Fellow club member Dave Nivers from Las Cruces and I went on a New Mexico chip run yesterday that included the Grand Opening of the Big Rock Casino in Espanola, New Mexico.

Big Rock was built through a partnership with the Tunica / Biloxi Tribe on Mississippi.

The casino is small in comparision to some others in NM, but its size is well suited to the region. Plans are already being made for a larger facility South of the town (2-3 years time).

The casino contains approx. 350 slots and 7 table games... along with a 24 lane bowling alley.

BJ and craps were the only games I saw... There is NO roulette and no plans for one at this time.

There are only $1, $5, $25, and $100 chips and ONLY a $1 slot token. NO $5 or up slots.

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601bigrockchips.jpg

In other news from our run... Ohkay has a new slot card design. Camel Rock has changed their slot card to a 'browner' color - same artwork.

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601slotcards.jpg

New racks in NM include Cities of Gold's replacing their generics with logoed roulettes.

Taos Mountain Casino

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601taosmtn.jpg

Cities of Gold

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601citiesofgold.jpg

Big Rock Casino

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601bigrock.jpg

Big Dave

http://www.thuntek.net/~snowden/061601bigdave.jpg

********************

If you preordered chips from Big Rock from me... I'll be sending out invoices this weekend.

********************

I have a VERY limited # of slot cards... BUT, I am only interested in swapping them for New Mexico Roulettes that I do not have...

******************

Gotta run... going to see Rod Stewart in Concert tonight..
***********************

More on the Grand Openings of Sandia and Big Rock in the next issue of the club magazine..

Best,

Steve in Albuquerque