AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: This getaway's got it all, plus great poker, too DATE: 7:21 AM ----- BODY: If you're looking for a quick getaway complete with live poker action,
Laughlin, Nev., is a fun and friendly destination. A scenic 3½ hour drive
from Palm Springs, Laughlin is a resort area situated smack dab on the
Colorado River. It has several hotel/casinos which offer inexpensive
lodging, quality entertainment and lots of poker. There is a casual,
laid-back feel to Laughlin, something akin to 1950's Las Vegas with a dollop
of the Old West thrown in. Cut-offs and cowboy hats abound, and there's no
traffic, except for the cabin cruisers, jet-skiers and paddleboats that ply
the river. The city was founded 40 years ago by Don Laughlin. His Riverside
Resort Hotel and Casino opened in 1966 with 12 slot machines, two gaming
tables and eight motel rooms, four of which were occupied by the Laughlin
family. Today, the Riverside boasts more than 1,000 rooms, a bowling alley,
multiplex movie theater, antique car museum and marvelous poker room. The
poker room has 10 tables spreading limit and no-limit Hold 'Em and Omaha.
There are daily tournaments and all sorts of cool bonus promotions - and a
very accommodating staff. Best of all, one wall of the room is glass,
serving up a spectacular view of the mighty Colorado and the red rock
canyons just beyond on the Arizona side. Don Laughlin himself can often be
found in the poker room on Saturday nights chatting with staff, greeting
players and rightfully reveling in what he has built. Another poker room in
Laughlin that's well worth a visit is at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino.
With its charming riverboat-themed murals, it is notable for spreading the
only Seven-card Stud games to be found just about anywhere today. --------