The Colorado Poker Championship series at Golden Gates in Black Hawk remains one of the most popular events in the area, and expectations are high for CPC7, which runs until Sept. 2. Greeley resident Trey Fan, who expects to register for three or four of this year’s games, said affordable buy-ins create a big draw for regular amateur players. “You get a lot of good, solid grinders, not a bunch of shady stuff, not a bunch of hardcore (pros),” Fan said. “All the usual faces but a nice supply of fish, too.”
It hasn’t been too long since CPC6 (May), but the series hasn’t shown any signs of burnout yet. The $1K no-limit hold’em main event attracted 183 players, and the Gates is anticipating a $300K prize pool for CPC7 events.
Players can choose from 29 tournaments and can earn a berth in the Tournament of Champions by finishing in the top 20 in points. Players who finish in the top three in points earn a berth (worth $1,650) into the next Heartland Poker Tour event, running Sept. 6-16 at the Gates.
ISLE PUSHING PROMOTIONS: While every poker room offers promotions of some sort, the Isle does so as aggressively and prolifically as any room you’ll find.
The Isle is particularly pressing the “Get paid to play” angle with Black Hawk players, most recently offering $5 per hour for playing in a $1-$3-$100 hold’em game. If you’re an early bird, you can earn $10 for every hour of poker played (up to three hours) from 6-10 a.m. It’s also offering new players $10 per hour up to $50.
EL PASO COUNTY FAIR EVENT: Ante Up was pleased to help sponsor this event July 22 at the fair in Calhan, Colo., about 30 minutes east of Colorado Springs. Organizer Christine Burns said the tournament attracted 50 percent more players than the inaugural event in 2012. The top three finishers earned one-year subscriptions to Ante Up.
R.W Fortune of Falcon won the tournament, cashing for $125. Craig Wilson of Calhan and Roger Conner of Penrose placed second and third, respectively, earning $50 and $25.
Poker seems to be popping up as a draw at many local events. The Geek Pavilion at the Denver County Fair also held a free tournament in early August (run by Golden Gates), and we’ll provide results when they become available.
LADY LUCK: According to Deb Johnson at the Lady Luck Casino in Black Hawk, aces full of jacks still qualifies for the bad-beat jackpot, but there is no longer a room share.
— Email Rick Gershman at rickgershman@gmail.com.
