Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - November 2015 - 07:11

NOVEMBER

Contents

IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 TABLE GAMES 14 NEW SLOTS 18 WINNING WAYS 20 DINING 22 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 28 GAMING NEWS 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 40 CASINO BINGO 42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 43 FUN FACTS

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44 FUN & GAMES 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

A SNEAK PEEK AT 2016’S BRAND NEW SLOTS FROM THE G2E TRADE SHOW IN LAS VEGAS

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Just how good can this extremely volatile video poker be? Read about the game, the strategy, and tips.

They have daily specials for Veterans, Seniors, and Ladies, plus Taco Tuesdays all month long.

Sami gives us her input on some techniques she uses regularly when she encounters a cold streak.

HOW TO WIN BIG PLAYING TRIPLE DOUBLE POKER

BUCKY’S & YAVAPAI CASINOS HAVE FOOD SPECIALS

5 WAYS TO HELP SNAP OUT OF A COLD STREAK

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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EDITOR’S NOTE

SNEAK PEEK INTO 2016 Exciting New Games Coming Our Way

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he Global Gaming Expo (G2E) of 2015 was held in Las Vegas last month, and all the members of the Gaming Guide staff were able to make the trip to experience the new games. The G2E show provides the opportunity for casino game manufacturers to showcase all of their existing and future products to the gaming industry. We’ve selected several of our team’s favorites to feature in our extensive show review as a sneak peek of what’s to come. As always, the new technology in the games is astounding! The future slot floor is upon us and it’s filled with revolutionary ideas that will change the common perception of the slot machine forever. We really hope you enjoy reading about the new games we decided to discuss and are just as excited as we are to have the opportunity to play them in 2016!

In this issue, you’ll also find plenty of reasons to make your next trip to any casino a success. We’ve got the lowdown on a ton of new slots and those coming soon, plenty of tips for you to incorporate into casino visits, and much more! Please visit our Facebook at: faceboo k .com /Arizo naGam ingGuid e , become part of our community and share your thoughts and experiences with others who also love the same casino games you do. You can sign up for our e-newsletter and find current and back issues of AZ Gam ing Guid e on our website at AZGamingGuid e.com . Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!

Alexandra Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com

“Like” us on Facebook because

we “Like” you too!

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 07 • ISSUE 11 MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Lee Allen Mark Novak Melody Hudson Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION www.azgamingguide.com www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Copyright © 2015 The Arizona Gaming Guide.

All rights reserved.

The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gaming related facts and editorial opinions. AGG accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of readers based on articles and/or advertisements presented within. Information contained within is not guaranteed to be correct. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. Intended for single use. Sale and/or distribution without written consent is not permitted.

You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly.

Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or problemgambling.az.gov.

Arizona’s State Gaming Regulatory Agency: Arizona Department of Gaming 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1.602.771.4263 or azgaming.gov

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Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Office of Problem Gambling 1.800.NEXT.STEP or 1.800.639.8783 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1.602.542.8998 or problemgambling.az.gov

PLAYERS TALK

Q: Dear Editor, the machines are so brutal. They just don’t even let me play. The money I come to the casino with disappears right away. It’s no fun knowing that almost every single time you go you will lose. Does it have to be that brutal all the time? I put in a $100 bill and immediately start to see it go down. I think about all the ways in which I could have spent that $100 or other things I could have done for fun. Even the bonuses seem to be happening less and less frequently as well. Things have changed, a lot, at the casinos. I’m not sure what’s happening? I know there’s nothing you can do about it, I would just like to know your opinion. Maybe I should start talking to the managers at the casinos and tell them how I feel—which is the way all my friends and family feel as well—not happy. It’s no fun to lose all the time!!

Melinda Cunningham Rowles—Peoria, AZ A: Melinda, our magazine is not only enjoyed by casino visitors, but by many casino executives as well. We communicate about the contents of our magazine with Marketing Directors, Slot Directors, Slot Club Supervisors, and even General Managers, all the time! So, rest assured, your letter will be read (and discussed) by all the right people.

Ever since we started the Arizo na Gam ing Guid e , seven years ago, we have received thousands (literally) of hand-written letters and e-mails from disgruntled casino visitors who want the casinos to loosen their slot machines, because no matter what amount of money they bring to the casino they just don’t feel as though they have a chance!

The economy is suffering and people are spending their money very carefully. Casino visits or the frequency of those visits hasn’t changed, but the amount of money people are willing to bring with them to the casinos has. People are spending a lot less time at the casinos and bringing significantly less money.

Slot manufacturers need to start designing less volatile games with lower number of average spins it takes to get into the bonuses. And, perhaps the casinos need to consider increasing their payback percentages just a w ee bit. If one or both of these things do not happen then you, and many others like yourself, will start spending your entertainment dollars in other ways.

That’s a fact.

Q: Dear AGG, I’ve been reading your magazine for years now and I’ve gotten some great advice, picked up a trick here and there, and learned quite a bit of industry information. You always talk about “bringing the right bankroll to the casino” but you don’t go too much into detail about that. Would you tell me what kind of bankroll you suggest for me being a video poker player. Thank you. My wife plays slots and also enjoys your magazine. You have a really great section on all the new slots coming out. Would you please include more new video poker and video keno games in the future?

Jack Hajduk—Phoenix, AZ A: Jack, thank you for the kind words about our magazine. We appreciate having you as a fan and we will definitely include more write-ups on new video poker and video keno games!

Thank you for the suggestion. When people ask me how much money they should bring to the casino, I tell them my general rule of thumb: If I intend on playing a nickel machine (max bet $0.25), then I plan on bringing $20 for every hour of desired play time. Then, I just multiply this amount by the denomination of the machine. So, if I intend on playing a quarter machine (max bet $1.25), then I plan on bringing $100 for every hour of play time, $200/hour for a fifty cent machine (max bet $2.50), $400/hour for a dollar machine (max bet $5.00), and so on. This is advice I give casual and recreational players.

If you want to play the games at the level of a dedicated professional video poker player, you need to come to the casino with a large enough bankroll to survive long enough to win. For a serious attempt at walking away with a significant win playing video poker, you must be financially prepared to lose half the value of a Royal Flush during a play session. For example, this means coming to the casino with $100 if playing nickels (Royal Flush is $200), $500 if playing quarters (Royal Flush is $1,000), and $2,000 if playing a dollar machine (Royal Flush is $4,000).

Remember, your bankroll should be a predetermined amount of money you can afford to lose.

Q: I don’t think it’s fair when casinos set their machines so fast and I don’t have the option to change the speed on the game. I play video poker and video keno and sometimes the machines are so fast it’s no fun – not to mention I’m losing my Continued on page 8

and get a $25 gift or 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.

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PLAYERS TALK

Continued from page 6

money so quickly. I know that’s the reason the casinos set the games so fast. It’s not enough the games are so tight they’re already programmed to take your money now they have to take it even faster – ridiculous! How can we get them to slow things down? Any advice?

Jenny J. Dover—Glendale, AZ A: Jenny, casinos set up their machines with their own purposes in mind and, yes, those purposes tend to involve their bottom line. They are a business after all. If the machine is set at a lightning-quick pace, players are burning through their bankroll much quicker and the casino is making more money. Something you may or may not be aware of is that the speed of the video keno games can be controlled using the speed button on any one of the video poker games on a multigame machine usually.

However, if there is no speed button on the video poker games, then there is nothing you can do to change the speed yourself.

Luckily, speed settings on video slots can be controlled by a slot attendant as the function does not require re-initialization, or a RAM clear, of the game. Just like slot attendants can turn the key and enter the menu for the history of the last several games played, they are also able to control other aspects of the game such as the speed and even the volume.

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In fact, just recently, I was at a casino playing a video slot game whose volume was incredibly loud and distorted. I called over a slot attendant and politely asked her to turn down the volume.

Without any hesitation, she obliged knowing that in having done that she made me and all the other players around me happy. You are the customer and the casinos understand that.

As long as you are not requesting something that is unreasonable, in more cases than not, they are willing to be accommodating. All you have to do is ask.

Q: I just got home from the casino and had a Straight Flush dealt to me with four to the Royal. I wasn’t sure what to do. I ended up keeping the Straight Flush because I didn’t want to lose 250 credits but now I’m regretting my decision. Should I have dropped the 9 and held only the 10, J, Q, and K in the hopes of getting the A? Tammy Lopez—Tucson, AZ A: Tammy, your play was the correct one when using optimal strategy. Although it may be very tempting to risk the Straight Flush for the Royal, you should never drop a dealt Straight Flush. Not knowing what may have happened is the most difficult part, but just forget about it and be happy with the win because it could have turned out to be nothing at all! $

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

HOW TO PLAY SPANISH 21 Not A Bad Bet With Nearly The Same Odds As Most Blackjack Games

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panish 21 is found at several Arizona casinos and is a favorite of players in many other states as well. The game is played on a standard blackjack table and you still try to make 21, but there are a few things that will leave you scratching your head, like being allowed to double down on any number of cards, or using surrender options.

To accommodate a slew of crazy rules, Spanish 21 games use special decks consisting of just 48 cards. The only cards not in use out of the regular decks (6-deck shoes are used) are the four Tens. That does give the house a higher advantage, so the game allows lots of great trade-offs. At most casinos, the house edge is close to the same as the odds found on standard blackjack games. If you play the bonus religiously, heaven help you. No, I’m kidding, it’s not that bad. In fact, the side bet is a lot of fun and only runs about 3% in the house’s favor.

Cool Rules At Spanish 21, the casino chooses whether the dealer will hit or stand on a soft 17. Probably, they will stand. In addition, either six or eight Spanish decks will be used. You may even be able to redouble-down up to three times. Other things you’ll find are even better: • A player blackjack beats a dealer blackjack • A player 21 always wins • Re-splitting of aces is allowed • Double after a split is allowed • Double on any number of cards is allowed, even after splitting aces • Hit after splitting aces is allowed • Double Down Rescue – player surrenders after doubling (loses original bet only) • Late surrender is allowed

Match the Dealer A side bet is often available if one or both of the player’s first two cards match the dealer’s up card. The six-deck game offers 4-for-1 on a non-suited match and 9-for-1 on a suited match. The eight-deck game pays 3-for-1 on a non-suited match and 12-for1 on a suited match. $ Approximate House Edge When The Dealer: • Stands on soft 17 (six deck): 0.37% • Stands on soft 17 (eight deck): 0.38% • Hits on soft 17 (six deck): 0.78% • Hits on soft 17 (eight deck): 0.80% • Hits on soft 17, with redoubling (six deck): 0.42% • Hits on soft 17, with redoubling (eight deck): 0.45% Changes To Approximate House Edge When The Dealer: • Hits on soft 17 with no surrender: +0.018% • Stands on soft 17 with no surrender: +0.006% • Hits or stands on soft 17 no draws on split Aces: +0.28% • Hits on soft 17, redoubling, no draws on split Aces: +0.029%

Bonuses If that wasn’t enough, there are bonuses for big hands: • Five-card 21 pays 3-for-2, a six-card 21 pays 2-for-1, and a seven or more card 21 pays 3-for-1 • 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 pays 3-for-2 if mixed suits, 2-for-1 if all the same suit (spades pays 3-for-1) • Suited 7-7-7 and a dealer 7-up card pays $1000 on bets up to $24, $5000 for bets over $24

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Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years.

He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer and blogger, author of “Vegas and the Mob"—available at Amazon.

He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

NEW SLOTS

By Lana Hartmann

Money Rain Ready For Play At Harrah’s Ak-Chin

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ncredible Technologies’ latest slot concept, Mo ney Rain, boasts an unprecedented 25,000 ways to win with Scatter Ways. Mo ney Rain takes the theme of “money” and flips it on its head, literally! The innovative reel mechanic featured in Mo ney Rain showcases the colorful money symbols folding in half and flipping, similar to the numbers flipping on a digital clock! The new slot is ready for play at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

Players are hoping to land four or more yellow transforming symbols during the main game to unlock the Money Reel - a smaller 6th reel that is locked during game play. Once unlocked, the Money Reel spins to decide which uniform symbol will replace the mystery symbols for some high paying scatter symbol wins! Three or more rain cloud scatters trigger the Free Spin Bonus where the Money Reel is active but only includes the top four replacement symbols.

The removal of the low paying scatter symbols creates opportunities for downpours of thundering wins. For more information on this game and other exciting new products by ITS, visit their website at ITSGames.com.

The Flintstones Ready For Play At Vee Quiva

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ake a trip to the town of Bedrock, and come play this slot right out of history at Vee Quiva Casino! The sights, sounds, and of course all of your favorite characters from The Flintsto nes television series make their debut on WMS’ Gamefield xD cabinet in this fresh take on the prehistoric wheel!

Featuring a 42” horizontal screen over a vertical 32” screen with a mechanical wheel, the 5x4 base game of The Flintsto nes theme features both a Flintstones and a Rubbles array. It only takes one character symbol landing on the 5th reel to activate one of the following bonuses: Watch as Bamm Bamm bangs symbols to turn them Wild in the Bamm Bamm Bonus, as Dino jumps on Fred and licks him for additional credits in the Dino Bonus, and as reels stretch up to 10 symbols high as Wild reels and multipliers are potentially added in The Flintsto nes mystery feature. Pick the cutest baby to double your credit prize in the Pebbles Beautiful Baby Contest, or pick bowling balls for credits in the Bedrock Bowling Feature.

Wilma? WILMAAAAAAAAAAA! Hurry up, Wilma, and head over to WMS.com to learn more about this and other exciting new WMS slots. $

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Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

The Big Bang Theory Ready For Play At Vee Quiva

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ur whole universe was in a hot dense state, then just recently Vee Quiva Casino installed brand new The Big Bang Theo ry slot machines by Aristocrat and things have never been the same! The game has a multi-game base game where players can play up to four reel sets. One of ten mystery bonuses can be triggered within the base game at any time with any bet. Additionally, three scatters trigger The Big Bang Theory Bonus Wheel, which awards one of six games: Large Leonard Hofstadter Collision Feature, with free Mega symbol spins with player-selected volatility; Dr. Sheldon Cooper Roommate Agreement Feature, with eight free Reel Power spins; Penny Friendship Paradigm Feature, with five free scatter pay spins awarded on 4x4 reel set; Howard Wolowitz Mystic Warlords Of Ka’a Feature, where the player selects cards to reveal multipliers and credits; Raj Koothrappali Scavenger Vortex Feature, where the player selects scavenger objects to reveal credits or Win All; The Big Bang Theo ry Progressive Feature, where the player selects symbols to win credits or progressive jackpot prize. Be sure to visit Aristocrat.com.au for more information about this and other great Aristocrat slot machines. $

The Jetsons Ready For Play At Wild Horse Pass

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eel nostalgic for the future! Meet George Jetson, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy, and Jane, his wife, in one of the latest slots from WMS Gaming, The Jetso ns slots! Featuring the sights, sounds, and characters from the classic TV show, this slot will leave you feeling nostalgic for the future.

Watch Rosie vacuum up low-paying symbols and replace them with Wilds in the Rosie Feature, or spin the wheel for one of five character-themed bonuses. Pick for credits in the Spacely Space Sprockets Bonus, pick clouds to help George Jetson make it home while avoiding the cops in the High Speed Hijinks Bonus, or enjoy free spins with up to two reels Wild in the Wild-O-Matic Bonuses! But that is not all; the whole Jetsons family is represented in The Jetso ns Family Free Spins, where all wins may be multiplied up to 10x!

So hop in your space cars and hurry to WMS.com to learn more about The Jetson slots. As Mr. Spacely would say, “No hurry, any time in the next five minutes is fine!” $ azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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NEW SLOTS

Britney Spears Ready For Play At Harrah’s Ak-Chin

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layers will go “Crazy” for the new Britney Spears Slot Game! Named one of the most anticipated games of the year, the Britney Spears Slot Game makes players feel like they are in the front row of an exclusive Britney Spears concert, thanks to the towering Arc Double cabinet that sweeps up and over players with two 42” curved, portrait, hi-def, touch-screen LCD monitors for a totally new, completely immersive, gaming experience. Arc Double’s pulse-pounding 5.1 stereo surround sound and iChair technology are the perfect way to hear Britney Spears’ most popular top-charting hits that bring the game to concert-level life, including “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” “Toxic,” “3,” “Oops I Did It Again,” and “Crazy.”

Britney Spears is feature-rich, with two base game features – “Equalizer” and “Oops I Did It Again Re-spin” – and four bonus features: “Crazy Feature Gateway,” “Oops I Did It Again Free Games,” “Toxic Picks” and the “Hit Me Baby One More Time Wheel.” Britney Spears has a single-site progressive jackpot with a $10,000 start-up jackpot. It is a 60 line game with a 50 credit minimum bet and 250 or 500 credit max bet. For more information about this game or any other Aristocrat games, visit Aristocrat.com.au. $

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WINNING WAYS

By Lana Hartmann

TRIPLE DOUBLE BONUS POKER Just How Good Is This Extremely Volatile Video Poker Game?

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have a love-hate relationship with the Video poker game Triple Double Bonus Poker. It’s kind of like over-indulging in a scrumptious European-style chocolate butter cream cake or going on that rollercoaster ride with your kids a second time (even though your stomach is still in your throat from the first time around)!

Triple Double Bonus Poker is a brutal, but extremely rewarding, Video Poker game. With a bet of five credits, a winning combination of four Aces with a kicker (any single 2, 3, or 4) pays 4,000 credits! This is equivalent to $1,000 playing a quarter denomination machine—the exact same win as the Royal Flush.

You can expect this substantial win to happen quite frequently; on average about once in every 14,000 hands! What’s exciting about this win is that it happens much more frequently than the coveted Royal Flush, which players will see once in every 45,000 hands approximately.

And, not only do the Aces pay much more than usual, but the four 2s, 3s, or 4s with a kicker also pay a much higher bonused win of 2,000 credits than other standard Video Poker games.

You won’t need to wait that long for this win either, because one of these sweet four-of-a-kind combinations will appear about once in every 5,800 games, on average.

At this point, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Where’s the catch?” Well, there is a catch and boy it is not pretty! To be able to pay higher rewards for winning combinations that happen less often, the pays for the winning combinations that happen very often are significantly reduced. In this game, you are not rewarded twice your bet back with a two pair as you are with Video Poker games like Bonus Poker and Jacks or Better, but rather just your bet back. Furthermore the three-of-a-kind wins, which occur in nearly 8% of your hands, are reduced to twice your bet back rather than three times your bet like on most other Video Poker games. This is brutal!

To ride out the ups and downs of this highly volatile game, players must come prepared with the appropriate bankroll to weather out any storms. If you are a person who gets easily frustrated, this is not the game for you. Sit back, have patience, know your bankroll will have high and low swings while you wait for the big payoffs.

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HINTS & TIPS 1. Just like with Double Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus Poker, you always want to sacrifice a dealt full-house that has three aces for the chance of getting four Aces. Hold the three Aces and discard the pair if the pair is a 5 through King. If the pair is a kicker (2, 3, or 4), then hold a kicker along with the three Aces. The strategy is different in this situation when playing Double Double Bonus Poker where only the three Aces would be held without the kicker to maximize an Ace coming back on the draw.

2. What do you do when dealt two Aces and two kickers? Well, you definitely don’t hold for the full house! However, is it advantageous to hold the two Aces with a kicker? No! When dealt only one or two Aces, never hold a kicker. Only hold a kicker when dealt three (or four Aces—it’s happened to me several times)!

3. What happens when you’re dealt three kicker cards with another kicker card (for example, three 2s with a 3)? This situation is the same as the Aces situation. Hold the kicker along with the three 2s. A Double Double Bonus Poker player would frown at this situation, and rightfully so, as the correct strategy for that game would be to drop the kicker to increase the chances for the fourth deuce! And, of course, you’d never hold just two 2s with a kicker! Good luck and enjoy the ride! $

CASINO DINING

By Mark Novak

GREAT FOOD & FUN IN THE PINES Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos Offer Amazing Daily Food Specials

ucky’s and Yavapai Casinos, located in beautiful Prescott, Arizona surrounded by clear skies and cool pines, are offering their patrons some amazing food specials this month. Players can enjoy non-stop action and BIG-WIN payouts on any one of their 525 exciting slots along with some delicious, low-priced food items starting at just $1.99! For more information about Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos and their menus, visit their website at Buckyscasino.com.

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tween one of the following three choices: Lite Breakfast (2 eggs, choice of side and bread), Lite Pancake Breakfast (2 eggs, 1 pancake, bacon or sausage) or Breakfast Sandwich (choice of meat with egg on an English muffin). Add just one more dollar and for $2.99 you can enjoy a 5 oz Grilled Pork Chop served with 2 eggs, hash browns, and choice of bread. This special is valid for all Gold Rush Club members who are 55 years of age or older.

Dine-in only.

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Visit Bucky’s (7am-10pm) or Yavapai Cantina (7am-11pm) on Mondays, show your GRC Veteran’s Commemorative Card to your server and receive 50% off any menu item! This offer is for dine-in only and cannot be combined with any other food discount or coupon.

Ladies Day On Thursdays between 11am and 4pm, ladies will have a difficult time picking which menu item to order for just $2.99! Options include a mouthwatering Chicken Mediterranean Salad with grilled chicken breast julienned with artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes and sliced onions over spring mix lettuce served with a Balsamic Vinaigrette, a very filling Shrimp Caesar Salad with sautéed baby shrimp over lettuce greens tossed in Caesar Dressing and covered with shredded parmesan cheese and croutons, or a delicious Tuna Fish Wrap with freshly made tuna fish in a tomato basil tortilla with sliced tomato and shredded lettuce which includes a choice of a side. The ladies lunch special is for Gold Rush Club members and dine-in only.

Senior’s Day Special Breakfast Menu Visit Prescott on a Tuesday and be treated to a scrumptious (and unbelievably economical) breakfast for just $1.99! Choose be-

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Taco Tuesday Available from 11am-10pm at Bucky’s Café and 11am-11pm at Yavapai Cantina on Tuesdays, all Gold Rush Club members can enjoy Two Beef Tacos (choice of crispy or soft tortillas, served with rice and beans) or Two Chicken Tacos (choice of crispy or soft tortillas, served with rice and beans) for just $2! Other delectable daily specials such as the Calamari Po Boy, the Pastrami Burger, and the Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Wrap are just $4.99 on select days! $

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By Mark Novak

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he only way to truly get a glimpse into the future of casino gaming is to visit the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) every year. For four days during the last part of September and early part of October this year, everyone remotely connected to the gaming industry converged at the Sands Expo & Convention Center for an amazing experience known as “The Show.�

This year, the show featured nearly a quarter of a million square feet of exhibit space where slot machine manufacturers and a whole host of other companies showcased their innovations to tens of thousands of attendees, including me and my fellow team members. And, as always, we are excited to present a sneak peek of the exciting new games coming our way in 2016!

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Complementing the licensed themes is Aristocrat’s core proprietary linked products including Lightening Link , their first player-selectable denomination linked quick-hitting progressive designed for core players. Quick-hitting it is as the jackpot feature is triggered once in every 100 spins, on average and the top jackpot is hit once in every 25 days, on average! Additionally, the industry’s best performing game, Buffalo, is launching on the new fleet of hardware with Buffalo Grand available on Arc Double cabinet and Buffalo Stampede on the Behemoth cabinet.

ARUZE GAMING

ARISTOCRAT Aristocrat will continue to bring entertaining, player-favorite brands to the casino floors with exciting new themes like Gam e of Thrones (based on the popular HBO fantasy drama depicting battling kings and dragons), Do w nto n Abbey (a PBS drama set against the historic events of early 20th century England), Ted (based on the movie about a loveable bear), Dumb and Dumber (based off another comedy from 1994 starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels), A Christm as Sto ry (a hilarious depiction of the 1983 Christmas movie classic), and Man o f Steel (the latest incarnation of Aristocrat’s licensed series based on the recent Superman films). These themes join the existing line up of exciting games that have recently hit the market including Sons of Anarchy Slot Game, The Big Bang Theory Slot Game, The Big Bang Theory Bazinga Slot Game and the Britney Spears Slot Game.

Revolutionizing the Electronic Table Game is the new Virtual Roulette game by Aruze. This HD projection roulette concept delivers a super-realistic wheel display and an exciting side game conducted in vivid color. Part of the G-Station series, the high resolution LCD player interface enhances player interaction with active scene changes depending on game play and the information accessed. New features include player interaction in shooting the ball and a thrilling Progressive Jackpot side game. This exciting new table game can go from 8 stations to 50 stations!

If the ball drops into a Jackpot Spot, the Jackpot Chance is triggered and starts after the roulette game result is displayed. Each player that entered the Jackpot Chance wins the indicated prize corresponding to the pocket the ball drops into. One prize is won from among the following prizes: a fixed credit prize or one of three Progressive levels. The player has the option to view the classic roulette screen or they can really take things to the next level and use the strategy screen to check out the roll history and determine what bet they feel comfortable with!

Aruze is focused on innovation and their product line is always growing! Their new offerings this year feature the Cube-X cabinet which is designed, according to the company, to be aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing to millennials (those born between the years of 1980 and 2000). The innovative Cube-X has a high definition video and LCD touch panel with brighter lighting and a much faster processor. This new cabinet is being used to expand the “Ultra Stack” series of games that have been wildly popular with players. Also included in the Cube-X is a new “X” series of games in which free game wins are multiplied by 2x to 10x! Titles include: To k yo Ro se X, Kabuki Master X, and Dragon’s Fortune X. New video slots on the Cube-X include: Extreme Phoenix and Extreme Dragon which are both 243-ways-to-win games featuring the Extreme Progressive. Special reels comprised exclusively of Picture, Feature, and Wild symbols are used during the 10 Free Games.

And, the Wild symbols bring a chance to trigger the Jackpot Feature with 4 Progressive levels.

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INTERBLOCK

EVERI

This year at G2E, luxury gaming manufacturer Interblock celebrated their 25th anniversary. The company raised the bar even higher by showcasing an impressive new product portfolio that is current, evolutionary and revolutionary! The show felt a new energy with Interblock’s new Pulse Arena, a completely customizable electronic table game that can be configured with a small number of play stations or an entire arena involving any of Interblock’s games in a specifically themed setting.

Since acquiring Global Cash Access (producer of most of the ATMs that can be found in the casinos) and Multimedia Games shortly after last year’s G2E, the entire Everi team has been focused on further elevating the entertainment experience with their innovative games. Everi’s booth at G2E this year featured over 140 games, including more than 70 new unique titles and an all-new gaming cabinet, the Co re HDX, representing the company’s most diverse product lineup at G2E ever!

The Co re HDX is a sleek and sophisticated gaming device featuring dual widescreen 23” monitors with 1080p HD capability, integrated touchscreens and a premium 3-way sound system.

The Co re HDX includes game-controlled lighting, ergonomic controls and an integrated LCD button panel. Exclusive titles for the new Co rd HDX platform include Tw in Drago n, Quad Burst Tiger Strike, Jackpot Inferno and Bonus Attack.

With Pulse, Interblock also unveiled its first branded electronic table game: Marilyn Mo nro e Ro ulette . The branding has added a deeper dimension of glamour to Interblock’s Diamond line of games for an even more meaningful luxury experience. The fun continues with a new version of Interblock’s classic Blackjack game, featuring enhanced game play, efficiency and player experience. The new generation of Organic Black jack is now faster with more interactivity and more anticipation!

Next is the revolutionary new Diam o nd StarBar, Interblock’s first multi-game/multi-play product which allows players to easily toggle between games. StarBar is an innovative new bartop way for players to enjoy the entire spectrum of Interblock games. Interblock also showcased their new, fully-automated Diamond Big Wheel game at G2E. The Big Six mechanical wheel spins automatically at pre-set intervals and up to 150 games can be spun per hour. The transparent wheel can even be connected to multiple, modular Diamond Play Stations!

TournEvent, the award-winning solution that has completely reinvented slot tournaments, once again returned to the G2E show floor with an exciting new feature set which includes updated graphics, new audio-visual effects, new titles and themed bonus events. And, the TournEvent o f Cham pio ns Tour Bus once again rolled onto the G2E show floor as well! The search for 2015’s best slot tournament player reached its exciting conclusion on the evening of September 30 at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort where 182 finalists competed for a share of over $1.4 million in cash prizes, including a $1 million top prize! Watch for TournEvent of Champions in AZ casinos again in 2016!

24

Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY (IGT)

SCIENTIFIC GAMES

IGT will continue its tradition of bringing pop culture’s hottest brands to the casino floors with the introduction of several new licensed slot themes. IGT partnered with Warner Bros. and the number one brand in entertainment news to bring TMZ Video Slots to life. This interactive theme is housed on the CrystalCo re cabinet and introduces never-before-seen camera-based “photo booth” technology that integrates a player’s image on the game screen and in several engaging bonus events.

The new Scientific Games company is made up of four companies which they acquired through mergers over the past two years: Bally Technologies, WMS Gaming, SHFL Entertainment, and Barcrest. Along with individual WMS and Bally cabinets, the company also unveiled its first combined cabinet called the TwinStar. This ultra-cool new cabinet features a 40% larger player interaction area and new version of the highly-popular iDeck button panel. Housed in this cabinet will be legacy games from the former WMS and Bally which include Zeus and Go ld Fish, Quick Hit and Hot Blooded.

Also heading up Scientific Games’ lineup of new games this year is the largest collection of licensed brands the gaming industry has ever seen—a total of 19 licensed themes! Mo nty Python and the Holy Grail will have players giggling during the hilarious bonus rounds. And, for those players who enjoy singing along to classic tunes as they play their favorite slots, Scientific Games does not disappoint! Take a trip down memory lane with Michael Jack so n Ico n, Margaritaville featuring the music of Jimmy Buffet, or Cher Live with hits like “Believe” and “Turn Back Time.”

Inspired by one of Netflix’s most-watched programs, IGT also unveiled Ho use o f Card s Po w er and Money Video Slots and House of Cards Welcome to Washington Video Slots at this year’s show.

Other must-play licensed titles from IGT included: The Dark Knight Trilogy Video Slots, Super Heroes and Villains, Breaking Bad Video Slots, The Ellen DeGeneres Sho w Have a Little Fun Today Video Slots, and a fourth game to the James Cameron’s Avatar Video Slots series, James Cameron’s Avatar The Sacred Bond Video Slots. Also watch for new titles such as Da Vinci Diamonds DualPlay, Age of Aurora, Mammoth Reels and Bubble Craze on the new CrystalDual cabinet!

IGT has also taken the video poker experience to the next level with the introduction of the Ultim ate X Poker w ith Power Deals Tournament Game that enables operators to host spirited video poker tournament games. The Company also introduced a series of new video poker titles such as the Super Hand Pok er game and the Super Draw 6 Card Po k er game, an innovative game that gives players the chance to win a six-of-a-kind poker hand!

Playboy Don’t Stop The Party features Pitbull with an assortment of Playboy Playmates. Cad d yshack (the 1980 comedy starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Ted Knight and Rodney Dangerfield) contains seven bonus events which include clips from the movie’s most memorable moments. The Ro ck y Horror Picture Show has exciting base game and bonus features and also includes many of the famous songs that will keep players singing along!

Existing branded names we’ve all come to know and love have been taken to the next level. Watch for new game titles such as The Wizard of Oz: Not in Kansas Anymore, Titanic Hear of the Ocean, Friends I’ll Be There For You, Cheers, Elvis Lives and Iron Man, a very exciting new game that has seven reels where two reels are wild on every spin and the wild reels change position on every game! And, Scientific Games just recently announced a new partnership with Twentieth Century Fox to create a themed slot machine based on the longest running scripted TV series, The Simpsons! The slot theme will star Homer and Marge Simpson and many other iconic characters from the show. Of course, all these licensed brands were also accompanied by scores of proprietary brands from Scientific Games as well! 2016 will surely be an entertaining year with tons of new titles for us slot enthusiasts! $

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

25

TRIBAL NEWS Words By Lee Allen Images By Lois Ellen Frank & Mary Paganelli

CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS VITALITY Native Foods Festival & Symposium November 12-13

W

hen life gives you acorns --- make stew. Chef Nephi Craig (Apache/Navajo), the founder of the Native American Culinary Association, takes life one acorn at a time in his mission to “restore and reinvent the largelyforgotten cuisine of our forebearers,” relying on Nature’s abundance of indigenous foods that represent a culture defined by diversity, history, and resiliency.

“Food is powerful and everything goes back to our roots for me,” says the Executive Chef at the White Mountain Apache tribe’s Sunrise Park Resort. Craig, and other Native chefs of like mind, will join forces to present a Native Foods Festival & Symposium, November 12-13, at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson.

Craig will be joined in cooking demonstrations and tastings by other chefs like James Beard, Award winner Lois Ellen Frank (Kiowa), owner of Red Mesa Cuisine restaurant in Santa Fe, and Loretta Barret Oden (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) who found fame as owner of New Mexico’s Corn Dance Café, first restaurant in the country to showcase indigenous foods of America.

Blending their talents, the trio of culinary craft masters will offer presentations about traditional foods and health, traditional agricultural practices, and the concept of food sovereignty. Sessions will be held on the making of Hopi Piki bread and Yurok roasted salmon, leading up to a tasting lunch featuring indigenous foods prepared by those same guest chefs.

For the true gourmand, a Friday the 13th multi-course dinner will feature traditional ingredients from across the Americas.

Beautifully presented and plated, each of the nationally-known chefs will discuss their dish before sharing their inspirations to

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

Chef Nephi Craig

The two-day celebration of, by, and for food producers will offer a chance to taste traditional and innovative preparations of foodstuffs that have sustained Native peoples for generations.

“It’s a gathering of food people of all levels to support and grow networks and relationships across Native communities,” he says. “There’s a very strong theme of health, resilience, and recovery as we continue to preserve and develop our foodways for posterity. We’re not stuck in a certain time period, i.e., how it was done in the olden days, Native foodways are very fluid and reflective of who we are.”

be paired with wine. To be held at the Museum’s Ocotillo Café, the limited seating fundraiser event is a $150 experience.

Although food is a focal point, it’s not the only attraction. On Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th, internationally-acclaimed basket weaver Terrol Dew Johnson (Tohono O’odham), a weaver since the age of ten, will join top basket weavers from the U.S. and Mexico in demonstrating (and selling) their art. Interestingly enough, Johnson’s Tohono O’odham Community Action group notes: “While the history of Tohono O’odham basketry combines utility, ceremony, trade, and artistry, there is no word in the Tohono language for art. Weavers have sought to blend

TRIBAL NEWS

Of the fund-raising feast, Craig says: “We plate artful dishes similar to ‘the fine dining world’ because we are artful people, but our style of cooking, the indigenous way, is not about ‘fine dining’. It’s a journey, a quiet pursuit that places home and family first. Cuisine is the articulation of culture, the poetry of mixing senses and memories --- creating a recipe of the mind, spirit, history, ingenuity, and deliciousness --- all before picking up a knife.”

Chef Lois Ellen Frank

Chef Frank has spent more than a quarter of a century documenting foods and lifeways of Native American tribes from the Southwest. Her book, Food s of the Southw est Ind ian Nations, won a James Beard Award in the Americana category, the first Native American book to achieve that honor. A proponent of gathering her own natural ingredients from the land, items like prickly pear, yucca blossoms, purslane, and other wild greens, she says: “Food is sacred. What you eat is a gift of a person’s

culture. Traditional cooking feeds the body wholesome food that feeds the soul.”

Chef Oden likes to combine classic culinary techniques with good old-fashioned American Indian cooking processes like

Chef Loretta Barrett Oden

beauty and usefulness, bringing together the material, spiritual, and aesthetic worlds. In basketry, beauty and utility are joined together. While some call it art, most basket weavers simply call it life.” Dancing and singing categories have not been left out of the program with performances by several groups including the renowned Apache Crown Dancers.

smoking and salting. A veteran of appearances on “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show,” the food historian says: “Native food is much more than fry bread and Indian tacos… our diversity of dishes also points to our diversity as a people. I grew up in the kitchen watching my mother, grandmas, and aunts cook. Most of what I know about food, I learned firsthand. Now I want to promote the concept of healthy food that Native people ate before the Europeans came.”

“Food is powerful,” says Craig who supervises an all-Apache staff of 14 cooks and 14 waiters at his resort. “Native people are emerging from a great interruption in their traditional foodways. Pre-contact, we were expert hunters, gatherers, fishermen, farmers, and cooks. Then came reservations with high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, and a turn from the most important ingredient in Native cuisine --- healing. Native foods are not a trend --- they are a way to recover our communities.”

Although not a part of this particular food festival, Navajo chef Freddie Bitsoie is another big part of the move to redefine the Native American cuisine and highlight indigenous heritage through food. “You put ‘healthy’ in front of ‘cooking’ and it can scare some people away, but Native dishes are not only delicious, they’re also good for you,” says the Four Corners chef.

“The stereotype is that healthy cooking frequently ends up with bland, boring, tasteless dishes is just not true. Native American cooking results in delicious foods and when you add the unintended health benefits, selling that concept gets even easier.” $

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

27

GAMING NEWS

Gila River Casinos Names New CEO

TSR Crowns New Poker Champion

Gila River Gaming Enterprises just recently announced that its Board of Directors has named Joseph A. Magliarditi as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Magliarditi has over twenty years of experience leading complex gaming organizations and growing the profitability and value of companies in the gaming and hospitality industry.

Talking Stick Resort, located in Scottsdale, AZ just east of the Loop 101 on Indian Bend Road, kicked off its 10th Annual Arizona State Ladies Poker Championship on September 19. Hosted in The ARENA Poker Room, the exciting two-day tournament drew nearly 200 contestants from across the country to compete for a share of the $40,000+ prize pool.

“Our search for a new leader to continue Gila River Casinos’ success has been focused and thorough,” said Pamela Johnson, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. “We established a broad field of candidates and interviewed many individuals.

Each was carefully interviewed by the Board and Magliarditi was our top choice.”

After an intense battle of wits and game play, Christine Burns was crowned the lucky winner. The Colorado Springs native claimed $11,739, a customized trophy and a state-of-the art Rolex watch on September 20.

“Joseph came to our attention because of his proven leadership experience and industry expertise, having a proven track record of driving profitability and improving the guest experience. We were impressed by his emphasis on developing internal talent, his personal integrity and his deep rooted knowledge of the role corporate culture plays in a company’s success,” continued Ms. Johnson.

An accomplished senior gaming executive, Joseph most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Prior to joining Palms, Magliarditi served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, as well as Executive Vice President at Morgan’s Hotel Group. Magliarditi has also been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the M Resort and Vice President of Operations at Rio Hotel & Casino.

“Gila River Gaming Enterprises has established itself as a leader in the industry, as well as the Phoenix valley with a great collection of three highly patronized, successful casinos,” said Magliarditi. “The Enterprise has accomplished a great deal through the efforts of their talented team members, and I look forward to leading it to new levels of success. We will continue to increase value for our guests and the Gila River Indian Community.” $

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

“This marked the 10-year anniversary for the Arizona State Ladies’ Poker Championship so we’re thrilled to host a tournament of such esteem,” said Tom Young, Director of The ARENA Poker Room. “This year, 187 women entered into the competition and we anticipate next year’s event will have an even bigger crowd. More and more players are joining in on the fun and we’re excited to provide opportunity to showcase their skills.

The finals began at 10am. Eight hours later, Burns showcased a pair of 3’s and 7’s and earned the winning title against her competitor Kathleen Erbe. But Erbe didn’t go home empty handed as she earned $9,088 for her second-place finish. Kathleen Toogood secured third place and took home $6,185.

All contestants paid a $300 buy-in and entered the competition with $12,000 in tournament chips. For more information about the 10th Annual Arizona State Ladies Championship or The ARENA Poker Room, visit TalkingStickResort.com or call 480.850.7734.

In addition to having one of the largest live poker rooms in Arizona, TSR also offers its patrons a 300,000 square foot casino, 11 restaurants and lounges, a world-class spa, 650-seat showroom, 25,000 square foot ballroom, cultural center, and more than 113,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. $

GAMING NEWS

Everi Crowns 2015 TournEvent of Champions $1 Million Winner

After six rounds of thrilling competition at The Wynn Las Vegas’ XS Nightclub, Everi crowned its 2015 TournEvent of Champions victor. Rita Kellerman beat out 181 other top tournament slot players to claim the $1 million first-place prize and champion’s ring.

Kellerman, representing the Ho-Chunk Gaming-Wisconsin Dells casino, survived two days of loud and intense competition. “I can’t believe I won,” said Kellerman. “It’s all so surreal right now. This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me except for getting married, of course.”

The 2015 TournEvent of Champions finals pitted 182 finalists representing 99 casinos from all across the U.S. and Peru in a high-energy battle for tournament slots supremacy that started with qualifying rounds in April of this year.

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

“Our casino partners do a wonderful job at hosting the TournEvent qualifiers throughout the year,” said Ram V. Chary, Everi President and CEO. Now in its fourth year, the TournEvent of Champions has exploded in popularity. Plans for the exciting 2016 TournEvent of Champions are already under way and Everi expects the party to be even bigger. The $1 million grand prize will be back in play and the five-year anniversary event is slated to coincide, once again, with the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. For more information about Everi, visit Everi.com. $

GAMING NEWS

Shuffle Master Classic Crowns $100,000 Winner

Iona Akelipa of Everett, Washington, headed home with $100,000, year-long bragging rights as the luckiest Three Card Poker player in the country, and a new wife after winning the Scientific Games 2015 Shuffl e Master Classic Three Card Poker National Tournament on Monday, September 28 at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Akelipa promised his fiancée that if he won the tournament, and the six-figure payout, the two of them would be headed to a wedding chapel. Both exploded with joy when Akelipa was dealt a straight in the final hand at the final table. “It was amazing,” he said.

“It’s been awesome. Everything was first class. I have no words to describe it and now I’m getting married tonight!”

Scientific Games Corporation hosted the event in which qualifying players competed for a total prize purse of $250,000. The championship event was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Three Card Pok er, the most popular proprietary casino card game in play today, as well as the Company’s legendary Shuffl e Maste r poker table games. Early this summer, a total of 87 players qualified for the tournament by hitting classic poker hands on eight popular Shuffl e Master table games. A total of 216 casinos across the U.S. participated in the promotion which included several in Arizona. The qualifiers received $1,000 for travel and accommodations in Las Vegas and a seat in the tournament. Tournament players came from three countries and more than a dozen states, ranging in age from 24 to 82.

The top seven players were awarded a share of the $250,000 purse. The winners were: Iona Akelipa of Everett, Washington, First Place $100,000; Lucas Kendall of Fenton, Missouri, Second Place $50,000; Jose Luis Sorto of Corinth, Texas, Third Place $30,000; Herman Auslander of Westminster, California, Fourth Place $25,000; John Doychich of Shelby Township, Michigan, Fifth Place $20,000; Paul Erikson of Sparks, Nevada, Sixth Place $15,000; Mary Leach of Huber Heights, Ohio, Seventh Place $10,000.

“We are thrilled about the huge success of this event,” said Derik Mooberry, Scientific Games Group Chief Executive, Gaming. “The feedback from hundreds of our casino partners has been tremendous and players had a great time competing in this national event. We congratulate the winners and wish everyone good luck the next time they play Shuffl e Master games.” $

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

31

GAMING NEWS

By Paul Speirs

Aristocrat Places 200 Premium Lease Games Across The Caesars’ Empire

Aristocrat has inked a landmark deal with the Caesars Entertainment Empire that places 200 premium lease games across the Caesars’ gaming empire. The deal complements Aristocrat’s existing premium lease install base and is the single largest Class III recurring revenue deal in Aristocrat’s more than 60 year history.

The installation marks the global debut of Aristocrat’s awardwinning Arc Double and Behem oth cabinets, as well as the debut of the wildly popular Britney Spears Slot Gam e , which hit Caesars’ casino floors in August. Additional popular titles making a splash with players include The Big Bang Theory Slot Game and Batman. Ted themed slot games will begin to roll out in December.

“We are excited to partner with Aristocrat in the branded game space. We are continually searching for ways to innovate the gaming floor to deliver the best, most exciting experience for our players. These titles resonate with our guests and provide a premium gaming experience,” said Melissa Price, Caesars Entertainment Senior Vice President of Enterprise Gaming.

“Additionally, we are thrilled to be the first gaming company to feature the Britney Spears Slot Gam e , launched in early August. Britney’s highly successful resident show at Planet Hollywood has brought a lot of excitement to that property and we have experienced that same level of enthusiasm for her slot game on our casino floors across the country.”

Aristocrat Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Operations Matt Wilson said, “It is an exciting opportunity to partner with Caesars Entertainment in a rollout of this magnitude as our products aim to create a total player experience. Caesars is investing in our industry-leading products, keeping their floors fresh and their players engaged with cutting-edge games and cabinets that deliver the world’s greatest gaming experience.”

Arc Double was named to Casino Journal’s 2014 Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Products Awards and to Casino Enterprise Management’s 2015 Top 10 Slot Floor Technology Awards. Gaming action plays out on the Arc Double dual 42” curved high-def LCD touch screens with upgraded graphic capabilities and iChair that provides players a dynamic cinematic gaming experience.

Behemoth, named to Casino Enterprise Management’s 2015 Top 10 Slot Floor Technology Awards, is the world’s biggest slot ma-

chine with the industry’s largest 84” UHD LCD portrait monitor and industry-leading ergonomics, all with a surprisingly small footprint. The visual impact and upgraded graphic capabilities of the monitor draws players in, while the first dual bench with surround sound allows for couple or group play to create a more social gaming experience for the player. For more information these games and other exciting Aristocrat slots, visit Aristocrat-us.com. $

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

Directory & Gaming Statistics

Aquarius Casino Resort 800.662.LUCK aquariuscasinoresort.com.

1,250+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, roulette, craps, keno, race/ sports book.

Avi Resort & Casino (Fort Mojave Tribe) 800.430.0721 avicasino.com.

1,000+ slots, bingo, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book, KidsQuest.

Colorado Belle Hotel Casino 877.460.0777 coloradobelle.com.

750+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book. Build your own amazing burger at Pint’s Brewery!

Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino 800.227.3849 riversideresort.com.

1,300+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, bingo, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book.

Edgewater Hotel Casino 800.677.4837 edgewater-casino.com.

750+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, roulette, craps, race/sports book. Great all-around casino!

Golden Nugget Laughlin 800.237.1739 goldennugget.com/laughlin 1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, sports book. Sign up for the player’s club and spin for free play!

Harrah’s Laughlin 800.447.8700 harrahslaughlin.com 900+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, live keno, race/sports book.

Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall 800.634.3469 pioneerlaughlin.com 490 slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, sports book. Make sure to check out the video poker & reel slots!

Laughlin’s Gaming Statistics August 2015 Slots

Laughlin River Lodge 800.835.7904 laughlinriverlodge.com 1,000+ guest rooms and suites, over 30,000 square feet of the hottest Vegas-style gaming, four restaurants, fast food options, & more!

Tropicana Laughlin 800.243.6846 troplaughlin.com 1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, and a sports book.

Stop in for lunch at Carnegie’s or the Poolside Café and enjoy the food!

We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. To inform us of updates, please email editor@azgamingguide.com. The Nevada Gaming Control Board publishes statistics on casino gaming activity in Nevada according to their state’s gaming regulations. The most current data for Laughlin at press time is from three months prior. *A negative hold percentage indicates that game overpaid during the stated month.

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

Hold % Tables

Hold %

Loose $5

3.32

Craps

15.21

$1

4.95

Pai Gow Poker

18.68

Multi-Denom 5.74

Blackjack / 21

19.14

25¢

5.98

Roulette

20.46

$25

7.39

Other Table Games 25.99

5¢

8.74

Let It Ride

30.15

1¢

10.88

Three Card Poker

32.79

Tight Megabucks

14.13

0.82

Win Amount

Dollars

Bingo

4.55

Slots

31.0 mil.

Live Keno

13.52

Tables

3.7 mil.

15.88

Other

0.2 mil.

Other Loose Sports Pools

Tight Race Books

Hold %

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Joe Hagan Director of Marketing, Tropicana Laughlin

TROPICANA LAUGHLIN There’s Something For Everyone Here

L

ast month I answered some of the questions from readers and I also mentioned a few upcoming events and promotions. We have so much going on here at the Tropicana Laughlin that there is truly something for everyone. In this issue, I wanted to share with you a little more about some of the events we have planned for November.

Weekend celebration at the Tropicana Laughlin is fast approaching and we can’t wait to see the smiling faces of Veterans and their families here at the Trop!

Special events over the weekend include: Food Fests in Victory Plaza, named after the fallen heroes and their victorious actions fighting for our country, we celebrate their sacrifices with a feast & live entertainment outside underneath our new Trellis Bar. The Patriotic Pig Roast is on Nov. 7, 8, and 11 from 3-7pm for only $9.99 (Veterans eat free).

Block Parties in Victory Plaza on Nov. 6 from 7-11pm and Nov. 8-11 from 2:30-7pm will feature dancing under the moonlight with some of the best entertainment on the Laughlin side of the Colorado River.

TOBY KEITH—NOVEMBER 7TH For this incredible concert, the Tropicana Laughlin has the best deal in town! Our room and Ticket packages include two nights on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 6 & 7) and two concert tickets.

The concert is at the Laughlin Event Center and $3 of each ticket sold is going directly to the USO. “People ask why we write so many songs about drinking and partying,” says Toby Keith. “Well, when we’re writing, that’s what we’re doing. We’re out on the road working, but we’re festive. If we were stuck in a cabin for a week hunting or something, you might write about being away from the party. But when you’re on the road, you’ve got this crowd and you’re presenting a party to them, it’s really hard not to get caught up in that and keep it fun. I like having a lot of that on my albums; when they turn it on, I want them to smile.” You won’t want to miss out on the party when Toby Keith comes to Laughlin!

First Annual Charity Poker Run Benefitting Veterans on Nov. 7th hosted by the Tropicana Laughlin, VFW Riders of the Colorado River, and Men of Fire CH6. The entry fee is $30 per rider which includes a Challenge Coin, a t-shirt, and a pig roast dinner.

United Blood Services Blood Drive will honor those who sacrifice for our country by sacrificing for those in medical need who will benefit directly from your donation. The event takes place on Nov. 7th from 9am-3pm in the Colorado Room.

Military Vehicle Display beginning on Nov. 6 and running through Nov. 15. Guests will enjoy a heroic display of the many vehicles that have fought and continue to aid in fighting for our nation’s freedom.

PIGSKIN PARTY VETERANS WEEKEND CELEBRATION Join us in honoring those who have fought fearlessly for the freedom we enjoy here in America! The yearly Veteran’s Day

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

As football season is upon us, the Tropicana Laughlin is the place to be on game night! This Fall and Winter, we’re throwing some mega football parties. Guests can watch all the games every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday on multiple screens

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

throughout the casino. During Big Board Sundays, Trop Advantage members draw for a square on the Big Board. At the end of each quarter, a winning square will be awarded $25!

Guests that select a square on the Big Board will receive one drawing ticket for the Big Game Day Lounge Drawing to be held on Feb. 7, 2016! On Drawing Mondays, guests play to earn entries. Drawings are held during televised game with a chance at winning up to $150! All Trop Advantage members receive one free ticket. Table Games Free Bets are your chance to earn up to $25 in free bets! Drawings are held on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. Drink specials on game days include a variety of beverages such as a 5-beer bucket for $15, $3 long necks, and $2.50 draft beer. Plus, we’ve also got gourmet hot dogs for sale!

For information about the Tropicana Laughlin, their specials, and a lot more, visit their website at TropLaughlin.com. $

Do you have a question for a Marketing Director? Have you ever wondered about the people working behind the scenes?

Do you want to find out how it really works? We know you do and here is your chance to find out!

Send your question in an email with “Ask Joe” in the subject to our address at editor@azgamingguide.com and if Joe selects your question to be answered in an upcoming issue, you’ll get a $25 gift card! (If you prefer to send a letter, you may mail it to the following address: “Ask Joe” Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277)

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

37

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings The Arizona Room: Chad Freeman And Redline (Country)— Mon. 8pm, Arizona Room Trivia—Tue. 7pm, , Country Dance Instruction (Learn to Dance)— Wed. at 6pm, Daisy Train (Country)—Wed. 8pm, Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)—Thu. at 6pm., Superhero Band—Fri. at 8:30pm Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends

Award-Winning Country Star Martina McBride Desert Diamond Casino—January 30, 2016 Country star Martina McBride is bringing her amazing voice to the Diamond Center on Saturday, January 30, 2016 for a concert sponsored by KIIM FM. Tickets start at $27.50 and are on sale through Star Tickets and also available at the Desert Diamond’s Rewards Center. Doors open at 7pm., show starts at 8pm.

Martina first made the country charts in 1992. Her hit records since then have included such enduring classics as “Wild Angels,” “Safe in the Arms of Love,” “Wrong Again,” “Blessed,” “My Baby Loves Me,” “Life #9,” “Love’s the Only House,” “Whatever You Say,” “Where Would You Be,” “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” “When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues” and “A Broken Wing.” To date, she has had 20 top-10 hits and six No. 1 smashes. It will definitely be a show to remember!

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Events: Veterans Fair & Rodeo—Nov. 5-8 (San Carlos Apache Tribe), #11 Trailer Roping—Nov. 7, Big & Rich—Nov. 7, BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm Events: Chubby Checker—Nov. 21, Williams & Ree—Dec. 18 (Two Shows) Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses Tribute)—Nov. 6-7, Fan Halen (Van Halen Tribute)—Nov. 20-21, Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute)—Nov. 2728, Showstoppers Live! Holiday Spectacular—Dec. 2-23, Monday Night Showroom Football—Mondays at 5pm

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Karaoke with Bling Bling/DJ Sosa—Th & Fr at 8pm Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Dance Fusion with DJ Blade—Fridays Noches Caliente—Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music!

Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Karaoke Night—Wednesdays 7-11pm Live music or DJs—Fridays & Saturdays Diamond Center: Heart—Nov. 14, Bob Newhart—Nov. 21, Josh Turner—Dec. 12, Martina McBride—Jan. 30, Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 Featured Entertainment: Stars of Beatlemania—26th, Phillip Bauer—27th The Lounge: The Ya rdbirds—6th, Eric Burdon & The Animals— 7th, Thaddeus Rose—13th, Soundwave—14th, Smooth Groove—20th, Walkens—21st, Young Country—28th Wednesdays In The Lounge: Enjoy live music from Noon—4pm. Stanley Serano Trio—4th, The Swingtips—11th, Stanley Serano Trio—18th, XO—25th The Lounge Happy Hour: Enjo y Ha ppy ho ur a nd live music Tuesda ys & Wednesdays from 5 – 8pm. Flavour—3rd, Karen & Pat—4th, Flavour—10th, Walkens Duo—11th, John Eric Duo—17th, Walkens Duo—18th, John Eric Duo—24th, Silhouette—25th.

Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show 7pm, The Doo-Wah Riders (Country)—Nov. 3-7, Barrio Latino (Variety)—Nov. 10-14, Marble Heart (Country)—Nov. 17-21, Justin Wright & High Octane (Country)—Nov. 24-28 Events:

Editor’s Pick Listen to the Music (Doobie Brothers Tribute)—Nov. 20, The Tribute (Shania Twain & Tim McGraw Tribute)—Dec. 18 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment throughout the week featuring the Valley's best local bands & DJs Cities Bar & Grille: Sunday Brunch featuring live entertainment from 10am-4pm Events: Cash’d Out (Johnny Cash Tribute)—Nov. 14, 49 Laughs (Comedy)— Nov. 21, Piano Man (Billy Joel & Elton John Tribute)—Nov. 22, Yolanda del Rio with Mariachi Azteca de Oro—Dec. 11

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

TANYA TUCKER Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Ovations Friday, December 4, 2015

Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Apache Spirits Lounge: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends.

Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom: Sunday Football Frenzy—Sundays during football season, David Spade—Nov. 7, Steven Wright—Nov. 14, Anderson Ponty Band— Nov. 21, Tracy Lawrence—Dec. 4, Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy—Dec. 5, Jerry Riopelle—Jan. 2, An Evening With Todd Rundgren—Jan. 8, STYX—Jan. 17, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam—Jan. 22, Jim Norton— Jan. 23, Frank Caliendo—Feb. 13, Joe Satriani—Mar. 5, Kathleen Madigan—Apr. 9 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 Event Center: DSB (Journey Tribute)—Nov. 7, Cash’d Out (Johnny Cash Tribute) —Nov. 14, Piano Man (Billy Joel & Elton John Tribute)—Nov. 22 Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Chrome Nightclub—Fri & Sat 9pm-2am, The Lounge—Featuring a variety of live music nightly, Festival Park—Live music outdoors Showroom: Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts—Nov. 6, WFF MMA—Nov. 7, Melissa Etheridge—Nov. 13, Diamond In The Rough (Neil Diamond Tribute)—Nov. 15, 49 Laughs—Nov. 21, Tanya Tucker—Dec. 4, Craig Ferguson—Dec. 11, Ho’okena Holiday Show—Dec. 12, LeAnn Rimes—Dec. 18, Powerdrive—Dec. 31, Donny Osmond—Jan. 8, Europe—Jan. 25, Verify all details & age restrictions (generally 21 & over) for each event. Venues, times, dates, & ticket information are subject to change. Photos/images copyright of the individual artist(s), photographer(s), or venue(s). All Rights Reserved. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.

Edgy. Classic. Country. A defining voice of country music and a modern-day legend, Tanya Tucker has inspired many female artists who still top the charts today. From the signature classic songs to the unforgettable sass and soul of her voice, Tucker has paved a path in country music and beyond through an unprecedented level of success and continues her longevity today due to a natural, undeniable talent.

Tucker had her first country hit in 1972 when she was just 13 years old. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature into adulthood without losing her audience and, during the course of her career, has notched a remarkable streak of Top Ten and Top 40 hits.

Her hits include “Delta Dawn,” “Love’s the Answer,” and “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone).”

The 1990’s gave rise to some of Tucker’s most recognizable and career defining songs, “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” and “It’s a Little too Late.” New albums, along with multiple versions of greatest hits and live compilation projects, have propelled Tucker to become one of the best selling female artists in country music.

Ticket prices start at $24, doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. The following discounts are available: •$10 off for GRIC members (enrollment card required), Group Sales and Hotel Sales Package clients and GRGE Team Members.

•Gila River Casinos Players Club card members receive the following discounts based on tier level—Emerald $5, Ruby $10, Gold $15, Platinum $20. All discounts are per ticket, 4 tickets maximum per Players Club member.

•Tickets are at retail pricing when purchased online or by phone. Discounts are available at the Players Club and Box Office only. For ticket sales and more information, please call the box office at 1.800.WIN.GILA Ext. 7370. $ azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

39

CASINO BINGO

BINGO STRATEGY 4 Simple Tips To Increase Your Chances Of Winning

I

t never hurts to have a little edge over your competition. If you’re going to play bingo, here are a few hints you can employ to increase your chances of winning! Good luck!

Play Multiple Cards: The simple truth of the matter is the more cards you play the more you can win! Take advantage of quantity discounts. Buying multiple cards is usually less expensive than buying packs of cards individually.

Reduce The Competition: Many casino bingo payouts are fixed and don’t increase the more players there are. Therefore, players have an advantage when participating in games with as few opponents as possible. One way to do this is to play during weekday sessions, late at night and at odd hours.

Ignore The Numbers On The Left Side: For example, if you’re trying to determine whether you have N35, just swiftly skim the N column and keep an eye out for the digit 5. Don’t let your brain waste time registering the entire number. If there’s a numeral in the N column that ends in 5, quickly verify whether it’s 35 or not and move on. This will increase your speed and reduce the likelihood of any errors.

Visualize The Patterns: It can be tricky remembering what the pattern needs to be while keeping up with the caller. One trick is to pre-daub all the squares that aren’t part of the pattern before the game begins. Another trick is to highlight the squares that are part of the pattern, helping your brain focus on all the important spaces. $

Casino

Sessions

Seats Smoke-Free Area Electronic

Apache Gold

Su, We, Th at Noon. Fr & Sa at 7pm. 1st Mo of the month at 7pm

100

No

Yes

No

BlueWater

Mo-We 6:30pm. Su at 1:30pm.

400

Yes

Yes

No

Casino Arizona

Mo-Su at 6:30pm Daily Matinees at 12:30pm

1000

Yes

Yes

L8 Nite Bingo Fr & Sa Doors at 10pm. Games at midnight

Casino Del Sol

Daily at Noon, 1:30, 2:15, 6:30 & 7:15pm

600

Yes

Yes

Cosmic Bingo Sa at 11pm.

Cocopah

Th-Su at 6:30pm

350

Yes*

Yes

No

Desert Diamond I

We-Mo 1:30, 2, 6, 6:30 & 7pm

300

Yes

Yes

No

Fort McDowell

Sa & Su at 6:45am. We-Mo at 9am. Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm.

1275

(2 sections: enclosed or in general seating)

Yes

Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.

Call for Lunar Bingo schedule.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin

We-Su at 11:30am, 2:30, 3:30, and 6:30pm

470

Yes

Yes

No

Lone Butte

Sa & Su: 10, Noon, 3:45, 5:30pm.

Daily: Noon & 6:30pm.

750

Yes

Yes

B.A.D. Bingo Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.

Mazatzal

Mo-Th at Noon.

Tu & Th at 6:30pm.

280

Yes

Yes

No

Paradise

Daily at 1:30pm.

Mo-Fr at 6pm.

300

Yes

Yes

Call for Kozmic Bingo & Other Special Dates

Twin Arrows

Th-Su at 7pm & Su at 3pm.

100

No

Yes

No

Vee Quiva

Daily at Noon & 6:30pm.

366

Yes

Yes

Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.

Yes

Late Night

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 10/01/15 & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.

Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4am Sunday to 4am Monday.

40 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

THE ELATION & AGONY OF GAMBLING How A Hot Streak Can Be Part Of A Really Cold Night

G

amblers are steadfast believers in streaks. A table or dealer or wheel or slot machine is either hot or cold. It has to be one or the other, because that’s how the forces of nature, the higher powers, or the people in the backroom pushing the buttons and controlling the outcomes dictate that it will be.

Just recently I was playing Multistrik e, one of my favorite video poker games by IGT. At $5 a hand, I was rapidly plowing through my bankroll without so much as a three-of-a-kind, let alone the most coveted four-of-a-kind win. Peeved and thoroughly devastated, I was having more and more of a difficult time keeping my frustration at bay. That particular play session was one for the records—a cold streak if ever there was one. The pain of watching a $100 bill go into the machine and instantly dwindle down to zero was disheartening. However, lo and behold, with mere dollars left to my bankroll, I hit 4 Aces with a Kicker on the third row. Now, aficionados of this video poker game will know that a third line win comes with a 4x multiplier for a very sweet taxable hand pay (especially given that I was playing the bonused Triple Double Bonus Poker game)! These glorious four aces were the first of many four-of-a-kinds that night. My cold streak had turned into a hot streak in the blink of an eye!

During another recent casino visit, I was playing Blackjack and, no kidding, I had 15 winning hands in a row! Now that’s not just hot, that’s sizzling, scorching, sweltering, blistering—call it whatever you want! As I watched my chips accumulate into a small mountain, I began to feel as though I was invincible. In fact, just as I began to feel sorry for all the unlucky players that were at the table losing, I was dealt my 16th hand. That’s when everything turned around and I started drawing to losing hands. Worse yet, when I was supposed to draw, I was busting.

I still won some hands, but overall I was losing. By the end of the night, my stake was gone, the entertainment was over, and the hot streak was nothing more than a faint memory compared to the unforgiving sting of the overall cold streak I rode for most of the night.

Hot and cold streaks will happen all the time and at every casino game. The key is to enjoy the ride when you’re hot, but know it’s just a matter of time before the game changes and the cold side of the game rears its ugly head. The question is: are you resilient enough to ride out the storm?

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

FIVE Ways To Help Ride Out The Storm During A Cold Streak 1 Come with the correct bankroll to weather out the storm.

Make sure you understand the ups and downs of the game you are playing and match your bankroll accordingly.

2 Stick with the same strategy. Changing strategies midstream is never a good thing. This will lead to second-guessing and additional unnecessary stress and other negative emotions.

3 Continue to make the same bet. Changing wagers affects your bankroll. Since you calculated your bankroll in advance with a certain bet in mind, keep the bet the same.

4 Don’t let your emotions take over. Strategy and decisionmaking is based on logic, facts, and reasoning—not emotion!

Relying on your emotions to influence decisions is a bad bet.

5 Don’t allow short-term results to dictate your opinion of a game. While everyone wants to experience hot streaks, cold streaks are part of every game as well. Be aware and be prepared!

Do YOU have something to rant or rave about?

Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com

FUN FACTS

By Lana Hartmann

GAMBLING LINKED TO GOOD HEALTH Studies Show Gaming Reduces Harmful Health Effects Of Stress

M

any of us enjoy visiting casinos and it’s easy to understand why our engagement in such a fun leisure activity can elevate our moods and happiness levels.

However, numerous studies across the years have shown that gambling is not only a great form of entertainment, but that it can actually be a therapeutic diversion. With every trip to the casino, us players may essentially be increasing our life span!

A great deal of research has been conducted over the years, which includes studies from Yale, Harvard, Southern Illinois University, and many others, indicating that casino gaming (regardless of whether it’s slots, keno, table games, or bingo) has tremendous positive psychological and physiological effects on people—especially on elderly gamblers who are 65 years of age and older.

The findings indicate individuals who gamble recreationally

have lower rates of depression, are in better physical health overall, are more inclined to be self-reliant, and have a larger social support network than their non-gambling peers. Furthermore, higher levels of concentration, improved memory, and increased problem solving skills were all attributed to the positive side effects of gambling. In addition, those studies showed gamblers tend to be optimistic people. Therefore, the theories suggest those people with a positive outlook are able to cope with stress better which, in turn, reduces the harmful health effects of stress on the body. $

azgamingguide.com | November 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide

43

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH To celebrate Fall, find: NOVEMBER, AUTUMN, FALL, THANKSGIVING, LEAVES CORNUCOPIA, RAKING, BONFIRE, COLORS, HARVEST, PUMPKINS, FOOTBALL, CORN, CHILLY, SCARECROW, MAIZE. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

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

(Solution on page 46)

9 4

5

2

1 8 4 4

3 8

5

1

4

9

9

8

5

1 7

4 9

3

7 8

1

7

4

6

44 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 898

Y

Y

05. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,068

Y

Y

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 288

07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 655

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 509

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,089

I-19, Exit 80

Tucson

866-332-9467 674

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

08. Cocopah Resort Casino 09. Desert Diamond Casino I 10. Desert Diamond Casino II 11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why 12. Fort McDowell Casino

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

480-802-5000 1,089

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 825

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

800-946-4452 786

Y

Y

Payson

800-777-7529 420

Y

Y

Y

Y

450 Quechan Dr.

Yuma

888-777-4946 486

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

18. Quechan Casino

I-8, Exit 166

Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+

19. Spirit Mountain Casino

8555 Hwy. 95

Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 235

Y

Y

Chandler

Y

101 & Indian Bend

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 765

Y

I-40, Exit 219

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,087

Y

Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 950

Y

Y

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 950

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 243

21. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 22. Vee Quiva Casino 24. Yavapai Casino

Y Y

Y Y* Y

Y

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

20. Talking Stick Resort

Y

Y

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

17. Paradise Casino

23. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 898 Maricopa

15. Lone Butte Casino

Y

Y

58

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

14. Hon-Dah Casino 16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

866-332-9467

Y

Y

Spa

04. Casino Arizona

Golf

800-756-8744 319

RV Park

888-243-3360 525

Prescott

Hotel

Parker

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 10/01/15 & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.

Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4AM Sunday to 4AM Monday

For information on the casinos & much more, scan our QR codes with your smartphone!

azgamingguide.com

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Word Search Solution L L A B T O O F

T C O L O R S E B

F A L

C H I L L Y N R T H S S A E E N V E V R A K R R E E I S A L F B G H N M I O N E V Z M V I U O A T M U L

O W O R C E R A C S I

R A K I N G

C O R N U C O P I A

N N

Sudoku Solution

C

G

P U M P K I N S

9

3

7

5

8

4

6

2

1

4

1

5

9

2

6

3

8

7

6

2

8

7

3

1

4

5

9

7

6

3

2

4

9

8

1

5

8

4

2

3

1

5

7

9

6

5

9

1

8

6

7

2

4

3

3

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6

1

5

2

9

7

4

2

5

9

4

7

3

1

6

8

1

7

4

6

9

8

5

3

2

A

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2015 | azgamingguide.com

Smoke-Free Area

Y

11300 Resort Drive

Y

Arcade

Y

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Poker Room

Y

800-272-2438 590

Table Games Y

Globe

Live Keno

Y

City

Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe

06. Casino of the Sun

Slots

Y

Location

01. Apache Gold Casino Resort 03. Bucky’s Casino

Phone

Bingo

Casino

High Limit Area

CASINO DIRECTORY

Y Y Y