Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations │ March 2023

ON THE COVER

4 Slot Floor Spotlights: Regional Round-up

Check out some of the top slot floors and what goes into making them great.

IN THIS ISSUE

ARTICLES & EDITORIAL

2 Casino Scene: Hot Happenings at Our Preferred Properties

Get the scoop on what’s happening at our preferred properties around the region.

12 Top Slots: 7 Smart Plays

Be on the lookout for these slots with High RTP and Bonuses.

14 Queens of the Kentucky Derby:

A look back at the three fillies to have won the Kentucky Derby.

16 Casino Strategy: Blackjack Basics

Get the basic overview on one of the most popular games in the casino.

20 Sports Betting: Moneylines and Halftime Spreads

CASINO SCENE

HOT HAPPENINGS AT OUR PREFERRED CASINOS, RACETRACKS AND MORE.

(Coastal Mississippi) As the website says, “When you visit The Secret Coast, you will be met with warm welcomes and 62 miles of shoreline dotted by unique coastal communities.” This is a perfect description of the Southern destination loaded with casinos, great golf, restaurants and more. Get more information about the area and other events and entertainment at GulfCoast.org.

(D’Iberville, MS – Gulf Coast) Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort – If you are looking for a premier Gulf Coast resort with stunning views, decadent dining and great gaming, look no further than Scarlet Pearl. Regular casino promotions include $20 free slot play for new members, Tuesdays and Wednesdays swipe your card after earning 150 points for various prizes including slot play and comp dollars and Friday and Saturday offers more swipe and win opportunities after 100 points are earned. For more information, call 1-888-752-9772 or visit ScarletPearlCasino.com.

(Vicksburg, MS) Ameristar Casino Hotel - Ameristar is committed to creating a magical experience for every guest, and that goes for their room rates too. In addition to AARP, AAA and other discounts, the property also honors a “Best Rate Guarantee” that ensures you will get the best possible rate when you book your room and if you happen to find a lower rate within 24 hours of making your reservation, they will happily match the rate. Plus, don’t miss great live music weekly in the Bottleneck Blues Bar with a seating capacity of 300 and regularly hosts great rock, blues, country and bands. For reservations and more information, call 1-601-630-3786 visit AmeristarVicksburg.com.

(Tunica, MS) Hollywood Casino Tunica – Get a taste of the glitz and glamor of the stars at Hollywood Casino Tunica. After checking out the amazing collection of memorabilia around the property, guests can enjoy the award-winning Fairbanks Steakhouse for one of the best dining experiences in the region and then stay in a 5-story tower overlooking the casino floor or the 8-story tower next to the largest indoor pool in Tunica. When it’s time for casino action, Hollywood Tunica has you covered with over 1,000 slots, almost twenty table games and a sportsbook to get in on the action for the biggest games. For more information, call 1-800-871-0711 or visit HollywoodCasinoTunica.com.

(Philadelphia, MS) Pearl River Resort: Silver Star & Golden Moon Hotels & Casinos – Located just over an hour from Jackson, Mississippi, Pearl River is a casino resort that will give you all you want, and more! Pearl River boasts two of the premier gaming experiences in the South with Silver Star and Golden Moon. Together they offer ten dining options, a spa, pools, a water park and of course, great gaming action. The resort is also home to two of the best golf courses in the country, with The Oaks and The Azaleas located at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club. The property is regularly bringing in top entertainment as well, including Trace Adkins (March 4) and Ginuwine (April 15) so keep an eye out on the website for announcements. For more information, call 1-866-447-3275 or visit PearlRiverResort.com.

(West Memphis, AR) Southland Casino Hotel – Boasting the newest hotel in the South, Southland is the place to be when you are ready to play, and stay, in luxury. From the enormous gaming floor to the eight dining options ranging from the elegant Ignite Steakhouse to the ultimate buffet experience at The Kitchens, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Southland. Also, the Mr. Popularity $180,000 Drawings return Saturdays in March where five guests win $500 per hour, and chose five more to win $100, and don’t miss Senior “Wins-Days” for $10 off lunch at three of their restaurants. For more information call 1-800-467-6182 or visit SouthlandCasino.com.

(Mount Pleasant, MI) Soaring Eagle Casino Resort – Soaring Eagle Casino Resort is the ultimate place to have a winning time; and with good reason, as it is home to Michigan’s largest gaming floor! Whether you love playing for triple sevens or putting on a mean poker face, you can really win big with one of the state’s largest collections of slot machines and table games Plus, don’t miss headliner entertainment with Larry the Cable Guy (March 5), Kool & The Gang (March 18), REO Speedwagon (March 25), Jordan Davis (April 7) and Alice Cooper (April 28). For information, and reservations, call 1-877-232-4532 or visit SoaringEagleCasino.com.

SLOT FLOORSentations

Best Places to Play and Trends on the Floor

When it comes to casino games and offerings, slot machines and video poker machines are at the top of the list for both popularity among players, and revenue for the house. With some casinos dedicating over 90% of their gaming floor to machines, it is important for them to offer game variety, exciting promotions, and lucrative incentives to keep players entertained and regularly coming back. We are excited to highlight some of our favorite properties from around the region and find out how each of them is unique and dedicated to their guests.

(Mount Pleasant, Michigan)

1-877-232-4532

SoaringEagleCasino.com

Number of machines/games: 2,899

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years?

(What’s hot...what’s not?)

We are seeing a lot of players gravitating more toward electronic table games lately and are excited to accommodate that trend as needed.

What percentage of your casino floor is dedicated to slots and/or video poker machines? Reel and Video Slot Machines account for 90% of our floor and Video Poker games and Electronic Table games combined account for about 10% of our floor. Every year we add more video reel slots and reduce our physical reel slots as well as the Video Poker machines but we are adding more Electronic Table games.

Soaring Eagle Casino Resort

Soaring Eagle Casino Resort

Is the set-up of the casino in place for a reason and how often do you change the layout? The gaming floors at our main casino and at the Slot Palace, located across the street, are designed to offer endless gaming options. We don’t mean to brag, but we have one of the largest gaming floors in the state of Michigan and offer guests all types and denominations as well as table games, poker and bingo. We typically change our floor layouts on a weekly basis to keep things fresh for guests.

How do you come up with your slot promotions and which ones do customers like the most? We have had a lot of success with monthly slot tournaments where our guests can go head-to-head with other slot players for a chance to win big cash prizes and free play (Premium Play). Our players always love big cash and car giveaway promotions, but they also seem to like promotions where they can earn and win free play (Premium Play) that can be used in any of our slot machines.

What are some of the differences between slot players and video poker players? Both games offer a different experience for players and usually have a different type of dedicated player base. Video poker players are more skill-based gamblers and are typically more of a patient gambler willing to play longer skill-based gaming sessions to meet their gambling expectations. Slot players are typically looking for more excitement and are accustomed to shorter gaming sessions and like to move around more often between their favorite games. Slot players are also looking to have a more dynamic

ever changing game play experience when they are playing and likely why they gravitate towards playing more video reel slots over the classic physical reel slots. Video reel slots offer many more in game bonus features than your average reel slot game. Players who love playing video slots find that the bonuses keep them highly involved with the game they are playing and expect their gaming sessions to have many in game bonus round entries.

What are some exciting things happening at the Soaring Eagle? We are excited about rolling out new slot machines to our gaming floor as well as the announcement of our newest dining option, Ruth’s Chris Steak House opening this spring. It is going to be fantastic!

decline in video poker players over the last 5 years, so we tend to adjust the percentage accordingly.

Is the set-up of the casino in place for a reason? And how often do you change the casino floor layout? We have moved some games off the gaming floor and added spacers in between the games. Guests have given us great feedback on this as it gives them more space to put their beverages and handbags. This has also increased the sightlines of the casino floor and really opened things up so that people can view the memorabilia like Slash’s boots (from Guns and Roses) or Sammy Davis, Jr.’s pipes. We also have the table games pit running down the center of the gaming floor that features a ceiling with guitar frets. We are constantly updating the casino layout as we add new products throughout the year. We try to keep it fresh for our customers.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Sioux City, Iowa)

1-844-222-7625

HardRockCasinoSiouxCity.com

Number of Machines/Gaming: 658

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? It seems to be ever changing but we continue to see Dragon link from Aristocrat remain a popular game on the gaming floor. I would say that we have been seeing a steady

How do you come up with your slot promotions? And which ones do customers like the most? We are often looking for what is new and trending and try to incorporate those things into our promotions. Our guests love Free Slot Play so you will see a lot of promotions featuring that as part of the incentives and prize structure.

What are some exciting things happening at Hard Rock in the coming months? The Battery Park concert series recently announced Foreigner: The Greatest Hits Tour coming on May 13th. They have already announced their Farewell

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Tour so this could be the last time those in the Midwest will get a chance to see them live. We will be announcing more concerts at Battery Park soon so stay tuned!

Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort

(D’Iberville, Mississippi – Gulf Coast)

1-888-752-9772

ScarletPearlCasino.com

Number of machines/games: 825

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? What’s hot...what’s not? HOT trends seem to include multidenominational games that give players betting options without changing machines. We have games that allow players to choose a bet that fits their budget ranging from $.50-$50 and still enjoy their favorite game. Additional HOT trends seem to align with games that allow the player to win the top progressive award while betting the minimum bet. Old school games required you to bet max to win the progressive, with a lot of the newer games that is no longer true. What is NOT HOT are old-school 3-coin machines with no bonuses.

comfort level of the guests. If we notice a lot of people are playing in one area and it is becoming congested; we will modify the area so everyone can enjoy their machine comfortably. We also take guests comments seriously when deciding on changing the floor layout. As far as placement of the slots, tables and different denomination games, we want our players to find their perfect game in the perfect location that is right for them; whether it is a cozy corner or watching the game on the big screen, we want to offer it to them.

How do you come up with your slot promotions and what promotions do customers seem to like the most? Guests enjoy the slot point multipliers, and they can be packaged in different ways; flat like 3X across the board, multipliers by Tier, Mystery Multipliers and more. So, we test out different promotions using those. Customers love the large Free Slot Play Giveaways, and it is really rewarding watching the grand prize winners’ facial expressions when they win!

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg (Vicksburg, Mississippi)

1-601-630-3786

AmeristarVicksburg.com

Number of machines/games: 1,000

How often does your casino floor layout change? And is the layout in place for a reason? We will change the layout based on the

What tips can you give our readers about playing slots and video poker machines? Find the denomination and bet range that falls within your gambling budget; then find the lowest progressive amount as they theoretically hit more often than the higher progressive amounts. And, lastly, before you play on any new machine, always read through the game rules.

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? Customers seem to be gravitating toward the cohesion of virtual gaming and real-time gaming. The ability to play games even offsite through social gaming features, such as mychoice casino, is very appealing. New options on your mobile devices tend to elevate your gaming experience with features like our mychoice app and mywallet gives guests the opportunity to streamline their gaming even further while at the casino.

How much of your casino floor is dedicated to slots and/or video poker machines? We have all the popular table games, but slots and video poker games account for the majority of our casino floor. We keep some of our guests’ favorite slots that have stood the test of time, but we also continually update our games.

Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg

How do you determine your casino layout and placement of games? How often do you change the layout? Yes! Similar games are placed together for ease of navigation for our guests. More popular games tend to reside in the areas with higher traffic and then we have separate spaces for high limit games. Similar denomination machines are also grouped together for guests’ convenience. As far as changing the layout is concerned, we just changed it out late last year. The floor configuration fluctuates depending on the wants and needs of our guests. We listen to our guests and are always looking to bring in new games for peak customer experience.

How do you come up with your slot promotions? And which ones do your customers seem to like the most? We have a marketing team dedicated to brainstorming ideas to give our guests the best possible experience at Ameristar Vicksburg. We use social listening to gauge what our guests like and look forward to, and what promotions they find the most engaging. So far, we haven’t had a promotion our guests didn’t like, but they notably respond very well to our Hot Seats, point earning multipliers, and our social media giveaways.

What tips can you give our readers about playing slots and video poker machines? Always use your mychoice card! The rewards are beyond worth it, especially if you enjoy Free SlotPlay, free food, and a whole host of other rewards.

What is happening at the property in the coming months that you are excited about?

We hope you like Asian cuisine, because our new restaurant, Red Lotus, will be opening soon, and it is going to be amazing. In the casino, we are opening a themed gaming pit featuring fan-favorites like Baccarat that will be located where our previous poker room was. We also have some exciting, ticketed events coming up including a 90s themed glow party and a KISS Tribute band. We have also launched a mywallet feature, which is the first of its kind in the state of Mississippi. With mywallet, guests can completely cut out ATM fees, and can continue to fund their favorite games right from their mobile devices. We are excited about this next step in modern technology.

How do you come up with your slot promotions? What promotions or incentives do your customers like the most? We have slot promotions and slot tournaments that change monthly. Customers really like the promotions that involve giveaways of physical items, cash, or free play at the casino so that is what we like to offer them.

Are there any exciting things happening in the casino in the upcoming months? Yes…live horseracing continues here at the property through May 6. There is always added energy and buzz around the property when the horses are running so be sure to stop by!

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs, Arkansas)

1-800-625-5296 | Oaklawn.com

Number of machines/games: 1,500

How often do you change the casino floor layout? The casino floor changes as new games and new slots are introduced at Oaklawn. We try to review and change the layout to give customers a fresh look when new features and games roll out.

Hollywood Casino Tunica & 1st Jackpot (Tunica, Mississippi)

HollywoodCasinoTunica.com

1stJackpot.com

Number of machines/games:

1st Jackpot: 718

Hollywood: 701

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? We have seen more of the 1 cent games hitting the market and they seem to be popular with guests. Also, anything with the Buffalo line or Lightning Link are both popular as well.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

Hollywood Casino Tunica & 1st Jackpot

Is the layout of the casino in place for a reason? And how often do you change the casino floor layout? We tend to place the newer games near an entrance or a major walkway, so they are more easily seen and recognized. Different denominations are mostly grouped together making it easier for the guest to find the game they are looking for in the denomination they choose to play. Signage has also increased around the casino to make it easier to locate the games you are looking for. We also keep the lines of sight open making the table games area more accessible and easier to locate. We recently changed the casino layout at Hollywood and currently in the process of changing the casino floor at 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica.

What promotions or incentives do your customers like the most? Our guests love slot tournaments and interactive promotions that give them a great opportunity to win! New events and promotions are focal points for 2023. We bring a new level of fun for existing and new customers at the best places to play in Tunica - Hollywood Casino and 1st Jackpot!

What are some exciting things happening at the properties in the coming months?

We are excited to introduce a new Fairbanks Steakhouse menu soon as well as the opening of a new Food Hall this spring. We are also excited about a new restaurant called OG Bird opening at 1st Jackpot this spring, so come hungry, we’ve got you covered!

Pearl River Resort: Silver Star and Golden Moon (Philadelphia, Mississippi)

1-866-447-3275

PearlRiverResort.com

Number of machines/games: 2,436 at Silver Star and Golden Moon combined

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? Recently, we have seen guests gravitate to video style games with interactive bonuses. With that being said, we still have many guests who still love the traditional mechanical reel games too, so we keep those games around as well.

Is the set-up of the casino in place for a reason? And how often do you change the layout? Many years ago, it was common to have different areas of the floor dedicated to certain denominations. While that philosophy still may somewhat apply; our floors are much more diverse with different denominations and game types throughout. We are constantly making small changes to the floors and we are always analyzing the floor to determine what would best suit our guests.

Southland Casino Hotel (West Memphis, Arkansas)

1-800-467-6182

SouthlandCasino.com

Number of machines/games: 2,310 slot machines

What trends have you seen among slot players over the past few years? What’s hot and what’s not? While some of the classic themed games will always be popular, we constantly get feedback from our guests about what they like and do our best to deliver on those expectations. Recently, we have seen popularity with the Asian themes and bonus spin games, while the single line games are not really performing as well.

What percentage of your casino floor is dedicated to slots and/or video poker machines? Approximately 98% of our floor houses slot machines, which has occurred over the past few years with increased popularity of the latest games that we put on the floor.

Is the set-up of the casino in place for a reason? And how often do you change it? The layout of the casino is set-up with our guests in mind and to make it easy for them to find their games and comfortable when they play. We tend to group together similar themes and denominations to help accomplish this.

Pearl River Resort: Silver Star and Golden Moon Southland Casino Hotel

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7 TOP SLOTS: HIGH RTP AND BONUSES

By SHAWN WILSON

Slot Machines are exciting and sometimes more popular than other casino games because the thrill that comes with playing is unmatched. Hardly anyone can say no to the extra features and add-ons that make some of the slot games much more popular and enjoyable. What could be better than slots? Well, slots that are most likely to give us better chances of winning more money, of course!

To help you maximize all that slot games have to offer, here are some of the best land-based slot machines with high RTP (Return to Player) figures and bonuses.

Buffalo Grand by Aristocrat

The Buffalo franchise is known for creating great games, and this online slot is a recent release by Aristocrat. This five-reel slot has excellent animations and graphics, which places it high on the list of great slots with animal themes. This slot offers 1,024 ways to win, and it promises in-game jackpots and multipliers that could help you win big.

The free spin features are one of the best as it is highly lucrative and innovative. It has a Return to Player (RTP) of 94.85% and is available at many top casinos as it offers fascinating gameplay.

Rainbow Riches by Scientific Games

This popular video slot game developed by SG brings the Irish charm as its bright theme features a pot of gold and leprechauns. The game is really straightforward and easy to play; however, even advanced players cannot seem to get enough.

The Rainbow Riches

Slot Machine is one of the most sought-after slots for its amazing amount of bonuses and its extremely high RTP of 95%. While it does not offer free spins, the bonuses (Wishing Well Bonus, Pots of Gold bonus, and Roads to Riches Bonus) make up for it, including the really decent jackpot.

This five-reel slot offers players 20 paylines, and it has a cleanlooking interface that is not as cluttered as most modern slots. Winning the bonus games could also lead to a massive 500x jackpot. You should really try your hand at this real-money slot machine option.

Megabucks by IGT

This progressive slot game created by IGT is responsible for many of the largest wins and jackpots of all time. Think of it as a series of simple games with a massive progressive jackpot. This game has three reels and just one payline. It has very similar symbols that are typical for many slot machines like cherries, 7s, and bars.

The simplicity of the game is the reason why there’s no actual theme behind the game. While it would be more profitable if the symbols were matched on the single payline, players can still win even if they match the symbols and it’s not on the payline. All you need is to match the symbols and get your cash.

Cleopatra by IGT

This Egyptian-themed game named after Cleopatra, a queen, was introduced by IGT in 2005, and it remains just as popular many years later. It is really famous among slot players, and gives you a chance to win big bonus rewards that can be up to 10,000 times the original bet placed if you spot five wilds on the reels.

You get to roam the desert lands through the many bonus games it offers, and with an RTP of 95.03%, this interesting slot game has medium volatility, and great bonus features, making it attractive to a wide range of slot players.

just like the god, basically immortal, thanks to its many great features.

This slot machine has been attractive right from its launch day as it offers a fresh and unique feel as a progressive slot. It is an excellent choice if you’re looking to get a huge win and take home a lump sum of money.

Wheel of Fortune by IGT

The Wheel of Fortune slot line by IGT has been really popular since it was launched. It brings the feel of a real show as it has a bonus feature where multiple players can play a bonus round together. It has many slot fans and can be found in numerous casinos around the world. It comes in many variations, but the three-reel version stays the most played and enjoyed.

The five-reel version is also decent and measures up to the original one. With different wild symbols, players can land different winning combinations that would give you a boost to get five times your wins. Get the bonuses and exciting gameplay offered by Wheel of Fortune.

Zeus by WMS Gaming

With an RTP of 95.2%, this classic slot machine by WMS Gaming is a fan favorite. The game, named after the god of thunder, has its theme based on Greek mythology. It is a five-reel slot with 30 paylines and about 100 free spins in a bonus round. This slot is,

88 Fortunes

The 88 Fortunes slot machine takes you on a journey through the eastern parts of Asia with its awesome theme characterized by Asian-inspired symbols and lucky red background. With an RTP of 96%, the game has a high win potential, but it can be really volatile. It also has different jackpots, bonus rounds, and exciting free spins.

This five-reel slot with 3 rows and 243 paylines is a must-play. You’ll find that all that glitters in this game is gold — gold coins, gold junks, and gold statuettes. You get to maximize your odds the more credits you bet. It is a really attractive game, and it promises an exciting and unique experience.

Finally, from the list given, it is clear that slot machines offer a great deal of variety as the lists could go on and on. The perfect slot choice is majorly dependent on your preferences and what you’re looking out for. You might say, ‘different slots for different folks.’ In the end, the best slot machines are the ones you enjoy the best; however, for a pleasurable experience, you should give one of these slots a try. You never know unless you do.

QUEENS OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY:

A LOOK BACK AT THE THREE FILLIES WHO HAVE WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

by ERIC FLOYD

Thoroughbred Horse Racing is often referred to as the “Sport of Kings” and though many races reek of prestige; there is simply no greater prize than the Kentucky Derby. Contested at 1 ¼ miles beneath the famed Twin Spires of Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby (which is restricted to three-year old horses) has been held annually without interruption since 1875! In conjunction, it’s a little-known fact that over the last 148 years, only three fillies (a female horse aged three-years old or younger) have managed to become “Queens for a Day” by securing the “Sport of Kings’” apex accolade.

Now since “running against the

boys” at any level (never mind in the Kentucky Derby) is a dicey proposition at best as top rated three-year old “xx chromosome equines” are typically sent out to contest the Kentucky Oaks on that Friday which precedes the Kentucky Derby. As a result, only forty fillies in all of history (the last being Devil May Care in 2010) have retained an opportunity to “run for the roses”. Concerning this sparse assembly, none except: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988) are immortalized within the annals of “turf antiquity”.

Out of the forty fillies who have contested the Kentucky Derby, a total of six broke from the starting gate as the post-time favorite.

Correspondingly, only a pair of these top picks “lived up to the hype” and the first to do so was a chestnut-colored cover girl named Regret. A racer that had turned more than a few heads as a two-year old, Regret actually launched her career by bagging Saratoga Race Course’s three most prestigious juvenile races (i.e., the Saratoga Special Stakes, Sanford Stakes and Hopeful Stakes). One of only four horses in history to sweep the aforementioned gauntlet, Regret subsequently defeated fifteen foes in “gate-to-wire” fashion to acquire the 41st Kentucky Derby in her first start as a three-year old.

What “race-trackers” would classify as a “lukewarm favorite” (but a favorite nonetheless), Regret rewarded her

Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988)

All photo credits: Churchill Downs

loyal Louisville backers with a $7.30 win mutual (this price is based on a $2 bet). Along with being the first filly to win the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, the crown jewel of trainer James G. Rowe’s stable was likewise the first undefeated winner of the Kentucky Derby. Buried at owner Harry Payne Whitney’s farm upon her death at age twenty-two, Regret galloped off into eternity having never lost to another female race horse.

Considering her 13-1 post-time odds, it’s clear that the majority of “Horse Racing Nation” didn’t think that Genuine Risk would become the second filly in history to don the Kentucky Derby’s garland of red roses. Stalking comfortably from the saddle in 6th position as the field made their initial run through the lane, Hall of Fame jockey Jacinto Vásquez bided his time before he initiated a dazzling rally that landed him on the lead at the top of the stretch. Inside the final furlong (eighth of a mile), it looked as though Jaklin Klugman would inevitably wear down Genuine Risk, however, Vásquez somehow turned back this foe before he similarly thwarted the late closing Rumbo by a length.

On the heels of her unlikely victory, countless cynics starting spouting venom anent to how Genuine Risk would have been a “bridesmaid” at best had Codex been part of the Derby field. The back story here is that although he’d acutely impressed Thoroughbred Horse Racing’s west coast contingent with dominant victories in both the Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Derby, Codex (for a variety of reasons) had never been nominated by his connections to run in the Kentucky Derby.

In the end, Horse Racing Nation’s desired “battle of the sexes” wound up transpiring two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes and while Codex ($7.40) got the best of Genuine Risk by almost five lengths in the second jewel of Thoroughbred Horse Racing’s Triple Crown Series, this result was not without controversy. Ultimately drawing level with her main antagonist at the top of the lane, Genuine Risk then literally tasted both a cross body check and the leather tip of (rival jockey) Ángel Cordero’s whip. After lengthy inquisitions by both the stewards and the Maryland Racing Commission, Cordero was cleared of any wrongdoing to the chagrin of those who’d been pining to witness the first ever “Triple Crown bid” by a filly. Going on to gamely compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown Series, Genuine Risk subsequently ran second by two lengths in the Belmont Stakes behind a 53-1 “bomb” named Temperence Hill.

Seeing as how she had already “defeated the boys” in the Santa Anita Derby one month prior, Winning Colors was sent off as the 3-1 cofavorite (Private Terms) in the 114th edition of the Kentucky Derby. Logically inclined to snatch the early lead with his lightning-fast roan filly, jockey Gary Stevens eventually found himself with a seemingly insurmountable three length advantage as he passed the eighth pole (a vertical marker located one furlong from the finish line). Actually, coming home “on fumes” since she had set such torrid early fractions, Winning Colors ($8.40) nevertheless scraped together just enough intestinal fortitude to hold off

length.

Though exceedingly dramatic, the Kentucky Derby wasn’t the most exciting race that Winning Colors ever took part in. Facing off against the undefeated Personal Ensign six months later in the slop at Churchill Downs in the 1 1/8 mile Breeders’ Cup Distaff, trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ 16 ½ hand heroine again led by open daylight as she cleared the eighth pole. It wasn’t “déjà vu all over again” though for with the aid of a last second supernatural sprint, Personal Ensign got up in the shadow of the wire by what the Daily Racing Form would later chronicle as “a lip”.

In that most race-trackers (including yours truly) are obsessed with historical hierarchy, I thought it might be fun to conclude this column with a hypothetical 1 ¼ mile match race that featured our trio of Kentucky Derby winning fillies. So, because they both prefer to “be on the engine”, a logical scenario might consist of Winning Colors and Regret swapping blows early with Genuine Risk rating in third position some three lengths behind. The effects of a prolonged front-end duel would manifest as the field rounded the far turn and thus, Genuine Risk would draw even with her two tiring rivals near the eighth pole. Having gotten the “perfect trip”, Genuine Risk conclusively reaches the wire one length ahead of Winning Colors who in turn, holds off Regret by a long neck. All told, it’s an exquisite performance by those three fillies that make up the most select “feminine fraternity” in all of Thoroughbred Horse Racing!

CASINO STRATEGY: BLACKJACK BASICS

By TIM KOTOWSKI

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games played in casinos worldwide. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closest to 21 without going over and maintaining a value that is higher than the dealers value. However, to be successful in blackjack, it’s crucial to have a well-thought-out strategy.

In this article, we will be diving into the world of blackjack strategies, both basic and advanced. We will discuss the importance of understanding the value of cards, the significance of the dealer’s face-up card, and when to hit, stand, split or double down. Additionally, we will touch upon card

counting and basic strategy deviation, and provide tips for successful blackjack play.

The purpose of this article is to provide players with the necessary knowledge and tools to develop their own winning strategy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the information provided in this article will help you make the most out of your blackjack game.

What Is Blackjack?

The basic premise of blackjack is for players to get as close to 21 as possible without going over and obtaining a value that is higher than that of the

dealer. Cards are worth their face value, with the Ace being either a one or an eleven. All face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) are worth 10. In the beginning of the game, each player, as well as the dealer, is given two cards. All the player’s cards are face-up, but one of the dealer’s cards is face-down, injecting an element of uncertainty into the game.

Next, the player decides whether to hit (take another card) or stand (stay with the hand they have) after being dealt their initial two cards. The dealer will then hit or stand based on certain house rules that require them to hit if they have less than seventeen, and

stand if they have seventeen or higher. Some casinos allow the dealer to hit on a seventeen so be sure to check before you begin playing. If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, the player wins. If the dealer’s hand is closer to 21 than the player’s, the dealer wins. If both hands are equal, it is a push (tie).

The most important rule in blackjack is to never exceed 21. If a player’s hand exceeds 21, they automatically lose regardless of what the dealer has. This is called “busting” and it is the biggest mistake a player can make.

Blackjack also has several special rules that can be beneficial to the player if used correctly. One of these is “doubling down”, which allows a player to double their bet after being dealt their initial two cards. Another beneficial rule is “splitting”, which allows a player to split their two starting cards into two separate hands.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is at heart, a numerical game, and almost always has a correct move based on your count and the dealer’s card. When it comes to deciding when to hit, stand, split, or double down, the best advice is to follow the basic strategy charts. These charts can be found with a quick Google search for “blackjack Strategy Cards” and will provide clear recommendations on when it’s best to hit, stand, split, or double down depending on your hand and the dealer’s face-up card.

Split - If you are dealt two cards of the same value (e.g. two 8s), you should split them. The only exception to this being that you should almost never split 10s or 5s. Also avoid splitting 4s when the dealer has a strong card (8 or higher).

Stand - If the total value of your cards is 17 or higher, you should stand. The exception to this being if your hand is “Soft”, meaning that it contains an ace and another number. Ace + 6 is a soft 17, which you should always hit. It can’t bust, and most options either improve that hand or set it up to improve later. If your hand is a soft 17, you should hit. If it is 18 or higher, stand.

Insurance - Never take insurance, it gives the dealer a 6% edge in most games.

Advanced Blackjack Strategy

Card counting is an advanced blackjack strategy that requires a great deal of practice and dedication to master. It is a technique that allows players to gain an edge over the casino by keeping track of the cards that have been dealt from the deck. This method of counting cards allows the player to know what cards are left in the deck, and thus, be able to make better decisions about when to hit, stand, double down, or split.

Understanding basic strategy deviation is another important strategy for advanced blackjack players. This technique involves deviating from the basic strategy when the player knows that the odds are in his favor and that the house edge can be minimized. For example, a player may decide to deviate from the basic strategy and double down on a soft 17 if he knows that the deck is full of low cards. However, even in this situation you will need complete mastery to avoid making the wrong move. You should always double soft 17 against a weak dealer up card. (4-6).

Double Down - If the total value of your cards is 10 or 11, you should double down.

For now, here is a basic guide of what to do and when:

Hit - Whenever the total value of your cards is 11 or lower, you should hit.

Surrender - If the total value of your cards is 15 or 16 and the dealer’s card is a 9, 10, or Ace, you should generally surrender. Not all casinos offer surrender as an option. If you cannot surrender, you should hit.

Finally, when it comes to playing in a blackjack tournament, there are some additional strategies that players should be aware of. For example, some tournaments may require players to “buy in” with a certain amount of chips. In this case, the player should be sure to conserve their chips and only play when the odds are in their favor. Additionally, tournament players should be aware of the tournament rules, such as the number of rounds to be played, any betting limits, and the payout structure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to blackjack strategy, it is important to remember there are some common mistakes to avoid.

First, one of the most important mistakes players make is not sticking to basic strategy. Basic strategy is the optimal way of playing a hand of blackjack and is based on specific mathematical formulas that have been tested and proven to provide the best results. By not following basic strategy, you are greatly reducing your chances of winning.

Second, taking insurance is another mistake to avoid when playing blackjack. Insurance is a side bet that pays 2-1 if the dealer has blackjack, but as already mentioned, it is a poor bet for the player.

Third, it is important to not forget to split pairs when the opportunity presents itself. Whenever you are dealt a pair, you have the option to split

them into two separate hands. This doubles your bet, but it also provides you with a better chance of winning.

Finally, it is important to not be too aggressive with your bets. Although it can be tempting to double down or increase your bet when the cards are in your favor, it is important to always keep your bets within your budget. This will help ensure you don’t lose too much money and that you can continue to play for a longer period of time.

Go Out and Play!

There are several important strategies to consider when playing blackjack. Familiarizing yourself with the basic ideas of when to hit, stand, double down and split can help players significantly reduce the house edge. This is especially true when playing with a single deck. Additionally, understanding the various rule

variations and how they affect the house edge is an essential part of becoming a successful blackjack player.

Having a firm understanding of these strategies, however, is only half the battle. The other half is practice. It is important to be able to apply these strategies correctly in the heat of the moment. That is why it is essential to practice these strategies until they become second nature. This can be done by playing for free online or with friends, or even studying the paths of experienced professionals.

With the right combination of knowledge and practice, players can significantly reduce the house edge and improve their odds of success.

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