[dealer]

Hi,
My wife and I live in the Katrina zone in Ocean Springs, Mississippi with our 2 year old son. I am a table games dealer (Poker, Blackjack and all carnivals) and my wife is an executive secretary. The storm wiped out the casinos so I have no work. We would like very much to relocate to the Blackhawk area but we don't know anyone who lives there and we don't really know what the work availability is around that area. I mean, can a Poker dealer make a decent living around there or what?
About 5 years ago, I had the chance to spend some time driving I-70 around the Idaho Springs to Denver area and thought it would be a great place to live but have no idea where would be the place to live if I worked in Blackhawk.
I have contacted the Chamber of Commerce and they are sending us some info on relocating but does anyone work for a casino or maybe have any info that could help us to find employment in the casino industry in Colorado?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for your time.
Chris (dealer)

[Gonzopozo]

Hi Chris -

Sorry about your misfortune because of Katrina.

Here's some suggestions about relocating to Colorado:

RE: Jobs. Check the casino's individual web sites for job openings. If there's no info, call them. Most sites have links off our front page.

RE: making a living. I don't have first hand info, but I think folks do ok working in the casinos. We are "limited stakes" so you don't see a lot of Las Vegas "Whales" around here, and "whale" tips are very rare. I gave my favorite bartender a $100 tip one night after hitting a Royal and he said that was the biggest tip he'd seen in 5 years.

RE: places to live. The casino towns are all in the mountains. 8000 feet minimum. You're coming from the South, and arriving just as Winter is starting. IT WILL BE COLD. My suggestion - move to Denver (its generally 10 degrees warmer than the mountains) for the winter. In the Spring, investigate mountain properties. You can carpool or take buses to Black Hawk from Denver. Many casino employees do.

Hope this helps - reply back if you have more questions.

Gonz