You don't need a celebrity like Ed McMahon to get a full house at a Texas hold 'em tournament, but it doesn't hurt.
McMahon made a stop at downtown Muncie's newest business, Royal Crown Hold 'Em Club, for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday evening. He also held a signing for his book, a collection of experiences he had shared with former Tonight Show host Johnny Carson called "Here's Johnny."
"I grew up in a small town in rural Massachusetts, and this is like coming back to a town like that," McMahon said. "You get carried away in a business like this, living in a big city. You lose that charm of mid-America, the warm, friendly feeling you get in a small community - it's nice to come back to that."
The grandfatherly McMahon didn't seem at all out of place in Royal Crown, a two level gaming room with purple walls and red and gold trim lit by decorative light fixtures. In fact, he seemed right at home in the mini-Vegas setting - immediately upon arriving he was ushered to a table for the night's first game.
Royal Crown opens for business today, and it's not just for the more experienced adult gamblers. Clements said that Royal Crown is open to any players over 18, but players under 21 were only allowed to play in "quickie" games with lower buy-in rates where they can win entry into bigger games.
"I know what it's like being a college kid," Royal Crown Managing Owner Ryan Clements said. "I want to have a place where they can come do something other than watching movies and bowling."
After being familiarized with the setting, McMahon, along with Muncie Mayor Dan Canan and Clements, made his way to a podium placed at the building's entrance for the grand opening ceremonies.
After telling a few jokes and receiving a key to the city from Mayor Canan, McMahon and Clements cut the ribbon, officially opening Royal Crown to the public.
"Very rarely does someone of this stature come to Muncie," Canan said. "It's exciting that he has taken time out of his schedule to be here tonight."
It's was not all fun and games for everyone at Royal Crown. Clements is quick to admit that while it is a very exciting night for the staff it is still the first night for the club to be open.
"It's our first night," Clements said. "It's a little overwhelming but it hasn't set in yet either."
Opening day jitters aside, the evening went smoothly, except for a few outbursts near the end of the night from a patron trying to convince his lady-friend to leave.
The evening concluded with a 10 person tournament game that not only allowed guests to try their hand against McMahon, it also secured an autographed copy of "Here's Johnny" for each player.
Muncie resident Larry Kissick, one of the first to leave the game, felt extremely lucky for the opportunity.
"I'm a rookie," he said. "I never thought I'd get to play with Ed... I'm lucky I came."
McMahon, the fifth to leave the table, did so with the grace you would expect from one of Hollywood's most respected elders.
"Thank you folks, I enjoyed it," he said as he prepared to leave the table. "All my life I've wanted to say 'all in.'"
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