Gift guide for Colorado gamblers

By Mark Lasser

Note to non-gamblers: If someone left this open for you to see on the coffee table or your side of the bed, they aren’t being messy or careless. This is a hint, and a not-so-subtle on at that! You know how you never know what to get them for the holidays? Well take clue and order up from The Deal’s annual gift guide for gamblers.

I can’t believe this is our third edition of the guide, and I think this list of goodies is the best one yet. This year we found some awesome new items, including a real score from a company called Vegas Image, as well as the funkiest reading glasses ever. We have items ranging from under $2 to almost $2,000. Have more ideas? Let me know and I’ll try to mention them on my Friday radio show on KEZW AM. In the meantime, check out these gift grabs.

Vegas Image is Willy Wonka for gamblers, an almost one-stop shop for quality gambling-themed confections. The jumbo pack of chocolate poker chips ($16) is great as a stocking stuffer and makes a fun alternative to traditional Hanukah gelt. Also, the chocolate is much better than the waxy stuff you may associate with holiday chocolate coins. The bags of gummy dice and gummy poker chips ($8) are a fun gift that can be shared. I think my favorite product is the chocolate gift set, which includes chocolate dice, dollar signs and poker chips ($8). This is really a small sampling of the choices they offer. Definitely shop their website to see more ideas. www.vegasimage.com

JAQK is back. We featured them last year and they’re such a good gift for gamers who like wine, we decided to feature them again this year. This is the wine company that bottles gambling-themed wines. For 2012 JAQK is offering special gift two-packs. The California two-bottle gift set includes a deck of quality cards, a bottle of 22 Black Cabernet Sauvignon and one of Her Majesty Chardonnay. By the way, JAQK stands for Jack Ace Queen King. The gift box is $62. Order from www.JAQKcellars.com

For folks that love slots, check out one of the new best-selling computer-game titles, “Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania” (around $20 retail). It features a 3D lobby, and the game play is just like in the casinos. There are about 20 games on the CD including Cats, Cleopatra and Wild Cherry. It’s available at many Wal-Marts and directly from Masque publishing at www.masque.com.

Another sweet treat is the Sin City Sucker. These dice-shaped lollypops are fun and a great stocking stuffer. You can by them individually ($1.65) or in sets of 24 ($39.60). Order them at www.sincitysuckers.com

While it lasts, check out The Gambler’s Boutique for gambling trinkets on sale. I love the Slots Reading Glasses ($13.98), the Card Handbag ($5.42), Beaded Coin Purse ($6.12). They’re closing up their shop so inventory many be short. www.thegamblersboutique.com

Ever want to have a full-size craps table in your house. How about this dice table from 777 Poker Chest for a cool $1,900? This quality product is manufactured in the USA of wood, felt and rubber. www.pokerchest.com

Last up is the recommended book list. These are all available through Amazon.com. Take a look at Avery Cardoza’s new fiction book “Lost in Las Vegas.” We also loved “The Raiser’s Edge” by Grospellier, Nelson, Streib and Dunst, and “Playing No-Limit Hold’em as a Business” by Rob Tucker.

Happy holidays and good luck at the tables!

Mark B. Lasser is Denver writer and international poker player. He regularly plays in Colorado, Arizona, California, Missouri and Nevada. You can hear him talk about gambling and casinos every Friday at 5 p.m. on KEZW AM 1430. Readers can send questions and comments to him at ColoradoPokerMark@comcast.net.