Arizona Gaming Guide May 2011 by Arizona Gaming Guide

Contents MAY

FEATURES 12 CASINO VIP MR. ARMANDO RODRIGUEZ Talking to Hon-Dah Resort-Casino’s Slot Manager 14 36 HOURS & COUNTING: BEHIND-THE-SCENES Exclusive: New slots at Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

GREAT GAMES 08 SLOT REVIEW New IGT Slots invade Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos

09 SLOT REVIEW NIGA 2011 Tradeshow displays cool new slot games

WINNING WAYS 20 SECRETS OF SMART PLAYERS Don’t leave home without your players cards Great reasons why you should recognize slot clones 21 BLACKJACK A quick and easy strategy to get you started

22 VIDEO POKER Quick tips on all your favorite games

FAST FACTS 23 CASINO INDUSTRY NEWS NIGA Chairman Mr. Stevens Jr. reelected to 6th term 25 PROGRESSIVES What happens to all the money when they leave 26 COLLEGE GAMBLING More students are gambling than ever before Slot machine image courtesy of IGT. © Copyright IGT. All Rights Reserved. www.igt.com.

REGULAR RESPINS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE What’s on our mind 06 PLAYERS TALK What’s on your mind 28 FUN & GAMES Sudoku & Jackpot Puzzle to keep your mind sharp! 29 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN Rants, raves & reflections 30 CASINO SPONSOR DIRECTORY

25 azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

EDITOR’S NOTE @

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 02 • ISSUE 10 PUBLISHER Chris Hoft chris@azgamingguide.com

Thanks For All The Letters I want to personally thank each and every one of you that e-mailed us (and wrote us hand-written letters) last month with your lovely compliments on our new look, your amazing suggestions about future article topics, and your fantastic questions about everything gaming! I hope that you all know how much your correspondence means to us. Every single member of the Arizona Gaming Guide team relishes the time they spend reading all of your letters. Just keep the mail coming in - we love it! Meanwhile, we’ve been having a blast with our new facebook page! Many, many thanks to our fans! Seeing that “Like” number grow daily has been really exciting. Also, we thought we’d try facebook’s new “question” feature and conduct our first poll “Which casino is your favorite?” during the month of April. Since we had such a huge response, we decided to keep it going and continue having some fun. I don’t know about you guys, but my favorite thing to do at the casino (besides gamble, of course) is eat! I LOVE buffets! So, I want to know (we all want to know) “Which casino has the best buffet?” Let’s see who comes out on top in our May poll! We’ll print the results of both polls in our June issue. Please visit www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, become part of our community and share your thoughts and experiences with others who also love the same casino games you do. Don’t forget that you can also find the current and back issues of the Arizona Gaming Guide on our website at www.azgamingguide.com. For your convenience, we have included the QR codes for both web addresses in our directory. Let me know what you think of our May issue and have fun. Cheers! Alexandra Lang

Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com 04 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Novak Alex Stewart Samantha Becker Lana Hartmann Elizabeth Torma ADVERTISING SALES Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com Alex Stewart alex@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION www.azgamingguide.com www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Copyright © 2011 The Arizona Gaming Guide. All rights reserved. The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gaming related facts as well as personal opinions and expects the reader to make his or her own decisions. All responses to reader emails and letters are to be considered as advice only. AGG accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of our readers based on the articles and advertisements presented within this publication. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly. Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or www.problemgambling.az.gov.

PLAYERS TALK @ Q&A On Everything Gaming Q: PLAYERS CARDS My friend gave me your magazine and she said I better write in to you so I can get all the facts about players cards. Let me tell you, I’ve been going to casinos for over 25 years now and I have never once used players cards. I don’t know if the game will perform the same and I’m not sure I want to give out my personal information to the casinos. I’m a stubborn old bat, but I’m willing to listen to what you have to say. Dorothy Hogue – Phoenix, AZ A: Dorothy, you should never play at casinos without using players cards! You have to understand that the casinos are competing against each other for your business. The incentives they provide to you in the form of free merchandise, rooms, food, entertainment, and cash back are just opportunities to entice you to come back and play at their casino. You’re missing out on so many goodies by not playing with a card. The bad rap that players cards have received is unfortunate. These amazing little plastic marvels were first established in Atlantic City in the mid 1980s as a way of rewarding slot players for their continued loyalty. Up until then, only the wellknown high roller table game players were given special treatment by casino personnel. As revenue from slot machines started to increase, so did the importance of keeping the slot players happy and coming back. So, with the invention of card readers, slot machine enthusiasts were able to get in on the reward system. The actual slot machine games don’t recognize if players cards have been inserted and therefore the performance of the games cannot be compromised. The random number generator in a slot machine is the ONLY factor that determines the outcome of every spin. The card readers, ticket printers, hoppers, and bill validators are separate mechanisms that are part of a slot machine designed to perform independent functions and one has absolutely nothing to do with the other! Trust us! And, the most intimate information on the very short registration form that casinos care to know about you is your address, so they can send you promotional material geared towards your

interests, but you can even request to have your name taken off the mailing lists! Dorothy, play with a card and start enjoying all the freebies that you have earned because you deserve them! Q: POKER APPS I picked up your magazine at Talking Stick Casino where I play poker. It looks cool but you need a bigger poker section. What’s your opinion on a good app? Jason Hayden – Scottsdale, AZ A: Jason, WSOP Hold’em Legend for the iPhone and Android won hands down amongst our team. You can do peer-to-peer heads up matches, build up your bankroll, start as an amateur and work your way up to some really big tournaments. At $0.99, it’s the perfect app to get your poker fix in while you’re waiting for a table to open up at the casino. Q: U.S. GAMBLING STATES I was wondering if there are Indian casinos in all the states. Is there a state in America where gambling is not allowed? Also, I really like the new look of your magazine but the “Lucky Lana” section is gone and I’m sad because she was one of my favorites. Melinda Olivas – Tucson, AZ A: Melinda, nationwide there are 237 Indian tribes that operate over 300 gaming facilities across 28 states. Amongst these states, 21 have entered into tribal-state compacts for Class III casino style gaming and 7 states operate Class II bingo style gaming. There are many forms of legalized and regulated gambling such as lottery, bingo, racetracks, slot machines and table games. The only 2 states which do not allow any of these forms of gambling, currently, are Utah and Hawaii. Thank you for your nice comments about our new look! Although there is not a separate section in the magazine entitled “Lucky Lana” anymore we will still continue to include interesting fun facts about various good luck symbols and superstitions from around the world. Lana Hartmann, who’s not only a truly talented writer, but also extremely knowledgeable about casino gaming industry facts, is still a contributing writer and we’re all very “lucky” to have her on our team! $

ASK THE EXPERTS and get a $25 gas card if we decide to print your question! Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all correspondence. Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: editor@azgamingguide.com.

06 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

GREAT GAMES @ Slot Review By Lana Hartmann Our sources tell us these popular slots have made their way into Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos in gorgeous Prescott, Arizona. While you can play them at most of the other casinos around Arizona Mr. Danny Crites, Slot Manager at the Yavapai Gaming Agency, informed us, “I have been impressed with the bonusing opportunities with all these games. The players stay involved and really get into all the different actions that present themselves. They have been very popular at both casinos and with the denomination at 1-cent they offer value for the guest.” All indicators point to a hot experience on these slots up in Prescott! Super Nova BlastTM can be found at Bucky’s Casino and with a max bet of only $1.00, players truly have a bargain to access the group play bonus available in this action-packed game! Every 4 to 6 minutes, the slot activates the bonus automatically and all qualified players who have collected multipliers during the game enjoy 8 free games with a chance every spin on every reel to win 1 of 5 progressives several times! What an awesome opportunity to score jackpots while not destroying your bankroll! Diamond VaultTM is available for play over at Yavapai Casino. Featuring a unique 3 reel setup, players experience additional wins on a 3x4x3 symbol grid. So for all our fans who enjoy playing traditional slots, this game may be a great opportunity to experience the rush our video slot readers experience on a regular basis! Landing three bonus symbols on the reels triggers the bonus where players are collecting as many diamonds as possible in order to win 1 of 7 jackpots! With prizes starting at 15 times your bet, and quickly climbing into the thousands of dollars, this game is a winner! Our sources tell us you should experience a win once in every 3 to 4 spins and the casino will have installed the game at a payback of at least 90%! Another great reason to visit Prescott for a change of pace! The Amazing Race® slots can be found at Yavapai Casino as well. With low minimum wagers, a potential for massive wins on the customized 5 reel, 4 symbol high reel layout, and all your favorite game play from the popular TV series, this slot will take you around the world! This slot is perfect for the player looking for entertainment! $ Slot machine image courtesy of IGT. © Copyright IGT. All Rights Reserved. www.igt.com.

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

SUPER NOVA BLAST TM AMAZING RACE TM DIAMOND VAULT T M

Play them at Bucky's & Yavapai Casinos in Prescott!

Slot Review @ GREAT GAMES

NIGA 2011 TRADESHOW DISPLAYS COOL NEW SLOT GAMES! By Lana Hartmann The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) held its annual gaming show in Phoenix this year during the first week in April. There was a myriad of new games presented from all manufacturers but, in my opinion, the really hot slots to watch out for are from IGT and Aruze.

Steve Shliveck, the Bartending Academy’s Center Director, has seen all kinds of students participate in the various courses offered at the school. From college students to retirees to executives of major corporations to bar managers to bar owners; there is something for everyone at the Bartending Academy! This unique training program contains 40 hours of handson instruction with free class refreshers. This can be completed in one or two weeks and includes your Alcohol Awareness State Certification from The Department of Liquor Licensing & Control. Additional courses are offered in Practical Bar Management, Master Flairtending, and Bar Magic.

I believe our readers will respond well to IGT’s Sex and the City™ follow-up, a great rendition of Ghostbusters transformed into a slot machine, and a new skill based slot game called Reel Edge™. Following the blockbuster premiere of the trendy Sex and the City™ slot game is, of course, a part II. The newest edition of this extremely popular theme is Sex and the City Big Diamonds!™, which combines the glitz and glamour of the hit HBO® television series with exciting MultiPLAY action. The Sex and the City Big Diamonds!™ action starts in the base game with its 4 unique game interfaces, each themed to one of the show's leading ladies. Game play includes a random feature presented by Mr. Big, where he awards wilds with a shower of diamonds over the active game reels. Bonus Play features 5 progressive bonus levels and 4 character specific bonuses. Carrie's bonus, The Right to Shoes, features a new twist as players can accept or reject a bonus offer. Charlotte's Glamorous Gifts bonus awards players a virtual wheel spin, and Miranda's Retail Therapy bonus awards shopping bags filled with credits and multipliers. In Samantha's Glimmer Ring bonus, players select from precious gems to populate the top box as a ring moves back and forth across the screen, highlighting (Continued on page 10)

With Bartending Academy’s lifetime Career Assistance and free Refresher Courses, graduates are equipped with all the tools they need to succeed. Since the Bartending Academy has been educating students for over two decades, the range of job opportunities are practically limitless. The Bartending Academy receives calls from prospective employers all over the State of Arizona and they include lifetime job placement assistance locally and nationwide. So if you are looking for a career change, or an opportunity to make some extra money, contact the Bartending Academy at 480.921.9925 and try them out right now with one free training session just for mentioning this ad! IGT’s booth at NIGA 2011 in downtown Phoenix, Arizona azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

GREAT GAMES @ Slot Review frequency bonuses and low denomination appeal for players. Paranormal exterminators Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and Zeddemore, along with "The Keymaster" Louis Tully, all appear in the game. But the true star is Slimer who is up to even more mischievous fun. This iconic green ghost appears randomly and often, adding credit wins, wilds and multipliers throughout the base game. With a minimum bet, players are eligible for the random Slimer base game features and the Ghostbusters™ bonus.

Slots as far as the eye can see at NIGA 2011 (Continued from page 9)

one gem and awarding the associated credits with the multiplier. Joining the MegaJackpots® family are the entertaining Ghostbusters™ slots. These games feature high-

Debuting at Indian Gaming 2011 was the new Pinball® MultiPLAY game which offers the interactive excitement of pulling the plunger to launch pinballs and win awards. This 3 reel, 3 line, MultiPLAY game features a single reel between games 1 and 2 with multipliers and a bonus trigger. During the bonus, players touch the screen to virtually pull the pinball plunger. The pinball hits off of bumpers that award credits and then falls into a slot that

*EXP. 6/1/2011

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

Slot Review @ GREAT GAMES awards either credits or a pinball value multiplier. The nostalgia-inspired game is especially appealing to midand high-denomination players. The new Reel Edge™ series of games was named Best Slot Product at the recent 8th Annual Gaming and Technology Awards. For the first time, spinning reel players can stop the reels to attempt to create wins, as well as use an arcade-style joystick to control the outcome of the 100 percent skill-based bonuses in the top box. The Reel Edge™ series is modeled after the enormously popular Japanese “pachisuro” games and is specifically designed to serve players from ages 21 to 44. These players have grown up being able to control their gaming experience and the Reel Edge™ games cater to the evolving player base that seeks something out of the ordinary. On display from the Reel Edge™ series of games were the vampireinspired Blood Life™ and the action-packed Red White & Blue Falling Stars™. As far as Aruze Gaming is concerned, they have been making a splash with their games in Nevada and in a limited form around the country. According to our sources, they do have a “temporary vendor certification” here in

the State of Arizona. They may be having trouble convincing the many casinos around Arizona to try something new. However, I think their games would enjoy some success among players here in Arizona, especially their massive fishing-themed community slot game. Having seen and played their take on a fishing-themed slot at G2E 2010, I hope we have a chance to see the slot in Arizona casinos in the near future! As the centerpiece of this year's tradeshow, Paradise Fishing™ is packed with individual and competitive bonus events. This multimedia banked slot puts the action of fishing right in the palm of a player’s hands with its “Reel Feel Gaming Technology” integrated directly into the bonus features. The stunning package includes three 60" high definition LCD displays with the vibrant life and colors of a deep sea reef. This year’s NIGA 2011 was well worth the visit as most of the slot manufacturers had streamlined which games were going to be available for casinos to buy immediately. This means we may be seeing some of these games on the floors very soon! I, personally, can’t wait for the chance to play these slots in Arizona’s casinos! $ Ghostbusters: TM & © 2011 Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. All Rights Reserved. Official HBO Licensed Product. © Copyright 2011 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related trademarks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. Photos courtesy of Newspaperrock. © Copyright Newspaperrock. All Rights Reserved.

There are always more than enough slots to play at industry tradeshows!

azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

Casino VIP:

Hon-Dah Resort-Casino’s Slot Manager Armando Rodriguez

“Customer Service Is The Key…” Mr. Rodriguez opened the electronically locked door to the waiting area in the administrative offices and with a big grin and booming voice said, “You must be Chris! I am so glad to meet you! Today is turning out to be a really great day. Follow me, I’ll explain when we get to my office.”

His office is among the largest at Hon-Dah, with enough room for a massive row of locked steel filing cabinets housing sale and lease agreements, PAR (Probability and Accounting Report) sheets, and other confidential information about the slots on the floor. Once we sat down, he pointed to an award perched on his desk. “I just got this before you arrived!” he beamed. This is his third “Manager of the Year” award since he became the Slot Manager. Based on his easy-going demeanor, the constant high praise of the personnel he oversees, his detailed insight into how to manage over 800 slot machines, his understanding of slot players, and his commitment to a high level of customer service, I clearly understand why the executives at Hon-Dah want to regularly reward and recognize his leadership and service.

He knows casino patrons are savvy, in particular when the economy is slow. As a result, Mr. Rodriguez matched the slot floor at Hon-Dah with the discretionary spending of players and he has seen the results payoff. “It’s about working smarter and finding those proven games.” Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG): What were some of the milestones in your career path that led you to become a Slot Manager? Mr. Armando Rodriguez (AR): My career in gaming started here at Hon-Dah as a Slot Technician and I worked in that career for almost five years. I quickly grasped the technology and was really happy with the technical aspect of the casino business. I really enjoyed working one-on-one with our guests and welcomed the challenge of a busy slot floor. When the opportunity to become Slot Manager was presented to me I accepted it not really knowing what to expect! Now I know the lessons I learned out on the floor as a Slot Tech have helped, considerately, in my present position. I am now entering my sixth year as Slot Manager here at Hon-Dah. 12 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

AGG: How do you select the games for the slot floor at Hon-Dah? AR: When selecting games for the casino I assess the quality and popularity of machines and choose machines that will maximize revenue for the casino. I usually speak to vendors and ask them what their most popular games are currently. I then look at PAR sheets and examine volatility, hit frequency, bonuses, and even the payout combinations to see the different available ranges. Ultimately, it’s the patrons that make the final choices! I believe it’s important to speak with all the slot machine vendors and to keep an open mind to their products. Each one believes they have the latest and greatest product and you never know, they might be right! AGG: In your professional experience in the gaming industry, which games stand out as having been extremely successful with players? AR: The most successful group of games for players at Hon-Dah currently are IGT’s Sex and the CityTM machines followed by our Konami progressive games. Next in line

are the individual mechanical reel machines which have made a big comeback over the past couple of years. AGG: Which of the “tried and true” favorites can slot enthusiasts still find on the floor at Hon-Dah?

AR: I don’t think we’ve intentionally positioned “looser games” in the aisles, close to the doors, close to the buffet, etc. But, we do like to showcase more popular games in high traffic areas. I strongly believe games should be positioned in the most relevant areas.

AR: Some of the “tried and true” favorites you can find at Hon-Dah are Wheel of Fortune® , Fort Knox® Progressive Multi-Games, Life of Luxury®, Wizard of OzTM, Mr. Cashman®, MonopolyTM and plenty more of everyone’s favorites. We truly have a wide variety of slots to choose from.

AGG: Based on the e-mails we receive from our readers, slot players want a wide selection of popular games to choose from in low denominations. What percentage of the slot floor at Hon-Dah is devoted to penny games and what other selections do players have to choose from?

AGG: In your opinion, what does the slot floor of the future look like?

AR: We have 504 IGT slot machines, 119 WMS slot machines, 34 Konami slot machines, 29 Bally slot machines, 115 Aristocrat slot machines and only one Atronic maAR: I think the gaming floor of the future will actually be chine which we affectionately call “Big Bertha.” This smaller with fewer slot machines. Networked gaming makes for a total of 802 machines. We have 5 cabinet will provide the guest with every game theme available, types in the casino. The count here is 430 upright videos, so fewer actual cabinets will be needed. Community gam132 slant videos, 151 upright mechanical reels, 73 slant ing will become even bigger and games with more hureels, and 16 bartop videos. Among the 802 slot machines man interaction will become popular. Slot machine diswe have 64 upright video poker machines and 18 slant plays will take a quantum leap incorporating a 3D look video poker machines. On the denomination side of with no glasses needed, possibly holographic in nature. things, we have 513 penny machines (about 64% of the Human sensory experiences will become common with floor) which are multi-denom meaning they could be one cent, two cent, or five cent but they start AR: What sets our floor apart from other casinos is our liberal off as penny, 7 exclusively two cent mapayout setting on our machines. We depend on our local mar- chines, 117 nickel machines which could be nickel, dime, quarter, the base denom ket to get us through the slow season so we have purposely being nickels, 107 quarter machines priced our floor according to the discretionary income of our which are multi-denom as well, and 56 guest. The other thing that sets us apart are the people that dollar machines with similar multidenom capabilities. They can be dollar, work here; you’ll always see a smiling face willing to help! five dollar, etc. Finally, we have 2 five all five senses affected. Each slot machine will provide a dollar machines which have only that denomination. window to all the amenities that the casino offers. Gaming sessions will be tracked by the internet and smart My suggestion to all our readers would be to head up to phones will become gaming consoles within the casino. Hon-Dah to play what’s possibly the last Money to Burn ® bank with the Multiplying Progressives in the state of AGG: Can you give us a sneak peek into the later part of Arizona! There isn’t a lot of time left to experience the 2011 and tell us if there are any new games coming to random progressive bonus which lets you multiply any Hon-Dah or games that have been installed recently? progressive you win by up to 4x! AR: The most recent games added to our casino floor are Fort Knox® Progressive Multi-Games, Red Hot Fusion® and next month Goldfish® Race for the GoldTM arrives! AGG: On a lighter note - many readers ask us about “looser” machines intentionally placed in the aisles, close to the doors, close to the buffet, etc. for added excitement and appeal. Is there any truth to these types of perceptions on the part of casino visitors?

Hon-Dah Resort-Casino is located at the intersection of Arizona Highways 260 & 73 near Show Low and Pinetop in the White Mountains. Stay and play at Hon-Dah Resort -Casino by calling 1.800.WAYUPHI (1.800.929.8744), visiting hon-dah.com, or their facebook for more information on travel arrangements and hotel/RV reservations. $ Special thanks to Armando, Anne, and Eddie for their assistance with this article! - Chris Hoft, Publisher azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

36 Hours & Counting: A behind-the-scenes look By Chris Hoft

If you think that installing a new slot machine on a casino floor is as easy as replacing your old TV with a new one, adjusting a few settings, and being able to immediately watch the big game, think again! Only the Arizona Gaming Guide can take you behind-the-scenes and bring you insider information available exclusively to us about this detailed and intricate process! Mazatzal Hotel & Casino was able to get a new bank of WMS games up and running in a day and a half. Record time! Members of our staff have personally been part of game installs before which have taken upwards of one week to complete. It would be great to just unload a new slot off a truck, unpack it, turn it on and let patrons start

playing. It’s just not that simple! When you have a large number of people involved, all from different companies and agencies, organization and correct execution are essential components of a successful installation. This is exactly what we observed Mazatzal Hotel & Casino’s Technical Manager, Allen Holder, orchestrate. At 4 AM on a Monday, the work to replace Money to Burn® and Happy DaysTM with Lord of the RingsTM and Gold Fish® Race for the GoldTM began. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino’s drop crew finished removing the cash boxes from the bank of six WMS slots. The games were placed into “Out Of Service” mode in order to prevent further (Continued on page 16)

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino installs WMS’ The Lord of the RingsTM & Gold Fish® Race for the GoldTM

Tonia & Junior install network cables for the accounting system underneath the slot floor. Tifany & Junior set up chairs while WMS Techs, Jamie & Mike, put the new slots on the floor.

Tifany & Junior confer with WMS’ Jamie while Mike verifies several settings on the new games.

Tifany coordinates with Yesco Interiors to dismantle the overhead displays.

Tifany, Tonia & Junior unload the new equipment and perform initial prep work.

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

The progressive values are transferred and Mike configures the connection to Reno, NV.

(Continued from page 14)

play by patrons and to ensure the in-house accounting system could correctly capture all the information it needed before the new games were installed. When taking progressive games off the casino floor, all the amounts in the progressive meters that are above the base values must be distributed to other progressive games within the casino. This money belongs to the players and there are strict regulations regarding the transfer of progressive amounts. In this case, the easiest solution was to move the money to the new Gold Fish® progressives. A record was kept of the amount of money stored in the progressive meters at the time they were turned off. A simple subtraction between the actual progressive values and their respective reset amounts was made. This ensured the money coming from player wagers on the old games would be returned to players via the new Gold Fish® slots and wouldn’t just vanish into thin air. That sounds like a good casino gaming regulation to have enforced by the Tonto-Apache Tribe’s Tribal Gaming Office and the Arizona Department of Gaming, right? During the installation, The new Gold Fish® slots progres-

tion along with security software which make a separate journey from the manufacturer, generally via FedEx’s or UPS’ time-sensitive documents overnight delivery service, directly to the Tribal Gaming Office. These EPROMs are then verified using a computer to determine if their electronic signatures (called Kobetrons, CRCs, and/or Checksums) match with those provided by the manufacturer to the Tribal Gaming Office and the Arizona Department of Gaming. If this doesn't match up, the entire process starts all over again. We are aware of several situations where employees of manufacturers were immediately fired for having made grievous errors involving the shipment of EPROMs! Rest assured that casino gaming’s regulatory organizations are always working hard to ensure the integrity of gaming. By 9 AM the old games were off the floor. The massive two-sided overhead display for Money to Burn® and Happy DaysTM had been removed by Yesco Interiors. All the new slots were in place and Allen’s team (Tonia, Tifany, and Junior) began assembling chairs, verifying the cabling, confirming each slot machine had its own ID number, and that basic settings and configurations were made correctly with the installed software.

The brand new penny slots were set to a payback in the 90’s! This makes for very loose games! sive values were configured to reset at $8, $15, $50, and $250 every time they are won by players. But, because of the existing progressive values on Money to Burn® and Happy DaysTM, the new games started with progressive values of $10.28, $19.96, $82.51, and $551.58! So, once all the old games were essentially shut down and all the important numbers had been recorded, Allen’s team went over to the delivery truck which had transported the new slots from WMS’ production facility to unload the games. The shipping process for slot machines is actually quite complex. Once the slots are placed into the truck at a manufacturer’s loading dock, the truck door is locked down tight and at the very least the locks have seals welded onto them. In some cases, the entire truck door is welded shut. The seals are the first things inspected by the casino staff and the local Tribal Gaming Office upon the arrival of the truck. If any of the seals are broken or cracked, the shipment is considered to be compromised. The delivery truck, and all its content, heads back to the manufacturer and the entire process begins again!

By 11 AM the two technicians from WMS, Jamie and Mike, were involved with more detailed configurations of the games and were in the process of connecting the Lord of the RingsTM slots to WMS’ corporate offices in Reno, NV. Since this particular slot lets you create a login name (Continued on page 18)

Tom from the Tonto-Apache Tribal Gaming Office puts ID tags and seals on the games.

You should know that there are special chips (EPROMs) containing the sensitive mathematical paytable informaJ.J. & Lorenzo from the Arizona Department of Gaming inspect and verify the new slots.

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

(Continued from page 16)

and password to save your progress on the game no matter where in the world you might be, communication between these slots and WMS’ computer systems is critical. This requires an additional electronic connection between WMS and the slot machine, usually routed through the Internet. The WMS techs also had to configure the progressive controller for the Gold Fish® slots and transfer the existing dollar amounts over from the old games. By 1 PM the Tonto-Apache Tribal Gaming Office was in the casino verifying the WMS EPROMs. Once their task was completed, the EPROMs were installed and the payback percentages were determined. I watched Allen set all six brand new penny games to a payback percentage value in the 90’s! Penny slots running in the low to mid 90’s make for very loose games! Remaining true to his word, Allen really wasn’t kidding when he told us the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino slot floor is loose in March’s MVP Spotlight! Speaking with Allen recently he said, “People are lining up to play all of the games. Our patrons are loving these slots!” No surprise there, because the games are great to begin with and Mazatzal Hotel & Casino has them set to a loose payback percentage!

As you can tell, the entire experience of installing new slot machines is very intricate and utilizes multiple departments from within the casino, a sign vendor, in addition to the involvement of two outside regulatory agencies. Allen and his team commented on how smoothly this installation went because all of the equipment arrived at the same time and everyone involved was prepared for every step of the process. During the installation itself, a lot of comments were made by many patrons who passed through the area on their way to and from other parts of the casino. Here is a short list of some of the comments:

They must have had a break-in…I guess too many people were winning on the games…Not True! By 3 PM the paytable chips and all the remaining software was configured. This meant the slots were set up to read U.S. Currency, Mazatzal’s tickets, Mazatzal’s players cards, and so on. At this point Allen and his team began testing the games. This included using a variety of bills and tickets in the bill acceptor, verifying the ticket printers worked, that the players card could record the wagers being made, and free play could be transferred. Later in the afternoon, Allen and Michele Sikes, the Slot Manager, conducted training on the games with the rest of the Mazatzal staff. This allowed employees to become more familiar with the new slots in order to assist guests.

-They must have had a break-in… -I guess too many people were winning on those games… -Did somebody win a big one? Of course none of these comments were true, because Mazatzal was just replacing old games with new ones! During new slot game installations there is a great deal of commotion, several people involved, and it can look very bewildering and confusing to the player! If you’re not sure what is taking place when a section of slots are roped off just stop and ask; an employee will always be happy to tell you! $

8 AM the next morning, the Arizona Department of Gaming arrived to inspect and certify all six games. Allen and his team had to show the Tribal and State regulatory agencies that the installations had proceeded correctly and the software was being used with the settings they specified earlier. Once the regulators were satisfied, seals were placed inside the machines and identifying tags were placed on the exterior of each slot machine.

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino is located at the south end of scenic Payson, Arizona on Highway 87, just a short drive from the Phoenix Metro area. If you have never been to their casino, we encourage you to check them out! They have a fantastic selection of penny slots, lots of video poker, tons of other slots, a bingo hall, live keno, a card room, several restaurants, a fantastic sports bar, and much more in their expansive and modern casino gaming facility. Resort-style accommodations are available on-site in their hotel. Visit www.777play.com or call 800.777.PLAY for more information on Mazatzal Hotel & Casino.

By noon on the second day, about 36 hours after the old games were turned off, the new slots were ready for play!

Special thanks to Allen, Tonia, Tifany, Junior, Karen, and Mazatzal Hotel & Casino for their help with this article! Photos are courtesy and © Copyright of Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. All Rights Reserved.

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

WINNING WAYS @ Secrets of Smart Players

Smart Players Don’t Leave Home Without It! By Mark Novak

SLOT CLU B

HINT: Card readers can be sensitive, so check that your players card is accepted when first inserted into the machine by looking for the welcome message. Then, glance over to the reader on a regular basis to make sure the card is still being registered.

Casino industry statistics show that only one out of every four gamblers use players club cards. And, according to the Arizona Gaming Guide 2010 survey, the number one reason casino visitors aren’t using players cards is because they think they don’t spend enough money to earn anything. The biggest misconception amongst gamblers is that players club cards are only worthwhile for big bettors. What players forget to take into account is the aggregate total amount of ALL the wins they get while playing a slot machine. It’s not uncommon for a player to put $20 into a slot machine and play through $200! The card reader records all the money played through the machine and not just the initial money inserted by the player. Therefore, points do add up very quickly during a play session, even when placing low bets! It doesn’t take long to build up enough points for a couple free buffet tickets and some free play money! The benefits of playing with a card start to be realized after a few casino trips and all the free goodies! $

Smart Players Are Able To Recognize Slot Clones! By Mark Novak Slot design meets cell biology. Just like scientists can take a segment of DNA, isolate it and replicate it by laboratory manipulation to produce an identical organism called a clone, slot machine manufacturers are able to take one game and turn it into another game (and another and another) relatively quickly; producing exact clones without players even realizing it. Yes, that’s right, slot machine clones! One slot’s math model (the symbols, pays, base game rules, bonus game rules, and game play mechanics) can be used for several different game titles by replacing the art with new graphics and symbol animations. Slot manufacturers routinely do this for several reasons: 1. They can save a great deal of time and manpower reusing math models so they are able to produce several new game titles quickly. 2. They create new slot games using successful math models with proven performance, so they can count on the fact that new game titles with reused math will continue to perform well on the casino floors. 3. They are able to offer their clients (the casinos) more options to choose from, so if one casino isn’t interested in putting a certain type of game on the floor, the manufacturer can offer multiple titles in a concept the casino wants or needs. 4. They save valuable time and money when submitting games to independent testing laboratories and regulatory agencies. Once the initial math model and supporting software is approved, seeking approval for games with only graphic and sound changes is generally quick and easy for all parties! $

Why do you NEED to understand clones?

1. If your favorite game is taken, there are others to play which are exactly the same! 2. You can try your luck on a different slot without having to give up the game play! 3. You can recognize your favorite game (from years ago) when it reappears! 4. You can spot a “lemon” by looking at the help screen. You won’t be fooled again!

20 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

Blackjack @ WINNING WAYS

BLACKJACK Learn To Play The Game Quickly! By Alex Stewart

Follow these simple rules to decrease the house edge at the blackjack table: 1. Never, ever, let your decisions be based on emotions, feelings, or gut instincts. Stick with the strategy rules in every situation. 2. Never take insurance. This is a sucker’s bet. 3. Play at a table that requires the dealer to stand on a soft 17 (ace and 6). 4. Play at a table that allows players to double down on any two cards. 5. Manage your money—try sticking with bets that are no more than 1/20 of your bankroll for that session.

Remain focused. Don’t sit at a table with distracting players or a dealer you don’t feel comfortable with. 7. Always double down if you have an 11. 8. Double down if you have a 9 or a soft hand (an ace that’s counted as an 11) of 13 through 17 against the dealer’s 5 or 6. 9. Double down if you have 10 against a 9 or lower. 10. Always split Aces. 11. Always split 2s or 3s against a dealer’s 4,5, or 6. 12. Always split 7s or 8s against a dealer’s card of the same value or less. 13. Never split 10s, face cards, or 5s. 14. Stand on any hand that equals 12 or higher when the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6. 15. Hit on any hand less than 17 if the dealer is showing an ace, K, Q, J, 10, 9, or 8. This short list should get you started playing blackjack! $

WINNING WAYS @ Video Poker

CHOOSE YOUR VIDEO POKER GAME WISELY! Below are the various paytables & payback percentages for the Video Poker game Jacks or Better. Shop around and make sure you’re playing at a casino whose game has the highest return!

WIN

5 COIN

PAYS

Royal Flush

4000

Straight Flush

250

4-of-a-Kind

125

Full House

Flush

Straight

3-of-a-Kind

Two Pair

Jacks or Better

PAYBACK %

99.5%

98.4%

97.2%

96.1%

94.9%

Deuces Wild is one of the most popular Video Poker games on the casino floors. The four Deuces, which are wild cards, not only provide a lot of excitement and anticipation but also make the game a lot less volatile than most other Video Poker games. However, did you know that when playing this game using optimal strategy you are discarding all 5 cards 20% of the time? Yes, 1 in 5 deals will have you drawing all new cards. Patience is key and knowing that discarding all 5 cards will yield wins 6% of the time! Hint: When dealt a Wild Royal Flush with 3 Deuces, hold the Wild Royal!

A ROYAL FLUSH OCCURS ABOUT 1 IN EVERY 40,000 HANDS!

JOKER’S WILD

TIPS FOR DOUBLE DOUBLE BONUS

Joker’s Wild Video Poker Games are fun, but watch out for the games that pay 15 credits (max 5 coins) for a Four-of-a-Kind rather than 20! There is a 4% drop in the payback % with this variation. Also, stay away from games that pay only on two pair rather than a pair of Kings!

1. Never hold a dealt Full-House with three Aces! Hold just the Aces and drop the other two cards. Hold all other dealt Full Houses. 2. Never hold two dealt pairs if one of the pairs are Aces. Hold just the Aces and drop the other pair. Hold all other dealt pairs. 3. Never hold three cards to a Straight or a Flush and never hold a single low card. 4. Never throw away a Straight Flush to draw for a Royal Flush. 5. Don’t be afraid to drop a dealt hand for five new cards when there are no high cards, no pairs, potential flush or straight options. $

22 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

Casino Industry News @ FAST FACTS

NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN, ERNIE STEVENS JR., REELECTED TO SIXTH TERM

The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. was reelected to his sixth 2year term at the annual NIGA Convention & Tradeshow held in Phoenix during the first week in April. Member tribes voted 121 for Chairman Stevens, a member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, and 14 for his opponent Ivan Makil, the former president of the Salt River-Maricopa Indian Community Tribe. Also elected as NIGA secretary was Bernadine Burnette, vice president of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, and as treasurer was Mark Fox of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation: three affiliated tribes. “With the guidance and instruction of the tribal leaders here, I’m going to do everything I can to move Indian Country forward,” Chairman Stevens told an audience at the Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award dinner honoring Gila River Indian Community Governor William Rhoads. “I’m going to do this by working with all the great leaders out there, and I’m only going to do it at the direction of the leadership of the Executive Board at NIGA and the membership that makes up our organization.” In remarks to the members, Chairman Stevens noted that over the last decade Indian Gaming Revenues have increased 150% from $11 billion in 2000 to more than $26 billion in 2010. “Without question, Indian gaming is the tribal government success story,” he said. Within 20 years, he said, Indian gaming has resulted in some 500,000 jobs for tribal members and their non-Indian neighbors, and strengthened tribal governments by providing the financial wherewithal to progress. That, in turn, has resulted in enhanced tribal justice systems, improved health care, elder care, and educational services. For more information on NIGA, please visit their website at: www.indiangaming.org. $ azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

Progressives @ FAST FACTS

What Happens To All The Money In The Meters When A Progressive Slot Is Removed From The Casino Floor? By Lana Hartmann

A percentage of all the wagers placed by players on a slot machine connected to a progressive belongs to the players and not the casino! Every single-level or multi-level progressive has starting values established by the slot manufacturers that are referred to as base values.

These are the reset values that occur after a progressive has been hit. All gaming regulations state that if a casino decides to remove a stand-alone progressive slot machine or a bank of slot machines that are connected together, the money accumulated in the meters (above the base values on the progressive) must be given back to the players. The casinos tend to redistribute this money by adding it to other existing progressive machines on the floor. If a casino is replacing one progressive title with a new title, then the easiest thing for the casinos to do is just add the money into the meters of the new game! $

DID YOU KNOW … Large progressives are paid by the slot manufacturers and not the casinos! Although it’s highly unlikely, progressive values can keep growing and growing in value forever and never be hit! The Top Award on a progressive must occur, statistically speaking, once in every 50,000,000 plays according to Arizona’s Tribal-State Gaming Compact! $

azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

FAST FACTS @ College Gambling

COLLEGE GAMBLING More students are gambling than ever before! By Mark Novak

Last year 75% of college students gambled (both legally and illegally, on-campus and offcampus) and 18% gambled weekly or more frequently. Researchers estimate that anywhere from 3% to 11% of those college students have a serious gambling problem and, as a result, have developed psychological difficulties, unmanageable debt, and failing grades. These statistics are alarming! Lotteries, card games, pools (including raffles and charitable small stakes gambling), sports betting and games of skill (e.g., bowling, basketball, pool, golf, backgammon, darts) are the most frequently chosen gambling activities by college students. Casino nights, poker tournaments and other gambling activities are popular at special events sponsored by campus organizations and fraternities and sororities. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has identified gambling by athletes as a major threat to the integrity of intercollegiate athletics and they have responded with the development of a comprehensive education program for student athletes at NCAA member schools. In fact, studies indicate student athletes gamble the most amongst college students and those students who are sports fans gamble more than other students that aren’t. What’s also unfortunate is that students with gambling problems are also more likely to develop problems with tobacco use, alcohol, marijuana and other illegal drugs, drive while under the influence, and have a low GPA.

Here are some signs that could indicate you, or someone you know, may have a gambling problem:

• Misses class or work, performance declines • Loses interest in regular activities & hobbies • Is progressively preoccupied with gambling • Withdraws from friends and family • Has visible changes in behavior and mood • Has visible symptoms of depression • Lies about engaging in gambling behavior • Feels compelled to chase losses • Feels the need to increase betting amounts

Talk to your college student openly about gambling. Young adults are more susceptible than adults in developing gambling disorders, because they are more impulsive and prone to taking risks. For more information about how to start this important conversation visit www.collegegambling.org. This website, which was recently launched by the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG), is an excellent, comprehensive resource for both students and parents. $ Source: National Center For Responsible Gaming, University Of Missouri’s Website ’Keeping The Score’

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

• Unsuccessfully attempts to cut back or stop • Gambles to escape worry or problems • Gambles to celebrate good fortune • Feels shame, guilt & remorse after gambling • There’s a feast or famine cash flow • Gambles alone

FUN & GAMES @

SUDOKU

JACKPOT PUZZLE

Each of the columns, rows, and nine 3x3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3x3 grid.

After your daily visit to the mailbox, you find a flyer for a really interesting promotion at a local casino.

(Solution on page 30)

The promotion rules allow you to place either 2 tickets in a drum for $1,000, or 15 tickets in a drum for $100, or 100 tickets in a drum for $25, or 225 tickets in a drum for $10. You can only select one drum for the tickets with your name on them. The total number of tickets in each drum will not exceed 10,000 tickets. A casino host then draws one ticket out of each drum to award the $1,000, $100, $25, and $10 prizes to the lucky winners.

3 6

1 8

5 9

7 1

3 9

4 7

7 3

In which drum should you place your tickets in order to maximize your winnings? (Solution on page 30)

@ SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

Employees May Seem Harsh— Let’s Assume They Mean Well By Sami Becker “Wow, you’re still here!” This was a comment that was snorted towards one of our readers by an employee at a local casino recently. According to this lady, who wished to remain anonymous, she was belittled for having been at the casino for longer than this particular employee felt was appropriate. “My husband and I were really having a great time at [a casino]. We had met up with some friends for lunch and then were enjoying the rest of our afternoon playing some games and having fun. Until, that is, the employee made me feel like I had a gambling problem for being there so long. I don’t believe that spending a day at the casino every now and then is so awful or wrong. I just don’t understand why she had to be so rude. At first I thought she was joking, but it quickly became apparent that she wasn’t!” Carolyn Stevens was also disappointed when she was told by a casino employee that it didn’t seem like it was her day and she should just go home. “He told me that he was watching me play several different machines and not win anything and that if my luck didn’t turn around soon I should stop playing. At first I was just surprised that I wasn’t aware that he was observing me play and then I got angry because I didn’t think it was any of his business.” Most casino employees do mean well. There have been plenty of times I’ve heard slot attendants tell people, “Don’t give it all back” after they’ve done a hand pay. I truly believe these words are not intended to be offensive although it can definitely be construed that way. The employees at the casinos want all their patrons to have a good time and leave happy. However, it’s not to say that every bushel doesn’t have a bad apple or two. The first step is to directly communicate to the individual that the comment was not appreciated by letting them know they need to be more sensitive to their paying customers! And, there is always the next step of informing a supervisor or a player’s club representative. Please continue to keep us informed of any problems or concerns and we will contact the casinos and assist in any way that we can. $ Do YOU have something to rant about? Write me at:

sami@azgamingguide.com azgamingguide.com | May 2011 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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Our Website QR Code

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Tohono O'odham Nation Desert Diamond Casino 7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson 1 mile S of Valencia Rd on Nogales Highway 1-520-294-7777 desertdiamondcasino.com 1089 Slots, Live Keno, 270 Seat Bingo Hall 17 Poker Tables, 19 Blackjack Tables Desert Diamond Casino 1100 W. Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita S of Tucson at I-19 and Exit 80 (Pima Mine Rd) 1-866-332-9467 desertdiamondcasino.com 890 Slots, 2 Poker Tables, 10 Blackjack Tables

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Solution to the Jackpot Puzzle Choose to place 100 tickets in the drum for $25.

Desert Diamond Casino Highway 86, Why 1½ miles E of Why, AZ on Highway 86 1-866-332-9467 desertdiamondcasino.com 76 Slots Tonto Apache Tribe Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Highway 87, Payson S of Payson on Beeline Highway(SR 87) 1-800-777-7529 777play.com 413 Slots, Live Keno, 280 Seat Bingo Hall, 3 Poker Tables, 5 Blackjack Tables White Mountain Apache Tribe Hon-Dah Casino, Resort & Conference Center 777 Highway 260, Pinetop 3 miles outside Pinetop at Highways 260 & 73 1-800-929-8744 hon-dah.com 802 Slots, 3 Poker Tables, 4 Blackjack Tables Yavapai-Apache Nation Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 555 Middle Verde Rd, Camp Verde 1 mile E of I-17 on Middle Verde Rd 1-800-381-7568 cliffcastlecasino.net 656 Slots, 8 Poker Tables, 10 Blackjack Tables Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Bucky's Casino Highway 69 and Heather Heights, Prescott N at top of hill next to the Prescott Resort 1-800-756-8744 buckyscasino.com 301 Slots, 7 Poker Tables, 10 Blackjack Tables Yavapai Casino 1500 E. Highway 69, Prescott Hwy. 69 at Heather Heights on S side of SR 69 1-800-756-8744 buckyscasino.com 235 Slots Arizona Department of Gaming 202 E. Earll Drive, Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85012 1-602-604-1801 azgaming.gov Office of Problem Gambling 202 E. Earll Drive, Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85012 1-602-266-8299 problemgambling.az.gov

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2011 | azgamingguide.com

The expected value for each drum is as follows: 2 tickets in the $1,000 drum—EV = 0.2 15 tickets in the $100 drum—EV = 0.15 100 tickets in the $25 drum—EV = 0.25 225 tickets in the $10 drum—EV = 0.225 Since we want to maximize our winnings, selecting the $25 drum with the highest expected value is the best option for this promotion.

Solution to the Sudoku