There are four slot tournaments scheduled for at the Colorado Belle in 2006. To enter any tournament, call One Club Reservations toll free 1-877-480-2747. The Prize money is based on 150 entrants. The tournament schedule is as follows: March 5-7, "From Laughlin with Love" $500 entry fee, $70,000* in prize money, $20,000 for first place, $4,000 Banquet Bonus event, $350 in round money paid through third place in each of 16 rounds. Prize money paid through 80th place.

June 25-27, "Jet Set" $450 entry fee, $63,000* in prize money, $15,000 for first place, $4,000 Banquet Bonus event, $350 in round money paid through third place in each of 16 rounds. Prize money paid through 80th place.

Sept. 17-19, "Survivor VII-Guatemala" $550 entry fee, $78,000* in prize money, $25,000 for first place, $4,000 Banquet Bonus event, $350 in round money paid to third place in each of 16 rounds. Prize money paid through 90th place.

Nov. 3-5, "Cash Convoy" $350 entry fee, $48,500* in prize money, $10,000 for first place, $350 in round money paid to third place in each of 16 rounds. Prize money paid through 80th place.

This year, over 500 bikers converged in Laughlin for a fun-filled Third Annual Laughlin Run to Fun motorcycle charity event, hosted by Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. The Fourth Annual Laughlin Run to Fun, with proceeds benefiting local children's charities, is scheduled for Oct. 19 - 22, 2006.

While many participants purchase the Run to Fun package, which includes a hotel room, meals, T-shirts and pins, participation is allowed at any level. Anyone wanting only to participate in the poker run or other events may do so without purchasing the event package. For information or reservations, call 1-800-227-3849 or visit www.laughlinruntofun.com.

The Ramada Express recently completed construction of two new themed hospitably suites ideally suited for small group gatherings. Named the Safari Suite and the Sports Suite, each can accommodate up to 40 people and offer such amenities as big screen TVs, plenty of seating, full kitchens and restrooms.

The Safari Suite is decorated in muted earth-tones with plush couches, chairs and ottomans designed to encourage conversation and mingling. The Sports Suite is designed in the manner of a sports bar with chrome bar stools, team pictures and posters on the walls and two big screen TVs. In addition, the Ramada has one more hospitality suite named the Classic.

The resort offers party and meeting planners the options of brining their own food and drinks or using the catering department. These hospitality suites can be rented by the day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for $$75 on weekdays and $150 on weekends. To book the suites, call group sales at 800-782-9946.

Larger groups may want to use the Coronado Room located near the Pavilion Theater. This room can accommodate sit down dinners for up to 120 people.

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The Colorado Belle's Poker Room players have made "PINGO" a popular new poker game. The game uses certain poker hands in 7-Card Stud and Texas Hold 'Em games for spaces on a special card similar to bingo. The result is PINGO. Inaugurated in June, the game has been so successful that Poker Room Manager James Vincent will offer it indefinitely with a different game card each month.

As they play poker, players cover a variety of patterns. Each pattern has a specific value, from $25 to $500. PINGO players can potentially earn up to $1,450 per month playing PINGO simply by making all of the card combinations.

PINGO cards are available only at the poker podium and can be obtained throughout the calendar month, one card per person at any given time. Players can spell POKER, cover the card, get five in a row, make a flying kite, get four corners or make a diamond. That's 24 combinations around the clock. For information, call toll free at 800-64-POKER.

Harrah's Laughlin launched the "WIN Tunnel Giveaway" on Dec. 5 and it will conclude on Jan. 29, 2006. "WIN Tunnel Giveaway" participants have an opportunity to enter inside a giant vinyl slot machine for a chance to win cash, Reward Credits as well as other prizes including a chance to participate in the grand prize drawing for $15,000.

Two daily winners are provided goggles and a money pouch prior to entering the giant slot machine. Participants have 15 seconds to grab the swirling airborne imitation money prize coupons and place them into the money pouch within the 15-second time limit.

In addition, the daily 5 p.m. drawing winners receive a Harrah's Laughlin wallet which contains: a buy one get one free coupon for the Fresh Market Square Buffet; two complimentary dinner entrees at the Baja Blue Restaurant & Cantina; one free movie rental; and, an invitation to return for the property final grand prize drawing on Feb. 11, 2006. The "WIN Tunnel Giveaway" invitation includes two complimentary nights on Feb. 10 and 11, 10 entries for the final drawing and one entry into the Daily Winner Final Drawing both being held on Feb. 11.

Harrah's Laughlin guests may earn entries in a variety of ways from checking into the hotel or dining to shopping or gaming.

Last December's Colorado Belle Poker Room Food Drive was so successful that Manager James Vincent decided to have the event again. All food will be donated to the Colorado River Food Bank, which distributes the food to people in the local area. Through Dec. 16, for each tournament a player enters two cans of food (or other non-perishable food items such as pasta or rice) may be paid in lieu of the $5 tournament entry fee. The tournaments are Texas Hold 'Em Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights at 7 p.m., and Omaha Hi-Lo Split at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Tournament registration begins at 5:45 p.m. for players already playing in live games and 6 p.m. for the general public.

The amazing Debbie Reynolds will headline at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort, Dec. 27-31. Tickets range from $34 to $42 and $47 on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, through Dec. 21, the Riverside is celebrating the holidays, Hawaiian style, with a musical variety production that takes Christmas songs and gives them a South Pacific treatment. Bing Crosby introduced the mainland United States to the Hawaiian Christmas greeting "Mele Kalikimaka" with the inclusion of the song of the same name on his famous yuletide album of the '40s. This little ditty captured a lightness to the holiday season that is all Hawaiian....illustrating that while the traditional images of Christmas don't quite match the look and feel of the South Pacific, the sentiments do.

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