Original photo of dealers and bosses at Cal-Neva casino in Lake Tahoe, 1942.
Cal-Neva Pit Crew 1942
Nevada Casino Stories on YouTube Videos
I wrote my first little story about the Primadonna Casino in Reno for my chip collecting friends in 1984. We weren't a big group, so the front side of the first of four pages had an actual post card stuck to it. Below the scalloped edges of the Reno-Tahoe Advertising post card were a few... Continue Reading →
L. M. Strauss (The Russian) and Nevada Casinos
L. M. Strauss, a native of the San Francisco Bay area, was born in October 1904. Growing up, he was like any other youth in the area, driven by the desire to earn some extra cash to support his interests and socialize with his peers. His early exposure to poker, particularly five-card stud, and his... Continue Reading →
Harvey’s Wagon Wheel and the Bombing of 1980
Nothing was more shocking in my gaming career than the bombing of Harvey's Wagon Wheel Casino at South Shore Lake Tahoe in 1980. To be accurate, I wasn't working there. I was spending the end of summer playing blackjack for a living. As a part-time member of Ken Uston’s blackjack team, I made good money.... Continue Reading →
Collecting Casino Chips Never Gets Old
The first casino chip I ever saved was from the Pacheco Inn after I lost $18 playing poker and saved two $1 chips. I was underage, but that never stopped me from cruising the poker rooms in Northern California or casinos at Lake Tahoe, and I always found chips to collect. Now, as good as... Continue Reading →
The Christmas Tree Casino
In 1946, John and Alice Ross built the Christmas Tree casino way up near the top of Mount Rose with spectacular views leading down to Washoe Valley. In 1947 the couple added a restaurant with the help of a hand-shake $10,000 loan from Nick Abelman who drove past their joint every morning and every evening... Continue Reading →
Bert Riddick – Nevada Gaming Pioneer
The Tahoe Village at South Shore Lake Tahoe circa the 1940s - Video here Authoral - Al W Moe Bert Riddick Bert Riddick was a Native Nevadan, born in the tiny mining town of Carlin. His wife, Vivian's family, was from Ely, Nevada, and Bert and Vivian spent their lives in Northern Nevada, traveling between... Continue Reading →
Lake Tahoe’s Cal-Neva Lodge
Only about one-third of the breathtaking Lake Tahoe area lies in Nevada, but there is plenty of history and gambling on the Silver State side. Over the years, California has had its share of gambling at Tallac House and Tahoe Tavern in Tahoe City, which Donald Bliss opened in 1902 with a “Casino” or “Game... Continue Reading →
The King’s Castle and Incline Village Casino
How's this for a great shot from the early '70s? This postcard is from Reno Tahoe Specialty, Inc. Nate Jacobson built the King's Castle Casino at Incline Village (Lake Tahoe), but first, let's look at the previous owners and names! As is often the case at Lake Tahoe, George Whittell is at the heart of... Continue Reading →
Bill Harrah at Lake Tahoe
Harrah's Tahoe - Opened in 1957 Bill Harrah was already a successful casino operator in Reno when he expanded to Lake Tahoe. The expansion is a little confusing, because, over the years, the Harrah's name graced both sides of Highway 50 at Stateline. Hopping from spot to spot was a pattern Harrah had used in Reno,... Continue Reading →
Al W Moe's Nevada Gaming History 