Southern Gaming - January 2014 by Gaming and Destinations

SWEET SPORTS VICTORIES

RELIVING THE GREATEST SPORTS MOMENTS OF 2013 PAGE 16 JANUARY 2014 Vol. 16, Issue 1 SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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Januar y 2014

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

Tips & Columns

Highlights & Hotspots

10 Super Bowl XLVIII

14 Blackjack:

40 2013 Tastemaker Getaway

The Fox Sports Team Prepares for the Biggest Football Game of the Year

FEATURE ARTICLES

16 Sweet Sports Victories: Reliving the Greatest Moments of 2013

22 Fact or Fiction? Diffusing Widespread Casino Myths

Always Insure a Good Hand

20 Luckity.com: The Best Place to Play and Win Online

A Look Inside Our Winner’s Incredible Trip

50 2013 Best of Awards: Win a VIP Casino Getaway!

28 Craps: The Lizard and the Lions

34 Horseracing: Reaching for Longer Odds

46 Texas Hold ’Em: Texas Hold ‘Em: Beginners and Top 10 Hands

30 Smart Blackjack Strategy:

Taking it to the Casinos

36 The World of Pedigree Handicapping:

Are Most Champions Truly “Born and Bred?”

42 Gulf Shores Getaway: Cruising the Coast

SOUTH E R NGAM I NG.COM

LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Bisig Impact Group CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Larry Bisig PRESIDENT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Happy New Year! Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Have you broken it yet? I recently read an article that cited approximately 40% of Americans make them, yet only 8% keep them! Why is that? The same article goes on to say that we need to keep it simple when making resolutions. Make them achievable and tangible, but also not too vague. So, instead of simply resolving to “losing weight,” how about “not snacking between meals” or “giving up potato chips?” Personally, I find New Year’s resolutions to be fairly entertaining. I usually partake in the “not snacking” bit, but overall, I seem to take it in stride. I mean c’mon, are you really going to pass on those great appetizers at happy hour, or those delicious snacks by the coffee maker at work? Plus, if only 8% of those who attempt the feat actually succeed, that is 92% who have ended their year in failure! If you are on track, good luck, I hope you make it. If you have already indulged in your vice, well, that’s okay too. Know that you are not alone! I bring up New Year’s resolutions for the reason of discussing how to set your outlook on what 2014 will bring. Will it be a year of fortune and fame? Stress and regress? Or, will it be a year of firsts and the crossing off of bucket list items. Let’s face it; we’re not getting any younger! So, take some time to sit back, perhaps with a nice glass of Kentucky Bourbon and a fine cigar, and make a list of a 4

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

few things that you want to do. Not necessarily a resolution, not necessarily a bucket list, but write down a few tangible and obtainable goals for the year. Maybe it is to have two consecutive winning sessions at the racetrack or casino. Maybe it is to take at least one spontaneous, unplanned trip somewhere. Maybe it is to attend a major sporting event. Or, maybe it is to finish a home project or volunteer somewhere. Regardless, this will help set somewhat of a roadmap for the next twelve months. If it is travel-related, you will have time to decide who you want to go with, to research the destination, and to determine an adequate budget for the trip. If it is gambling-related, it will give you time to research some strategies to improve your play (like reading the expert advice in your latest edition of Southern Gaming and Destinations!) While you don’t need to be a gambling professional to have winning sessions, it certainly helps when you do your homework – at least read the tips in this magazine! If you like what you read, go to the author’s website and order one of their books. The columns and articles we publish are helpful and insightful, but they only scratch the surface of optimizing your play. We have a staff of some of the best gambling authors in the world, so use their knowledge to your benefit! Good luck in setting your 2014 outlook. I hope it is full of fame, fortune and crossing off bucket lists! If you can’t be good… be lucky!

G. Douglas Dreisbach

GENER AL M ANAGER

Chip Dumstorf GENERAL MANAGER

G. Douglas Dreisbach MANAGING EDITOR

Roger Angel ACCOUNTING

Peggy Harris CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd Beth D’Addonno Eric Floyd John Grochowski Phil Hellmuth, Jr Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin Jeremy White Letters to the editor, address changes and other correspondence should be sent to: SOUTHERN GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 e-mail: editor@southerngaming.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the evergrowing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist the gamer in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest. Southern Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Bisig Impact Group of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 2004 by Bisig Impact Group. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by Publisher’s Printing Co., Inc. of Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Postage is paid in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Opinions of columnists are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor does Southern Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers. POSTMASTER: Send

address changes to Southern Gaming and Destinations, 640 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

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KNOB CREEK SINGLE BARREL

Age: 9 years | Proof: 120 Retail Price: $39.99 Manufacturer: Beam Global Knob Creek Bourbon is one of our favorites so when the Single Barrel version came out, we couldn’t wait to try it and share our thoughts with our readers. While most bourbons are produced using multiple barrels to ensure a consistent taste from bottle to bottle, bottles labeled “Single Barrel” have been produced individually as one-of-a-kind selections, with slight variations in taste, color and aroma that will differ from barrel to barrel. Bottled at 120-proof, a few drops of water will help release the bourbon’s full flavor without losing the full body taste of smoky vanilla and caramel. The finish tends to round out into a nice smooth flavor of dark chocolate or deep maple sugar. The Linq Las Vegas

THE LINQ LAS VEGAS

caesars.com/thelinq Las Vegas is the mecca for anything and everything you can imagine. Whether you enjoy fine dining, sensational shows and entertainment, or the incredible shopping, there is something for everyone. And with over 120,000 hotel rooms and access to betting on just about anything in the world, it’s hard to leave. So when Caesars Entertainment announced its latest endeavor, The Linq, we knew it would be a hit. The open-air retail, dining and entertainment district is anchored by the world’s tallest observation wheel, known as the High Roller. It will be home to 6|

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more than 30 unique retail, dining, nightlife and entertainment spots, with about 70% consisting of bars and restaurants. The area is conveniently located in the heart of the world famous Las Vegas strip, right between The Quad Resort and Casino and Flamingo Las Vegas. The High Roller tops out at 550 feet (just think, the London Eye is 443 feet and the Singapore Flyer is 541 feet), and features 28 spherical cabins, each with the capacity to hold 40 guests. Each cabin is set-up to host a private party, with dynamic video and music shows on display and views overlooking the strip and Las Vegas Valley. Be sure to check it out on your next visit!

For more reviews and recommendations on premium bourbons, cigars and more, visit SouthernGaming.com. 2014 PREAKNESS STAKES PURSE INCREASES TO $1.5 MILLION

Preakness.com The Maryland Jockey Club announced in December that it has increased the purse for the 2014 Preakness Stakes from $1 million to $1.5 million. It is the first increase for the race since 1998, when the purse was raised to $1 million. As the middle jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown series, the race will be held Saturday, May 17, 2014, just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby that boasts a $2 million purse.

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT SHOOTS FOR THE MOON WITH NEW HOTEL

DISNEY SAYS “GOODBYE” TO SPIDERMAN AND STAR TREK SLOTS

risingstarcasino.com 1.800.471.6311

As gambling expansion efforts spread across the country, the latest discussion moves to Florida where and interesting topic shows the best of both sides of a company’s interests. Disney, the state’s leading generator of tourism and an outspoken opponent of the state allowing Vegas-style casino resorts, has found their character’s and brands are aligned with slot machines and lotteries already. When the company bought Marvel for $4 billion in 2009 and Lucas Film last year, they also acquired the likes of Spiderman, The Avengers, Star Trek and other iconic brands that slot machine manufacturers have paid hefty licensing fees to use on their latest and greatest games for casino customers. Company representatives have indicated that they will not renew the licensing agreements when they expire sticking to their core values against the industry expansion and the claim that the expansion to the Sunshine State will tarnish the ‘Family Friendly’ tourist destination.

Rising Star Casino, located in Indiana along the banks of the Ohio River (near Cincinnati, Ohio) has opened a new hotel with 81 deluxe rooms and 23 suites, bringing the property’s total room capacity to 294. “These new rooms are in response to our gaming customer’s requests for more overnight accommodations,” commented General Manager, Steven Jimenez. “So far, our guests have been delighted with their accommodations in the North Tower.”

“So far, our guests have been delighted with their accommodations in the North Tower.” On December 4, the North Tower’s grand opening commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Jimenez and Andre Hilliou, President and CEO of Full House Resorts. Mr. Hilliou states, “The hotel will help us to be more competitive and will bring added jobs to the community and the region. The endeavor was truly a partnership and community effort.” The rooms add to an already robust array of offerings including an indoor pool, three restaurants, 18-hole golf course and full Vegas-style casino. Rising Star Casino Hotel

ASK THE EXPERTS ON SOUTHERNGAMING.COM! Want to know the best strategy for blackjack? Henry Tamburin will give it to you. Want to know how to hedge your craps bets? Frank Scoblete knows how! What about the best video poker machines for Jacks or Better? Linda Boyd is on it! If you have a gambling questions our world-reknown experts have the answer! Check out our Ask the Experts feature on SouthernGaming.com and send us your question.

SOUTHERN GAMING’S BEST BITES: Great Food Finds of the South

Poe’s Tavern

POE’S TAVERN

2210 Middle Street Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina 843.883.0083 Poestavern.com *Second location in Atlantic Beach, Florida Named in honor of famous author, Edgar Allan Poe, this great Southern find is one you won’t want to miss. With both inside and outside dining in a casual setting, guests can check out old work and memories of Poe that line the walls throughout. The author spent 13 months on the island when he was stationed at Fort Moultrie, beginning November 18, 1827, the place where he was said to have been inspired to write a book titled The Gold Bug, a story about a mystical beetle that led to buried treasures. Today, that mythical Gold Bug would lead Poe straight to this tavern, as the menu is a treasure in itself. While it isn’t too complex or pricey, some of the more popular items are Edgar’s Nachos ($9.75), loaded with their signature drunken chili, Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, guacamole, chipotle sour cream, jalapenos and scallions, and the Gold Bug Plus Burger ($10.75), which comes topped with pimiento, roasted garlic bleu, sweet pepper goat and Jalapeno jack cheeses. The fish tacos are also a popular choice, with both Mahi Mahi and Yellowfin tuna selections. Be sure to stop in if you are in the area, and tell them we sent you! SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

WHICH PLAYER WAS NAMED THE MVP OF SUPERBOWL I?

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS SAID THEY WOULD MISS THE BIRTH OF THEIR CHILD TO GO TO THE SUPERBOWL?

4 5

Roger Staubach Bart Starr Joe Montana John Elway

a. 15% b. 29% c. 72% d. 100%

a. b. c. d.

Green Bay Packers Tampa Bay Buccanneers Dallas Cowboys Pittsburgh Steelers

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ITEM FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WITH BUCKET LISTS? a. b. c. d.

Write a book Travel the world Join the “Mile High Club” Go skydiving

IN OCTOBER OF 2013, A ONE-YEAR OLD FILLY (DAUGHTER OF STALLION, GALILEO) BECAME THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE HORSE. HOW MUCH DID SHE SELL FOR?

WHAT DOES THE TERM “GEORGE” REFER TO WHEN USED IN A CASINO? a. b. c. d.

The dealer A brand of slot machine A bourbon-based cocktail A big tipper

“Did You Know” Answers: 1. B-Bart Starr 2. A-15% 3. D-Pittsburg Steelers 4. B-Travel the World 5. A-8.4 Million 6. D-A Big Tipper

Got a fun quote, joke or fact? E-mail it to jokes@southerngaming.com for your chance to win casino coupons from The Comps ClubTM !

WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST SUPERBOWL WINS?

a. 8.4 million b. 4.2 million c. 12.9 million d. 800,000

-HANK AARON

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

800 111,300,000 462

Lowest face value amount for a Superbowl ticket in 2012 Number of commercial casinos in the U.S.

49,200,000

48 Percentage of hands you can expect to win while playing Blackjack

THE SUDOKU PUZZLE Up to the challenge?

Cases of beer sold during the 2012 Superbowl in the U.S.

1 3

1 4

Complete the grid so that each column, row and block of nine squares includes numbers 1 through 9 only once. Answers on Page 20

Number of people who watched Superbowl XLVII

2 2

1 1

2 4 6

9 7

6 1

Game courtesy of Sudokutoday.com

a. b. c. d.

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COOKI NG

with Trisha Yearwood

Terry Bradshaw and the NFL Fox Sports News Team discuss game predictions and players to watch.

Super Bowl XLVIII S U PER BOW L PR E P W I T H ER I N A N DR E W S & T H E F OX N E W S T E A M by

I F YOU ’ R E L I K E MO S T Super Bowl viewers, you will just be getting settled into you r lou nge cha i r w it h a big bowl of chili by the time kickoff rolls around for the big game in New York. You may not realize that, by the time Beyoncé danced off the halftime stage in 2013, the Fox News Team already had their minds on 2014. This year, reporter Erin Andrews will be on-air covering Super Boal XLVIII at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Andrews 10 |

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BR ANT LONG

covers a variety of sporting events for Fox Sports including college football. She is becoming increasingly present at major sporting events including the 2013 World Series. As the top teams prepare to go head-tohead, Fox Sports will employ more than 1,000 people on game week to handle what is always one of television’s most watched programs of the year. Last year’s game drew 108 million viewers and earned the highest Nielsen rating of all time with an estimated one out of every two households in the country tuning in to the game. Thus, game day pressure is not confined to the teams vying for the Lombardi trophy.

The network that broadcasts the game has the unenviable task of knowing that almost everyone in America is watching everything they do. The business of producing a Super Bowl telecast is so vast that Fox Sports created a new position, Coordinating Producer for the Super Bowl, to fully handle all that comes with televising the big game. The network named industry veteran David Neal to the post earlier this year. Neal’s resume includes Super Bowl pregame shows for NBC, Summer and Winter Olympic telecasts, the World Series, and NBA Finals. He has also been tapped to lead the network’s coverage of the 2014

Erin Andrews and the Fox College Sports crew.

World Cup in Brazil. Neal explained how early things got started for Fox Sports on the road to MetLife Stadium.

they could deal with in NFL Week 14 when several games in the northeast were played in blinding blizzard conditions.

“We began planning this year’s Super Adding to the pressure and possible Bowl last February,” he said. “A full year weather issues, Fox Sports will be covering absolutely is needed to provide every the world’s biggest football game in one of the world’s fastest-moving opportunity to put on the best broadcast possible.” “LAST YEAR’S GAME cities. Broadcasting the game always comes with unique challenges – just ask the team at CBS who dealt with a 35-minute power outage that interrupted last year’s game between the Ravens and 49ers. Before a ball has even been kicked, this year’s Super Bowl is guaranteed to feature its own issues. For the first time in Super Bowl history, broadcast crews are preparing for an outdoor, cold climate venue in New York.

DREW 108 MILLION VIEWERS AND EARNED THE HIGHEST NIELSEN RATING OF ALL TIME WITH AN ESTIMATED ONE OUT OF EVERY TWO HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTRY TUNING IN TO THE GAME.”

P a s t S u p e r B ow l s h a v e been held in northern locales such as Indianapolis and Detroit, but always in domed stadiums, thus eliminating the possibility of having to deal with finicky winter weather. Neal and his Fox Sports team got a possible sneak preview of what

“Location scouting is crucial for a venue such as New York because doing business in New York is always a challenge,” Neal explained. “There are countless variables and moving parts to consider that require such a long lead-time to prepare for this event.”

Last year’s game proved that a broadcast team needs to be prepared and on its toes. Neal said Fox has already worked with the league to be ready for any potential snafus. “It’s a joint effort between the NFL and FOX,” he said. “We try to ensure we’ve addressed every possible scenario. We’ll

operate with a reverse Murphy’s Law approach – theory is that if we consider and plan for every possible situation, then it’s less likely we’ll need those contingency plans.” While the crew has been officially planning since last February, people and equipment will begin physically moving towards MetLife Stadium in late January. “We begin rolling in most equipment the weekend between the two conference championship games, which is two weeks prior to the Super Bowl,” Neal said. “Our initial set-up at MetLife Stadium will start around the first week of January to build the structure we are using for edit and offices.” Andrews and other on-air reporters began researching possible Super Bowl contenders during the playoffs, and will arrive on site just after the conference championships. They get a full week to interview coaches and players for game day packages and background information. Despite the lead-time, former Fox and current CBS Miami sportscaster Jim Berry said nothing compares to preparing for the big game. SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL BROADCAST:

1. The network broadcasting the game typically begins its planning right after the previous year’s game has ended

2. This is the first broadcast crew that Broadcast crews have been preparing for Super Bowl XLIII at Met Life Stadium since last years Super Bowl ended.

“Du r i ng t he ga me, ever y t h i ng is magnified. Decisions are magnified – the hero, the goat – it’s all magnified,” Berry said. “But leading up to it, you’re looking for interesting storylines. Once the game actually rolls around, honestly, it feels almost secondary. “The very first Super Bowl I covered was Washington versus Denver. The Redskins’ Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to play in the game. It was a huge story. Since then, most of the storylines have centered on players rather than the game itself.” Nowhere is that illustrated better than at Super Bowl Media Day, the annual media free-for-all held the week prior to the game. “I think you try to cover it like any other playoff game as much as possible. There are just so many people there as far as media is concerned,” said Mike DiPasquale, a veteran sportscaster from Miami’s Fox affiliate WSVN who has covered at least five Super Bowls. “Media Day really is like a circus. I’ve seen people in wedding dresses asking for proposals, talk show hosts… all kinds. It’s amusing.” 12 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

And just like the teams practice for the big game, so will Fox’s production team. “Full run-throughs have become fairly standard procedure,” Neal said. “Timing varies but they usually take place the week before the game and primarily involve the game technical crew. Our talent should be on-site the weekend before the Super Bowl, which is the last weekend in January this year.” “Game day is a hectic jumble of stats, highlights and interviews,” Berry said, “culminating in numerous on-air reports that continue into the wee hours of the morning. Only when the lights go off at MetLife Stadium and the last video packages are produced for the next morning’s news does everyone relax.” And for at least one day, Neal and the crew at Fox Sports can sleep in a little late. He might even crack a sleepy smile as he imagines the team at NBC, up early and hard at work planning for the 2015 Super Bowl.

could deal with winter weather, as this year’s game is outdoors in New York

3. Fox Sports will have a separate pregame crew reporting exclusively from Times Square

4. There will be more than 1,000 people working with Fox to broadcast the 2014 game

5. Fox Sports created a new position just for this game: Coordinating Producer for the Super Bowl

6. Miami Herald Columnist Edwin Pope has covered every single Super Bowl

7. The 2013 game was watched by

108 million people and had the highest Nielsen rating of any program in history

8. Fox Sports won’t be using broadcast trucks. They will build their own editing and office complex on-site at MetLife Stadium

9. Last year’s Media Day in New

Orleans had the largest attendance of any previous Super Bowl and included reporters from more than 50 countries

10. The technical team at Fox Sports

will have at least two full dress rehearsals before the actual game is broadcast

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PLAYER STRATEGY

BLACKJACK: Always Insure a Good Hand

FRIEND OF MINE WAS watching me play blackjack in a casino. I was playing heads-up against the dealer in a double-deck game. He didn’t say much to me while I was playing, other than giving me an “atta boy” when I beat the dealer, or offering condolences when the dealer pulled a miracle draw to beat me. After about 45 minutes of playing we broke for lunch. My friend is a typical, casual blackjack player and he queried me about some of the insurance bets I made. “How come you sometimes insured your 20s and other times you didn’t? And why in hell did you insure your 7? I always thought you’re supposed to insure your good hands and not your bad hands?” I proceeded to explain to him the following: “When you make the insurance bet, you are betting on the dealer’s hand, not your hand. Specifically, you are betting that the dealer has a ten-value card in the hole for a blackjack. Insurance is a bad bet,” I told him, “but it’s an even worse bet when you are holding a pair of 10s rather than a weak hand that contains no tens.” I asked him, “Can you see why?” He still had a confused look on his face, so I continued. If your hand contains two 10s, you’ve taken out of play two of the very cards that you are betting the dealer has, making the odds worse compared to your holding a hand that contains no 10s. The light bulb finally went on in his hand. “OK,” he said, “Now I understand why it’s worse to insure a 20 rather than a 7, but how come you sometimes insured your 20?” I went on to explain that the reason the insurance bet is a bad bet for non-counters is because you’re getting paid 2-1 on a bet that has greater than 2-1 odds against winning. But, if you are tracking the cards as they are played (which I was) insurance becomes a profitable play when the number of 10s in the remaining decks is greater than half the number of non-10s. Card-counting systems

H E N R Y TA M B U R I N

will alert you when this situation occurs, which is why the insurance bet can be profitable for card counters regardless of what hand they happen to be holding. “Oh,” he said “so it’s not whether you have a good hand, like 20, that determines whether you make the insurance bet, but rather if the remaining cards are loaded with 10s. I guess I should stop insuring my good hands until I learn card counting.” I finally smiled and said, “Now you got it!” Just when I was ready to leave, my friend asked me a question about taking “even money,” which is the same as taking insurance when you have a blackjack hand and the dealer has an Ace showing. When the latter occurs, the dealer will ask the player if he wants “even money,” meaning the dealer will automatically pay off the player’s wager at even odds before checking if she has a blackjack. Most players are perplexed when this happens and usually ask the dealer or a fellow player for advice on what to do. The response is usually “take the even money because you can’t lose.” It’s true that if you take the even money proposition, you’ll automatically win a 1-1 payoff, regardless of whether the dealer has a 10 in the hole or not. However, if you decline the even money bet and the dealer doesn’t have a ten in the hole, you could win 1.5 times your wager for your blackjack. It turns out that 30.6% of the times the dealer has a blackjack, you will win nothing (push), but the other 69.4% of the times you will win 1.5 times your bet, which equates to an average win of 1.04 units. In fact, the casinos know that the value of your blackjack hand is greater than 1 unit, which is why they are willing to pay you only 1 unit by offering you even money. So I asked my friend, “Is it better to always get a 1 unit payoff when you accept the even money, or decline the even money and get an average return of 1.04 units?” Thankfully he said, “From now on, I’ll decline the even money proposition.”

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. He is the host of the smartgaming.com and editor of Blackjack Insider newsletter (for a free threemonth subscription, visit bjinsider.com/free). For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog, which contains books, strategy cards and software for video poker players, call 1.888.353.3234, or visit smartgaming.com.

“WHEN YOU MAKE THE INSURANCE BET, YOU ARE BETTING ON THE DEALER’S HAND, NOT YOUR HAND.”

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S P O R T I N G S P E CTAC L E S

2013’s Most Unforgettable Moments

The Boston Red Sox claim the 2013 World Series.

Sweet Sports Victories R E L I V I NG T H E GR E AT E S T MOM E N T S OF 2 013 by

S FAR AS SPORTS GO, 2013 was a year for big names. Standout athletes and established coaches continued to define their legacies by expanding their resumes. Big Papi had a huge World Series, LeBron James won a second straight NBA title, and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino nabbed another NCAA Championship banner. There was also plenty of controversy — the lights went out on the Super Bowl and a once-revered college football player’s fake girlfriend “died.” Let’s check out a handful of the year’s top sporting moments. THE HARBAUGH BOWL

Sibling rivalry was taken to a whole new level when sibling coaches, Jim and John Harbaugh, faced one another in the Super 16 |

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JEREMY WHITE

Bowl. It was the first time in NFL history that teams coached by brothers went headto-head for the title. While preparing for the game became more difficult and served up plenty of mental anguish for their families, the storyline leading up to Super Bowl XLVII was simply fascinating. Some say it threatened to overshadow the game before it was even played. By the way, the Ravens ultimately won 34-31. But the fun-loving brothers handled the stress well, and even hosted a joint press conference to openly joke with one another about the big game. But once the pre-show hype died down and the pigskin was kicked off, Super Bowl XLVII became a game for the ages. Early in the game, the Ravens held a commanding 28-6 lead. And then the

lights went out. Literally. The power in New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome inexplicably went haywire. A partial power outage rendered the playing field dark, and it took 34 minutes for the power to reach a level that would allow the game to continue. This ultimately made for one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history as TV cameras caught the players’ emotions slowly progress from amusement to anxiety as their muscles went cold and their nerves tightened. Fearing the effects that this unexpected loss of momentum could have on his team, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh had a world-class meltdown on the field. He was angry and demanded answers. Unfortunately, the answers were slow to come.

When play finally resumed, the Ravens’ concerns came to life. The momentumkilling break appeared to work to the benefit of the 49ers, who went on a tear and reeled off 17 straight points to make it a 28-23 game heading into the fourth quarter. The final stanza was more or less a stalemate, albeit an exciting one. When the smoke cleared, the Ravens emerged as victors, despite the power outage. It was the first Super Bowl loss for San Francisco, who entered the night with an unblemished 5-0 mark on the game’s biggest stage (the 49ers also went into Super Bowl XLVII as four-point favorites). Will the two brothers meet again in a second Harbaugh Bowl? It’s entirely possible since both rosters (although not as dominant as last season) remain loaded. ROLL TIDE… AGAIN

Speaking of football, the NFL wasn’t the only place this year where the sport’s biggest game had unique adversity. In the college ranks, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title once again went to SEC powerhouse Alabama, who had steamrolled Notre Dame 42-14. It was the second-most lopsided championship game in BCS history. The Crimson Tide took care of business early when they scored on their first drive, letting an over-hyped Fighting Irish defense know that SEC football is a beast of a different breed. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, SEC schools have claimed nine of the 15 BCS titles (including a currently active streak of seven straight). Throughout the game, Notre Dame players looked two steps behind. The Fighting Irish truly had no answer for Alabama’s onslaught. There was one memorable sideline moment when linebacker Manti Te’o – who’d been repeatedly run over by Alabama blockers and running backs the entire game – looked downright disoriented and shell-shocked. He simply couldn’t see 529 yards of Alabama offense coming. MOURNING A FAKE GIRLFRIEND

Not long after the bruising title game mercifully ended, things got infinitely more interesting. In September 2012, Te’o captured hearts across the nation when the Hawaiian-born linebacker played gutsy, backbreaking football, despite reports that his grandmother and girlfriend had both

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title once again went to SEC powerhouse Alabama.

passed away within hours of one another. It was a sad story that endeared Te’o to a sports nation that reveres resilience. And while his grandmother did in fact pass in September, it came to light on January 16th that the girlfriend Te’o publicly mourned never even existed. Some great reporting by Deadspin proved the girlfriend to be a hoax. Te’o has since claimed to be the victim of a “catfish” prank, but that hasn’t helped his image much. In October, he was voted the second most-hated player in the NFL behind Eagles quarterback, Mike Vick. One thing is certain, the outlandish saga proved to be far more entertaining than the championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame. HISTORIC SERIES

Though it did not go seven games, the 2013 World Series between Boston and St. Louis was one of the most memorable Fall Classics in years. The Red Sox ultimately won the series 4-2, but this series might be best remembered for some truly whacky and controversial plays that generated a lot of buzz. With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 was a barnburner in St. Louis. While the Cardinals scored two runs in the bottom of the first to get things started, the two teams entered the ninth inning with the game knotted at 4. That’s when things got heated on the field. St. Louis had runners on second and third with one out, when Jon Jay hit a

grounder to Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Ever the heads-up fielder, Pedroia gunned a throw home and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia applied the tag for an out on base-runner Yadier Molina. Saltalamacchia then came up firing himself in an attempt to throw out Allen Craig, who was advancing from second to third. The throw was off the mark and third baseman Will Middlebrooks had to lay out in an attempt to catch it. As the ball sailed into left field, Craig was inadvertently tripped up by the downed Middlebrooks as he dashed for home. He was beaten by the throw from left field and tagged out, but Craig was ruled safe nonetheless. As the Boston bench cleared to storm the field and Red Sox players jumped up and down in amazement to argue the call, it was explained that Craig was ruled safe at home as a result of the obstruction that occurred when he got tangled up with Middlebrooks while trying to score. It was the first walk-off obstruction in World Series history, and it had fans up in arms the next day. But according to experts, the correct call was made. The very next night in Busch Stadium, Game 4 ended when Cardinals base runner Kolten Wong was picked off at first base with Carlos Beltran (one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB postseason history) at the plate. It was the first postseason game in MLB history to end with a pickoff, making Games 3 and 4 of the 2013 October Classic completely unique. SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

7 SP OR T I NG EV E N T S T O A DD T O YO U R BUCK E T L I S T SUPER BOWL | nfl.com/superbowl/48 It doesn’t matter whether your team makes it, the big game is great regardless of who’s playing. Considering the pageantry that surrounds the Super Bowl in the weeks leading up to it, as well as the halftime entertainment, the NFL Championship has become an event for the masses. Go see it up close and personal. Coach Rick Pitino

As for the rest of the Series, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz went into beast mode and earned MVP honors with a .688 batting average and .760 on-base percentage as Boston dominated Games 5 and 6. PITINO RISES AGAIN

Did anyone have a more exciting week in sports in 2013 than University of Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino? In one week’s time, the master motivator experienced an entire career’s worth of highlights; a horse he co-owns made it into the Kentucky Derby, his son was named head coach of a Big 10 program (Minnesota), he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, AND his team won the 2013 National Championship. With March Madness in full swing, Louisville (a No. 2 seed) marched to the Final Four in Atlanta, for the tenth time in the program’s history, after defeating traditional powerhouse Duke in the Elite Eight. That set the stage for a showdown with Cinderella team Wichita State, who actually had the Cardinals on the ropes before UofL orchestrated a comeback to steal a hard-fought 72-68 win. That set the stage for the national title game against No. 1 seed Michigan, which Pitino and company won 82-76. Fan favorite Luke Hancock scored 22 points off the bench to fuel the victory, which made Pitino the first head coach to win national titles at two different schools (he earned his first championship coaching for the University of Kentucky in 1996). This season, the Cardinals are once again one of the top college basketball programs in the country and have a realistic shot at winning a second straight title. But the real question is: how can any year top the 2013 Pitino had? 18 |

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THE KENTUCKY DERBY | kentuckyderby.com Talk about pomp and circumstance. A day at Churchill Downs on Derby Day is awesome even if you do nothing but look at fabulous hats, the manic parties in the infield, and the rich and famous in Millionaire’s Row. Place some bets while you’re there. Everyone should experience it at least once. Don’t forget: Southern Gaming hosts one of the best parties of the Derby weekend, the Derby Poker Celebrity Gala, and YOU are invited! Details at DerbyPokerChampionship.com THE TOUR DE FRANCE | letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us In America, cycling is a fringe sport, but in Europe it’s an entirely different story. It’s difficult for to understand how seriously the Dutch, Swiss, Italians, Germans and Spaniards take the sport. And then there’s the French. The Tour de France is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The peloton may only take 20 seconds. Show us another sport where a drunk man in body paint and a cape can run alongside a world-class athlete for a few seconds while he’s in the middle of trying to win his sport’s Super Bowl. You certainly don’t see Tiger Woods having to deal with that in the Masters, do you? THE MASTERS | masters.com Speaking of the Masters, those famous green jackets may be hideous, but watching the best in the world fight for it is a true privilege. Big names on a big stage (Augusta National) where there’s a lot at stake, what’s not to love? THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 | indy500.com The roar that follows the invitation to the racers to start their engines is something you’ll never forget. The Indy 500 truly is “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” WORLD SERIES | worldseries.com To the real purists, there is nothing like baseball in October. Pitching duels typically define the Fall Classic, and there’s always a chance you’ll see history in the making, whether it be a game-ending obstruction call like in 2013 or a perfect game like in 1956. If you’ve ever played baseball, even just at the t-ball level, you owe it to yourself to experience a World Series. OLYMPICS | olympic.org The opening ceremony alone provides a life-long memory that’s worth the cost and hassle of leaving the country. Every four years, sports like track and field and swimming take center stage for a brief moment, and it’s breathtaking. Could you imagine being there in 1984 when Mary Lou Retton ended Eastern Europe’s dominance in the all-around category in women’s gymnastics? Or when Ben Johnson beat Carl Lewis in the 100-meter dash in 1988 and set a new world record of 9.79 seconds, only to find out a few days later that Johnson used steroids and the gold medal would be going to Lewis? Every single Olympic Games has outstanding, memorable moments.

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FACT or FICTION? DIFFUSING WIDESPREAD CASINO MYTHS

HEN IT COMES TO RANDOMNESS, sometimes what players see in the casinos just doesn’t seem to square with theory. Questions roll in. Why are there more jackpots on busy nights? How can a programmed payback percentage be random? There must be an explanation other than random chance for those ohso-sweet wins and those all too frequent losses – or so many players think. But slot machine results really are as random as humans can program a computer to be. Let’s try to clear up a few misunderstandings, based on reader emails. “I went to a casino grand opening, and it was packed. I heard somebody who worked there say, ‘Big crowd means we’ll be paying out a lot tonight,’ and he had a big smile on his face. He was wearing a suit, and had a casino ID badge on his lapel, so I went up to him and asked if he meant jackpots and he said, ‘Oh, there’ll be some jackpots.’ “My question is this: If randomness theory is true, how could he know they’d be paying out a lot? The casino must have control over the payouts if they can make them pay big for a big crowd.” Slot machine results remain random no matter how many people are playing, and the casino employee the player consulted knows that. More money will be paid out when more people are playing just because more wagers are being made. The payback percentages remain the same, the chances of any individual winning or losing remain the same, and the casino will both take in and pay out more money. Let’s make up a hypothetical casino in which the slot machine odds are programmed so random results will lead toward players getting back 90% of all money wagered. If there are only 100 customers, each making $1,000 worth of wagers, that’s $100,000 in wagers. On the average, paybacks to players will be $90,000 – 90% of the money wagered.

“IT’S NOT THAT THE CASINO CONTROLS PAYOUTS SO THAT THERE ARE MORE IN BIG CROWDS. IT’S THAT THE NATURAL ODDS OF THE GAME LEAD TOWARD MORE MONEY BEING PAID OUT WHEN MORE MONEY IS BEING TAKEN IN.”

Now let’s say it’s a busy weekend night, and instead of 100 players we have 1,000 customers, each making $1,000 worth of wagers. Now instead of $100,000 in wagers, we have $1 million in wagers and on average, payouts shoot up to $900,000. Ten times the wagers on the average will bring 10 times the payouts. That’s all the casino employee was saying, in many fewer words. It’s not that the casino controls payouts so that there are more in big crowds. It’s that the natural odds of the game lead toward more money being paid out when more money is being taken in. “I don’t get how slots can be both random and programmed. If a slot machine has to pay out, say 93%, how can it be random? The programming must keep it on track to pay 93%.” That mix – programmed, yet random – is something that has confused many a player in the decades since slots went electronic. Slot manufacturers have to be able to program payback percentages to comply with the law in states that set minimum and maximum returns. And the machines still have to be able to meet state randomness standards. The confusion seems to be over exactly what it is that the programmer is programming. It’s not a matter of telling the game that it must pay a designated percentage. It’s a matter of setting the possibilities

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

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and the odds of the game so that random results will eventually lead to the desired return.

Programmed, yes. Random, yes. Just like any other casino game, but in an electronic sort of way.

In that way, slots are like table games. Take roulette, for example. On an American double-zero wheel, the game is “programmed” with 38 possible results – the numbers 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00. The numbers come up randomly, and when you win on a single number, you’re paid at 35-1 odds, a bit less than the true odds of 37-1. That gives the house an edge of 5.26%, or to turn it around, gives the game a programmed payback percentage of 94.74%.

“I’ve read that your picks make a difference in video bonus round. If slots are really random, how can picks make a difference and still have a programmed payback. Doesn’t one make the other impossible?”

There is nothing to keep your number from coming up two or three times in a row, and nothing that says it has to come up within several dozen spins or more. But given enough trials, the random results and the odds of the game will lead to something very close to roulette’s “programmed percentage.”

Let’s make up a simple bonus event, in which you pick one of three symbols to reveal a bonus award. If you touch one symbol, you get 25 credits, if you touch a different one, you get 50, and if you touch the other you get 75. The amount you get isn’t predetermined. You will get the amount assigned to whichever symbol you pick. So if you’re able to pick the 75-credit space, good for you. However, no system for trying to determine which symbol hides the 75 will work. The shuffling of the symbols is random. Over a very long time and hundreds of thousands of trials, players will pick the 75 about a third of the time, the 50 about a third of a time, and the 25 about a third of the time. The odds of the game lead to an average payback of 50

Slots work more or less the same way, except that there are hundreds or thousands of possibilities instead of 38. The possibilities are programmed, but when they turn up it’s random, just like it’s random when a 12 turns up in roulette. Over hundreds of thousands of plays, random results will lead to something very close to the targeted payback percentage. 24 |

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Your choices do make a difference in pick’em-style bonus events, but not in a way you can predict or control. The programmer, on the other hand, knows that over a very long time, the bonus will yield an average payback.

credits on that particular bonus event. In determining a target payback percentage for the game, the programmer knows that, and that’s built into calculations. Rea l-life bonus events have more possibilities and the math is more complex, but the principle is the same. Over time, an average win will emerge, and the programmer can build that into the targeted payback percentage. “If slots are really random, why don’t I win more often? Shouldn’t winning symbols come up as often as losers?” “Random results” is not the same as saying “equal results.” A game doesn’t have to be programmed so that a jackpot symbol shows up as often as a blank space, or a bonus symbol as often as a cherry. The odds are set so that blank spaces will show up more often than winning symbols, and small winners will show up more often than big winners. On threereel slots that will lead to there being more losing spins than winning spins, and on five-reel video games it will lead to more returns less than the size of your bet than bigger winners. The programmer sets the odds of the game, and then lets random chance take its course. When you play, may the chance be with you.

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CRAPS: The Lizard and the Lions

L I V E I N T H E S U B U R B S . We don’t have many wild animals, except some raccoons , p os su ms , squ i r rel s , chipmunk s, rabbits, birds, cats (I count cats as wild since I watch them hunt from my office windows) and my neighbor’s kid. The other day I was stepping off my porch and I noticed a tiny lizard scuttle by. I was amazed. I had no idea that we had lizards in our area or that some of these creatures were evidently crawling around and under my house. In my 25 years here, this was the first lizard I had ever seen. Clever little fellows for being that well hid. So, I asked a biologist friend of mine about the lizard. “Oh, yeah,” he said. “There are plenty of lizards around here. They are just subtle and people don’t really go out of their way to look for the little devils. But they are there all the time.” Unlike a lizard, you can’t miss a lion, and thankfully, there are no lions in my neighborhood. But all of us know lions are terrifying creatures that can rip you to shreds. I was at the Cape May Zoo a few weeks ago and I heard the male lion roar. I had never heard a lion roar, live and in-person. I’ve heard them on television and in movies with super-surroundsound, but nothing can prepare you for the sound a real lion makes when it roars. It was bone chilling. It was loud. It was rumbling. It was scary as all get-out. For an instant I was frozen. Had I been in a jungle, that lion would have caught me with no problem. I would have been dinner. I was lucky this lion was behind bars. Casino players know all about the lizards and the lions, even though they never think directly in these terms. The crafty lizards are the house edges that grind away, session by session, mostly unnoticed but having a profound impact on a gambler’s bankroll. In the lizard world of casino gambling, you win a few, lose a few, win a few, lose a few, and slowly the casino edge starts to eat away at you. The casino lizard is subtle. Most players don’t sense it is around at all times in the casinos. A person once wrote to me and tried to tell me there was no 1.41% house edge on the Pass Line bet at craps because he had never lost $1.41 on any $100 bet he had made on the Pass Line. He had been fooled by the sneaky lizard. That

FRANK SCOBLETE

1.41% hides just the way that lizard hid under my house without me knowing about it. Slowly, that edge starts to scuttle about and the player loses his money, slowly but definitely. The lions of gambling are obvious. Those are the “I can’t believe I lost all those hands in a row!” type of sessions. Those moments when you can’t seem to win a single hand at blackjack or a single spin on a slot machine are quite noticeable. Like the lion’s roar, there is nothing subtle about being chewed alive by a long losing streak. You can’t overlook it. You are fully aware that you just got shredded. I have had my share of lions in my 25-year gambling career. I once lost 22 hands in a row at blackjack. My fellow columnist Henry Tamburin was at the table with me when that happened. It was devastating – as devastating as the lion’s roar at the Cape May Zoo. There was no overlooking the fact that the casino had the better of me for those 22 hands. Had I won a few, lost a few, won a few, lost a few, I would not have been consciously aware that the casino edge was still eating away at me. But with the lion, I knew I was dinner. While there are certainly many lions in casino gambling, the real dangers are all those lizards that we just don’t sense nibbling at the foundations of our house. The true casino edges don’t just come about because of the devastation of the lions. They come about slowly over time. You can even be ahead at various games at various times but those lizards are crawling around and under your house nevertheless. The greater the house edge, the greater those lizards multiply until you finally realize that they have indeed made their appearance. No matter which game you play, you will experience those lions, but the bets or games with high house edges guarantee you will hear more of those lions roar. I can’t help you avoid the lizards or the lions. I can just alert you to the fact that no matter what you think, those lizards are real and are in your gambling house. I don’t have to warn you about the lions – you’ll know them when you hear them roar.

Frank Scoblete is a bestselling casino gambling writer, with his latest release being Confessions of a Wayward Catholic. All of his books are available in paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon.com, or you can call 1.800.944.0406 to order. Visit FrankScoblete.com for more info.

“WHILE THERE ARE CERTAINLY MANY LIONS IN CASINO GAMBLING, THE REAL DANGERS ARE ALL THOSE LIZARDS THAT WE JUST DON’T SENSE NIBBLING AT THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR HOUSE.”

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TA K I N G I T TO T H E C A S I N O S Blackjack Rules for Gamers

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Smart

BLACKJACK Strategy

LACKJACK HAS BEEN THE MOST POPULAR casino table game since 1965. The sensation started shortly after Edward Thorp’s book Beat the Dealer was introduced. Thorp correctly wrote that “blackjack could be beaten by keeping track of the cards” – in short, card counting. The general purpose of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. A player who knows the computer-derived basic strategy for playing his hands can keep the house edge around .5% (one half of one percent) – a loss of 50 cents per $100 wagered. At first glance, blackjack is a simple game. But, there are few key strategies and suggestions to consider so you can make your next session a winning one. RULES

One of the easiest ways to start off right is to know the rules of the table you are considering playing on. Yes, all blackjack has the same basic rules, but the devil is in the details! Here is the breakdown on when to stay and play, and when to stay away! GOOD RULES:

BAD RULES:

• Blackjack pays 3 to 2 • Suited blackjacks pay 2 to 1 • Early surrender • Surrender • Player may resplit aces • Dealer stands on soft 17 • Split any pair • Re-splitting allowed • Double down after splits • Double down on any first two cards

• • • • • • • •

Dealer hits soft 17 Shuffle machines Blackjack pays 6 to 5 Limited double downs No doubling down No splitting No splitting aces Player loses pushes

TAKING IT TO

THE CASINOS

MONEY MANAGEMENT AT BLACKJACK

With the best rules, the house edge can go under .5%. With poor rules, the house edge will inch towards 1%. In a game where blackjack pays 6-to-5, the house edge will go well over 1%, so BEWARE! In general, the casino wins about 48% of the time; the player wins about 44% of the time and the other 8% are pushes. Since the player has options on certain hands that will bring in more money to him, including doubling down, splitting, doubling after splits and payments of 3-to-2 on naturals, the game becomes an economically close contest. So, how do you know what strategy to use with your bankroll? First of all, I recommend 50 units as your session bankroll. So, if you are a $10 player that means you should have $500 for a session. Long losing streaks – 10 or more hands in a row – are not rare. You want to be able to weather those awfully long streaks. Blackjack is a fast game. As a basic strategy player, you do not want to play 100 hands per hour. So be sure to look for tables that are almost full and sit down at those. The more players, the fewer the hands you’ll play; the fewer the hands, the better for you. Look for games where the casino cuts a lot of cards out of play because the dealer will have to shuffle more often. You want to play no more than 80 hands per hour – and it is preferable if you can cut that down to 60 hands per hour. Small house edges become deadly when the number of decisions skyrocket. MONEY MANAGEMENT IDEAS THAT DON’T WORK

There is a belief that if you lose a few hands in a row, the table is cold. So go to another table where your luck will change. Winning and losing streaks at blackjack are common for all tables. Switching tables will not help you win more or lose less. Another silly idea that costs you money is to take “even-money” when you have a blackjack and the dealer is showing an ace. You

FRANK SCOBLETE

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“IN GENERAL, THE CASINO WINS ABOUT 48% OF THE TIME; THE PLAYER WINS ABOUT 44% OF THE TIME AND THE OTHER 8% ARE PUSHES.” win more money over time by not taking even money. Your blackjack wins 3-to-2 and that overcomes all those even-money bets. So don’t insure or take even-money. WHEN TO CALL AN END TO A SESSION

Don’t hang onto hope and pull an allnighter at the table. This isn’t a cram session for a college exam. You are playing with real money and you will lose it. I think a two-hour session would be the maximum and suitable length of time. You can also play based on the money you have won or lost. If you are ahead by “X” amount at the end of an hour but are still eager to continue, you might want to take half of that “X” (if it is large enough) and play until you double it or lose it all. You’d still be able to leave the session ahead. If you are behind at the end of the hour, then maybe take a break. When playing against a house edge, anything you do in the money-management department is not going to change the fact that in time you will lose. Still, taking breaks and splitting up your wins to play a little longer (but never playing all that you have won), are good ways to extend your ability to play without losing your stake at any one session or trip. Finally, the key ingredient in playing a powerful game of blackjack is the use of basic strategy. In my book Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge, I show the basic strategies for almost all the different types of blackjack games. With that, here is a generic basic strategy that can get you started on your way in the blackjack world.

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BASIC BLACKJACK STRATEGY:

• • • •

Top line is dealer’s up card Left column is your hand S=stand; H=hit; D=double down; P=split; U=Surrender For boxes with a slash (/): use play on the left if permitted; if not, use play on the right.

Hand

Ace

D/H

U/H

A-2

D/H

A-3

D/H

A-4

D/H

A-5

D/H

A-6

D/H

A-7

D/S

A-8

A-9

A-A

2-2

3-3

4-4

5-5

D/H

6-6

7-7

8-8

9-9

10-10

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PLAYER STRATEGY

HORSERACING: Reaching for Longer Odds

ESIDES CH ASING R ICHES at various thoroughbred race tracks for nearly 20 years now, yours truly has passionately studied, dissected and tested hundreds of handicapping angles presented by so-called “turf experts.” By the same token, in my world the Daily Racing Form remains perpetually proximate; a newspaper painstakingly sifted through, as the search for any discernible edge eternally persists. My office bookcase shelves hold countless resources with advice for evaluating equine racers – practical lessons on utilizing speed figures, workouts, pedigree, body language, post position, surface condition, medications, wind velocity and well, you name it. If you’ve gathered anything from the preceding paragraphs, it’s likely the fact that there are countless resources available to punters interested in honing their handicapping skills. Quite honestly though, “figuring” a race remains but half the battle. Subsequent to zeroing in on a “reliable” racer, one must decide how they want to “play” said racer, and although counsel concerning equine selection is tremendously abundant, forums educating pari-mutuel speculators on “money management” remain relatively scarce. There are basically two types of wagers an individual can make on any given horse race: a “straight wager” or an “exotic wager.” The most basic straight wager is a “WIN” bet, where patrons can only profit if their selected runner bests the entire field. “PLACE” and “SHOW” wagers are the two other primary straight wagers, with “PLACE” being a wager where patrons profit by selecting a runner who finishes first or second, and “SHOW” being a wager where patrons profit by selecting a runner who finishes first, second or third. Donning various complexions, exotic wagers utilize two or more horses in a “vertical” fashion within one race, or in a “horizontal” fashion across multiple races. Some popular exotic wagers include the Exacta (selecting a contest’s top two finishers in order), Trifecta (selecting a contest’s top three finishers in order), Superfecta (selecting a contest’s top four finishers in order), Daily

E R I C F LOY D

Double (selecting two victors in a row on a pair of specified races) and Pick 3/4/5/or 6 (selecting 3, 4, 5 or 6 victors in a row within a series of specified races). As one might expect, it’s significantly easier to triumph by means of a straight wager, rather than with an exotic wager, however horseplayers often challenge themselves because degree of pari-mutuel difficulty and exponential payouts go hand-in-hand. Now don’t get me wrong, straight wager pools often produce plump prices, yet the proto-typical “life changing score” is only realistically procured by means of an unlikely Superfecta or Pick 6. If I may be honest, an incessant hunger for supplemental revenue drives 99% of horseplayers. Let’s face it, we’re all trying to make money and greed grips everyone from time to time. That being said, if there were one discipline I could instill in any novice punter, it would be a propensity against “reaching for longer odds.” Many races offer viable avenues for modest gain, but instead of accepting lower returns on straight wagers, horseplayers generally shun the contentment a “bird in the hand” can bring. Every week I witness zealous patrons flush significant portions of bankroll by consistently coupling solid favorites or legitimate long shots with other questionable entrants on exotic wagers. Sadly, these futile attempts to maximize R.O.I often leaves race trackers with bankruptcy’s pungent odor. Case in point, I beheld the “reaching for odds” syndrome swell into a near epidemic this past November as post time for the Breeders’ Cup Mile drew near. Breaking from post #8 at odds of 4/5, Wise Dan went on to dismantle nine quality rivals, and although the defending Divisional Champion’s conquest was practically assured, shredded betting slips soon littered the linoleum. Rather than gladly accept eighty cents on the dollar, the parlors’ over ambitious population had reached for longer odds by feverishly booking an array of exotic mutual tickets, most of which met their demise on account of an 18-1 runner-up named Za Approval.

Eric Floyd is a turf writer for various gaming publications as well as a Triple Crown pari-mutuel consultant for several national media outlets. Excerpts from his gambling memoir, My First Decade Playing the Game, can be found at LuLu.com.

“AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT, IT’S SIGNIFICANTLY EASIER TO TRIUMPH BY MEANS OF A STRAIGHT WAGER, RATHER THAN WITH AN EXOTIC WAGER...”

FOR MORE FREE HORSERACING TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ HORSERACING 34

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H O R S E R AC I N G

The Genetically Elite

Madame Cactus (16) races onward to edge out fellow competitors.

The World of Pedigree Handicapping A R E MO S T CH A M P IONS T RU LY “ BOR N A N D BR E D? ” by

E R I C F LOY D

ACK ON APRIL 25, 2013, I eagerly attended the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Companies’ Two-Year-Olds in Training Auction. Throughout t he session, many wealthy horsemen (and women) relinquished serious capital in an effort to acquire ripe young horseflesh, until midafternoon when the stakes exponentially evolved. Hip Number 1002, a handsome grey equine by Street Sense (2007 Kentucky Derby Champion), was purchased for $425,000 by David M. Clark; a transaction reminiscent of why horseracing, even in this day and age, emphatically remains the “Sport of Kings.”

that prompted an ambitious would-be owner to throw down six figures. You see, inside a brief career highlighted by conquests in the Stephen Foster Handicap and Dubai World Cup, Street Cry accumulated over $5,000,000 in earnings. Yet this champion’s full potential wasn’t truly realized until he reached the breeding shed. To date, Street Cry has helped manifest 14 Grade 1 Champions, including Street Sense and 2010 Horse of the Year, Zenyatta. Obviously on this day, David M. Clark had optimistically gambled that Street Sense, like Street Cry, was capable of handing down his incredibly dominant turn of foot.

Leading up to his date with the sales ring, Hip Number 1002 had posted rather impressive workouts, yet it was ultimately ancestry and not athleticism

More often than not inside thoroughbred horseracing circles, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and although a difficult angle to master, pedigree handicapping

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rates are uniquely powerful, especially when players are faced with handicapping first-time starters or juveniles racers. This is primarily because the average equine inherits unique physical and mental features from its sire (father) and dam (mother), which typically predispose overall speed, stamina and surface preference. Maiden races are battles restricted to thoroughbreds in search of their first triumph, and unlike most claiming, allowance, and stakes competitions, clashes between “non-graduates” offer little printable insight as to how they might unfold. Now if several entries in a maiden race are first-time starters, then Horse Racing Nation will probably gravitate towards those with at least some experience, even if the preceding results

Left: Street Sense, progeny of Street Cry, was purchased for $425,000 by David M. Clark. Right: 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes Champion, Smarty Jones.

were less than stellar. More astute souls opposed to idly piddling away precious bankroll on sheer mediocrity might inspect each greenhorn’s work tab or the winning percentage of present trainers in relation to first-time starters. Personally, I’d embark on a hunt for pertinent pedigrees.

much larger impression on thoroughbred horseracing’s broad landscape away from the oval.

superiority, authoritatively drawing off to humble the post-time favorite by four widening lengths.

Case in point, on October 20, 2013 while playing Belmont Park’s Sunday afternoon card, yours truly came to the threshold of race #2, a $70,000 Maiden Special Weight 5 ½ furlong (11/16th’s of a mile) sprint for two year-old fillies. Directly observing five of the seven slated-entrants were first-time starters, I naturally contemplated backing Sky Crew – the even money favorite. Making his fifth career start, the public’s top selection sported a resume with three second place finishes against similar company. But upon further investigation, there emerged a dark horse, apparently capable of once again spoiling Sky Crew’s coming out party.

Sire of nine assorted surface Grade 1 Champions, including 2009 American Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra, Medaglia d’Oro’s progeny (in this case Summertime Friend) usually produce, but more importantly they produce early on. In this regard, stallions vary, and while we’re on the subject it’s critical that players know at least a few names famous for dishing out endowed f ledglings. Compiled from a personal stock-pile of notated programs, here are 20 additional sires who often see their offspring immediately succeed: Bluegrass Cat, Cherokee Run, Cactus Ridge, City Zip, Distorted Humor, Exchange Rate, Giant’s Causeway, Indian Charlie, Johannesburg, Lion Heart, Malibu Moon, Orientate, Sky Mesa, Smarty Jones, Songandaprayer, Speightstown, Tapit, Trippi, Vindication and Wildcat Heir.

Expanding on our current theme relevant to handicapping first-time starters with the assistance of pedigree, please note any unrecognizable sire’s success rate with debut runners. Anything above 15% is considered superb, anything less than 5% is considered impoverished. Numerous websites and stallion registries contain this important intelligence, including the everreliable Brisnet.com. Furthermore, DRF Formulator Past Performances disclose the sales price of a first-time starter who went through auction. Compare that expenditure to the sire’s stud fee: if the sales price is four or five times higher, then you’ve possibly unearthed a diamond in the rough.

Although Summertime Friend showcased inspired conditioning sessions and was handled by renowned horseman Kiaran McLaughlin, it was ultimately this filly’s regal lineage that sealed the pari-mutuel deal; let me explain. Throughout a 17year race career spent sparring the turf’s mightiest titans, Medaglia d’Oro was the definition of “consistent.” First or second in 15 out of 17 lifetime starts, this winner of the Jim Dandy Stakes, Travers Stakes, Whitney Handicap and Donn Handicap earned close to $6,000,000. But much like Street Cry, Medaglia d’Oro made a

Placing focus back on the race in question, I suppose the advent of such a favorable circumstance justified considerable financial commitment. But with my balance sheet already bleeding red from miscalculating race #1, I shied away from risking the grocery money and instead booked a modest $10 WIN bet at 5/2 odds. At each other’s throatlatch from the onset, Summertime Friend and Sky Crew remained inseparable until they entered Belmont Park’s sandy straightaway. It was here that Medaglia d’Oro’s daughter unleashed her genetic

Thus far we’ve specifically probed the influence a stallion can exert on a firsttime starter, but let’s not forget about mom. The Daily Racing Form’s Sibling Summary Report supplies details on the dam of every entrant, including her surface preference, career earnings, race record and top Beyer Speed Figures. More importantly, her other foals and their on-track accomplishments are also listed. Supplemental data on a dam’s success rate with first-time starters may also be found per Brisnet Pa st Per for mance s, Br isnet.com’s m a i d e n s t a t s C D -ROM s a n d a t pedigreequery.com. Personally speaking, I’ve grown to learn SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

dam Danzig’s Beauty, a juvenile Graded Stakes Champion in her own right. To date, Distorted Humor has sired 118 stakes winners, 15 of those being Grade 1 alumni. Indian Charlie – This son of In Excess broke his maiden at first-asking over Del Mar Racecourse by 12 lengths for Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert before going on to win the Santa Anita Derby and place third in the 1998 Kentucky Derby. Indian Charlie’s progeny are customarily deft sprinters, although offspring Indian Blessing captured the 1 1/16 mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Championship in 2007. Starting this year, the stud fee for TapIt, a Grade 1 winning 12-year-old, will increase from $125,000 to $150,000.

that although it’s sometimes especially arduous, bestowing sincere forgiveness often places me on a collision course with an immense blessing. Likewise, having mercy on young equines that originally f lounder might very well net players handsome dividends. Just because a regally bred horse’s debut went awry doesn’t mean they are necessarily a late bloomer, or worse, totally inept at racing altogether. Stay cog ni z a nt of t he t r ut h t hat thoroughbreds with even one or two engagements under their belt harbor a significant advantage over first-time starters, since it’s impossible to simulate actual race conditions during training hours. How a four-legged rookie will react to rambunctious crowd noise, a packed starting gate, foreign hands on their reins and the pure intensity of playing for keeps are questions that unfortunately, no computer program or pedigree outline can answer. In a nutshell, when referencing budding thoroughbreds, especially juveniles and three-year-olds boasting noble bloodlines, ability is far better gauged by analyzing career start number two rather than a debut. Perhaps horrendously awkward at first, majestically bred beginners may subsequently sparkle once initially tried in the fire, as was the case with former Champion turned prolific sire, Speightstown. Fathered by the late, great Gone West (sire of 98 stakes winners), Speightstown finished dead last as the 2-1 favorite in 38 |

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his career debut at Saratoga Racecourse against a dozen fellow juveniles, yet won next time out as a three year-old inside Gulfstream Park at odds of 13-1. It looks as though players who originally backed Speightstown likely referenced the eventual 2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion’s dam, a horse named Silken Cat that was Canada’s top two-year-old filly in 1995. Sadly, a large majority of those astute pedigree handicappers were unwilling to extend the necessary forbearance required to reap a forthcoming $29.00 win mutual. Earlier I conferred a list of stallions famous for yielding adept equine neophytes, but if you’re admittedly bad with names, at the very least file away the following five sires who currently tyrannize America’s cumulative breeding program. Cactus Ridge – by Hennessy (a son of the late, legendary leading sire Storm Cat). Cactus Ridge competed but four times, all as a juvenile going undefeated with three stakes victories including the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity. Cactus Ridge’s potent progeny are heavily affected by his damsire (maternal grandfather) Lycius, a juvenile Grade 1 Champion. Unlike many stallions, Cactus Ridge turns out runners who effectively negotiate dirt, turf and synthetic racecourses. Distorted Humor – Hav ing never actually raced as a two-year old himself, Distorted Humor almost freakishly generates unending crops of first-time and juvenile winners, thanks to the influence of his sire Forty Niner (1987 Eclipse Champion Two-Year Old Male) and his

Smarty Jones – 2004 Kentucky Derby a nd Prea k ness Sta kes Cha mpion. Dominator of the 2003 juvenile restricted Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes, Smarty Jones’ dam (I’ll Get Along), broke her maiden as a first-time starter by 13 lengths. I’ll Get Along’s damsire was the illustrious Foolish Pleasure, 1974 Eclipse Two-Year Old Champion and 1975 Kentucky Derby Champion. Tapit – Starting in 2014, the stud fee for this Grade 1 winning 12-year-old son of Pulpit (1997 Blue Grass Stakes Champion) will be increased by Gainsway Farm from $125,000 to $150,000 for multiple reasons – 123 to be exact. That is how many winners (11 verses Stakes Company) Tapit is represented by from January 1, 2013 through November 6, 2013! Arguably America’s hottest stallion, Tapit’s leading runners of 2013 include: Joyful Victory (G1 Santa-Margarita Stakes Champion), Honorable Dillon (G2 Hutcheson Stakes Champion), Untapable (G2 Pocahontas Stakes Champion) and Flashback (G2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Champion). Undoubtedly saturated with imperative principles, this crash course in pedigree a n a ly si s h a s b e en a ny t h i ng but comprehensive. Truthfully, penning a complete narrative on deriving applicable data from thoroughbred stallions and their respective generational bloodlines is utterly impossible due to the pure volume of factorial elements. Moreover I’ll say that rather than published text, one’s own experience remains the best teacher of pedigree handicapping so stay vigilant, always looking for incipient stallions poised to deliver the “Sport of Kings” next generation of heralded Champions.

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2 0 1 3 Ta s t e m a k e r G e t a w a y R e v i e w

V ista at Delta Downs R acet rack Casino Hotel

Winner Edward D. and Karen enjoying dinner at Vista with Chef Savoie.

TASTEMAKER GETAWAY A L O OK I N S I DE OU R W I N N ER ’ S I NCR E DI BL E T R I P

avoie

Chef S

CONGRATULATIONS to Chef David Savoie, winner of our Casino Chef Showdown. His winning dish, Chairman’s Pork Chops with Cinnamon Apple Chutney and Sweet Potato Souffle earned him the prestegious title, Culinary King of the South! We drew one lucky voter to experience the Ultimate Tastemaker Getaway— enjoying a special meal prepared by Chef Savoie, gambling money, and two nights at Delta Downs, the winning chef’s home casino. In this Southern Gaming exclusive feature, our winner, Edward D. from Beaumont, Texas describes his Tastemaker Getaway to Delta Downs.

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Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana offers the very best with nonstop gaming, incredible dining, world-class entertainment, and luxury hotel accommodations.

AREN AND I ARRIVED at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana on Thursday, October 3rd for our twonight getaway. We were greeted warmly at guest check-in and promptly given the key to our room. Upon entering, we were surprised to find we had been given an elegant, spacious suite. As we made our way to the bar area, we noticed a plate of sweets and a card. The note read, “Welcome to Delta Downs! I look forward to seeing you at dinner this evening. Enjoy your snacks,” signed Chef David Savoie. This was a nice surprise and we were eager to meet Chef David as well. After resting for a bit, we made our way down to Vista Restaurant on the main floor next to the casino. We were warmly greeted by hostess, Sequoia. She seated us in a quiet area next to a panoramic window with a great view of the racetrack. Our waiter Jared promptly welcomed us and took our drink order. Shortly thereafter, Chef David came out to meet us. We were immediately struck by his genuinely warm and friendly way about him. He thanked us for voting for his dish and asked if he could help us decide on an appetizer. We ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes and fried mushrooms. While waiting on our appetizers, we continued talking with Chef David. He told us that he had attended the Culinary Academy

in Austin and had originally created the winning dish specifically for the chairman of the company, Mr. Bill Boyd. Chef David told us he enjoys working at Vista, where he uses fresh local seafood to create unique specials for his guests. Before long Jared was bringing out the crab cakes. They were delicious, with huge chunks of crab and shitake mushrooms. They were served with an amazing remoulade sauce that had us wanting more. Jared was attentive and took our entrée order of filet mignon for myself and Chairman’s Pork Chops for Karen. Chef David introduced us to Darrel Metoyer, Food and Beverage Director and Chef Joseph Jaskiewicz, Executive Chef at Delta Downs. Both gentlemen were very welcoming and it was apparent that customer service was very important at Delta Downs. While waiting for our dinner, we were asked if we would like a photograph with Chef David taken by photographer, Emily Stewart, which we gladly accepted. We definitely wanted proof of this fun getaway. In a few minutes, Chef David came to our table with both dishes. Karen said that the pork chops were so tender and flavorful that she understood why Mr. Boyd loved the dish so much. My filet mignon was cooked to perfection and tender as well. The sweet potato soufflé was awesome with just a hint of sweetness and cinnamon.

We finished our meal with delicious chocolate cake and ice cream. The perfect ending to a perfect meal. Before Karen and I retired to our room for the night, we noticed that Chef David took time to speak and acknowledge the other guests in the restaurant as well. His hospitality is genuine and we felt honored to have been chosen and able to help him win. On Friday, Karen and I enjoyed gambling several different times throughout the day and had a great time playing some new penny slots and we actually ended up winning! The next morning, we enjoyed a quick breakfast before regretfully, we had to begin our ride back home to Beaumont, Texas. We had a wonderful stay and are so appreciative to Southern Gaming for making it all happen! We definitely intend to come back to Delta Downs and Vista and the next time we’re there we’ll be sure to say hi to the “Culinary King of the South,” Chef David Savoie!

Would YOU like to win a VIP Casino Getaway? The vote is on for the 2014 Best of Southern Gaming Readers’ Choice Awards. Send us your vote for your chance to win a VIP Getaway to the casino of YOUR choice! See page 50 for details!

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T R AV E L

Exploring Southern Shores

GULF SHORES

Getaway U

NLESS YOU’RE IN THE KNOW, you might not realize that Gulf Shores, Alabama rivals the Florida coastline for some of the finest sandy beaches in the South.

Cruise along Beach Boulevard and the Sunshine State’s border is just a stone’s throw up the road. This family-friendly Alabama destination – a sleepy town until the height of the summer season – delivers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-and-do-nothing time. The gentle Gulf waters are ideal for playing in the surf, and calm waters are perfect for deep sea fishing adventures. Putter around a bit on one of the area’s championship golf courses, or experience nature a different way by hiking wildlife trails and exploring the birdlife along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. TAKE A DRIVE.

Drive south on Gulf Shores Parkway and you’ll find a ribbon of highway that runs along white sandy beaches. The shoreline is dotted with high-rise condos on the Gulf side and beach shops on the other, along with the usual array of mini golf, water slides and other summer fun stops.

CRU ISI NG T H E CO AST

B E T H D ’A D D O N O

“ T H I S F A M I L Y- F R I E N D L Y A L A B A M A DESTINATION – A SLEEPY TOWN UNTIL THE HEIGHT OF THE SUMMER SEASON – DELIVERS THE PERFECT BALANCE OF NONSTOP ACTIVITY AND LAY-AROUND-AND-DONOTHING TIME.”

Tacky Jack’s, a local watering hole with strong libations and a penchant for fried food. HAVE A BLOODY MARY AT THE GULF.

The Gulf | thegulf.com Located on Perdido Beach Boulevard, this fab new bar and eatery has incredible views overlooking beautiful Perdido Pass. With the look and feel of a private living room on the beach, The Gulf is outfitted with comfy outdoor furniture, a bar and a kitchen “window” for ordering seafood specialties and fresh fare. VISIT GULF STATE PARK.

HIT THE TRAIL.

Beach Bike Rentals | beachbikerentals.net Rent a bike from Bill Gable at Beach Bike Rentals and go for a ride along the pristine network of trails between the Gulf and Highway 180. Pop in at the Back Country trail entrances by Rosemary Dunes in Orange Beach and pedal past lakes, through a campground and along a gator habitat. Stop to enjoy the butterfly garden before crossing Highway 161 for a stop at

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Gulf State Park | alapark.com/gulfstate/ Located along Highway 135 you’ll find two miles of beaches, 6,152 acres of nature and the second longest fishing pier (1,540 feet) on the Gulf of Mexico. The pier is open for fishing 24/7 on weekends and varies seasonally, so check the website. You can fish from the pier as long as you have a state fishing license, but if you’re under 16 or over 65 and live in state, no license is required.

Alabama rivals Florida for some of the finest sandy beaches in the South.

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Lulu’s eatery with its family-friendly down home vibe and menu of Buffett family recipes, Buffett opened Lucy B. Goode, a 184-seat farm-to-table restaurant with a polished menu of coastal specialties prepared by chef Randall Baldwin, an Alabama native from Saraland who studied at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Baldwin’s resume includes stints at Birmingham’s Bottega Café, Chez Fonfon, and Highlands Bar and Grill.

The Gulf features comfy outdoor furniture, a kitchen “window” for ordering fresh seafood, and one heck of a good bloody mary.

TOUR THE ZOO.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo alabamagulfcoastzoo.org This little gem of a zoo started out as a private venture and is now home to more than 290 animals. Lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and macaws are just a few of the critters that inhabit this “little zoo that could,” which is located only a few blocks from the beach. AND THEN THERE’S LULU’S.

lulubuffett.com The way Lucy Buffett looks at it, everybody either is one, has one, or knows one. A “Crazy Sista,” that is – the official name for the first annual beach party, music fest and fundraiser that Buffett held at her Gulf Shores restaurant and entertainment complex, this past November. More than 1,000 “crazy sistas” (and the men who love them) crowded into Buffett’s fun-loving place on the Intracoastal Waterway to hear outdoor serenades from the likes of Marcia Ball, Charmaine Neville, Eric Lindell and Tedeschi Trucks Band. But beyond the party atmosphere, Buffett’s goal was to raise funds to kickstart her new non-profit foundation, Lulu’s Love Fund. Buffett, who just happens to be Jimmy Buffet’s kid sister, is committed to supporting the empowerment of women, including organizations that educate teens and young adults in self-worth, self-image 44 |

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and business skills development. “With a little more guidance during my own formative years, I might have avoided some of the missteps that made it harder for me to achieve the success I enjoy now,” said Buffett. Her story is a success indeed. After spending time in L.A. in the 80s, the former personal chef for Harrison Ford and Steven Segal moved back to the Gulf Coast and opened Lulu’s Sunset Grill on Weeks Bay, a simple waterfront eatery with fresh seafood, cold beer and good burgers. After losing her lease from the state in 2002, she and her then husband Mac McAleer floated everything they could pack up onto a barge and headed east to take over the site of a former seafood processing warehouse and opened Lulu’s at Homeport Marina on Fat Tuesday in 2004. As Lulu’s gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary, a lot has changed since Buffett served her first bowls of homemade gumbo and plates of “Alabama Caviar” – her own black eyed pea dip. The latest numbers show some 700,000 people a year pay Lulu’s a visit, not too shabby considering Gulf Shores has a year-round population of about 10,000. And not unlike her famous brother, Buffett is a brand maven, with a line of retail goods, Crazy Sista swag and even her own label of craft beer, brewed by Back Forty Brewing Company in Gadsden, Alabama. Last year, in addition to the sprawling

Lucy’s is an airy, handsome space, with interior walls made of wood siding salvaged from an old World War II military barracks in Rotterdam, New York. The floor is stained concrete, the water glasses are blue canning jars and an old attic fan circulates the air high above the open kitchen. The menu includes mac & cheese made with Gouda cheese produced in nearby Elberta, Alabama. Raw honey comes from Fairhope, okra, squash and beans are grown on farms in Baldwin County, and seafood is fresh from the Gulf of Mexico. Specialties include crab cakes with citrus beurre blanc, Asian flavored black bean pork ribs, fried green tomatoes and shrimp loaf sandwiches. Buffett, whose childhood nickname was the inspiration for Lulu’s moniker, is committed to spreading the gospel of her easygoing Gulf Coast brand. She’s eyeing other sites not too far along the coast, with plans to bring her feel good familyfriendly destination restaurants to a new audience of sun and fun seekers in the next few years. SLEEP OVER

marriott.com alapark.com/gulfstate/cabins/ The newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms is one of the best places to stay with its spacious lobby, well appointed rooms, free Wi-Fi and heated outdoor pool. From $80 per night. If you want to spend the night at the state park, there are 11 remodeled cottages and 20 dog-friendly cabins within walking distance of the golf course and 2.5 miles from the beach. All cottages are threebedroom, three-bathroom, with screenedin porches overlooking Lake Shelby. Rates start in the $100 range off-season.

For more info, visit gulfshores.com or http://alabama.travel/.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM: Beginners and Top 10 Hands

O BEGIN, I RECOMMEND playing only the top 10 hands and folding on all others. The top 10 are in order of relative promise: A-A, K-K, Q-Q , A-K, J-J, 10-10, 9-9, 8-8, A-Q and 7-7. Experience has shown me that these are the strongest starting hands in limit Hold ’Em. The beginning strategy for survival is designed to keep you in the game while you learn the more subtle techniques that are necessary to beat tougher games, or to extract more money from weak games. And in some games, using just this strategy will make you a winner. With this strategy alone, and without much in the way of poker instruction, I was able to crush the games in Madison. When you consistently play only the top 10 hands, your opponents will begin to fear your bets and raises because they’ll see that you’re always playing something powerful. This fear gives you some leeway to make different plays later, when you’ve absorbed the intermediate and more advanced advice I’ll be providing. In other words, the top-10-hands strategy teaches the fundamentals you will need when you add intermediate and advanced strategy to your arsenal, because just playing super tight won’t get the pots in these tougher games. The good hands don’t come along often enough, and perhaps even more important, you risk becomes a bit too predictable. When you break limit Hold ’Em down to its basic elements, good game theory suggests that you wait for big starting hands before you get involved in a hand. The blinds are relatively small compared with the size of the pots, unless you’re playing in a very tight game (which is rare at low stakes). It may seem boring to play only these top 10 hands, since most people play poker just to have a good time and socialize. But if you want to win the money then you need to show some patience and entertain yourself in another way. And, how entertaining is it to play all the hands and lose most of them? In general, I recommend playing the top 10 hands regardless of your position in the betting order or

the number of bets it will cost you to get involved in the hand. Always raise with these hands, no matter what it costs you to get involved. Of course, if you have a lot of evidence to suggest that your 7-7 is beaten (perhaps the tightest player in the game has just re-raised the hand, making it as we say “four bets to go”), then you might do well to fold the hand. But in general, playing these hands aggressively is a good way to play Hold ’Em. I know you’re probably thinking right now, “Is it really that easy? All I have to do is play Phil’s top 10 hands?” The answer is yes, at least as far as the starting requirements (your first two cards) are concerned. Yes, because it will be easy for you to play before the flop (on the first round of betting) when all you have to remember is to play only the top 10. (Playing after the flop is much more complicated, I’m afraid; but don’t worry, we’ll cover that next time.) Raising with a top 10 hand in late position is a different story. Here’s an example: The game is $2-4 at your local bar. You hold J-J on the button. The player in first position has raised, making it two bets (or $4) to go. The second position has re-raised, making it three bets (or $6) to go. Then, you raise it again to make it four bets (or $8) to go. This hand is easy enough to play because you have one of those top 10 hands and also have the advantage of late position. However, different situations can lead to different decisions. For example, the game is $5-10 at the local businessmen’s club. You have 9-9 in the small blind, and the third position has raised it to two bets (or $10) to go. Then, the fourth position makes it three bets (or $15) to go. Now the first position on the button make it four bets to go! Yikes, what do you do? You know that the fourth seat probably has a strong hand, but the first seat made it four bets even over the top of him? That is big trouble! You throw your hand right then and there, figuring you’re a 4½-to-1 underdog. I know that I’ve said you always play these hands, but sometimes a little discretion is the better part of valor.

PHILL HELLMUTH, JR.

Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is a 13time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world. He is the author of two New York Times bestsellers and his latest book, Deal Me In, is also widely popular. Visit philhellmuth.com to check out his clothing line, blog and exclusive gaming tips.

“WHEN YOU CONSISTENTLY PLAY ONLY THE TOP 10 HANDS, YOUR OPPONENTS WILL BEGIN TO FEAR YOUR BETS AND RAISES.”

FOR MORE FREE POKER TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ POKER 46

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SOU THERN GAMING’S

PREFERRED HOT SPOTS Whether you’re a frequent jet-setter or simply a casual traveler, Southern Gaming and Destinations strives to recommend highquality establishments to our readers. We feel this array of our preferred casinos, racetracks, racinos, hotels and restaurants will deliver the best in accommodations, entertainment and gaming. We encourage you to consider any of these incredible properties when planning your next getaway. 1 GULF COAST BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-888-750-7111

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FALLEN OAK GOLF COURSE (BILOXI) 1-877-805-4657 HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE (GULFPORT & BILOXI) 1-228-867-7001 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-877-877-6256 IP CASINO RESORT SPA 1-888-946-2847 MARY MAHONEY’S FRENCH HOUSE RESTAURANT (BILOXI) 1-228-374-0163 PALACE CASINO RESORT (BILOXI) 1-800-PALACE-9 SILVER SLIPPER CASINO (BAY ST. LOUIS) 1-866-775-4773 THE SHED BBQ (OCEAN SPRINGS) 1-228-875-9590

2 ALABAMA BAHAMA BOB’S BEACHSIDE CAFE (GULF SHORES) 1-251-948-2100 FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILL (MOBILE) 1-251-626-6710 LUCY BIFFET’S LULU’S RESTAURANT (GULF SHORES) 1-251-967-5858

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT: The star treatment starts as soon as you arrive at Rising Star

Casino Resort in Rising Star, Indiana! The casino features 1,200 of the most popular slots, as well as a variety of table games. Relax in one of the 294 luxury hotel rooms, take a dip in the indoor pool, hit up the sauna and health club, or swing by Southern Indiana’s only Scottish links-style golf course. For more info and reservations, visit risingstarcasino.com or call 1.800.472.6311.

HOT SPRINGS VISITORS BUREAU 1-888-SPA-CITY LOCA LUNA RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-4666 OAKLAWN PARK RACING & GAMING (HOT SPRINGS) 1-800-OAKLAWN SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING (WEST MEMPHIS) 1-800-467-6182

4 FLORIDA DAYTONA BEACH KENNEL CLUB & POKER ROOM 1-386-252-6484

5 GEORGIA

7 KENTUCKY

ECLIPSE DI LUNA (ATLANTA) 1-678-205-5862

21C MUSEUM HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-877-217-6400

GARIBALDI CAFE (SAVANNAH) 1-912-232-7118

BROWN HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-583-1234

HAL’S THE STEAKHOUSE (ATLANTA) 1-404-261-0025

CHURCHILL DOWNS (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-283-3729

ROCKS ON THE ROOF @ THE BOHEMIAN HOTEL

JACKS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-897-9721

(SAVANNAH) 1-912-721-3901

6 INDIANA

THE TRELLIS ROOM RESTAURANT (MOBILE) 1-251-338-5493

DERBY LANE RACE TRACK (ST. PETERSBURG) 1-727-812-3339

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT (VEVAY) 1-888-BELTERRA

3 ARKANSAS

SHULA’S STEAK HOUSE (TAMPA) 1-813-286-4366

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE (EVANSVILLE) 1-800-342-5386

MARDI GRAS CASINO & RACING (HALLANDALE) 1-877-55-SLOTS

HORSESHOE CASINO SOUTHERN INDIANA 1-866-676-SHOE

WATERMARK GRILLE (NAPLES) 1-239-596-1400

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT (RISING STAR) 1-800-472-6311

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM 1-501-682-7777 THE FADED ROSE RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-9734

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GALT HOUSE HOTEL & SUITES (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-THE-GALT GOLF COURSES OF KENTON COUNTY 1-859-371-3200 JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-584-0102 KEENELAND RACECOURSE (LEXINGTON) 1-800-456-3412 LASSING POINTE GOLF COURSE (BOONE COUNTY) 1-859-384-2266 NEVEL MEADE GOLF

COURSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-228-9522 PAT’S STEAK HOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-896-9234 PORCINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-894-8686 SEELBACH HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-585-3200

8 LOUISIANA CAFÉ GIOVANNI (NEW ORLEANS) 1-504-529-2154 DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO (VINTON) 1-800-589-7441 PARAGON CASINO RESORT (MARKSVILLE) 1-800-946-1946 SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO (SHREVEPORT) 1-877-429-0711 SHREVEPORT/ BOSSIER VISITOR’S BUREAU 1-888-45-VISIT

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9 TUNICA (MISSISSIPPI) GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT 1-888-24-KSTAY HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA 1-800-871-0711 THE HOLLYWOOD CAFE (OLD HWY 61) 1-662-363-1225 SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL 1-800-456-0711

10 MISSISSIPPI PEARL RIVER RESORT (PHILADELPHIA) 1-866-44-PEARL

11 MISSOURI CIELO RESTAURANT & BAR (ST. LOUIS) 1-314-881-2105 LUMIÈRE PLACE CASINO & HOTELS (ST. LOUIS) 1-314-881-7777 RIGAZZI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT (ST. LOUIS-HILL DISTRICT) 1-314-772-4900

12 LAS VEGAS (NEVADA) ARIA RESORT AND CASINO 1-866-359-7757

PARIS LAS VEGAS 1-877-796-2096 THE VENETIAN 1-877-283-6423 WYNN LAS VEGAS 1-888-320-WYNN

THE BELLAGIO 1-888-987-6667

WILD WILD WEST HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-6-STATIONS

CAESARS PALACE 1-800-HARRAHS

13 LAUGHLIN (NEVADA)

FERRARO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1-702-364-5300

AQUARIUS CASINO RESORT 1-888-662-5824

GOLDEN NUGGET 1-800-634-3454

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN 1-800-950-7700

GOLDEN GATE HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-426-1906 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-473-7625 MGM GRAND 1-877-880-0880

HARRAH’S LAUGHLIN CASINO AND HOTEL 1-800-427-7247

14 RENO (NEVADA) ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT 1-800-723-6500

MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO 1-877-632-7800

CIRCUS CIRCUS RENO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-648-5010

MIRAGE LAS VEGAS 1-800-627-6667

ELDORADO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-879-8879

PALMS HOTEL 1-866-942-7777

BOUND’RY (NASHVILLE) 1-615-321-3043

PEPPERMILL RESORT SPA CASINO 1-866-821-9996

RIVER CITY CASINO (ST. LOUIS) 1-888-578-7289

17 TENNESSEE

HYATT REGENCY RESORT SPA & CASINO (LAKE TAHOE) 1-800-233-1234

CHEROKEE VALLEY GOLF COURSE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-525-4653

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FOLK’S FOLLY (MEMPHIS) 1-901-762-8200

BLUE ASH GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-745-8577

GAYLORD SPRINGS GOLF LINKS (NASHVILLE) 1-615-458-1730

ELKS RUN GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-735-6600

HALF SHELL RESTAURANT (MEMPHIS) 1-901-682-3966

JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-784-1200

THE PEABODY HOTEL (MEMPHIS) 1-901-529-4000

MONTGOMERY INN BOATHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-791-3482

RENDEZVOUS BARBECUE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-523-2746 VANDERBILT LEGENDS CLUB (BRENTWOOD) 1-615-790-1300

16 SOUTH CAROLINA AUNT CHILADA’S EASY STREET CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-785-7700 ARTHUR HILLS GOLF COURSE AT PALMETTO DUNES (HILTON HEAD) 1-866-380-1778 BLOODY POINT GOLF CLUB & RESORT (HILTON HEADDAFUSKIE ISLAND) 1-843-341-3030 CQ’S RESTAURANT (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-671-2779 GOLDEN BEAR AT INDIGO RUN (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-689-2200 HARBOUR TOWN GOLF COURSE (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-4485 HILTON HEAD NATIONAL (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-842-5900 SALTY DOG CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-2198

18 WEST VIRGINIA HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES 1-800-795-7001 THE GREENBRIER (WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS) 1-800-453-4858 MARDI GRAS CASINO & RESORT 1-304-776-1000 MOUNTAINEER CASINO RACETRACK AND RESORT 1-800-489-8192 WHEELING ISLAND HOTEL, CASINO & RACETRACK 1-304-232-5050

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