GREAT GAMES

Wheel of Fortune 4D Wheelmobile

By IGT

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ake a ride on IGT’s Wheel of Fortune 4D Wheelmobile. As the third game in IGT’s CrystalCurve TRUE 4D Wheel product line, Wheel of Fortune 4D Wheelmobile was designed from the ground up to be a true differentiator and strong refresh of the highly successful TRUE 4D

line.

This 3x5 reel game features a shared, bank-level wheel that stretches across the top screens of up to six games in a line to create a massive wheel spin and celebrations. During idle time, the Wheelmobile is constantly driving around the top screen wheel, blowing its horn and dropping prize boxes that initiate game features or bonuses. The base game features stunning and engaging 3D symbols that deliver huge wins, as well as the Wheelmobile prize box that triggers the Wheel Bonus, the minor credit feature, or the replicating wild feature.

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The wheel bonuses include the standard Wheel Bonus with a single pointer, the Multi-Prize Spin with two or three pointers, or the Super Wheel Bonus featuring a special wheel with free games, the pick bonus, and the grand jackpot. The minor credit feature adds credit values to all minor symbols and the replicating wild feature generates a single wild in the middle of the reel which then expands vertically and horizontally to help create wins. Wheel of Fortune 4D Wheelmobile is a 100 credit cost to cover game. $

Fortune Garden

By Everi

he new slot Fortune Garden serves as the launch series on Everi’s newest, fully-featured banked product Flex Fusion.

Fortune Garden Gold and Fortune Garden Pearl are classic, Asianstyle games that offer an incredible 576 ways to win and playerselectable denominations. The persistent state feature mesmerizes the player with beautiful flowers that grow in value as players bet and are awarded with a scatter symbol.

Fortune Cookie Mode is a unique bank-wide event awarding a player with a multiplier that can increase throughout the mode up to 5x!

For more information, visit Everi.com $

All Aboard—Piggy Pennies & Dynamite Dash

By Konami at Casino Del Sol in Tucson

Symbol-driven excitement is just around the track with Konami Gaming, Inc.’s All Aboard! Named one of the most anticipated new slot games of the year, All Aboard is a locomotive train themed game with a unique Stay & Spin feature, where you can collect a growing screen of instant credit prizes and jackpots, again and again—up to nine times in the same bonus. This slot series has amassed incredible excitement at Casino Del Sol, with two unique base games: Piggy Pennies and Dynamite Dash.

Week after week, All Aboard continues to pick up steam, as more and more players embark on its one-of-a-kind journey to jackpots. Six or more train symbols trigger the All Aboard feature, transporting you to the Stay & Spin journey with ample rewards and action-packed prizes. All Aboard also has free games, awarded by any 3 or more scatter symbols.

“All Aboard is a runaway train of excitement, which we’re thrilled to be able to share with Casino Del Sol guests and Club Sol members,” said Jay Bertsch, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. “This slot series was first released by our sister company in Australia, where it became hugely popular. Now it’s a hit game globally, spinning up a rush of GRAND jackpot opportunities.”

The game machine itself is also entirely new from Konami, with relaxed slant-top, dual cup holders, dual spin buttons, handbag hook, and wired and wireless phone chargers. Each All Aboard game stands out, surrounded by brilliant LED animation and scenes from the game.

“We always strive to offer the best mix of classic favorites and exciting new games for our players to enjoy, so we’re especially thrilled to be the first casino in Tucson to offer this brand new video slot experience,” added Casino Del Sol’s Director of Slots, Joe Whitman.

Don’t miss your chance to jump on the jackpot train, with Konami’s new All Aboard, ready for play at Casino Del Sol!

For more information about the slot machine series All Aboard, visit Gaming.Konami.com. For more information about Casino Del Sol Resort & Casino in Tucson, visit CasinoDelSol.com $

BLACKJACK PROP BET 21 + 3 WITH TOP 3

Bet On Your Cards & The Dealer’s Upcard

The game of blackjack is more than 100 years old and as popular as ever. Still, in the world of entertainment, casinos and marketers are continually trying to bring new life to everyday products. Slot machines started as all wood and metal contraptions with three spinning reels that paid out a few coins. Today’s devices are wildly different, computer-driven video monoliths that sing songs, play bits of movies, and transfix us for hours.

Blackjack doesn’t have quite the panache, but it has a tremendously loyal following and a very low house edge. There have been some changes to the game as it evolved from mostly single deck hand-pitch games to six deck shoes, but there were no changes to speed up the game or grab more bucks from its relatively mild house edge other than shuffle machines until side bets came along.

That’s why there are new variations and dozens of bonus bets popping up like prairie dogs at casinos across the state. And like the latest slot machines, I have to try every side bet variation I see because it’s a new adventure.

I will admit that it took me several years to give 21 + 3 a try, but I found it an exciting mixture of blackjack and poker. Just don’t expect the game to move along like a standard 21 table. And it’s not the dealer’s fault, so tip often!

In 21 + 3, you make your regular blackjack wager, and if you want (why are you sitting at that table if you don’t wish to?), you can make a wager on the first three cards most important to you: your first two cards and the dealer upcard.

Regardless of what you draw and your blackjack wager’s outcome, the side bet is based on that first three-card poker hand. Any straight, flush, three-of-a-kind, or straight flush pays 9 to 1. That seems easy enough, right?

The six deck payoff has a small house edge of about 3.25%, which is good. But wait, there’s more. Now how much would you pay?

The More is Called “Top 3”

Although a blackjack wager and a 21 + 3 wager are plenty for most players, if you are of a needy type (like me) who wants more than constant input and instant gratification, you can also make the Top 3 wager. And that bet is exactly what it sounds like.

To win the Top 3 payout, you have to make the standard blackjack wager and the 21 + 3 bet. Then you’ll have the privilege of making the Top 3 bet. Again, the payoff is based on the same three cards: your first two cards and the dealer’s up card.

You’re shooting for the big bucks with the Top 3 wager. Although there are several variations, the payable I’ve seen locally has a top win of 270 to 1 for a suited three of a kind (like three Jack of hearts). The second payoff is 180 to 1 for a straight flush, and the final win is 90 to 1 for three-of-a-kind.

If you catch one of those great hands, you’ll also get the +3 payoff of 9 to 1 on the first bonus wager. Whether you win the blackjack hand is another story. $ 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.

WHERE ARE THE TOURNAMENTS?

I’m On The Hunt For Blackjack Tournaments, Out Of State

The community of blackjack tournament players here in Arizona was a thriving one until the COVID-19 pandemic came along in 2020. Since that time, Arizona has been without blackjack tournaments. Fortunately for avid tournament players such as myself, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas Nevada has been holding blackjack tournaments about once a month in 2021. I played in their tournament held January 10-12, and recently their $75,000 tournament held February 26-28, where 1st Place paid $40,000!

It is amazing how many players from Phoenix I see at these tournaments, which by the way are always sold out. The tournaments are conducted a little differently than what I am used to, but now that I am accustomed to the format I actually favor it.

Tournament Breakdown

The first round begins, but instead of the seven tables of six players per table per round, like their old format, they now use seven tables of three players per table, (due to social distancing). The player with the top chip count per table advances to the next round after eighteen hands. They do a chip count after hand seventeen.

With the old format, you had a one in six chance of advancing to the next round by luck alone. Now you have a one in three chance of making the next round. These are, obviously, much better odds and result in a better chance of advancing. Having better odds for the player is always a plus with me!

This tournament has a round one, round two, a quarter final, a semi final, and a final. The final has six players, three players at two tables. They take the top chip count player from each of the two tables. Then, the player with the third highest chip total from those two tables also goes to the final table of three. The other three players who didn’t make the top three, are awarded fourth, fifth, and sixth place. The remaining three can chop the prize money or play it out, but they have to be unanimous in a chop, otherwise they play for first, second and third. First place in this tournament paid $40,000, second $10,000, and third $7,000. They also paid through 42nd place, so if you made the quarter final you won some prize money. With this tournament, upon entering, they put your name in a drawing for $100 in “play until you lose” promotional chips. I am happy to say I have had my name drawn in each of the last two tournaments. Nothing like starting out with a $100 in free chips to kick off your trip! The Golden Nugget also gives you a $50 food credit with your entry fee good for any of their dining establishments. You can get a discount on their rooms with your entry fee as well. The tournament is run extremely well and is a very smooth and fun tournament to participate in.

It is amazing to me that the Arizona casinos don’t follow suit and start hosting tournaments again. The Las Vegas tournaments are filled with players from Arizona, their wives and girlfriends every month. Plus, they always sell out. Imagine the revenue that the Arizona casinos pass on each month. But, I guess that's why I am not in charge of the casinos.

If you have an interest in learning how to play blackjack tournaments or would like to improve your tournament skills, my new book, How to become a Blackjack Jedi by TJ Jorgensen, is available on Amazon in both hard copy and eBook format. Who knows, you might even improve your overall blackjack playing skills too! $

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 newest book “How To Become A Blackjack Jedi” is available online at Amazon.com.