By Suzanne Paulman
The Colorado Gambler will be featuring a few customers each week who frequent Black Hawk and Central City casinos. In each issue, the casino patrons will be asked about their favorite casino, game, restaurant, etc. in Colorado’s historic gaming towns.
JESSICA KAYS
Occupation: Small business partner in IT and Elections consulting
Residence: Gilpin County
Favorite casinos: Dostal Alley in Central City and Ameristar in Black Hawk
Favorite game: Table or video poker
Favorite restaurant: Fireside Kitchen at Ameristar
What do you like best: Service and attention to detail at both of the casinos is the best. Dostal has a sort of “Cheers” atmosphere, which I like. Ameristar is classy but not overpriced.
What is your favorite story: At Dostal Alley I put $10 into a machine and cashed out with $120.
What would you like to see more of: We have a good variety of casinos up here. Everyone’s always accommodating. It’s good.
PATRICK SMITH
Occupation: Construction
Residence: Gilpin County
Favorite casinos: Golden Gates in Black Hawk and Ameristar in Black Hawk
Favorite game: Texas Hold’em poker/Heartland Poker Tour
Favorite restaurant: Centennial Buffet at Ameristar
What do you like best: I like the small town atmosphere of the casinos. It’s not as impersonal as Las Vegas. The staff talks to you and makes you feel welcome. I like that.
What is your favorite story: I was at Golden Gates and had busted out of a $100 Hold’em tournament. I was waiting for my partner to finish and I started playing a $2 slot machine. With $8 left in the machine to play, I hit a $4,000 jackpot.
What would you like to see more of: Nothing. I like it the way it is.
FORREST WHITMAN
Occupation: Gilpin County Commissioner
Residence: Gilpin County
Favorite casinos: Dostal Alley in Central City and Ameristar in Black Hawk
Favorite game: Video poker
Favorite restaurant: Timberline Grill at Ameristar
What do you like best: The friendliest people work at the casinos up here and the bands that play at Ameristar are great!
What is your favorite story: It was the night I went to Ameristar with some good friends and we had a fabulous dinner at Timberline Grill. We started playing roulette after dinner and pretended we were in Monte Carlo, like in the movies. The croupier was also from Gilpin and we had a great time. Did I win anything? No, but it was really an enjoyable experience and we all had fun.
What would you like to see more of: Live bands. And with the 150th Anniversary of Gilpin County coming up in March, I’d like to see the Old West card game of faro offered in celebration of this upcoming historical event.
