Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - January 2021 - 13:01

JANUARY

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 08 GREAT GAMES

14 TABLE GAMES 18 VIDEO POKER 20 FEATURE STORY 22 GAMING NEWS 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 36 FUN & GAMES 38 CASINO DIRECTORY

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THE ONE PART OF A SLOT YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO, AND WHY, BEFORE YOU PLAY

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18

34

Aristocrat’s newest slot, exclusively at Desert Diamond Casino—Tucson, celebrates 10+ years of iconic Buffalo.

Our readers spoke and we listened to them as many want a column on their favorite winning casino game.

Post-COVID, our readers point out that patron behavior is not evolving for the better, and Sami agrees.

BUFFALO DIAMOND AT DESERT DIAMOND

REQUESTED VIDEO POKER SECTION RETURNS

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN FRUSTRATION TO RAGE

azgamingguide.com | January 2021 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

THE KOI FISH

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

Success, Wealth, Riches In Asian Culture

T

he koi fish is a domesticated variety of carp originally bred for decorative ponds and landscaping in the Chinese and Japanese cultures over the last two centuries.

Many of the Asian cultural attributes of the koi symbolize several lessons and even trials individuals often encounter in life.

The koi fish has a powerful and energetic life force, demonstrated by its ability to swim against currents, travel upstream, and even up rapids and waterfalls.

VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 01 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

Since koi come in many different colors and patterns, the two most important for us casino visitors are:

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Matt Probst Mark Novak TJ Jorgensen Lana Hartmann Heather Foreman Samantha Becker Daniel Cruikshank

Ogon - The Ogon is a solid, silver colored koi which symbolically represents success in business and wealth.

Yamabuki - The Yamabuki koi is gold in coloring and symbolizes riches and wealth.

ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com

Just some of the characteristics associated with the koi include: Good Fortune, Success, Prosperity, Longevity, Courage, Ambition, and Perseverance.

Have a lucky month!

Alexandra Alexandra Lang

Editor-in-Chief Editor@AZGamingGuide.com

MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION AZGamingGuide.com Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Copyright © 2009-2021 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

04 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

PLAYERS TALK Q: Hello! I have a couple of questions and apologize if either one has previously been addressed in an issue that I unfortunately may have missed.

1. Is it true that payouts are more likely to happen when playing a machine in the [High Limit Room] as opposed to the main casino floor? If so, I'm wondering as to why that would be possible given that the only thing that determines the outcome of each pull is a [randomly generated number]?

2. In the Players Talk section of the most recent issue of the Arizona Gaming Guide (November 2020) there was a brief mention that the random number generator (RNG) “has its own set of regulations governing its operation.” I'm just wondering if you can elaborate on the specifics of said regulations.

P.S. I've been reading AZGG for years and have always enjoyed its content. When I'm walking out of the casino after an unlucky visit, it’s always a nice uplifting pick-me-up to see a new issue of AZGG in the rack waiting to be read. I sincerely appreciate everyone for doing their part to make this magazine possible and for sharing all the hard earned information you've learned over the years. I cannot thank you enough for choosing to pass on such knowledge to us. In one way or another, every article that I've had the pleasure of reading has greatly improved my mindset and abilities as a player. It is said that “Knowledge is Power.” Well, in the world of gaming I believe that Such Power Produces a Plethora of Positive Playing Possibilities.

Michael Shays—From Email

wins aren’t more or less frequent, on average, the bet levels force the wins to be above the taxable threshold.

Furthermore, in general, most Slot Directors decrease the house hold of a slot machine as they increase the denomination of the game. A penny slot has a house hold of 14%. The same slot in dollars has a house hold of only 4%. That 10% difference will be paid out in one way or another. How is anyone’s guess without being the actual designer of the game or by documenting hundreds of play sessions on both games. Could those extra 10% be paid in “little” wins? Yes. Could it be paid through more bonuses? Yes. A combination of the two? Yes. Paid by only increasing the jackpot value? Yes. Again, it depends on the situation.

Keep in mind, some higher denomination slots are designed to have less small wins and more frequent large wins. Take the classic one line reel slot games that can still be found in High Limit Rooms. Some of those slots pay a win only once every 15 to 20 spins. Yet the chances of hitting the top win is “only” one in every 50,000 to 100,000 spins. Those are some great odds compared to odds for top wins on penny slots which are routinely in the millions of spins.

If you want more frequent, larger wins, in exchange for a larger bet, requiring a much larger bankroll, the High Limit Room can be your path to a winning experience. Just remember, it’s never just as simple as that because it all depends on the game.

A: Thanks Michael! Not only is it our mission to deliver hard earned information to our readers every month based on our collective experiences as slot machine game designers and casino industry experts, but we try to keep things fun, entertaining, positive and give all readers something to look forward to with each new issue. On to your questions…

2. One of the best ways to give you some insight on the regulations surrounding RNGs is to just quote from the Arizona Department of Gaming’s own documents (Arizona Tribal/State Gaming Compact, Appendix A, Technical Standards for Gaming Devices, Components, Software and Progressive Gaming Devices, Revised 2015, Sections 2.3.6 & 2.3.7). The language below is used to regulate the selection of game symbols (position of the reel strips at the end of a spin, or how much to pay during a pick bonus, etc.) and is very similar in other jurisdictions.

1. You are referring to payouts, which we gather to mean large wins, being more frequent in a High Limit Room of a casino.

And, as in many cases, the answer is yes and no.

Selection of game symbols or production of game outcomes by an RNG shall: be statistically independent; conform to the desired random distribution; pass necessary statistical testing; and be unpredictable.

First, there is the issue of denomination and bet size. Here in Arizona, most slot machine wagers are currently capped at $35.

A High Limit Room will offer, for example, a $5 Video Poker game (max bet $25) where a Four-Of-A-Kind (happening once every 420 hands on average) pays 250 credits at max bet, or $1,250 (a taxable win), forcing the game to play jackpot music.

Yet, the regular casino floor offers the same game in a $0.25 denomination (max bet $1.25). The same Four-Of-A-Kind pays 250 credits at max bet for $62.50 which does not get celebrated as a jackpot as it is nowhere close to the taxable win. The point being, same win, same probability, different denomination because of the location on the floor, visible jackpot because of the amount. This argument can be made for any video poker game or slot machine where only the denomination has changed. The

The laboratory shall conduct tests necessary to determine whether the random values produced by the RNG achieve a confidence level of at least 99%. These tests may include, but are not limited to: chi-square test; equi-distribution (frequency) test; gap test; overlaps test; poker test; coupon collector’s test; permutation test; Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; adjacency criterion tests; order statistic test; runs tests (patterns of occurrences shall not be recurrent); interplay correlation test; serial correlation test potency and degree of serial correlation (outcomes shall be independent of the previous game); tests on subsequences; and Poisson distribution. The period of the RNG shall be adequate in size for the applications for which it is designed.

06 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Keep the questions coming! Write us at PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or email us at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com. $

NEW SLOTS

Happy & Prosperous Now At Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

B

e Happy & Prosperous in 2021 at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson. Part of the Dragon Cash family, Aristocrat’s Happy & Prosperous features high denomination options to suit a diverse range of players.

Players can enjoy the famous Hold ‘n’ Spin feature, scalable bonus prizes, cash on reels, and some new functionality including the ability to win up to 250x your bet on a scatter.

During the Happy & Prosperous free games feature, royals are removed and an extra three free games can be won with any scatter win during the feature.

You’ll have brighter days with Happy & Prosperous at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson!

For more information on the latest slots, visit DDCAZ.com, call 1.866.DDC.WINS (1.866.332.9461), or follow on Facebook (@ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

Buffalo Diamond Now At Desert Diamond Casino Tucson By Aristocrat

D

iamonds are a Buffalo player’s best friend! Players are celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of the most iconic brands ever to hit the casino floor with Buffalo Diamond, the game that honors the original game loved by players everywhere. Buffalo Diamond has a $500,000 wide area progressive and was the first game in the Buffalo franchise to appear on the new flame55 cabinet.

The Buffalo Diamond base game offers a unique 4x5x6x5x4 reel set featuring 2,400 ways to win and offers Aristocrat’s first persistent free games feature. As a player plays the base game, they may randomly collect Purple, Blue or Green Diamonds on the 5th reel, which progresses the free games pool.

Buffalo Diamond also offers a unique wheel feature where the player receives 4X all pays Free Games, 3X all pays Free Games, 2X all pays Free Games, Regular Free Games and Grand Progressive (only available at max bet). As in the Classic Buffalo game, during the Free Games Bonus, 2 or more scattered coins will trigger additional free games, and Free Games Sunsets are wild and reveal 2x or 3x win multipliers with corresponding wins. The 2,400 ways to win + All Games Pay 2x, 3x, 4x + Sunset Wilds Pay 2x or 3x = a massive chase for true Buffalo fans who may see diamonds in their future! $

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

Dragon Lights

By IGT

I

gniting excitement on the casino floor is IGT’s Dragon Lights, the latest in IGT’s progressive free games series. This 4x5 reel game is full of base game action with frequent free game increments, random wilds, and free game and wheel bonus triggers that allow for continued excitement on each spin.

This game has four levels of progressive free games, awarding spin multipliers up to 15x, that are incremented and triggered throughout the base game. Whenever a mega, major, minor, or mini symbol lands on reel five without a bonus symbol on reels one and three, the corresponding progressive free games will increment by one. When the number of free games approaches the average hit value, flames surround the reel creating added excitement and stay on the screen until the progressive level is awarded.

Free games are initiated when the Dragon Lights bonus symbol appears on reels one and three and the corresponding bonus symbol appears on reel five. Dragon Lights is a 30 pay line, 50 credit cost to cover game. For more information, visit IGT.com. $

Lucky Ox

By IGT

C

elebrate the upcoming Year of the Ox with IGT’s Lucky Ox video slots. This 20 pay line game consists of multiple proven features such as progressives, nudging wilds, and free games, as well as added elements including the Lucky Ox bonus and mystery jackpot bonus.

This game also includes prizes on top of each reel that award credits, 10 free games, and the jackpot.

At the start of each game, new prizes are shown above the reels and when the Lucky Ox symbol is in any position on the reels, the corresponding prize is awarded.

If a wild symbol appears in any position on the reels during the base game, the reels with the wild symbol may nudge up or down one position and may cause the Lucky Ox symbol to appear.

The Lucky Ox bonus is triggered if the jackpot is awarded during the base game prize feature or the free games prize feature. In this bonus, players will spin a wheel and win the jackpot or credit value wherever the wheel stops.

The exciting Lucky Ox game is a 50 credit cost to cover game. For more information, visit IGT.com. $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Coming Soon

NEW SLOTS

Orb Lock Dragon

By EVERI

A

persistent state Asian themed video slot, Orb Lock Dragon features the collection of persistent rings with multipliers that award exciting wins when the rings convert to wilds.

Players can also choose between two different free spin bonuses – a lock-and-respin bonus and a wild lock free spin bonus. Players can collect all eight orbs during either of the bonuses and earn a jackpot pick.

Bonuses are triggered by landing symbols on reels 1, 3, or 5, or by collecting enough orange orbs causing the large orb to burst into a brilliant array of lights.

Orb Lock Dragon is available on the Empire Flex cabinet that features a 49-inch flexed display with stunning 4K content, flexible integrated light bars, and a larger enhanced glass button deck.

For more information about this exciting game and other new products by Everi, visit their website at Everi.com. $

The Vault

By EVERI

T

he game titles Big Island Treasures, Titan’s Fortune, and Shamrock Gold build on the success of the initial launch of The Vault showcasing unique math models and symbol triggered progressives that are available during the thrilling Empty the Vault lock-and-respin bonus.

The release of these three new highly entertaining base games keep all the iconic features from The Vault intact including the heart-pounding bankwide Diamond Rush bonus with its attention-grabbing alert now playing across the overhead signage that attracts attention from across the floor.

During the bonus, players try and steal diamonds from others at the bank with a chance to win big in the Diamond Heist.

For more information about this exciting game and other new products by Everi, visit their website at Everi.com. $

azgamingguide.com | January 2021 | Arizona Gaming Guide 11

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

ROULETTE BETTING SYSTEMS Fibonacci, Columns, Bet-Until-You-Win & Winning Streak!

W

e may not have "live" roulette in Arizona with a table and a dealer, but many casinos offer the game in a controlled environment. That's a fancy way of saying they have an automatic roulette wheel, and you can play via a video screen, so it classifies as a slot machine. Sneaky, right? And it's fun, too!

For most players, there’s not much difference between a live game and the automated variety. The game goes faster since the machine electronically pays the winning bets and then spins the ball quickly – in less than 30 seconds.

You won't have much time for chit-chat, but you will have time for regular roulette fun. And, since roulette players have been devising ways to beat the wheel for more than 100 years, you might try a roulette system. Do they work? Well, yes and no.

Roulette Odds The truth is that no betting system can change the house odds.

However, many betting methods can be more successful than just scattering a bunch of chips on random numbers and sections where you are often betting against the other wagers you’ve made.

hour of fun and quit up a few dollars or down just a few. With this dollar wager system, the most you can lose is $88. Take a pen and paper with you to keep the numbers straight!

By the way, Fibonacci was a 12th century Italian mathematician whose namesake sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, …) was used to estimate rabbit populations. In a Fibonacci sequence, the next term is always the sum of the previous two terms. 2 + 3 = 5, 3 + 5 = 8, 5 + 8 = 13, etc.

Betting Columns Another favorite is wagering on columns (the three rows of 12 numbers that pay 2 to 1) that haven’t spun for a while. Just pick a column and get lucky. You'll get lots of play for a little money.

Fibonacci A European favorite is the Fibonacci, where a player bets on individual even-money spots. You choose either Odd/Even, Red/Black, or First 18/Second 18 numbers. The secret is in the wagering sequence. When you start with a win, great! Keep betting one unit. If you lose a spin, you move up the wagering ladder to the next amount and then move back down the scale erasing numbers as you win. The sequence is always 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34. A win covers the last two losses. Unless you lose nine straight spins and max-out minus $88. If so, well, it's not your night.

Bet-Until-You-Win Try the bet-until-you win style by using this wagering system: $1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 15, 22, 35. You must win once in the next 11 spins to get even or clear a profit before starting over. Your risk is $100 max.

The allure of the Fibonacci system is that you can book a winner with fewer wins than losses. For instance, suppose you lose sixstraight wagers on red and have wagered 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8.

Your next bet is 13, and you finally get a winner. That win of 13 erases the 8 and 5 losses, so your next wager backs-up to 3. Any win erases the last three bets, and you move down the ladder three spots.

Send us an email at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com with the word “Roulette” in the subject line if you have something to add about Roulette at your favorite casino. $

You won't get rich, but it's incredible how often you have an

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Winning Streaks Or, try the winning streak system: make a dollar wager on a column and keep betting it until it wins. When it does, hope for consecutive winners and add a buck after each one: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

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 HOUSE EDGE FOR BLACKJACK Understanding The Effects Of Different House Rules On House Edge

ost players walk up to a Blackjack table in a casino and don't pay any attention to the house rules for the game. But, changes in house rules from one casino to the next can have a very big effect on your long term wins and losses.

M

ble after split, player can double on any first two cards, player can resplit 4 times, player can resplit Aces, player can hit split Aces, late surrender and Blackjack pays 3 to 2. You know why this game doesn't exist? Because with these rules the player would have a 0.22% advantage over the casino!

Let’s look at a basic 6 deck game with these house rules: Dealer hits on a soft 17 (Ace-6) Double on any two cards Double after split Resplit to 4 hands Player can Resplit Aces Player can hit split Aces Blackjack pays 3 to 2

However if the casino offered a single deck game with all of these rules and just changed the Blackjack payout from 3 to 2 to 6 to 5, the house would go from being at a –0.22% disadvantage to a huge 1.17% advantage. Again, if you find a Blackjack game paying 6 to 5 RUN! Do not play it! If all players refused to play the 6 to 5 games, the casino would have no choice but to offer only games where Blackjack pays 3 to 2.

In a game with the rules listed above, the house would have about a 0.39% advantage over the player. If we change one rule, the dealer hits on a soft 17 to the dealer stands on a soft 17, the house advantage drops to 0.18%. If we change the double after split to no double after split, the house advantage jumps to 0.54%. If we change that the player can only double on 9-11, the house edge climbs to 0.51%. If we change the rule that the player can only split one time, the house edge is 0.51%. If we change the rule that a player can resplit Aces to no resplitting Aces, the house edge is 0.45%. If a player cannot hit split Aces, as is the case in most of the casinos in Arizona, the house advantage grows to 0.57%. But, the biggest swing of all of the house rules is changing Blackjack from paying 3 to 2, to paying 6 to 5. This changes the house edge to a whopping 1.75%!

If you don't remember anything else, always pay attention to what Blackjack pays. I haven't run across a 6 to 5 Blackjack game here in Arizona, but in many Las Vegas and Laughlin casinos, the house offers single deck Blackjack games that pay 6 to 5. If we keep all of the rules and change the game to single deck paying 6 to 5, the house edge is 1.38%. In an 8 deck game with the same rules paying 3 to 2 on Blackjack, the house edge is 0.41%. So, you would be much better off playing an 8 deck game rather than a single deck that pays 6 to 5.

So, what would be the best house rules for the player? A single deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, player can dou-

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Here is a chart identifying the effects on house edge: Changes that HELP the Player Change in the Casino Edge Double after split +0.14% Resplit Aces +0.07% Single Deck +0.50% Two decks +0.20% Four Decks +0.05% Changes that HURT the Player Dealer hits Ace-6 Double on 11 only Double on 10,11 only Double on 9,10,11 only No respliting pairs

Change in the Casino Edge -0.20% -0.46% -0.09% -0.09% -0.04%

Always give your business to the casinos that offer the best rules. After all, you work hard for your money and the casino should have to work hard for theirs too.

Send us an email at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com with the word “Blackjack” in the subject line if you have something to add about Blackjack at your favorite casino. $ 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 newest book “How To Become A Blackjack Jedi” is available online at Amazon.com.

VIDEO POKER CORNER

By Mark Novak

THE BEST VIDEO SLOT TO PLAY Are You Playing Video Poker?

I

f you answered ‘yes’, then good for you! You’re playing the best video slot on the floor with the greatest payback percentage to the player (using optimal strategy) over the long

run.

If you answered ‘no’, then you really should consider giving video poker a try—especially if you enjoy playing video slot machines. The video slots, with their fancy graphics animations and elaborate bonuses, are designed to provide entertainment to the player, so there is an obvious attraction. However, they’ve become so intricate that half the time the players don’t even know what they’ve won. And, let’s not even talk about the fact that the payback percentages for these games are usually set much lower in comparison to the video poker machines.

The simplicity of video poker is really the true beauty of the game. The pay table is right there in front of you and there’s no guesswork involved. You know what the winning combinations are and you know what the associated pays are!

The other advantage to playing video poker is the interaction with the game. When you’re playing video poker, you really feel as though you’re playing a game as opposed to just pressing a button and watching the reels spin.

Video Poker Hands (High To Low): Royal Flush

10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥

Straight Flush

5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ 9♥

Four Of A Kind

2♥ 2♦ 2♣ 2♠

Full House

2♥ 2♦ 2♣ A♥ A♦

Flush

2♥ 4♥ 7♥ J♥ A♥

Straight

5♥ 6♦ 7♣ 8♠ 9♥

Three Of A Kind

2♥ 2♦ 2♣

Two Pair

2♥ 2♦ A♥ A♦

Pair Of Jacks Or Better

J♥ J♦

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

3 Basic tips to get you started: 1. Always, always, always play max bet (usually 5 credits) so in the event you get a Royal Flush, you will get the full benefit. Play max bet at the denomination you feel most comfortable. I always cringe when I’m sitting at a dollar machine (playing the $5 max bet) and I see someone sitting next to me playing a one credit bet for $1. This is a BIG, BIG mistake. If you’re playing the minimum bet of $1 on a dollar video poker machine and you hit the Royal Flush, this win (in almost all situations) will pay you $250. Now, if you’re playing a quarter video poker game at max bet for $1.25 and you hit the Royal Flush, you have just won $1,000 (at the very minimum, unless it’s a Progressive, in which case it would be even more). The Royal Flushes are usually not proportional to your bet like the other wins are, so play max bet for the extra advantage.

2. Familiarize yourself with the different types of poker games. If you want to play for a while, then opt for the minimum risk, lower return games such as Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker where a hand of two pair pays twice your bet back. If you are willing to risk your stake for the possibility of much higher returns, look for games such as Double Double Bonus or Triple Double Bonus Poker where the four of a kind hands have higher pays. And, until you have become a more proficient video poker player, avoid multi-hand, multiplay, and extra bet games such as Triple Play, Five Play, Multi-Strike, Ultimate X, Super Times Pay, Power House, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and others that aren’t just simple, one hand games with a bet of five credits.

3. Play using optimal strategy. Buy a video poker book and/ or strategy card for optimal play to increase your chances of winning in the long run. There is only one book I’d recommend at this point after over two decades playing video poker and it’s called Video Poker: Optimum Play by Dan Paymar.

We’d love to hear about your experiences playing video poker! Write us at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com with the word “Video Poker” in the subject line. $

COVER STORY

SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE HELP SCREENS

Why the slot manufacturers and the casinos are hoping you don’t read them!

Visiting a casino is a fun and exciting entertainment option. Whether you enjoy playing the slots, trying your luck at the tables, or hoping for the chance to be able to yell out “BINGO,” you will find a varied selection of gaming opportunities in the casinos here in Arizona and beyond.

You need a game plan for your next casino visit. You have to be just as organized about a night out at the casino as you would be preparing for a party or doing your grocery shopping.

For example, looking through the weekly ads and collecting coupons can save you a lot of money on your groceries. Also, writing out a grocery list introduces order to your shopping and prevents you from forgetting items you may need to go back for again later.

Do your homework, just like you would for any other entertainment activity, before you leave for a casino trip. If you can incorporate this simple step into your planning routine, you will have taken some significant steps towards a more consistent winning experience.

The path towards a “lucky” and “winning” casino trip is to follow some basic guidelines outlined in this article. Use this opportunity to make a change and approach your casino entertainment in a new way. We are certain this can only assist you in having a continued positive experience at the casino on your next trip and for many years to come.

So, one of the most critical steps you can take to prepare for your next trip to your favorite casino is to remember to read the help screen of every game you decide to play. Let me repeat that. Read the help screen of every single game you choose to play. You must know the rules of the game. It will prevent you from feeling cheated.

20 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Look, twenty-five to thirty years ago there was no need for a help screen in a slot machine. Slots back then, with only one pay line and a handful of symbols and winning combinations, the associated pays were all displayed right on the glass. There were sevens, bars, cherries, and a wild symbol (if you were lucky) and that’s all. No instructions were necessary. You had to put the coin in the slot and pull the handle. If you lined up three symbols in the same group you were a winner.

Although you can still sometimes (on very rare occasions) find these simple, three reel mechanical slots, what dominates the casino floors today are the intricate multi-line, multi-way, multidenom, multi-bonus, multi-level progressive video slots. It’s no surprise the number of help screen pages has slowly increased from just a couple to over twenty in some cases. Slots, today, are coming with their very own user manuals!

What is surprising, and unfortunate, is that players rarely take the time to explore the help screen pages. First of all, there is valuable information about the basic functionality of the game such as what the pay lines look like, the hierarchy of the symbols and winning combinations, scatter pays, and what symbols trigger a progressive or activate a bonus. Second of all, and even more importantly, there are oodles of hints and tips disclosed within these pages which people don’t realize! Here are just a few of the many, many secrets hidden in the help screen: 1. Rules For The Progressives And The Bonuses. Nowadays, more and more slot manufacturers are designing games that do not award progressives or bonuses to players that are not playing max bet. Be informed and know what features of the game will be available to you based on the bet you choose to play.

2. Whether Or Not Bonuses Are Predetermined. Yes, that’s correct! Sometimes your picks don’t matter and if a regulatory agency feels that a game may be misleading to the players, they will force the manufacturers to include a comment in the help screen.

3. Picking Strategies For Bonuses. Bonuses that involve a player decision such as “keep your win or risk your win for higher rewards” is an example of what can be interpreted as a strategic decision. Another picking strategy happens when a player selects between different sets of free games (10 free games at X2, 5 free games at X4, 2 free games at X10). These types of bonuses are heavily scrutinized by the regulatory agencies and manufacturers are required to disclose the “best strategy” for the game in the help screen. Or, the help screen discloses that a pick made by the player between options is not better or worse than any other selection, as in the picture above.

4. How The Game Functions At A Core Level. A decade ago, slots began to use reel strips where certain positions on the reel strips would become different symbols from spin to spin. This design element was made for a variety of reasons, but the information was then, and is now, listed in the help screen. In the past few years, slots have evolved yet again, for a variety of reasons I don’t now have room to describe, to not just change certain sections of the reel strips from one spin to the next, but choosing which set of reels to use from spin to spin. This new design element can have some devastating consequences.

Here’s a direct quote from a very popular slot’s help screen that

is very clear and is, most likely, the precursor to the statement I quote in the next paragraph. “The game consists of 2 sets of 5 reels.

During each spin 1 of the 2 sets of reels will be randomly selected to be used for that spin. One set of reels contains stacks of (picture of bonus symbol). The other set of reels contains stacks of symbols that transform into one of the following symbols: (pictures of all non-bonus symbols).” Think about that.

Here’s another direct quote from the help screen of a slot on the floor at most casinos in Arizona and around the world. This one is much more vague than the previous quote, but informative nonetheless “The game is made up of multiple sets of 5 reels. During each spin, a set of reels will be randomly selected to be used for that spin.” Read those two simple sentences over a few times and let them sink in. Multiple sets of 5 reels...one set is randomly selected. Four years ago, slots didn’t have this design element.

Now they do. A year from now, what will we be reading about in the help screen?

On the one hand, manufacturers include suggestions on how to improve your odds! On the other, at least players are informed of how deviously the slot is designed. Wouldn’t you rather know what kind of slot you are playing? Read the help screen.

Stay tuned, as we’ll continue this topic in upcoming articles. $ azgamingguide.com | January 2021 | Arizona Gaming Guide

21

GAMING NEWS

Ring In The New Year With Arizona Lottery’s Newest Family Of Tickets

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

Let old acquaintances be renewed and new ones made for players as you ring in the new year with the Arizona Lottery’s newest family of Loaded tickets. With over $37.4 million up for grabs and starting at just $1, Loaded Scratchers® and Fast Play™ tickets offer plenty of winning for everyone!

Who wouldn’t want to start 2021 with exciting games and fabulous cash prizes? Playing is fun and easy. Simply purchase a Loaded Scratcher for $1, $2, $5 or $10 and start scratching! Prizes for each game vary from $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 and the top prize ranges from $1,000 to $100,000. Just match your number to any of the winning numbers and win the prize shown for that number. The bigger the ticket, the bigger the reward!

Even better -- the $5 Loaded Doubler Progressive Fast Play ticket gives you the chance to win instantly. These tickets are sure to be a hit, loaded with more than 150,000 doubler prizes and a progressive jackpot starting at $5,000. Here’s how it works: If you match your numbers to any of the winning numbers on the top line, you’ll win the prize directly below that number.

When a matching number is on a “MONEY BAG,” you win double the prize shown!

22 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

And, your chances to win don’t stop there. Now, through March 31, 2021, you can enter your winning and non-winning Loaded Scratchers and Loaded Doubler Progressive Fast Play tickets into the Arizona Lottery’s LOADED! promotion for a chance to win up to $50,000 during one of three monthly drawings. You can even spin a digital wheel each time you enter a Loaded ticket to win up to 50 bonus entries! There are over $500,000 in prizes for you to win by entering your winning and nonwinning Loaded Scratchers and Fast Play tickets through the Arizona Lottery Players Club app, or by visiting the website at AZPlayersClub.com.

“We are proud to kick off 2021 with this new family of games, which is sure to be exciting and rewarding for our players,” said Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery Gregg Edgar.

“These games are overflowing with fun and the included LOADED! promotion will make 2021 a happy new year for even more Arizonans!”

Take a chance on 2021 with Arizona Lottery’s new family of Loaded tickets. Lucky for you, Scratchers and Fast Play tickets are sold at all 3,000 Arizona Lottery retail locations. For more information, please visit ArizonaLottery.com. $

GAMING NEWS

IGT Recognized Among Top-Ranking Participants In All-In Diversity Project’s Workplace Inclusivity Report

International Game Technology (IGT) announced that it has been recognized by the All-In Diversity Project (AIDP) as one of the highest-ranking participants in AIDP’s 2019 All-Index report, an annually published benchmarking tool that measures the global gaming and betting industry’s progress toward inclusion in the workplace.

Of the 26 entities from around the world that participated in the 2019 survey, IGT received the second-highest score out of 100, with only a five-point difference between it and the topranked participant. IGT’s ranking represents a significant increase compared to its ninth-place results among 25 respondents in the AIDP’s inaugural 2018 report.

“The latest All-Index results demonstrate that IGT has made significant progress advancing our goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace,” said Kim Barker Lee, IGT Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity. “While there’s still much work to do, the success of ongoing initiatives like our internal diversity training for executives, employee Diversity and Inclusion groups, and our regional and global Diversity and Inclusion councils prove that with a holistic, company-wide approach and the support of the highest levels of leadership, it’s possible to foster a more inclusive and equitable culture, which ultimately creates a more competitive and successful organization.”

“We congratulate IGT on their second-place ranking in the 2019 All-Index and commend them for their transparency and eagerness to share best practices and areas for improvement,” said Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of the All-in Diversity Project.

24 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

“With two reports completed, we now have a tangible set of data showing what diversity, equality, and inclusion looks like in practice, and IGT’s rapid escalation to a top position in the latest index shows that the Company has already been able to achieve substantial D&I goals in just a year.”

Developed in partnership with the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice at Oxford Brookes University in the U.K., the All-Index Report aims to track year-over-year progress by providing an accurate picture of diversity, equality and inclusion across the global gaming and betting sector by collecting data on people, corporate governance, internal policies, recruitment practices, equal pay, employment legislation, company benefits, and advocacy. Organizations elect to participate and voluntarily share their data directly with AIDP, and participation is open to any organization of any size and in any location serving the gaming and betting industry. While participants are not named in the index, the top four highestranking respondents agreed to be identified in the 2019 report, which is available at AllInDiversityProject.com.

AIDP is the first global not-for-profit dedicated to being the central resource for diversity, inclusion and equality for the global gaming and betting sector, and IGT became a Founding Member in 2018.

IGT is the global leader in gaming, delivering entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Sports Betting and Digital. IGT has approximately 11,000 employees. For more information, please visit IGT.com. $

GAMING NEWS

AZ Dept. Of Gaming Reports $31.7 Mil. Tribal Gaming Contributions

Bingo & Raffles: Do You Know What’s Legal?

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced $31,736,218 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the State’s second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. This amount represents an 8.7% increase when compared to the same quarter of FY2020. “The Tribal Contributions for the second quarter of FY2021 helps display the resilience of the Tribal Gaming Industry in Arizona,” said ADG Director, Ted Vogt. “We thank our Tribal partners from across the state for their hard work in implementing COVID-19 safety protocols to help protect patrons and staff at the casinos.”

In several states across the country, individuals may see forms of gambling being offered online. However, in the State of Arizona, all forms of online gambling are illegal. That said, other forms of gambling in the State are legal, including bingo and raffles. Both provide legal methods for charitable organizations to raise funds, though there are different restrictions and requirements that organizations need to follow if they want to host a bingo or raffle event legally.

Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of State FY2021 are as follows: Instructional Improvement Fund/Education $ 16,296,837 Trauma and Emergency Services Fund $ 8,148,418 Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs $ 2,000,000 Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund $ 2,328,119 Tourism Fund $ 2,328,119 Problem Gambling $ 634,725 FY2021 Quarter 2 Total: $ 31,736,218 Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, Tribes with casinos contribute 1 to 8 percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns and counties. Currently, there are 25 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates with Arizona tribes. Established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1995, ADG is the state regulatory agency for tribal gaming, racing and pari-mutuel/simulcast wagering, and unarmed combat sports. ADG also provides and supports the education, prevention and treatment programs for people and families affected by problem gambling through its Division of Problem Gambling and its 24-hour confidential helpline, 1.800.NEXT.STEP. $

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Bingo is legal in the State of Arizona, both for recreational purposes or to allow certain types of nonprofit organizations to generate funds to support their activities. To legally host a bingo event, an organization must be licensed by the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR). Additionally, there are specific bingo rules that have to be followed when conducting a bingo game. Questions? You can call 1.602.716.7801, email bingo@azdor.gov, or visit bit.ly/BingoinAZ for more info.

While ADOR regulates bingo, no state agency regulates raffles. Raffles in Arizona can only be conducted by an organization that has qualified for an exemption from taxation of income under section 501 of the internal revenue code and has been continuously in existence for a five-year period immediately before conducting a raffle. Additionally, raffles should be registered with the Attorney General’s office.

There are also a few other rules and requirements relating to the management, sales and operation of a raffle that a charitable organization needs to follow to conduct a raffle in Arizona legally. You can learn more information by taking the charitable raffle quiz on the Arizona Department of Gaming website: bit.ly/charitableraffle. $

GAMING NEWS

Winners Warehouse From Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Brings Fan-Favorite Merchandise To Slot Players

New online store features player-favorite brands: Buffalo, Dragon Link, Lightning Link, Mr. Money Bags, & more.

Aristocrat Gaming, the land-based division of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., has launched Winners Warehouse, an ecommerce site filled with a huge variety of themed merchandise from every casino player’s favorite brands.

Open to United States consumers, Winners Warehouse features apparel, home goods, office supplies, and more with branded merchandise from top Aristocrat slot games like Buffalo, Dollar Storm, Dragon Link, Fast Cash, Lightning Link, Miss Kitty and VGT brands like Mr. Money Bags.

“With Winners Warehouse, players are invited to enjoy themed merchandise with their favorite characters in a personalized way. With a wide range of merchandise that features a variety of fan-favorite games, players can see what fun is in store for them with Winners Warehouse,” said Mark Wadley, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Aristocrat Gaming. Get a jump on shopping today at WinnersWarehouse.com, and join Aristocrat on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter! $

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | January 2021 | Arizona Gaming Guide

29

GAMING NEWS

AGS Wins ‘Nevada Top Workplaces 2020’ Award

AGS Adds Depth To Slot Products Team

AGS has been awarded a Nevada Top Workplaces 2020 honor by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Business Press. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a thirdparty survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC.

AGS just announced new leadership additions to its Slot Products team, naming Steve Walther Senior Director, Slot Products, and Amy Greene Director, Gaming Operations.

Both Walther and Greene are gaming industry veterans with strong track records of success.

The anonymous survey, taken by AGS’ employees in Las Vegas and Reno, uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

Vice President of Slot Products Mark DeDeaux said, “We are so happy to welcome Steve and Amy to our team, and we’re excited about the vast experience they bring to AGS. We will leverage Steve’s leadership in product management and marketing as we continue to grow our cabinet portfolio and games library, with a focus on evolving our product management to be even more closely aligned with our customers, our sales team, and our end user, the player. Amy has a long history of success positioning and selling gaming products, along with a background in operations, finance, and accounting that will be key to getting the best performance from our installed base and strategically positioning the gaming operations side of our business for even greater success.”

The Nevada Top Workplaces award follows several other culture-related awards AGS earned earlier this year, including an Atlanta Top Workplaces 2020 honor. 2020 also marks the fourth consecutive year that AGS has been recognized as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in the Nation and in Atlanta’s “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.” AGS Vice President of Human Resources Kim Nasuta said, “We are humbled by and grateful for the support of our employees and their feedback about working at AGS that earned us this award. During such an extraordinary and challenging year, we have focused on maintaining our engaged employee culture, despite having much of our staff working remotely.

Our team has remained productive, upbeat, and connected, with close alignment to our mission and core values. At AGS, we believe there is no greater contributor to our success than our team and our strong company culture.” Learn more at PlayAGS.com. Find them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. $

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Steve Walther will focus on managing product planning, goto-market strategy, product roadmaps, and research and analytics.

In her role at AGS, Amy Greene will manage the Company’s recurring revenue business, including data and analytics to optimize game performance. She will also lead initiatives to increase market penetration of AGS’ new line of highperforming premium participation games and also focus on efficient management of the Company’s capital expenditures for its recurring revenue business. $

GAMING NEWS

Morongo Casino To Launch Cashless Wagering Program Through Partnership With Marker Trax Via Konami SYNKROS System

Building on its legacy of innovation, the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa in Cabazon, CA, has partnered with Marker Trax, LLC., setting the stage for the Southern California gaming destination to become the nation’s first tribal casino to offer cashless casino slot markers.

The history-making move also has Morongo poised to become the gaming industry’s first casino in California to introduce cashless wagering markers to its floor.

Marker Trax will run through the Konami SYNKROS casino management system and will allow Morongo guests to conveniently and securely apply, get approved, and begin using their digital marker – all in under five minutes and all electronically.

Rather than retrieving physical cash for a casino marker, guests enrolled in a PIN-protected SYNKROS cashless wagering account can use their Marker Trax credit line to play electronically on any slot or video poker machine in the casino.

“We’re excited to be working with Marker Trax to introduce cashless wagering markers to our guests,” said Richard St. Jean, COO of Morongo Casino. “The convenience and ease of Marker Trax will be a huge bonus for our players, and underscores Morongo’s history of embracing state-of-the-art technology to enhance our gaming experience. With Marker Trax, our guests can be approved for a gaming line and at the machine in minutes.”

Marker Trax is a patented cashless wagering technology that allows casinos to digitally and securely issue funds. The entire process is digitally monitored through the casino management system. Since the company launched in 2018, the collaboration with Morongo is the first tribal partnership, and first major casino relationship launched for the new gaming product.

Marker Trax will offer Morongo access to its players’ data analytics and access to its players’ marker tracking. This information can also be accessed from any machine on the property.

When players wish to withdraw from their cashless wagering accounts, the Marker Trax system, along with SYNKROS, settles any outstanding balance prior to payout.

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

“We are looking forward to a successful launch at Morongo,” said Charlie Skinner, COO of Marker Trax. “The technology behind the product is truly unmatched by any other product in the casino industry today, and we could not be happier to be launching with the team at Morongo.”

“Morongo guests will be the first outside Nevada to enjoy Marker Trax cashless slot markers, thanks to the leadership of Richard St. Jean and his team, Marker Trax’s strong launch success, and SYNKROS’ robust core environment,” said Tom Jingoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. “Konami’s SYNKROS casino management system is designed with the agility, data architecture, and integration capabilities to help deliver these types of collaborative tech opportunities to players and properties.”

Prior to signing up for Marker Trax, guests must first enroll in Morongo’s loyalty program.

For more information on Marker Trax, visit markertrax.com.

For more information about Konami’s SYNKROS casino management system, visit gaming.konami.com. $

azgamingguide.com | January 2021 Arizona Gaming Guide

33

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AT THE CASINOS Players Acting More Frantic, More Anxious And More Out Of Control

T

he Coronavirus pandemic has been very stressful on all of us and public health actions such as stay-at-home orders, mask-wearing and social distancing, have only made people feel extremely isolated and lonely, leading to very high levels of anxiety. This seclusion, coupled with the fear and apprehension of the uncertainty of the future during these unprecedented times, seems to be taking a tremendous toll on people. The attitude and behavior of some casino patrons that my team and I have witnessed recently is concerning. And, it’s not just obvious to me and my team but to many of our readers as well. Here is one of the many emails we’ve received from one of our readers during this pandemic regarding this topic: Sami, I’m starting to see more and more crazy and obnoxious behavior at the casinos! People are smacking and hitting and punching the buttons, the screens, the machines. They’re acting really angry. It’s so difficult to sit next to these type of people who aren’t just tapping the buttons a little loudly, but are really pounding on them forcefully! Why don’t the security guards at the casinos say anything to these people? I feel really nervous to be around these people, because I don’t know what they’re capable of doing next. Most businesses have rules and when those rules are broken, customers are asked to leave.

Would a restaurant, like Olive Garden let’s say, allow me to come in without a shirt on? What if I had a shirt on, but in the middle of dinner decided to take my socks and shoes off and put my feet on the table? I’ve never tried, and never would imagine trying anything like that, but I’m thinking that someone would come over and say something! What do you think Sami?

Every business has their own set of rules and when those rules are broken, something is said and done about it! I never see these people reprimanded by security at the casinos. That’s why they continue to smack the hell out of the buttons, because they know they can get away with it! Well I for one can’t stand it anymore! When my wife and I go to a casino to have fun, we don’t want to be annoyed by a person next to us and have to listen to them take their frustrations out on the machine. And, we shouldn’t feel worried or anxious about what that person might do next. Anyways, to end my rant, I think that every casino should establish rules of behavior and if you break these rules you should be given a warning and ultimately asked to leave if the behavior doesn’t change. Period! Maybe the casinos are so greedy for the money that they just don’t care?

Ryan P.—Ahwatukee, AZ

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Ryan, the casinos should care! Slot machines come with hefty price tags of $15,000 or more (each)! This is the main reason I have always been baffled why casino security would allow players to be abusive and potentially damage their machines.

This is my advice to you and to our readers … If someone is sitting next to you and just being rude and inconsiderate by occasionally tapping the machine cabinet or smacking the buttons, you might want to consider politely asking them to stop. However, if someone is exhibiting violent and aggressive behavior, please do not approach them yourself. If they are already extremely agitated, then you might infuriate them even more by saying something. I would strongly encourage you to alert the nearest security guard to the situation.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed so much strange behavior at the casinos that I’ve become immune to a majority of the weirdness.

With most situations, I know there is not much I can do other than get up and move to another machine, unfortunately.

There were, however, two occasions where I had no other choice but to notify security. The first time involved a lady that was sitting next to me playing a video keno machine. Although it’s not unusual to witness keno players tapping the machine and mumbling, “come on, one more, one more!” This lady was out of control. She was yelling obscenities while, literally, punching the machine and scratching the monitor with her ring each time. This is how touch screen monitors become broken!

The second time I felt compelled to call a security guard over was when I was playing a video poker machine next to a man who, I’m convinced, was trying to make it his mission to knock the cabinet over. Every time he had a losing hand, this idiot would first kick the machine and then shake the living daylights out of it!

Luckily, the security personnel handled both situations promptly and professionally. Both individuals were asked to discontinue their behavior or they would be asked to leave. And, neither one caused a disturbance after they were warned. So, please don’t hesitate to alert the casino security (some casinos are definitely better than others) to any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or scared. That’s their job and that’s what they are there for! The casino should never be a hostile place—it’s supposed to be fun and exciting! $

azgamingguide.com | January 2021 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

To Celebrate New Year’s Resolutions, Find: NEW, YEAR, RESOLVE, WILL, POWER, TENACITY, DRIVE, MOTIVATION, PURPOSE, DECREE, DECISION, PLEDGE, OATH, SOLUTION, VOW, ANSWER, AMBITION, PLIGHT, COVENANT, WORD, EFFORT.

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): 28, 40, 54, 67, 72 Taurus (April 20 – May 20): 7, 19, 38, 42, 60 Gemini (May 21 – June 20): 14, 20, 28, 31, 40 Cancer (June 21 – July 22): 8, 51, 53, 54, 72 Leo (July 23 – August 22): 3, 12, 16, 24, 59 Virgo (August 23 – September 22): 16, 19, 23, 39, 49 Libra (September 23 – October 22): 14, 29, 39, 55, 63 Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): 3, 17, 18, 36, 67 Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): 12, 31, 50, 67, 69 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): 8, 24, 46, 53, 69 Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): 7, 24, 26, 58, 62 Pisces (February 19 – March 20): 11, 30, 59, 60, 65

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.

—Rita Mae Brown (American Novelist, b. 1944) Only dead fish swim with the stream.

—Linda Ellerbee (American Journalist, b. 1944) I’ve learned that if you know that you are giving all that you can give, and it still doesn’t make the difference, you must give up control over others. The only person you can control is yourself. Other than that, you might as well throw in the towel early.

—Goldie Hawn (American Actress, b. 1945) Reality is something you rise above.

—Liza Minnelli (American Actress, b. 1946) We’re just God’s way of playing Monopoly. Think of your life and the people and the struggle, and God sitting up there eating popcorn and having a laugh at it all.

—Marsha Warfield (American Actress, b. 1954)

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Lunar Year For The Month Of January 2021—Year Of The Rat Best days to ask for good luck: 1, 6, 11, 12, 27. Best days to travel: 1, 6, 15, 27, 30. Best days to meet with someone: 1, 2, 11, 13, 17, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28 .

There is overlap for all three on the 1st & 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 450

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 193

05. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 908

Y

Y

06. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 984

Y

Y

08. Casino Of The Sun

5405 W Valencia Rd

Tucson

855-765-7829

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 278

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 427

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

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 459

Tucson

866-332-9467 943

12. Desert Diamond Casino-Sah.

I-19, Exit 80

Sahuarita

866-332-9467 351

13. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V.

101 & Northern Ave.

Glendale

866-332-9467 1,080

14. Desert Diamond Casino-Why

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

866-332-9467

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

16. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

Maricopa

480-802-5000 829

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 443

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 839

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

Payson

800-777-7529 365

Yuma

888-777-4946 320

18. Lone Butte Casino 19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 767

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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855-946-8946

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6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 1,063

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5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 924

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1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 133

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Word Search Solution Y E R A E C R W N O P O A T D T E N A V O W N O I T A

W I L L E S O P R U P A R E S O L V E A N M S O V E N A N T E B W E W E I E O G E E R T R I V D N C I N H I T E E E O O R U F L D N I L F P S C I T Y O O I WO R D S R C T H G I L P T E V I T O M D

Sudoku Solution 5

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8

3

6

1

4

5

2

7

7

4

1

2

5

8

6

9

3

6

3

8

9

4

2

7

5

1

2

7

9

1

8

5

4

3

6

4

1

5

7

3

6

2

8

9

3

6

4

5

2

9

1

7

8

1

5

7

8

6

3

9

4

2

8

9

2

4

7

1

3

6

5

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2021 | azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 12/01/2020 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.

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Y

Y

Y Y

Flagstaff

0

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

24

15. We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort 17. Hon-Dah Casino

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 158

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 195

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