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Card Room Action Arizona Lottery News Casino Entertainment REEL REVIEWS – WMS Li’l Red Bingo Returns to Casino Arizona Blackjack Corner – New Tournaments www.arizonaplayer.com
Vol. 20 No. 03 • March 2012
Cover Story On Page 8
WWW.ARIZONAPLAYER.COM
PO Box 33393 • Phoenix Arizona 85067 • 602-373-8728 • azplayer@cox.net
Contributing Photography Contributing Writers Kevin Cummings Linda Boyd Melody Hudson Kevin Cummings Production Assistants Jackie Mossay Cindy Esquer Charlie Scheeler David Ramsey Melody Hudson John Olson Loreen Vargo TJ Jorgensen Shanna Wolfe Jackie Mossay Graphic Design Prescott Chamber David Ramsey CommuniGraphics of Commerce Loreen Vargo Editor Phil Scudella
Special Thanks to Simon Fort and his marketing staff at Yavapai Gaming Agency. The Arizona Player is published the first weekend of each month. All claims or guarantees are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All comments and views of contributing writers are their own and do not reflect official policy of the Arizona Player which assumes no liability for any advertisement not supplied camera ready by the advertiser. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written consent from the publisher and Copyright owners is prohibited.
4 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
Contents
Vol. 20 No. 03 • March 2012
Entertainment
6
Cover Story “Bucky’s Casino - PBR Comes to Town”
8
Boyd’s Eye View Linda Boyd “Pay to Play”
10
Gaming News Talking Stick Adds New “Lucky Express” Shuttle
12
Gaming News Gila RiverDevelops Community Members for Success
14
Card Room Action Table Game Information Around The State
16
Lottery News
18
Winner Stories
Blackjack Corner TJ Jorgensen “Two Great Blackjack Tournaments”
22
Gaming News “Health & Wealth Raffle”
26
Horsin' Around
27
Brian Mulligany “Youth is Served”
David at the Snack Rar David Ramsey “Movies and DVD Reviews”
28
Raving Perspectives Dinnis Conrad “Fact or Fiction"
30
Bingo News Bingo returns to Casino Arizona
22
Reel Reviews Kevin Cummings ““Lil Red” and “Lucky Cruise”"
34
Jokes of the Month
36
Astrology, Contest Page, Casino Directory
38
ARIZONA PLAYER November 2011 5
Apache Gold Casino Resort
5 miles East of Globe on Hwy 70 1-800-272-2438 Cabaret Lounge: free weekend entertainment: Mar 16&17 – Rhythm Edition, Mar 23&24 – Backstage Crew, Mar 30-31 – Radio 80s
BlueWater Resort and Casino
entertainment
Mar 13, 17-20 & 27 – True to Life Mar 14, 21, 28 & 31 – Str8up band Mar 15, 22, 24 & 29 – Powerdrive Mar 16, 23 & 30 – JJ’s band Mar 16, 23 & 30 – Shining Star Mar 17, 24 & 31 – Los Guys Mar 25 – The Hamptons
Linder (CCR Tribute) Mar 16 – Funky Bonz, Mar 24 – Desert Cadillacs, Mar 29 – Turn the Page (Bob Seger Tribute) Mar 30 – Kool Groove, Mar 31 – Blue Tattoo Bingo Hall: Cosmic Bingo Saturday nights featuring music, light show, wacky games and giveaways
BeatleMania
11300 Resort Dr., Parker 1-888-243-3360 BlueWater Showroom: Mar 23 – Comic Brad Williams w/ Adam Ray and Sarah Tiana Mar 31 – MMA Cage Fights Outdoor Amphitheater: May 5 – A.B. Quintanilla & The Kumbia Kings, plus Los Alazanes and Los Salgado Dig Lounge: Free live bands on Wednesday & Thursday, Deejay or Karaoke nightly Mar 7&8 – Johnny One Spot, Mar 14&15 – One Eyed Romeo, Mar 21&22 – Blue Tattoo, Mar 28&29 – Mojo Sundays April 1 and May 6 – Los Salgado
Cliff Castle Casino
Beach Boys
James+Ernie Casino Del Sol
Casino Arizona
101 at McKellips, Scottsdale 480-850-7734 In the Showroom: Mar 15 & 16 – Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute) Mar 23 – COMICS James & Ernie Mar 30 & 31 – Wild Child (Doors Tribute) Pima Lounge: Free entertainment nightly:
6 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
5655 W. Valencia Rd., Tucson 520-838-6506 AVA Amphitheater: Apr 13 - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band & Robert Cray band Apr 24 - The Beach Boys Apr 28 - George Lopez May 4 – Reo Speedwagon & Styx May 12 - Comic Gabriel Iglesias In the Event Center: Mar 9 – Boz Scaggs Gabriel Iglesias Mar 23 – ShoBox Live Boxing Apr 19 – Craig Ferguson Paradiso Bar: Free live weekend entertainment & Thursday Tribute bands, Mar 8 & 22 – B/S (Bon Scott AC/DC Tribute, Mar 9 – Sol Down, Mar 10 – Rainy Daze, Mar 15 – Randy
I-17 at exit 289 in Camp Verde 1-800-381-SLOT Dragonfly Lounge: Free weekend entertainment COMING SOON! May 17-20 – BeatleMania Live!
Desert Diamond Casino Hotel
7350 South Nogales Hwy, Tucson 1-866-DDC-WINS Monsoon Night Club: Live bands or deejay Thurs-Sun
Desert Diamond Casino I -19
1100 West Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita 1-866-DDC-WINS Diamond Center: Mar 11, George Thorogood & the Destroyers
Fort McDowell Casino
N of Shea off Hwy 87, Fountain Hills 1-800-THE-FORT Lucky 7 Saloon: Free live entertainment Fri – Sun featuring: Mar 9, 16, 18, 23 & 30 – Furious George Mar 10, 17, 24, 25 & 31 - Kenny G Project Outdoors under the Stars: Bad Boy Fight Night In the Bingo Hall: March 17 & April 21 - Lunar Bingo, Music, dancing, crazy games w/ giveaways For updates – go to fortmcdowellcasino.com
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort and Casino
15406 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa 480-802-5000 Oasis Lounge: Free Entertainment on weekends featuring at 1 & 3pm on Mar 28 - 60’s Pop Music Girl Group “The Dixie Cups” Bingo Hall: Friday March 16th at 11pm – Party Bingo, deejay music, bingo, food and drink specials and fun giveaways For updated schedule, go to harrahsakchin.com
Hon-Dah Resort and Casino
Highways 260 and 73, Pinetop 1-800-WAY-UP-HIGH Free live entertainment In the Timbers Lounge: Monday - Comedy Night, Tuesday-Saturday – Live Bands Mar 6-10 Midnight Riders, Mar 13-17 – Buck Ford band, Mar 20-24 – James Douglas Show, Mar 27-31 – Tony Marques, Apr 3-7 – Clue & the Honkeytones
Lone Butte Casino
202 loop at the Kyrene exit – Chandler, 1-800-WINGILA Cascades Lounge: Free entertainment Mon-Sat, 4pm1am w/ bands: Mar 15 – Otis & The Beat, Mar 14, & 29 – Western Fusion Unplugged, Mar 16 – Hamptons, Mar 10 – New Frequency, Mar 13, 17, 28 – Thaddeus Rose Band, Mar 14, 21 & 28 – Chuck E Baby, Mar 15 & 30 – Greywolf, Mar 16, 23 & 30 – Silhouette, Mar 20 & 26 – Michael & Manuel, Mar 21 – Rhythm Edition, Mar 22 – Bongoman Duo & Kenny’s Project, Mar 23 – Walkens, Mar 24 – Smooth Groove, Mar 27 – Powerdrive , Mar 29 – Jadi Norris and Mar 31 – Desert Dixie Verona Chophouse: Talia (Fri & Sat), Bridget & the Aug (Sun) Bingo Hall: 11:30pm Saturdays - B.A.D BINGO (Bingo after Dark) DJ “Rockin’ Rob” music, light show, bingo & giveaways
Quechan Casino Resort
Sinbad
525 Algodones Rd, Winterhaven CA (5 mi West of Yuma) 1-877-783-2426 In the PIPA Event Center: Mar 10 – George Thorogood Sidewinders bar: Free live entertainment: Mar 9&10 – Bourbon Street band, Mar 16&17 – Checker’d Past, Mar 23&24 – Soul be One, mar 30&31 - Mirage
Talking Stick Resort
Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road - Scottsdale 480-850-7777 Talking Stick Showroom: Mar 15 & 16 – Fan Halen (Tribute Band) Mar 17 – Raven’s 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash May 27, Smokey Robinson Degree 270 Lounge: live entertainment, dancing nightly with a spectacular view of the city.
Vee Quiva Casino
The West Valley’s only Casino 51st Ave, 4 miles S. of Baseline – Laveen 1-800-WIN-GILA Bingo Hall: Fridays at 11pm – Deejay music, light show & dancing Bingo Hall: 11:30pm, every other Saturday – BINGO ECLIPSE – Bingo, Deejay music, light show & giveaways
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
I-10 at Wild Horse Pass exit - Chandler 1-800-WIN-GILA In the Ovations LIVE! Showroom: Mar 16 - Rodney Carrington Mar 17 – The Irish Band “Aengus Og” Mar 23 - Sinbad Mar 24 – American Icons Live! (Tribute artists) Mar 30 – Legends of Country Music Mar 31 – Piano Man (Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel) Apr 13 – Rage in the Cage (MMA) Apr 14 - Kansas Apr 20 – Talk Show Host Craig Ferguson Apr 22 – Engelbert Humperdinck Apr 27 – Roberta Flack Encore Lounge: Free entertainment (Thurs-Mon) with: Route 66, Chuck E Baby, The Hamptons, Eagleheart, Thaddeus Rose Band, Greywolf, Walkens, Pima Express, Rhythm Edition, Marty & the Party, JJ’s Band, Michael & Manuel, Tyrone D & The Ledge, New Frequency and Powerdrive
Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
1/2-mile S. of Payson on Hwy 87 1-800-777-PLAY www.777play.com Mar 30, Comic Bobby Collins
Paradise Casino
450 Quechan Drive, Yuma 1-888-777-4946 Sharky’s Bar: Free entertainment, Karaoke on Wed, DJs on Thurs, live bands on weekends
entertainment
Rodney Carrington
ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012 7
cover story
Professional Bull Riders Invade Prescott Valley Again!
Bucky’s Casino Mile High PBR Touring Pro Division calls Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley home once again. 2012 is sure to bring a bigger and better event as they had to make it a two day event with all the action to take place which will be held on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28. Tim’s Toyota Center welcomed some of the top ranked bulls and over 45 of the toughest bull riders from around the world to challenge one another for that 8 second ride. Putting on a great show to over 3,500 spectators; the night was packed full of heart pounding adrenaline! “Entertainment for the whole family” says Gary Spiker, General Manager of Tim’s Toyota Center, where the 2011 Bucky’s Casino Mile High PBR was held. Kicking off this year’s two day event will be the young guns showing off their skills. New to the bull riding scene, the Miniature Bull Riding (MBR) takes the Pro Division event and literally miniaturizes it! This event is full lights and smoke, highlighting the riders and their ranks; this is the first step for most of these youngsters toward making it to the big time. The JC Mortensen Invitational MBR will take place Friday, April 27 at Tim’s Toyota Center; this is an event you don’t want to miss. The big show with the big boys will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seats, with Bucky’s Casino as the event title sponsor again this year; the tone is set for a prestige event. To bring the PBR Touring Pro Division to our town 8 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
is nothing less than a privilege. The hard work and dedication of the riders, bulls and the organization as a whole exemplifies what they are about. As the title sponsor, Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos has added a special bonus. Bring in your PBR ticket after the event to Bucky’s or Yavapai casinos and receive $20 in Free Play when you join the Gold Rush Club - Already a member? Then bring the ticket in and we’ll load $10 on your account. See the Gold Rush Club for full details on this special PBR bonus.
continued on page 24
A BOYD’S EYE VIEW OF VIDEO POKER
Pay-to-Play
ay-to-Play” usually means quid pro quo, that’s by giving something with the Linda Boyd expectation of receiving something else. In other words “something for something”, since it’s generally accepted that “nobody does something for nothing”. For example - bribing an athlete with extravagant gifts, like a car, or handing over a large campaign donation expecting something in return once your guy gets in office. Even in the world of entertainment comics have been know to perform gratis to get a big break and can knock out a more talented comedian who expects a fee. For online gaming “pay- to- play” means you must pay for Internet services in order to maintain an account (EverQuest, Warhammer Online, Tower of Eternity and so on) instead of free-toplay online games. How about games in casinos? Believe it or not there are casinos where you have to pay an entry fee just to get through the door. Some of the Mississippi riverboat casinos and many in Europe as well (when I was in Monte Carlo there was a 9 Euro charge to get in). Fortunately in Arizona casinos we can literally flip the pay-to-play coin. Instead of you, the Arizona player, paying to play the casino pays you just because you chose to play there instead of another facility. You will have to do a few things to collect your pay as well as to make sure you’re getting the biggest
10 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
paycheck available. Slot Card: Recently another player told me he didn’t like playing with a card because he didn’t win as much. He explained that if you remove the card and then return it later then the machine thinks you’re a new player and you win. Not at all true - The card is inserted in an entirely different area of the device then the place where the RNG (random number generator) chip is housed. If you want to receive cash or comps for points then you must insert the slot card. If you don’t then the casino has no way to evaluate your play and you can not write off your losses against your winnings at tax time. That’s because if you’re audited the casino can’t provide you with a win/loss statement; they lack the data since you didn’t use a slot card. (Federal returns allow the write off and Arizona is one of the states that does as well.) Fading your losses against your winnings is a huge benefit to a frequent player. Comps: Each Arizona casino has its own system of “paying’ players for their business. Sometimes you have to ask a casino host for a food comp (called discretionary comps) and some casinos add comp dollars to your account to be used anytime. If you’re not sure you should ask at the slot club desk. Kiosks: Most casinos now have machines on the floor where you swipe your slot card to get extra pay for your play. This can be multiple slot points, say double or triple the regular amount, extra drawing tickets, prizes or any other creative
bonuses marketing offers. Promos: Most casinos require you to swipe your card at a kiosk to be eligible for drawings because you must be present to be eligible. Also, your equity in the promo (meaning the number of drawing tickets you have determines your odds of winning) is based on your play. The more you play the more tickets you earn. Patrons who have the most money run through a device (video poker or slots) receive the best pay, meaning most tickets in this case. Cash: The best type of pay is cash; you’ll get both bounce-back dollars (mail offers that must be redeemed by coming to the casino) as well as money for redeeming your slot card points. Final Thoughts: Mostly pay-to-play (PTP) means to be a “somebody” you must grease the palms of the powers that be. The practice has become pervasive in politics, sports and even the entertainment industry. It’s kind of refreshing to know that the term can be a good thing for players in Arizona casinos. Linda Boyd ,a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, also writes for “Southern Gaming” and “Midwest Gaming and Travel”, her book, “The Video Poker Edge”, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. Look for her story in the current edition of “American Casino Guide”. The 2010 Second Edition of her book is available in both paperback and kindle. Available at amazon.com, bookstores, by phone at 1-877-900-BOOK or Square One Publishers at www. squareonepublishers.com
gaming news TALKING STICK ADDS “LUCKY EXPRESS” SHUTTLE Talking Stick Resort, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, announced the launch of Lucky Express, a shuttle that will drive guests to and from some of Scottsdale’s hottest destinations. This new service began in February. The shuttle departs from Talking Stick Resort making connections at Scottsdale Fashion Square, The W Hotel and Scottsdale Quarter. “Exceptional guest service has been a crucial element in making Talking Stick Resort the success that it is,” said Peter Arceo, senior director of sales and marketing for Talking Stick Resort. “In order to maintain that status, we continually seek out new ways to please our loyal guests and create new ones. The Lucky Express is another innovation we have created to enhance our service.” The Lucky Express runs Monday - Sunday, from 4pm - midnight. Each round-trip is expected to take no more than 40 minutes. The shuttle seats 30, and is open to all guests of Talking Stick Resort and to anyone looking to visit the property for a night-on-the-town. To take advantage of the shuttle, a voucher is needed when departing the resort. Vouchers are free to all members of the Player Rewards Club, and
12 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
membership to the club is always free. Shuttle guests can obtain an application for the club from the driver during transport or visit Guest Services at Talking Stick Resort. For non-members, vouchers for Lucky Express are $10. Those vouchers can be purchased at the resort’s gift shop, while vouchers for members can be retrieved at Guest Services. The route for the Lucky Express begins and ends at Talking Stick Resort. The first stop is the W Hotel, located near Old Town Scottsdale on Camelback Road, followed by Scottsdale’s famous high-end shopping mall Fashion Square. Afterward, the shuttle will head back to the resort and then travel to Scottsdale’s latest shopping destination, the Scottsdale Quarter, conveniently located across from Kierland Commons. Talking Stick Resort is a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Rating, and is home to exquisite guest rooms, a luxurious spa, fine dining and the most exciting gaming action. Located near some of the best attractions in the Scottsdale, Talking Stick Resort remains committed to helping its guests experience the best that that the Valley has to offer. For more information on the Lucky Express and all of the properties amenities, visit www.TalkingStickResort.com
gaming news Gila River Develops Community Members for Success Gila River Casinos, located in Phoenix, has quickly become an Enterprise that continues to be admired by its owners, the Gila River Indian Community, as well as the surrounding Valley at-large, for its commitment to provide jobs to both its Tribal Members and the people of Arizona. This commitment, combined with the long-term strategy of economic development set out by the Gila River Indian Community, has resulted in two exciting construction projects for the Gila River Indian Community. These projects include a new state-of-the-art casino, Vee Quiva Casino, scheduled to be unveiled in the summer of 2013 in the West Valley, as well as a new hotel tower at Lone Butte casino, scheduled to begin construction in summer of 2012. As Gila River Casinos grows and expands, including these two new projects, so does the need to have a world-class senior management team poised to offer guests the best entertainment option in Arizona. This need starts with the leadership of Gila River Casinos Executives and is funneled down to each Team Member within the Enterprise. To meet the need of the increasing demand for high-level executives and leadership within the Enterprise, Kenneth Manuel, president of the Board of Directors for Gila River Casinos and a Gila River Indian Community Member, recently attended and graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration General Manager Program. This intensive program exposed Manuel to cutting-edge industry-best practices and positioned him to be an exemplary leader within Gila River Casinos. “This course has created an ideal opportunity to advance and build upon my skill-set in the areas of strategic marketing and financial management, which will result in optimal operational effectiveness in any business venture
it is applied to. The professional instructors, combined with a panel of multinational experts, are nothing short of spectacular, and have created the ideal situation to capture advanced knowledge from an Ivy League program, which I am confident will prove to be beneficial throughout my career,� said Manuel. He has been with Gila River Casinos for over 16 years, and his strong appetite for learning, combined with his insatiable drive and determination to be the best leader he can in his role at Gila River Casinos, has helped him achieve greatness in this highly-respected program. Gila River Casinos places a great deal of significance on developing and cultivating the talents of Gila River Indian Community Members through a path that results in mentoring them to obtain and succeed in a role as a senior executive within the Enterprise. In fact, this commitment runs so deep, that Gila River Casinos provides its Tribal Members the opportunity to enroll in a mentorship program ensuring their success and development within the Enterprise. These opportunities are what set Gila River Casinos apart as the Enterprise continues to contribute new, full-time employment positions to both Gila River Indian Community Members and Valley job seekers alike.
Thinking Determines What YOU Want - Action Determines What YOU Get Are YOU LAcking cOnfidence in YOUr gAme PLAY?
Are YOU WAnting chAnge in YOUr Life?
LOOking fOr the mentAL edge... fOcUs And cOncentrAtiOn LeveL tO Win POker BLAckjAck & ALL gAmBLing gAmes
AddictiOn -AnxietY dePressiOn- Weight LOss - smOking
Hypnosis can do all this and more.. call for a free consultation 14 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
the List in endLess
Pattie Freeman CH.t, MST
602-400-0653
CARD ROOM ACTION Apache Gold Casino 800-272-2438
Dealing blackjack, daily at 3pm
BlueWater Casino 1-888-243-3360
Poker Room opens at 4pm except Sun, Mon & Wed at 2pm Mon & Wed, 6pm-10pm – High Hand per night pays $50 at 10pm Tues, 7pm, NLHE “Bounty” Tournament - $35 buy-in w/one $20 re-buy Thurs, 7pm, NLHE - $60 buy-in, no re-buys – optional $5 High Hand Mon & Wed (first 3 each night) – Quads pay $75, Straight Flush pays $50 Daily, Aces Cracked wins $75, Royal Flush pays $400 – (Max 3 per day) Dealing blackjack daily at 9am
Bucky’s Casino 928-771-6779
Sat 10am, Bounty No-Limit Hold Em Tournament $80 buy w/ $10 Bounties Mon 10am, plus Mon, Wed & Thurs at 6pm - NLHE $40 entry fee w/ optional $10 re-buy, top 5 in the money and earn points toward $250 Player of the Month award Tues, 6pm, Ladies Only Texas Hold Em Shootouts $15 buy-in Progressive “High Hand” Mon – Fri (See poker room for details) Progressive “Aces Cracked” Sat 11am-11pm - Starts at $50, increases till hit Splash Pot Sundays, every 30 minutes! 11am – 11pm
(wheel is spun to determine amount splashed) FREE Sunday buffet for seated poker players Dealing blackjack 24/7 - Now playing Texas Shoot Out & Triple Attack Blackjack
Casino Arizona 101 & McKellips 480-850-7777
Dealing blackjack 24/7 Tues at noon $1,000 added “Break at Noon” Tournament, $ 50 buy-in Fri 3am, The “Great Late” Tournament, $25 buy-in 1st Wed of each month 7pm
Casino Del Sol 520-838-6565
March 13-17, $25,000 NLHE - Limited to first 180 players to qualify (w/ 50 hours of live play Jan 1Mar 10, 2012) Mon-Fri, 10 am - $800 NLHE, $15 buy-in w/ optional $15 add-on Mon 7pm & Sat noon – $1,200 NLHE - $35 buy-in Sun & Tues, 7pm - $1,000 NLHE, $15 buy-in – Opt $15 add-on Wed, 7pm, Limit Omaha, $1,500 Prize Pool, $45 buy-in w/ $10 add-on Thurs, 7pm - $3,000 NLHE, $85 buy-in Sat, 9am - $200 added Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, $15 buyin, $5 re-buys + $5 add-on Sun, 11 am - $1,500 NLHE, $20 buy-in, $5 re-buys
Cliff Castle Casino Hotel 928-567-7952
Mon, Wed & Fri at 10am, NLHE Shoot-outs, $25 buy-in – Winner take all Tues & Thurs, 10am, Limit Hold Em Shoot-outs, $25 buy-in
Wed, 7pm – NLHE Single Table Shoot-Out $80 buyin, no re-buys w/ $250 added per full table Sat, Noon, $2,000 added – NLHE $100 buy-in, no re-buys Aces Cracked wins a $100 rack – Sun-Fri - See poker Room for details Also dealing blackjack 24/7
Cocopah Casino 800-237-5687
Dealing blackjack daily starting at 10am
Desert Diamond Nogales Hwy 520-342-1810
Mon & Thurs at 9:30 am “Cup of Coffee” NLHE - $35 buy-in, Max 40 players Tues, 7pm, $100 added per table NLHE, $75 buy-in, with one $60 re-buy Also dealing blackjack 24/7
Desert Diamond I-19 Casino 1-866-332-9467 Dealing blackjack 24/7
Fort McDowell Casino 480-789-4284
Mon-Fri at Noon & Wed at 7pm – NLHE - $30 buy-in Mon 7pm, and Sun at Noon - NLHE Deep Stack tournament - $50 buy-in Tues & Thurs at 7pm & Sat at Noon - $1,000 guaranteed NLHE - $5 buy-in Fri at 7pm, Mega-Stack $50 Bounty NLHE - $120 buy-in Sat at 4pm & Sun at 7pm $1,000 Guaranteed NLHE - $10 buy-in Sat 9pm, $3,000 Guaranteed NLHE tournament - $20 buy-in “Aces Cracked” win a rack – 24/7 Win up to $300 “Easy way Jackpot” Aces full of anything beaten by Quads or better wins Jackpot “Play More – Cash More” in 4/8 Omaha win up to $100 per day – see poker room for details Also dealing blackjack 24/7
Lone Butte Casino 800-946-4452
Dealing blackjack 24/7 – with $5 games
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 480-802-5138
WSOP Satellites are back! Sun at 5:30pm - Win a $1,000 WSOP seat & $250 cash - $50 buy-in w/two $20 re-buys Wed at 7:30pm – Win a $1,500 WSOP seat & $500 cash - $65 buy-in w/two $25 re-buys Tues, 7:30pm, Limit Omaha H/L, $25 buy-in, $10 rebuys + $10 add-on Thurs, 7:30pm – NLHE, $10 Buy-in plus two $10 rebuys & $10 add-on Fri, 7:30pm, Sat, 12:30 & 5:30pm - NLHE, $40 buy-in, no re-buys Sat, 12:30 & 5:30pm – NLHE, $40 buy-in, no re-buys Sun, 12:30pm – NLHE, $25 buy-in, one $10 re-buy $25 Daily Splash pots on ALL tables every ½ hour, 9am-10pm $25 Sat & Sun Splash pots on ALL tables every ½ hour, 6am-8:30am Also dealing blackjack 24/7
Hon-Dah Casino 1-800-929-8744
Mon, 6pm, New Tournament – call for details Tues, 4pm – Mid, “Aces ($50) & Faces ($25) Cracked” (first 10 total) Wed, 6pm, No-limit Hold Em, $40 buy-in, no re-buys Thurs, 6pm, Omaha Hi-Lo, $40 buy-in, no re-buys 16 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
Sat, 4pm, No-limit Hold Em, $30 buy-in, $10 re-buys + $10 add-on Sun, 4pm, Crazy Pineapple $30 buy-in, $10 re-buys + $10 add-on Super Bowl Sunday – Special event, Call for details!
Mazatzal Hotel & Casino 800-777-7529
Live Poker Wed-Sun - High Hands, win up to $500 Sun, 1pm - NLHE Tournament, $25 buy-in no re-buys Wed & Sun, 6pm, NLHE Bounty Tournament, $50 buy-in Dealing blackjack 10am-1am - Blackjack tournament, Mon at 6pm, $40 buy-in
Paradise Casino 888-777-4946
Dealing Blackjack 5pm-1am
Quechan Casino & Resort 1-877-783-2426
Wed, 10am - close “Aces Cracked” wins $50 Thurs, 10am – Mid, Splash Pots Tues & Thurs at 7 pm, also Sun at 1pm - NLHE - $35 buy-in Sat, March 10 & 24 at 1pm, $5,000 Guaranteed NLHE, $75 buy-in Special $59 room rates for poker players Poker Room Hours: Wed – Sun open at 10am, Mon & Tues at 3pm Dealing blackjack 24/7
Talking Stick Resort 480-850-7777
Sat at 11:15am - BIG Stack NLHE Tournament - Apr 7, May 5, Jun 2, Jul 7, Aug 4, Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3 &
Dec 1 - $300 Buy in w $30 sc Sat at 11:15 am - SUPER BOUNTY BIG Stack NLHE – Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jun 9, Jul 14, Sept 15, Oct 13, Nov 10 & Dec 8 - $200 Buy in w $25 sc - $100 Bounty for each player you knock out Sat at 11:15 am - SUPER Turbo, Super BOUNTY BIG Stack NLHE - Mar 24, Apr 21, Jun 16, Jul 21 & Oct 13 - $200 Buy in w $25 sc - $100 Bounty for each player you knock out Last Saturday NLHE at 11:15am – Mar 31, Apr 28, May 26, Jun 30, Jul 28, Aug 25, Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 24 & Dec 29 - $125 Buy in w $25 sc Ladies NLHE – Sunday at 11:15am - Mar 11, May 20, July 15, Oct 14 & Dec 9 - $60 Buy-in w/ $15 sc Mon - Fri, 11:15 am - NLHE, $50 buy-in w/ $10 sc Tues & Wed, 7:15pm - NLHE, $115 buy-in w/ $15 s/c Daily, 2am-10am “Aces Cracked” Win $100 rack Get a Royal Flush, Spin the wheel – win $50 to $500 – see poker room for details Jack it Up! Tuesdays & Wednesdays - $20,000 added to Hold Em Progressive Bad Beat Jackpot - $5,000 added to Omaha / Stud Also dealing blackjack 24/7
Vee Quiva Casino 800-946-4452 – Ext 1042
Sun - Thurs, 11am, No-Limit Hold Em, $1,000 Guaranteed - $30 buy-in w/ 1 $20 re-buy Wed at 7:30pm, $15 Unlimited $10 re-buys till the break Sat at 11am, NLHE, $20 buy-in, $10 re-buys & $20 add-on “ACES CRACKED” wins a rack – daily starting at 6am - max 10 per day Big Money Royals, Any Royal Flush wins $500 Progressive Rolling Cash Fever drawings during live
CARD ROOM ACTION
play every other hour - 24/7 Mon- Fri, 2am-6am -“High Hand” Promotion, Top 3 hands win $100, $75 & $50 Thursdays 4pm-8pm – “Match your stack” drawings every hour – 1 lucky seat at 3 tables wins up to $100 Coming Soon! Baseball “Splash Pots” Selected TV Games Also dealing blackjack 24/7 – with $5 games
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino 800-946-4452 ext 7375
Mon & Thurs Noon, NLHE, $30 buy-in, no re-buys $150 added per table Tues & Wed at 7:30pm, NLHE Freeze Out - $50 entry fee w/ $10 optional add-on, with $1,000 added to prize pool JUST ADDED: Sun at Noon, NLHE Big Buy Tournament - $200 Buy-in w/ $10 entry fee, plus optional $10 Dealer appreciation fee High Hands Daily 4am – 8am win up to $150 Bonus Aces Cracked, 2-6pm Tues, Wed & Fri Sun – Thurs, 10pm – 1am “Hot Seat” Drawing –$100 each hour Basketball $50 Splash Pots, Selected games - see poker room for schedule “Aces & Faces” Cracked – Mon-Fri 1am-4am, win at least $100 w/ players Club Card Big Money Royals - Any Royal Flush wins $200 “Pair of Clubs Promotion” Mon & Thurs 2pm 4:30pm, also all other days 8am - 11:30am, get dealt a Pair of Clubs - win $100 see poker room for details Also dealing blackjack 24/7 – with $5 games
CARD ROOM MANAGERS Please send updates to azplayer@cox.net
ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012 17
lottery news The Store Was Out of My Favorite Game
Random Choice Yields a $100,000
Candace Adair loves $2 Crossword, but the store was out of that particular game. She then did something she never does; she splurged and bought a $5 Cosmic Crossword. The ticket was purchased from 7-Eleven, 5901 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. When Candace got near the end of the game, she counted the words and was thrilled she had a winning ticket for several thousand dollars. Then when she got to the bottom, she found she had actually missed a word and was holding a ticket worth $100,000. After checking it several times, she locked it in the safe. This win couldn’t have come at a better time, as Candace is a home caregiver for her son and another family member. If Candace could afford it, she said, “I would play Scratchers every day, but I usually only play once or twice a month.” The other members of her family also play Scratchers, but she doesn’t like the way they play – “They try to read the codes in the call box. I thinks it’s bad luck!” (It’s more than “bad luck” as the call letters are not indicative of the amount of the win, and a top prize might mistakenly be thrown away.) Candace intends to pay off her bills and plan some kind of vacation that the entire family can do together. She’s also very glad the store was out of the game she wanted.
Gene Hass of Kingman stopped at a store to get a cup of coffee and some Arizona Lottery Scratchers. First he purchased two $2 tickets. No winners. Then he purchased two $5 tickets. Again - no winners. He had $10 left in his pocket, so he decided why not put it in the Instant Ticket Vending machine, and quickly selected $100,000 Jackpot. His random choice was a beauty, yielding the $100,000 top prize! The winning ticket was purchased from Pilot Travel Center, 14750 S. Hwy. 95, Lake Havasu City. Early the next morning, Gene was on his way to Phoenix to redeem his winning Scratchers. He was thrilled with his win, although his demeanor was on the calm side. He enjoys playing Scratchers and prefers the $5 games. This was the first time he’d spent $10 on one Scratchers game, and he buys them almost every day. He feels that he gets a good return with them and the small wins help balance out the money he spends. The only plans this retired sheet metal worker has for his winnings is to get a better car and share a little with his kids.
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18 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
THE PICK
Date
Numbers
February
08-09-24-27-30-31 26-34-35-36-37-42 09-17-20-21-29-31 01-05-18-34-38-42 04-10-14-15-26-32 01-04-19-26-36-39 04-14-21-25-34-40 01-07-10-38-41-42 12-15-17-23-32-43
01 04 08 11 15 18 22 25 29
February
01 02 03 04 06 07 08 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29
POWERBALL Numbers
PB
08-13-17-34-59 15-23-43-45-56 17-28-38-39-51 01-10-37-52-57 11-12-32-52-56 23-28-50-56-59 07-16-17-39-51 06-11-42-53-54 01-04-11-23-26
35 7 33 11 11 5 32 7 14
PICK 3 CASH 4 6-4-4 3-9-6 3-6-7 9-2-2 4-0-9 7-3-1 1-7-0 7-0-3 6-6-9 1-3-6 8-1-4 6-0-4 4-7-0 5-5-3 4-6-1 1-4-5 3-6-0 5-6-9 7-3-2 4-3-2 6-9-6 1-7-9 9-1-8 7-0-7 2-2-1
02-03-05-12 04-11-22-24 01-12-14-25 04-07-10-18 07-11-13-16 05-12-18-25 03-14-18-23 07-19-24-26 03-22-24-25 11-13-14-23 02-06-11-16 04-10-13-21 02-11-15-19 07-11-24-26 10-14-16-24 03-08-12-24 06-09-19-21 02-03-09-14 06-07-21-24 03-04-07-24 14-15-19-22 03-09-17-18 03-12-14-22 10-16-17-25 13-16-18-19
PICK 5 08-16-25-26-34 08-24-35-36-41 03-09-20-21-41 15-19-20-27-36 13-14-25-37-39 15-20-36-38-40 05-06-08-24-40 06-08-21-35-41 01-09-27-30-32 17-22-24-31-38 16-19-29-31-36 15-26-29-34-40 05-09-12-23-33 02-03-14-28-34 16-17-26-36-38 03-10-16-24-29 07-09-10-36-41 02-06-32-33-34 06-08-18-23-34 14-23-29-39-41 13-14-22-31-38 21-25-27-29-41 06-08-12-31-34 17-18-19-24-25 04-12-18-27-40
February
MEGA MILLIONS
MB
MP
03 07 10 14 17 21 24 28
07-19-21-49-53 17-23-30-37-45 03-04-18-29-50 03-05-10-26-27 16-25-28-32-40 09-30-39-42-47 01-16-18-25-27 06-15-29-39-51
35 4 20 27 3 37 3 36
4 4 4 2 3 3 4 3
In Phoenix catch the winning numbers first on ABC Channel 15 at 10:25 nightly. You can also call the Lottery Hotline at (480) 829-PICK (7425) in Phoenix or (520) 325-9141 in Tucson. For outlying areas in Arizona call 1-800-499-3798. Visit our website at arizonalottery.com or see a participating Lottery retailer for the winning numbers.
TJ’s Blackjack corner
Two Great Blackjack Tournaments!
by TJ Jorgensen
CA’s New Wednesday Tournament Blackjack Tournaments are back on the first Wednesday of the Month at Casino Arizona – 101 & McKellips, adding to their line up of successful tournaments on Tues and Thurs. However, there is a new twist, the casino is adding $2000 to the prize pool, making it a positive expectation event. That means no matter what your skill level, it’s not a question of “if” you will come out ahead, but just a matter of “when” making it a must play and one of the best values in the casino.
The first Wednesday tournament was held on March 7th and even though it was the first tournament, they had a great turn out. The tournament was limited to 108 players with an entry fee of $100 each. There were three qualifying rounds. The tournament seated six players to a table all starting with $5000 in play chips. When you sign up you can get an extra 500 in chips by purchasing a five dollar keno ticket. Betting limits are a $25 minimum to $2,500 max, and normal blackjack rules apply except that a blackjack pays double. After twenty one hands the player with the most chips will advance to the semi final. I played in the 3rd qualifying round against five other players, managed to win my table advancing me to the semi final. They also drew five wild cards into the semi finals. The semi finals consisted of three tables of six players each. All players started with $5000 in play chips and at the end of 21 hands the top two players at each semi final table advanced to the finals or “money round” as I like to call it. I finish in the top two at my table which put 22 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
me in the finals. In the final round the six players can chop the prize pool in to six equal parts and go - or all take 1/7 of the pot and then play eleven hands. The player with the most chips at the end would win the additional 1/7. If the six decide to play the final round they again start with $5,000 in play chips, betting between $25 and $2,500 per hand. The nice thing about this round is that you know you’re going to get paid, it’s just a matter of how much. At the end of 21 hands the chips are counted and 1st through 6th place is awarded. On March 7th we all decided to take 1/7 which was over $1,200 each and play eleven hands with the winner taking the additional 1/7. It was a well run tournament and a lot of fun. So if you are looking for something to do on the first Wednesday of each month, the tournament starts at 7pm, so come out and join the fun. Casino Arizona also has a Tuesday Blackjack Tournament at noon with a $50 entry fee, and a Thursday night/Friday morning Blackjack Tournament at 2:45am with an entry fee of $25.
Wild Horse Pass St. Patrick’s Day Tournament
This year Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino will hold their 8th annual St Patrick’s Day Blackjack tournament on Thursday, March 15th at 6pm. The tournament is limited to 125 players and 1st place is guaranteed at $6600. For the entry fee of $60, each player has a chance to take home 1st place prize money of $6,600, but the tournament will also pay 2nd - 5th place. The tournament will consist of a Qualifying round, a Semi-Final, and then the Championship round. In the Qualifying rounds players will seat five to a table and be given $1000 in play chips with betting limits from $10 to $500. At the end
of 21 hands the player with the most chips will advance to the semi final. In the semi final, the 25 remaining players will again seat five to a table and again given $1000 in play chips with betting limits from $10 to $500. At the end of 21 hands, only the player with the most chips at each table will advance to the Championship round. The Championship round will consist of the remaining five players, all competing for their share of the prize money. Players will again start with $1,000 in play chips, betting limits from $10 to $500. At the end of 21 hands, the player with the most chips will receive first place prize money of $6,600, 2nd through 5th will be awarded prize money based on the number of entries. With your $60 entry fee, you also get a cool tournament T Shirt. This is a great tournament to play no matter what your skill level, so come out I will be playing, so come out and say hi! T.J. Jorgensen has been a professional blackjack player for over twenty years. He is well known for his live tournament play. He has competed against and beaten some of the top tournament players in the world, and has won the prestigious “World Series of Blackjack” – His book “Beating the casino at their own game” is available at: www.freewebs. com/tjsblackjackcorner or by e-mail tj4justice1@ msn.com
Cover Story continued on from page 8
Bucky’s Casino is where you can enjoy a full range of games, from live table games to hundreds of the latest slots. You’ll also find without a doubt the best Blackjack games in Northern Arizona-check out their Blackjack hourly specials every Sunday-Thursday. Visit their non-smoking Poker Room and try your hand at Texas Hold ’Em in live games or tournament action!
action. Sit back and relax watching your favorite game while enjoying the tasty food and drink specials. If you’re planning to spend more than just a day watching the Bull Riding then visit the Prescott area – First call 1-800-967-4637 and book your gaming getaway at the Prescott Resort featuring the best views in Prescott. Then, venture out to golf one of the beautiful golf courses close-by, or head to one of the nearby lakes for boating, fishing and hiking. Remember it’s just a short drive to the famous ghost town of Jerome, or to Sedona
- famous for its vortex sites, artists, restaurants and the Red Rock Scenic Byway - and we haven’t even mentioned world famous “Whiskey Row” in
downtown Prescott where you’ll find The Palace, Arizona’s oldest restaurant and bar. And don’t miss the Sharlot Hall Museum. All this and we have only scratched the surface of all fun places you can enjoy in the Prescott area. For more information, go to www.buckyscasino.com or call 800-SLOTS44.
Get your tickets to the 2012 Bucky’s Casino Mile High PBR presented by Coors Light at Tim’s Toyota Center on April 27th and 28th. Tickets start at just $10! With the purchase of any PBR ticket you get $5 off of any MBR ticket! Tickets available at the Tim’s Toyota Center box office, Gettix.net (866) 443-8849 or at the Prescott Gateway Mall guest services. See y’all at the PBR!
Yavapai Casino, located directly across from the Prescott Resort on Highway 69, provides an intimate setting for maximum enjoyment. Casual, yet inviting, Yavapai Casino is a slot player’s paradise. Yavapai Cantina is the place to catch great sports
ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012 24
gaming news
Spring 2012 St. Joseph’s Health & Wealth Raffle Offers One Lucky Winner $1 Million in Gold
Don’t miss your chance to win $1 million in gold in the spring 2012 St. Joseph’s Health & Wealth Raffle! The theme of ‘gold’ for this Raffle celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Barrow Neurological Institute. The Raffle provides participants a chance to win more than 4,000 dream prizes, many of which reflect the gold theme, while raising much-needing funding for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute. “As the Raffle enters its 10th year, this is an exciting time for us,” said Kathy Rice, executive director, St. Joseph’s Health & Wealth Raffle. “Not only are we raising money to help support St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute, this Raffle celebrates Barrow’s Golden Anniversary. It’s incredible to hear about Barrow’s accomplishments and milestones over the past 50 years and see how much the organization has contributed to healthcare in Arizona. What’s even more exciting is looking forward and imagining what Barrow will bring to Arizona and healthcare in the years
ahead. We’re fortunate to have this institution in our own backyard and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones.” Since its launch in 2003, the Raffle has become one of the largest fundraisers in Arizona, raising more than $50 million for St. Joseph’s and Barrow, a leading provider of healthcare in Arizona and in the U.S. Barrow is a world renowned medical center and continually ranks as one of the nation’s Top 10 neuro centers. Nearly 10,000 patients visit Barrow each year from around the world, there have been more brain surgeries performed at Barrow than anywhere in the country, and Barrow trains more neurosurgeons than any other academic hospital in the world. Support of the Raffle not only benefits St. Joseph’s and Barrow, but also makes a positive impact on the local Arizona economy. Whenever possible, Raffle prizes are purchased from local businesses and vendors. This Raffle offers exclusive prizes, including :
Grand Prize #1
Grand Prize #2
$1 million in gold (or cash)
a 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera (or $100,000 in cash)
Early Bird Prize #1 is an Australia Gold Coast adventure, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon plus $15,500 cash. , several gold-themed trips of a lifetime, season ticket packages with Arizona’s athletic teams, the latest-model luxury vehicles, a golden ticket movie package from Harkins Theatres, electronics, jewelry and more. “The Raffle is vital to Arizona in many ways,” said Rice. “By purchasing a Raffle ticket, participants are given the unique opportunity to be connected to the amazing things happening at St. Joseph’s and Barrow, while helping boost our state’s economy. It also gives people the chance to win an incredible prize.” The deadline to purchase a ticket and be eligible for the final draw is Midnight, Thursday, April 5. However, participants who buy their ticket before Midnight, March 15, will also be eligible to win one of two Early Bird prizes. 26 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
Early Bird Prize #2
is an Alaska Gold expedition, a 2012 Mercedes C250 Sport Sedan plus $15,500 cash. Tickets are $100 each with a limited number of three-ticket packages for $250 available.To purchase tickets, please visit www.HealthWealthRaffle.org or call 1-866-390-9034.
HORSIN’ AROUND
Youth I s S erv ed
couple of sophomores by Brian came running Mulligan recently to get a leg up on their generation in the Risen Star Stakes and the Fountain of Youth. El Padrino made it 3-for-5 in his career, winning the Risen Star, but he made his backers sweat, as he just held it together, getting up by a nose at odds-on. It was so tight that the runner-up’s rider, Rosie Napravnik, claimed interference, but it was denied. Take nothing away from the second finisher, Mark Valeski, who was making his first start going long and was tons the best of the rest. It was a nice bit of training to have Valeski on top of his game in this race, and the blood is there for him to thrive. There are several route winners in the tree, and his dam won stakes routing and banked nearly $350,000. As for the winner, expect him to be primed to do battle with the horse he just beat in the Louisiana Derby on April 1. There are a couple of schools of thought about how a taxing race like this affects a runner. One is that it is far too early in the season to have a runner have such a hard race, and what will be left in the tank in the spring. The other feeling is that a race like the Risen Star will only toughen a horse up and get him battle-tested for the day when he will really have
to step up to the plate. At this point in time, the lean here is to the latter theory. The Fountain of Youth lost quite a bit of thunder when Algorithms, the 8-5 chalk, had to be scratched because of a popped splint. Favoritism went to Algorithms’ stable mate, Discreet Dancer, but that runner was pressured on the lead and eventually settled for third. Union Rags took one step closer to the goal of winning the Kentucky Derby by tracking about 2 lengths off the leaders early before drawing away to win by 4 under a hand ride in 1:42.68 with a 95 Beyer. The last time this race was run at a mile-and-asixteenth, Read the Footnotes won in 1:42.71. That runner was 4th in the Florida Derby next out, and then was troubled in the Kentucky Derby never to race again. Trained by Barbaro’s mentor, Michael Matz, Union Rags, barring injury should get all the attention going forward, and the logical next spot for him will be the Florida Derby. Liaison is a runner that may be overlooked this spring, but that would be a mistake. He was shooting for this 4th straight win in the Grade 2 Lewis at Santa Anita early last month, but clipped heels and tossed the rider. He has come back to work well for Bob Baffert, and there is class on the bottom side as his dam took a couple of stakes and banked nearly $350,000.
Another runner that has surfaced on the radar is the $950,000 purchase Fed Biz. This Baffert charge was hung wide in educational sprint debut from the rail, but is 2-for-2 since. His last race was solid, as he made the top coming into the stretch and drew off in the small field, although he was lugging in. The blood is solid on the bottom side, as his dam took a stakes and only lost once in 5 outs. More importantly, the dam is kin to Grade 2 winner and over $350,000 earner Tale of the Cat. Fed Biz’s sire could run all day long and was unlucky to lose the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Fed Biz’s half-sister, Spun Silk, won a stakes in New York routing going away in the lane. This horse will take some following. As we get closer to the Kentucky Derby, try to focus on the connections that have a clear road map of what they are doing and how they are going to get to the Derby on the top of their collective games. At this juncture, a horse can’t have a cough, can’t miss any serious training and basically can’t have a pimple on his body. It’s the survival of the fittest. Brian Mulligan was the main West Coast linemaker for 17 years for the Daily Racing Form writing under the non de plume of “SWEEP.” He continues to contribute to the Daily Racing Form writing “A Closer Look” analysis daily.
ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012 27
DAVID AT THE SNACK BAR John Carter -
A Civil War Vet escapes from a band of renegades and hides in a cave in the desert. There he finds a mysterious item and is transported to Mars. He wakes up to find himself in the middle of planet wide war and the prisoner of a strange looking race of creatures. He is the only one that can unite two warring kingdoms to stop a by third from destroying the planet. Of course, he falls in David Ramsey love with the beautiful princess. It is very derivative of other sci-fi films, especially “Star Wars” with nothing new or interesting.
David’s Video Details My Week with Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) is in England to co-star with Laurence Olivier in his latest film. She comes with all her insecurities and her acting coach. She is dealing with her personal issues and is constantly late. Colin is new to the movie business and gets the job of making sure she is on the set on time. “My Week with Marilyn” is based on the true story of their friendship. While the acting is exceptional it is highlighted by Williams breathtaking performance
The Muppets
A Thousand Words Jack is a fast talking literary agent who brides himself on taking his way into anything. When he learns a world renowned guru has written a book he is determined to sign him. After signing the guru he discovers that a magical Bodhi tree has sprung up in his backyard and it’s tied to him. He learns that with every word he says, leaves fall from the tree and when the last one falls, both he and the tree will die. With only a thousand words left he stops talking which appears to ruins his life. The first half is a typical frantic Eddie Murphy comedy with plenty of laughs but then it becomes a spiritual drama.
Three lifelong Muppet fans travel to Los Angeles to visit the Muppet Theatre where they find it in ruins. Walter learns that the theatre has been sold to an oil magnate who plans to tear it down unless the Muppets can raise ten million dollars to in a matter of days to buy it back. Walter, Gary and Mary track down the Muppets one at a time and convince them to put on a show to raise the money. “The Muppets” is as funny and entertaining as the originals with good catchy songs. You don’t have to be a Muppets fan to enjoy it and it won’t disappoint their biggest fans.
The Descendants
Matt King is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers concussion in a boating accident in Waikiki. He takes his the oldest daughter out of boarding school and she tells him something unsettling. He has to deal with his family falling apart while wrestling with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries. While there are some very funny moments there are as many sad and contemplative ones. David Ramsey is the President and co-founder of the Phoenix Film Critics Society and a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (The Critics Choice Awards). Watch him on the CBS 5 Morning News every Friday around 6:20am and on ABC-15’s “Sonoran Living Live” every other Friday at 11am. Read his DVD reviews at WildAboutMovies.com. Contact him at David@TheSnackBar.net.
28 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
raving perspectives
Fact or Fiction? by Dennis Conrad
Fact:
By Guest Contributors Toby O’Brien, VP of Marketing & Dennis Conrad, President and Chief Strategist, Raving Consulting Company
Myth:
Myth:
Myth:
Fact:
Most U.S. casinos redeem Players Club points for cash.
Fact:
Best industry practice is to offer choices for point redemption, with the most desirous being free, non-cashable play. The number of casinos that offer cash in exchange for points is very limited. In most cases, casinos that have implemented the cash option wish they could eliminate the program or exchange it for free play alternatives.
Myth: Casino hosts prey on high rollers and pressure them to play at a level with which they are uncomfortable.
Fact:
The role of a trained and experienced host is to engage high-end players who have value for the business, build relationships, and look for opportunities to encourage players to share more of their existing gaming wallet with the host property instead of the competition.
Myth: Players want merchandise and expensive gifts.
Fact:
In numerous research projects and focus group interviews, players continually state that what they want is 1) cash-back or free play and 2) complimentary dining offers and hotel stays. However, gifts with reasonable perceived value, unlike cash, can create a bond with the casino brand. Loyal players talk in terms of “my casino.”
Myth: On the whole, players don’t like using Players Club cards for a variety of reasons.
Players want cheap food.
Players want food that they can access quickly, so they can get back into play. They will even pay more for quality and unique dining opportunities. Low-value customers want cheap food. In fact, they want everything cheap.
Myth: New players need a generous welcome gift.
Fact:
No they don’t. Non-players won’t play more for an expensive gift or large quantities of free play. Real players come for the gambling. The goal is to encourage club members to use their cards and share critical marketing information. Player incentives should match player worth.
Myth: Free play is free – players put it all back in the slot machines.
Fact:
Free play is not free and the more it is used, the less money players have to take out of their pockets. Free play should prime the pump, not be the hose.
Myth: Email and social media are taking the world by storm.
Penny machines were designed to offer a more diverse and entertaining slot experience with extended time on device. Players can bet as much as $4 to $5 per spin and can be among the casino’s most profitable customers.
Myth: Only tiered players clubs are valuable.
Fact:
For technologically advanced casinos with large databases, diverse amenities and/or multiple properties, tiering can provide an opportunity to streamline offers based on customer worth and preference, as well as recognize players on-site. In most casinos, the same benefit can be derived from a single-tier club, as long as offers and benefits are segmented based on play. In addition, single-tier programs are less complicated to explain and easier to manage (no continual upgrading and down-grading).
Myth: Players like big, life-changing prizes.
Fact:
Based on research throughout the industry, players prefer lots of winners (even of smaller prizes) and the perception that they actually have a chance to win. Offering large prize opportunities can enhance the excitement of a major promotion.
Fact:
Myth:
Both of these alternative forms of communication are meant to enhance and support the still-more-effective marketing tactic of direct mail. They are not stand-alone tools for driving incremental visitation and revenue in the gaming industry.
High-end customers are the most loyal to your property.
Fact:
Myth:
If casinos effectively communicate the value of club membership and players understand the benefits available and how to achieve them, most player objections can be overcome. Players will not only use the card, but like it. (One exception: no explanation will ever overcome sheer, unfounded superstition!)
Table game players are not as profitable to a casino as slot players.
30 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
Penny slot players are worthless.
Fact:
Some can be very profitable depending on the game they play, the strategy they use, and how appropriately casinos reinvest in them. Lack of accurate player tracking methods in table games often leads to under or over-investment.
Fact:
All gamblers are promiscuous and will stray when they aren’t feeling lucky; high-worth players have more discretionary entertainment dollars to spend and competitors will court them more aggressively. A graduate of Stanford University, Dennis has over 35 years of gaming industry experience, including 22 years in a variety of senior level roles. He was Casino Marketing Director for Harrah’s Las Vegas, Director of the William F. Harrah Institute of Casino Entertainment and the Corporate Vice President of Employee Programs for Circus Circus Enterprises/Mandalay Resort Group, prior to founding Raving in 1998. An internationally known speaker and columnist, Dennis has written regular columns over the years for Casino Executive, Indian Gaming Magazine, Casino Life (Europe), Native American Casino, and currently for Casino Journal. Raving Consulting Company is a full-service casino marketing consulting company, offering unlimited resources to the gaming industry. For more information go to www.ravingconsulting.com
BINGO BINGO RETURNS TO CASINO ARIZONA Casino Arizona, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, today announced the property has begun construction on a bingo hall. The expansion project, which began in December, marks a return to bingo for the casino located on Loop 101 and McKellips. “Casino Arizona is pleased to bring back bingo to our property,” said Ramon Martinez, director of public relations for Casino Arizona. “It has long been on the wish list of many of
our loyal guests, and we are fortunate to be in a position to accommodate them. Our bingo players will be thrilled to hear the news.” Accomplished architecture firm Seaver Franks Architects AIA designs the new addition. Based in Tucson, the firm is known for deference to the Southwest’s rich history and environment. The plan for the 26,000 square-foot expansion is for a multi-use room that is primarily used for bingo, but also can be used for large events. The
Preferred Bingo Locations American Legion #29 6821 N. 58th Ave Mon & Thurs 6:30pm Wed 11:45am Phoenix West Elks 5525 W. Colter Tues 6:45pm, Sun 12:45pm Postal Worker’s Social Club 3720 W. Greenway Rd. Tues & Sun 6:30pm Fort McDowell Casino Fountain Hills Area Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9am,
32 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
12:30pm, 6:30pm Tue: 12:30pm, 6:30pm Sat. Sun: 6:45 & 9am, 12:30 & 6:30pm, Fri & Sat @ Midnight "Lunar Bingo" every 3rd Saturday @ Midnight Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 Maricopa Rd Daily 11:30am, 2:30, 3:30 & 6:30pm Party Bingo at 11:00pm on 1st & 3rd Friday of the Month
Lone Butte Casino SanTan Loop202 & Kyrene Noon & 6:30pm Daily "B.A.D. Bingo" (BingoAfterDark) Saturdays @ 11:30pm Vee Quiva Casino 51st Ave. 10mi. S of I-10 Daily: 12:30 & 6:30pm "Bingo Eclipse" every 2nd & 4th Saturday @ 11pm Apache Gold Casino • Globe 5mi E of Globe on Hwy 70 Wed, Thur, & Sun @ noon; Fri & Sat 7pm
room will seat 1,000, and is being built by contracting industry leader Kitchell Corporation. As an independently owned and operated enterprise, it is essential that Casino Arizona chose the right partners to execute this type of project,” said Martinez. “Seaver Franks Architects and Kitchell Corporation see our vision and I am confident that they can carry it out.” Casino Arizona’s new bingo hall is slated for completion in October.
Bingo Blowout! 1st Monday every Month, BlueWater Casino • Parker 11300 Resort Dr Daily 6:30pm Casino Del Sol• Tucson 5655 W. Valencia Mini Sessions 11:30am & 1:30pm Matinee 2:15pm & Eves 7:15pm "Cosmic Bingo" 10:30 & 11:30pm every Saturday
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REEL REVIEWS by Kevin Cummings
34 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
REEL REVIEWS by Kevin Cummings Lucky Cruise Like to take a quick casino vacation? All you need to do is log into facebook and find the Lucky Cruise game from WMS gaming. The leaders of innovative and fun casino games have made their most popular titles available to play in between your casino visits. You’ll be able to play such favorites as Zeus, Reel’em In, Jewels of the Night, Black Knight (personal favorite), King of Africa, and Life of Luxury. Lucky Cruise is a free “app” that you can subscribe to via your Facebook account. Like most Facebook games, Lucky Cruise rewards you with chips every day you log in to play. These chips add to your bankroll and are used as the basis of your slot play bankroll. If you run out of chips, you have three options...you can either wait until you can log on again and get more, you can purchase more, or you can complete various offers through Facebook partners. Just like a real slot machine you wager your chips and gamble to win more Lucky Cruise contains added features that I only wish traditional slot machines had. There are 5 different charms that players are rewarded with
that allow bonuses and big 5-of-a-kind wins to be much more prevalent. These charms include: lock one reel and re-spin the rest, lock two reels and re-spin the rest, nudge one reel up or down, nudge two reels up or down, and re-spin one reel. When used, the resulting wins don’t pay you in chips, but rather in emeralds (gems) that allow you to upgrade your machines and unlock more lines, higher max bet, and other machine options. Like a standard cruise, each Lucky Cruise destination has ports of call prior to reaching the final destination. At these ports, you get to play a game much like your standard video slot “pick bonus.” You have various symbols... each one containing either a reward or a bonus-ending skull. If you pick the skull, you will lose half of the rewards that you collected. The good thing is that you can quit while you’re ahead at any point and take what you have won. In these bonuses, the rewards are either gems, chips, or those special
charms...so deciding when to quit could be a very important decision. Another nice thing about Lucky Cruise, like most Facebook apps, is that you earn more rewards (chips and/or gems) by inviting friends to play and having them successfully subscribe to the app. You can connect with other players around the world to help fill your casino with patrons. I have spent MANY hours playing Lucky Cruise on Facebook. It is very nice to be able to log onto Facebook and play my favorite WMS games from the comfort of home. I will definitely continue playing and unlocking more features, also be sure to check your email after you register...WMS releases a new game into the app every couple of weeks and gives its players additional charms to use on the new titles. Bon Voyage!
ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012 35
Joke page
Jokes of the Month
As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary year at Arizona Player – Here are 2 more jokes. The first joke is one of our readers’ favorites from the past – Joke #2 is brand spanking new. Thanks for laughing! Phil Scudella - Publisher
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Patty sweetly asked her husband Jimmy “Honey, Would you like some breakfast”? “How about bacon and eggs, hash browns, toast, coffee and some fresh squeezed orange juice” Jimmy passes on that option “Thanks baby, but I’m not hungry…it’s the Viagra, it really takes the edge off my appetite. At lunchtime Patty asks if he would like something. “Jim darling, how about a bowl of soup, and a grilled cheese sandwich”? Again Jimmy declines. “The Viagra,” he says, “really trashes my desire for food”. At dinnertime, Patty asks again suggests some food. “Jerry, let me grill a thick juicy steak for you, and a baked potato with all the trimmings, plus fresh cherry cobbler for dessert”. She says smiling. “Sorry sweetheart”, he replies, “I’m just not hungry” Patty, having lost her patience, calmly says “Jerry…if it’s not too much to ask” “Yes dear” he replied “what is it? “PLEASE” she screamed “LET ME OUT OF THIS BED, BECAUSE I’M STARVING”!
36 ARIZONA PLAYER March 2012
New Bonus Joke
MR. COMPLETELY
Justin strolled into his favorite Scottsdale bar where he usually got “Lucky” several times a week and had quite a reputation as a ladies man. He walked up to a sexy young redhead at the bar and asked if he could buy her a drink. After the bartender said “Hey P.M. would you like the usual? To which Justin replied “No, I think I’m going “Red” tonight…Then they both laughed hysterically. So, the redhead asked Justin “What’s P.M. stand for? Paul, Phil, Peter, Poncho…” No-no” he interrupts, ”It’s my nickname, it stands for “Pleasure Master” “Oh Really” she replies “You must have quite a resume” “Well,” Justin responds as he nods his head up and down “I’d take you home, but it would ruin it for every other guy who ever wanted to spend the night with you!” “Now” the redhead smiled and said “Those are some pretty strong words – do you think you can back them up?” “Absolutely – I only hope you can handle the real thing!” She convinces Justin to go to her place, walking distance from the bar. After about 20 minutes of pleasure, Justin props his head on the pillow and says, ”You know….you were a lot better than I expected, and this is a nice place you have here, BUT I have to ask, who is your interior decorator? I don’t get it…You bedroom is filled with shelves and shelves of stuffed animals, what’s with that?” The redhead calmly looked Justin square in the eyes and said “You can have anything off the bottom shelf”.
ASTROLOGY & Contest Page Pisces Feb 20 to Mar 20
Gemini May 22 to June 21
Virgo Aug 24 to Sept 23
Sagittarius Nov 23 to Dec 21
Cancer June 22 to July 22
Libra Sept 24 to Oct 23
Capricorn Dec 22 to Jan 20
Scorpio Oct 24 to Nov 22
Aquarius Jan 21 to Feb 19
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Jump on the idea Project will work Nice way to end month Great things are happening
Aries Mar 21 to April 20
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Many will fail – not you Interesting situation Act now – Don’t wait Timing is most important
Taurus April 21 to May 21 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Persistence will pay off Strike while the iron’s hot Play late for big win Surprise guest coming
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Bluff will work with most Unusual ending Believe in yourself Never give up – be strong Old friend calls Pretty nice week of fun Just what you needed No one will ever guess
Leo July 23 to Aug 23
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Things are improving Wear green all week Exciting adventure ahead Wow! The big one
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
It was worth the wait Correct choice Great things ahead Weekend of fun
Plenty of fun ahead Loads of excitement Friendship even better Fun trip soon
Stick with first thought Nice win nearby Rockin’ good time This is your lucky week
Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7 Mar 7–13 Mar 14–20 Apr 21–30 Apr 1–7
Plan that needed trip Why not? Good choice Act quickly on idea Surprise call from the past Old friend returning Unexpected pleasure Reward for being nice Forget past – move on
You make right decision Terrific advice from friend Rare chance – take it Nice end to trip
The Arizona Player 20th Anniversary I “Like” To Win Sweepstakes Congratulations Winners!
THE GRAND PRIZE!
Here are 5 more lucky winners (listed below) for entries that closed on February 29th. Each or these winners receive a pair of tickets to the Arizona Renaissance Festival - Tickets will be mailed out March 12th and are good any weekend Thru April 1st. Fran Woldt Cottonwood John Ross Flagstaff Karen Ann Smith Fountain Hills Rita Hilderbrand Tucson Catherine Galanty Surprise
Lucille Peterson of Lake Havasu City, AZ was our first Grand Prize Winner and won a 3 day-2 nights Getaway to the spectacular White Mountains at the Hon-Dah Casino Resort and Conference Center in the Lakeside-Pinetop area. Her stay includes Dinner and breakfast for two, along with some other very nice surprises! Remember we will give away 3 more of these Grand Prize packages during this very special 20th Anniversary year. The next Grand Prize Package is a 3 day 2 night stay at the beautiful
CASINO DIRECTORY
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Bluewater Resort and Casino located (Limit of 1 entry per person per month – 2 on the Colorado River in Parker, entries per address) Arizona. You will learn more about the The most creative mailed in great getaway in the April issue. entry will also win a $50 gift card to There are 2 ways to enter: 1. Go to Cracker Barrel restaurant. (There’s FACEBOOK and like Arizona Player one near you) Now. Those of you, who are not Thanks and GOOD LUCK Facebook friendly or don’t use a comPhil Scudella puter, you can still win. Just send a Publisher postcard or 3x5 card in an envelope Arizona Player with your name, address and Phone number to: Arizona Player “I Like You” Contest PO Box 33393 Phoenix, AZ 85067
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