NITRO, W.Va. -- Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center's "Big Easy Room" was center stage for the much anticipated table games public opening night Thursday.

The 24-table poker room sits atop the greyhound track viewing area with each table seating 10 players in addition to a dealer's seat. A separate room with 16 reserved tables is available for special tournament play. A variety of poker games were offered throughout the evening, including variations of Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha Hi-Lo and 7-card stud.

Monday and Tuesday saw an invitation-only charity event intended to give dealers and security a run-through on procedure and protocol. The lottery commission was also on hand to inspect operations to ensure everything was up to par for Thursday's event. At the close of the two-day practice run, $10,000 was donated to each the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure organization and the March of Dimes.

Richard Tesler, executive director of casino operations for Tri-State, said it was an exciting night for the center and the staff was a big part of that.

"They pulled together and worked an enormous amount of hours to pull this through. I'm very proud of all of them," Tesler said.

In August 2007, Kanawha County residents voted to approve table games. As a result of the vote passage, thus far, Tesler said $2.5 million has been paid out to West Virginia with $1.5 million going towards licensing fees in July and an additional $1 million donated toward senior social programs by the center's corporate division in March.

Tesler said that more than 70 of the 90 dealers hired were trained in Charleston with 85 percent being from West Virginia. He added that the West Virginia State Community and Technical College has 102 students taking blackjack training in anticipation for the games to open at the end of September.

Jim Keys of Dunbar was the first to sign up for a table at the evening's games. A veteran of gambling having played poker throughout the world, Keys said he simply came to check things out and play for some money as he showed off some $100 chips.

"I just do it for fun and to hopefully take home some extra money," he said.

The next phase of table games, including blackjack, craps and roulette tables, is expected to open for a test night Sept. 29 and 30, then open to the public Oct. 1.

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