Poker News

Jimmy Johnson, Director of Gaming for Arizona Charlie’s

Jimmy Johnson was born in San Jose, California and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Yankton College on a wrestling scholarship and graduated with a BA in 1972.

After graduation Jimmy worked as a supervisor in a genetic laboratory in Omaha that dealt with artificial insemination issues in bovine.

Jimmy was drafted into the military during the television broadcasts of birthday numbers associated with the draft, his number was 63. He tested and was selected for Aviation Officer Candidate School and received a commission as an Ensign in 1973.

After his military tour of duty was over, he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1974-76 to pursue his graduate studies. He also worked as a teaching assistant in the science and health fields.

In 1977 Jimmy moved to Las Vegas and enrolled in dealer school because at the time that’s what he thought you had to do to get a job in the gaming industry. He had played a lot of poker in college, the military and grad school so he was comfortable in that arena. After only two days of dealer school he decided to audition and was hired on at the Four Queens. Four months later he went to the Flamingo, then the MGM and a few other poker rooms until he decided to switch gears and move into the pit. Back in those days poker was not as popular as it is today andthe pit was where the money was made.

He received his floor supervisory experience at the Nevada Palace and the Landmark Hotel.

In 1988 Jimmy was hired as a dealer at Arizona Charlie’s Hotel & Casino. He was promoted to Floor Supervisor in 1989, Assistant Pit Manager in 1990 and Shift Manager in 1991. In 1998 he was promoted to Lead Shift Manager, that was a time when they did not have a Casino Manager.

In 2000 Jimmy was appointed Director of Table Games. He directly oversees the operations in table games, keno, bingo, poker and when necessary assists in any gaming issues regarding all of the gaming departments. He still runs the day shift in table games.

Jimmy has received the ICH Award of Excellence for Management Revenue Generating or Cost Containment for 2001, along with the ICH Award of Excellence for the Top Team for 2004. The Carl C. Icahn Gaming Awards of Excellence, also known as ICH Awards, are named after Carl C. Icahn, the controlling owner of American Casino & Entertainment Properties. Each ICH Award is a trophy designed to recognize individual and team contributions, merit and workmanship.”

He has a daughter, Marta and a 2 1/2 year old granddaughter, Isabelle. He also shares his home with four of “man’s best friends:” Caviar, Chopin, Calle and Crickett.

DB: With the popularity surge in poker will you be expanding your poker room?

JJ: Actually we just expanded from two tables to four, due to that very reason. We want to evaluate the situation and possibly add more tables in the near future. .

DB: Who in particular is responsible for all the support you receive?

JJ: Our main supporter is our leader here at Charlie’s Decatur, Mr. Ron Lurie, Executive Vice President and General Manager. He is flexible and committed. Also Keith Williams, Vice President of Casino Operations and Bob Dunning, Manager of Poker Operations for our sister property, the Stratosphere. Bobby has offered his time and expertise to help in any way that he can.

DB: Why should poker player play at Arizona Charlie’s?

JJ: We are a small room. We just want to create an atmosphere of fun. This is our goal in all of our gaming departments. We are into fun and if you want to have fun and enjoy your gaming experience, we’re the place. We like to have fun while we work and when you have fun, we have fun. It’s a great place to hang out, play some poker and watch sports. We have a very liberal atmosphere in the room. The room is in a great location, next to the newly renovated Race & Sports Book with quick access to parking.

DB: What incentives do you offer poker players?

JJ: We have a high-hand jackpot, a bad beat wheel and FREE poker lessons. We have a liberal and equitable comping policy offering food coupons according to hours played.

DB: Are you running any daily tournaments?

JJ: Yes, we run Texas hold’em events every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with a $22 buy-in at noon. We are looking into increasing our times and buy-in amounts in the near future.

DB: What live action poker is offered at Charlie’s Decatur?

JJ: We spread $2-$4 and $4-$8-$8 limit and some nolimit hold’em. We have no restrictions on game spread, we will accommodate our players.

DB: Can you recall any funny incidents that you’ve experienced that you can share with our readers?

JJ: I was working the floor in the pit at the old Landmark Hotel & Casino. An elderly lady was playing blackjack on one of my games. She had been playing for quite some time when all of a sudden, she started screaming for a manager. She was extremely upset. I went to her table to see what was happening. I looked at the hand, she had two queens and the dealer had two jacks. She was apparently upset because the dealer did not pay her. I asked what was the nature of her complaint. “I want my money, you’re cheating.” I told her the hand was a “push,” because she had 20 and the dealer had 20. At that point she, not so politely stated, ” Sonny, I’ve been playing this game longer than you have been alive .. . and . . .Queens always beat jacks.” I didn’t know quite what to say at that point. The only thing that came to mind was, “Yes, maam, your right, they certainly do in POKER.”

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