Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - January 2019 - 11:01

JANUARY

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 NEW SLOTS

16 TABLE GAMES 20 FEATURE STORY 24 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 26 WINNING WAYS 28 GAMING NEWS 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 36 FUN & GAMES 38 CASINO DIRECTORY

20

RESEARCH SHOWS GAMBLING IS LINKED TO GOOD HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY

26

32

33

Always use a Players Club card when at the casino, but make sure to avoid these costly mistakes!

Play for a chance to win one of the Top 10 Cash Prizes which include a first-place prize worth $2,000!

The newly remodeled 7,607 sq. ft. buffet features a pizza and pasta station, Asian, Mexican, and more!

AVOID FOOLISH MISTAKES WITH PLAYERS CARDS

WIN $2,000 IN HON-DAH’S SLOT TOURNEMENT

BUFFET AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN NOW OPEN

azgamingguide.com | January 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

May 2019 Be Your Best Year Yet!

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 01 MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

M

ost people start off the New Year making resolutions that tend to be impossible to achieve only to end up disappointed and frustrated! For example, several years ago I made a New Year’s resolution not to eat any fast food. That same year, I also decided to get up at 4am every day to exercise before work. Of course, begrudgingly, I lasted only 63 days. On day 64, I vowed never to make such painstakingly difficult, unrealistic New Year’s resolutions!

The following year I created a list that was three pages long and filled with tasks I was excited to accomplish. I took a cruise to Alaska and traveled to exciting destinations like New York City, Memphis, Atlantic City and New Orleans just to name a few! Ever since then, my New Year’s resolutions have been focused on trying new things, having more fun, being adventurous and making it my best year yet! This year, I want to write a beautiful poem, bake a delectable cake, experiment cooking with exotic spices, visit a national park, hike the Superstition Ridgeline Trail and play racquetball again (a sport I loved in college)!

This year, I hope your list of New Year’s resolutions include a ton of exciting pleasures because you deserve it! We are extremely fortunate to have so many wonderful casino options available to us in Arizona, so if you are one of those people that only visit casinos close to where you live, try something different.

Vow to have fun and make 2019 your best year yet!

Please visit our Facebook at: 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. You can sign up for our e-newsletter and find current and back issues of the Arizona Gaming Guide on our website at AZGamingGuide.com. Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!

Thank You!

Alexandra

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

PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Matt Probst Mark Novak Steve Bazzar TJ Jorgensen Megan Conner Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker 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 AZGamingGuide.com Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Copyright © 2019 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. AGG is not liable for claims made in advertisements. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. Intended for single use only. Reproduction in part or in whole in any form without consent is not permitted. Sale and/or distribution in any form without consent is not permitted. For more information, visit our website at AZGamingGuide.com/index_files/legal_disclaimer.html.

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 Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Division 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

04 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

PLAYERS TALK Q: I’m wondering if having the Players Club card in affects whether you win or not. I play slots and for the last few months, I have found that when I have my Players Club card in, I rarely win. When I am on a losing spree (most of the time), if I whip out my Players Club card, I seem to start winning (at least a little). Does the Players Club card affect your winnings? Do the casinos prefer to pay those who do not have cards, so they don’t have to pay rewards?

In the old days, the Players Club card really paid off. A player got lots of rewards, especially if you stayed at a [slot machine] for a long time. In today’s world, the reward redemptions are minimal, if not non-existent. Only one or two casinos in the Valley area give enough rewards to make a player really care.

I guess if I spent thousands of dollars on each visit, I might have a different story to tell. I like to go often to casinos, sometimes I like to play max (when the max is not exorbitant), spend a few hundred and win at least a little of it back so I can go again.

I don’t always want to be a loser, so do I put the card in when I play, or not?

Barbara DuPonte—Sun City West, Arizona

A: We feel your pain Barbara. Please know that you are not alone in your experience. We get hundreds of letters and e-mails regularly from our fans who are dismayed by their continued losing sprees which, as they claim, are due to their Players Club card. However, always, always, always, always, always, always (is that enough of them to make our point? OK, one more!), always use a Players Club card when you play. No matter the casino, no matter what, when, or how, use your card from start to finish of any playing session.

To be clear, using a Players Club card CANNOT affect the outcome of a spin on a slot machine. Casino gaming regulations prevent this from happening. A Players Club card tracks the wagers made and converts that into whatever point system the casino’s Players Club has set up. A Players Club card may allow you to order drinks, play a quick game on its screen to award a free buffet voucher, award bonus comps, etc. It will never interfere with the play of the slot machine or the outcome of the next spin. It can’t.

Remember that every spin on a slot machine is independent of previous and future spins. If spins were dependent and could be controlled by a nonrandom process on a game, the slot would be illegal and with all the independent testing and levels of government regulation it would not find its way onto the

(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.

06 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

PLAYERS TALK (Continued from page 6)

floor of a casino. If an illegal or noncompliant device or slot machine were to be found in a casino, that casino would be risking its gaming license and possibly be shut down. Which casino would want that?

A slot machine has no way of knowing the past or predicting the future to influence the current spin. If it did, it would be illegal.

Also, casinos can’t control or influence the outcome of a spin on a slot. That would be illegal too.

And, (but you already know where this is going, right?) Players Club cards and their associated devices do not interact with the outcome of spins. That would also be illegal.

Our team understands the human condition of attempting to place order and reasons behind random events. We humans want to make sense out of chaos, it’s in our nature! Unfortunately for us mere mortals, a slot machine’s random number generator is mathematically random and cannot be influenced by the casino, your mom, your son, your son’s ex-wife, your son’s exwife’s kids from her first marriage, a good luck charm, a bad luck charm (hey, some people have them!), the fight you had with your sister during Thanksgiving, the fact that the dog ate your favorite scarf last night, and finally, yes, even your simple Players Club card (or lack thereof).

However, we strongly believe you and your attitude can influence your experience at the casino. So, take our advice and always play with your Players Card inserted into the card reader.

Double check that your Players Club card is registering and active (generally indicated by a green light). If you are unsure or you spot an obvious problem (usually indicated by a flashing red or orange light), hit the “Change” button and explain your issue to a slot attendant. This will take the uncertainty of the Players Club card being in or out of the slot machine completely out of the equation allowing you to focus solely on winning and your positive attitude.

Look, having the casino track how much money you are wagering over time is the only way for them to accurately justify giving you something back! If you don’t let them track your play, they don’t know how to reward your play and loyalty. Furthermore, how would a casino know how to reward a player with winning or losing sessions if a Players Club card is not inserted as you suggest? In our opinion, we’d rather get something back for our loyalty to a casino via a Players Club card than not. Let us explain why.

When was the last time a “discount” warehouse club store (we won’t mention names, but I’m certain you know which stores I’m talking about) gave you a free hot dog? Patrons of those stores have to pay a membership fee annually just for the “privilege” to spend money in the store (all of which is tracked

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

as customers must present their membership card at the register), and where’s the free pizza, or loaf of bread, or bouquet of flowers, or a gift card to a gas station (which they operate), or a free casserole dish, or a bed spread, or five entries into a drawing for a new car, or…?

What has a grocery store’s loyalty card done for you lately aside from track all your purchases? Oh yeah! Every now and then there is a “buy five milks, get one free” promotion. And, just as an example, this week, mac & cheese is “on sale” for $1 per box when you buy 10 items (which also happens to be the purchase limit, funny). But this “great deal” becomes a little suspect when every grocery store has the same brand of mac & cheese on sale.

Hmm, is that brand of mac & cheese just offloading their back stock, or are they trying to boost sales, or is the regional distributor trying to move the product? Look, the casinos have promotions every day which are accessible through their Players Club card enticing you to come spend money at their establishment.

The discount warehouse club stores (they send their “members” monthly mailers) do too, as do the grocery stores (they send every postal customer weekly mailers)! But which establishment gives patrons something in exchange for their loyalty and entertainment dollars? In our opinion, the casinos through their Players Club programs.

If you are dissatisfied with your current casino offers, you might ask to speak with someone at your favorite casino’s Players Club about your account, the play you have established with the card inserted in the machine and ask for a review and an explanation regarding your status and the offers you are receiving. If that does not satisfy you, there are plenty of casinos across the Phoenix area and in our beautiful state at which to spend your entertainment dollars. Each casino’s Players Club is different in their structure, benefits, and offers. You may want to consider investigating what another property has to offer.

To summarize, the Players Club cards do not influence your wins and losses at the casinos. That is prevented by casino gaming regulation and the intense level of compliance every electronic device in a casino is subjected to. Play with your Players Club card always. Have a positive attitude and good luck! $

NEW SLOTS

Monopoly Hot Shot Now At Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

P

ass go and collect your winnings at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson!

Monopoly Hot Shot from Bally combines the iconic board game with the player-favorite Hot Shot feature, showcased in a TwinStar V75 cabinet with a 75-inch, curved, ultra-high-definition, 4K resolution display.

Your favorite Monopoly game pieces and characters have never looked so good! Players will experience three mini game-in-games for a chance to win one of three progressive jackpots. Three Scottie Dog symbols on the reels awards a bonus where players roll the dice to move around the game board. Land on a Railroad symbol and earn a multiplier; land on Chance, Community Chest, or Free Parking symbols and earn a pick feature. Utility or Tax symbols result in a credit “refund� and landing on GO will give you a giant cash payout! Roll the dice at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson!

For more information on the latest slots, visit DDCAZ.com, call 1.866.DDC.WINS (1.866.332.9461), or follow on Facebook (/ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Coming Soon

NEW SLOTS

Wheel Of Fortune Cash Link

By IGT

S

lot manufacturer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Video Slots with its multilevel progressive, exciting base games and new Cash Link feature is an exciting addition to any casino floor.

The game’s engaging new Cash Link feature awards the credit values shown on gold coins when a treasure chest symbol lands on reel five. The free games bonus is triggered when free games symbols land on reels one, three, and five, and can be retriggered for up to 200 free spins. Housed on the CrystalWheel gaming machine, this 3x5 reel, low-denomination game features two thrilling base games including Exotic Far East and Latin Getaways Video Slots.

For more information, visit IGT.com. $

azgamingguide.com | January 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide

11

NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

Lightning Diamonds

By Everi

A

n exciting three reel, nine line mechanical game, Lightning Diamonds, by Everi, features scatter pays including progressives for stacked diamond symbols. Lightning Diamonds symbols are wild and can count towards diamond scatter pays.

Lightning Diamonds is available on Everi’s Player Classic Boost which engages players with unique game content displayed across an 18.5-inch Apex U topper and a 19-inch top screen, updating as the player increases their bets and earns prizes.

The Player Classic cabinet improves upon the classic look and feel of a slot machine with its ergonomically designed player controls, RGB LED reel front and back lighting, and a premium three-way sound system.

For more information about Lighting Diamonds and other exciting games, visit Everi.com.

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

PIT GAMES DISSECTED PART I Texas Hold ’Em

T

he World Poker Tour (WPT) is known for its entertaining poker tournament shows viewed in more than 150 countries. It has been around for 16 years now, having started in 2002 with a United States broadcast by television producer Steven Lipscomb, who served as the CEO of WPT Enterprises, Inc. The premiere of the show couldn’t have been better, coinciding with renewed interest in the annual World Series of Poker, held in Las Vegas. And of course, the boom in a new place to play, your living room. Internet poker on the World Wide Web allowed millions of people to stretch out, deposit some bucks, and play poker in their PJ’s.

In Arizona, full-scale casinos were just around the corner, and today the state boasts 18 poker rooms and nearly 180 poker tables. And still, many people watch the WSOP and the WPT on TV. Now watching poker players fight-it-out on the boob-tube may not seem exciting, but the TV shows gave viewers a look at how successful tournament players judged their opponents and their own starting hands by secretly revealing their two starting cards to viewers. It made a huge difference.

Since then, the WPT has morphed into a never-ending series of tournaments held at exotic locations all over the world, with buy-ins from $500 to $25,000. Satellite tournaments are also popular for parlaying low-cost tournaments into main event tournaments. And, nothing beats getting seen on TV and earning a big check.

Most recently a tournament at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida attracted 898 entries at $3,500 each. The prize pool was just under 3 million dollars with Pavel Plesuv taking down First Place prize money of $505,000.

Texas Hold ‘Em as a Table Game No matter how popular the WPT might be, not all of us are going to spend $3,500 to enter a poker tournament, especially when they can last up to six days and require travel and lodging. To that end, several pit table games capture the fun of Texas Hold ‘Em poker including Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, World Poker Tour 3x, and WPT Heads Up Hold ‘Em.

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Each game has a faithful following, based on their fun factor and the small house edge. The overall casino hold is much lower than Keno, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, or Three Card Poker.

The big difference is that you play against the dealer instead of other players. So, unlike the poker table where the best player has a huge edge, you get to raise when you want, and the dealer just pays you when you beat their hand, they can’t raise you back! Bonus wagers also allow you to win up to 500 to 1 on big hands like a royal flush.

Every hand starts with a standard bet to receive your two cards, and like regular poker, you can keep playing and raise your wagers if you like what you see. Remember, in Texas Hold ‘Em, you get two cards of your own and share any number of the five community cards you want, to make your best five-card hand.

Keep your pairs, big cards, and those of the same suit and toss the little cards. If you want more specific strategy advice to improve your chances, check back next month! $

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. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

TABLE GAMES

By TJ Jorgensen

BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS PART I Casino Arizona Blackjack Tournament Player Rankings For 2018

F

or the year of 2018, I kept track of the final table results of Casino Arizona's Tuesday at noon and the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm Blackjack Tournaments. I ranked the players according to how many final table appearances they have made in 61 Tournaments. Here are 2018’s top five best players using 1st names.

Ranked 5th: Michelle and Robert S. tied with 14 Ranked 4th: Russ, Dennis, and John all tied with 16 Ranked 3rd: Victor and Rockin’ Rob tied with 17 Ranked 2nd: Andre with 23 Ranked 1st and Blackjack Tournament Player of the Year: TJ with 26 and over $16,000 in winnings (me, pictured below) If you like to play Blackjack and have never played in a Tournament you should consider giving it a try because that's where the money is.

In tournament Blackjack you are playing against the dealer and the other players at your table. There is a set number of hands, and you are trying to be the player with the most chips by the last hand. Sometimes you will accomplish that by losing the least, other times by betting aggressively. If the other players have large bets out on a given hand, and you bet the minimum, you will root for the dealer to have a Blackjack or good hand so that the other players lose putting you ahead.

In tournaments you will sometimes play hands differently than you would playing regular Blackjack, like doubling down on a hard 19. For example, I was playing a tournament and after four

tough rounds of competition I was playing the final round, or money round as I call it. By the last hand there were only two players left, myself and a guy from Mississippi. Going into the final hand I had the most chips, but not by much, and was going to bet and act last, which made me a heavy favorite to win it all.

First place was $10,000, second place was $4,000. The other player made his bet and I matched it, which is the percentage play in that situation.

It came down to this; I would win the tournament if we both won the final hand which will happen about 30% of the time. I would also claim victory if we both lost the last hand, which happens 31% of the time, or I won while he lost which occurs 12% of the time. I could also get the win if I pushed while he lost, that happens 5% of the time. Basically, I was around a 78% favorite to win it all.

The cards were dealt for the last hand and for me, disaster struck! The other player was dealt a Blackjack and there is only a 5% chance of that happening. That put him ahead of me, and I received a hard 19 against the dealer up card of a 10.

Blackjack pays double in most tournaments so if I stood on my 19 I would lose the tournament regardless if I won the hand or not. The only chance I had at this point was to double down on my hard 19, so I slid my chips out and told the dealer “Double.”

A player will bust when hitting a hard 19 85% of the time so pulling out a victory here looked bleak at best. But on this day the Blackjack Gods were smiling on me as I was dealt a two for a perfect 21 as the dealer turned over 20. The victory was mine, as it turned out the final hand was a $6,000 swing for the winner.

Playing tournaments doesn't really involve that much study, it’s more about using common sense and money management. Plus, they are a lot of fun. You have to think every hand and bet through, kind of like playing chess. I would encourage all players, regardless of skill level, to give them a try. $

Writer TJ Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over 20 years. He is well known for his tournament play and has beaten some of the top tournament players in the world. He has also won the World Series Of Blackjack. His book, “Beating The Casino At Their Own Game” is available by email at: TJ21PRO@GMail.com.

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

COVER STORY

GAMBLING LINKED TO GOOD HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY Many elderly people love visiting casinos and it’s easy to understand why their engagement in such a fun leisure activity can elevate their 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, elderly gamblers who are 65 years and older may essentially be increasing their life span!

According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and a recent study conducted by researchers at the Southern Illinois University and published in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, gambling has tremendous psychological and physiological effects on the elderly. The findings indicate older 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.

20 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

According to a Yale study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, casino gambling, regardless of whether it’s bingo, keno, slots, table games or pari-mutuel wagering, is tremendously beneficial to the mental health of elderly gamblers. Higher levels of concentration, improved memory, and increased problem solving skills were all attributed to the positive side effects of gambling.

With every trip to the casino, elderly gamblers may essentially be increasing their life span!

Rani Desai, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, says it’s not entirely clear why there is a positive correlation of good health in moderate gamblers 65 years and older.

“Although the underlying reasons remain hypothetical, proposed reasons include the increased activity, socialization and cognitive stimulation that are related to engaging in gambling,” Desai and her co-authors said.

“Such a mechanism would be consistent with the literature on healthy aging which indicates that more socially and cognitively active elders are, in general, healthier.”

There are opponents of gambling who argue that the elderly are draining their bank accounts and pensions and are being taken advantage of by the casinos. However, according to a gambling behavior study conducted by the University of Chicago, senior citizens gamble to socialize and not to win a Jackpot.

In fact, the study shows that elderly gamblers tend to be much more conservative and play it safer than the younger, recreational gamblers who show higher rates of problem gambling.

Most seniors who gamble do so responsibly. Numerous studies have also shown that most elderly gamblers limit their casino spending, set a budget for each gambling excursion, and leave bank cards at home.

Although the research shows that playing any casino game is good for your health, it seems that Bingo is at the top of the list of games!

There’s no denying that elderly people who lead an active lifestyle and engage in behavior that promotes both mental and emotional well-being (whether those activities are of a gambling nature or not) are generally happier. And, happier people tend to have a more positive attitude.

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Some theories suggest that 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.

According to the MayoClinic.Org website, health benefits that positive thinking may provide include: ● Increased life span ● Lower rates of depression ● Lower levels of distress ● Greater resistance to the common cold ● Better psychological and physical well-being ● Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress ● Better cardiovascular health ● Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease continued on page 22

azgamingguide.com | January 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide

21

Although the research shows that playing any casino game is good for your health, it seems that Bingo is at the top of the list of games! Based on a year long study that was conducted at the Southampton University in the UK and research at Chicago’s Rush University, playing Bingo can support brain health and a positive social environment. Both brain health and social interaction, along with good physical health, are the number one keys to independence and longevity in older adults. Obviously, Bingo uses fast hand-to-eye coordination and also relies on fast reaction times in order to recognize and mark random numbers in order to win money.

healthy activity!

Researchers followed two groups of individuals. One group had ages of 18 to 40 and the other had ages in the range of 60 to 82.

Each group was divided into Bingo and non-Bingo players.

Based on tests conducted during the study, the Bingo players were faster and more alert than the non-Bingo players. In addition, the Bingo players frequently scored higher in cognitive and physical tasks over the non-Bingo players.

1. Ignore the numbers on the left side. For example, if you’re trying to determine whether you have N37, just swifly skim the N column and keep an eye out for the digit 7. Don’t let your brain waste time registering the entire number. If there is a numberal in the N column that ends in 7, quickly verify whether it’s 37 or not and move on.

So, if you or someone you know could benefit from the social, physical, and mental aspects of playing Bingo, make sure to play in one of the many Bingo games at Arizona’s Casinos all over the sate. Don’t forget to bring plenty of daubers, a winning attitude, and you’ll be guaranteed to have a fantastic time with your friends and family alike. Plus, you’ll be participating in a

22 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Never Miss A Call With These Simple Tricks Professional Bingo players can have five cards lined up in front of them and never miss a call, because they visualize patterns as their eyes dart from card to card. All it takes is concentration and a couple of mental tricks that become second nature with experience. Here are some tips on how to develop these mental skills, so you’ll never miss a call (no matter how fast-paced the game may be);

2. Visualize the patterns. Four corners, stamps, kites, triangles, checkmarks … It can be really 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. This helps your brain focus on the important spaces as your eyes dart from one card to the other. $

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Elizabeth Schueren

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN Win Your Share Of Over $60,000!

S

tart off the New Year at Golden Nugget Laughlin for the chance to win big. This January, the Golden Nugget Laughlin is giving away more than $60,000!

It all starts with their $30,000 Winter Wonderland Slot Tournament, January 10—12, where first place takes home $10,000 and all tournament entrants are guaranteed to win at least $25. The entry fee is $50 and includes two rounds of tournament play.

Plus, the top three scores of each round of the tournament will win up to $100 in Free Slot Play.

The fun continues during Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $20,000 Football Fever Blackjack Tournament, January 25—27. The players that finish in the top 20 places take home cash with first place taking home $10,000. Plus, all tournament players will be entered into the bonus drawings where ten lucky players will win $100 in promotional chips throughout the tournament on Saturday, January 26. The entry fee is $50 with $50 Re-buy rounds.

Plus, win a share of $5,000 every Saturday in January during Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $40,000 Winter of Wealth Cash Giveaway. In three drawings, five winners will receive a share of $1,000 cash every hour from 7—8pm and five winners will receive a share of $3,000 cash at 9pm.

Drawing tickets for Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $40,000 Winter of Wealth Cash giveaway can be earned by playing your favorite slots or table games, Thursday—Saturday each week.

For more information about Golden Nugget Laughlin’s upcoming promotions or to book a stay at Golden Nugget Laughlin, visit GoldenNuggetLaughlin.com or call 1.800.237.1739. $

24 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

WINNING WAYS

By Mark Novak

PLAYERS CLUB CARDS Avoid Foolish Mistakes That Will Cost You Money In The Long Run

S

o there I am, playing Buffalo by Aristocrat, hoping to hit the free games bonus and get the Buffalo to show up with the three wilds at a multiplier of X3 on each symbol when this man sits down next to me, lights up a cigarette and starts playing away at the slot next to me. I have seen more than my share of bizarre behavior at casinos than I choose to share now, but what this guy did was not only peculiar but extremely foolish! Besides performing a ritual that has absolutely no effect on the slot machine whatsoever, he was also shortchanging himself in the process to boot!

What was he doing?

Every so often, this guy was cashing out the remaining credits in the slot and reinserting the ticket. I was not able to deter-mine what pattern, if any, he was following, but I knew that this was a unique situation. I began to notice that, in addition to cashing out and putting the ticket back in, he was performing another action as well.

Any ideas yet?

Well, if you look at the article’s title, you can probably guess this guy was also removing his Players Club card and putting it back in at the same time! Foolish!

Why is he being foolish?

This guy is being foolish for several reasons, most important of which is that he is losing out on valuable points accrued while playing.

The first reason.

Cashing out and placing the ticket back into the slot does not have any effect on the slot’s next spin or any subsequent spins.

The RNG has no clue about any behavior by a player or any other part of the slot when it spits back the numbers that determine which reel positions a spin comes to rest on.

The second reason.

Every time you cash out a ticket on a slot, the ticket printer uses up a blank ticket which results, obviously, in one less ticket in the reserve stack. Do this repeatedly on the same slot and you just might empty the reserve. When the reserve is low enough, in many casinos, a message is sent to a computer monitored by slot attendants instructing them to fill up the tickets again.

They’ll come over, interrupt your session and open the slot to

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

refill the tickets. If the message isn’t sent, you risk the tickets running out completely which may lock up the machine preventing you from playing! That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, and in this day and age of recycling and being environmentally friendly, you’re just wasting paper for no reason!

The third (and most important) reason.

At this particular casino, it takes $5 of wagers to earn one point on your Players Club card. I watched this guy play 12 spins at 40 credits on a penny game. This means he wagered a total of $4.80, which is not enough to earn a point! Then he cashed out, removed his Players Club card, and reinserted both his ticket and card. The counter on the Players Club card device reset to 500 (the equivalent of $5) and he repeated the process again.

I just couldn’t believe my eyes! This guy was losing out on earned points left and right. He was probably one Players Club level below where he actually should have been! He was “smart” enough to have a Players Club card, but then was too foolish to use it correctly! Amazing!

Sign up for the Players Club program at every casino you frequent, always keep your Players Club card in the slot at all times and routinely check that it is still registering your play.

Otherwise, what’s the point of even having a Players Club card? Don’t let your superstitions or lucky habits interfere with earning points on your Players Club card, ever! $

GAMING NEWS

Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos Announce Jackpot Arizona Bonus Amounts This is the perfect time of the year to visit Prescott, Arizona!

And, something very exciting is happening, as of the New Year, only at Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos and it’s called Jackpot Arizona!

Jackpot Arizona rewards Bonuses Beyond Belief to any carded player at any time, only at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos.

The Life Changing Bonus, the Royal Grand, has a must-hit-by of $125,000. Live Lavishly as a winner of the Regal Riches bonus that hits by $25,000. Or you can Feel the Rush of winning The Gold Rush bonus that has a $15,000 must-hit-by. All the winners will join the elite Jackpot Arizona Club that grants them invites to all VIP events for one full year. Visit Prescott today to play in Jackpot Arizona where big bonuses hit any carded player, anytime but only available at Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos.

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Visit the Gold Rush Club at either Bucky’s casino or Yavapai Casino for more details about Jackpot Arizona. More information about Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos can be found at BuckysCasino.com or by calling 1.800.756.8744. $

GAMING NEWS

Hot Promotions All Month Long At Casino Del Sol

Apache Gold Adds Extra Value To Their Slot Floor By Design With Great Feng Shui

Casino Del Sol, the Sol of Tucson, is excited to offer their players great promotions in January. During their Sweet Picks promotion, Club Sol Members can swipe their Club Sol card at a Kiosk every Saturday in January to play a Swipe & Win Kiosk game to win up to $1,000 in Free Play. The game will be available from 10am—6pm.

Apache Gold Casino Resort in Globe continues to take advantage of its inherent circular layout. In general, circles and curves represent friendship, happiness, pleasure and generosity. These are all of the qualities that make for a winning casino experience! The casino feels open, roomy, well-lit, and has a number of different areas for players to explore.

During the $50,000 Bill Pay Drawings, Club Sol Members can swipe to enter daily at a chance to win Free Play or cash to pay their bills! $25,000 cash & Free Play drawings will be held on Saturday, January 12 and January 26. There will be 10 winners each hour; 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm.

With 500 slots to choose from as well as a number of table games (all part of the circular pattern as well), Apache Gold has created a truly inviting gaming environment. Over the years, casino management has changed the locations of many slots, bringing more room between aisles and has introduced groups of slots also arranged in a circle. For those players who enjoy having their space while playing, slots positioned in circular groups (called carousels) provide more breathing room and comfort.

The Poker Room at Casino Del Sol will be offering the Seasonal Mega Stack, a $30,000 guaranteed prize pool No Limit Hold ’em Tournament. (Day 1A Thursday, January 17 at 5pm, Day 1B Saturday, January 19 at 12pm, Day 2 Conclusion Sunday, January 20 at 12pm, $300 buy-in, $30 optional chip up). Each flight (Day1A & 1B) is limited to 100 players, alternates will be accepted through the first 9 rounds. Earn a seat for the Seasonal Mega Stack on Monday, January 14 at 7pm.

On January 4, head over to the Bingo Hall for Cosmic Bingo Pro-Football Fanatics where the best dressed wins $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place.

Wear your favorite team to get an extra FREE pack. It will be hosted by the hilarious Lucinda Holliday & Michael Lopez of Mix Master DJ’s. While visiting, don’t forget about their Cash Cube machine, the casino comps, and their Moments4Life Mirror Photo Booth.

During your next visit to Apache Gold Casino, take a walk around the entire casino. You’ll find Apache Gold has one of the best and largest selections of penny slots across Arizona!

Apache Gold is a slot player’s paradise! When’s the last itme you felt like a kid in a candy store? Well, Apache Gold can definitely inspire that feeling of uncontrolled excitement from the moment you walk through the doors! But here’s a word of advice, make sure to investigate the entire casino before you’re tempted to sit down at the first exciting slot that catches your eye. This casino has all the latest and greatest games as well as the tried and true classic favorites. However, at Apache Gold there are many games that can’t be found in any other Arizona casino! So, in one word—explore!

For more information about Casino Del Sol, visit their website at CasinoDelSol.com or call 1.855.765.7829. $

For more information about Apache Gold Casino Resort, visit Apache-Gold-Casino.com or call 1.800.272.2438. $

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING NEWS

Win $2,000 In The Monthly Slot Tournaments Held On Saturdays At Hon-Dah Resort Casino Now Through March Hon-Dah Resort Casino, located in Arizona’s beautiful White Mountains, is hosting a monthly slot tournament! For just $25, players will have a chance to win one of their Top 10 Cash Prizes which include a first-place prize worth $2,000!

In addition, each player will receive a free gift along with live entertainment and food in the Timbers Showroom after the tournament. And, that’s not all! Each player will receive two wrist bands so they can bring a friend!

October through March, the slot tournament is held on select Saturdays at 1pm and April through September on select Tuesdays at 1pm. Head to the Players Club or call 1.928.369.7330 for registration and complete rules.

With over 800 slots and a myriad of table games to choose

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

from, Hon-Dah Casino Resort is one of our team’s favorite places to visit and play. The casino also hosts regular concerts, comedy acts and special events. Make sure to visit their website at Hon-Dah.com for more information about the casino and their upcoming entertainment. $

GAMING NEWS

The Buffet At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino NOW OPEN! Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, part of Caesars Entertainment and the state’s only tribal casino to have an international management partner, has re-opened The Buffet at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

The renovated buffet, part of Harrah’s multi-million-dollar hotel and casino expansion, features American, Asian and Mexican fare including hand-carved meats accompanied by traditional sides, salads and soups. The dessert bar hosts favorites including gelato and mini-cheesecakes as well as new selections created by Chef Colin Ribble.

“The Buffet really defines our property,” said Chef Ribble.

“The elevated food displays and modernized presentation represent our best culinary work. I’m excited to bring back fan favorites like the unlimited seafood buffet featuring crab legs and peel-and-eat shrimp and our Sunday Brunch buffet, but guests need to save room because our new culinary options are going to knock their socks off.”

In addition, the newly remodeled 7,607 square-foot buffet will feature a new pizza and pasta station presenting tasty Italian favorites including:

• • • •

Variety of pizza/calzones Brick oven baked pastas Made to order pasta station including deep dish Assorted Italian breads and antipastos

Hours: Lunch: Dinner:

Monday—Saturday Sunday—Thursday

11am—3pm 4pm—8pm

Cost of The Buffet ($19.99 dinner, $14.99 lunch) includes nonalcoholic beverages featuring soft drinks, juice, milk, coffee and tea. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost.

The seafood buffet ($31.99) is available on both Fridays and Saturdays starting at 4pm as well as a champagne brunch ($21.99) on Sundays from 9am—3pm.

For more information about The Buffet or about Harrah’s AkChin Casino, visit HarrahsAkChin.com. $

azgamingguide.com | January 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

“FAKE” SERVICE ANIMALS! Only Dogs & Miniature Horses Are Allowed As Service Animals In AZ

H

ere is a rant from a reader by the name of Charlie who has something to say about fake service animals!

“We are in casinos at least 3 days per week. We have seen more and more so called ‘service dogs’ lately. I know that you can buy a ‘service dog’ blanket and papers online. So, we are against dogs in the casino unless they are a ‘true’ service dog.”

Personally, fake service animals piss me off too! Fake service animals demean and disrespect those individuals who require a specially trained animal in order to cope with their disability.

I’m glad Arizona made fake service animals illegal in April of 2018. If you are interested in more details, you can read the law online (valid as of press time): AZLeg.gov/legtext/53leg/2R/bills/ hb2588s.pdf. Fines for fake service animals in Arizona can be imposed up to $250. While an Arizona business has the right to ask a patron to leave if their pet is causing a disruption and can ask for the purpose of the animal under the Americans with

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Disabilities Act, they cannot ask about a patron’s disability or proof of an animal’s training. Lawmakers claim the new Arizona law strengthens the punishment of having a fake service animal, but in my opinion, enforcement will be difficult if employees at an establishment can’t ask for proof of an animal’s training and there is no central licensing database or government office regulating service animals. Interestingly enough, a service animal in Arizona is defined as a specially trained dog or miniature horse. So, that means cats, hamsters, chickens, hedgehogs, mountain lions, and fish (or other species of animals), wild or domesticated, cannot be service animals. Yay! $

Do YOU have a RANT OR RAVE? If so, write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com or by mail at: “Sami” Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277. If I pick your topic for publication in a future issue, you’ll get a $25 gift card!

FUN & GAMES

CHINESE HOROSCOPE—Year Of The Dog Pray for good luck on these dates in January of 2019: 1, 4, 18, 27. The best days to travel in January of 2019: 2, 4, 6, 18, 21, 27, 30. The best days to meet a friend or relative in January of 2019: 8, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 26, 30. All three overlap on the 18th!

Dates for Year Of The Dog: 02/14/34-02/03/35, 02/02/46-01/21/47, 02/18/58-02/07/59, 02/06/70-01/26/71, 01/25/82-02/12/83, 02/10/94-01/30/95.

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

To Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day On January 21, Find: BLACK, MARCHES, PREACHER, MEN, CIVIL, LIBERTY, AFRICAN, RIGHTS, EQUAL, FREEDOM, AMERICAN, RACE, LAW, PEACEFUL, JUSTICE, LEADER. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 38)

Each of the columns, rows, and 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.

Level: EASY (Solution on page 38)

L

R

C

S

M

V

U

G

K

A W

F

Y

G

P

C

N

D

L

L

I

B

E

R

T

Y

K

R

K

G

R W

S

N

A

C

I

R

E

M A

S

E

Z

I

A

A

G

G

C

G

Y

X

Z

G H

D

D

T

R

C

B

D

D

R

I

G

H

T

S

K

I

A

C

R

E

Z

S

E

H

C

R

A M D

X

J

E

L

E

E

Q

Y

X

O

F

R

E

E

D

O M

L

G H

J

C

A

L

T

I

J

M

K

J

E

U

E

F

A

L

F

J

E

C

Z W A

S

P

R

U

R

I

A

S

A

G

T

T

H

I

Q

R

Z

V M

L

I

X

C

E

A M

S

I

C

G

A

L

J

I

V

E

R

N

P

E

A

U

C

T

O

I

K

W G

U

C

L

I

A

F

M

K

E

O W

R

T

V

R

B

F

R

C

J

D

P

U

C

H

S

C

P

F

M

C

E

F

U

L

R

U

N M

K

E

D

J

N M

E

N

Y

3

5

1

4

9

3 4

1

9

7 4

3

8 6

6

2

7

2 8

1

5 9

7 2

4

7 5

8

6

New Year’s Jokes for You & Your Family!

My New Year's resolution is to help all my friends gain ten pounds so I look skinnier.

I love when they drop the ball in Times Square. It's a nice reminder of what I did all year.

To kick start my New Year: I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

I was going to quit all my bad habits for the New Year, but then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter.

My New Year’s resolution was to read more so I put the subtitles on my TV. My wife still hasn't told me what my New Year's resolutions are.

What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar on New Year's Eve? He got 12 months!

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!

People think New Year’s is a life-changing event. If your life sucked last year, it's probably still going to suck tomorrow.

Why do programmers always mix up Halloween and Christmas? Because 31 OCT = 25 DEC. New Year's is just a holiday created by calendar companies who don't want you reusing last year's calendar.

New Year’s Eve forecast: Mostly drunk with a slight chance of passing out.

What do you call always having a date for New Year's Eve? Social Security.

My New Year's resolution is to be more optimistic by keeping my cup half-full with either rum, vodka, or whiskey.

What do you tell someone you didn't see at New Year's Eve? I haven't seen you for a year!

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

888-243-3360 536

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 311

05. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 920

Y

Y

06. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,020

Y

Y

08. Casino Of The Sun

5405 W Valencia Rd

Tucson

855-765-7829

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 291

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 656

09. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 10. Cocopah Resort Casino

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 530

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,109

12. Desert Diamond Casino-Sah.

I-19, Exit 80

Sahuarita

866-332-9467 562

13. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V.

101 & Northern Ave.

Glendale

866-332-9467 1,089

14. Desert Diamond Casino-Why

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

15. Fort McDowell Casino

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

16. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 893 Maricopa

480-802-5000 1,134

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 828

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 841

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

Payson

800-777-7529 374

Yuma

888-777-4946 292

18. Lone Butte Casino 20. Paradise Casino

450 Quechan Dr.

21. Quechan Casino

I-8, Exit 166

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

22. Spirit Mountain Casino

8555 Hwy. 95

Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 250

23. Talking Stick Resort

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

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

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 813

Y

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,097

Y

Y

Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 962

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 1,023

Y

Y

Y

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 237

27. Yavapai Casino

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y Y

I-40, Exit 219

25. Vee Quiva Casino

Y

Y

101 & Indian Bend

24. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 26. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

58

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

17. Hon-Dah Casino 19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

866-332-9467

Y

8

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

11. Desert Diamond Casino-Tuc.

Y

Y

04. Bucky’s Casino

07. Casino Del Sol Marketplace

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

azgamingguide.com

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Word Search Solution L I B E R T Y N A C I R E M A

R A C E

S

J U S T I C E

A F R I C A N P E A C

R I G E H C R F R L A L U I Q V E

R E D H T S A A M E E E D O M L K C W A L A L I B C E F U L M E N

Sudoku Solution

R E H C A E R P

8

3

5

1

6

2

9

7

4

9

2

6

7

4

3

5

8

1

1

4

7

8

5

9

6

3

2

7

1

9

4

3

5

8

2

6

3

8

2

6

1

7

4

5

9

5

6

4

9

2

8

3

1

7

6

7

8

3

9

1

2

4

5

4

5

3

2

7

6

1

9

8

2

9

1

5

8

4

7

6

3

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2019 | azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 11/01/18 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.

Use the QR codes for our website & Facebook Page!

Smoke-Free Area

800-272-2438 301

Parker

Y

Spa

Dudleyville

11300 Resort Drive

Y

Arcade

Slots

Golf

Milepost 127 on Arizona 77

03. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Phone

Poker Room

800-272-2438 492

Table Games

Globe

Live Keno

City

RV Park

02. Apache Sky Casino

Location Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe

Hotel

01. Apache Gold Casino Resort

Bingo

Casino

High Limit Area

CASINO DIRECTORY

Y Y Y