Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - August 2020 - 12:08

AUGUST

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 GREAT GAMES

14 TABLE GAMES 18 ELECTRONIC TABLE GAMES 20 FEATURE STORY 24 ARIZONA LOTTERY 26 GAMING NEWS 32 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 36 FUN & GAMES 38 CASINO DIRECTORY

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THE ARENA POKER ROOM AT TALKING STICK RESORT THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN

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This new series includes a heartpounding, bank-wide bonus feature and unique community style play.

But what does Class III really mean, what games can be offered and what are the odds of winning?

Casino Del Sol in Tucson celebrates 26 years as a premier entertainment destination.

THE VAULT SLOT GAME BY EVERI HITS CASINOS

AZ NOW HAS 24 CLASS III GAMING FACILITIES

CASINO DEL SOL CELEBRATES 26 YEARS

azgamingguide.com | August 2020 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

YOU LUCKY … PIG? Piggy Banks And Pig Shaped Candy?

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ogs bury their bones, camels store food and water, squirrels gather nuts and hide them away for safe keeping, and beavers collect sticks and logs in their ponds. But, pigs? Pigs don’t “store” anything! They don’t even understand the concept of saving something for later use like several other animals do, so why do we save our coins in piggy banks?

Since metal was both an expensive and scarce commodity across Europe during the Middle Ages, most household dishes and jars were made out of an orange clay called pygg which was an extremely durable and economical alternative at the time. Households put away their money for safe keeping in these “pygg” jars. Eventually, they just became known as “pygg banks.” As a visual pun, potters began shaping the pygg banks into the shape of a pig as a joke and so it has remained.

Bet You Didn’t Know …

Sauerkraut with pork is a main dish served on New Year’s Day in most parts of Germany, as cabbage leaves symbolize money and pigs are considered to be a good luck symbol. This custom originated with the German farmers who considered themselves fortunate to have a pig that could feed their families through an entire winter. If a German says to you, “ich habe Schwein gehabt” or “I have had pig,” then what they are telling you is “I have had good luck.”

Anyone who is familiar with the delicious German candy called marzipan (an almond paste) has probably seen them at one time or another shaped in the form of a pig!

Do you have a lucky object? I would love to hear your stories. Write me at: editor@azgamingguide.com.

Have a lucky month!

Alexandra

Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 08 MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Matt Probst Mark Novak TJ Jorgensen Lana Hartmann Heather Foreman Samantha Becker Daniel Cruikshank ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION AZGamingGuide.com Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Copyright © 2009-2020 The Arizona Gaming Guide. All rights reserved.

The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gaming related facts and editorial opinions. AGG accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of readers based on articles and/or advertisements presented within. AGG is not liable for claims made in articles and/or advertisements. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners.

Intended for single use only. Reproduction in part or in whole in any form without consent is not permitted. Sale and/or distribution in any form without consent is not permitted. Check all details with the respective casino’s Players Club. Our full legal disclaimer can be found at AZGamingGuide.com/index_files/legal_disclaimer.html.

You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly.

Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or problemgambling.az.gov.

Arizona’s State Gaming Regulatory Agency: Arizona Department of Gaming 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1.602.771.4263 or azgaming.gov Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Division of Problem Gambling 1.800.NEXT.STEP or 1.800.639.8783 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1.602.542.8998 or problemgambling.az.gov

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PLAYERS TALK

Who’s Right & Who’s Wrong?

QUESTION: I have been gambling for more than twenty years and I just noticed something I never saw before! When I was in a bonus, in really tiny letters, there was a statement in the upper right hand corner of the screen that said “bonus reels in play” when I was in a free games bonus. What does that mean? My husband has one theory and I have another theory and I would really like to know who is right? We both love your magazine and have learned so much information about how slot machines work and all the different rules of the gambling world. Well done! Thank you!

great! One of our favorite sections in the magazine is Players Talk and it always gets a heated discussion going at our house. Mom doesn’t believe anything I say or dad says until she reads it in your magazine. Please tell her that there is no way to change what is going to happen with a slot machine just by stopping the reels! I stop the reels when I’m in a bonus with free games while I’m playing because I don’t like to wait.

She says I’m messing everything up by doing that. On the other hand, she thinks she can somehow stop the reels when she sees the bonus symbol coming by and get it to land on the reels!! Please help!

Mary Koski – Scottsdale, AZ Melinda Henderson – Phoenix, AZ ANSWER: Mary, thank you for your kind words about our publication. We appreciate having you and your husband as fans. You didn’t include your opposing view points on this issue in your letter to us. It’s always fun for my team and I to see who is right in the battle of the sexes. You’ll have to send us a quick email back and let us know whose theory was right.

Have you ever felt as though it’s easier (or harder) to get certain winning combinations during a free games bonus round? Well, the reel strips that are used in the base game of a slot machine during regular play are not the same reel strips that are used during a free games bonus, most of the time. Yes, that’s right!

In order to distinguish the bonus reel strips from the existing reel strips used during base game play, regulations in several major gaming jurisdictions, including Arizona, require a visible difference in the symbols if an alternate set of reels is used. In addition, a clear statement needs to be displayed somewhere on screen, on the game, or in the help screen, indicating that a change in reel strips has taken place during the free games.

In fact, in most cases, if you look closely the symbols have been flipped horizontally and some color change has happened as well. The reel strip background generally changes as well. And, just to be even more obvious, some manufacturers write the word “BONUS” across the reel strips in addition to or in place of the disclaimer “Bonus Reels In Play.” This is all done to make sure players understand that a change has occurred and they don’t feel cheated. Furthermore, with all these modifications to the game, there can be no doubt or misunderstanding to a player that they are currently in a bonus.

Changing the reel strips during a bonus allows the mathematicians to control the volatility of the game. In other words, they can increase or decrease the hit frequency of the individual wins, change your chances of retriggering the bonus, affect (on average) how much each free games bonus will pay, and so on.

Next time you play your favorite slot game, you should try and see if you can tell a difference between the reel strips and what changes were made!

QUESTION: My mom and I (and my brothers and my dad) always pick up your magazine and read it every month. It’s

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ANSWER: Mom, although parents are right (nearly) all the time, I’m sorry but in this situation you have to listen to your daughter! As soon as the spin button on a slot game is pressed, the result is determined by the random number generator (RNG). So nothing you or your daughter do at that point can influence the game’s outcome.

The lights and animations that happen are only for entertainment purposes and the result of the spin doesn’t change no matter what a player does. The bonus symbols can’t be “caught” in time by touching the screen before it passes by or a winning combination can’t occur by stopping the reels at precisely the right moment with the stop/spin feature.

Thank you very much for being loyal Arizona Gaming Guide fans. We truly appreciate your support of our publication!

QUESTION: My wife and I were at the casino last night and we noticed a younger man pick up a ticket off the floor and then go to the machine to cash it. My wife told me he’s not allowed to do that. I don’t think there’s anything illegal about cashing a ticket you found on the ground? Finders, keepers!

How would a person claim the right to a lost ticket any way?

Joseph Gattone – Tucson, AZ ANSWER: Tickets, or cashout vouchers, are technically “bearer instruments.” Officially, this means no records are intentionally kept as to who owns the cash represented by the voucher.

Therefore, by definition, the individual (casino patron) possessing the ticket is the owner. However, once a lost cashout voucher is left in a ticket tray or dropped on the floor it legally becomes the property of the casino. This is, in fact, the case in all land-based casinos in the United States.

If you find a cashout voucher, call the nearest casino employee, identify that you found the ticket and state your intent to return it to its rightful owner. You should head over to the main cashier cage at the casino with the employee and begin the paperwork necessary for the casino’s “lost and found” policy. Many casinos will even return the funds to you if their investigation (Continued on page 8)

PLAYERS TALK (Continued from page 6)

into who the rightful owner is doesn’t provide any leads. Absolutely do not take a found ticket and cash it in or leave the casino with it. If you do, you are technically stealing either from the casino or the original patron and you may be charged with theft.

As we all know, in a casino, there are a lot of cameras, employees and patrons who are all potential witnesses. Furthermore, a patron’s player’s card can be used to determine who was playing at what slot machine at any particular time. This provides casino management multiple options to determine who was first in possession of a cashout voucher. The casino will always make every attempt to return the money to its rightful owner or ultimately just give it to the person who found the voucher.

QUESTION: First off, I want to say that you may get the impression I’m a jerk after what I have to say, but I’m not! I am trying to help my wife. It breaks my heart when she’s upset over losing. She’s actually a pretty lucky lady and wins quite often but she just puts it all back, almost every time. Then she’s angry with herself. Then she gets disappointed and then I get to listen to her tell me how she should have cashed out.

Well, last night she jacked up the machine to over $800 and that’s big money for us. I hit the cashout button and walked away with her ticket. I cashed it and gave her all the money when we got home. She was happy to have the money at home, but not so happy with me at the casino. Again, I’m not a jerk. I’m just trying to help her. I’m the kind of husband that understands what’s hers is hers and what’s mine is hers too and I’m okay with that. I just want to help. Now she’s telling me to never do that again because cashing out a ticket will reset the slot, so if she continues playing it won’t be a “hot” game anymore! Is there any truth to that?

George K. – Mesa, AZ ANSWER: George, you don’t sound like a jerk. You are just trying in your own way to help your wife not go home a “loser.” It’s frustrating when you don’t win anything at the casino and even more infuriating when you finally win but put it all back. We’ve all been there and it’s definitely not fun! However, I would suggest that you don’t try that tactic again. Not unless you want a shoe thrown at your head! It’s best to try and have a discussion with your wife (not at the casino) about her emotions regarding her gambling. She should be going to the casino with a predetermined bankroll that is money you and her both can afford to lose. Then, she shouldn’t have any regrets on the decisions she makes while there. Help her understand she needs to stand by her choices and accept whatever happens.

To answer your question, the action of cashing out does not “reset” a slot machine, nor does it influence the future outcomes of the game. Each spin on a slot is completely independent from all previous spins and outcomes. In actuality, each time the spin button is pressed on a slot, the game starts over. $

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NEW SLOTS

Emperor’s Tree & Frog

By Everi

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he two new slot games, Emperor’s Frog and Emperor’s Tree, are the latest pair to be featured on Everi’s new Empire Flex cabinet. These five-reel, 720 ways, Asian-themed games bring out the fun with bonus features like double symbols and expanding wilds designed to keep the excitement going.

Players will love the free spin bonus, giving them the opportunity to select one of four different volatilities and reel configurations, creating an entirely new gaming experience depending on their choice. The beautiful and breath-taking Empire Flex cabinet features a 49-inch flexed display with eyepopping 4K content, flexible integrated light bars, and a larger enhanced glass button deck.

Look for these great new games by Everi during your next casino trip. For more information about Emperor’s Frog and Emperor’s Tree, or other exciting new games by Everi, visit their website at Everi.com. $

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NEW SLOTS

The Vault

By Everi

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he hottest item to hit casino floors from Everi, The Vault, is the new and thrilling series on the high performing, fully featured banked product Empire Arena that includes a heartpounding bank-wide bonus feature and unique community style play.

The theme features three exciting base games with an Empty the Vault respin bonus where gold from the vault can get awarded, significantly increasing credit prizes that are locked on the screen. The bank-wide Diamond Rush bonus feature immediately grabs the attention of all players at the bank, prompting them for a new adrenaline-pumping rate of play. Steal diamond credits from other players at the bank and lock them in for big wins during the Diamond Heist!

Look for The Vault by Everi during your next casino trip. For more information about this game and other exciting new games by Everi, visit their website at Everi.com. $

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TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

AZ HAS 24 CLASS III GAMING FACILITIES But What Does Class III Really Mean?

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ith the opening of Desert Diamond West Valley Casino (congratulations to the Tohono O’Odham Nation!), Arizona now sports 24 Class III gaming facilities. For reference, that’s more casinos than Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada combined.

If you’ve ever wondered what the numbers mean, Class I is social gaming played for minimal value prizes. Class I games are regulated by tribal ordinances.

Class II gaming is bingo and gaming devices based on the game of bingo. These games are also regulated by the tribe but with oversight of the federal government and the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Class III is “Las Vegas-style” games, meaning slots, keno, blackjack (all forms and side wagers), jackpot poker, and housebanked poker games. Class III games get regulated by each Tribal Gaming Authority and the Arizona Department of Gaming. Each tribe operating a casino in Arizona must enter into a valid Tribal-State Gaming Compact before operations begin.

Arizona Casino Games Offered The list of games offered in each Arizona casino must be recorded in the designated Tribal-State compact. That’s why you won’t find every game you’ve ever heard of or played in Las Vegas. It’s not necessarily the Arizona Department of Gaming; it’s the addition of a game by a Tribe/Nation.

Because of this, you won’t find games like Sic Bo or Pai Gow tiles. Not because they aren’t popular, but because they aren’t card/blackjack-style games. The same applies to roulette and craps, although you can play both of those games in electronically-modified conditions, which puts them into the slot or gaming devices category.

As such, they are still games of chance, a mechanical or electromechanical device, and you can win credits based on chance.

It’s wonderful, this chance thing!

The Odds of Winning Because gaming is based on wagering before an outcome is known, that chance thing is important but nebulous. At table games (blackjack-style games), your odds of winning are dependent on your skill and your luck. At blackjack, you might play perfect Basic Strategy and only be bucking a house edge of about 1%, but you can’t win most of the time.

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That’s because the house has the edge every hand. The more you play, the more you pay for your entertainment. Still, you might just get lucky and parlay your skill and bankroll into a nice win that lasts months.

Poker is different. If you are playing live games against other players, your ability to win is heavily dependent on your skill and that of the players in the game with you. And, as with any casino game, the dealer is not responsible for snapping off your flush with a full-house on the river. It’s the cards. As for slots, well, the house has a larger edge. But there are tradeoffs. You’ll get stronger comps for your play, and every spin gives you the chance to hit a substantial jackpot.

Each Tribe can set their gaming devices at the payout percentage they deem appropriate, as long as they meet the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact minimum payout percentages of 80 to 83 percent. Those numbers start at 80 percent for no-skill games and 83 percent for some-skill games like video poker.

Your results and your fun and excitement will vary, as it should. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be gambling! $ Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years.

He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer and blogger. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

TABLE GAMES

By TJ Jorgensen

THE ACE-FIVE COUNT An Easy System To Learn For Blackjack Players

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f you’re a Blackjack player who knows Basic Strategy and employs it flawlessly, the casino has about a 0.52% long term advantage over you depending on the rules and the number of decks used. This means, on average, for every $100 wagered a player could expect to lose 52 cents in the long run.

By learning and utilizing a very simple card counting system, you can reduce the house edge even further. The “Ace-Five Count" is very easy to master and play. This system recognizes and keeps track of the two most important cards in the deck.

For the player, the most valuable card is the Ace. Besides being the essential element for a Blackjack, it also enables the player to make hands because its value can be one or eleven. The most important card for the dealer is the 5, because when hitting hands of 12-16, it will give them 17-21.

How This System Works As the cards are dealt from a new shoe, you assign a value of -1 (minus one) to all Aces, and a value of +1 (plus one) to all 5s. By doing this, you will know if there is an imbalance of 5s vs Aces on the upcoming hand. You will increase your bet when you are more likely to get an Ace, and bet the minimum when there is a surplus of 5s. For example, if the cards are dealt for the first hand, and there are three 5s dealt and one Ace, your count would be +2 (plus two) for the upcoming hand. (Three 5s at a value of +1 (plus one) each or +3, and one Ace with a value of -1 (minus one). 3 - 1 = +2). With this information you now know that for the next hand you are more likely to get an Ace as opposed to a 5.

Betting For a six deck game you will bet the minimum when your count is at +2 (plus two) or lower. If you get a count of +3 or +4 for the upcoming hand, bet twice your minimum bet. When your count is at +5 or higher for the upcoming hand, bet four times your minimum. Here is a betting chart for a $5 six deck table.

Count +2 or lower +3 +4 +5 or higher

Bet $ 5 $10 $10 $20

Betting according to your count will reduce the casino's edge because you are increasing your wagers when the composition

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of the cards for the upcoming hand favor the player, and playing the minimum when the dealer has the advantage.

Playing The Hands You must know and play Basic Strategy perfectly to maximize the reduction of the casino's edge. There is no room for hunches or gut feelings. How much of a reduction depends on the house rules, number of decks, how well you play Basic Strategy, and how accurately you keep track of the Aces and 5s. While you will not have a mathematical advantage over the casino using the Ace-Five Count, you will be able to reduce the house edge a little bit more than if you were just using Basic Strategy. In fact, after 25,000 hands, you will have a 25% chance of being ahead.

This is an easy system to learn and will get you started counting cards, and reduce the casino’s edge. If you find that you like counting, then the next step would be to learn a full card counting strategy like the High-Low. $

Writer TJ Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over 20 years. He is well known for his tournament play and has beaten some of the top tournament players in the world. He has also won the World Series Of Blackjack. His book “Beating The Casino At Their Own Game” is available by email at: TJ21PRO@GMail.com.

TABLE GAMES

By Daniel Cruikshank

BETTING MAGIC ON THE E-MACHINES Need Help Placing Complex Bets? Just Use The “Magic” Buttons!

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ne important item to be aware of, when playing eCraps or e-Roulette, is the amount of time you have to place your bet. Regardless of your strategy, you may find the time you need to complete your bet, especially on the Roulette machine, is way too short. I have heard many a player shout out in anger because they didn’t have enough time.

The fast pace of the e-machines is one of the reasons why I prefer these to live tables. It never fails, when I am playing live table Craps, that the larger the crowd, combined with the complexity of the bets, results in a slow down. Now, I know I am being superstitious, but I believe that it “cools” down the play, ultimately resulting in a Seven-out; the last thing a “right” bettor, wants to hear. So, is there anything that can be done to help with placing complex bets, especially on the e-machine?

Yes, there is. I call them Magic Buttons.

Common Buttons Both e-Craps and e-Roulette provide additional buttons that help to speed up the betting process. I will start with the two common buttons used by each machine and then, in future articles, discuss the discrete buttons of each machine.

Repeat Bet This button appears on both machines and, as the name implies, repeats the last bet made, along with the amounts wagered.

This saves a lot of time, especially if the bet is very complex. I will discuss examples for both machines.

Roulette Let’s assume you like to bet your family birthdays. In my case I make six bets; one for me, one for my wife, one for each of our sons and one for our two grandchildren. This is a total of six separate bets on the 7, 12, 13, 18, 22 and 30. It’s not too difficult if I simply bet these numbers separately; however I like to make some slight modifications. Both my sons were born in the month of November or 11. It just so happens the 11 is next to the 12, so I split those, i.e., 11/12. My wife was born in the month of August or 8, which is next to the 7, again I split the 7/8. In addition, I watch the statistics for hot and cold numbers. If the 9 or 10 are either hot or cold then I turn my split bet into a street bet which covers the 7/8/9 or 10/11/12 or both. In addition, I watch the numbers that are next to, or on the same street, as the 13, 18, 22 or 30 and make the appropriately split or street bet.

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Craps In Craps, the Repeat button comes in handy on Come-out rolls, especially if I win. I normally Lay the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10; and then bet the C&E. If a 7 is rolled then the Lay bets win and the C&E loses. When this happens, all of the bets are taken off the betting surface. I can use the Repeat button to remake the last bet, just like Roulette.

Double Bet I will double my bet if the amount I win is at least 4 times my total bet amount. If my bet is $3 then I must win $12. After I repeat the winning bet, I then press the Double Bet button. My entire bet is now double.

Summary Using the Repeat and Double buttons allows me to sip my coffee as I watch my fellow players scrambling to manually repeat their bets. $ Writer Daniel Cruikshank lives in Arizona, is retired, and has been an Electronic and Live Table Games player for decades.

COVER STORY—The ARENA Poker Room

The ARENA Poker Room THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN

When casinos opened last month following a statewide closure due to the COVID 19 pandemic, all reopened without their poker rooms. All, but one, Talking Stick Resort. The resort’s ARENA Poker Room not only reopened, but also introduced an array of new measures to help keep its loyal players safe.

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As a whole, Talking Stick Resort is in its phase one of opening.

For the ARENA Poker room that means opening each day at 50 percent capacity. Its 23 tables are spaced to allow for appropriate social distancing, and each has been outfitted with plexiglass to limit guest exposure to other players. Further, every guest and employee on property are required to wear masks and are subjected to temperature checks upon entry.

Cleaning protocols have also been intensified across the resort and in the poker room. A dedicated team have been tasked with the cleaning and sanitization of high-touch surfaces throughout the property. And, in the poker room, dealers and other team members are regularly cleaning tables between games and as players change. Moreover, as chips are cashed in, they are thoroughly cleaned before reuse.

“The ARENA Poker Room is a key component of Talking Stick Resort’s gaming offerings and we have many loyal players. As a result, it was important for us to reopen, but safely,” said Tom Young, Director of Poker for Talking Stick Resort. “We have taken many precautions and the feedback we have received has been positive. Players are happy to be back and have a place to play.”

Currently, games in the ARENA Poker Room are seven-handed with $300, $500 and $600 spread limits. The room is running

single satellite games pending the number of players. Among the games played, include Texas Hold ’Em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud. No tournaments are being offered while Talking Stick Resort remains in the phase one of opening.

Beyond the poker room, Talking Stick Resort, as a whole, has implemented many changes as part of its first phase of opening.

Social distancing being one of the biggest factors as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as guidelines from local and state officials.

Continued on page 23

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7.787"

COVER STORY—Continued: The ARENA Poker Room Continued from page 21

For instance, a limited number of the property’s restaurants are open including the Black Fig, Blue Coyote and Ocean Trail.

There is no seating at this time only partial menus for grab and go selections. Social distancing has also been implemented on the gaming floor including limited seating at slot machines and as well as acrylic dividers in between each.

The resort’s three pools have also instituted new protocols for the safety of employees and guests. All seating has been reconfigured to allow for social distance. Smoking has also been temporarily prohibited during the first phase.

“Though we have put many changes in place at Talking Stick Resort for guest safety, the one thing that will never change is the amount of entertainment people can expect when they visit,” said Ramon Martinez, Director of Public Relations for Talking Stick Resort. “We are happy to offer guests a much-needed escape.”

Talking Stick Resort lies in the middle of the Sonoran Desert surrounded by Arizona’s beautiful landscape. The property features a multitude of amenities, including three swimming pools, restaurants and lounges, and a whole world of gaming on the main floor. Its ARENA Poker Room is the poker room in the Valley and is home to the Arizona State Poker Championship. For more information about Talking Stick Resort, its ARENA Poker Room, and all of its wonderful dining options and other amenities, visit their website at TalkingStickResort.com. $

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ARIZONA LOTTERY

By Ashley Bold, Public Relations Coordinator

AZ LOTTERY’S BEAT THE HEAT PROMO As The Temperatures Soar, So Do The Prizes

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he winnings are heating up with Arizona Lottery’s Beat the Heat Second Chance promotion, because as the temperatures soar, so do the prizes!

From now through August 31, players can enter eligible nonwinning heat-themed tickets into the Beat the Heat Second Chance promotion, a promotion that gets better as the temperatures rise. In each of the promotion’s four drawings, three lucky players will win $10, $100 or $1,000 times the highest temperature* recorded during that entry period. So, if the high temperature for an entry period is 112 degrees, three winners will take home $1,120, $11,200 and $112,000 respectively!

“It’s never easy watching the mercury climb during Arizona’s long and sweltering summer months,” says Arizona Lottery Executive Director Gregg Edgar, “but with the chance to win up to $1,000 times Phoenix’s high temperature in the Beat the Heat Second Chance promotion, we are making it easier to find the silver lining in our triple-digit temps.”

Six Arizona Lottery games are eligible for the Beat the Heat Second Chance promotion. Warm up with the $2 Fiery 5’s Scratchers®, where players scratch to match their numbers to the winning numbers in order to win the prize shown, and if a player reveals a “5”, they’ll win five times that prize amount! Feel the burn with the $5 $50,000 Inferno Scratchers, with a top prize of $50,000 and a bonus game where players can win $50 instantly.

And turn up the heat with the Blazing Hot 100s Fast Play™ ticket, where players match anywhere from four to 12 summertime symbols to win up to $20,000!

Entering the Beat the Heat Second Chance promotion is easy.

Players can visit AZPlayersClub.com or download the Arizona Lottery Players Club app (available for download on the iTunes® App store and the Google Play™ store) or at AZPlayersClub.com. $1 tickets will receive one entry into the promotion, $2 tickets will receive two entries, $5 tickets will receive five entries and $10 tickets will receive ten entries. Players can enter up to 20 tickets per day for their chance to win.

Players can purchase Scratchers and Fast Play tickets at all 3,000 Arizona Lottery retail locations and the $10 Scratchers ticket is available in a ten pack at Costco for $89.99. For full promotion details, visit AZPlayersClub.com.

*The prize for each prize level will be determined by multiplying the high-

Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.

by the respective multiplier ($1,000X, $100X, $10X). $

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est temperature recorded at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service during the entry period for that drawing

GAMING NEWS

WE-KO-PA RESORT CERTIFIED “SAFE + CLEAN” Recognized For Enhanced Cleanliness By State Tourism Association

The We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center will proudly display the AZSAFE + CLEAN badge for meeting the standards established by the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association (AzLTA) in conjunction with American Hotel & Lodging Association. Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stay Safe Initiative builds upon sanitation best practices and recommendations from national hospitality and public health experts, as well as various hotel brands. The AZSAFE + CLEAN designation communicates to guests and employees that the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center is taking the necessary steps to maintain a healthy environment.

“From the outset of the virus, we have strived to be at the forefront of health and safety guidelines,” said Bernadine Burnette, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. “We are

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

proud to be recognized by AzLTA, and this certification serves as confirmation from an independent agency that we are reaching that goal. We will continue to uphold the highest standards for our guests and team members.”

The We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, along with the adjacent Fort McDowell Casino, reopened in May following a temporary closure due to COVID-19. The property continues to perform rigorous cleaning and sanitization measures as part of the effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The property features a hotel, two award-winning golf courses, dining options, and a casino with slots, table games, and bingo. Later this year, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation will unveil the brand new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort at the same location. $

GAMING NEWS

Casino Del Sol Celebrates 26 Years As Tucson’s Premier Entertainment Destination

Lucky Guest Hits $434,588 Jackpot At Desert Diamond Casino West Valley

Casino Del Sol and Estrella at Casino Del Sol.

Casino Del Sol celebrates 26 years as Tucson’s premier entertainment destination. The award-winning hotel and casino offers guests world-class customer service, resort luxuries, countless dining options, spacious outdoor amenities and of course, unforgettable experiences in the desert Southwest.

It all began when the Pascua Yaqui Tribe opened Tucson’s first casino, Casino of the Sun, in 1994. Since then, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s hospitality and entertainment enterprise has grown tremendously. Casino Del Sol and AVA Amphitheater were completed in 2001, Del Sol Marketplace was added in 2005, the Resort, Spa and Conference Center at Casino Del Sol opened in 2011, Sewailo Golf Club was completed in 2013 and Estrella at Casino Del Sol, the Casino Del Sol RV Park and the Sunset Room at Casino of the Sun opened in 2019.

“Although we are not able to celebrate our anniversary with fireworks, concerts and special events, we are incredibly proud to recognize Casino Del Sol’s 26 years of growth as a hospitality enterprise and community partner in Tucson,” said CEO of Casino Del Sol, Kimberly Van Amburg. “Our valued guests, dedicated team members and supportive community have been instrumental to our success over the years, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue our legacy as the Sol of Tucson for years to come.”

Casino Del Sol, Casino of the Sun and Estrella at Casino Del Sol reopened to the public on June 3, 2020 with strict cleaning and safety protocols in place. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Casino Del Sol are continuing to closely monitor developments, adhere to guidance from public health experts and local government officials and remain flexible as the situation develops. For more information, visit CasinoDelSol.com. $

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

One lucky guest at Desert Diamond Casino West Valley has struck it rich with a $434,588 progressive jackpot on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The guest, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was playing a Wheel of Fortune machine from IGT. Desert Diamond Casino West Valley reopened its doors on June 5, 2020 after more than two months of temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rigorous new safety protocols have been implemented that follow the recommended guidelines from the CDC and other health agencies to protect guests and team members. These measures are constantly monitored and updated as needed.

Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “We always love to see our guests win big, especially during this unprecedented time. This lucky guest is one of many jackpot winners at our casinos since we reopened. We’re committed to providing a safe and fun place to play, and we can’t wait to see who will take home the next big win!”

Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, with three locations in Southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, and Why) and one in the West Valley in Glendale, AZ, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Additional information can be found at DDCAZ.com or by calling 1.866.DDC.WINS. Follow Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment on Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), Facebook (@DDCAZ), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

azgamingguide.com | August 2020 | Arizona Gaming Guide

29

GAMING NEWS

BlueWater Resort & Casino Eagerly Awaits To Welcome Their Guests Back

Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Announces Las Vegas Event Cancellation

BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Arizona.

BlueWater Resort & Casino wants to take this time to extend a special message of gratitude to all the essential and frontline workers locally, throughout Arizona and around the World.

“We appreciate and salute you!”

During this down time, BlueWater Resort & Casino has taken each guest amenity into consideration and their dedicated team of professionals have deep cleaned and sanitized their hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, slot machines, gaming tables, Bingo Hall and conference rooms to provide a safe and healthy environment.

For the safest opening possible, BlueWater Resort & Casino has adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols and have developed a detailed customized health and sanitation guideline to fit their property design.

Once BlueWater Resort & Casino resumes their operations guests can anticipate temperature checks upon entry and mandatory masks. Bringing your own masks is encouraged; however, please don’t fret if you forget, they will have a mask for you. In addition, BlueWater Resort & Casino has added handwashing stations along with Plexiglas and social distancing reminders in key areas.

The American Gaming Association (AGA), with partner Reed Exhibitions, formally announced the cancellation of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the gaming industry’s top global event.

The show’s organizers are committed to facilitating economic, education, and networking opportunities for the global gaming industry through a series of virtual G2E events throughout the rest of the year to better reflect the current environment.

G2E was scheduled to take place October 5-8, 2020. The next in-person edition of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) will take place October 4-7, 2021 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“In light of continued uncertainty around a viable marketplace at a physical G2E show, global travel restrictions, and currently unknown guidance on large public gatherings this fall, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that we simply cannot hold an in-person G2E this year,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Health and safety have always been our top priority and the uncertainty created by the ongoing pandemic makes this the prudent decision ahead of critical deadlines for exhibitors planning to participate.”

A spokesperson for the BlueWater Resort & Casino said, “We eagerly await to welcome you, our esteemed guests, when we reopen. Until then, Be safe, Be well and See you Soon!”

For 20 years, G2E has welcomed nearly 30,000 attendees annually from across the globe, including executives representing key industry partners such as the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, as well as the world’s top casino operators, sports betting companies, and FinTech and digital payments facilitators, among others.

For more information about BlueWater Resort & Casino, visit their website at BlueWaterFun.com or call 1.888.243.3360. $

The event organizers will announce plans for virtual events and education in the near future. $

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Editor’s Pick

Talking Stick Resort In Scottsdale Upcoming Entertainment

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND Sunday, October 11, 2020

DAUGHTRY Saturday, February 20, 2021

JOHN FOGERTY Saturday, October 17, 2020

KATHLEEN MADIGAN Friday, February 26 & Saturday, February 27, 2021

THE ROBERT CRAY BAND Friday, November 13, 2020

CHRISTOPHER CROSS Friday, April 2, 2021

CASH CAB’S BEN BAILEY Saturday, December 5, 2020

TYLER HENRY—THE HOLLYWOOD MEDIUM Saturday, May 1, 2021

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL Friday, December 11, 2020

STEPHEN WRIGHT Saturday, May 8, 2021

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK Saturday, January 9, 2021

For details and tickets, visit TalkingStickResort.com, or the box office at Talking Stick Resort.

JOHNNY MATHIS Friday, February 12, 2021

Verify all details with the box office for dates, refunds, cancellations, etc. which are at the sole discretion of the venue. $

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

BATTLE OF THE SEXES Husband Tells Wife To Play Video Poker And Not Video Keno

M

y team and I recently received a lengthy (and quite humorous) email from a reader who loves to play video keno but whose husband plays video poker and is always getting down on her for not playing his game.

Even though “his opinion doesn’t amount to a hill of beans” where she’s concerned according to her. She says she “wins (and loses) just as often as he does” and “he’s all hat and no cattle” (again her words, not ours)! Ultimately, her question to me was whether video keno is really a much worse game to play over video poker? To protect the innocent and not embarrass the guilty, I’ve decided not to publish the letter, but I do believe it’s very important to address this topic.

Video poker aficionados, like said cowboy who’s “all hat and no cattle,” pride themselves in playing these slot machines because they have the highest return percentages in the casinos. And, they should pat themselves on the back for choosing to play games that have paybacks of 95 percent and higher. However, just because video poker’s payback percentages are generally higher than video keno’s payback percentages doesn’t mean video poker is necessarily the better game. Numbers can be deceiving, especially in the case of payback percentages. Sometimes the overall payback percentage of a game doesn’t tell the whole story.

What’s also important to keep in mind is the hit frequency of the various wins and how much they return relative to the odds of hitting them. For instance, when playing straight up video keno whose 7-spot pays 7,000 to 1, the odds of hitting this award are about 1 in 40,000. Well, guess what? These are the exact same odds for hitting a Royal Flush! I don’t know about how you feel, but in my opinion the 7,000 to 1 payout for catching a 7-spot sure beats the 800 to 1 payout for a Royal Flush with a one credit bet!

Even though the odds of some keno jackpots are really out there, like the 9-spot whose odds are 1 in 1,000,000, the rewards for coming close are just as sweet. I’ll still take an 8 out of 9-spot for the 4,700 to 1 payout over a Royal Flush any day. And, I only have to wait for this award to come around 1 in 30,000 games!

With long-term payback percentages of over 91%, the long-term odds on video keno are generally better than the long-term odds

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

on most of the penny slots. In fact, in most cases, the odds of winning the highest win on a three reel slot machine is at least once in every 100,000 spins. For video slots, the odds can range from once in every 500,000 spins to once in every 50,000,000 spins! And, most video keno games do not offer incentives to play max bet. So, when you wager more, your wins are just proportionately higher.

My message to the lady who took the time to write us … Have fun picking your spots and playing video keno. Don’t worry about what your husband says. Over the long run, you will be luckier and have more winning sessions if you have a positive attitude and are having fun, and that means playing the games you enjoy playing. I want all of our readers to heed this very important message. $

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

To Celebrate Women’s Right To Vote, Find: AMENDMENT, CIVIL, ELECTORAL, EQUALITY, NINETEENTH, OFFICE, RIGHT, RIGHTS, SUFFRAGE, SUSAN B ANTHONY, VOTE, VOTING, WOMEN.

Each of the columns, rows, and 3 x 3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3 x 3 grid.

Level: EASY (Solution on page 38)

Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 38)

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Jokes & Quotes

Zodiac Lucky Numbers

Research shows that laughing stimulates the immune system and may help prevent or reverse some medical conditions.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): 9, 12, 42, 49, 63 Taurus (April 20 – May 20): 11, 14, 38, 40, 49 Gemini (May 21 – June 20): 27, 39, 55, 56, 69 Cancer (June 21 – July 22): 6, 18, 46, 54, 63 Leo (July 23 – August 22): 15, 38, 41, 52, 60 Virgo (August 23 – September 22): 3, 5, 50, 55, 61 Libra (September 23 – October 22): 5, 28, 46, 51, 57 Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): 24, 39, 49, 56, 60 Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): 19, 32, 43, 55, 63 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): 3, 17, 24, 49, 61 Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): 17, 48, 54, 63, 67 Pisces (February 19 – March 20): 15, 17, 26, 31, 48

OK, We Love Arizona But It’s So Hot Here That... you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. the birds use potholders to pull worms out of the ground. you don’t think twice seeing a driver using oven mitts to steer. the potatoes cook underground, and all you have to do to have lunch is to pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper. farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs. the cows are giving evaporated milk. the trees are whistling for the dogs. you can say 123 degrees without fainting. you eat hot chilis to cool your mouth off. you can make instant sun tea. you learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron. you've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl. you can get a sunburn through your car window. you actually burn your hand opening the car door. you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

Lunar Year For The Month Of August 2020—Year Of The Rat Best days to ask for good luck: 4, 6, 8, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Best days to travel: 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 23, 28, 31.

Best days to meet with someone: 7, 11, 23.

There is Luck & Travel overlap on the 3rd, 11th & 27th!

Ranking first in the Lunar zodiac, the rat represents wisdom. The people born under the Rat sign are intelligent, charming, quick-witted, practical, ambitious, and good at economizing as well as social activities. Dates for Year Of The Rat: 02/05/1924-01/23/1925, 01/24/36-02/10/37, 02/10/48-01/28/49, 01/28/60-02/14/61, 02/15/72-02/02/73, 02/02/8402/19/85, 02/19/96-02/06/97, 02/06/08-01/25/09, 01/25/20-02/11/21.

888-243-3360 571

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 284

05. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 579

Y

Y

06. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1018

Y

Y

08. Casino Of The Sun

5405 W Valencia Rd

Tucson

855-765-7829

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 273

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 648

09. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 10. Cocopah Resort Casino

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 300

Tucson

866-332-9467 658

12. Desert Diamond Casino-Sah.

I-19, Exit 80

Sahuarita

866-332-9467 353

13. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V.

101 & Northern Ave.

Glendale

866-332-9467 670

14. Desert Diamond Casino-Why

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

15. Fort McDowell Casino

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

16. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 881 Maricopa

480-802-5000 825

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 369

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 859

Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson

Payson

800-777-7529 369

Yuma

888-777-4946 290

18. Lone Butte Casino 20. Paradise Casino

450 Quechan Dr.

21. Quechan Casino

I-8, Exit 166

Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+

22. Spirit Mountain Casino

8555 Hwy. 95

Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 125

23. Talking Stick Resort

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480-850-7777 528

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Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,090

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Y

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6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 970

Y

Y

Y

Y

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5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 996

Y

Y

Y

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1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 227

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Y

Y Y

Y

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azgamingguide.com

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Word Search Solution N I N E T E E N T E T E V L O Y C O A V C T I T R I I F I O E T V L F N T G N R I A G C A E W I L E R M O G L F D M E F N U

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Sudoku Solution 3

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38 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2020 | azgamingguide.com

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Y

Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 06/17/20 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.

Use the QR codes for our website & Facebook Page!

Y

Y

Y

Scottsdale

27. Yavapai Casino

Y

Y

I-40, Exit 219

25. Vee Quiva Casino

Y

Y

101 & Indian Bend

24. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 26. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

58

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

17. Hon-Dah Casino 19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

866-332-9467

Y

8

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

11. Desert Diamond Casino-Tuc.

Y

Y

04. Bucky’s Casino

07. Casino Del Sol Marketplace

Y

Smoke-Free Area

800-272-2438 301

Parker

Y

Spa

Dudleyville

11300 Resort Drive

Y

Arcade

Slots

Golf

Milepost 127 on Arizona 77

03. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Phone

Poker Room

800-272-2438 479

Table Games

Globe

Live Keno

City

RV Park

02. Apache Sky Casino

Location Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe

Hotel

01. Apache Gold Casino Resort

Bingo

Casino

High Limit Area

CASINO DIRECTORY

Y Y Y