There was an abundance of cash prizes given away at the Carson Valley Inn during the last few weeks. Winners shared $16,700 in cash prizes in the Fall Tri-Game-A-Thon, more than $20,000 in the "Are You Inn or Out" promotion and $1,500 in the monthly Blackjack Tournament.
The semi-annual Tri Game-A-Thon event has three gaming tournaments going on at the same time. Players register to play in either a slot or blackjack tournament, and all are automatically entered into a $1,000 Keno tournament. All tournament entry fees were paid out in prize money, and more than 50 different people shared in the prize pool. Greg Otis (Angels Camp, Calif.) was the weekend's biggest winner with a $4,000 cash prize for topping the slot tournament. Art Garibaldi (Dublin, Calif.) came in second for $2,000, and last fall's first-place finisher, Louise Artellan (Gardnerville), was third for $1,000.
Tom Ethridge (Oakhurst, Calif.) walked off with the $2,000 first prize in the blackjack tournament. Troy Alfonso (Minden) won $1,000 for second place, and Tom Mortensen (Elk Grove, Calif.) $500 for third.
The "Are You Inn or Out?" promotion produced five winners each Friday night in March. Prizes ranged from $100 to $2,500 with the average winner pocketing just over $1,000. Topping the list were Jerry Bashaw (Gardnerville) with $2,250 and Teri Gray (Minden) at $1,600.
Blackjack tournaments are held on the last Tuesday of each month. The entry fee is $25, sign-ups start at 6 p.m., play starts at 7 p.m., and all play is with no-cash-value tournament chips. The top finishers each month win cash prizes and also gain free entry into the annual Blackjack Tournament of Champions in December. Carson Valley residents Bob Lasell, Butch Moyle and Carl Inman finished first through third in the March event winning $750, $450, and $300 respectively. Moyle was a previous qualifier, so fourth-place finisher Bill Bennett is now also in the December event.
