This has always been one of my favorite photos of George's Gateway Club because it sets the time in casino history so well. The cars show their age, and the simple fact that you could park right next to the building is significant to me. The early '50s presented a simpler way of life -... Continue Reading →
The Tahoe Village
I always thought the photos of the Tahoe Village were cool with it's rounded shape and lots of windows to watch the snow while you had a beer after your shift. The building had a number of names from its inception in 1945 as the Tahoe Village with Mickey Wood financing. Bert Riddick was one... Continue Reading →
Where has the Time Gone?
Photo Courtesy (William Pettite) The last time I posted, there was a lot of snow around my car. No more than there was in the picture of the old Christmas Tree casino at Mt. Rose in Reno, but a lot. It's 107 degrees in Scottsdale, Arizona right now. I'm comfortable. In the picture above, June... Continue Reading →
Harrah’s 30-years Ago
Next door to Barney’s at Lake Tahoe was Harrah’s Sports Casino. I walked in and was surprised by how small it was. There were about a dozen chairs for a keno game, several TV’s by the bar, a craps game, and half-a-dozen blackjack tables. They had little yellow signs with $1 to $100 on them.... Continue Reading →
The Park Tahoe Casino in 1978
Park Tahoe 1978 Post Card above is copyright RTSI The Park Tahoe, 1978, what an awesome location for a casino. The Park was around for a couple years before becoming Caesar's Tahoe when management found they had no ability to run the property profitably. When I arrive, I didn’t care about the casino names or... Continue Reading →
Lake Tahoe’s Beautiful – Fewer Gamblers
So, what exactly is the scoop here, you might ask? I would have to say that I have sold out. I've been busy, working a regular job and ignoring my blog, and my articles, and my books, and blah, blah, blah. Now if you want to know about Lake Tahoe, well, I've got nothing for... Continue Reading →
The Tahoe Mariner
The Tahoe Mariner sits forlornly in the photo above. Situated on a small rise above the highway, the casino property went through a long progression of owners and name changes before Valley Bank of Nevada finally foreclosed on the casino in 1983. Capy Ricks purchased the property in 1946 from Ed Malley's real estate office.... Continue Reading →
My Early Poker Games and Chips
I saved my first casino chip in 1978. Although I wasn’t old enough to legally play poker at the Pacheco Inn (now the California Grand), I managed to get away with a few hours of Low ball to start my playing career. I lost. I didn’t go home completely empty-handed, because, from the $20 in... Continue Reading →