Freed of 'Bad Penny,' gal pal, b-friend win big at casinos

So I travel to Black Hawk and Central City with my faithful gal pal on a regular basis for this column, and we each typically “donate” roughly $100 back to the casinos each visit.

One time we won about $100 more than we lost, and thought we would be recruited as the newest members of the high rollers club!

But after her recent windfall winnings on a trip to Ameristar with her boyfriend, I realized what the problem was – she was gambling with me, the BAD Penny, so to speak.

The two of them decided to grab a two-night getaway in early November, when the b-friend decided to surprise her for her birthday. They opted to stretch the budget this trip: $400 for her and $1,300 for him.

B-friend was working off the good luck he had had when we went up there a couples in June and he hit a $1,400 jackpot on dollar slots at Fortune Valley.

They each sidled up to $1 slots at Ameristar and punched away. After a fab dinner at Timberline, they returned to the $1 slots where gal pal dropped her budgeted $200 and ended up with $1,100 in winnings.

After breakfast Thursday morning, they graduated to the $2 slot machines.

“We had probably been at the $2 slots less than 30 minutes, then (b-friend’s) light went off, but he thought the machine was broken because it didn’t make any noise,” she said. “So he asked the security guy if the machine was broken, and he said, ‘No, you won! Wait here.’ The attendant came over then took his paperwork information. While he was sitting there giving that info, I went back to my machine, spinned the wheel three times, and my light went off. I knew I was a winner, but didn’t know how big.”

It was $5,400 on her 54th birthday. “I had to stand up while (the security guard) counted out $100 bills in front of the camera,” she said. “My hand was shaking. We played for another 30 minutes, and gave them back some money, then quit while we were ahead.”

They returned home with 8 grand. “I want another birthday,” gal pal said. “I’m charged up to go up the hill and try again.”

When she reminded me my birthday is coming up, I suggested we might splurge on a bottle of Dom Perignon at a restaurant…she turned me down flat. “I am frugal,” she said.

Otis & Henry’s. Lady Luck Casino Black Hawk’s new eatery Otis & Henry’s Bar and Grill is up and running with comfort food and breakfast served all day.

The concept was based on feedback from guests and restaurant research that showed consumers want a casual dining option that serves comfort food, according to Elissa Plastino, brand manager of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., the St. Louis, Mo.-based parent company.

More on this restaurant when I give it a try.

On the road. Fortune Valley is doing an “Antiques on the Road” show Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at which there will be experts on hand to help people determine whether their possessions are treasures or trash. More details to come.

- 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.