Southern Gaming and Destinations - November 2016

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AND WINTER GETAWAYS PAGE 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 VOL. 18, ISSUE 6 GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

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CASINO STRATEGY: WHAT NOT TO DO

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WILLIE NELSON

...ON THE ROAD AGAIN IN LAS VEGAS PAGE10 PLUS: TIPS ON BLACKJACK • CRAPS • HORSERACING • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, Florida, Alabama and the entire South!!

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LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc. PRESIDENT

G. Douglas Dreisbach

What a wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is a great time to catch up with friends and family, share old memories, and maybe even create some new ones. It is a special time when much is celebrated, cherished and appreciated and where tradition rings loud. This is also the time of year that brings out the best in everyone. Whether it is doing extra volunteer work, making an extra charitable donation or simply doing something nice for someone, nothing warms the soul like good deeds.

The casino industry takes great pride in giving back to various charitable organizations and their respective communities in which their customers and employees reside. Donations range in size from free rooms for silent auctions and events to monetary contributions adding up to millions of dollars collectively. In addition to donations, many casino property employees provide thousands of hours of service work helping make their communities a better place, a deed that often goes unseen and overlooked by many. These are real dollars and service hours going to real communities helping to meet real needs. Gaming & Destinations appreciates the effort of all of the properties doing their part in helping others, you all are awesome!

In this issue, we have several great articles ranging from Holiday Happenings and Top 2

| G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

Sporting Events to legends on the stage and winning tips. On the front cover, we are excited to have one of the greatest country music singers of all-time, Willie Nelson. A Texas native, Nelson has been on the road again and again since the sixties with hit after hit. His songs reflect America’s heartland and with his recent announcement of a five show stand at The Venetian in Las Vegas, he tops our list of legends that are regulars on casino stages everywhere. Other legends on the list that you might find at your favorite casino are Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka and Dolly Parton. Check out our full run down on page 10.

FOUNDING PUBLISHER

We also take a look back at the year in sports on page 14 with highlights ranging from memorable moments at the Olympics to saying goodbye to some sporting legends who leave the game a better place. In addition, we have our favorite authors showcasing winning tips to help you win more, and lose less, on your next casino visit.

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Also, don’t forget that the perfect gift for the special someone on your list is a membership to The Comps Club! For just $29, they will receive six-casino coupon packets and six issues of the magazine delivered straight to their mailbox!

Get more information at TheCompsClub.com or call us at 1-877-582-9478.

We hope you enjoy this issue and have a happy holiday season and remember, if you can’t be good…be lucky!

Larry Bisig LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Hill Harcourt CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd John Grochowski Phil Hellmuth, Jr. Henry Tamburin Becky Robison Frank Scoblete Terry Parrett Matt Willinger GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 e-mail: editor@gaminganddestinations.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the ever-growing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist gamers in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest.

Gaming and Destinations is published

for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly

by Gaming Media Group Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 2015 by Gaming Media Group Inc. 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 Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers.

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes

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

Cover photo courtesy of TheVenetianShockInk

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

10 Willie Nelson & Casino Classics: Willie and other top acts

RESORT HIGHLIGHTS & HOTSPOTS

22 Craps:

26 Hollywood Casino Tunica:

Profiles of Players

at casinos near you.

23 Blackjack:

FEATURE ARTICLES

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WINNING TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Tournament Tips

24 Video Poker:

Holiday Happenings and Great Getaways:

What’s in it for you?

Step into the Spotlight

28 Scarlet Pearl Casino: A Gulf Coast Gem Turns One!

30 Casino Directory: Our Preferred Properties & Attractions

25 Poker:

Don’t miss a beat with our top upcoming promotions and

Making the Correct Play

great places to getaway.

32 Sports Wagering:

14 Top Sporting

Future Odds on Major Sporting Events

Moments of 2016: A recap of the year in sports and some of our favorite moments.

18 Casino Confidential: A rundown of things you should

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never do in a casino.

20 $1 Million TournEvent of Champions Winner:

The biggest slot tournament in the world has a winner!

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9 6

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Find us on Facebook

@SouthernGaming G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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FACTS & FUN STUFF SIPS WITH GAMING & DESTINATIONS

DID YOU KNOW

1

?

HOW MANY REAL CHRISTMAS TREES ARE SOLD EACH YEAR IN THE U.S.? a. 15-20 million b. 20-25 million c. 25-30 million

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d. 30-35 million

We are all about staying warm when the temperatures turn cold and there’s nothing better than relaxing by a nice fire while enjoying a glass of something warm.

Whether it is hot chocolate, with a pinch of your favorite bourbon or coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream, you really can’t go wrong. Our recipe for this issue really kicks it up a notch, yet is simple enough to whip up in a pinch and enjoy on a cold winter evening. You can always ‘cheat’ and use instant hot chocolate, but the extra effort to make it using cocoa powder is always worth it! Enjoy!

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a. Hangout Day b. Festivus c. No Gifts for you Day d. Boxing Day

3

a. 1,149 feet b. 777 feet c. 2,351 feet d. 4,670 feet

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HOW MANY YEARS WOULD IT TAKE FOR A PERSON TO STAY ONE NIGHT IN EVERY HOTEL ROOM IN LAS VEGAS? a. 72 b. 158 c. 288 d. 201

IN NORTH AMERICA, CHILDREN PUT OUT STOCKINGS AT CHRISTMAS TIME. WHAT DO THEIR DUTCH COUNTERPARTS PUT OUT?

ANSWERS: 1.) d 2.) b 3.) c 4.) a 5.) c

CLASSIC COCKTAILS

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE MADE UP HOLIDAY BY FRANK COSTANZA IN THE SHOW ‘SEINFELD’ THAT HE CAME UP WITH IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF CHRISTMAS?

THE STRATOSPHERE IN LAS VEGAS IS THE TALLEST FREESTANDING OBSERVATION TOWER IN THE NATION. HOW TALL IS IT?

a. Wool bags b. Buckets c. Shoes d. Cups

KAHLUA HOT CHOCOLATE Ingredients: • 2 cups of milk • 2 tablespoons of sugar (add more for sweeter taste) • 1 ½ tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder • ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg

15

Number of years a Christmas tree grows prior being sold.

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• 1 ounce of Kahlua liqueur • Mini marshmallows • Salted caramel • Chocolate syrup Directions: 1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and nutmeg until ingredients are dissolved and warm throughout. Remove from heat and stir in Kahlua.

2. Pour mixture into coffee mug. Garnish with mini marshmallows and drizzle with caramel and chocolate syrup.

3. Sit back and enjoy!

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29%

100 Million

Percent of house edge the casino has over the player in Keno. Beware!

364

Number of medals won

by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. 23 of them are gold.

Number of sales for the best-selling holiday single, “White Christmas”

by Irving Berlin.

Number of gifts mentioned in “Twelve Days of Christmas” song.

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THE DOOBIE BROTHERS NOVEMBER 19 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $69*.

LOU GRAMM AND FOGHAT JOSH TURNER NOVEMBER 11 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $40*.

NOVEMBER 4 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $39*.

TRAVIS TRITT NOVEMBER 18 | 8:00PM Tickets start at $40*.

For tickets, visit the IP Box Office or order tickets online at IPBiloxi.com or Ticketmaster.com!

BRIAN MCKNIGHT NOVEMBER 25 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $40*.

LISA LAMPANELLI LIVE NOVEMBER 26 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $30*.

GOO GOO DOLLS DECEMBER 3 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $65*.

* Plus tax and convenience fees. Must be 21. All events subject to change or cancellation. See B Connected for complete rules and details. Management reserves all rights. Call 888-946-2847 for details.Don’t Let The Game Get Out Of Hand.

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| IPBiloxi.com

West Baden Hotel at French Lick Resort (French Lick, Indiana)

G R E AT C A SI N O GE TAWAY S A N D HOL I DAY H A PPE N I N G S by

A

s the holiday season and winter temperatures set in, we can all use a quick getaway to ease our minds. We are excited to unveil some of our favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of shopping and stress and remind you of great places to stay

and play. Casinos put a lot of effort into creating winter wonderlands for their guests to really feel the warmth and cheer of the season, and they also host great parties, promotions, shows and specials so make sure to cash in on the fun.

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi, MS)

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BECKY ROBISON

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi, MS) 1-888-750-7111 BeauRivage.com Featuring one of the most elaborate holiday decorations of any casino in the country, Beau Rivage fills their property with cheer as soon as you walk in the center atrium. This fantastic resort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast features one of the top hotels in the region, a first class casino with over 1,800 slots and dozens of traditional table games, a relaxing spa, eight restaurants, and golf at Fallen Oak, designed by the famous course architect Tom Fazio. You can even catch a Biloxi Shuckers baseball game at MGM Park across the street when in season.

What’s more, Beau Rivage is steeped in the holiday spirit every winter. Don’t miss

the Christmas Wonderland in the Beau Rivage Theatre from December 21-29 where you’ll experience on of the most delightful Christmas shows ever. The dazzling cast and high kicking chorus girls is ideal for the whole family. Tickets start at just $10.95 with room packages for $99 for two tickets and a room (Use code Holiday16) and discounted family four packs for just $40. The best part is that kids under 12 eat free at the Beau Rivage Buffet on the same day of the show! The property will also host free pictures with Satna at the buffet December 11-15 and 18-22 where kids will eat free at the buffet (with adult purchase) and other great holiday fun.

The fun continues in the Beau Rivage theatre with Donnie & Marie’s Holiday show on December 2, Martina McBride on December 10 and the Molly Ringwalds ringing in the new year. Lastly, don’t M Life Reward Members can earn $5 in Mistletoe Money for every 1,000 slot points earned from December 1-24 and the Winning Wonderland Giveaway offers guests a share of $500,000 in FREEPLAY and prizes including a new Lexus!

Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort (D’Iberville, MS) 1-228-392-1889 ScarletPearlCasino.com The Scarlet Pearl is the latest addition to the Gulf Coast casino family and with it brings gaming fun with an exotic flair to the area. The hotel contains 800 modern, well-appointed rooms, and the casino features over 1,350 slot machines and 45 gaming tables, including Roulette and Craps. For big spenders, there’s plenty of action in Pearl Cove, the high-limit room. For family fun, or some outside the casino action on the links, there are two challenging mini-golf courses at Lava Links Golf Club--not to mention a real erupting volcano! For empty stomachs, there’s a variety of world cuisines at the

Gold Strike Resort & Casino (Tunica, MS) Waterfront Buffet, along with gorgeous coastal views.

On sunny days, a dip in the Garden Oasis pool is a great way to relax, and during football season, there’s nothing like catching a game on the 144-squarefoot screen at PRL Bar. What more could you want?

IP Casino Resort Spa (Biloxi, MS) 1-888-946-2847 IPbiloxi.com The IP Casino Resort & Spa brings Vegas excitement to the Gulf Coast.

Their award-winning, 32-story hotel overlooking the Back Bay boasts over 1,000 rooms. Their 70,000-square-foot casino boasts over 1,700 slots and over 60 table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Four-Card Poker and Pai Gow. The IP partners with the Shell Landing Golf Club, where golfers will find more than 7,000 yards of scenic coastal geography.

And the luxurious thirty-two steak and seafood restaurant features the finest wine selection in Southern Mississippi.

The IP’s upcoming entertainment lineup is nothing short of stellar. Classic rock greats The Doobie Brothers play on November 19. Legendary R&B artist Brian McKnight sings on November 25.

And on December 16, “A Wynonna & The Big Noise Christmas” hits the stage, including a mix of holiday favorites as

well as Wynonna Judd’s biggest country smashes. What a way to ring in the holiday season!

Gold Strike Resort & Casino (Tunica, MS) 1-888-245-7829 GoldStrike.com The Gold Strike is the perfect place to flirt with Lady Luck. The 50,000-square-foot casino floor boasts over 1,400 slots and over 40 table games, including Caribbean Stud and Mississippi Stud--and the Gold Strike features the only smoke-free gaming area in Tunica. Wednesdays in November, don’t miss Fall into FREEPLAY, the $135,000 slot series.

After a long night of gaming, guests can relax in the stylish hotel, complete with such luxurious amenities as the Reflections Spa and a heated indoor pool.

Gold Strike offers several delicious dining options, including Pickle & Jam, known for its 16 televisions and its wide craft beer selection. Comedian Carrot Top will be cracking up audiences at the Millennium Theater on November 19.

Hollywood Casino (Tunica, MS) 1-800-871-0711 HollywoodCasinoTunica.com Step into the spotlight at Hollywood G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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Casino offers a combination of Southern hospitality and Hollywood glamour. In the casino, guests can try their luck at over 1,100 slot machines and 26 table games--or step into the Poker Room for some serious action. In the Hollywood Hotel, guests can stay in either a five-story tower overlooking the casino floor, or an eight-story tower overlooking the River Bend Golf Links and plains of Mississippi.

The Spa Around the Corner provides rest and relaxation, and the River Bend Links Golf Course offers priority tee times to Hollywood guests. Dine right on the casino floor at the Celebrity Grill, or go all-you-can-eat in the authentic film studio backlot atmosphere of the Epic Buffet.

Paragon Casino Resort (Marksville, LA) 1-800-946-1946 ParagonCasinoResort.com Laissez les bons temps rouler at the Paragon, which truly does have something for everyone. Guests can rest their weary heads in one of 500 upscale hotel rooms-or for those on the road, the Paragon provides a 200-space RV Park, complete with its own clubhouse and pool. Families can check out the daily live alligator shows, learn about the Tunica-Biloxi tribe from real native legend keepers, dive into the three indoor and outdoor pools, take a hike on the nature trail, or catch a flick at the Paragon Cinema. Once the kids are tuckered out, adults can step into the casino to enjoy over 1,000 slots and a variety of table games, including Mississippi Stud Poker and 3-Card Blackjack.

Guests can dine at several different restaurants, such as Roxy’s Diner, a 1950’s-style joint open 24/7. They can hit the greens at the Tamahka Trails Golf Club, part of the lauded Audubon Golf Trail. And don’t miss the acclaimed R&B singer Brian McKnight in the Mari Showroom on November 26.

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Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee, NC) 1-828-497-7777 Caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee Harrah’s Cherokee provides a dazzling gaming experience in North Carolina.

Hope you’re not afraid of heights--their 21-story hotel features over 1,000 rooms, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool.

Hope you like wide-open spaces--their casino floor spans an epic 150,000 feet, and contains plenty of slots along with over 100 table games, including Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette. The Mandara Spa offers guests a relaxing experience in the Balinese tradition, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House serves rich cuts of meat broiled in their signature style--cooked at 1,800° and served on a 500° plate.

Harrah’s Cherokee kicks off the holiday season on December 9 with the popular Irish show Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas.

Rising Star Casino (Rising Sun, IN) 1-812-438-1234 RisingStarCasino.com The Rising Star shines as much as its name. The hotel and lodge on the banks of the Ohio River contain nearly 300 rooms and an indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub.

Rising Star Casino (Rising Sun, IN)

The casino features more than 1,000 slot games including video poker and keno, along with a variety of table games such as Craps and Spanish 21. Catch stunning river views while you grab a bite to eat at the aptly-named River View Buffet, as well as on the Tim Liddy-designed, Scottish links-style golf course.

Beginning this month, Santa wiggles his nose, and the Rising Star magically transforms into the Christmas Casino!

Don’t miss holiday-themed slots and table games, a twenty-foot Christmas tree, animated winter scenes, and live reindeer at Santa’s stables. Come meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course, that most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph.

French Lick Resort (French Lick, IN) 1-888-936-9360 FrenchLick.com French Lick Resort is one of Indiana’s most spectacular gaming destinations.

Stay in one of two historic hotels--French Lick Springs, built in 1845, or the West Baden Springs Hotel, built in 1902--that contain nearly 700 elegant rooms between them. Gamble beneath the lofty ceilings of the 51,000-square-foot casino, where guests can enjoy 1,000 slots and 37 table games. If that weren’t enough, guests can also golf on multiple renowned courses, go horseback riding at the stables, or have some family fun at the bowling alley and arcade.

French Lick elevates holiday spirit to a whole new level. The tree lighting on November 18 features fireworks and a visit from Santa. Santa returns on select Fridays and Saturdays for the Polar Express Train Ride, November 4 through December 17.

Guests on the Polar Express will also find hot chocolate, gifts, and Christmas carols-pajamas are encouraged! The Gaither Vocal Band performs their Christmas Homecoming show on November 19, and guests can spend New Year’s Eve at two extravagant theme parties: “Fire and Ice” or “Festival of the Gods.”

All the fun you want, all in one place!

Vegas-style Slots and Table Games Over 500 Rooms and Suites Full-service Spa and Salon RV Resort with Cabins Seven Dining Options 18-Hole Golf Course World-class Shows Three Pools 3-screen Cinema Kid’s Quest Hourly Childcare Cyber Quest Arcade Free Wi-Fi

BEST

Poker Room Buffet Entertainment Casino Personnel

Ask about our hotel and RV resort package options.

Call 800-946-1946 or visit ParagonOffers.com.

ParagonCasinoResort.com 800-WIN-1-WIN • MARKSVILLE, LA

Restrictions may apply. Visit website for more information.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M | 9 Game responsibly. Need help? Call 1-877-STOP (7867).

Photos courtesy of ShockInk

W I L L I E N E L S ON A N D C A SI NO C L A S SIC S : DE CA DE S OF H I T S by

I

n today’s culture of disposable musicians, a performer whose career lasts ten years or longer can be thought of as an icon. Such is the case for Willie Nelson, who at the age 83 is still recording and is currently on a tour of the United States. His “Willie Nelson and Family” band appears regularly across the country and in Canada and in casinos everywhere.

Nelson began his career at age 13, when he decided that playing guitar and singing would be a better way to earn money than by picking cotton. Initially performing at

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TE R RY PA R R E T T

local venues like music halls and bars, by the time he reached his 20s, Nelson began his musical career in earnest. He traveled the northwestern U.S., returning to Texas, and eventually moving to Nashville in 1960. While it took a few years for Nelson’s singing career to take off, he made money and a name for himself by selling his songs to other artists. Quite a few of these became big hits, like “Crazy” that Patsy Cline turned into a country classic.

In the 1970s Nelson found his artistic voice. His pairing with Waylon Jennings

was the origin of outlaw country, the genre that would define Nelson’s career.

Outlaw country was a reaction to the overproduced Nashville version of country music, and would include collaborators such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. Ultimately this led to the country super group known as The Highwaymen, comprised of Nelson, Cash, Jennings and Kristofferson. They would go on to release three albums during the ten years they were active and etched their place in country music history.

From the mid-70s to the early 90s, Nelson

not only put out successful solo work, but also collaborated on some of his most wellknown songs, including “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” with Julio Iglesias, and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” with fellow outlaw Waylon Jennings. Nelson also appeared on TV and in movies, including “The Electric Horseman” and the lead role in “Honeysuckle Rose.”

Nelson’s fans also might remember that during this time, a storm was brewing that nearly derailed his career. In the mid-70s, he had some problems with an accountant and, in the confusion that followed, Nelson made some bad investments to try to recoup his losses. Unfortunately this led to an IRS issue to the tune of $32 million. The IRS seized nearly all of Nelson’s assets. Eventually the debt was negotiated down, some assets were sold off, and Nelson even recorded an album called “The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories” to pay off the remaining tax bill. By 1993, Nelson was back on solid ground, and focused on his music and other ventures.

In addition to his many Grammys, CMAs and ACMs, Nelson received the Kennedy Center Honors award in 1998. On May 27, 2016, he was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. It’s a testament to Nelson’s artistry that these honors continue to come in his seventh decade of performing. One can only hope that he continues to share his gift for many years to come.

Nelson shows no signs of slowing down.

He toured with his “Family” for most of 2016, playing casinos and theaters around the country. Dates included a stop at French Lick Resort in Indiana; his long-running “Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic” in Austin, TX, as well as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sioux Falls, SD, Caesar’s Windsor Casino and Casino Rama in Canada in September. He will wrap up the year with several southern stops including the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, LA on November 18, Silver Star Casino in Choctaw, MS November 19 and the Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, MS on November 20.

Also recently announced, Willie will take

over The Venetian in Las Vegas for five nights with his exclusive new show, “Vegas on My Mind” from January 28 to February 4. The show will include decades of hits from Nelson’s extensive career with a set list and production designed exclusively for the limited Vegas engagement. Fans can expect to hear legendary singles like “Always On My Mind,” “Seven Spanish Angels,” “Pancho and Lefty” and “On The Road Again.”

“Willie Nelson is such a legend of not just country music, but of American culture in general” said Bobby Reynolds, Vice President of Booking for AEG Live Las Vegas. “We are thrilled to have him on stage for five nights at The Venetian Theatre.”

Also in stores now is his latest book ‘Pretty Paper’, an uplifting story of the love, loss and redemption of a street vendor Nelson met in the early sixties and is the perfect read for the holiday season.

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t WillieNelson.com.

While Willie Nelson has certainly blazed the path for many other musicians to follow in his footsteps, there are other iconic names that regularly appear at casino venues around the country. We are excited to include a few of our favorites in this quick overview.

Photo Courtesy: AP Photos/John Rooney

Through all this adversity, Nelson has never forgotten his humble roots and has remained active in many causes.

In 1985 he co-founded Farm Aid with John Mellencamp and Neil Young in an effort to assist U.S. farmers facing hard times. Nelson has also been active

politically and very vocal in the effort to legalize marijuana. In light of the recent legalization in Colorado and Washington, Nelson has started a new cannabis brand, Willie’s Reserve, which he hopes will be a leader in U.S. legal markets.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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KENNY ROGERS Similar to Willie Nelson fellow country superstar Kenny Rogers has been delighting generations of fans, and for the past few years has found devoted fans in many casinos around the country.

Rogers began his recording career in the 1950s, but his status as a star began when he joined The First Edition in 1967. His success with the group, later known as Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, foreshadowed his later career success, and the crossover appeal of their music transcended the traditional country music label.

Rogers went solo in 1976, and had his first major solo hit in 1977 with “Lucille.” In short order, he released “The Gambler,” which produced the title hit song as well as the ballad “She Believes in Me,” “Coward of the County,” and “You Decorated My Life” from his album “Kenny.” Rogers was well known for duets top female artists, recording hits like “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton, “We’ve Got Tonight” with Sheena Easton, and “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer” with Kim Carnes. Rogers’ 120 million worldwide album sales puts him at the fourth all time spot on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Top 10, trailing only Elton John, Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley.

Rogers has been another indefatigable touring artist, and his annual Christmas

tours are highlights for his fans. In April 2016, Rogers announced that the upcoming tour would be his last.

Titled “The Gambler’s Last Deal,” the tour will run into 2017, and will include special guests Linda David and Charlie Worsham. The tour will stop at the Wind Creek Casino in Alabama, Thunder Valley Casino and Fantasy Springs Casino in California, Edgewater Casino in Laughin, Spirit Mountain Casino in Oregon, Emerald Queen Casino in Washington, Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa, and Hoosier Park Casino in Indiana. After his final U.S. appearance at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, on July 31, Rogers heads to Singapore, Thailand and other stops in Asia.

PAUL ANKA Another fixture on the casino circuit is recent Willie Nelson duet partner Paul Anka. Anka’s newest album, “Duets,” features a smooth reinterpretation of Nelson’s song “Crazy,” as well as pairings with musical legends such as Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Patty Labelle and Leon Russell. Anka wrote all of the songs on the album. Primarily known to his fans as a singer, Anka has also been a songwriter.

His hits include “Lonely Boy,” “Having My Baby” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” along with the song that put him on the charts, “Diana.” His two biggest additions to music history are arguably the immortal Frank Sinatra hit, “My Way,” along with one of the most recognizable tunes of all time, the theme song to “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”

Anka, who was born in Canada, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1990. Like Nelson and Rogers, he has occasionally worked in front of the camera, performing in TV shows such as “Make Room for Daddy,” “The Fall Guy,” “Kojak,” and even in cartoon form on “The Simpsons.”

His film work includes “The Longest Day,” “Captain Ron” and “3000 Miles to Graceland.” He was the subject of a 1962

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Canadian documentary, “Lonely Boy.” His current U.S. tour includes casino stops at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, Sands in Pennsylvania, Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, Turning Stone in New York, and Caesar’s in Windsor, Ontario.

DOLLY PARTON When you hear the name Dolly Parton, you know you are in for a treat. She is the most honored female country performer of all time raking in twenty-five RIAA certif ied gold, platinum and multiplatinum awards, twenty five songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts, forty-one top ten country albums one hundred and ten career charted singles and sales of her singles, albums, collections and downloads have topped $100 million.

Plus, her awards shelf includes eight Grammy ’s, t wo Academy Awa rds nominations, ten CMA awards and many more. She is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and has played roles in several movies including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. Parton is currently on her Pure & Simple tour visiting sixty cities in her first tour in twenty five years and features her biggest hits. Casino shows are scheduled for December 9th and 10th at WinStar Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

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G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

The city of Cleveland celebrates the Cavs first championship in 52 years.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock.

TOP SPORTING MOMENTS IN 2016: T H E G O OD, T H E B A D A N D T H E R E M E M BE R E D. by

A

s fans of sports, each year

Most career passing yards. Most passing

Lombardi Trophy. It was a tough game for

meant to be broken, success

yards in a season. Most wins. You name

the Broncos defense registered seven sacks

we are reminded records are

is earned through hard work and at some point, everything comes to an end. This

year was no exception as we saw some great icons of sports accomplish some

incredible feats as well as a few that retired or passed away. Here are a few moments from the year that we will cherish and remember for years to come.

PEYTON MANNING GOES OUT ON TOP Peyton Manning is, without a doubt,

one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Most career passing touchdowns.

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touchdowns in a season. Most passing

the MVP in a tough year for the MVPs, as

it and this guy has it. However, the big

and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

knock on Manning was always that he

stumbled under pressure. With only one

Super Bowl to his name, the argument

many made was that he struggled in the big moments. However, in Super Bowl 50, he knocked all of those narratives down for good, when his Denver Broncos, with

CLEVELAND DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE: Cavs break the

city’s 52-year championship drought

by beating the superteam Golden State Warriors

the number one defense in the NFL, took

Have we (maybe) seen the crowning

Panthers and their high-powered offensive

ever? That’s all we can ask ourselves

down MVP Cam Newton’s Carolina

attack. The game was by no means pretty, but, with help from the defense and

linebacker and eventual Super Bowl MVP

Von Miller, the Broncos took home the

moment of (maybe) the greatest player

after the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Lebron James at the helm, came back

from down 3-1 to defeat the 73-win

Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the

NBA Finals. However, despite Lebron’s

their retirements. Both players have more

a season by becoming not only the first

11.3-8.9-2.6-2.3 on 49/37/72 shooting),

on the court and will ultimately go down

400 in the midst of what was possibly the

Finals MVP and insane stat line (29.7-

two of his teammates stepped up in the big moments when he needed them to.

With the game tied 89-89, Kyrie Irving hit a dagger three pointer over reigning

MVP Stephen Curry and afterward,

Kevin Love, normally a weaker, slower defender, locked up the shifty Curry

on the perimeter, forcing a tough shot and eventual miss that guaranteed the

Cavaliers’ improbable championship. The trio now will most likely have to take on

a revamped Warriors squad who added

former MVP Kevin Durant to their already seemingly-unstoppable offensive attack in next year’s NBA Finals.

than their share of memorable moments in history as some of the greats. Bryant was one of the more electric scorers of all time, most memorably dropping 81 points on January 22, 2006 and 60 in his final game

ever, leading a forgettable Lakers team to

a surprising win. Duncan kept his team

always near the top, with his seemingly timeless play and rock solid demeanor.

One of the smartest players to ever play the

game, Duncan played a crucial role in the Spurs’ omnipresent success over the past

20 years. Both will undoubtedly be missed

by NBA fans across the league, but their impacts will last a lifetime.

person to hit 300, but also the first to hit greatest statistical season in history. With

company like fellow Splash Brother Klay

Thompson and triple-double machine Draymond Green, the Warriors were a juggernaut until they slowed down

significantly in the postseason. While

many will argue “it don’t mean a thing without the ring,” it is still incredible to see the Warriors and their record-breaking

season. Golden State added Kevin Durant

in the offseason, so the narrative now shifts to whether this team can top last season’s incredible mark.

GOLDEN STATE GETS 73.

THE DEATH OF THE GREATEST, MUHAMMAD ALI

WE SAID GOODBYE TO NBA GREATS

It was a packed year in the NBA, and

This past year we said goodbye to an

Amidst the triumph, the NBA also said

championship, they took home a fair

Muhammad Ali passed away at the age

goodbye to two top-10 all-time players

at the end of this past season, with most Kobe “Black Mamba” Bryant and Tim “Big Fundamental” Duncan announcing

while Golden State did not win the NBA

consolation prize: capturing the elusive 73 wins and the record for most wins in a regular season in the NBA. Steph Curry

set the record for most three pointers in

inspirational f igure for so many as

of 74. Ali grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and his passing sparked a world wide

celebration of life as his funeral procession made its way through the city paying

Michael Phelps dominates the Olympics in Rio. Michael Phelps dominates the Olympics in Rio. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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tribute to his most treasured landmarks. stolen when he was a child and began

ARNOLD PALMER ‘THE KING’ OF GOLF DIES AT THE AGE OF 87

through the ranks, with some of the most

When it comes to calling an athlete great,

more and more famous, all the while

That was evident when Arnold Palmer,

Ali turned to boxing after his bicycle was his love for the sport. As he ascended memorable boxing matches ever, he grew keeping the city of Louisville close to his

heart. However, more notable maybe are Ali’s contributions out of the ring as he

was a very vocal anti-war figure as well

it doesn’t always stop on their field of play.

‘The King’ of golf passed away just days

before the first tee shot at the 2016 Ryder

States victory. Palmer was a class act with a charming personality and professionalism on and off the field of play. He was a friend to many and role model for all. His name will live on in the hearts of so many lives that he touched as well as in the record books chalking up 62 career victories including including four Masters, two Open Championships and a U.S. Open.

Cup that would be an eventual United

as someone who took an active part in

the struggle for civil rights for AfricanAmericans and human beings worldwide.

MICHAEL PHELPS STRIKES GOLD AGAIN Once again, Michael Phelps comes away from the Olympics shining bright and

taking home hardware. Being portrayed as the most decorated Olympian of all

time, Phelps came out of ‘retirement’ at the prime age of 31-years old to claim

five golds and a silver bringing his total

to 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold.

He will adorn many top lists for years to

come and be the poster boy for the United States Olympians for ever.

U.S. WINS THE RYDER CUP! For the first time in eight years, America

won the Ryder Cup! The United States Ryder Cup golvers won the most important

team competition in men’s golf and did so

rather easily. Going back to 1005, the US had won the event just twice in the previous 10 competitions. This year was

different. The U.S. team opened the

competition with a big lead and dominated

play from there. The team led by Jordan Speith, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson entered the final day Sunday with a

three-point lead. The group finished the

competition winning 17-11 and posting

the largest Amercian margin of victory in 35 years.

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Arnold Palmer, ‘The King of Golf’, was a role model on and of the course.

The Candyman is back with an all new assortment of wondrous delights and magical surprises in Willy Wonka World of Wonka™. Featured on the triple-display Gamescape™ cabinet, Mr. Wonka will take you back to the chocolate factory with 24-reel expanded bonus games, a wide area progressive and mechanical bonus wheel.

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and all related characters and elements © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s16) © 2016 Scientific Games Corporation. Third party content used with permission. All rights reserved. This product may be covered by one or more U.S. patents or pending patent applications listed at http://www.gamingipnotice.com/patents.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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C A S I NO C ON F I DE N T I A L : T H I NG S YOU SHOU L D N EV ER D O! by

C

asino ga mes a re f u l l of judgment calls with what plays you should make sometimes.

Should a blackjack player hit hard 16? Yes, if the dealer’s face up card is 7 or higher, but not if it’s 6 or lower.

Should a Three Card Poker player match the ante with a play bet? Yes, if the hand is Queen-6-4 or better, but not with lesser cards.

But there are absolutes, too. And many of those absolutes are absolutely nots. Here are a few things you should NEVER do in a casino.

Never bet four coins in video poker.

On the first four coins, royal flushes pay 250 coins for each coin wagered. On the fifth coin, the jackpot jumps to 4,000 coins. The result: The house makes ALL its money on coins one through four, and

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JOHN GROCHOWSKI

gives something back to players on coin five.

3 and 4-coin wagers. The fifth coin gives part of that back to players.

Let’s use 9-6 Jacks or better where a full house pays 9-for-1 and flushes 6-for-1 for an example. With expert play and making maximum bets of five coins per hand, the overall return on the game is 99.5 percent.

There is nothing wrong with a shortbankrolled player betting one or two coins just to have a little fun at low risk.

But betting four coins gives the house its biggest profit. Never bet four.

But if we look at the five-coin wager as five one-coin bets, on the first coin we’re getting a 250-for-1 payoff on a royal flush, and our return is 98.4 percent. Same on the second coin, the third and the fourth.

But on the fifth coin, our royal pays an additional 3,000-for-1 to bring us up to the 4,000-coin total bonanza.

Never bet on any 7 in craps .

All the one-roll propositions are tough on your bankroll, with fast action and high house edges. Any 7 is the worst, at 16.67 percent. Still, some players like to use any 7 to hedge their pass line bets, partially covering their losses when the shooter rolls a 7 with a point active.

If you could isolate the payoffs on the fifth coin, you’d get back 106.2 percent.

Let’s say you have a $5 bet on pass, and decide to hedge with $1 on any 7. If the shooter makes the point, you win the $5 pass bet and lose the $1 hedge for a profit of $4. If the shooter rolls a 7, you lose $5 on pass but win $4 with a 4-1 payoff on

That’s how it is on all video poker games.

You lose a little with a one coin bet, with double, triple and quadruple losses for 2,

any 7, for a net loss of only a buck.

Sound tempting? Well, what if the shooter rolls any other number? Say the point is 5, and the shooter rolls not a 5, not a 7 but a 6. Or an 8. Or 11. Or any other number.

What happens? You lose your $1 hedge, and your $5 pass bet is still in action. Do you then bet a fresh dollar on any 7 and edge anew? You could lose that fresh dollar, and another, and another, and another before the pass bet is decided.

Still tempted? I’m not.

Really, this goes for any of the one-roll propositions in craps. Betting the next roll will be 2, or that the next roll will be 12, carries a 13.89 percent. It’s 11.1 percent on 3, and the same on 11. Any craps, a wager that the next roll will be 2, 3 or 12, also has an 11.1 percent house edge.

Most players get that. There are always a few, though, who think that if the dealer has a 5 or 6 up, that’s a “bust” card and it’s time to maximize wagers. The problem is that the dealer busts only 42 percent of the time with a 6 face up, and 43 percent with a 5 up. More than half the time, the dealer makes a 17 or better, and by splitting the pair, you’ve put yourself in a much worse position when the dealer doesn’t bust.

Splitting 10s is also a play non-card counters should never make, not even when the dealer has a so-called “bust card” such as 6.

When the dealer has a 6 up in a six-deck game in which the dealer hits soft 17, he busts only 43.9 percent of the time. That means when you split 10s and then a low card and stand on totals from 12 through 16, you lose 56.1 percent of your wagers.

I wouldn’t make any of them. You could bet pass and come bets at 1.41 percent and don’t pass and don’t come at 1.36. You can back any of those with free odds with no house edge. You could place 6 or 8 with a house edge of 1.52 percent.

You do better with better draws, of course, but the bottom line is that with 20 vs. 6, your average profit is 67.7 cents per $1 wagered. If you split the 10s against a 6, your profit drops to 50 cents per $1 of your original wager.

Why stray from those to make a bet like any 7, where your average losses are $16.67 per $100 wagered? If a craps bet must be decided in a single roll, you don’t want to make it. Especially any 7. Never, never, never.

With the split and the extra bet, you’re taking on more risk and win less money.

Don’t do it.

Never split 5s or 10s in blackjack.

If you have a pair of 5s, you have a twocard 10. That is a great start to a hand.

Split them, and you start two hands with 5 each --- a pretty bad building block. So why do it?

Never make roulette’s five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3.

There are dozens of options at doublezero roulette that give the house a 5.26 percent edge. There is one bet where you spot the house 7.89 percent instead.

Guess which one? Yep, if you make the five-number bet, you’re spotting the house an edge half again as large as

every other bet on a double-zero wheel.

If you want to bet on those numbers, make a two-number split bet on 0 and 00 and a three-number street on 1, 2 and 3.

Or bet all five numbers individually, or make some other combination of wagers on those numbers. Such methods get the house edge back to 5.26 percent. Just don’t lump them all together as a five-number bet.

Never bet ties in baccarat.

In a bet on the banker hand, you face a house edge of 1.06 percent. Bet on the player hand, and it’s 1.24 percent. Ties?

How does 14.4 percent grab you?

Ties come up a little more than once per 11 hands, buy pay only 8-1. Baccarat players who love their scorecards, tracking banker wins, player wins and ties, sometimes like to jump on the tie bet when it hasn’t hit in number of hands, figuring it’s due. It isn’t.

The time to bet ties in baccarat? The same as the time to bet four coins in video poker, or bet any 7 in craps, or split 5s in blackjack.

Never.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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T OU R N E V E N T OF C H A M P ION S® :

$1 M I L L ION GR A N D PR I Z E AWA R DE D

T

he slot tournament craze continues as the la rgest Slot tou r na ment i n t he world crowns another $1 million champion. The TournEvent of Champions® took place in September at XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas where 142 contestants from around the country competed for the ultimate prize. Players qualified by winning slot tournaments at respective casino properties across the country. Each qualified player received a trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas that included air fare, overnight accommodations, spending cash for food and more, not to mention a one in one hundred and forty two chance to win $1 million!

Following several rounds of a thrilling, elimination-style slot tournament, Lisa K. representing R i v e r w a l k Ca si no Hote l i n Vicksburg, Mississippi bested the rest of the competitors and was named the 2016 TournEvent of Champions® grand prize winner.

Presented by Everi Games Inc. and now in its fifth year, TournEvent of Champions is the gaming industry’s premier slot tournament competition featuring a championship round with $1.3 million in total cash prizes.

In addition to claiming the $1 million grand prize, Lisa K. also received a TournEvent of Champions championship ring, and a cruise for two on Norwegian Cruise Line®. “We were very excited for Lisa having the opportunity to participate in the TournEvent of Champions.”

Commented Steve Reynolds, Sr. Director of Marketing at Riverwalk. “We were all ecstatic upon receiving the news that she won and our players are already looking forward our slot tournaments and the chance to qualify for the next year’s TOC.”

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Rebranded as The Million Dollar Event™ in 2015, this year’s TournEvent of Champions campaign included 89 casinos from across the U.S., Canada, and Peru, and saw more than 200,000 players participating in qualif ying

excitement and enthusiasm, which helped make this a truly memorable event.”

T he To u r n Ev e nt of Ch a mpion s phenomenon continues to grow in popularity and was a huge success in 2016 that involved a dedicated event team at Everi as well as from the participating casinos, and at Wynn/ Encore.

“TournEvent of Champions is a true team effort and the help of our casino partners and generous sponsors truly make our flagship event the success it is,” said Linda Trinh, Everi Vice President of Marketing & Promotions. “It’s been another outstanding year and we’re already in the planning stages for the 2017 campaign, which will culminate in Las Vegas where we will once again award a $1 million grand prize to one lucky slot player.”

As a precursor to The Million Dollar Event in Las Vegas, the third annual TournEvent for Charities celebrity slot tournament took place at Everi’s booth at the annual industry trade show, Global Gaming Expo®. The event featured 24 celebrities— including Penn & Teller, Carrot Top, and Robin Leach—

slot tournaments to earn a spot at the championship in Las Vegas.

“Our casino partners do an incredible job hosting the TournEvent of Champions qualifying events during the year and we were extremely pleased with the high level of competition from this year’s finalists,” said Michael Rumbolz, Everi President and Chief Executive Off icer. “Our congratulations go out to Lisa K. from Riverwalk Casino Hotel and we’d also like to thank all our 2016 TournEvent of Champions finalists for their never-ending

competing in a fun-filled slot tournament on behalf of their favorite charities. In the end, Fenn Cross, VP of Operations at Southern California Gaming Guide, c la imed v ictor y a nd t he $10,0 0 0 winner’s check on behalf of his charity, Promises2Kids. The remaining charitable organizations selected by the participating celebrities were winners in their own right, sharing in the $40,000 total contribution made by Everi.

For mor e i n for m at ion a b out TournEvent of Champions, visit www.tournevent.com.

A MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE Congratulations to Lisa from Riverwalk Casino Hotel who emerged victorious – and $1 million* dollars richer – as the grand prize winner of the 2016 TournEvent of Champions® Championship in Las Vegas! Lisa edged out more than 250,000 entrants from 89 casinos to become our second-ever $1 million* grand prize winner!

The journey to The Million Dollar Event™* in 2017 promises to be bigger and even more exciting as we search for our next champion. Could it be you?

Arrive a Winner. Leave a Legend.

everi.com

*The One Million Dollar Grand Prize awarded using periodic payments over 20 years or in a lump sum, present day cash value payment.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

21

PLAYER STRATEGY

CRAPS: Confessions of a Crazy Crapper Craps has a cornucopia of bets, ranging from the truly awful to the quite good in terms of the house edges. There are any number of ways you can bet the 11 numbers at the game (those 11 numbers being 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). Some of these ways have low house edges and some --- you guessed it! --- have high house edges and some --- you probably guessed it --- have everything in between.

The best bets at the game are Pass and Come or Don’t Pass and Don’t Come. All of these bets come in with a house edge of about 1.4 percent (with the “don’t” bets coming in a fraction of a percentage point less).

But many players, indeed a majority of players, are not satisfied with just betting the best bets because they want “action” and such action players will throw out chips on horrible bets in the 9 percent to 16.67 percent range. These bets tend to have bigger payouts but those payouts cost the player more in overall losses.

David is a long-time craps player (30 years!) and he is what my mentor the late Captain of craps called “a crazy crapper” as he makes all the worst bets at the game. So why does he do such a thing?

“I don’t care if you call me a crazy crapper,” laughs David. “I am a crazy crapper that’s for sure. Just betting the Pass and Come is really boring. You bet those center prop bets [proposition bets] like Any Seven, the Hardways, the Whirl and the rest and you are on the line with the possibility of coming home with some serious bread.”

When I explained that the cost of his Any Seven bet was $16.67 per $100 wagered, it did not deter him. “Oh, I know the house edges, I’ve read the books. But none of the books understand why those bad bets are actually good bets for someone such as me. My aim for playing craps is the thrill of it all and that thrill comes with the idea of hitting it big. You bet the good bets and a shooter has to have a monumental roll to make you a lot of money. There are not too many monumental rolls waiting to happen.”

Lawrence shares David’s philosophy. “I am a true blue craps player in every cell of my body. I love the game and I crave the action and I want to see my money give me a chance for some big hits. There are no really big hits without betting 22

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by

FRANK SCOBLETE

the high house-edge bets. Pass and Come, even with a few times odds, aren’t going to do it. One hit on the 12 will pay 30 to 1. Now that’s a great payout. Put a hundred bucks on that and we’re talking big money.”

Unlike David, Lawrence is not interested in what the house edges are at the game. “Talking about this edge or that edge, come on man that is so boring. I don’t care what the house edges are, I want to play the way I want to play.” He laughs, “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

I think many craps players tend to share Lawrence’s assessment of craps. Most have no idea of the house edges on the bets they make or what that house edge means in terms of money lost over time. The more the house edge is on a given bet, the more (and quicker) you’ll tend to lose over time. That is an indisputable fact.

If you make a bet where the house edge is 10 percent that means you will lose $10 for every $100 you wagered on such a bet. Compare that to the Pass Line or Come bets where the house edge is 1.41 percent. For either of those two bets the loss comes to $1.41 per $100 wagered. The Any Seven bet comes in with an edge of 16.67 percent or $16.67 per $100 wagered.

The differences in the various house edges are enormous. The high edges are big dangers to players and can cost them dearly and can often nail them far sooner than playing the Pass, Come, Don’t Pass and Don’t Come.

Of course, action players can’t stay away from the bad bets; I know that, the players know that, and the casino managers know that.

Author Bio: Frank Scoblete’s new books are “I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps”; “Confessions of a Wayward Catholic” and “I Am a Card Counter: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Blackjack.”

All available from Amazon. com, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and at bookstores.

“THE BEST BETS AT THE GAME ARE PASS AND COME OR DON’T PASS AND DON’T COME.”

So are David and Lawrence winners? “No,” said David. “You can’t beat craps. I just play to have fun. My fun is the hope that I hit it big on occasion.”

“I have no illusions,” stated Lawrence. “I know I will lose but the journey is fun for me.”

There you have it from two crazy crappers. I don’t recommend their betting styles but it is their money and they can bet it as they wish.

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

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

BLACKJACK: Tournament Tips As the popularity of blackjack continues to rise, there are more casinos offering mini- and majorblackjack tournaments than ever. This column offers a guide to follow in your next blackjack tournament.

Henry Tamburin, Ph.D. is the author of the Ultimate Guide to Blackjack (http:// www.888casino.com/ blog/casino-guides/ blackjack/, editor of the Blackjack Insider e-Newsletter (www. bjinsider.com), lead instructor for the Golden Touch Blackjack course, and host of smartgaming. com. For a free threemonth subscription to his blackjack newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/ freetrial. To receive his free Casino Gambling Catalog, call 1-888-353-3234 or visit www.smartgaming. com.

“DON’T BE AFRAID TO DOUBLE-DOWN ON THE LAST HAND.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

1. Read the tournament rules.

When you arrive at the tournament and get your seat assignment, ask for a copy of the tournament playing rules. Carefully read them before the tournament begins. Be sure you identify and understand the following before the first round begins: • How much bankroll each player gets?

• What are the minimum and maximum bets?

• How many hands are played in the round?

• What the playing rules are, and what a winning blackjack hand pays (in many tournaments it pays 2-1).

•

Whether they have a countdown (meaning, do they stop play, count everyone’s bankroll and announce it, and if so, when does this occur?)

2. Always slide all of your chips at once into the betting spot.

In tournaments, you are not allowed to take a stack of chips in your hand and drop them one-at-at-a-time inside the betting spot (this is known as a “string bet”). If a player does this, the first chip to hit the felt inside the betting spot will be the player’s wager.

3. Do not converse with spectators.

In many tournaments, you are not allowed to talk to spectators, or communicate with them in any way, or you can be disqualified (and yes, I have observed players being disqualified from tournaments for doing this). In some tournaments, you are not even allowed to converse with your fellow players especially during the final round. You also cannot bring strategy cards or cheat sheets with you when you play, nor ask the dealer for advice on how to play your hand or how much to bet.

4. Determine your betting position on the last hand.

The first-base position rotates from one player to the next in tournaments. Depending on where the marker is on the first hand (indicating which player is betting first), mentally determine your betting position on the last round. For example,

suppose there are six players, you are in seat #2, 30 hands are played in the tournament round, and the player in seat #4 bets first on the first hand. This means on hand #30, the marker will be in front of player #3, who will be the first to bet, and you (in seat #2) will be the last to bet and the last to act. However, keep in mind that the order of betting on the last hand may change if a player busts out (i.e., losses all his chips). If the latter occurs, you need to recalculate where you will be betting on the last hand.

As a general rule, if you are going to be “on the button” on the last hand (i.e., betting and acting first), you need to bet more aggressively during the round so that you try to get the lead prior to the last hand (even if it means you must go all in on the next-to-the-last hand). On the other hand, if you are betting last on the last hand, you have a big advantage over your opponents and you can bet more conservatively (at the minimum, you don’t want to be more than one max bet behind the leader going into the last hand).

5. Bet opposite the leader.

In the early rounds, if you are behind in chip count, bet opposite the leader. If he bets small, bet big, and vice versa.

6. Match the bets of your opponents if you have the lead (known as correlating).

If you are the chip leader and betting last, match the bets that your opponents make in efforts of making it more difficult for them to pass you (if all the players win their hand, or all lose their hand, you maintain your lead).

7. Don’t be afraid to double-down on the last hand.

Play every hand with the basic playing strategy, except possibly the last hand. If winning your last hand will not get you the lead in chip count, then you should double-down regardless of what cards you hold.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

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PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: What’s in it for you?

Life is about getting something for something or “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”, aka quid pro quo. That’s an axiom well-understood in the gaming industry. Here are some tips to keep in mind regarding what’s in it for you when determining the casinos that get your VP (video poker) business.

1. Pay Table Cost: Sure you may want free show tickets, but is that as important as playing games with better pay tables? To put this in better perspective let’s say you choose a casino with 8/5JOB (Jacks or Better) over a casino with 9/6JOB. If you’re just playing quarters at $1.25 per hand and play 800 hands per hour it means you’re running $1,000 an hour through the device.

Here’s the math comparing 9/6JOB with 8/5JOB on a quarter machine; if you’re playing dollars multiply each by 4.

9/6JOB: Cost per hou r of play : $1,000x.995439=$995.439 (Your Return) or a loss of $4.56 per hour (Rounding to nearest cent) 8/5JOB: Cost per hour of play: $1,000x.972984=972.984 (Your Return) or a loss of $27.02 per hour So now you must ask yourself if the show tickets are worth $22.46 per hour of play. If you’re playing a dollar machine then it’s costing you $89.84 per hour.

Table 1.1: 9/6 and 8/5 JOB Hand/ 5-Coin Bet

9/6 JOB

8/5 JOB

Royal Flush

4000

4000

Straight Flush

250

250

4 of a Kind

125

125

Full House

45

40

Flush

30

25

Straight

20

20

Three of a Kind

15

15

Two Pair

10

10

Jacks or Better

5

5

Expected Return

99.5439%

97.2984%

Variance

19.51468

19.32326

24

| G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

by L I N D A

B OY D

2. Relevance: Perks that you can’t or won’t use are irrelevant. For example, if you’re entitled to free rooms but are a local preferring your own bed then don’t even consider that benefit in your evaluation. The same is true of food comps if you don’t like their food.

3. Cash Versus Free Play: Casinos love giving you free play instead of cold cash, but is it really just as good? The obvious answer is, of course not. However, there are still shades of differences in the “free play” offer. Some, for example, limit it to certain devices that more heavily favor the house while others have a time limit before it’s purged. Consider the limitations on free play before selecting a casino.

4. Card Levels: If all other things are equal, you should still narrow your casino choices to one or two rather than spreading the wealth.

That’s because most casinos have card levels and the higher the level the greater the perks. In fact, if you’re not a frequent player you’re better off playing at just one local casino than two. Also, my sister and her husband always play on one card at each of two Atlantic City casinos, a good idea.

They end up getting free rooms at both Harrah’s and the Borgata as a result.

5. Promos: Recently a local casino had a Viva Las Vegas promotion that drew very few people; that’s because only one winner per hour was drawn. If two casinos offer the same VP games and similar perks then their promotional events can make the difference. Once in a while a casino will have a sign over a group of VP machines excluding it from both card points and promos.

I can understand the points but not the drawings.

Final Thoughts: Quid pro quo, a given in political circles, is now becoming an expectation in the casino industry as well. As a smart player it’s up to you to analyze the offers and understand the fine print. Also, keep in mind that you’re not married to a casino so if they downgrade their perks you can and should take your business to the house down the road.

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, writes for “Southern & Midwest Gaming” as well as several other magazine and web-sites.

You can hear her insightful interviews are on iTunes. In addition, Boyd’s book, “The Video Poker Edge”, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games.

The latest edition is available from amazon.com, Square One Publishers and book stores. Kindle edition now available.

“LIFE IS ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING FOR SOMETHING OR “YOU SCRATCH MY BACK AND I’LL SCRATCH YOURS”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

PHIL HELLMUTH JR.

Phil Hellmuth Jr. is a 13-time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world. He is the author of two New York Times best sellers, and his latest book, “Deal Me In” is also widely popular. Visit PhilHellmuth.com to check out his latest blog, clothing line and exclusive poker tips and stories. This tip column is an excerpt from his Best Selling book “Phil Hellmuth’s Texas Hold’em” found on Amazon and in bookstores around the world.

“POT ODDS SAY, “CLOSE YOUR EYES AND CALL”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

POKER: Making the Correct Play Here is a familiar situation, involving Jim (the jackal) and Jerry (unknown profile). You have J-J and you have made it three bets over the top of Jim’s two bets (re-raised) before the flop. Jerry calls you from the big blind, and the flop is A♦10♠-4♦. Jerry bets out on the flop, Jim calls the bet, and you raise it, to find out what they really have. Both players call your raise, and then 6♠ comes off on the turn and they both check to you. You bet out, thinking your J-J is still the best hand, and they both call again.

The last card is K♦, for a final board of A♦-10♠4♦-6♠-K♦. Jerry bets out and Jim calls. The K♦ was probably the worst possible card for your hand, other than 10♦, because now you can’t beat a flush, a straight, or a pair of kings. Jerry probably has you beaten, but how about Jim? It looks to me as if Jim has you beaten here as well.

In this situation, I would put Jim on K-Q , which makes a pair of kings for him on the end. Think about it. If Jim has a flush, then he would have raised on the end. If Jim has kings and tens (another possibility, given the way the hand unfolded), then he would probably have raised on the flop himself, with his pair of tens. Whatever the case may be, it looks as if Jim has you beaten.

It is true that there is already $125 ($45 + $30 + $30 + $20) in the pot, so you need to be over 92 percent sure that you are beaten before you decide to fold. But given this situation, I would have to fold, because I would be convinced that both players had me beaten. Both players expect you to call on the end, and the chances that both of them are trying to bluff you therefore seem very remote to me.

Now suppose the last card is 6♣, for A♦-10♠4♦-6♠-6♣, and now Jerry bets out into you and Jim folds. This bet would seem very suspicious to me, and I would call it very quickly. I would be thinking, “Why did Jerry decide to bet right here and now? I don’t think the six helped him, so he’s either bluffing or holding an ace.” If I am facing an either-or situation and getting this kind of pot odds, I’m going to call without hesitation.

Now let’s suppose again that the last card is 6♣, for A♦-10♠-4♦-6♠-6♣, and now both opponents check to you. Do you bet here or check? If you bet here, you have to be hoping that either Jerry or Jim will call you with a pair of tens or worse.

I wouldn’t be worried about Jim in this case, but Jerry would concern me a little bit. (Could Jerry have an ace with no kicker, like A-2, A-3, or A-5, which would explain why he just called on the flop?) This “value bet” that you are considering making (a bet you make believing that it will earn slightly more than it will lose, over the long run) is one that needs a little bit of reading ability as well (a little finesse). If you decide to bet, then that is fine; if you decide to check, that is fine too. I would bet it myself unless I felt strongly that Jerry had me beaten.

Pot Odds Say, “Close Your Eyes and Call” Suppose you are holding K-K, and you three-bet an elephant before the flop. The flop then comes down 5♦-6♠-7♥, and now you make it four bets (a raising war on the flop). The next card off is 10♠ and he checks and then calls your bet. Now 8♠ comes off on the river, for 5♦-6♠-7♥-10♠-8♠, and the elephant bets out into you. In this case, any four or nine makes a straight, but you call the bet quickly because you can still beat a lot of hands. The pot odds are heavily in your favor for a call here- there is already $7 from the blinds that folded, $30 from before the flop, $40 on the slop, $20 from fourth street, and $10 from the elephant’s bet on the end. One $10 call to win $107! I’d call quickly as well. Even if the A♦ comes off on the river, for 5♦-6♠-7♥-10♠-A♦, and the elephant bets out into you. I’d call quickly here as well, because of the pot odds (there is a lot of money in this pot).

Calling Two Bets on the River The question here is whether or not you should call on the river when calling costs you two big bets. In general, when you have to call two bets (someone bets and then someone else raises) on the river in a Hold’em pot, it is usually a good idea to fold. Usually, the only hands that you can beat on the end, when it costs you two bets just to call, are bluffs. You will rarely see an experienced player bluff raise on the river in low-limit Hold’em because it is just not a very profitable play. To return to a familiar example, assume the hand has been played out among Jim, Jerry, and you, as detailed above. When Jerry bets out into A♦-10♠-4♦-6♠-K♦ and Jim raises, it’s a good idea to exit stage left with your modest little J-J. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

25

PROP E R T Y PROF I L E : HOL LY WO OD C A S I NO T U N IC A S T E P I N T O T H E SP O T L IGH T.

H

ollywood Casino in Tunica,

Mississippi is a Southern

Gaming Certified property that

always offers a premium experience for their guests. Discover a place where all

that glitters is yours for the taking with unrivaled gaming action and delicious

award-winning dining. Plus, a luxurious hotel and full-service RV Park to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable.

This is a casino players paradise boasting over 1,100 of the latest and greatest slots,

more than 25 world-class table games,

and the hottest dedicated poker room around, all spread across a 54,000-square foot casino. The high ceilings in the

casino offers an open air feel and plenty of ventilation as well. Plus, there is never a dull moment at Hollywood as there 26

| G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

are numerous monthly promotions and

giving this dish the nod as a top pick!

giveaways, live music and more.

And, round out your meal with the

When you’re ready to take a break and grab

a unique twist on a traditional pecan pie,

some grub, live it up at one of the award-

winning restaurants, including Fairbanks

Steakhouse, voted “Best Restaurant”

TOFFEE CARAMEL PECAN PIE,

topped with an exquisite caramel sauce and toffee bits.

in Southern Gaming’s 2016 Readers’

If you just can’t decide on one thing, satisfy

mouthwatering steaks, succulent seafood

at Epic Buffet, or grab a quick bite at the

Choice Awards. Here, you’ll indulge in and a host of menu options that’ll take

your breath away! Customer favorites

your every craving and pile up your plate Celebrity Grill. There’s something for every taste at Hollywood.

include BAKED CRAB & PIMENTO

There are two hotel towers featuring

cheese and lump crab meat, baked into a

rooms that overlook the Mississippi

CHEESE GR ATIN ($16), pimento

pimento cheese crust, and a CHARRED

PORK TENDERLOIN ($28) served with sweet potato bourbon mash with a minted port reduction. The mash offers

great compliments to the flavor profile

recently renovated rooms and suites with

landscape and River Bend Golf Links as well as some inner facing rooms

overlooking the casino floor. Property amenities include an indoor pool with

an outdoor sundeck, the Spa Around the

Corner offering rejuvenating services and

preferred benefits at River Bend Links

Golf Course located right next to the property.

For all of the road warriors out there

boasting RV’s and trailers, take advantage

and giveaways. Plus, new benefits with their newest partner, Norwegian Cruise Lines. So sign up today – it’s fast, easy and free!

And, the latest and greatest way to earn

• 1,100 Machines

of the beautiful 123-space RV Park just

rewards is at www.HollywoodCasino.

• 26 table games

you need to feel right at home is provided

com. Play all your favorite Vegas slots for free on the mobile app or online.

• Live Poker Room

Games like Monopoly, Titanic, Quick

• 494 Rooms & Suites

steps away from the casino. Everything including electricity, water, cable TV, sanitary hookups, telephones, propane and

handicap accessibility. Plus, shower and

Hit Platinum, 88 Fortunes – there’s over

laundry facilities, and a picnic area with

50 games to choose from. And right now,

stunning golf course views are all located

Marquee Rewards members earn Tier

right on the grounds of the property.

Points with every purchase.

Hollywood also features Tunica’s “Best

So unleash your inner star and get to

Casino Personnel” with the awards to

prove it and everyone is treated like a star. For the ultimate in star treatment,

Hollywood. Enjoy all the blockbuster action, dining, golf, luxury and more at

• Indoor Pool w. Outdoor Sun Deck • Spa Around the Corner • River Bend Golf Links benefits • 123-space RV Park • Fairbanks Steak House • Epic Buffet

link your Marquee Rewards® card to

Tunica’s most spectacular destination.

• Celebrity Grill

There’s no place like Hollywood Casino

www.marqueerewards.com where you

Tunica.

• Room rates range from $39 mid-week to $179 weekend

an online Marquee Rewards account at

can access all your offers online anytime, anywhere! As a member you’ll enjoy

generous comps and Free SlotPlay®, bonus entries and invitations to exclusive events

At Hollywood, the spotlight is always on responsible gaming where we’re committed to it each and every day.

RESERVATION INFORMATION: HollywoodCasinoTunica.com or call 1-800-871-0711

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

27

SCARLET PEARL CASINO RESORT: A GU L F C OA S T GE M T U R NS ON E!

(D’Iberville, Mississippi) Scarlet Pearl

Casino Resort opened December 9, 2015

and is getting ready to celebrate its oneyear anniversary. The latest and greatest

casino resort to open on the Gulf Coast has had a great first year with no signs of

slowing down. Located in D’Iberville, just minutes from Biloxi, this property spared

no expense and has all of the amenities of its more established neighbors including a

casino that is second to none. There is also

live music every Friday and Saturday night

in the PRL bar and concerts regularly in The Strand Event Center.

The ultra-contemporary property is home

to 300 rooms consisting of 221 deluxe 28

| G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

rooms, 69 junior suites and 10 penthouse suites. The rooms and suites feature

floor-to-ceiling windows with motorized shades giving guests expansive views of the

surrounding area, as well as luxury brand mattress’s, 49” LED televisions, walk-in

showers and Keurig coffee makers for the early morning pick-me up.

The property also is the proud home

$5 for children to $15 for adults. There are also 10% - 25% discounts for players club members so make sure to take advantage of the deals!

When it comes time to eat, Scarlet Pearl won’t let you down. The property has five places to catch a bite from fine dining to casual, so the most difficult part about

of Lava Links Golf Club, a $3 million miniature golf complex that will rival any

in the country. The two courses stretch over lush gardens, waterfalls, bridges and an erupting volcano promising excitement

for the whole family. The courses open daily at 10:00 am and prices range from

Award-winning chef Paola Pittia.

your stay will be deciding where to eat.

Scarlet’s Steaks & Seafood is the premium

steakhouse on property and home one of Southern Gaming’s top chefs in this

year’s Casino Chef Showdown, Chef

Paolo Pittia. Here you will enjoy savory

steaks prepared to perfection in the elegant atmosphere. For larger groups, there are two private dining rooms and expansive

horseshoe bar. Don’t miss the Seafood Tower appetizer featuring blue crab claws,

oysters, shrimp and lobster, or the Steak

Wrapped Asparagus that will have you ready to tackle your entrée.

You also can’t go wrong with Under the

Oak Café featuring more casual American fare including great burgers, sandwiches

food, Asian and Italian cuisine and more.

The property is truly a great addition to

Friday and Saturday nights are Seafood

the Gulf Coast for players, and for the

Nights featuring crab legs and other seafood specialties, and don’t miss the Champagne Brunches on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm where you will enjoy champagne, mimosas, Bloody Mary’s or draft beer with your brunch!

While the winter temperatures may not be ideal for swimming, mark your calendar for warmer months with the Garden Oasis Pool where you will find resort-style lounging, pool side snacks and cocktails with music and relaxing scenery for the perfect day at the pool.

and salads, or the Chopstx Noodle Bar

The casino features over 1,300 slot

for friendly prices. And of course, what’s

as some of the classics, including several

to the buffet? The Waterfront Buffet has

charged! There are also 45 gaming tables

soups, salads, seafood, Southern comfort

community. Striving to continue to give back, the property recently showed their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a “Pink Pearls to Save the Girls” campaign, that ran throughout October and raised awareness through events and associate promotions. The resort’s building and logo was illuminated pink and associates wore pink polo shirts for the month and the property made a $5,000 donation to support Breast Cancer Research. “Our community is very important to us and this campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness is something we can do to make a difference,” Page

serving traditional Vietnamese classics

machines with the latest games, as well

a casino dining experience without a trip

that feature USB ports to keep your phone

something to satisfy every craving with

and a 10 table poker room to keep all of the

visit ScarletPearlCasino.com or call

action you need right in one spot.

1-888-266-5772.

Pearson, Employee Relations Manager, said.

For more information and reservations,

Scarlet Pearl team members turned pink in October.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

29

SOU THERN

CASINO DIRECTORY

Below is a list of our preferred properties of the South showcasing some of the great things that each property has.

WEBSITE

PHONE NUMBER

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT

belterracasino.com

812-427-7777

•

55

1,473

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

risingstarcasino.com

800-472-6311

•

33

1,278

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE

tropevansville.com

812-433-4000

•

40

905

FITZ CASINO & HOTEL

fitzgeraldstunica.com

662-363-5825

•

24

1,268

GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT

goldstrike.com

662-357-1111

•

53

1,400

HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA

hollywoodcasinotunica.com

662-357-7700

•

28

1,079

RESORT’S CASINO

ResortsTunica.com

1-866-706-7070

•

13

1,052

41

1,563

34

1,275

54

1,200

57

1,800

INDIANA

TUNICA

MID-SOUTH: INCLUDES LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA AMERISTAR CASINO VICKSBURG

ameristar.com/vicksburg

601-638-1000

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO HOTEL

cypressbayou.com

337-923-7284

MARGARITAVILLE RESORT CASINO

margaritavillebossiercity.com

318-698-7177

PARAGON CASINO RESORT

paragoncasinoresort.com

318-253-1946

SILVERSTAR HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3276

40

1,200

GOLDEN MOON HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3277

39

1,150

WIND CREEK ATMORE

WindCreekAtmore.com

866-946-3360

N/A

1,600+

WIND CREEK MONTGOMERY

WindCreekMontgomery.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,200+

WIND CREEK WETUMPKA

WindCreekWetumpka.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,500+

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO

beaurivage.com

228-386-7111

96

2,100

IP CASINO RESORT & SPA

ipbiloxi.com

228-436-3000

60

1,900

SCARLET PEARL CASINO RESORT

scarletpearlcasino.com

888-266-5772

•

45

1,350

SILVER SLIPPER CASINO HOTEL

silverslipper-ms.com

228-469-2777

•

25

965

CALDER CASINO & RACE COURSE

caldercasino.com

305-625-1311

•

RACING

1,200

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO TAMPA

seminolehardrocktampa.com

813-627-7625

171

5,000

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO HOLLY.

seminolehardrockhollywood.com

866-502-7529

130

2,200

• •

PEARL RIVER RESORT

GULF COAST

FLORIDA

30

| G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

PICS FROM THE SOUTH

* CC Partner means the property provides coupons and special offers to members of the Comps Club. For more information, visit Thecompsclub.com

# OF ROOMS

ENT. VENUE

GOLF

SPA

POOL

608

•

•

•

OUTDOOR

201

•

•

INDOOR

349

FPO Christmas Wonderland Holiday Show at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino – Dec. 21-29

INDOOR

506 1,131

•

494

•

201

•

•

•

INDOOR

•

INDOOR INDOOR

•

OUTDOOR INDOOR

150

•

102

•

395

•

531

•

OUTDOOR

•

•

OUTDOOR

•

BOTH

Robin Leach and Carrot Top competed in the TournEvent for Charities event in Las Vegas.

WATER PARK 500

•

•

•

OUTDOOR

571

•

•

•

BOTH

236

•

•

OUTDOOR

123

•

•

OUTDOOR

283

•

1,740

•

•

•

OUTDOOR

1,088

•

•

•

OUTDOOR

OUTDOOR

300

OUTDOOR

129

250

•

•

OUTDOOR

481

•

•

OUTDOOR

Slot Spotlight: Caddyshack Be sure to check out this classic themed game on your next casino visit. The game incorporates scenes from the movie including Carl Spacker, Bishop Fred Pickering and others with some of the most often-quoted lines around.

There are six free-spin bonuses, and many give you chances to win extra free spins along the way.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

31

FUTURE ODDS FIND YOUR EDGE…PLACE YOUR BET!

Check out the latest odds for major sporting events. For the latest up-to-the-minute odds, visit GamingandDestinations.com

2017 NCAA HEISMAN TROPHY AWARD Player

Team

Opening Odds

Updated Odds

Lamar Jackson

Louisville

100-1

4-9

Deshaun Watson

Clemson

5-1

7-1

J.T. Barrett

Ohio State

12-1

8-1

Jabrill Peppers

Michigan

60-1

10-1

Dalvin Cook

Florida State

10-1

20-1

Greg Ward Jr.

Houston

50-1

30-1

Luke Faulk

Wash. St.

40-1

40-1

Christina McCaffrey Stanford

7-1

50-1

Leaonard Fournette

6-1

100-1

LSU

*All others candidates are 25-1 or higher.

Team Odds

November September

Alabama 9/4 7/2 Ohio State

11/4

4/1

Clemson 6/1 7/1 Michigan 15/2 10/1 Washington

15/2

20/1

Louisville 8/1 6/1 Texas A&M

20/1

30/1

LSU

35/1 15/1

Oklahoma 35/1 N/A *All others are 40/1 or higher.

2016-2017 SUPER BOWL – FEBRUARY 5, 2017 RELIANT STADIUM – HOUSTON, TEXAS Team

2017 NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP JANUARY 11, 2017

2017 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP – JUNE 15, 2017

November

September

July

New England Patriots

3/1

15/2

15/2

Minnesota Vikings

15/2

20/1

18/1

Seattle Seahawks

8/1

N/A

N/A

Green Bay Packers

12/1

17/2

11/1

Pittsburgh Steelers

12/1

11/1

10/1

Dallas Cowboys

15/1

N//A

N/A

Arizona Cardinals

16/1

11/1

18/1

Atlanta Falcons

16/1

N/A

N/A

Denver Broncos

18/1

17/1

12/1

*All others higher than 20/1. N/A were not listed in previous standings.

Team November Golden State

2/3

Cleveland 13/4 San Antonio

11/1

Boston

25/1

LA Clippers

35/1

Oklahoma

70/1

Toronto 75/1 Memphis

80/1

Chicago 85/1 Minnesota

85/1

*All others are 100/1 or higher. *Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com

For the latest sports odds, updated every 5 minutes, visit GamingandDestinations.com

WSOP CIRCUIT EVENT November 24 – December 5 For local hotel rates as low as $79, Call 1-877-811-0777, press 1 for reservations, and mention code WSOPNOV wsop.com

#harrahscherokee

Schedule subject to change without notice. Must be 21 or older to enter casino floor and to gamble, and must present a valid state or federal photo ID upon request.

Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. An Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. ©2016, Caesars License Company, LLC. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

33

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FREEPLAY & LEXUS GIVEAWAY ®

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GRAND P R I Z E D R AW I N G T HURSDAY, D EC EMB ER 29

See M life® Rewards desk for details. Color, make and model may vary. © 2016 MGM Resorts International.® All rights reserved. Gambling Problem? Call 1.888.777.9696