Mock Crest Tavern hosts free Hold’Em Poker every Monday at 7:00 p.m.

A bit of history for you poker players. Little is known about the invention of Texas hold ’em, but the Texas State Legislature recognizes Robstown, Texas,  as the game’s birthplace. The game dates back to the early 1900s.

After the game caught on in Texas,  hold ’em was introduced to Las Vegas in 1967.  Texan gamblers and card players Crandell Addington, Doyle Brunson, and Amarillo Slim took part in the growth and games there.

Addington stated that he saw the game was in 1959. “They didn’t call it Texas hold ’em at the time, they just called it hold ’em.… I thought then that if it were to catch on, it would become the game. This was more of a thinking man’s game.”

Johnnie Ward & the Eagle Ridin’ Papas play on Tuesday, July 2nd. Grab your seats (inside or out), a cold beer,  some food and enjoy the show. The performance begins at 8:30  p.m.

Johnnie, born and raised in Portland, has performed with bands including the PH Phactor Jug Band. He has also opened for Moby Grape, The Grateful Dead, Pentangle, The Doors, and many other famous bands. Johnnie participated in part of the  movement that resurrected the blues venue in Portland in 1970. He was the first act to play The White Eagle, which was the first post-war Portland Blues club.

Members include:

• Doug Marx – guitar, lead vocal
• Johnnie Ward – guitar., vocal
• Claes Almroth – harp, vocal;
• Paul Bassett – washboard
• Lauren Sheehan – mandolin
• Bill Uhlig – Upright Bass

The group delivers a true blues sound often accompanied with Johnnie on harmonica and saxophone. Some of the tunes are available on myspace.

Have a great week, and we’ll see ya there!