Century Casino improves poker operation, adds jackpots

Poker players wanted more tables, and Century Casino in Central City listened.

As a result of popular demand, the Century Casino has expanded and moved its poker room. The new space, downstairs next to the all-new Retro Deli, features three tables – instead of the two that used to be upstairs – away from the jingle-jangling sounds of slot machines.

“What we do in that poker room is that we feature a quad of the day jackpot every day,” said Chad Carlson, Century’s marketing manager. “That is if the quad of the day is 8s, and a person wins a hand with that four of a kind, they would win the jackpot."

On Feb. 10, Century introduced a Bad Beat Jackpot, the only one of its kind in Central City, according to Carlson. The Bad Beat Jackpot starts at $20,000.

“The jackpot will grow until it hits,” Carlson said.

Also for poker players, every Monday through Thursday after a player puts in two hours or play, he or she will receive a $5 coupon for the Retro Deli.

But wait, there’s more. Century poker dealers are dealing a 2/5 game daily. “Unless the players decide they want a different kind of game, then we will deal that, also,” Carlson said.

The old poker room was upstairs with just two tables. Carlson said the move downstairs enabled the casino to add a third table. “We felt downstairs was a better location,” he said.

Meanwhile at the Century, the Retro Deli has a new menu with traditional American fare featuring mini-donuts, hot dogs, Mexican specialties and pizza.

Dripping diamonds. Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk – the most luxurious facility in Colorado’s gaming communities – has earned the prestigious American Automobile Association Four Diamond designation.

Ameristar is the only casino hotel in Colorado to earn the AAA Four Diamond rating.

Ameristar’s 536 hotel rooms, including 64 suites, opened in October 2009, and now joins Ameristar properties in Council Bluffs, Iowa; St. Charles, Mo.; and Jackpot, Nev. as Four Diamond facilities.

“We are honored to receive the AAA Four diamond designation,” said Gordon Kanofsky, Ameristar CEO and vice chairman. “Ameristar prides itself on our outstanding guest service. This honor and the recent Four Diamond designation of our St. Charles, Mo., property are prime examples of the commitment Ameristar has for providing quality properties and guest service.”

The Four Diamond designation presentation took place at the casino on Feb. 2. Invited guests included: Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman; Black Hawk City Manager Mike Copp; Michelle Shriver, senior vice president of operations for Ameristar Casinos Inc., who traveled from Las Vegas to speak at the presentation; and Anthony DeNovellis, president and CEO of AAA Colorado who presented the award to Andy Hamblen, Ameristar Black Hawk’s general manager.

- Penny Parker is a columnist for The Denver Post. She’s always on the prowl for tidbits and tips from Colorado’s gaming communities. Call her at 303-619-5209 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.