Poker in Colorado has come a long way since the 1991 introduction of Limited Stakes Gaming and is still evolving as the moods of the players (and voters) change. From a simple $5 limit, the game has evolved into the current $100 per bet monster with a bright future.
The poker games of the early ‘90s were rustic and pure Colorado. At the Long Branch Saloon in Central City actual saddles were used at the bar for barstools and just down the street at The Glory Hole, “Barb” used to manage a narrow four table room behind the bar – with 9 a.m. tournaments filled to capacity.
Larry Johnson, second from left, attends the opening day of Baby Does. Photos courtesy of Larry Johnson.
The famous Teller House had a room briefly, “The Miners Pick” had the best T-shirts in town (a miner with his finger up his nose) and Fitzgerald’s breakfast for poker players was outstanding.
At first – the smaller rooms had the business. Proposition players (players who played with their own money but were paid by the house) were abundant – with myself being one for a while.
Then, in the late ’90s an interesting change happened. Poker started up in Black Hawk with the first large, professionally run Gilpin Poker Room (yep, there were two Gilpin Rooms through the years) taking over the scene. My first Black Hawk poker experience was when a traveling pro named J.R. took me down from Central City to take a look – I was hooked – big screen TVs, food for the taking, and games going by 9 a.m.
Larry Johnson enjoys a poker tournament at The Glory Hole Casino in Central City in 1993.
As we moved into the new century the poker game had evolved into a simple $2 – $5 or $5 – $5 game with a few tournaments thrown in.
Poker central was at The Lodge, The Ameristar (known then as The Hyatt, then The Mountain High), Colorado Central Station and The Golden Gates.
The 50+ player $100 tournaments were commonplace. Starting chips were minimal ($1,500 to $5,000), thus tournaments were shorter. This is where many of the good local players honed their skills – night after night of tournament poker. Veteran player Steve R. compared those tournament days to school when he commented while discussing where poker has come from, “That’s why our rooms are hopping, we have a great base of players who keep the game going.”
Then, in July 2009 everything changed. Limits went up to $100 and the variety of poker exploded. We started the first High Limit $10 – $20 game at 12:02 a.m. that first night at The Lodge with the room packed to the rafters and going full steam. Within a half hour, that $10 – $20 game had morphed into a lively $20 – $40 game at the insistence of the players.
Larry Johnson playing at the Glory Hole
Over the past year the poker world in Black Hawk / Central City has separated into two very distinct types – tournament poker at the Golden Gates and The Lodge (with plenty of live action in both rooms) with huge live action filling the Ameristar every night (14 of 14 games one Tuesday nearing midnight in early October.)
What does the future hold for Colorado Poker?
The consensus from players, dealers and floor people is that poker will only continue to become stronger in Colorado. As the rooms begin to develop a national reputation for 24 hour games, huge live action, and large tournaments, more recreational players will make the drive up the hill because they can find the game they want at any time. Thus Black Hawk / Central City poker will become a destination – like Las Vegas, Nev.
Ameristar Poker Room Manager Eric M. summed up the direction of their poker room as he was rushing by my table on a recent Saturday afternoon, “The players dictate when, what and where the poker games are so we will continue to listen to the players and adjust as necessary.”
There was a great discussion at a $2 – $5 – $100 game I was in the other night. One player was talking about going to Las Vegas to play at the Bellagio Poker Room along with a possible tournament for the action. It was ironic because, here in Colorado, just across the street The Heartland was wrapping up with 1st Prize at $182,100 (402 players in The Main Event) and we were in a room with 14 games roaring along!
My prediction for poker one year from now: Poker and lots of it with the games continuing to condense into two or three of the larger rooms. The bad news is the games will more than likely tighten up because many players will get better and those who do not will lose their bank rolls – thus the quality of opponents will improve, making it harder to win on a consistent basis.
The question is, will the limits be raised again? It took nearly 20 years the first time and business is booming so it will more than likely be another 20 years before it’s possible.
Terry V, a player who was on his 8th trip (4 in the past month – winning 3 times) summed up the feeling’s at a $1 – $2 game I sat in last night with a “There’s always a game in town, it’s fun, and I know one hand could change my family’s life!”- Referring to the half-million dollar bad beat jackpot up for grabs.
Almost 20 years later and Colorado Poker is still rustic – a very unique game that is continuing to evolve and mature every day. Enjoy the ride – it’s a great time to be a poker player in Colorado.
Remember, play your game!
