Poker Room Promotions: Arizona and New Mexico

I recently returned from a glorious and profitable seven-day poker cruise with my sister, Barbara and several of my best friends. The entire group had a great time, sightseeing, shopping, tanning, and playing poker. The poker room offered three poker tournaments throughout the seven-day trip, though I was unable to attend the first event. I made the money in the second and third events, finishing in fifth place, which paid $540 and then I chopped first and second place money with fellow cruiser David Garrison, in the final event for $1,590 each.

After arriving home I had just enough time to unpack and repack for a road trip to Arizona and New Mexico cardrooms with my friend Tina Bergstrom. Although the trip was short, we managed to visit seven casinos in three days. Our plan was to drive straight through Arizona to Albuquerque with stops at Isleta Casino & Resort, Santa Ana Star Casino, Route 66 Casino and then back through Arizona with stops at Casino Arizona, Cliff Castle, and BlueWater Resorts. We accomplished our mission and I was delighted at the welcome we received from all of the cardroom managers.

At Isleta, our first stop, we were greeted by cardroom manager, Dave Holiday. The poker room opens at 11:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday and is open 24/7 on Fridays and Saturdays with a $2-$5 no-limit game that runs around the clock. The "Bad Beat Jackpot" was approximately $80,000 when I was there.

Thirty minutes down the road we visited Santa Ana Star Casino and met cardroom manager, Edie Suniga. Test your skills in any of the no-limit hold'em events held daily in the nine table poker room.

Next was Route 66 Casino and cardroom manager, Barbara Prather. Barbara is still as gracious and enthusiastic about her position today as she was when I interviewed her three years ago. The 12-table room is located just off of the main casino floor and is nostalgically evocative of old "Route 66."

Then we headed for Casino Arizona where cardroom manager Kent Odekirk was delighted to see us. The Arizona State Poker Championship will be held at Casino Arizona August 16-18, 2008, with $50,000 added by the casino. Single-table $110 no-limit shootouts will begin May 1 with winners receiving a $1,050 entry to the State Championship. You can win your way in by playing no-limit tournaments on May 4, 18 and 25, June 8 and 22, and July 6 at 10 a.m. The buy-in is $125. Players receive $4,000 in tournament chips and is limited to 100 players. One $1,050 entry will be awarded for every 10 paid entrants.

Sign-ups begin on Monday at noon prior to each tournament. Players will receive $10,000 in tournament chips with 30 minute levels for the first four rounds and 45 minute levels for the remainder of the event. The main event, based on 600 entries, will pay $193,500, a championship ring, and a trophy to first place. Second place will receive $96,000 and a trophy, and third place will take home $54,000 and a trophy.

Our last stop was Parker Arizona's BlueWater Resort, three hours from Las Vegas. The resort is ideal for a poker vacation. Every room overlooks the Colorado River. The drive from Vegas takes you on a scenic route through Lake Havasu City with a breathtaking view of Lake Havasu, and the home of London Bridge.

Plan your trip around the following tournament schedule: Sunday, May 11, 25, June 8 and 22, $40 buy-in, no-limit hold'em; Saturday, May 3, 17, 31, June 14 and 18, $100 buy-in, limit hold'em; Sunday, July 6, 20, August 3, 17, 31, September 14, 28, October 12, 26, November 9 and December 7 and 21, $40 buy-in, no-limit hold'em; Saturday, July 12, August 9, 23, September 6, 20, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, 29, December 13 and 27, $100 buy-in, limit hold'em.

Written by Debbie Burkhead

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