob Sweeney out promotions and ways to attract cated. To the credit of the caand keep their good customers. We sino industry, the paperwork, management find that staff and management are very and daily operations must be staggering for friendly, and food and beverage service the work force.

A pat on the back to those folks that book now rank right up with Las Vegas and the rooms, keep the slot machines running, Reno cuisine.

Change means new hotels are currently pay the bills and keep customers and thoucoming with planning and construction sands of employees paid and happy.

What impact has Obamacare had on all moving ahead on schedule. Hotels seem to of the casino employees who have health benefit everyone because they bring new care benefits as part of their employment people to town and they discover the woncontracts? The casino industry has at least derful gaming amenities right here in Colo10,000 people employed and this mas- rado.

It is interesting to watch the people movsive payroll works through food vendors, plumbing, heating, electrical workers, ad- ing around from casino to casino in search of Lady Luck and a great buffet. vertising and the liquor industry.

Grab a Gambler located almost everyIn addition to the daily operations, around the clock gaming industry has to where and check out the coupons and the pay taxes for the privilege and opportunity many prizes being offered by the various to open their doors. These taxes bring in entities. They are inviting you to come

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check them out.

We constantly run into people who have not ventured into a gaming community and then are really enthused about finding so much fun so close to metro Denver. Visited with a man from Missouri today that moved to Colorado, so he can play more poker.

The Colorado Gambler continues to change upwards adding more Internet features and some mobile applications for readers to enjoy and use.

Courts have now ruled that gambling can be considered a skill just like other sports where players have to learn the rules of the game when they start playing.

The World Series of Poker has just been completed and the winner received more than $8 million in prize money. The final table had all brilliant young men who were amazing at figuring out the other player’s hands. Lady players are starting to make the cut and more and more women are learning the finer points of poker.

After all, it is Lady Luck who will decide the final outcomewww.coloradogambler.com for this year’s championship.

Tony Thorpe Maverick Sharp coloradogambler

cogambler

Take a spin for a flurry of cash.

Over 170 winners with the chance to win $2,500 CASH!

OF

Drawings: Every Friday & Saturday at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm December 2013 through January 2014 Last drawing date is Saturday, January 25, 2014 Special New Year’s Eve Drawings: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, and Midnight Get one entry for every 10 base points or 30 minutes of tracked table or poker play.

300 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 303-582-5600 • GoldenMardiGras.com Must be at least 21. Must present valid government-issued photo ID and A-Play Club® Card. Management reserves all rights. Employees of Affinity Gaming® and its subsidiaries, and family members of employees, are not eligible. See A-Play Club for rules. Gambling problem? Call 800-522-4700.

PAGE 2

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

December 3 - 16, 2013

Win up to

500

$

instantly!

Friday, December 13, 20 and 27 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm 20 winners will be selected each night.

Win Cash or Prizes Tuesday, December 3, 10, 17 and 24 3:00pm – 8:00pm Swipe your card at one of the three gold kiosks to see if you will be one of the lucky contestants to spin the wheel.

1-800-THE-ISLE • www.theisleblackhawk.com © 2013 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21 or older. Promotions subject to change or cancellation without notice. Please visit the players club or cashier services for details. Management reserves all rights. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.

receive 4X points on slots and 2X points on video poker. Guests will also receive a free entrée at Otis & Henry’s once they earn 50 unadjusted points.

Table Games http://black-hawk-ladyluck. isleofcapricasinos.com

$750 ChaChingO

Win up to $750 playing ChaChingO! Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28, noon – 8 p.m., three players each half hour will be drawn to play the ChaChingO Game.

Each player will win the total of the three amounts where their pucks land. Guests will receive one free entry each promotional day and can earn additional with each set of 100 unadjusted points earned.

X Mystery Points

Earn up to 10X points on Thursdays, Dec. 12, 19 and 26, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Your point multiplier will be a mystery until you Spin the Wheel!

Pennies From Heaven

Guests will receive 5X points on all penny slot games on Wednesdays through Dec. 18, 8 a.m.–midnight. Register at guest services.

Point Multiplier Mayhem

The Point Multiplier Mayhem returns to Lady Luck on Saturdays in December, 8 a.m.

– 6 p.m. Play your favorite slot machine and receive 7X points, video poker player’s will receive 3X points. Register at guest services prior to playing to receive.

We always have multiple $5 games.

Play $2 Craps Monday through Thursday with 10 X’s odds daily. We offer craps, roulette, Buffalo Blackjack Bonus, Three Card Poker and 21 + 3 Xtreme. Club 40 – Play 2 hours and receive a $10 Meal at Otis & Henry’s every Friday. Earn entries for Major Promotions. Play 4 hours Sunday’s – Wednesday’s and earn a free night Stay (Excludes Holidays and Blackout Dates).

Play 3 hours and have your bus ticket reimbursed up to $18. Earn Cash Offers, Match Play Coupons, Food Comps and other Great Offers based on play.

Poker

Bad Beat Top Award is currently $85,000 (as of Nov. 27) with qualifiers of Aces Full of Jack’s beaten. Be in a game Sunday – Friday by 10 a.m. and receive 2 - $10 Bounce Back Coupons after 4 hours of play. Be in a game Sunday – Friday by 11 a.m. and receive a $10 Bounce Back Coupon after 3 hours of play. Earn $2 in comp for every hour of live play. Play 3 hours and have your bus ticket reimbursed up to $18. Play 6 hours of live action Sunday’s – Wednesday’s and earn a Free Night Stay (excludes holidays and blackout dates). Earn an entry to Cash Fall Poker promotion for every hour of Live Play.

Holiday Points’etta

Wednesday, Dec. 25, noon–10 p.m., guests will receive 5X points on all slot games and 2X points on video poker. Guests must register at guest services prior to play.

Club 40

On Wednesdays and Fridays in December, all guests age 40 or better will

PAGE 4

Ring in the New Year with the Get Star Struck New Year’s Eve Drawings and win up to $1,000. Drawings will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Guests will receive one free entry on promotion day and additional entries with each set of 10 unadjusted points earned.

Earn 5X Points On Pennies

Each Thursdays, 8 a.m. – midnight in December, earn 5X Points on all Penny slot machines. Point multiplier is not valid on video poker and you must register at the players club or cashier services prior to playing.

Holiday Day Buffet

Leave the cooking to us this holiday season. Calypso’s Buffet will be offering a special holiday menu that will include holiday favorites. Dec. 24 beginning at 3:30 p.m. and Dec. 25 will be available beginning at 11 a.m. for just $24.99. Brunch items will be available until 2 p.m. on Dec. 25.

The Isle will refund your bus fare up to $20. Simply earn 35 unadjusted points on your player’s card and present your return bus ticket to the player’s club or cashier services. Table Games and Poker players will receive their bus fare back with four hours of consecutive play.

All new members of the IsleOne player’s club will receive $10 after playing 10 unadjusted points on their new players card.

Table Games

www.theisleblackhawk.com

Punch for Prizes

Win up to $500 instantly on Fridays, Dec. 13, 20 and 27 from 5 – 10 p.m. 20 winners will be selected each night. Receive on free entry each promotion day and additional entries with every 10 unadjusted points earned.

Spinnin’ And Winnin’ Giveaway

Win cash or prizes on Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 3 – 8 p.m. Swipe your card at any of the three gold kiosks to see if you will be one of the lucky contestants to spin the wheel. Receive one free swipe each promotional day and earn one additional swipe with 10 unadjusted points.

Tradewinds

Tradewinds at the Isle has a new menu that features what we believe to be the best hamburgers in Black Hawk. Whether you try the classics, a green chili and chipotle, the black & blue or mushroom and Swiss burger you will not be disappointed. Tradewinds even offers a mouthwatering cheeseburger burrito.

Bus Fare Refund

Play 10 Points, Receive $10

Moolah Monday

Sign up each Monday in December between 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. to play in the Moolah Monday Free Slot Tournament at 11 a.m. The top five high scorers will be awarded a cash prize at the conclusion of the tournament with the top prize being $250.

There will also be a bonus drawing at 2 p.m. when two tournament player names will be drawn for $100. You must be present to win.

Star Struck New Year’s Eve

the total jackpot pool. With 3 Aces on the board still qualifying, this is the easiest way to win a bad beat around. Quad 2’s through 7’s beaten would pay more than $31,600 or 50% and Quad 8’s or better beaten would pay over $47,00 or 75%. For complete rules, contact the Poker Room at 303-998-7905.

Free Food – The Isle provides free food for poker players seated in a live cash game or tournament including: Hot & Fresh Pizza, hot dogs, brats, 2 varieties of soup, nacho’s & cheese, chili, as well as vanilla, strawberry or chocolate milkshakes made to order.

Tournaments – Monday through Friday, there will be two tournaments each day at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Every Thursday is Omaha Day at the Isle with 2 weekly Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo Tournaments to choose from. For complete information, please contact the Poker room at 303-998-7905.

The Isle has all your favorite table games including blackjack, craps with 10 times odds and roulette. Also available at the Isle, Three Card Poker, Bonus 6, Buffalo Blackjack, Double Deck Blacjack, and 21+3. Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em and Let-It-Ride are all linked to one progressive jackpot that as of Nov. 22 is $78,825. Three Card Poker has its own progressive jackpot and is at $4,848. And now exclusively at the Isle you can play “Craps-Free Craps” with 10 times odds.

Poker Room

Bad Beat – The Isle has the easiest bad beat to win in Black Hawk. The Bad Beat Jackpot Pool as of Nov. 22 is $63,245.

That means Aces full of 10’s through Kings beaten would pay over $6,300 or 10% of

each additional round. You will also receive 5X points on slots.

Double Cheeseburger/ Fries $3.99

Feeling hungry? Try our Delicious Double Cheeseburger with Fries for only $3.99 at Full House Cafe and Lucky’s. All day, every day.

Thursday Play & Eat

Join us every Thursday to Play and Eat. Simply earn 50 base points or one hour of tracked table play or live poker with a $10 average bet and receive a breakfast or lunch buffet at Bourbon Street Café and Buffet.

Hungry for dinner instead? Earn 100 base points or 2 hours of tracked table play with a $10 average bet and receive a free dinner buffet.

Entertainment

Go BONKERS with Bonkerz Comedy Club every Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. at Bourbon Street Café and Buffet. Loads of laughter and the show is free so join us.

• Dec 6 – 7: Bob Meddles from STARZ Network and The Las Vegas Film Festival with special guest Talon Saucerman.

• Dec 13 – 14: Richy Lala as seen on MTV and A&E.

www.bullwhackerscasino.com www.goldenmardigras.com

$400,000 Winter Wheel of Cash

Take a spin for a flurry of cash with our $400,000 Winter Wheel of Cash. 172 winners will have a chance to win their share of up to $400,000. Drawings every Friday and Saturday in December and January from 1 – 9 p.m. Bonus Drawings on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. – midnight.

Ugly Sweater Kiosk Picks

Pick ugly sweaters to win pretty prizes.

Swipe your A-Play card at any promotional kiosk for a chance to win QuickPlay or other great prizes every Wednesday in December.

Nifty Fifty

Monday and Wednesday are special days for our A-Play club members who are age 50 or better. Receive 50% off all food items when paying with points. Join us for our Nifty Fifty weekly $1,000 Slot Tournaments. Play one free round with no points required. Earn 100 base points for

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

$25,000 Winner Wonderland

This month we will be celebrating the holidays with our $25,000 Winner Wonderland Drawings. Six daily drawings with prizes up to $300 in Free Slot Play from noon to 10 p.m. Just earn 100 points per entry to qualify for the drawings.

10X Points on all Slots, 4X on Video Poker

Celebrate the holidays even more with 10X points on all slots and 4X points on video poker all day Dec. 23 – 29.

6X Points

Bullwhackers is the place for the most points. 6X points on slots every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lucky Bull Club

New Members can get up to $15 in Free Slot Play when signing up for a Bullwhackers Lucky Bull Club card. Membership is free. $10 Continued on page 6 December 3 - 16, 2013

Earn a bEautiful 12-piece holiday dinnerware set!

Thursday, December 5 from 10:00am to 10:00pm Earn 400 unadjusted points to receive your 12-piece holiday dinnerware set!

Then earn more to give away as gifts!

While supplies last.

Win up to $ 750!

Saturday, December 7, 14, 21 and 28 Noon to 8:00pm Every half hour three players will be randomly drawn to play the ChaChingO Game.

Each player wins the total of the three amounts where their three pucks land.

Receive one free entry on the day of the promotion and additional entries for every 100 points.

earn up to

10X points Thursday, December 12, 19 & 26 Your point multiplier will be a mystery until you spin the wheel!

Must register and spin prior to playing to receive multiplier.

1-888-LADY-LUCK • www.ladyluckblackhawk.com Š 2013 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21 years of age or older. Gift of the Month available while supplies last. No rain checks. Promotions subject to change or cancellation without notice. Management reserves all rights. Please visit the guest service center for complete details and official rules for all promotions.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.

Continued from Page 4

for signing up and an additional $5 for your email address.

Take a ride on us

Bullwhackers offers convenient free shuttle service directly to Johnny Z’s Casino in Central City. Shuttle runs Thursdays, noon – 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays noon – midnight, and Sundays 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Fridays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 6 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 4 – 11 p.m. Win up to $1,000 cash, $250 Promo Play, and a Gift Card worth up to $100 for Park Meadows Mall, Visa, Best Buy or Shell Gas. Then, at 11 p.m., one guest will win the top prize of $2,500 cash, $250 Promo Play and a Gift Card worth up to $100.

Jacket Giveaway

Earn 250 base points on Sunday, Dec. 15 to receive your Saratoga Casino Black Hawk flannel lined jacket, noon – 8 p.m. Limit one per guest, while supply lasts.

10K-20K-30K Progressive

www.saratogacasinoBH.com

$50K Wish List Drawings

Santa will reward one guest each hour with a wish list of prizes on

PAGE 6

The top progressive prize will be guaranteed on Saturday, Dec. 28. At 8 p.m., 10 guests will choose from 10 envelopes containing prizes ranging from $1,000 to the top progressive prize.

The prize pool could be as high as $35,000.

$15K Cash Grand Prize

On Tuesday, Dec. 31, four guests

win $500 from 3 – 6 p.m. and four guests win $750, 7 – 11 p.m. Plus, two guests will ring in the New Year $5,000 richer. Enjoy free party favors starting at 8 p.m. and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

Stocking Stuffer Hot Seats Birthday Bonus On Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., 10 guests choose a holiday stocking stuffed with up to $500. Play your favorite slot and you could win cash, Promo Play or Shell gas cards.

Do you have a December birthday?

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 15 to be one of three $100 winners at 7 p.m. Swipe Club card at Guest Services before 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 to be eligible to win.

$1,000 Toy Drive

10X Penny Points

Dream Team

For every new, unwrapped toy you donate from Dec. 1-15, you’ll receive one entry to be one of 20 winners of $50 Promo Play. Plus, receive a free buffet on the day your drop off your donation. Items can be dropped off at the Garden Buffet Sunday-Thursday, noon – 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, noon – 9 p.m. One entry per person, per day. Need not be present to win.

$5,000 Holiday Wrap-Up

Each night on Thursday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Dec. 27, 3 – 10 p.m., six guests will win $250 Promo Play. Then, at 11 p.m. we’ll gift one winner with $1,000 cash.

Receive 10X points on penny slot machines every Friday in December, noon – 8 p.m.

Merry Multiplier: 3X 4X 5X

Gold Club members receive 3X points, Platinum Club members receive 4X points, and Diamond Club members receive 5X points on Thursdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Not valid on video poker, keno or electronic table games.

Facebook Trivia

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win $50 Promo Play and a free buffet for two. Each week is a new chance to win.

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

Choose your Fantasy Football line up every week starting on Monday and turn it in on Thursday by 5:45 p.m. Each week, one guest will win $100 and each month, one guest will win $300 for the total top scores.

Entertainment

New Year’s Eve: DJ Mario, 8 p.m.–1 a.m.

Christmas Food specials

The Café: Ham and turkey, mashed potatoes, au gratin potatoes, mixed vegetables, dinner roll and butter, $10. Slow roasted prime rib with Continued on page 19

December 3 - 16, 2013

Giving Back

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk gives back Toy drive ends Dec. 15; Promo Play Dec. 16

By Linda Jones

The Saratoga Casino may be a relative newcomer in Black Hawk, but it has already begun following the long-established charitable traditions of its New York casinoparent. Saratoga Casino Black Hawk conducted a successful food drive prior to Thanksgiving and began a Toy Drive on Dec. 1. Both drives are paired with a Promo Play promotion. During the recent Food Drive, about 250 guests contributed non-perishable food and were entered into the Promo drawing and 20 of those lucky guests won $50 in the drawing.

Each contribution also earned the guest a free buffet meal.

The same Promo Play rules will be followed during the Toy Drive.

Each guest who contributes an unwrapped toy, each day, will receive a free buffet and is entered into the drawing for a chance to win $50. The Toy Drive ends on Dec. 15, with Promo Play on Dec.

December 3 - 16, 2013

16. (Winners in Promo Play do not have to be present.)

The casino now offers a tasty buffet on the top floor, accessible by a new escalator, in the location of the former steakhouse. The popular restaurant on the main floor remains in its longtime location.

Saratoga Raceway & Casino, “parent” of Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, has a long history of charitable giving in their local community. The New York casino, at Saratoga Springs near Albany, N.Y., offers more than 1,700 machines, multiple dining options, a More than 250 guests donated to Saratoga’s recent Food Drive, which benefitted Loaves & Fishes.

Photo courtesy of Saratoga

hotel, stage, year-round harness racing and more.

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk quickly began setting their own traditions of local giving by donating a $1,000 scholarship to a senior from Gilpin County High School last spring. The Food Drive will become an annual event benefitting Loaves

& Fishes, a volunteer food bank established in 1999 in Idaho Springs, serving both Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. In 2012 Loaves & Fishes served 10,461 individuals/days; some individuals may have been helped more than one day. Loaves & Fishes is a totally volunteer effort, with a fulltime paid director and a very part-time employee.

This Thanksgiving the charity filled 223 baskets, thanks to the generous donations of the grocery stores in the area and the volunteers who drive to those stores for pickups. The three-dozen volunteers also stock and check people in and out on the two shopping days each week.

The Toy Drive will also become an annual event benefitting the Clear Creek County Santa Shop in Dumont.

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk hosts successful food drive and will not hold a toy drive through Dec. 15.

Photo by Linda Jones

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

PAGE 7

Crossword Puzzle

Smoke-free – an instant winner

This has been a year to mark smokefree celebrations and their ability produce instant winnings. Colorado’s smoke-free casino law celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2013, while Greeley and Pueblo Colorado’s smokefree laws, which included bars and restaurants, turned 10. Employees and patrons don’t have to worry about burning eyes or smelling like smoke.

Groundbreaking studies in Colorado have demonstrated the immediate health impact goes well beyond burning eyes and odor. In August, a first of its kind study funded by the National Cancer Institute found ambulance visits dropped almost 20 percent to Gilpin County casinos following the smoke-free casino law in 2008. The results follow a trend discovered in studies of Pueblo and Greeley’s smoke-free policies.

Two separate studies, one of Greeley and Pueblo following their smokefree laws, found hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped 41 percent in Pueblo and 27 percent in Greeley in the years after the implementation of

their smoke-free laws. The amazing results are not surprising given the more than 100 poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

Just 30 minutes of exposure to tobacco smoke can slow blood flow to the heart.

“Smoke-free laws save lives, reduce health care costs and are an important part of making Colorado a healthier, more competitive state,” said Bob Doyle, executive director of the Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance.

Smoke-free laws can also help smokers smoke less and quit more. And the benefits to someone quitting tobacco use can also be immediate in terms of physical and financial health. There is no need to gamble with your health when it comes to tobacco smoke. It’s dangerous and deadly. Keep yourself in smoke-free places.

If you or someone you know wants to quit tobacco use, Colorado has free quit resources and help at 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669) or www.coquitline. org. See our ad on the back page of the Gambler.

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1. Won the WSPO main event in 1976 and 1977 (5, 7) 7. British Indian Empire in a jar (3) 9. Royal Air Force (3) 11. Naval Air Station rapper (3) 13. Cuban leader (6) 15. Mennonites in Lancaster County, PA (5) 16. Strive for authority living in France (3) 17. In the garden with Adam the night before (3) 18. Male sheep’s computer memory (3) 20. Royally renamed Riviera Casino (7) 21. Auntie’s child (6) 23. Outdoor gear store (3) 24. Green soup (3) 26. Country we live in (2) 27. Agreement to stop fighting (5) 28. Beaten by the winner (5) 30. Fish eggs vs Wade (3) 31. Failed soccer move (4) 32. Saints QB draft (5) 34. Denver boxer Ron, floored Foreman (4) 36. Autonation Chevrolet’s former name (2) 37. John Henry Holliday (3) 38. New Mexico Santa’s iron (2) 39. Dutch baseball league (2)

9

5

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34

4

ACROSS:

20

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1. Back to back Superbowl Champions (6, 7) 2. California National Park (8) 3. Casino with Poker and the most rooms in Central City (7) 4. Santa Claus comes from here?

(5, 4) 5. Pacific Coast State (2) 6. Sodium (2) 7. Train tracks you can go off (5) 8. They stand on soft 17 on all 3 BJ games at this CC hotspot (6, 2, 6) 10. They stand on soft 17 on shoe dealt double deck BJ in CC (6, 7) 12. Former Nugget, the answer (2) 13. Casino with rooms and poker

22 26

32

51

33

37

56

43

55

41. A degree for a sheep (2) 43. Affectionately Nederland (3) 45. 1990 College Football National Champions (8, 9) 49. Bovine mammal (2) 50. Type of bonus blackjack (4) 51. Pro football league (3) 52. The Lodge and Gilpin casinos have this BJ game (6, 4) 55. A 1040 form (2) 56. Rockets star Jeremy (3) 57. Chargers LB Manti (3) 58. Insane four card poker game with progressive (5)

DOWN:

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8

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in Central City (7) 14. Gardner or Braun (3) 19. Cool NJ gaming destination (2) 22. One that uses (4) 25. Mont Blanc is a French one pal (3) 29. They have video Blackjack at the bar (3, 5) 33. List for dealers to go sign to go home (2) 34. King of the jungle star sign (3) 35. In football, comes before around and after tight (3) 38. Stone age tool in Michigan (5) 40. Part of the brain or ear (4) 41. Play music on the street (4) 42. Back of the ship (3) 44. Supernatural being in Germanic mythology (3) 46. Hershey caramel candy from a brown tube (4) 47. Implement used for cutting wood (3) 48. Male deer for a dollar (4) 53. General Electric ticker symbol (2) 54. Father’s district attorney (2) 55. NBC medical TV drama (2)

Crossword puzzle by Tony Thorpe Answers on page 18 PAGE 8

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

December 3 - 16, 2013

real

DEALS Here are some valuable coupons with exciting savings – compliments of these leading Colorado casinos!

Central City Nuggets poker and 4X points for playing in the Z-Spot Pit all day Dec. 23 – 29.

www.bullwhackers.com

10X points on all slots, 4X on video poker

You can earn 10X points on all slots, 4X on video poker and in the Z-Spot Pit all day $60,000 Holiday Hoopla every Sunday in December.

Join us in December for our $60,000 Holiday Hoopla drawings where winners take home electronics, jewelry or cash. $10,000 Doublin’ Dice Roll your way to big winnings in the Win your chance to spin the prize wheel and win cash or merchandise prizes of up Z-Spot Pit and win up to $250. Daily to $500! Only 250 points per entry and six drawings from 1 – 9 p.m. every other hour. daily drawings with prizes from noon – 10 Every day in December. p.m. Plus, additional bonus drawings on Fridays and Saturdays, noon – midnight.

Club Z Card New Members can get up to $15 in Free Slot Play when signing up for a Club Z card.

Z-Spot Pit Dec. 23-29 Celebrate the holidays even more with Membership is free. $10 for signing up and Dec3_GamblerCoupon_3x3.pdf 1 for 11/25/2013 10:52:54 AM your email address.

10X points on all slots, 4X points on video an additional $5

Looking to

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advertise?

CM

MY

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This space could b e yours.

CMY

Call us today!

303-773-8313 Ext. 305

Gambler K

FREE APPETIZER {wITh ThE PuRchAsE oF onE mEAl} simply join the miner’s club ... It’s Free Too! Find millie's Restauraunt on the upper level of the Easy street casino in historic central city.

A $6 vAluE!

for readers of The Gambler

Limit one coupon per table. Not valid with other offers.

Gratuity not included.

ʼs Millie Restaurant

One OneCoupon Couponper perguest, guest,per per day, day,Mon.-Fri. Mon.- Fri.only only--Expires Expires12/16/13 4/15/13

(inside Easy Street Casino)

December 3 - 16, 2013

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

PAGE 9

Central City Nuggets associated cards are opened and the mystery cash prize is revealed.

Dazzling Doubles

www.central-city.cnty.com White Elephant Gift Drawings Fridays and Saturdays in December, 5 – 10 p.m. Three winners chosen each hour. Winners unwrap a mystery gift or steal a gift to win up $300.

Gifts can include movies, gift cards, knick-knacks, and items of holiday cheer. Earn entries with every 150 base points played on your Player’s Club card starting Sunday, Dec. 1. Barrel emptied after each Saturday’s final drawing. The first winner will pick a wrapped mystery gift with a mystery cash prize. The next winner will either unwrap a new gift and mystery cash prize, or steal the gift from winner #1, leaving them to unwrap a gift (There are no steal-backs in our White Elephant Drawings.). Winner #3 can unwrap a gift or steal either of the other two gifts, leaving the one they stole from to either unwrap a wrapped gift, or steal the final remaining unwrapped gift (whose owner must then take a wrapped gift). After all gifts are unwrapped, their

PAGE 10

When double payouts on selected prizes when the dazzlers are dazzling. Flashing alert lights hanging from the ceiling in the table games room will begin flashing at random times. While the light is flashing, win double payouts on $5 worth of bet on a blackjack, “double the doubles” (2 and 12 in the field) on craps, and double the 1st dollar bet straight up on the day’s date. $5 minimum bet during the dazzlers is required to WIN.

$5.99 prime rib Tuesdays Players who join us Tuesdays and earn 50 base points can enjoy our 8 oz. slow-roasted Prime Rib Special, accompanied by choice of potato with seasonal vegetables, for just $5.99. Tuesdays only, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

BINGO –Thursday Bingo Enjoy FREE Bingo every Thursday from 11am to 7 p.m., with a $100 prize for each game. Players with a Player’s Card can pick up their Bingo card at the Player’s Club one hour before each game.

4X Entries on Slots & 2X Entries on Video Poker on Wednesdays

Get 4X entries on slots and 2X entries on video poker every Wednesday for White Elephant Gift Drawings for up to $300 Fridays and Saturdays.

Century ‘Lucky’ Club

Players can text “LUCKY” to 313131 to receive an immediate offer for three free entries for that weekend’s drawings or a Free Spin to win up to $1,500. By joining the “Lucky” Club players will receive surprise LUCKY offers via text message. Messaging and text rates may apply.

win $100 instantly. Score a Field Goal to win a total of $300. And score a Touchdown to win $700. Everyone playing the board wins at least a $50 prize

New Members Guests who sign up at our Player‘s Club for a free club card will get a free spin, where they could win up to $1,500. New Members also receive $10 in InstaComp after earning 250 base points on their account on the day of signup.

Senior Celebration on Wednesday and Thursday

Win $100, plus a Free Hotel Stay and Dinner for Two good Sunday – Thursday, just by liking our Facebook page and winning our monthly drawing from all of our fans.

Guests aged 50 or better receive 2X points on play all day from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., plus 50% off purchases (up to $25 in one day) at the Retro Deli or Mid City Grill. Please note that 50% food discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount, and including the $8.99 daily food specials.

Sunday Football Score Board

Birthdays

Facebook Contest

Score a touchdown and $700. Sundays at Century feature drawings every half hour from 2 – 6 p.m. Every player with a Century Casino Player’s Card can get one entry to the drawing per drawing day, additional entries are available to players who receive our mail. Winners punch out spots on our game board to find out how many “yards” they earned on that “down.”

Gain a total of ten yards or more for a First Down to

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

Guests with a birthday coupon from our mailer redeem it at the Player’s Club for a gift of a single bonus of 10X their age in points. All guests can come in on the day of their birthday and get 2X points plus a free T-Shirt. Guests who come in on the day of their 21st birthday receive the 2X points and the T-Shirt, plus $10 in comp added to their account, plus a $5 chip to use at the tables.

December 3 - 16, 2013

Central City Nuggets www.famousbonanza.com New Year’s Eve $5,000 Cash Giveaway We will be giving away $5,000 in cash prizes from 7 – 11:30 p.m., on Dec. 31. All you need is a player’s card to join in the fun, so be sure to send off 2013 with a bang at the Famous Bonanza Casino.

2X Mondays Earn 2X points all day on all machines.

Double points on Video Poker

The Parlour

Enjoy 2X Points on all video poker machines every Thursday.

The Parlour at the Famous Bonanza Casino offers the best in table games, featuring 2 Deck pitch Blackjack, Buffalo Blackjack, Roulette and 3-Card Poker. $5 minimum to $50 maximum on 2 Deck pitch Blackjack and $3 minimum and all shoe games. *For complete details on any of our promotions see the Miner’s Club.

Blackjack Bonanza Every Friday night play in The Parlour for cash drawings from 8pm-Midnight, building to a $200 drawing at midnight! Ask your dealer for details.

Match 12 Join us every Friday night from 7 – 11:30 p.m. for Match 12. Over $2,500 in cash prizes every Friday.

Join us on your Birthday

Every Tuesday earn 3X points on all quarter machines.

Come celebrate your birthday with the Famous Bonanza and Easy Street Casinos and receive 500 free points. Players over 55 years of age will receive 800 free points.

Slot Tournament Wednesdays

New Players

3X Points on Quarter Machines

FREE Slot Tournament every Wednesday at The Famous Bonanza. Come play between 1-5 p.m.

Pays the top 8 scores.

Earn just 250 points on your first trip and receive a $10 meal voucher to either Millie’s or Stella’s restaurants.

3X Points on Quarter Machines

New Year’s Day $5,000 Cash Giveaway We will be giving away $5,000 in cash prizes from noon – 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 1, 2014.

All you need is a player’s card to join in the fun, so be sure to start the New Year off a winner at the Easy Street Casino.

2X Mondays Earn 2X points all day on all machines.

Every Tuesday earn 3x points on all quarter machines.

Double points on Video Poker

Enjoy 2X Points on all video poker machines every Thursday!

Join us on your Birthday

Come celebrate your birthday with the Famous Bonanza and Easy Street Casinos and receive 500 free points. Players over 55 years of age will receive 800 free points.

New Players

Earn just 250 points on your first trip and receive a $10 meal voucher to either Millie’s or Stella’s restaurants.

Fun for Kids

Bring your children to the lower level of the casino to enjoy a wide variety of arcade games for our under 21 guests. *For complete details on any of our promotions see the Miner’s Club.

New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day $5,000 in

Cash Drawings

$5,000 in

Cash Drawings

7:00PM-11:30PM 12:00PM-4:30PM Famous Bonanza Casino 107 Main Street Central City, CO

December 3 - 16, 2013

Easy Street Casino 120 Main Street Central City, CO

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

PAGE 11

Cover Story

Maverick Sharp’s Blackjack Table Appraisals

The 6 to 5 singledeck game ‘players reconsider’

The reason why Blackjack adopted Johnny Z’s took down its name from the prethe table appraisal is bevious French game cause they were the only Vingt-et-un (meaning casino in all of Black 21) when the 3 to 2 boHawk and Central City nus was established. where the dealer stands Now approximately on Soft 17. The House 100 years later, casinos thought they would By Maverick Sharp Edge in their doublecreate a substandard version of a deck game came in at a scant blackjack game and reduce the 3 0.204 percent. In all the other cato 2 bonus to 6 to 5. “Players Re- sinos the dealer Hits Soft 17 and consider!” This inferior game may this hinders the player’s expectalook like blackjack, dealt like black- tion by 0.20 percent. By referring jack and played like blackjack, but to the Blackjack Table Appraisal “House Edge” this is the casino trust me… “It is NOT blackjack!”

It truly amazes me how many advantage with a player implecasinos have actually put this game menting perfect Basic Strategy. on their casino floors. In your tra- For those players who do not ditional blackjack game, a player follow Basic Strategy to the letwagering $25 would receive a pre- ter, the House Edge would even mium 3 to 2 payoff of $37.50 on be larger. In my book Dynamic any natural. In this substandard Blackjack-The Professional Apversion a player wagering $25 proach, I offer strategy tables for would receive a 6 to 5 payoff of every standard blackjack game $30 on any natural, thus, shorting you are ever likely to encounter.

There is one thing I would like the unknowledgeable player $7.50 to mention in this commentary respectively.

In a single-deck game the 3 and that is…in no way shape or to 2 bonus for a natural is worth form am I belittling any of the ca2.325 percent to the player, this sinos that offer the single-deck 6 is huge. By the casinos tinkering to 5 game. My primary objective with the traditional 3 to 2 payoff in writing this article is to eduand reducing it to 6 to 5 hinders cate my readers of what they are the player 1.395 percent. As long up against and to only frequent as players keep playing these the “Best” blackjack games giving types games the casinos will con- them the greatest chance of winning. tinue to offer them.

I went incognito to all of the caBy referring to my Blackjack sinos in Black Hawk and Central Table Appraisals you will notice City, virtually blending in with the that every casino that deals the 6 casino wallpaper, and performed to 5 game does undeniably offer a full Blackjack Table Appraisals a “fair” 3 to 2 blackjack game. and Analyses in the 14 casinos that Stay in their establishment and offer the game of blackjack. In my play by all means, but not at the table appraisal I listed the casino, 6 to 5 tables. The choice is still how many blackjack tables they of- ultimately up to the player on fered, the number of decks used, which game they choose to frethe rules and house edge. Please quent, but if the players refuse note, this is unequivocally not a to play this substandard version, “vote” for the best blackjack game! then this game would eventually It is raw data and mathematics in die off and the casinos would which substantiates these conclu- revert back to making all of sions with an ultra-high degree of their blackjack games “fair” for their players. The worst singlecertainty.

By and through my intense deck 6 to 5 game has a House study there is one casino that of- Edge, which is nearly 800 perfers the “Best” blackjack game for cent greater than the best 3 to the blackjack aficionado…Maver- 2 blackjack game, and 286 perick Sharp tips his Ace to Johnny cent greater than average “fair” 3 to 2 6-deck game. Do I need to Z’s.

Casino Blackjack

PAGE 12

Black Hawk & Central City Blackjack

Casino

Location

Ameristar Bonanza Bonanza Canyon Century Gilpin Gilpin Golden Gates Golden Gates Golden Gates Johnny Z’s Johnny Z’s Isle of Capri Isle of Capri Lady Luck Lodge Lodge Lodge Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Monarch Monarch Reserve Reserve Saratoga Saratoga Saratoga

BH CC CC BH CC BH BH BH BH BH CC CC BH BH BH BH BH BH BH BH BH BH BH CC CC BH BH BH

Number of Tables 15 1 1 3 6 2 2 3 2 1 2 1 12 1 6 5 2 3 4 3 2 6 1 4 2 3 2 2

say anymore?

From a blackjack aficionado’s point of view, you would also have to favor the Ameristar Casino with 15 6-deck tables that are unequivocally all “fair” games. They elected not to entertain any of the 6 to 5 single-deck games.

The Monarch has a lot of really big things on the horizon for the avid blackjack player. I gleaned a little insider information in which is going to set the bar high for the Colorado casino industry. The Monarch currently has seven decent blackjack games but are in the mist of breaking the mold by incorporating 22 blackjack tables, and to my current knowledge, my inside source informed me that none of their tables would be the inferior 6 to 5 single-deck game.

In conclusion, I truly hope that you use my Blackjack Table Appraisals earnestly and with conviction. Choose your games wisely.

Until then…I do not believe in luck but Maverick Sharp wishes you nothing but the “Best of Cards!!!”

Number of Decks 6 6 2 6 6 6 1 6 2 1 6 2 6 2 6 6 2 1 6 2 1 6 2 6 1 6 2 1

BlackjackPays 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5 3 to 2 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5 3 to 2 3 to 2 6 to 5

Disclaimer: The views and analysis expressed in this article and Table Appraisal are those of the author and do not in any way, shape, or form reflect the belief or opinion of the Colorado Gambler Newspaper.

Rules H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS H17, DAS H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS, LS, DSA, 3-7’s Pays 2 to 1 H17, DAS, RSA H17 H17 S17, DAS, RSA S17, DAS H17, DAS, RSA H17 H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS, RSA H17 H17, DAS, LS, DSA, 3-7’s Pays 2 to 1 H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS H17 H17, DAS, RSA H17 H17, DAS, RSA H17 H17, DAS, RSA H17, DAS H17, DAS

House Edge 0.569% 0.622% 0.409% 0.569% 0.569% 0.569% 1.299% 0.569% 0.550% 1.629% 0.354% 0.204% 0.569% 0.550% 0.569% 0.569% 0.550% 1.299% 0.569% 0.409% 1.629% 0.569% 0.550% 0.569% 1.629% 0.569% 0.409% 1.480%

Table Key Acronyms BH CC H17 S17 DAS DSA LS RSA

Definition and/or Rule Black Hawk Central City Dealer Hits on Soft 17 Dealer Stands on Soft 17 Double After Split Allowed Draw to Split Aces Late Surrender Re-Split Aces

About Maverick Sharp

Maverick Sharp has been in the trenches in Vegas as a high stakes blackjack player since the early ‘90s. An avid student of Probability Theory and Statistical Logic, he went on a 20-year pursuit exclusively in the field of Blackjack Theory. Sharp has been quantifying and appraising various table conditions throughout the U.S. for many years using the best and most re• Gambling Books • liable blackjack simulation programs on the market. DeterminBlackjack, craps, poker, ing the House Edge in blackjack is roulette, video poker and slots not as cut and dry as it is in craps or roulette. Billions and billions of www.diamondback publishing.com rounds need to be performed to generate accurate results.

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

20% Off on All

December 3 - 16, 2013

Gaming

Is playing the percentages right for you?

P retend, as a promotional ploy, a casino let you pick one of two great gambles. Bet $10 and you’d get a 63 percent chance to win $10.

Bet $20 and you’d get a 60 percent chance to win $20.

Both bets are robust because you have an edge -- even-money payoffs with 1.7-to-1 odds favoring success. Of course, neither may suit you. For approve instance, maybe you dis­ of gambling, need the cash for gas and tolls on the way home, or got warned off by 1-900-psychic. Otherwise, your selection is between the two options. Do you prefer 63 to 60 percent success rate? Would you be swayed by the possible $20 rather than $10 payoff? Are you willing to lose $10 on this proposition, but not $20?

A fantasy? No. Solid citizens face

choices like this whenever they’re dealt a possible double down in blackjack. And, there’s a standard answer... although it may not be right for you.

Consider five-five versus a dealer’s sevenup. This is a strong hand.

In a six-deck game, hitting offers a 63 percent chance to win one betting unit with a single unit at risk. Doubling affords 60 percent success rate – a 3 percent drop in the chance to win and two betting units at risk – but twice the potential profit.

Basic strategy, which indicates decisions yielding the highest expected gains over extended play, dictates doubling. And, most blackjack buffs act accordingly. Statistical analysis shows how much the extra money outweighs the lower odds of winning a particular hand. For sixdeck games, expected gain for a $10

initial bet on this hand is $4.05 with a double and $2.60 with a hit.

Ace-seven versus a dealer’s sixup is analogous. Basic strategy is to double down, although many players stand. The math shows that doubling yields greater expectations over repeated instances of this hand – $3.83 for a $10 initial bet as opposed to $2.80 by standing. However, success rate is higher for standing than doubling – 64 percent compared with 60 percent.

And, over the short term, conservative bettors know they can not only lose more by doubling than standing, but hesitate to risk having their positions eroded by drawing four through nine.

Not every potential doubled hand offers the three-way trade-off among chance of success, expected profit, and exposure to loss. On hard 10 or 11 versus a dealer upcard of four through six, rational players would end up drawing only once regardless of whether they’d

hit or doubled. So the probability of success is the same either way.

Basic strategy prescribes doubling because expected profit is twice as high. There remains, though, the disincentive that exposure to loss is also twice as great.

A specific example involving equal chances of success is five-six versus six-up. Hitting or doubling, the win rate is 67 percent. But the expected profit for a $10 initial bet in this situation is $6.82 by doubling and $3.41 by hitting. Another case might be three-seven versus a dealer’s four. Either way, success rate is 62 percent. Expected profit on a $10 initial bet on this hand is $4.78 doubling and $2.39 hitting.

If you’re wondering, the converse condition doesn’t present a similar opportunity. When basic strategy is to hit, not double, chance of success and expectation are both better by the book. Take five-six versus ace. Excluding the logical “don’t care” of a dealer blackjack, success

rate is 57 percent hitting and 53 percent doubling, and expected profits on $10 initial bets are $1.48 and $1.29, respectively. So hitting is better by both criteria and involves less exposure to loss as well.

These gambles illustrate conflicts between probability and decision theories. What should you do?

Idealists say play the percentages by maximizing expected win – the laws of probability. Utilitarians say evaluate personal response to success rate and exposure to loss as well as expectation – decision or game theory. And, in trying to propitiate such ponderous predicaments through poetry, the celebrated Sumner A Ingmark says: As players into games advance, They oft find bets that edge enhance, But subject them to greater chance.

FREQUENT RIDERS...

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Casino employees who's casino accounting departments purchase in bulk are NOT eligible. Send 10 completed (name & phone number) loyalty program ticket stubs with a self addressed return envelope to: Horizon Coach Lines Frequent Rider Loyalty Program - 14000 W. 44th Ave - Golden, CO 80403 to receive one complimentary round trip ticket.

Limit 2 loyalty program redemptions per patron/household per month. Only accepting 10 HCL produced salmon-colored round trip loyalty program tickets acceptable for complimentary ticket. NOT REDEEMABLE BY DRIVERS OR TICKET OFFICE AGENTS. EXPIRES 12/31/2013.

For questions or further details call 303.421.2780 December 3 - 16, 2013

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 21 Years

PAGE 13

PAGE 12

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

November 5 - 18, 2013

Casino•Guide Casino

Games

Slots

Ameristar - 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP

Black Hawk Station Bull Durham

Lodging

Food

Parking

Contact

over 1400 536 rooms

B, D, SD, Starbucks

free valet and self parking

720-946-4000/.ameristar.com/Black_Hawk.aspx

VP

120

No

SD,SB

city lot

303-582-5582/ blackhawkstationcasino.net

VP

188

No

SB

city lot

303-582-0810/.bulldurhamcasino.com

Bullwhackers Sun-Thur 8am-1am/ VP Fri-Sat 8am- 3am

400

No

SD

free valet and self parking

1-800-GAM-BULL/bullwhackers.com

Canyon - 24/7 Fri/Sat

BJ, C, R, VP

415

No

SD, SB

free valet and self parking

303-777-1111/canyoncasino.com

Saratoga - 24/7 Fri/Sat

BJ, C, R, VP

585

No

SD, B

free covered valet

303-582-6100 (1-800-538-LUCK)/saratogacasinobh.com

Gilpin - 24/7

BJ, C, R, P, VP

460

No

SD

free valet across the street

303-582-1133/thegilpincasino.com

Golden Gates - 24/7

BJ, P, C, VP

280

No

D

free valet and covered self parking

303-582-5600/thegoldengatescasino.com

Golden Gulch

VP

140

No

V

free self/free valet

303-582-5600/thegoldengatescasino.com

Golden Mardi Gras - 24/7

BJ, C, R, VP

680

No

SD,SB,D

free valet and covered self parking

303-582-5600/goldenmardigras.com

Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk - 24/7 BJ, C, P, R, VP

1308

238

B,D,SD

free valet and self parking

1-800-The-Isle/theisleblackhawk.com

Lady Luck - 24/7

BJ, P,C, R, VP

500

164

SD,SB

free covered valet and self parking

1-888-Lady-Luck/ladyluckblackhawk.com

Lodge - 24/7

BJ, C, R, P, VP

975

50

B, D, SD, SB

free valet parking

303-582-1771/thelodgecasino.com

Red Dolly

VP

149

No

SD

free self parking

303-582-1100/reddollycasino.net

Monarch - 24/7

BJ, C, R, VP

766

No

B

free valet and self parking

303-582-1000/monarchblackhawk.com

Sasquatch

No

70

No

D

No

720-880-1616

Wildcard

VP

220

No

D

city lot

303-582-3412/thewildcardsaloon.com

Century Casino - 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP

520

26

SD,D

free covered self parking

303-582-5050/cnty.com

Crystal Palace

VP

101

No

D

free city lot

720-253-1669

Doc Holliday

VP

178

No

SD

free city lot

303-582-1400/dochollidaycasino.net

Dostal Alley - 24/7

VP

64

No

SD

free self parking

303-582-1610/dostalalley.net

Easy Street

VP

205

No

SD

free self parking

303-582-5914/famousbonanza.com

Famous Bonanza

BJ, P, R, VP

244

No

SD , D

free self parking

303-582-5914/famousbonanza.com

Johnny Z’s - 24/7

BJ, C, R, VP

367

No

SD, D

free covered parking

303-582-5623/johnnyzscasino.com

Reserve Casino Hotel - 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP

700

119

SD, D, B, SB, V

free valet and self parking

1-800-924-6646/reservecasinohotel.com

The Brass Ass - 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP

250

No

SD

free covered self parking

800-635-LUCK/triplecrowncasino.com

Bronco & Buffalo Billy’s - 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP

750

23

SD

free self parking

877-989-2142/broncobillyscasino.com

Century Casino - 24/7

BJ, R,

448

18

SD

free self parking

719-689-0333/cripple-creek.cnty.com

Colorado Grande - 24/7

BJ, R, VP

211

5

SD, SB

free self parking

877-244-9469/coloradogrande.com

Double Eagle & Gold Creek - 24/7

BJ, P ,C, R, VP

700+

158

SD, SB

free valet and covered self parking

800-711-7234/decasino.com

Johnny Nolon’s - 24/7

VP

255

No

SD

free self parking w/validation

719-689-2080/johnnynolons.com

J.P. McGill’s - 24/7 Fri/Sat

VP

300

40

SD

validated self parking

800-635-LUCK/triplecrowncasinos.com

Midnight Rose - 24/7

P, VP

400

19

SD, B

validated self parking

800-635-LUCK/triplecrowncasinos.com

Wildwood Casino- 24/7

BJ, P, C, R, VP, TH 530

68

SD, D, B

Climate controlled self parking

877-945-3963/playwildwood.com

Games Key

Food Key

BJ - Blackjack, P - Poker, C - Craps, R - Roulette, TH - Texas Holdem’, VP-Video Poker

B-Buffet, D-Deli, SD-Sitdown, SB-Snackbar, V-Vending Machine

This information is subject to change without notice.

Closed

PAGE 16

Ed won $1,600 playing Blazing 7s at Century Casino in Central City.

Darrel won $6,400 playing a $1 4X Pay machine at Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk.

Loretta won $7,200 playing a $1 Triple Stars machine at Isle Casino Black Hawk.

Ryan won $4,800 playing Triple Stars at Mardi Gras Casino.

Omar won $1,440 playing a Triple Double Diamond machine at Monarch Casino Black Hawk.

Deborah won $10,000 at Saratoga Casino.

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

December 3 - 16, 2013

Trail’s End

Hired-gun Tom Horn and his mysterious life

S

o much has been written about the notorious life of Tom Horn, including Horn himself. Yet theories, mystery and pure speculation continue. The real mystery for which Horn was tried, convicted and hanged for was, did he kill young Willie Nickell?

One of the West’s most notable characters, Tom Horn, born in Memphis, Mo., left that state at the age of 14, heading west and away from his abusive father. He found work in Newton, Kan., and then went to Santa Fe, where he hired on as a stage driver for the Overland Mail Company in 1874. In 1876, he worked for the U.S. Army, serving under Al Sieber, as Chief of Scouts.

During this time, his biggest accomplishment was in tracking Geronimo for the Army. By 1890, he joined the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Denver, working cases in Colorado and Wyoming, which included theft of livestock. Before the age of 30, Horn had gained the reputation of one the most fearless lawman in the territory. From this point, his story becomes one of simple corruption.

Horn was hired by the Swan Land and Cattle Company of Wyoming in 1894, technically as a horse breaker.

His real duties included tracking livestock rustlers and encroaching homesteaders. Now a hired killer, he bushwhacked his prey and shot them down. Any evidence would be carefully removed, and two small rocks would be placed under the victim’s head. In this manner, the vigilante warning would be served.

Horn eventually crossed the border into a wild lawless area of Colorado, cut off by mountains, plateaus and distance, known as Brown’s Park. The area served as a hideout for outlaws across the region, most notably, Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch.

Shortly after Horn’s arrival in the Brown’s Park area, dubious warnings began to appear advising various individuals to leave the area. It was suspected that Horn had been hired by the notorious ranchman, Ora Haley, owner of the Two-Bar Ranch and Cattle Company, and then, the first instance linked to Horn occurred, but was never proven. On July 8, 1900, a stranger going by the name of “James Hicks,” shared a meal with a local rancher and friend of the Bassett family, Matt Rash, at

December 3 - 16, 2013

his cabin in Brown’s Park.

Shortly after the stranger left, Rash emerged from his cabin and was killed with a single shot. The murder was never solved.

Then on the morning of Oct. 4, 1900, Isom Dart, also a local ranch hand, who had tried to make his own start, innocently emerged from his cabin, only to be shot down. A single shot rang out, and Dart fell dead. The following day, local officials found two 30-30 shells at the base of a tree, leading the officials to believe it was an assassin. Suspicion turned to the stranger, James Hicks. But again, nothing came of it. Rumors refueled that Hicks was actually Tom Horn, and hired by the Two-Bar owner Haley. It was further rumored that Horn was paid handsomely, receiving $600 for both eliminations.

Horn laid low, and eventually left the area, resuming his prior employment, ostensibly as a bronco buster at $125 a month for various ranches along the upper portion of Wyoming’s Chugwater River. And for a while, the real truth was hidden.

The end for Horn, and to some extent his employers, the Cattleman’s Association, came on a fateful day in 1901. Seven miles from Iron Mountain, in Laramie County, Wyo., was the ranch of Kels Nickell, the only sheepherder in the ranching countryside, patrolled by Horn.

On the early morning of July 18, 1901, Nickell’s 14-year-old son Willie was shot from his horse, killed by two bullets in the back. At the time, young Willie was wearing his father’s coat and hat, and riding his father’s horse.

Law enforcement at the time, and most historians, believed that the killer mistook young Willie for his father. It would later be revealed at trial that the bullets were 30-30 caliber. Another twist in the evidence found at the scene, the investigators surmised that Willie Nickell had fallen from the horse face down. Then someone turned the body over and placed a rock under Willie’s head; Horn’s warning sign. Maybe this was an act to frame Horn?

Even more compelling were the following actions against Kels Nickell. Two weeks after his son Willie was killed, someone shot Kels.

Three shots hit him in the arm, hip and side. Interestingly, these shots were not fired by a 30-30, Horn’s weapon of choice. This was an act of

intimidation, to be sure, but not the action of Horn, it simply wasn’t in keeping with his known one-man operation.

Local law enforcement was stalled in the investigation. Newspapers were reporting incompetence among the leaders of Laramie County. And it was an election year.

Former Pinkerton agent Joe Le Fors, now a U.S. Marshall, was brought to Cheyenne, ostensibly to bring down the Cattlemen’s Association, through Horn. Le Fors succeeded. The two were old friends from their days at the Denver Pinkerton agency. Le Fors set up a meeting with his old friend at a local saloon, with agents secretly hiding in a nearby closet, writing down what Horn would have to say. After a few drinks, Le Fors asked questions regarding the Nickell shooting, and the brazen, braggart Horn replied. The words the hidden recorders wrote down were viewed as a confession by Horn.

Le Fors took the information to the authorities. On Monday, Jan. 13, 1902, Horn was arrested in the bar of the Wyoming Inter-Ocean Hotel for the Nickell murder.

Horn was held in the Cheyenne jail until his case finally went to trial.

Finally, on Oct. 23, 1902, the jury, after six votes, returned a verdict of guilty.

“On Oct. 23, 1902, after a two week trial, the jury of 11 whites and one black, found Horn guilty on the

sixth ballot. At the end of the fifth ballot, two jurors voted for acquittal. The jury then examined all of the testimony. After re-examination, the two hold-out jurors voted guilty. Each later made statements to the effect that although they liked Horn, they had no choice but to find him guilty,” published in The Rocky Mountain News, Oct. 25, 1902.

On Nov. 20, 1903, the day before his 43rd birthday, Horn was executed with the modern gallows system, in the heart of downtown Cheyenne.

To eliminate the executioner, the trap door sprung open with Horn’s weight. Horn dropped four feet. In 32 seconds, he was dead. The crowd was 10 folks deep, yet the hush was deafening.

His brother Charles Horn, a Boulder businessman, retrieved Horn’s body from the Gleason Mortuary that afternoon. A Boulder County sheriff transported the body by train to Boulder for burial in the Horn family plot at Columbia Cemetery.

The funeral, held on Sunday, Nov. 22 with 2,500 in attendance, included Tom’s 72-year-old mother, Mary.

Horn led a mysterious life. That he was a hired killer, there is little doubt. That he died for killing a 14-year-old kid, there is no doubt.

Was he railroaded by a local political machine for political gain, or big ranch revenge? These are the such questions that give ammunition to defenders and attackers alike.

Tom Horn is photographed in jail awaiting his trial in Cheyenne.

The body of Tom Horn is carried into the hearse on its way to burial in Boulder’s Columbia Cemetery.

Photos courtesy of Denver Public Library

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 21 Years

PAGE 17

Head to the hills for the Holidays CRIPPLE CREEK AND VICTOR Tweeds Holiday Home Tour

Horoscopes by Teelok SAGITTARIUS - (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) You are full of energy. You can accomplish much at this time but only if you are open to compromise. Your success at this time depends largely on how you express yourself with others. Lucky Numbers: 9, 15, 26, 33, 37, 41

CAPRICORN - (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) Whatever plans and goals you have been striving for up to this time are achievable. Try not to go into many directions at once. Focus on what is most important and you will be successful. Lucky Numbers: 3, 12, 36, 38, 41, 51

AQUARIUS - (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) This is a good time for your health. Any kind of health regime will be successful at this time. Exercise that tummy away. Your workplace is more positive too. Lucky Numbers: 3, 11, 17, 21, 44, 51

PISCES (Feb 20 - March 20) Things seem to be running smoothly in general at this time. Don’t take this for granted this is an opportunity to accomplish much. You will be especially good at at any communications that are needed to move forward in your life. Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 13, 22, 31, 36

Holiday Parade

Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m., Parade line up 4th and Victor; 6p.m. Parade of lights followed by party in the plaza in 3rd street. (Burn barrels, cookies, cocoa, and DREAM hot cocktail fundraiser), 7 p.m. business and residential lighting contest winners announces and parade of lights prizes. Dec. 14, Ribbon Cutting at Brian’s Park Hockey Rink, 2 p.m. Skating around the Christmas tree and pictures with Santa, 2:30 p.m.

Horoscopes

Headframe Lighting

The giant headframes that remain as ghosts of 1890s gold mining days will again light up the night sky around Victor and Cripple Creek this holiday season.

These unique mining artifacts, Holiday ornaments, some as large as 20 feet tall, will be lit against the starry night skies of the Victor and Cripple Creek starting Friday of Thanksgiving Day weekend. A selfguided driving tour map will be available at the Victor Hotel at 4th & Victor Avenue as well as the Cripple Creek Welcome Center and online at victorcolorado.com.

The lights will be best viewed from public roads around the district after dark and will be in place Friday-Sunday nights in December through New Year’s Day, weather/safety and volunteers permitting. Visit www.victorcolorado.com or www.cripplecreekevents.com.

email her at navamsa9@q.com

ARIES - (March 21 - April 20) Burning the candle on both ends seems to be no problem at this time. You are putting your nose to the grindstone and will get positive recognition for your effort. Make sure to balance work and your health. Lucky Numbers: 3, 26, 27, 33, 46, 50

TAURUS - (April 21 - May 21) Romance is in your stars, perhaps a great love is coming your way.

You maybe considering a long distance pleasure trip as well.

Lucky Numbers: 10, 18, 29, 31, 41, 48

GEMINI - (May 22 - June 21) You maybe working around your home and planning home improvement projects. Perhaps you are thinking about a move? All of these home projects will be very therapeutic now..

Lucky Numbers: 21, 25, 30, 37, 42, 49

CANCER - (June 22 - July 22) A pleasant time in the work place is at hand. Things seem to be going smoothly. Your health is good. Romance is in the air and you have several prospects. Lucky Numbers: 4, 8, 16, 33, 41, 57

58. Crazy

Dec. 7 – 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Teller House, 120 Eureka St. Crafts, jewelry, books, clothing, ornaments, antiques, food and exhibits. Musicians, carolers and other performers, plus a children’s coloring contest. This is a great opportunity to see the famous “Face on the Barroom Floor” and take a guess at what’s

DOWN: 1. Denver Broncos 2. Yosemite 3. Reserve 4. North Pole

Tommyknocker Holiday Bazaar with Tree Lighting

Dec. 13, 3-9p.m., Dec. 14, 10 a.m.

– 5 p.m., Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 310 Victor Avenue (Antlers Building), featuring unique items from local artists and vendors.

50. Bust 51. NFL 52. Single Deck 55. EZ 56. Lin 57. Teo

CENTRAL CITY

Elf Emporium

39. NL 41. BA 43. Ned 45. Colorado Buffaloes 49. Ox

Dec. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Gilpin County Community Center, 250 Norton Dr. Black Hawk. Fun, Food, Live Music, Crafts & Gifts. Call 303-582-1453 or visit www.GilpinRecreation.com.

Dec. 7 – 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The theme this year is “Sounds of the Seasons,” and the tour will feature four magnificent homes in the Woodland Park area, including the beautiful San Francisco Javier private chapel and the cozy Seraphim Heritages, nestled in the pines at the El Tesoro de Los Angeles Retreat Center. Also included is Cripple Creek’s Carr Manor (located at 350 E. Carr Ave.) The Hospitality House, 600 North “B” Street) will serve as a location to pick up tickets, find information, and enjoy a variety of home-baked delicious treats. Ask about the complimentary shuttle service that will take you from Tweeds to Carr Manor in Cripple Creek. For more information visit www.wphht.org.

LEO - (July 23 – Aug 22) This is a lucky time, you are the winner. Even at your work place things are going well. Be careful as quickly as the money comes in, you will want to spend it. Lucky Numbers: 7, 11, 21, 36, 52, 55

VIRGO - (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Spending time at home and with your family will be especially fulfilling this holiday season. Seems like everybody is getting along at your house. That is because you have a gift of putting everybody at ease at this time. Lucky Numbers: 2, 10, 24, 28, 34, 44

LIBRA - (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Finance and business of your main focus at this time. You are reevaluating what is important to you. Take your time whether it is shopping for gifts or signing that big contract. Lucky Numbers: 12, 18, 26, 28, 37, 51

SCORPIO - (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You are at the beginning of a new cycle. Your mind is working clearer.

You are looking at what you value in your life. What you consider to be failures maybe the seeds of positive change. Lucky Numbers: 5, 13, 19, 31, 35, 47 31. Flop 32. Brees 34. Lyle 36. Go 37. Doc 38. Fe

11th Annual Winter Arts Festival

Dec. 13 – 15, Make the trip an overnight getaway by booking a room at the Victor Hotel or at one of the lodgings in Cripple Creek and take in the traditional Holiday Butte Theater show that features the gold mining legend, The Christmas Blaze. Starts Nov. 29.

23. REI 24. Pea 26. US 27. Truce 28. Loser 30. Roe

BLACK HAWK

Gold Camp Christmas

5. OR 6. Na 7. Rails 8. Johnny Z’s Casino 10. Famous

Bonanza 12. AI 13. Century 14. Ava 19. AC 22. User

25. Alp 29. Red Dolly 33. EO 34. Leo 35. End 38. Flint

Contact Mary Nightstar at marynightstar@yahoo.com and type “horoscope” in the subject line.

15. Amish 16. Vie 17. Eve 18. Ram 20. Monarch 21. Cousin

C

“wrong” with the Muses painted on the walls of the famous Face Bar. For more information contact: Barbara at 303582-5919 or Shirley at 303-582-5209.

Visit www.centralcityopera.org.

ANSWERS: 1. Doyle Brunson 7. Raj 9. RAF 11. NAS 13. Castro

olorado gaming towns will be making merry during the season with a host of family activities. Check out the great Central City and Cripple Creek casinos and businesses for holiday specials and discounts.

Happenings

40. Lobe 41. Busk 42. Aft 44. Elf 46. Rolo 47. Axe

48. Buck 53. GE 54. DA 55. ER

Crossword puzzle answers from page 6

PAGE 18

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

December 3 - 16, 2013

Trading Post $500 in cash. Make your holidays merry and Pick your Present today. Make it Monarch Casino Black Hawk – grilled shrimp, mashed potatoes, au gratin pota- you bet it’s fun. toes, mixed vegetables, dinner roll and butter, $20.

Bread pudding $2.50. Garden Buffet Special: Tradi- Lobster, crab and prime rib tional Christmas dinner, $9.99.

Discover Black Hawk’s newest dining experience.

The all-new buffet features nightly whole Maine lobster, Alaskan crab and USDA prime rib alongside an array of buffet favorites. Don’t miss the sensational Champagne and Mimosa Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. www.monarchblackhawk.com

EMPLOYMENT

Continued from Page 6

Pick Your Present Don’t miss the Pick Your Present giveaway at Monarch Casino Black Hawk. It’s every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., 5 pm. and 7 p.m. in December, with a chance to win up to $30,000. Three winners at each drawing have a chance to win up to

Diamond Days Monarch Casino Black Hawk sparkles every Monday and Tuesday with Diamond Days. Every slot machine shimmers with 4Xs points. Video poker machines shine with 2Xs points. And our buffet is twice as nice at half the price.

Black Hawk’s Best Bet for a Great, Exciting Job

• CRAPS DEALER • BLACK JACK DEALER • RESTAURANT SERVER • COOK • SECURITY OFFICER • FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR

Apply at the Canyon Casino 131 Main Street, Black Hawk or call 303-777-1111 (8:30-5:00, Mon.-Fri.)

We take success personally.

• Table Games Dealer • SLOT TECHNICIAN • F&b supervisor • MAINTENANCE TECH • COOKS - ALL LEVELS • Cashier/hosT • BARBACK • Cook i • TABLE GAMES DEALER • Casino Cleaner • REVENUE AUDITOR

• mainTenanCe TeChniCian Apply at www.islecasinojobs.com 303-998-7815 EOE/Drug Free Employer

Now Accepting Applications For Seeking the following positions:

• BUFFET ATTENDANT • BUFFET CHEF • CAGE CASHIER • COCKTAIL SERVER • COOK • DEALER HOST • DEALER/DUAL RATE • DISH WASHER • DROP/COUNT SPECIALIST • EXECUTIVE CHEF • HOUSEKEEPER

• MANAGER ON DUTY • MARKETING COORDINATOR • PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER • POKER DEALER • RECEIVING ATTENDANT • RESTAURANT CASHIER • SECURITY OFFICER • SERVER • SLOT TECHNICIAN • SOUS CHEF • TABLE GAMES DEALERS

Apply online at affinitygaming.com 300 Main St. Black Hawk, CO 80422

EVENTS 11th Annual Winter Arts Festival

CHIP REDEMPTION NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE OF GAMING CHIPS AND TOKENS FROM THE RIVIERA BLACK HAWK CASINO 444 Main St. Black Hawk Co 80422 Effective October 21, 2013 Riviera Black Hawk chips and token will be discontinued. You may redeem Riviera chips, tokens, and unexpired tickets at Guest Services of Monarch Casino Black Hawk at 444 Main St. Black Hawk, Co 80422 during normal business hours through February 21, 2014.

December 3 - 16, 2013

NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE OF GAMING CHIPS AND TOKENS FROM FITZGERALDS CASINO 101 Main Street Black Hawk, CO 80422

Saturday, December 14th 10:00am - 4:00pm Fun, Food, Live Music, Crafts & Gifts Gilpin County Community Center 250 Norton Dr. Black Hawk, CO 80422

ADMINISTRATIVE

GAMING (CONT.)

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (FULL TIME/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY/KEY COLORADO GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED)

CRAPS DEALER (PART TIME/GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED)

FOOD AND BEVERAGE COOK (FULL TIME) DISH WASHER (FULL TIME) FOOD RUNNER (FULL & PART TIME) FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR (FULL TIME/GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY) JAVA ATTENDANT (FULL TIME) COCKTAIL SERVERS & BANQUET SERVERS (EXTRA BOARD/PART TIME)

HUMAN RESOURCES HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT (PART TIME)

GAMING SLOT MANAGER (FULL TIME/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY/KEY GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED)

BLACKJACK DEALERS (PART TIME/GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED) TABLE GAMES SURVERSIOR/ DUAL RATE (PART TIME POSITIONS/ COMPENSION DOE/GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED)

ACCOUNTING DROP & COUNT TEAM MEMBER (FULL & PART TIME/GRAVEYARD/ GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED)

MARKETING EXECUTIVE CASINO HOST (FULL TIME/GAMING LICENSE REQUIRED/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY) ASIAN MARKET EXECUTIVE CASINO HOST (FULL TIME/GAMING LICENSE/ EXPERIENCE NECESSARY/ FLUENT IN ONE OR MORE ASIAN LANGUAGE)

To apply, please go to the careers tab at www.reservecasinohotel.com and complete the online application.

SERVICES

303-582-1453 ~ www.GilpinRecreation.com

SERVICES

Effective November 20th, 2013 Fitzgerald’s Casino’s chips and tokens will be discontinued. You may redeem Fitzgeralds Casino’s chips and tokens at the main cage of Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, 101 Main Street Black Hawk, CO 80422 during normal hours of operation through the gaming day of December 24th, 2013. After this date, Fitzgeralds Casino’s chips and tokens will no longer be redeemed.

THE COLORADO GAMBLER – Celebrating 22 Years

PAGE 19