It's a bit disappointing. I was kind of excited for a new room in town, hoping they could maybe mix things up a bit and put some pressure on the market to improve. They've got a great room and seemed eager to get in there and do some things, but I think the location is just too much to overcome.

Agreed. I love the location, because it's quiet and calm, but it doesn't get much foot traffic.

I have this question as well - they mentioned that the event would be coming back. Any word?

Apparently the WPT event won't return until October/November, similar dates as last year, while they are also working on an in-house event for this summer.

So I made the aforementioned Isle trip Mon-Tue this week. Grinding six hours there was brutal, as the game only ran from about 5:30pm-1:30am. I didn't get in until 7pm my first night and made the mistake of taking a dinner break, so wasn't able to get six hours. Finished it off the next afternoon (you have a 24 hour window to qualify for the free room), but would have had to grind 7.5 hours without a break (assuming game ran long enough) to pay for night 2, so I just took one night free and payed for the other.

Room was well run, and the game was soft, but just one table during the week and only running about 8 hours. Prob won't bother again. The 3 hour offer was, indeed, referring to 30/60 limit, and they never even got an interest list for that. Joke, imo.

Do the tourneys at the Isle ever go? Or is the Gates the place for tourneys right now?

Gates, 100%

I'm planning on coming out there from Tampa for some outdoorsy R&R for two weeks in June, but I also plan on playing a lot of poker. From what I've read here, Ameristar is the place to play. (I've read about your 2/5 $100 spread, so that's what I'll be playing.)

I found a room at Intown Suites in Sheridan for $200/wk. They have single rooms with a full kitchen, coin-op laundy, etc.--nothing too fancy, but everything I'll need for a 2 week stay. I haven't found any rooms closer to the casino for anywhere near that price, but figured I'd ask you guys if you know of anything close by that's in that price range. It doesn't seem like too far a drive, but I wanted to check with you local experts before I book it. Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm guessing that is about a 40-minute drive one way. Will you be doing other sight-seeing while in town? Or just playing poker in Black Hawk?

Anyone down for helping me get a 8/16 or 10/20 LHE going next Thursday April 5th? Somehow Good Friday is a stock market holiday, so I have the day off and a comp room at Ameristar. Maybe at Golden Gates, Lodge, or Isle? In my experience Ameristar won't open a new table even with 15+ on the list. Which room has the best chance? I'm guessing Golden Gates?

That's fine, there's really nothing in or near Black Hawk (you'll see when you get here) unless you stay at one of the casino hotels. It's a beautiful drive, and it should be like 30-40 minutes from where you're staying. Make sure you get downtown Denver for a good meal or two, our restaurant scene is blowing up right now.

You might want to check with the Columbine Inn and the JC suites in Idaho Springs to be closer to Blackhawk and more of a Rockies experience than Sheridan, which is just part of Denver. Both have suites with kitchenettes. Not sure they could come close to that price, though. Def wouldn't be bookable online. You'd have to call.

Does Golden Gates even know what limit hold'em is? It's been a while since I've tried to get a limit game there, but I've only ever received weird looks when asking for a flhe game at the Gates. I'd guess Ameristar and The Lodge are probably your best bets. Ameristar because the players are there, The Lodge because they'll actually run it. Too bad there's not a place that can combine the players and the actual will to... you know... run a game that we want to play.

Well, they frequently run LO8 at Golden Gates. I'll try to get a game started at Lodge and see what happens.

I checked both JC and Columbine, and yeah, they can't compete with the price, which is more important when I'm staying for that many nights. But I definitely will be doing some hiking, and maybe some rafting. I usually go back to northern New York where I'm from (in the Adirondacks) to get my summertime mountain fix, but decided this is the year I want to see the Rockies.

Non-poker question: Any recommendations for some of the non-gigantic peaks that can be conquered in one good, strenuous day hike? (Nothing that requires rock-climbing gear or anything, but not a sissy little 90 minute stroll up a hill, either.) My Adirondacks are beautiful, but even the High Peaks in Lake Placid (high for us anyway; 5,000 ft. is the highest) are never enough to give me a really good workout.

Thanks so much for the help.

machi,

That hotel is fine, but not close at all, or easy access to Blackhawk/CC. You might want to check the Extended Stay America in Lakewood (the west side of Denver) on Kipling St. (at about 7th Ave.) Very similar type of place, and right off the highway that will take you to the hills.

Have fun!

Lots of the 14ers (14,000 ft plus) are hike-able. Check out www.14ers.com for maps, difficulty ratings, forum discussions, etc.

Thanks for all the input, guys. Much appreciated.

If you are considering a 14'er, I would recommend Bearsteadt. It's generally one of the easiest 14'ers. But make sure you start early as the summer storms will be peaking by noonish and you don't want to be up there running from lightning. Enjoy your stay when you are here.

Has anyone checked out The Reserve Casino yet?

tiny room, maybe 4 tables, spreading 2-5 LIMIT game....stay away.....far away

Yeah, but what's their jackpot?

ok, the search is really lousy. anyone know what the current poker room rate is at ameristar on a fri night? do i have to book through the room?

thank you in advance

poker rates only apply sun thru thur at ameristar. Unless you know a slot player that can hook you up with a free room, you will pay the regular rate.

160ish