Bob and Diana Tait enjoy everything Black Hawk and Central City have to offer, including casinos, dining and the shops. Photo courtesy of Diana Tait
Colorado Gambler keeps gambling couple informed about Black Hawk, Central City
By Sharon Sweeney
I finished up a meeting in Black Hawk on a Friday afternoon and popped into the Shamrock Café located in the Fitzgerald’s Casino in Black Hawk for a late lunch. Before I sat down at the little table by the window, I was engaged in fashion talk with Diana, who momentarily would be sitting next to me. Once she found out I was part owner of the Colorado Gambler, this friendly, and most outgoing woman, shared a plethora of information with me and it was too good not to share with all of you.
Diana told me she had a copy of the Gambler in her car at the moment and that she reads each issue cover to cover. She told me she’s always looking for something she doesn’t know or needs to be reminded of about the gaming towns.
As a gambler, Diana said it was very important to print the same information every week because there are a lot of casinos and information that people can’t always remember. She also likes when the casinos run coupons in the Gambler. By the way, I failed to mention Bob, her husband, who sat quietly and listened to the two of us carry on while he devoured his large plate of lasagna that he said, “was very good.” Diana had the fish and chips and she enjoyed her dish as well.
Bob’s quiet demeanor just might be the key to their 48 years of marriage or the fact he has never failed to buy his bride two gifts every December. He buys her one for the birthday that falls on Dec. 23 and one for Christmas. I asked the couple who has won the most money up at the casinos and Diana was quick to let me know she has “won the most” but she said she also spends the most.
Bob and Diana are happy that the casinos are located in Black Hawk and Central City rather than Denver because they love the beautiful drive from Longmont through Boulder Canyon and Nederland. They venture to the casinos about every 10 days.
“Once we arrive, we really enjoy the food and drinks and in a seven hour day, we probably visit five casinos,” the couple said.
About every fourth visit up to their favorite Colorado casinos, the two stay the night just to get away from home. She visits the thrift store in Central City each time she comes too.
Diana said her favorite place to eat prime rib is at Mardi Gras and said the homemade soups at The Gilpin and Canyon casinos can’t be beat. One of her favorite meals was a shrimp stuffed tilapia special that she enjoyed at 50 percent off at the Canyon Casino. Diana loves the Reuben at Fitzgerald’s, which she says is so big that her and Bob usually have to split the sandwich.
Another favorite of Diana’s is The Gilpin’s Tuesday and Thursday half-price food and double points for seniors.
“Why wouldn’t you eat where you get 50 percent off?” Diana said.
Diana had a great experience playing on a Thursday Bingo Day at Century Casino in Central City. She said the first time she played she won the first and second game and was rewarded $100 per game.
Her biggest winning so far is when she won $400 at Ameristar and again at Century while playing the 2X Penny slots.
Diana said she and Bob also love the new look and remodel of Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino.
“Overall The Gilpin has been the best and the nicest to us,” she said.
When asked what she liked best about coming to Black Hawk or Central City, she said, “I can’t think of anything that we do for entertainment that doesn’t allow us to win some money or bring us some rewards and winning is a natural high”.
“I don’t understand people who don’t think they should have to pay for entertainment. If we leave a little money up here, it’s no big deal.”
