California Grand Casino Celebrating 25th Anniversary

The California Grand Casino in Pacheco, California, will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 11. Activities will include the following:

• free barbecue, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

• $10,000 hold'em tournament at 2 p.m.; registration starts at 10 a.m.; $100+$10 buy-in and $100 rebuys; rebuys stop when the prize pool reaches $10,000; prize money paid out as follows: first place-40 percent, second place-20 percent, third place-10 percent, fourth place-6 percent, fifth place-4 percent, sixth-10th place-2 percent, and 11th-20th place-1 percent.

• penny pitching contest with $250 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 each for third, fourth, and fifth place

A Brief History

The California Grand Casino has enjoyed a rich and colorful history. For 150 years, it has featured continuous poker action. It all started back in 1854 when the Woodford Hotel and Saloon opened its doors and offered alcohol, the company of a lady, and gambling.

Perfectly located halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco, Pacheco was situated on Pacheco Creek, which served as a major shipping and receiving dock between the Diablo Valley and San Francisco Bay (which came right to the edge of town). Ranchers, farmers, and miners brought their goods and products to Pacheco to be shipped.

In 1863, while the town still was experiencing a boom, the Woodford was sold. Under the new ownership, the name was eventually changed to the Eagle Hotel. With the addition of a stable, the hotel became a stagecoach stop, drawing even more people to the action.

As the call of the Gold Rush Days began to fade, the hotel was sold again and renamed the Pacheco Inn. Finally, in 1979, Wil Wilkinson purchased the property, began improving the structure, changed the name to the California Grand Casino … and the games of chance continued.

What's Hot Now!

Although the California Grand Casino is a landmark of America's West, it doesn't mean the cardroom is caught in the past. The games are dealt by friendly, well-trained personnel who are surrounded by bits and pieces of the Old West.

The casino features some of the hottest tournament action anywhere, as well as Texas hold'em games that go on 24 hours a day, including no-limit hold'em. The popular Super Bad-Beat Jackpots start at $70,000 and have resulted in a combined payout exceeding $6.2 million. Recent jackpots have been $84,600 (Aug. 17), $86,000 (June 5), $73,200 (March 17), and $100,000 (Feb. 25).

Also, Hot Action Blackjack™ (a game invented by Wil Wilkinson) draws a large crowd of regulars who enjoy traditional card games. Due to its widespread popularity, this licensed game is becoming a real draw in California cardrooms and casinos. Played with multiple decks and jokers, Hot Action Blackjack™ is similar to 21 except that players don't bust. And each player gets to be the player/dealer. It's great fun to play!

In addition to the games, Wilkinson offers free breakfast or lunch for players (no free lunch on Saturday or Sunday), daily Players Menu specials (available 2:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.), tournaments, buffets, barbecues, and various promotional events to entertain and educate patrons. Plus, the California Grand Casino offers players some of the Bay Area's best bonus programs.

California Grand Casino is "where friends come to play," and the action is hot 24 hours a day. For complete details of everything happening there, see the California Grand Casino advertising in this issue.