Laughlin Bets On Mexican Poker Tournament

Laughlin, NV- October 5, 2006. In 2004, the Laughlin Tourism Committee and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority sought out Pochteca Media to develop a marketing program that would drive the Hispanic market to Laughlin’s resort casinos. Viva Laughlin!, a festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month featuring entertainment, sports and arts was created and is now running on its third year.

A new addition to this year’s festival focuses on Hispanic gaming. For the first time, Colorado Belle will be hosting a Mexican Poker tournament on Saturday, October 7 at 1 p.m. There is a $60 buy-in fee and registration begins at 10 a.m.

"This is the first time this game will be played in Laughlin. I find the game very intriguing, my staff and I are looking forward to the tournament,” said James Vincent, Poker Room Manager.

The game is played with a 41-card deck. The 8s, 9s and 10s are removed and a joker is added. If the joker is received as an up card it may be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush. If the joker is received as a down card, it is wild. The cards are dealt clockwise, beginning left of the dealer button. The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand is complete. Each player will receive two cards on the initial deal, one face up, and the other face down. After each betting round is complete, players may expose their down card and receive their next card face down.

A Mexican Poker hand is composed of a total of five cards. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. Players may expose their down card and receive the next card face down. This action must be complete prior to the deal of the next card, which may be dealt up or down depending on whether or not the previous card was opened. A joker received as a down card and later exposed by the player remains a wild card. A winning hand can include: 1) Five of a Kind, 2) Royal Flush, 3) Straight Flush, 4) Four of a Kind, 5) Flush, 6) Full House, 7) Straight, 8) Three of a Kind, 9) Two Pairs, and 10) One Pair.

When it comes to gaming, Hispanics love to place a bet. In 2004, 8.8 million Hispanics visited a casino, according to the Simmons Market Research Bureau. During those visits, 91.5% of Hispanics gambled spending an average of 4.5 hours in the casino.

In addition to Mexican Poker, everyone can still enjoy various types of entertainment options throughout Laughlin’s casino resorts. The list of talent performing at this year’s event is an extensive one, including: two Grammy award winning artists, La Mafia and Little Joe y La Familia, the legends of Latin Soul/Funk, Tierra and Malo, the well-known “Cumbia” sensation La Internacional Sonora Show, the Tejano groups Ambixion and Las Florecitas, a trick roper, and folkloric dancers Mexico Vivo.

From Wednesday, October 4 to Monday, October 9, the three-time Grammy award winning Tejano sensation La Mafia will perform at Don Laughlin’s Celebrity Theater in the Riverside Resort at 8 p.m. for only $32 per ticket.

"We’re honored to be part of Laughlin’s Hispanic Heritage Month festivities and co-headliner of Viva Laughlin! It is a great opportunity to getaway from the big city, gamble and enjoy the beautiful scenery,” said Oscar de la Rosa, lead singer of La Mafia.

La Internacional Sonora Show will make everyone dance with their contagious Cumbia beats at the Ramada Express Casino’s Pavilion Theater on Friday, October 6 at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at $12 and will be sold at the door.

Little Joe y La Familia will be bringing their Tejano music to the Outdoor Amphitheater at Flamingo Laughlin on Saturday, October 7th at 8 p.m with ticket prices at just $15 or $20. All ages are admitted, but anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

The smooth sounds of the legends of Latin Soul, Tierra and Malo, may be seen and heard at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the Ramada Express Casino for $25.

Rancheras, Polkas, Cumbias, and Norteño group Ambixion will be at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino on Friday through Sunday. They will be joined by New Mexico’s leading female duet, identical twins Las Florecitas, Mexico Vivo performing traditional Mexican and Latin American folkloric dances, and the Trick Roper showcasing authentic Mexican Charreria.

In addition, the Caboose Lounge at the Ramada Express Hotel & Casino will feature the cover band Black Jack singing English and Spanish favorites on Friday thru Sunday. The party continues outside the Ramada with a street party hosted by DJ Fernando “G” Gonzalez of Los Angeles, where he will be spinning the hottest tracks of the moment.

Miss Hawaiian Tropic Latina models will bring more excitement by showcasing the beauty of Latina women on Saturday, October 7th at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino.

Viva Laughlin! is organized and produced by the Laughlin Tourism Committee and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) together with Pochteca Media. For a full schedule of events, venue locations and ticket information, log onto www.visitlaughlin.com or call 1-800-4Laughlin. For media and sponsorship inquires, contact Pochteca Media at 213-745-7717.

###

About the Laughlin Tourism Committee
The Laughlin Tourism Committee, a division of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, provides the strategic vision for the destination of Laughlin. It is responsible for marketing Laughlin to the Southwest and the world.

About Pochteca Media
Pochteca Media is a Multicultural Communications Agency specializing in the gaming and tourism industry. The company has successfully initiated and branded some of the countries most important Hispanic events such as The Edward James Olmos Latino Book & Family Festival, Fiesta Broadway, Fiesta del Sol Chicago, The Alex & Joey Comedy Tour and Las Vegas Caliente. Pochteca Media is also a member of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association.

About Hispanic Heritage Month
In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Mexico, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.