CATOOSA -- Within the first three hours, more than 200 people had signed up at the Cherokee Casino on Thursday to play a game many have been waiting years to play legally in Oklahoma -- Texas Hold 'em poker.
And the first card dealt and the first winning hand went to Muskogee residents.
Poker veteran Bobby Sadler received the first card, which was dealt by Cherokee Nation Enterprises CEO David Stewart.
Sadler, who said he has played in London, Los Angeles, Tunica, Miss., and Las Vegas, said he was happy to play one of his favorite games in his home state.
"I made every effort in the world to make sure I got here," Sadler said. "I've been waiting for 40 years. I used to drive from Muskogee to Tunica on Thursday, then come back on Monday. I used to drive 1,000 miles a week, now I only have to drive 35 miles."
Sadler said he was impressed by the casino's poker setup.
"I think what they have put together here is better than Tunica and Kansas City," he said. "Until you get to California, you're not going to see a poker room this size."
Players, casino officials, media representatives and onlookers surrounded the poker table, waiting for the first card to be tossed.
Things weren't much different outside the poker room in the lobby, where onlookers and people leaned in to see the action.
Muskogee resident Roy McCaslin, who sat across from Sadler when the first card was dealt, won the first round of poker offered by the casino.
"It's the first time we've actually been able to legally play in the state of Oklahoma," McCaslin said. "It's going to be real enjoyable."
McCaslin won the first hand with two pairs, kings and queens.
"This is one of the finer setups we've seen, including Vegas and Tunica," he said.
Brock Willyard, the dealer who dealt the first hand, said pre-game nervousness gave way to excitement at the prospect of making history and having fun.
"I feel very honored," Willyard said. "I've been waiting several months. I think it's an honor to do it."
The Catoosa casino is slated to have 35 poker tables and 24 blackjack tables.
Other Cherokee casinos are scheduled to follow the Catoosa operation, with casinos in Roland and West Siloam Springs also set to hold card games.
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