Southern Gaming & Destinations JULY 2013

BEST OF SOUTHERN GAMING AWARDS WINNERS REVEALED! JULY 2013 Vol. 15, Issue 4 SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

11 GREAT GOLF COURSES

THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK PAGE 20

ROD STEWART TOP SHOWS OF SIN CITY:

AND THE COLOSSEUM STEAL THE SHOW PAGE 24

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July 2013

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

Tips & Columns

Highlights & Hotspots

24 Sin City Superstars

18 Blackjack:

56 Author Spotlight:

Rod Stewart and The Colosseum Steal the Show

FEATURE ARTICLES

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2013 Best of Southern Gaming Awards The Results Are In!

Great Golf Courses Courses That Won’t Break the Bank (And a Few That Will!)

Bad Blackjack Advice

30 Craps:

Frank Scoblete

58 Restaurant Review:

3 Little Mistakes that Cost Big Money

42 Video Poker:

Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood at Palace Casino Resort, Biloxi, MS

60 Rave Reviews:

Understanding Game Volatility

48 Horseracing: Learning How to Lay Back

Highlights from our Best of Southern Gaming VIP Getaway Winner

64 Poker: Playing A-x Suited on the Flop

34 What Happens In Vegas

The Highs and Lows of Sin City

38 Meet Me In St. Louis

7 Great Ways to Enjoy the Gateway to the West

44 Say What?

A Lesson on Humorous Sayings Coined in the South

50 Making Sense & Losing Cents

54

Learning Valuable Life Lessons at the Track

Dine Like a King Gold Strike Casino Resort’s Incredible Buffet Americana

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54 SOUTH E R NGAM I NG.COM

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LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Bisig Impact Group CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Larry Bisig PRESIDENT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Where does your vacation begin?

In the movie Meet the Fockers, Robert DeNiro plays the role of retired CIA agent, Jack Byrnes, who is hilariously meticulous about everything.

From the way he folds his clothes and plans his travel itinerary, to departing times, bathroom breaks and expected traffic, Jack has it all factored in. When you travel, are you a Jack Byrnes? Do you set unrealistic expectations for your journey?

Are you meticulous in the planning?

feature fun activities and property reviews that peak my interest and help me start exploring the possibilities of the region. So if I read about a great restaurant on a website or in a magazine, I make note of it and ask a local about it. If it gets a double confirmation, I’m all in. If the local doesn’t concur, I’ll look for other options.

Chip Dumstorf

I recently listened to the CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Gary Loveman speak at a conference. As he discussed how to prepare for and plan vacations, he made a great point about online travel booking sites. Unfortunately, many of their reviews are lacking in information, which means you are then forced to do some research and make decisions based on your own findings. But for me, this is where the magic happens! I enjoy planning and researching a destination almost as much as taking the actual trip! You can really discover cool things about different cities. This is where my vacation begins.

Linda Boyd Beth D’Adonno Eric Floyd Phil Hellmuth, Jr. John D. Klimek Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin Darron Young Ken Young

I encourage you to get the most out of your next getaway – explore the location, try new things.

You never know what might be waiting for you when you get there, or what you might experience on the way!

Or, are you a traveler with more of a “take it as it comes” attitude – you know where you are going and what you want to do, but you’re not as concerned with precise timing and flawless planning. Leave the watch in the car, you’re made of Teflon – everything just rolls off your back, because you’re on cruise control baby!

I hope you have a great summer full of exciting travel adventures and casino jackpots. If you haven’t already, be sure to join The Comps Club™ for coupons and special offers from casinos throughout the South, from Tunica and Biloxi to Indiana, Louisiana and Florida. Check out the ad on Page 9 for more information.

Personally, I think of myself as a more laid back traveler, but I do have some Jack Byrnes tendencies. I like to have a general idea of what I want to do – play golf, charter a fishing boat, eat great seafood, smoke a premium cigar while watching a sunset over the water – but a lot of the details get filled in when I reach my destination.

I usually try to get the “inside scoop” from the locals, which helps me make better decisions about what to do next, but I also rely on websites and publications, like Southern Gaming, that

If you can’t be good…be lucky!

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G. Douglas Dreisbach

GENER AL M ANAGER

GENERAL MANAGER

G. Douglas Dreisbach MANAGING EDITOR

Roger Angel ACCOUNTING

Peggy Harris CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Letters to the editor, address changes and other correspondence should be sent to: SOUTHERN GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 e-mail: editor@southerngaming.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the evergrowing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist the gamer in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest.

Southern Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Bisig Impact Group of Louisville, Kentucky.

Copyright 2004 by Bisig Impact Group. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by Publisher’s Printing Co., Inc. of Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Postage is paid in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky.

Opinions of columnists are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor does Southern Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers.

POSTMASTER: Send

address changes to Southern Gaming and Destinations, 640 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

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And, don’t forget to check us out online at SouthernGaming.com.

BETH’S BEST BITES: GREAT FOOD FINDS OF THE SOUTH | THIS ISSUE’S FEATURED RESTAURANT...

MULATE’S - BREAUX BRIDGE, LA

Mulates.com No visit to Lafayette is complete without an evening at Mulate’s in nearby Breaux Bridge.

The sign promises ``bon temps et bon manger’’ (good times and good eating), and this landmark definitely delivers. The alligator hides on the ceiling and the bronzed dancing shoes on the walls let you know you’re in Cajun country. Try the crawfish— boiled, fried or étouffée — it’s no surprise that Breaux Bridge has deemed itself the “Crawfish Capital of the World.’’ More than five generations of two-steppers have danced across the old cypress floors with live Cajun music seven days a week. Get more info at Mulates.com.

SOUTHERN GAMING IS LIGHTING UP LOUISVILLE, AND YOU’RE INVITED!

SouthernGaming.com/bourbonblackjack If you’re looking for a smokin’ good time, Southern Gaming’s got it! Mark your calendar for our Bourbon & Blackjack Super Smoke Out at KingFish Restaurant in Louisville, KY on Saturday, October 12.

You won’t want to miss it! Guests will enjoy premium bourbon, cigars and food with your friends from Southern Gaming! Plus, don’t miss Southern Gaming’s Invitational Blackjack Tournament where you can win cash and prizes. Qualifying events are being held now through October. For details on

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SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

how to qualify, check out our website and like us on Facebook.

Tickets for the Super Smoke Out are $25 at the door ($20 in advance); ticket cost includes one complimentary drink and one premium cigar, plus a spread of delicious food from our friends at KingFish. For more information, visit SouthernGaming.com/bourbonblackjack or call 1.877.582.9478.

Beth D’Addono is Southern Gaming’s go-to resource for great food destinations around t he c ountr y. S he hasn’t let us down yet, so be sure to check out her recommendations and let us know if you agree!

Did you discover a great food find? Send an email to editor@southerngaming.com and let us know why your favorite place should be highlighted in Southern Gaming!

GAME ON! PHANTOM EFX UNVEILS CASINO FUN AT HOME WITH GHOST STORIES!

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Explore dark tales as you close the rift between the worlds and restore balance to the restless deceased – only you can help them! Spin on 7 WMS GAMING® casino favorites and 11 new Reel Deal slot games as you progress through spooky paranormal investigations.

Funambula at Beau Rivage

The Buffet at Belterra in Vevay, IN

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT BOASTS ALL-NEW BUFFET

FUNAMBULA BRINGS THRILLS TO THE GULF COAST

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BelterraCasino.com

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is pleased to welcome FUNAMBULA, a theatrical circus sensation, to its theatre for a limited eight-week summer engagement through August 11. The show is derived from the Latin term funambulus, meaning “rope dancer,” and features an international cast of accomplished aerialists, acrobats and tightrope walkers performing dramatic acts that are guaranteed to thrill and leave you wondering in awe if they are from another world. “Circus artists provoke wonder and emotion, and defy words and descriptions,” said DreamCast Entertainment’s Misha Matorin, the show’s creator and producer.

If you’re looking for a fantastic meal in Indiana, you’ll find it at Belterra Casino Resort’s new buffet. With its updated, open dining room layout and a variety of new food stations, including a Brazilian Churrasco grill, meat carving stations and made-to-order oven-baked pizzas, The Buffet at Belterra takes dining to a whole new level. The Buffet also offers fresh salad and fruit, delicious seafood and sushi, Mediterranean-inspired pasta creations, a selection of savory gelatos, and decadent made-from-scratch pastries. For more info and reservations, visit BelterraCasino.com or call 1.888.235.8377.

“FUNAMBULA features the amazing comedic daredevil Bello Nock, whose stunts, humor and charisma have won him numerous awards and the admiration of thousands of fans worldwide.” The show is appropriate for all ages. Performances are 7 p.m. Tuesday - Friday; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday; no performances on Monday. Tickets are $12.95, $16.95 and $24.95 plus tax and service fees. A family pack of four tickets is $40. Tickets are available for purchase at the Beau Rivage Ticket Office, by phone at 888.566.7469 or online at beaurivage.com.

C C WANT MORE? GET MORE! JOIN THE COMPS CLUB TODAY!

southerngaming.com/extra/ coupon_book.html When you join The Comps Club by Southern Gaming, you’ll be a winner before you even step foot in a casino. In addition to an annual subscription to Southern Gaming, Comps Club Members also receive special offers and discounts to casinos throughout the South. Don’t miss out! Check out page 9 for more details.

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

2 3 4 5

“MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING...

UNLESS YOU’RE PLAYING IN A REBUY POKER TOURNAMENT.”

WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR GAME TO PLAY ONLINE AND IN REGULAR CASINOS? A. Poker B. Blackjack C. Craps D. Texas Hold ‘Em E. Roulette

IN THE STANDARD GAME OF POKER, FIVE CARDS OF THE SAME SUIT THAT ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER ARE CALLED A WHAT? A. Money B. Deck of Cards C. Flush D. Mechanic E. High Society

WHAT IS THE OLDEST CASINO GAME? A. Blackjack B. Craps C. Poker D. Roulette E. Texas Hold ‘Em

WHAT IS ST. LOUIS ALSO KNOWN AS? A. “Home of the Blues” B. “Wild Wild West” C. “Home of the South” D. “Northwestern” E. “The Town of the Arch”

– ANONYMOUS

Got a joke or fun fact? E-mail it to jokes@southerngaming.com for your chance to win casino coupons from The Comps ClubTM !

1931

The year gambling was legalized in Las Vegas

24 The age of the youngest person ever to win the World Series of Poker

1:65 37 million million

WHO INVENTED POKER? A. Royalty B. Sailors in New Orleans C. The French D. The Italians E. The British

THE SUDOKU PUZZLE

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“Did You Know” Answers: 1. B-Blackjack, 2. C-Flush, 3. D-Roulette, 4. A-Home of the Blues, 5. B-Sailors in New Orleans | SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

9

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1

9

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2

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1 5

6

7

2 3

Complete the grid so that each column, row and block of nine squares includes numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Sudoku Answers on page 29

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9

Up to the challenge?

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The chances of making two holes-in-one in a round of golf

The number of annual Las Vegas visitors

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9

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5

1 2

Game courtesy of Sudokutoday.com

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THE 2013 BEST OF SOUTHERN GAMING AWARDS | THE RESULTS ARE IN! IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN – the votes are in and we’re

excited to announce the winners of our 2013 Best of Southern Gaming Awards! Once again, we received a record number of votes, so thank you to everyone who participated and supported their favorite southern casino, racetrack and resort locations.

We want to congratulate all of the properties that received their prestigious awards. On the following pages you will find all of the award recipients, listed according to region, as well as highlighted features on some selected winners. We hope you enjoy checking out the winner profiles and as always, we would love to hear your feedback about the results!

Southern Gaming and Destinations covers a large portion of the gaming market, from Indiana to the Gulf Coast, and we certainly have a lot to consider when checking out new properties, reviewing hotel renovations and staying on top of other industry-related news. There are so many incredible properties located throughout the south, including incredible casinos, impressive entertainment venues, excellent restaurants, and resorts with amazing amenities and top-of-the-line facilities. Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you again for voting.

We’re also excited to announce this year’s winner of the VIP Getaway is Hal S. from Hot Springs, Arkansas. For his getaway, Hal chose a trip to Tunica, Mississippi and stayed at Gold Strike Casino Resort – a property that won several awards this year!

Check out Hal’s trip review on page 60.

Now, without further delay— here are your winners!

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2013 BEST GAMING REGION:

GULF COAST

Head down to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast and enjoy a round of golf at one of the world-class courses followed by a relaxing afternoon on a catamaran, or hit one of the casinos for 24-hour gaming.

Best Rooms: Beau Rivage BEST ROOMS 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. IP Casino Resort Spa

Beau Rivage

BEST NIGHTLIFE 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. IP Casino Resort Spa

Best Overall Casino: IP Biloxi

GULF COAST

casino is conveniently located only one away mile from the beach, providing a breathtaking view for guests to enjoy. Known for its innovative take on dining, the property is home to eight different food and beverage venues, ranging from more casual atmospheres of Back Bay buffet and and High Tide Café, to fine dining options like Tien and Thirty-Two, which is on the top floor and features ocean views in every direction.

Searching for a relaxing getaway on a breezy beach?

Look no further than the Mississippi Gulf Coast! With 62 miles of scenic shoreline, it’s the perfect place to stretch out at your leisure. Take some time and get out on the water to fish, Jet Ski, paddleboat INSIDER TIP: Avid golfer? Be or just cruise along the sure to pack your clubs! As part blue waves of the glittering of a new strategic partnership between IP Casino Resort Spa Gulf of Mexico. Or, take and Shell Landing Golf Club, IP a day and treat yourself to guests can now enjoy the par-72, an afternoon of pampering professionally designed greens of at one of area’s lavish spas. one of the nation’s most impeccable After a day of relaxing, enjoy golf courses. And after a round or two of play, grab a bite to eat in an evening that starts with a the clubhouse, which includes a fullcool cocktail and a delicious service bar and restaurant. seafood dinner, then head to 2 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO one of the casinos and have 3 BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO fun with 24-hour gaming!

BEST OVERALL CASINO

1 IP CASINO RESORT SPA If having a casino with over 2,000 slot machines, an outdoor pool, outstanding spa, a variety of restaurants, and indoor shopping wasn’t enough for IP Casino Resort Spa to win Best Overall Casino on the Gulf Coast, the view of the Mississippi’s Back Bay surely caught our readers’ eyes. The

BEST BUFFET 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. IP Casino Resort Spa BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 1. Palace Casino Resort 2. IP Casino Resort Spa 3. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino BEST ADVERTISING 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. Palace Casino Resort

BEST PERSONNEL 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Silver Slipper Casino 3. IP Casino Resort Spa BEST PLAYERS CLUB 1. M life, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. B Connected, IP Casino Resort Spa 3. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino BEST RESTAURANT 1. Thirty Two, IP Casino Resort Spa 2. BR Prime, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 3. Mignon’s, Palace Casino Resort

Best Amenities: Beau Rivage BEST AMENITIES 1. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Palace Casino Resort 3. IP Casino Resort Spa

BEST SUITES 1. IP Casino Resort Spa 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

BEST ENTERTAINMENT 1. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 2. IP Casino Resort Spa 3. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino BEST NEW/REVONATED CASINO 1. Palace Casino Resort 2. IP Casino Resort Spa 3. Silver Slipper Casino BEST GOLF COURSE 1. Fallen Oak Golf Club, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 2. Preserve Golf Club, Palace Casino Resort 3. Grand Bear Golf Course

Best Theme: Hard Rock Biloxi BEST THEME 1. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 2. Hollywood Casino 3. Island View Casino Resort

BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1. IP Casino Resort Spa 2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 3. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino SOUTH E R N GAM I NG.COM

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INDIANA A state packed with opportunities for fun, Indiana has something for all ages and interests. If you’re taking a day trip, check out the shops, museums, parks and historic sites. If you’re searching for something a bit more interactive, sporting events and recreational activities are always a great option. Looking for a night on the town? Enjoy an intimate meal at one of the many upscale restaurants, complemented with beverages from a local brewery or winery. And afterwards, test your luck at one of the incredible casinos!

BEST OVERALL CASINO

Best Golf Course: French Lick Resort

includes an array on tantalizing appetizers, like shrimp tempura and escargot, and the entrees are to-die-for, with options including tender steaks cooked to-order on a wood burning grill, juicy chicken selections and fresh seafood dishes.

2 INDIANA GRAND CASINO 3 CASINO AZTAR EVANSVILLE

Best Overall Casino: Belterra Casino Resort

1 BELTERRA CASINO RESORT The beautiful Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana features a 38,000-square-foot casino with more than 1,600 slot machines and 46 table games. But its grand casino is only one of the reasons why Belterra was voted Indiana’s Best Overall Casino. The property is comprised of 608 deluxe rooms and suites, seven enticing food venues, a 1,600-seat entertainment showroom, health spa, salon, six retail boutiques and a very impressive 18-hole Tom Faziodesigned championship golf course.

With a variety of fun activities that everyone can enjoy, it’s not surprising that Belterra Casino Resort was a favorite among voters this year.

INSIDER TIP: Make sure to check out Belterra’s exclusive restaurant, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Jeff Ruby is an award-winning chef and restaurateur with other locations in Cincinnati and Louisville. The menu

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BEST ADVERTISING 1. Indiana Grand Casino 2. Belterra Casino Resort 3. Casino Aztar Evansville BEST BUFFET 1. Horseshoe Southern Indiana 2. Indiana Grand Casino 3. Casino Aztar Evansville BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 1. Indiana Grand Casino 2. Belterra Casino Resort 3. Casino Aztar Evansville BEST ENTERTAINMENT 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. Casino Aztar Evansville 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana

BEST PERSONNEL 1. Indiana Grand Casino 2. Belterra Casino Resort 3. Casino Aztar Evansville BEST PLAYERS CLUB 1. Horseshoe Southern Indiana 2. Indiana Grand Casino 3. Belterra Casino Resort BEST RACETRACK/RACINO 1. Indiana Grand Casino 2. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino BEST RESTAURANT 1. Steakhouse, Indiana Grand Casino 2. Cavanaugh’s, Casino Aztar Evansville 3. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Belterra Casino Resort BEST ROOMS 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg 3. Le Merigot Hotel, Casino Aztar Evansville

BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. Casino Aztar Evansville 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana BEST GOLF COURSE 1. French Lick Resort 2. Belterra Casino Resort 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana BEST NIGHTLIFE 1. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg 2. Casino Aztar Evansville 3. Indiana Grand Casino

Best Amenities: Belterra Casino Resort BEST AMENITIES 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. French Link Resort 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana

BEST NEW/RENOVATED CASINO 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg 3. Rising Star Casino Resort BEST SUITES 1. Belterra Casino Resort 2. Le Merigot Hotel, Casino Aztar Evansville 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana BEST THEMES 1. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg 2. Indiana Grand Casino 3. Horseshoe Southern Indiana

“MY HUSBAND AND I GO TO BELTERRA ALMOST EVERY WEEK. WE DO HAVE A COMPED ROOM AND SOMETIMES USE IT. I THINK BELTERRA IS THE BEST OF ALL THE CASINOS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA. YOU CASH OUT MORE TICKETS THAN ANY OTHER CASINO. WE LIKE VIDEO POKER AND IT BY FAR IS THE LOOSEST AROUND. THE SLOTS ARE GOOD TOO.” -Sue S. (via Trip Advisor)

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MID-SOUTH Enjoy all the subtle pleasures, incredible landscape and rich culture of the South as you travel across the beautiful states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

No matter the season, a vacation down south is always enjoyable. Immerse yourself in the music, savory comfort food, intricate architecture and unique history. There are tons of hidden gems dotted throughout these three states, but we’ve highlighted a few of our readers’ favorite places to stay, dine and play. You may find they strike your fancy too as you set out to explore the South!

BEST OVERALL CASINO

facials, manicures and pedicures.

The state-of-the-art fitness center is a great place to relieve stress and get a daily dose of fitness. Spa Blu also boasts a beautifully landscaped pool area where guests can soak up some sun and swim in the pool’s calming waters.

2 PARAGON CASINO RESORT 3 DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK CASINO HOTEL BEST ADVERTISING 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Paragon Casino Resort 3. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel 3. Horseshoe Bossier City BEST ENTERTAINMENT 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Paragon Casino Resort 3. Eldorado Resort Casino

Best Overall Casino: Sam’s Town Shreveport

1 SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO, SHREVEPORT Standing 23 stories tall with over 500 posh rooms and suites, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport was voted the Best Overall Casino in the Mid-South. The property’s striking three-story casino has over 1,000 slot machines and various card table games to choose from.

And for those guests who are more interested in entertainment than gambling, Sam’s Town Live is the place to be. The venue hosts tons of different live performances from all over the region. Getting hungry?

William B’s Steakhouse is just one of the amazing restaurants at Sam’s Town. And with a menu that features a wide variety of entrees, including succulent steak, fresh seafood and heavenly pasta dishes, you will surely be satisfied.

INSIDER TIP: For the ultimate day of relaxation, visit Spa Blu during your stay in Shreveport. Spa Blu offers a variety of treatments, like

BEST GOLF COURSE 1. L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles 2. Pearl River Resort 3. Coushatta Casino Resort BEST AMENITIES 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Wind Creek Casino & Hotel 3. Paragon Casino Resort

Best Buffet: Sam’s Town Shreveport BEST BUFFET 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Paragon Casino Resort 3. Eldorado Resort Casino BEST NEW/RENOVATED CASINO 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Coushatta Casino Resort 3. Horseshoe Bossier City

Best Amenities: Sam’s Town Shreveport

BEST NIGHTLIFE 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Paragon Casino Resort 3. Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel & Casino

BEST THEME 1. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel & Casino 3. Eldorado Resort Casino

BEST PERSONNEL 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 3. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel BEST PLAYERS CLUB 1. B Connected, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 2. Total Rewards, Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel & Casino 3. Paragon Casino Resort BEST RACETRACK/RACINO 1. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel 2. Fair Grounds Race Course 3. Harrah’s Louisiana Downs BEST RESTAURANT 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 3. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel BEST ROOMS 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 3. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel BEST SUITES 1. Paragon Casino Resort 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport 3. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel

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TUNICA From its beautiful nature trails and gorgeous golf courses, to cruisin’ down the Mississippi River on the Tunica Queen, this destination truly brings out the nature lover in all of us as there are countless ways to experience the great outdoors in Tunica. Or if you’re interested in an exciting crowd-drawing event, the Tunica Arena & Exposition Center has emerged as one of the newest hotspots for agricultural and equestrian shows. A great weekend getaway, Tunica offers the perfect balance of action and relaxation, and it’s only a short drive from Memphis’ historic Beale Street and Graceland.

BEST OVERALL CASINO

Best Suites: Gold Strike Casino Resort

a visit to the Great Buffet for a delicious meal that includes favorites from across the globe.

Besides its eclectic menu of international fare, the Great Buffet also serves the famous Corky’s BBQ, hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. People with hearty appetites will be satisfied as they peruse the various food selections, as well as free beer and wine.

The homemade desserts and the incredible chocolate dipping station are always a hit as well.

2 GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT 3 HARRAH’S TUNICA HOTEL & CASINO Best Overall Casino: Sam’s Town Tunica

1 SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO, TUNICA From its luxurious rooms, impressive pool and ultra-nice fitness center, it’s no surprise that Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino is one of the most popular properties in Tunica. Not only is the hotel incredibly appealing, but its casino, fine dining options, boutique shopping, and golf course are excellent attractions as well.

Voted Tunica’s best overall casino, Sam’s Town offers world-class entertainment at its very own River Palace Entertainment Center, as well as local and regional entertainment at Roxy’s Live. The hotel offers group rates and a pet policy, so your furry friends can enjoy a relaxing vacation as well.

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BEST ADVERTISING 1. Hollywood Casino Tunica 2. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Tunica 3. Gold Strike Casino Resort

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“SAM’S TOWN [TUNICA] WAS A LAST MINUTE CHOICE FOR OUR HONEYMOON. IT’S THE BEST CHOICE WE COULD HAVE MADE.” - Shugadumpling (via Trip Advisor)

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PLAYER STRATEGY

I

BLACKJACK: Bad Blackjack Advice

WAS PLAYING BLACKJACK when a young woman took a seat next to me. It was obvious after a few rounds that she didn’t have a clue about blackjack playing strategy, so she boldly asked the young dealer for “advice” on how to play her hands. I sat there in amazement as the dealer was instructing her on how to play her hands. What disturbed me most was that more than half the advice that he gave her was wrong. Her bankroll rapidly evaporated as she continued to make terrible plays at the advice of the “expert dealer.”

I have no grudges to bear against casino dealers.

They have a very tough and demanding job.

However, dealers are trained to deal the cards and the vast majority of them have no knowledge of winning blackjack play.

The policy in most casinos forbids dealers from advising players on what strategy they should use to play their hands. This is for security reasons, to prevent any possibility of a dealer and a playing confederate from taking advantage of the casino.

However, when novice players openly ask the dealer for advice, they usually respond with a suggested strategy. (Unfortunately, it’s usually an incorrect strategy.)

Dealers aren’t the only ones giving misinformation about blackjack playing strategies. I once picked up a newsletter that was in the racks of a casino that offered “helpful hints for table game players from the grand institute of fun and games professor.” On blackjack, the advice was: 1. Split eights unless the dealer shows a ten value card 2. Always split aces 3. Double down on two card combinations of 9, 10 and 11 4. Don’t take a hit on a possible bust hand (12 or higher) if the dealer’s upcard is a 6 or less 5. If you lose more than five times in a row, move to a different table, don’t fight the cards The first piece of advice is wrong. For every $100 you bet holding a pair of 8s vs. a dealer ten upcard, you will on average, gain $5 more

by splitting rather than hitting. Standing on a pair of 8s vs. a dealer ten-value card is an even worse strategy. The bottom line is that a pair of 8s is a bad hand. You should always split 8s against any dealer upcard to get a fair chance at winning some hands. Against a dealer’s upcard of 3 to 7, you will usually convert a losing hand into a winning hand by splitting the 8s. In the case of a dealer’s upcard of 2, 8, 9, 10 or ace, you will probably lose by splitting, but you lose less in the long run compared to any other strategy.

Always splitting aces is sound advice; however, to double down on two card combinations of 9, 10 and 11 is nonsense unless you specify against which dealer’s upcard. The fact of the matter is that you should only double down on two-card combinations of 9 if the dealer’s upcard is 3, 4, 5 or 6 (typical multiple-deck game). If the dealer has any other upcard, you should never double down. Likewise, you should only double down on two-card combinations of 10 if the dealer’s upcard is 2-9, and only double down on 11 against dealer’s upcard of 2-10. The above is the mathematically correct doubling strategies for 4, 6 or 8 deck games (with single- or double-deck games, the doubling strategy is slightly different).

The casino newsletter advises not to take a hit on a possible bust hand (12 or higher) if the dealer’s upcard is a 6 or less. The mathematically correct play when you hold a 12 against a dealer’s upcard of 2 or 3 is to hit. Although this is a close play, the percentages are still in favor of hitting 12 on a dealer’s 2 or 3 (vs. standing), and standing on 12 against dealer 4, 5 or 6.

Players should not rely on casino-generated publications or the advice of dealers to learn blackjack-playing strategies. If you have to ask a dealer how to play your hand, then you don’t belong at a blackjack table. There are plenty of good books, instructional videos, even handheld basic strategy cards that you can take with you to the tables that contain the correct strategies (check out my recommendations at smartgaming.com, or read the blackjack page on wizardofodds.com). This is the smart way to play blackjack.

by

H E N R Y TA M B U R I N

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. He is the host of smartgaming.com and the editor of the Blackjack Insider newsletter (for a free three-month subscription, visit bjinsider.com/ freetrial). For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog, which contains books, strategy cards and software for casino players, call 1.888.353.3234, or visit smartgaming.com.

“DEALERS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES GIVING MISINFORMATION ABOUT BLACKJACK PLAYING STRATEGIES.”

FOR MORE FREE BLACKJACT TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ BLACKJACK 18

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G r eOeK n IsNoGf G r a n d e u r CO T h e STrisha o u t h ’sYearwood Most Exceptional Courses with

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort

Great Golf Courses

COU R SES T H AT WON ’ T BR E A K T H E BA NK (A N D A F E W T H AT W I L L ! ) by

W

hat makes a golf course great? Is it a layout that can challenge a scratch golfer, but still let a casual player enjoy it as well? Is it strictly based on the condition of the tees, greens and everything in between? Or, do cost and pace of play have major roles in determining your favorite retreat? We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite courses located throughout the South, all of which are open to the public, well manicured, and have greens fees that will still allow you to enjoy a good skins game or some casino time after. We did include a couple that might stretch your budget, but they’re truly excellent courses that warrant the higher expense. There are hundreds of fabulous courses and clubs located in the South, and 20 |

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G. DOUGL AS DREISBACH

unfortunately we couldn’t include them all, but here are some awesome locations to check out when you need a links fix.

Listed in no particular order, each course overview includes the cost, yardage from the back tees, rating and slope, as well as the contact info to book tee times or connect with the pro shop. We hope you enjoy our recommendations… Fore!

THE PETE DYE COURSE

French Lick Resort, French Lick, IN FrenchLick.com | 888.936.9360 Play: $350 + $30 forecaddie per player; Back Tees: 8,102 yards Rating/Slope: 80/148 Your wallet may take a bigger hit when

you play this course, but it’s well worth it!

Etched into the hilltops behind French Lick Resort, this Pete Dye-designed masterpiece sits on one of Indiana’s highest elevation points, creating amazing views as far as the eye can see. The narrow fairways,

Left: Covered Bridge Golf Course in Sellersburg, Indiana; Right: Brickyard Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana

three man-made lakes, ever-changing bunkers and intense terrain make this 8,100-yard layout all you can imagine, and more. Words simply don’t do this breathtaking course justice. Forecaddies are mandatory, as well as lodging at the resort. Be sure to treat yourself to this beauty!

BELTERRA GOLF CLUB

Belterra Casino Resort, Vevay, IN BelterraCasino.com | 812.427.7783 Play: $76-$88 Back Tees: 6,925 yards Rating/Slope: 73.3/136 Say good-bye to reality and hello to golf and gambling bliss! A Tom Fazio-designed course, the greens at Belterra have an impeccable layout. Once completely flat farmland, Fazio’s course called for elevation changes of almost 100 feet and the addition of lakes and trees to create what has to be one of his marquee projects. It’s no wonder he’s one of the top golf course designers in the world.

The course offers a well-rounded scope of holes, where approach shots are crucial as many greens are heavily guarded by sand traps and water among other obstacles.

And with the pro shop located on the property, you can reach the range and first tee from your room in just minutes. While the course will give you all you want from the back tees, it’s quite manageable and fun from the shorter tees, and always in fantastic shape.

COVERED BRIDGE GOLF COURSE

Sellersburg, Indiana FuzzyGolf.com | 812.246.8880 Play: $69/$75 Back Tees: 6,832 yards Rating/Slope: 72.7/131 Covered Bridge Golf Club is Fuzzy Zoeller’s home golf course and one of Kentuckiana’s finest public golf facilities.

Co-designed by Fuzzy Zoeller and Clyde Johnson, each hole of Covered Bridge has been placed to highlight the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

The layout is nestled in the foothills of Southern Indiana’s Floyd Knobs and provides challenging shots over and around five lakes, a creek, forest area and other obstacles. The Zoysia fairways give a perfect lie and the undulating greens provide true rolls on your putts. And, you never know when Fuzzy will pop into the club to say hello since he lives just a few minutes away!

BRICKYARD CROSSING

Indianapolis, Indiana BrickyardCrossing.com | 317.492.6417 Play: $100 Back Tees: 7,180 yards Rating/Slope: 74/143 Just because four of the holes are located in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, doesn’t mean this layout is a crowded tourist attraction. By far one of the most unique courses on this list, Pete

Dye designed this beautiful golf course to challenge any level of golfer. And, let’s not forget about the fact that holes 7, 8, 9 and 10 are located inside one of the most famous racetracks in the world – talk about cool!

THE PRESERVE GOLF CLUB

Vancleave, Mississippi PreserveGC.com | 228.386.2500 Play: $105 Back Tees: 6,774 yards Rating/Slope: 72.6 / 138 Whether you’re enjoying the beauty of the mossy, majestic oaks throughout the course, or the pine-lined fairways leading to the rolling greens, The Preserve continues to exceed expectations. Serving as the home course for The Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, this Jerry Pate design lies within an 1800-acre nature preserve, giving golfers the feeling of a safari adventure. You owe it to yourself to make this part of your trip!

KIVA DUNES GOLF COURSE

Gulf Shores, Alabama KivaDunes.com | 888.833.5482 Play: $72/$92 Back Tees: 7,092 yards Rating/Slope: 73.9/132 If you’ve ever spent any time around the Alabama Gulf Coast, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the Kiva Dunes Golf Course. Rated the top course in the SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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though, with strategically placed wetlands throughout the property, this is a shot maker’s course that doesn’t allow for much error on either side of the fairways or greens.

HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS

Hilton Head, South Carolina Seapines.com | 1.843.363.8385 Play: $139-$264 (Depending on the season) Back Tees: 7,101 yards Rating/Slope: 75.6/147

Bloody Point Golf Club - Dafuskie Island, South Carolina

state, Kiva Dunes is a definite must-play, and for under $100, how can you possibly resist? Situated just a pitching wedge away from the beach, there’s always a nice breeze coming off the water, and as you would expect from a ocean front community, there’s no shortage of sand!

FALLEN OAK GOLF COURSE

Saucier, Mississippi FallenOak.com | 877.805.4657 Play: $200 (w/ room at Beau Rivage) Back tees: 7,487 yards Rating/Slope: 76.5/142 When a golf masterpiece is planned to accentuate thousand-year-old oak trees, you know you are in for a treat. An added amenity of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, guests of the resort enter a long, gated driveway and are greeted by a Southern-style clubhouse upon arrival.

Designed by the legendary Tom Fazio, this course is certainly one of his best.

In drafting the plans for these greens, he wanted this course to rival Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, and we think he more than succeeded. The layout provides a remote experience, as you are hidden from sight with ornate shrubbery at every hole and large plants hide your cart when you are on the putting green.

Deep bunkers and undulating greens are commonplace, and water features are intertwined throughout the layout. The course is only open to Beau Rivage guests.

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of our this list, you really can’t talk about great golf outings on the Gulf Coast without mentioning Fallen Oak! CAMP CREEK GOLF

Panama City, Florida Campcreekgolfclub.com | 850.231.7600 Play: $145 Back Tees: 7,159 yards Rating/Slope: 76/152 Designed by Tom Fazio, Camp Creek may cost a pretty penny to play, but it’s well worth the extra expense! Offering guests a wide variety of hole layouts, from tight and target oriented, to wider and ready for the gripper and ripper, the lush wetlands will keep you on your toes when selecting clubs. With five sets of tees, any golfer will feel comfortable escaping from the beach for a while to enjoy a round on this course.

BLOODY POINT GOLF CLUB AND RESORT

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina Bloody-Point.com | 1.843.341.5566 Play: $75/$95 Back Tees: 6,900 yards Rating/Slope: 73.5/134 Located on Daufuskie Island, Bloody Point is one of three courses on the island.

And for under $100, you really can’t go wrong. Water taxis range from $50-75 per person for an approximate 40-minute ride to the island, but once you’re there, you’re in a golfer’s paradise! Be careful

A plantation on Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines is a place where you can find everything from fishing charters and great seafood, to a guy who sings under an old oak tree each night, serenading passersby. It’s also home to one of the most famous golf courses in the world, Harbour Town Golf Links. Playing this Pete Dyedesigned beauty comes at a higher price, but once you’re there you’ll understand all the hype, with its picturesque landscaping and exciting, yet challenging, holes. The PGA Tour has a regular stop here with the RBC Heritage, where the winner receives a red plaid jacket. The 18th hole is the course’s signature hole, with the Calibogue Sound lining the left side of the fairway and the iconic red and white lighthouse hovering behind the small target green. The 472-yard par-4 is the number two handicap hole on the course, but rest assured, you’re hitting your drive to one of the widest fairways on the PGA Tour at almost ninety yards wide!

PURGATORY GOLF CLUB

Noblesville, Indiana PurgatoryGolf.com | 317.776.4653 Play: $60-$75 Back Tees: 7,754 Rating/Slope: 78.1/142 Yes, you read correctly. This monster stretches almost 8,000 yards from the tips and will have you begging for mercy by the end of your round. With a well-manicured layout and narrow fairways lined with thick rough leading to unforgiving heather, this layout will test every shot in your bag.

But, when you are finished, you will feel a sense of pride as you have just conquered one of the longest courses in the country.

Enjoy the ride!

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SIN CITY

SUPER STARS R od Ste w a r t a nd T he C olos s eu m Ste a l t he Show by

G. DOUGL AS DREISBACH

T

ODAY, LAS VEGAS is

known for much more than just casinos and an outrageous nightlife scene; it’s the epicenter of the best of the best in the world. There’s not another city that boasts as many elite hotels, excellent restaurants, top tier golf courses, trendy night clubs, designer boutiques, celebrity sightings and of course, star-studded entertainment, as Vegas.

When we say entertainment, we mean ENTERTAINMENT! We’re not talking about a few cool shows here and there.

We’re talking about seven nights a week, fifty-two weeks a year, the biggest super stars and world-famous shows dishing out jaw-dropping performances to sold out audiences at various venues on The Strip. Names like Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Elton John, Shania Twain, Penn & Teller and David Copperfield all have resident shows that sell out regularly. And, there are tons of others we could list that would have you on the edge of your seat.

Whether you are looking for live music, stand-up comedy, unbelievable magic tricks, adult shows or even hypnotists, Vegas has something for everyone.

With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to narrow it down when deciding which show to attend. There’s a lot to consider when you’re planning on spending a couple hours away from the casino. Are you looking for some tunes you can dance to? Or are you in the mood to laugh until you cry? And, you need to consider convenience as well. Is the venue close to where you are staying? And of course, the cost is important to keep in mind too, as some of the shows can be a bit pricey.

To help you get started on your all-star show search, we took a shot at compiling a list of our “Fab Five” performances to consider when planning your next Sin City getaway. First, be sure to do your research.

Get online and go to Youtube.com, type in any show by name and check out some clips. By no means are we attempting to cover everything (it would take the whole magazine to do so!), but we do promise you won’t be disappointed with these selections.

Rod Stewart rocking out and ruling the stage during a show at The Colosseum.

ROD STEWART: THE HITS, AT THE COLOSSEUM

TheColosseum.com | 1.866.227.5938 When putting together a list of the greatest live shows, we found that the hottest super stars of the music world play in Vegas on a regular basis. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is home to a number of top name resident shows, including Celine Dion, Elton John and Shania Twain, to highlight a few. And, for the second year in a row, The Colosseum is also home to Rod Stewart’s thrilling and wildly successful resident show, Rod Stewart: The Hits.

received an astounding 18 Grammy nominations. This past May, Stewart released “Time,” marking his landmark return to songwriting, as it’s his first new album of original material in nearly two decades.

With his soulful voice and narrative songwriting, Stewart is more than a musical icon adored by women of all ages; he’s influenced generations of stars across a variety of genres and his style of entertaining makes him a perfect fit to represent what Vegas is all about. He has a signature scratchy voice that never changes, and his music ranges from catchy, Featured on the cover of this issue, the energetic hits that get audiences on their feet, to romantic British rocker, ballads that will father of eight, “STEWART IS MORE THAN A MUSICAL be favorites for two-time years to come.

Rock and Roll ICON ADORED BY WOMEN OF ALL AGES; His show is Hall of Fame HE’S INFLUENCED GENERATIONS OF STARS t i t l e d “ T h e inductee, and ACROSS A VARIETY OF GENRES.” Hits” and that is Grammy exactly what he living legend delivers with every performance. has seen a five-decade long career – by far one of the most successful stints ever Each set list features his iconic, most-loved in the music industry. Throughout this songs like, “Maggie May,” “You Wear it prolific career, he’s earned an estimated Well,” “Hot Legs,” “Some Guys Have All $250 million in album sales and has the Luck,” mixed some cool covers and a

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few rarities like “Broken Arrow” and “The Killing of Georgie.” The show is designed to give audiences that only-in-Las-Vegas experience, with a personal performance showcasing Stewart’s authentic, passionate and playful act. Tickets start at $49 a person and shows are scheduled through August 4, with more to be added soon!

ROD STEWART’S

TOP 10 GREATEST HITS 1. Maggie May 2. You Wear It Well 3. Some Guys Have All the Luck 4. You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) 5. Reason to Believe 6. Downtown Train 7. Have I Told You Lately?

8. The First Cut Is The Deepest 9. Rhythm of My Heart 10. All For Love

Cirque du Soleil acrobats perform in Ka

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Regardless of which performer you choose to see, The Colosseum is an incredible venue that lets guests enjoy a fabulous dinner and cocktails, as well as some casino time, since the main entrance to the venue is right off the casino floor and near many of the property’s excellent restaurants and bars. The Colosseum is a modern replica of Rome’s architectural wonder designed to accommodate stage shows of all varieties, including the world-renowned Caesars’ headliners. With a seating capacity of 4,298, it’s impressive that no seat is farther than 120-feet from the stage. And, the venue is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual elements, including one of the largest indoor high-definition LED screens in North America (120-feet wide by 33-feet tall).

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Cirquedusoleil.com; 1.888.488.7111 Founded by a Canadian entertainment company specializing in art and street entertainment in Quebec, Cirque du Soleil has certainly made an impression in redefining the world of performance art. Each show features its own theme and storyline filled with unbelievable acrobatic performances and creative costume designs, bringing a unique f lavor and allowing audience guests to interpret and experience the show however they choose.

The Cirque-branded shows tour the world, but there’s a collection of performances that are exclusive to Las Vegas, each of which are extremely popular. The Las Vegas collection includes Mystere at Treasure Island, O at Bellagio, and Ka at MGM Grand. The collection started in 1993 with the launch of Mystere, and the shows have been a smashing success ever since. The production takes a deeper look into the origins of life in our universe with inspiring music, incredible costumes, and acrobats that defy gravity. As the crowds

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On April 5, 2013 Penn and Teller were honored with the 2,494th star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their achievement in 35 years of Live Performance.

and rave reviews kept coming, additional shows were added. Today, there are icon-themed shows starring The Beatles and Michael Jackson, with amazing choreography to go along with their greatest hits. With the Cirque selection in Vegas, the only trouble you are going to have is deciding which one to see!

PENN & TELLER, RIO ALL SUITE HOTEL & CASINO

PennandTeller.com; 1.855.234.7469 What’s not to love about an outrageous combination of comedy, magic and sarcasm? One of the world’s most famous and dynamic duos, Penn and Teller have been around since the 1970s! Their act is symbolic of their professional friendship, where Penn’s boisterous behavior and 28

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mannerisms somehow coax the quieter Teller to pull off-the-wall pranks and crazy tricks. Referred to as the “most intelligent show in Las Vegas” by Frommers, this should definitely be on your bucket list of shows to see in Las Vegas. Plus, be sure to stick around after the show, as Penn and Teller are known to hang out and sign autographs! Performances are at 9:00 p.m. every Monday – Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

BLUE MAN GROUP, MONTE CARLO RESORT & CASINO

BlueMan.com; 1.800.258.3626 This trio of costumed men wearing shiny blue paint, with no ears and glaring eyes has taken Las Vegas by storm since it began over a decade ago. After staging at

a few different iconic mega-properties in the heart of Sin City, the newest home to The Blue Man Group is the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. This multi-media act of exploration sight, sound and visual effects keeps the audience entertained as the men bang oversized drums full of illuminated paint, and perform sound experiments that incorporate everything from PVC pipes to Captain Crunch. This is a hard performance to explain if you haven’t experienced it for yourself, which is exactly why it belongs on the list. The ‘blue men” can integrate humor without muttering a single word, and they often improvise the act based on the audience reaction. This show is a definite must see!

Performances start daily at 7:00 p.m., with a second show at 9:30 p.m. on select nights.

DAVID COPPERFIELD, MGM GRAND HOTEL AND CASINO, HOLLYWOOD THEATRE

DavidCopperfield.com, 1.877.880.0880

Top: Since its inception back in 1987, Blue Man Group has been known for its outlandish performances that feature electrifying music, incredible technology and fantastically funny theatricals. Bottom Left: David Copperfield is one of the most captivating illusionists of our time.

Known as the greatest illusionist of our time, David Copperfield has decades of experience with Broadway shows, televised events and specials showcasing his talents. To say he’s impressive is an understatement – I mean c’mon, the guy made the Statue of Liberty disappear! Seeing his illusions on TV is one thing. But seeing his show in person is completely mind blowing.

His shows feature ridiculous stunts– from cutting himself in half to making motorcycles disappear. If you like magic and illusion, you owe it to yourself to see the best. There are shows daily at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM, with select afternoon performances at 4:00 PM.

SUDOKU

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PLAYER STRATEGY

CRAPS: 3 Little Mistakes That Cost Big Money FROM STEVEN:

I have three things to say about the game of craps and how to wager because I think so-called authorities on gambling have it all wrong. I am being logical here and I think my logic is correct.

1. I think the people who advocate that you use the Come betting with odds [at craps] are making a big mistake. You have to hit the number twice to get paid when you Come bet, where if you Place the number you only have to hit it once and you are ahead on that number. So why do gambling authors such as you keep saying Come betting is superior? I just don’t get it.

2. You can take Place bets down but you can’t do that with Come bets. This gives the player a lot of freedom of choice.

3. With Place bets you can get up on the hot numbers right away, you don’t have to wait or wind up having a Come bet going to a number that hasn’t been hitting until that one time.

FRANK’S RESPONSE:

At first, what you are saying sounds logical but it is a mistaken notion that many players sadly fall into. An important fact is that the very first placement of the Come bet can see you win eight times (the 7 and 11), and lose four times (the 2, 3 and 12). That gives you a two-to-one edge over the house the moment the bet is made.

However, when you Place a number the house has an immediate edge over you. So the very first placement heavily favors the Come bettor but the house is heavily favored on the first bet for a Place bettor – and keeps this house-favorable edge throughout the rolls.

Now once the Come bet is up, the odds do shift to the house. But the Come bet’s overall house edge is 1.41%, which means you will lose on average $1.41 per $100 wagered over time. The house edges on the Place bets go from okay – 1.52% on the 6 or 8, to poor – 4% on the 5 or 9, to awful – 6.67% on the 4 or 10. Speaking monetarily, your expected loss is $1.52 for $100 on the 6 and 8, $4 for $100 on the 5 or 9, and $6.67 per $100 on the 4 or 10.

The numbers don’t lie. But the numbers are misleading. Watch this. When you place the 6 or 8, you must do so in multiples of $6. Let’s say you Place the 6 for $12, your expected loss is then

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by

FRANK SCOBLETE

$0.18. You do not have to use $12 for a Come bet; you can bet $10 and therefore your expected loss will be $0.14. I see that as a big difference.

The next big difference has to do with the ability to take odds. If you like to Place the 6 or 8 for $30 at a 5X odds game, you are far, far better off just going with a $5 Come bet with $25 in odds.

Your expected loss with the Come bet is a mere $.07; your expected loss on the Place bet is $0.46.

Now that is some big, big difference.

Keep in mind when we are talking about the 6 or 8 Place bets we are talking about the good Place bets. The other Place bets – for lack of a better word – stink. You do not want to try to overcome 4% edges on the 5 or 9, or 6.67% edges on the 4 or 10. Your likelihood of winning over any extended period of time making such poor bets is miniscule.

Yes, you do have the ability to take down your Place bets and on occasion some craps players will do so, but most craps players don’t. They prefer to keep their bets up until a decision pro or con is reached. To make Place betting equal Come betting you would have to take down your bets about 80% of the time, and I have never seen a craps player do that.

Your final point is believed by most players. Here is a radical statement. In a random game there are no hot numbers. There were hot numbers but the past is no indication of what will happen in the future. So throwing out Place bets here and there trying to catch a hot number is essentially wasting your bankroll.

My advice is to therefore go with a Come bet, put as much as you can afford in odds and leave it at that. In a random game you can’t outthink the dice, you can’t predict the dice; you can only make the mathematically best bet and leave it at that. To try to impose a logic that is essentially fallacious when the math tells us the truth is a major mistake.

In my book Casino Craps: Shoot to Win I go over every type of betting and actually give you methods of play that reduce the house edge even on traditional Place bets. But when all is said and done, the Come bets work out the best for the players.

Frank Scoblete is a bestselling casino gambling writer. His latest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines!, Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games!, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker! and Casino Craps: Shoot to Win! Frank also gives private lessons in dice control with his partner Jerry “Stickman.”

For books or more info, call 1.800.944.0406.

“TO MAKE PLACE BETTING EQUAL COME BETTING YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE DOWN YOUR BETS ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CRAPS PLAYER DO THAT.” FOR MORE FREE CRAPS TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ CRAPS

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VEGAS

G U I D E T O G O O D E AT I N ’

WHAT HAPPENS in VEGAS...

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF SIN CITY

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B E T H D ’A D D O N O

dominates the landscape and for high rollers, life is sweet. In a town where non-gaming revenues have finally caught up with gaming revenues, rock star chefs, over-the-top accommodations, and big ticket entertainment gives the nearly 40 million annual visitors plenty of ways to blow through their new-found winnings.

If it’s true that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” then for a gambler that includes money – to the tune of about $9.4 billion in 2012. For the down and out, Vegas can be a town without pity but if you’re on top, living large is what it’s all about. Not sure which way the dice is going to roll? Don’t worry, a town like Vegas can cover your bets, either way.

RIDING HIGH IN APRIL

If $25,000 a night seems excessive for a hotel room, then maybe Vegas isn’t your town. As a destination known for coddling big money players with complimentary everything, the current boom in luxury suites is also geared toward attracting celebs, high-profile athletes and anyone with enough scratch to afford a 10,000-square-foot luxury loft overlooking the Strip.

The Fleurburger 5000 – Fleur, Las Vegas

R AT PACK ER F R A N K SI NAT R A

crooned this tune countless times in one of his favorite playgrounds, Las Vegas.

And why not, the lyrics of the 1966 hit capture the giddy rollercoaster of highs and lows that makes Las Vegas such an irresistible destination.

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Vegas is a surreal land of opportunity, a place where anything is possible – a place where the Eiffel Tower is across the street from Bellagio and gondoliers make trips in the desert. The Strip is a fantasy world; an address where living on the edge is not only encouraged, it’s expected. Excess is king, exposed flesh

While some casinos don’t advertise their most luxurious rooms and reserve them exclusively for gamers, there are now dozens of $10,000-plus per night suites available around town, including spots with amenities like personal butlers, reg ulation-size bowling lanes and hydraulic beds. So even though the high rollers are still given preference, if there is availability these digs can be yours - if you can afford them.

From the glitz and glamour of The Strip to people-watching in the casinos, Las Vegas always delivers non-stop action.

High-end suites are nothing new here.

During his 800-plus performances, Elvis Presley maintained a 5,000-square-foot suite on the 30th floor of the International Hotel (now the Las Vegas Hilton). And one thing’s for sure, even the King would be impressed with today’s most expensive penthouse in town, the Hugh Hefner suite at the Palms, which is just one of a litany of big-ticket sleepovers. The Palms celebrity cache is undeniable – stars including Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have all gone to dreamland in these fabulous, over-the-top suites.

At MGM Grand, t he h igh tec h SKYLOFTS are among the über-luxe accommodations, complete with butlers and priority seating at all of the hotel’s restaurants and nightclubs. At ARIA Resort & Casino, t wo and threebedroom villas deliver panoramic views of Las Vegas along with a private entrance, personal concierge and complimentary transportation to and from the airport,

all for between $3,500-$7,500 a night.

Caesars Palace offers three penthouse suites designated solely for high rollers in its Augustus Tower, decked out with features like a 408-gallon fish tank, a Steinway Grand and a media room complete with a 165-inch cinema screen.

Whether you’re a high roller or just prefer to eat like one, the dining scene on the Strip never disappoints. With more than a dozen Michelin star restaurants under its belt, Las Vegas boasts astounding celebrity muscle in the kitchen. “Next to New York, it’s the most important food town in America,” said Chef Tom Colicchio, whose upmarket craftsteak holds court at the MGM Grand.

Where else can you order a $5,000 hamburger or splurge on a $20,000 tasting selection – both on the menu at Fleur, Chef Hubert Keller’s palace of good taste at Mandalay Bay. The Fleur Burger 5000 includes truffles and foie gras, and

is served with a bottle of 1995 Chateau Petrus. Spirits can rack up quite a bill when you’re out on the town in Vegas, from the $1,300 bottle of aged Myoka Rangyoku sake at MGM Grand’s Shibuya, to the $3,000 Ménage a Trois at Tryst nightclub at Wynn, an impressive trio consisting of Cristal Ros, Hennessy Ellipse and Grand Marnier Cent Cinquantenaire, shaken with 23-karat gold flakes and served with a souvenir gold, diamond-studded straw.

The five-diamond Picasso in Bellagio is breathtakingly gorgeous, even before you notice the real Picasso pieces that adorn the venue’s walls. With Chef Julian Serrano at the restaurant’s helm, Picasso offers an incredible view of Bellagio’s dancing fountains and offers a $123 fivecourse tasting menu, paired with wine for an additional $63. Keep in mind, wine pairings can reach virtually any price, and the decision to splurge or save will most likely depend on how much you’ve won or lost at the tables that day. At nearby

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A view of one of the Bellagio’s fabulous guest suites, which proudly offer an extensive list of luxuries and accommodations.

MICHAEL MINA, a tower of caviar is one of the grandest ticket items, but diners may also choose from a parfait of potato cake, smoked salmon and either Siberian, Russian or Persian caviar – a market price treat that typically ranges from $175-$295.

Perhaps the most decadent experience is a 16-course, $425 per person feast at Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand, the first stateside foray for the ballyhooed Michelin-starred French chef. Paired with wines from the 740-label list, the experience is beyond the culinary pale.

Figure in dessert by Kamel Guechida, named Pastry Chef of the Year by Bon Appetit, and you’ll feel like a high roller no matter what’s in your bank account.

SHOT DOWN IN MAY

For a town founded on the premise of luring gamblers in with cheap hotel rooms and low-budget buffets, Vegas can be a tough place when you’re down and out… unless you know where to look. The trick is to leave behind the five-star restaurants and fancy hotels that dot the four-anda-half mile Strip. If you have gas money and a rental car, you can still catch some bargain ZZZs and eat on a budget, as long as your tastes are in line with your wallet and you don’t mind a bit of a drive.

When it’s time for breakfast, try Gold Spike Casino, a seedy gambling joint at the edge of Downtown Vegas, just off

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Fremont Street. The Spike is probably the grittiest spot in a section of town with its share of hard luck cases. Once termed Glitter Gulch for its phenomenal neon signs, Downtown fell on hard times as the Strip’s star rose. The 12-year-old Fremont Experience was installed to stem that tide, a free light show with entertainment and music designed to entice gamers and lead them away from the Strip.

The neon is still terrific at night, even though the idea of Downtown competing on any level with the Strip is more than slightly unrealistic. In truth, Downtown has an old Las Vegas feel that appeals to locals, as well as anybody interested in good deals on food, plenty of penny and nickel slots, and low minimums for table games.

Walk a block up to Fremont, and Downtown’s appeal becomes more apparent. A string of old time casinos, including the Las Vegas Club, Fremont Hotel and Binion’s Horseshoe, exude a patina of pioneer charm, the kind of places cowboy conmen must have frequented back in the day. At the Fremont, the Paradise Buffet is still a bargain. And despite that fact that its “rain forest setting” is a bit suspect, you can load up at the carving station, get an omelet made to order and choose from a variety of salad options and desserts for only $7.99. The price goes up a few bucks on the weekends when a champagne brunch is served, and

dinner is in the $15 range, depending on the specials.

For hokey charm and rock bottom prices, look no further than Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. With its San Francisco prospector’s vibe, Golden Gate has a fun folksy appeal and its food earns the property high marks. Head for the Shrimp Bar & Deli, home to the “famous” $2.99 big shrimp deal, which includes a hefty portion of shrimp served with a secret cocktail sauce. The deli sandwiches are made to order, Dagwood-sized and around $5 each.

For the cheapest beds in town, travel toward Boulder Highway, where basic rooms at places like Whiskey Pete’s, Buffalo Bill’s and Arizona Charlie’s run between $21-$37 a night.

There are also a few good deals to be had near the Strip. At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which caters to the young and the restless, Mr. Lucky’s is the perfect place to fuel up before an evening of partying, or winding down after a long night out. And, don’t forget about Terrible’s – the casino, not the gas station – where a graveyard shift breakfast is served from midnight to 7 am for just $2.99. Not the most fashionable of addresses, but a bargain is a bargain.

And winning back your stake is tough to do on an empty stomach.

For more information on Las Vegas, visit lvcva.com.

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don’ t miss all the excitement of tunica’s best giveaways every Saturday!

1-800-871-0711 H hollywoodcasinotunica.com ©2013 Hollywood Casino Tunica. Must be 21 years or older. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-777-9696.

T R AV E L W E L L

SUMMER FUN IN THE SOUTH

MEET ME

in

ST. LOUIS

7 G R E A T WA Y S T O E N J O Y T H E G A T E WA Y T O T H E W E S T by

G. D OU G LAS D R E I S BACH

A

HOME TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS teams, several world-renowned attractions, interesting museums, mouthwatering culinary delights and a number of thriving casino properties, St. Louis is a great getaway spot for those looking for a remarkable, exciting destination. This city truly has something for everyone; here are seven recommended activities from explorestlouis.com.

TEST YOUR LUCK

In addition to all your video poker favorites and classic table games like craps, blackjack, roulette and baccarat, two of the city’s casinos, Lumière Place Casino and River City Casino, boast amazing restaurants, quality entertainment and amazing guest amenities.

Known for its incredible theatre, seven award-winning restaurants and a breathtaking, four-story waterfall, Lumière Place Casino offers guest accommodations at two luxury hotels – HoteLumière and Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

Self-described as sensational, sophisticated and chic, Lumière Place features a 75,000 square-foot casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, 55 table games and an exclusive 13-table poker room. After spending hours on the casino floor, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, there are tons of options to choose from! If you’re in the mood for a bowl of Thai noodles or a steaming entrée with fried rice, the Japanese, Thai and Chinese-infused dishes at Asia are delicious. If you’re craving hand-tossed pizza or a succulent steak, then check out Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, which has 55 Plasma TVs and a selection of over 100 beers. Later, enjoy live entertainment at Lumière Theatre, sip on cool cocktails at Aqua or have an intimate evening at Globar.

The stunning, seven-story River City Casino Hotel features 193 guest rooms, six 2-bay suites and one 3-bay suite, with 38 |

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“SNACK ON SOME DEEP-FRIED TOASTED RAVIOLI AT ONE OF THE MANY DINING ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE HILL, A QUAINT AND CHARMING NEIGHBORHOOD FAMOUS FOR ITS DELICIOUS ITALIAN CUISINE.” exceptional amenities, including luxurious pillow-top beds, beautifully furnished bathrooms, LED TVs, iPod docking stations and a great fitness facility. And, with the best table game odds in the city, including 100x on craps, the property’s casino f loor offers 90,000 square feet of pure gaming excitement. Apart from the grand casino and beautiful guest rooms, you’ll also enjoy a fantastic dining scene. From amazing steaks and burgers to incredible cocktails and an extensive beer selection, River City’s award-winning restaurants are some of the very best in St. Louis. The property has a wide selection of cuisine, from 1904 Steak House and Lewy Nine’s Café, to the Beerhouse, and The Great Food Exposition where you can try delicacies from all over the world, including fresh, handmade sushi, rotisserie-grilled meats and homemade pastries. Later, check out Judy’s Velvet Lounge for a refreshing cocktail and a night of dancing.

Whichever you chose, you’ll be treated to excellent amenities, delicious restaurants and top-notch entertainment!

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

For the most exquisite view of the Gateway City, take a 630-foot ride to the top of the world-famous St. Louis Arch.

As the nation’s tallest monument, it symbolizes the western expansion of the United States by Lewis and Clark.

Lumière Place has five restaurants, including one from renowned Master Chef Hubert Keller, star of Top Chef Masters on the Bravo Network Photo courtesy of St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.

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Left: Opened in 2009, St. Louis Citygarden is a beautiful downtown oasis of lush plants and incredible sculpture that’s accessible to the public 365 days a year. Right: Patrons enjoy delicious meals on Laclede’s Landing. Photos courtesy of St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.

GET IN THE GAME

During the spring and summer, you can cheer on the 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals at the new Busch Stadium. If you’re visiting in the fall or winter, catch the St. Louis Blues ice hockey team battle it out at the Scottrade Center. Team practices are free and open to the public if you want to get some fun behind-the-scenes action! And make sure to watch St. Louis’ NFL team, the “Ramblin’” Rams, take the field at the Edward Jones Dome.

GO OUT ON THE TOWN

Looking for a fun night out on the town?

Head downtown to Washington Avenue or Laclede’s Landing and take your pick of the hottest bars and dance clubs in St. Louis. Washington Avenue has been named one of the “10 Best Streets in America” with tons of trendy dining, cool nightclubs, and great boutiques. Visitors can also go for dinner, drinks and a show at Westport Plaza’s 42-acre entertainment district, which includes a 240-seat theatre.

Or check out the trendiest boutiques and upscale dining establishments in Clayton and the Central West End. If live music is your thing, Soulard boasts some of the best blues venues in town.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

St. Louis may just be one of the best places 40 |

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to work up an appetite. With a variety of venues and menus to choose from, you can never go wrong (or hungry!). Try a slice of tasty St. Louis-style pizza smothered in Provel cheese. Not in the mood for pizza?

Snack on some deep-fried toasted ravioli at one of the many dining establishments on The Hill, a charming neighborhood famous for its delicious Italian cuisine.

And to top it all off, treat your sweet tooth to a tasty delight at Ted Drewes with some frozen custard. Once you’ve fully satisfied your appetite, make sure to check out some of the city’s breweries.

Take a tour of the historic AnheuserBusch Brewery where you can visit the Budweiser Clydesdales and sample a variety of premium brands. Or try local favorites at Schlafly Bottleworks and sip on any of the 50 different types of beer.

Also make sure to check out one of St. Louis’ new microbreweries, including the Square One Brewery & Distillery.

DON’T MISS THE DELMAR LOOP

Make a day of it at the Delmar Loop, the six-block entertainment and shopping district packed with hip bars, eclectic restaurants, live music venues, vintage clothing boutiques and a Hollywoodinspired walk of fame featuring St. Louis celebrities. Catch a show at the historic Tivoli Theatre or learn about our solar system at the outdoor Planet Walk exhibit.

Grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants and outdoor cafés that serve everything from Turkish and Thai delights, to Mexican and American classics. Want to shop? Couture and designer name fashions are available at many of the highend shops throughout the city.

ENJOY LIVE SHOWS

Check out live music at The Pageant, one of the top concert venues in the world. For larger concerts and festivals, make your way to the outdoor Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Visit Blueberry Hill, the landmark restaurant and music club for touring acts and top local bands.

For a more intimate venue, check out the award-winning Jazz at the Bistro, or one of St. Louis’ famous blues clubs like BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups and Broadway Oyster Bar. If you want to switch it up and enjoy live theater, there’s no place better than the Fabulous Fox to see a Broadway play, concert or dance troupe. At Powell Hall, you can hear the St. Louis Symphony perform amazing classical music. If you prefer opera, stop by the Opera Theatre of St. Louis or the newly renovated Peabody Opera House. You can even enjoy a beautiful night at the nation’s largest outdoor amphitheater, Forest Park’s The Muny, which is solely dedicated to musical theatre.

e s s r e Th n sTa g paw payin me. areT big Ti ou pawn sTars is now playing at a casino near you.

All your favorite Pawn Stars are here with none of the commercial interruptions. Rick, Corey, the Old Man and Chumlee are starring in their very own slot machine loaded with features every fan will love, including 11 different wheel bonuses, iDeck™ interaction, and five negotiation bonuses that actually let you wheel and deal with the Pawn Stars themselves. It’s the next best thing to being on the show.

Come show these stars what you’re made of.

Pawn Stars ©2013 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Pawn Stars, HISTORY, the “H” and their associated logos are trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. Gold & Silver and its associated logos are trademarks of Gold & Silver Coin Shop, Inc. All rights reserved.

PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: Understanding Game Volatility

M

OST VIDEO POKER PLAYERS know that all games are not created equal. The tendency, however, is to look at the pay schedule and expected return (ER) to determine the best game available.

But you’ve then overlooked the game’s risk to your bankroll or variance. This figure is readily available and appears in many tables along with the game’s ER. In order to put this data in proper perspective, I’ve chosen four different Deuces Wild games that have the same winning hands; you will notice, however, that the payouts for these hands are different. Players fail to understand the full and real impact of the game’s variance on their bankroll for a single session.

Once you comprehend the true impact of the game’s variance you’ll probably stop accusing the casino of cheating when you choose a highly volatile game, like Loose Deuces, and quickly run out of money. And hopefully, you will also learn to carefully consider both the game’s ER and variance before finding a seat.

by

LI N DA B OY D

GAME VARIANCE: This is a measure of the game’s volatility and indicates the likelihood that short-term results will deviate from the theoretical expectations. The higher the variance, the more likely short-term results will differ from the theoretical ER. COMPARING NSUD AND LDW

Deuce Frequency: From the table, you see that LDW returns 2500 coins on a 5-coin wager for 4 Deuces, while NSUD returns 1000 coins for the same hand. That difference is the reason many players are attracted to LDW. However, 4 Deuces occurs once every 4,700 hands in LDW and once every 5,367 hands in NSUD. You may wonder why it occurs more in LDW than in NSUD. It’s because correct strategy requires that you go for deuces more in LDW due to the increased payout. Even though you get 4 Deuces more often in LDW, it’s still a very infrequent hand. Now the next question is, how costly is it to the game’s ER if you fail to get 4 Deuces during your playing session? That’s answered in the next section.

NOT-SO-UGLY DEUCES & LOOSE DEUCES

Winning Hand/ 5-Coin Bet

Not-SoUgly Deuces (NSUD): #1

Loose Deuces: (LDW) #2

Royal Flush/No Deuces

4000

4000

4 Deuces

1000

2500

Royal with Deuces/Wild Royal

125

125

5 of a Kind

80

60

Straight Flush

50

45

4 of a Kind

20

20

Full House

20

15

Flush

15

10

Straight

10

10

3 of a Kind

5

5

Expected Return (ER)

99.7283%

99.5952%

Variance

25.78027

70.05136

Percent of Er From Deuces: The percent of the ER from 4 Deuces in NSUD is 3.73%, but for LDW it’s a whopping 10.64%.

Making this point clearer, if you’re playing NSUD and fail to get deuces your ER is 95.9983%, but in LDW your ER without the deuces is 88.9552%. So it’s really not surprising that, without the deuces, you have no staying power in a volatile game like LDW. Final Thoughts: Although LDW and Double Double Bonus (DDB) are fun to play they’re also risky to your bankroll. You may want to allocate a portion of your budget to high risk choices and then switch to less volatile games like NSUD or 9/6 Jacks or Better (ER 99.5439%, variance 19.51468) for the rest of your play. Always keep in mind that any game with a low ER is a bad play.

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player and knowledagble video poker player, writes for Southern Gaming, Midwest Gaming and Travel and Arizona Player. Her videos are available for viewing on YouTube or on American Casino Guide’s website.

Her book, The Video Poker Edge, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. The Second edition, published in 2010, can be found on amazon.com and at various bookstores. Kindle edition is available.

“PLAYERS FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL AND REAL IMPACT OF THE GAME’S VARIANCE ON THEIR BANKROLL FOR A SINGLE SESSION.” FOR MORE FREE VIDEO POKER TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ VIDEOPOKER

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WAT C H YO U R M O U T H : A U s e r ’s G u i d e t o S o u t h e r n S l a n g COOKI NG

with Trisha Yearwood

Say What?

A LESSON ON H U MOROUS SAY I NGS COI N ED I N T H E SOU T H by

T

HERE’S A CERTAIN charm to how Southerners talk. Southern people are experts at coining short, witty sayings that manage to get to the truth of a situation in a way other words rarely can. These ‘Southernisms’ combine the South’s deep, rich culture and distinctive humor to create zing-worthy one-liners that perfectly sum up a wide variety of persons, places or things. So popular are these sayings that many of 44 |

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DA R R O N YO U N G

them – as nervous as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, for instance – have transcended regional use and gained popularity far beyond the South.

Below I have assembled some of the best of these Southern gems. I have also included brief usage explanations, so that even if you aren’t from “round here” you’ll still be able to incorporate a little bit of “South mouth” into your everyday speech. A forewarning though; some of these sayings aren’t ones

you should repeat in mixed company.

For that reason I have included a handy “Blush-o-Meter,” which grades each entry based on its appropriateness for use in regular conversation. The scale is based on how red a Southern belle’s cheek would turn if she happened to be within earshot.

So without much further “to do,” please enjoy this collection of funny southern sayings and colloquialisms.

blind so he winked his right eye and farted.

• He doesn’t know whether to check his butt or scratch his watch.

• He couldn’t find his own hind end with both hands stuck in his back pockets.

BLUSH-O-METER Touch of Rouge Slightly Pink

3

ON LAZY PEOPLE:

• H e’s so useless if he had a third hand he’d need an extra pocket to stick it in.

• He’s about as useless as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

• She’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.

• He’s so lazy he wouldn’t holler, “soowee,” if the pigs was eatin’ him.

Usage: These are used for those good-fornothin’ layabouts we’ve all had the displeasure of running across at one time or another.

Blush-o-Meter: 3 ON DUMB PEOPLE:

• H e’s so dumb he couldn’t pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel.

• S he’s dumber than a sack full of hammers.

• He’s dumber than a football bat.

Usage: These are pretty self-explanatory.

They’re reserved for those people who, when the Good Lord was handin’ out brains, must’ve been off takin’ a leak somewhere.

Blush-o-Meter: It’s not in a Southern lady’s nature to speak ill of others (at least not this openly) so just out of propriety’s sake, we’ll rate this one a 4.

ON GOOD FORTUNE:

• H e could fall into a barrel of crap and come out smelling like roses. Me on the other hand, I could fall into a barrel of t--- and come out suckin’ my thumb.

4

Blush-o-Meter: 4

5

Not Flushed

1

2

Usage: Used to describe those people who find themselves running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off.

Solid Red

Deep Crimson

Usage: For those people in your life who inexplicably seem to have the absolute best luck in the world – it’s like their skin’s made of Teflon ‘cause no amount of trouble ever seems to stick. Meanwhile, you’re the guy who gets tickets for jaywalking. If you even dare step one toe out of line, fate always seems to have a way of stepping right on it.

Blush-o-Meter: 5, all the way. Do not, I repeat DO NOT use this one within earshot of any belle, young’n or otherwise impressionable ear. I mean sure, it’s guaranteed to get a laugh out of them, once they’re off to themselves, but still.

Drinking and poker buddies ONLY on this one.

ON JUST PLAIN OL’ DUMB LUCK:

• E ven a broken clock is right twice a day.

• Every dog has his day.

• Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and again.

Usage: Unlike the entry above, which speaks of those who have natural good luck, these are reserved for the hapless stumblebums who just can’t get it right no matter how hard they try. But on this particular day, fortune shines down on them and the miracle of all miracles, they make good.

Blush-o-Meter: 2, because everybody likes an underdog.

ON THE EASILY CONFUSED:

• He didn’t know whether to crap or go

ON BEING BUSY/HARD WORK:

• S he was busier than a one-armed monkey with two peckers.

• She was busier than a $2-dollar hooker on nickel night.

• He was busier than a one-eyed cat watching two rat holes.

• He was busier than a cat burying crap on a marble floor.

Usage: Southerners are no strangers to hard work. When people tell us about the Puritans and their so-called work ethic, most of us can’t help rolling our eyes and talking about what slackers they were.

Blush-o-Meter: 5. The less detail, the better.

ON THE WORD ‘IF’:

• I f wishes were fishes we’d all cast nets.

• If wishes were horses then beggars would ride.

• If ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts we’d all have a Merry Christmas.

Usage: Southerners have very little tolerance for people who sit around dreaming about things without being willing to put in the work necessary to bring them about. (See previous entry.)

Everybody knows somebody who swears everything would be different ‘if ’ this, or ‘but’ for that. So these are the perfect rejoinders for them.

Blush-o-Meter: These are fairly benign, so one’s first inclination might be to label them a 1. Well, that’s just damn Yankee talk. Any real Southerner knows that preserving her grace and virtue is first and foremost on every Southern lady’s list. There is nothing that doesn’t make a real Southern belle blush just a little bit, so this one’s a 2.

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ON BEING RICH:

• He’s so rich he buys a new boat whenever he gets the other one wet.

• He’s so rich when he wrote a check the bank bounced.

• They’re steppin’ in high cotton.

Usage: When describing rich folk. The last one takes its roots in a time when the wealthiest people around were typically landowners and once their crop reached maturity, they were literally walking in high cotton.

Blush-o-Meter: This is a 2 because while no one likes talking about how poor they are, everyone enjoys gossiping about how rich someone else is. (In moderation, that is.)

ON THE WEATHER/TEMPERATURE: ON STATING THE OBVIOUS:

ON BEING POOR:

• Is a pig’s a-- pork?

• Does a bear crap in the woods?

• Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?

• I’m so poor I don’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.

• I’m so poor that if it cost a nickel to go around the world I couldn’t get outta sight.

• I’m so broke I can’t even pay attention.

Usage: These are frequently used when answering ‘yes’ to a question whose answer should be obvious.

Blush-o-Meter: With all the references to body parts and bodily functions, even if they are animals, this one’s sure to produce some coloration on our belle, so this one rates a solid 4.

ON DEALING WITH “BIG SHOTS:”

• Her nose is so high up in the air she could drown in a rainstorm.

• You ain’t no bigger than the littlest end of nothing, whittled down to a fine point.

• He thinks the sun rises and sets on his own dear self.

• I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth.

Usage: To let everybody know that no matter how bad they think they’ve got it, somebody else has it much, much worse.

A word of caution, though; Too frequent

• I t’s hotter than two rabbits screwin’ in a woolsack.

• It’s hotter than a billy goat’s butt in a pepper patch.

• It’s colder than a well digger’s butt in January.

• It’s colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra.

• It’s colder than a polar bear’s toenails.

Usage: Nothing breaks the ice with a stranger faster than talking about the weather. And since Southern hospitality is

“THESE ‘SOUTHERNISMS’ COMBINE THE SOUTH’S DEEP, RICH CULTURE AND DISTINCTIVE HUMOR TO CREATE ZING-WORTHY ONE-LINERS THAT PERFECTLY SUM UP A WIDE VARIETY OF PERSONS, PLACES OR THINGS.”

Usage: For bringing those insufferably high conceited people down a peg or two.

use of any of these carries the risk of being labeled a “po’ mouther,” one of those “woe is me” folks that everybody tends to avoid like the plague.

an institution as old as bluegrass and pecan pie, we always jump at the opportunity to use one of these colorful ‘isms’ to describe how cold or hot it is.

Blush-o-Meter: 2, because while every Southern lady knows she should carry herself with pride, she also knows enough not to come off as though she were lording it over everybody else.

Blush-o-Meter: Finances are one of those topics that one simply doesn’t speak of around proper company, much like religion and politics, so for if for no reason other than that, this one ranks a 3.

Blush-o-Meter: This one is surely a 5 because for some reason, most Southern colloquialisms that describe the weather have a subtext of something really dirty about them.

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HORSERACING: Learning How to Lay Back

F

OR THE LAST 17 YEARS I have passionately courted thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown Series. This trifold configuration of routes written strictly for three-year-old equine combatants highlights my pari-mutuel wagering calendar, and though events such as the Breeders’ Cup, Travers Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Haskell Invitational naturally command interest, pale in stature are these pursuits when compared to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

While I’ve invested a king’s ransom with the intent of procuring spoils from thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown Series, my overall balance sheet unfortunately bleeds a light shade of red.

Yet in spite of these “charitable donations,” a perpetual rite of spring remains. Starting on May’s first Saturday (Kentucky Derby day) yours truly signs a withdrawal slip and proceeds to the betting window in order to heavily back one of 20 entrants slated in the “Run for the Roses.”

Despite his status as morning-line favorite, a dose of regal breeding perfectly suited for maneuvering ten furlongs, one magnificent work tab and retention of some rather able connections, I still managed to overlook eventual 2013 Kentucky Derby Champion, Orb. Simply adhering to basic handicapping principles would have allowed me to book passage on a rather eloquent Caribbean cruise but alas, after licking my wounds, I rose from the mat and determinedly staggered on towards Pimlico Racecourse’s Preakness Stakes.

In the days leading up to the Triple Crown’s intermediate jewel, only doubt remained; I had absolutely no clue what horse to bet on. Orb was by far the classiest racer on paper, yet he would be a far cry from his 5-1 Kentucky Derby price and was actually destined to go off as an odds-on Preakness favorite. The next probable progression was to arrange an exacta (betting the first two horses across the line in order) or trifecta (betting the first three horses across the line in order), with Orb leading the procession. Regrettably, there simply wasn’t much personal conviction regarding the Derby champ’s opposition.

Ninety minutes before post time for the Preakness,

while devouring a tasty quarter fried chicken, mashed potatoes and macaroni salad platter inside the main grandstand of Orange Park, Florida’s greyhound racing, poker and simulcast facility, I settled on a most impossible strategy, sitting out a Triple Crown race. Now, in former times I would have instantaneously shot down such a ridiculous notion and thrown the $250 in my billfold on some four-hoofed beast out of sheer stubbornness. Experience was calling however and when I picked up the phone it informed, “You’re not feeling it, live to fight another day.”

Although all economic consequence had been stifled, exhilaration still seethed from my pores as the Preakness field loaded into the starting gate. Immediately after the break, a Kentucky Derby “also-ran” named Oxbow assumed command and under confident handling from Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, this son of Awesome Again proceeded to author a wireto-wire performance. A 15-1 afterthought, Oxbow handsomely rewarded a faithful legion of supporters, including legendary thoroughbred conditioner D. Wayne Lukas, who unassumingly notched his sixth Preakness Stakes title.

Honestly, there would have been a better chance of me locating the Ark of the Covenant than selecting Oxbow to win the 2013 Preakness Stakes. Being disciplined enough to realize that it simply wasn’t sound doctrine to wager an abundant sum without legitimate persuasion had preserved a fair percentile of personal bankroll however, and that leads me to the primary aim of our tutorial.

Horseplayers are perhaps faced with the stiffest challenge of any gambling sect. There are literally an infinite amount of factors to consider when handicapping a race and these uncertainties, combined with tremendous across-the-board take-outs, essentially eliminate a punter’s margin for error. In laymen’s terms, what I’m saying is, if you’re seriously intent on coming out ahead, avoid mutual tellers like the plague unless there is an adequate level of confidence. Adhering to this simple axiom sustained my sanity, and afforded me more cash for the next big race!

by

E R I C F LOY D

Eric Floyd is a turf writer for various gaming publications as well as a Triple Crowm pari-mutuel consultant for several national media outlets. Excerpts from his gambling memoir, My First Decade Playing the Game, can be found at LuLu.com.

“NINETY MINUTES BEFORE POST TIME FOR THE PREAKNESS… I SETTLED ON A MOST IMPOSSIBLE STRATEGY, SITTING OUT A TRIPLE CROWN RACE.”

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H O R S E R AC I N G :

Life Lessons

MAKING SENSE & Losing Cents L E A R N I N G VA L U A B L E L I F E L E S S O N S AT T H E T R A C K by

K E N YO U N G

I

have even dropped a few loonies (slang term for Canadian dollars) in Canada.

And now, thanks to TV-simulcast racing, I’ve even had the “privilege” of losing on hayburners in Hong Kong and Australia.

But to use t he age-old ga mbler’s rationalization, I’ve had a lot of fun and action. I’ve bet on and watched the horses run at most of the tracks in the U.S. and

In terms of people sense, I’ve learned the hard way that horse tracks are also a good place to people watch, especially when your money runs out. Some of the characters you see and talk to are seemingly straight out of the Damon Runyon (colorful 1930’s sportswriter) days of Man O’ War and Sea Biscuit. Such track people run the gamut from the “down and out” and “helpful tipsters,” to the “high

t was W.C. Fields who said, “Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people!”

Given that, it seems “people sense” should keep people from betting on horses. But I have been betting the nags for the past 35 years, and even though I’ve had my moments (I’ve won once or twice!), for the most part my lack of people sense has resulted in a substantial loss of “people dollars.”

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“IN TERMS OF PEOPLE SENSE, I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT HORSE TRACKS ARE ALSO A GOOD PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR MONEY RUNS OUT.” rollers” and occasionally, the “just plain unscrupulous.” And the latter are known to be extremely clever in their efforts to make a few bucks.

My wife and I had an encounter with a couple of those less-than-honest types several months ago on a quick one-day

trip to Evangeline Downs in Alexandria, Louisiana, a fairly new track we hadn’t visited before.

Two days prior at the Fairgrounds Racetrack in New Orleans, I struck up a conversation with an old “Southern Gentleman,” an encounter that later led me to make some impulsive, poor decisions. He was the spitting image of KFC’s Colonel Sanders with his white beard and a walking cane, and had even gone so far as to call himself “Colonel.” It appeared the Colonel was a permanent fixture at the track and seemed to know all the racing officials – stewards, judges, etc. Between races he invited my wife and me to accompany him up into the Stewards’ Booth, where they watch for rule infractions and decide on photo finishes and such.

We thoroughly enjoyed getting a behind the scenes look at all this, so we decided to stay there for a couple races. The Colonel was chatting it up with some of the stewards about various horses in the upcoming race but I wasn’t listening very closely. Just before the next race the Colonel handed me a $100 bill and asked me to go down and buy him a win ticket on the No. 7 horse. Of course I was happy to do so since he obviously had trouble getting up and down the steps. My wife gave me a knowing look as I quickly headed down toward the betting windows.

When I returned, the race was just starting and I handed the $100 win ticket to the Colonel with a cheerful “Good luck!” I personally didn’t like No.7’s looks so I had decided to buy a $20 win ticket on another horse. Of course, No. 7 won easily, and my horse ran out of the money.

After we congratulated the Colonel and left the booth, my wife, needless to say, was rather annoyed to find I had not also bet on the winner, saying things like, “Well, it was obvious the old Colonel had some inside dope and was trying to give you a tip without being so blatant about it in front of the stewards. I can’t believe you didn’t take his hint and at least put $50 to win on the 7.”

What could I say? I blew it! I always like to pick my own horses but believe me, I got an earful from my more perceptive wife.

It was a lesson in people sense that would have later ramifications.

At Evangeline Downs, I was wandering around under the grandstand, trying to get my bearings and pick some horses for the first couple races. My wife had gone off after a hot dog or something, and I was staring up at one of the mini tote boards flashing the next race odds, when I noticed a rather skinny, middleaged man standing next to me. He began making small talk about the horses in the upcoming race. He asked me if I knew who the owner of the No. 5 horse was and I said, “No, I don’t know anything about any of these horses.”

was returning from a food stand.

“Oh,” he says, “new at the track?”

“Oh, don’t bother the man,” my wife interjected, “we don’t need any tips…”

“Just passing through,” I replied, “this is my first time here.”

“Well, it pays to know the local owners and trainers, you know. A buddy of mine won that last race. I hit it for a nice payoff.”

“Congratulations,” I said. “What about this next one?”

“Nah, don’t think—oh, wait…” he motioned across at an old man shuffling along through the crowd. “There’s ol’ man Presser, he usually has a couple of good ones in each day.” And with that he yelled and waved to Mr. Presser, who seemed annoyed to be interrupted in his stroll.

“Hey, Mr. Presser, you got anything in this next race?” he called out, signaling for the old man to come join us. Mr. Presser seemed uninterested, but my new “buddy” was persistent and finally Mr. Presser shuffled over to meet us, just as my wife

“Mr. Presser,” the slim guy says cheerfully, “these folks are from out of town – new to the track, don’t know the horses. I know you always have a winner or two on the card. How about it?”

Still seemingly annoyed to be pointed out as an owner (and he did have several impressive stable access/owner badges hanging on his shirt pocket), Mr. Presser grumbled something like, “That’s nice,” and sauntered off with a perfunctory wave of his hand.

My buddy though, looking quickly at the program, would not be so easily brushed off and chased after Mr. Presser, calling back to us, “I think he’s got a horse in this next race, let me find out.”

He caught the old man a few paces away, stuck the program in his face and began a muffled conversation with him. After about a minute, he rushed back to us.

“I knew it,” he gushed. “He has a good horse in this next one. Look, we’ve got about three minutes. He doesn’t want to tout his horse and drive down the odds, but I know which one it is and I’ll make a bet on him for you.”

“That’s OK,” I replied. “We’ll go it on our own.”

But my wife, evidently remembering the Colonel from two days before, glared at me SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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“THIS IS CRAZY,” I PROTESTED, “BETTING $60 ON A HORSE I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.” and said, “Oh, go ahead, let him.”

My buddy, seizing the opportunity said, ”Gotta hurry. Here, gimme $20 and I’ll get you a winner.”

With my wife urging me on with, “Give the man a twenty, dear,” I finally did and he sped off for the betting windows. Half way there, he suddenly spun on his heels and came back, saying, “Gimme a couple more bills.” Caught up in the moment with the race about to start, my wife urged, “Go ahead, give him $40 more.”

“This is crazy,” I protested, “betting $60 on a horse I know nothing about.”

But, the old Colonel’s image flashed in my mind and I reluctantly gave him two more twenties. The guy hurried to the windows and he fiddled with the money and program while he talked to the teller.

Just as the race was about to start he hurried back to us and handed me a $60 win ticket on the No. 2 horse. I quickly glanced at the morning-line odds, No. 2 was 5 to 1, and the tote board was now showing him as 6 to 1.

“No. 2 – ol’ man Presser says he’s ready to roll,” my new buddy said. “Look, when he wins, meet me at the bar over there and you can buy me a drink.” He pointed toward the bar under the end of the grandstand. Then he hurried into the crowd, hustling toward the rail to watch the mile-long race. My wife and I stood right where we were, watching on the TV monitors, as No. 2 tried to work his way from the back of the pack into contention on the backstretch.

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I was still feeling sort of silly holding onto a $60 win ticket on a horse I hadn’t even looked at, but my wife just muttered, “Remember the Colonel.”

Do I even have to tell you what happened?

Well, No. 2 never really made a move and finished about fifth or sixth, I think.

Needless to say, I was fuming – mainly at myself for wasting $60 on a strange horse – but also because I had let my wife and the Colonel, and my lack of people sense have such a profound influence on me. In short, I felt like a fool!

I disgustedly half threw the losing $60 ticket at my wife and stormed off to the grandstand bar – I was going to get that guy to buy ME a drink! My wife stood in embarrassed silence, though she did stoop to pick up the ticket; she made a habit of keeping all our “losers” for tax purposes.

Well wadda ya know, when I got to the bar, my new buddy was nowhere to be found.

Guess he was equally as embarrassed. We stayed for a few more races while I scoured the crowd, trying to spot either my buddy or ol’ man Presser, but we never saw either again. Luckily, I did manage to win a few bets later and recoup my $60 loss, but I was still muttering to myself (and my slightly chagrined wife) when we called it a day and headed for our motel.

That night, around two in the morning, I awoke from a restless sleep and sat upright in bed, and said to my half-awake wife, “Did you save all our losing tickets today?”

She hadn’t slept well either and as usual, she was way ahead of me. “Of course,” she

said. “I think we ought to check the date.

Today is May 3, right?”

“Well, right now it’s actually May 4,” I said, “but we were at the track on the third.”

“Here’s the ticket,” she said, digging it out of her purse beside the bed. Sure enough, the losing $60 ticket, on the No. 2 horse in Race 2, was dated May 2, from the day before we were there.

Obviously my buddy, as he stood at the betting window, had looked through a wad of losers from the day before until he found one for the right amount and the right race, pretended he had just bought it, gave it to me and then disappeared with our $60, no doubt to split it later with his fellow scoundrel, Ol’ Mr. Presser.

Lying there in the middle of the night, we both hesitated and then burst into hardy laughter about being suckered by such a clever scam. Well, what can I say? A lack of people sense had once again cost us some “people dollars.” But you know, sometimes a costly lesson learned, whether by horse sense, people sense or common sense, is almost worth the money!

This article was submitted by Southern Gaming subscriber, Ken Young, as part of our guest writer series. Do you have a good story you want to share? Send an email to editor@southerngaming.com and you too could be published in Southern Gaming & Destinations!

1-866-SLIPPER • www.silverslipper-ms.com 5000 South Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

S C AV O OO KRY I N GFAV O R I T E S Fresh, Made-to-Order and Definitely Delicious

with Trisha Yearwood

The first new buffet to open in Tunica in five years, Buffet Americana has a fresh new look and a cooler, modern vibe

Dine Like a King G OL D S T R IK E CA SI NO R ESORT ’ S I NCR EDI BLE BU F F E T A M ER ICA NA

O

N MAY 31, MGM Resorts International’s Gold Strike Casino Resort held a grand opening for its impressive $8 million Buffet Americana, the first new buffet to hit Tunica in nearly five years, and the largest renovation and remodel project in the property’s history. A culmination of a multi-year, multimilliondollar property transformation, Buffet Americana aims to raise the all-you-caneat culinary bar in Tunica with gourmet selections, interactive food stations, and an intriguing design concept by renowned Philadelphia-based firm SLDesign.

And while those elements are certainly noteworthy, there’s another important detail that’s going to be turning heads, 54 |

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as well as forks; your first meal at Buffet Americana is on the house. The “First One’s On Us” promotion is valid for M life club members June 10-13. To receive an M life card, patrons simply need to go to the M life desk at Gold Strike and register. The process takes less than five minutes to complete.

“We’re so certain that Buffet Americana will exceed our guests’ expectations and have them coming back for more that we’re going to give them their first meal absolutely free,” said Niklas Rytterstrom, general manager of Gold Strike Casino Resort. “America is a great melting pot of diverse cultures and flavors and this authentic dining experience is going to engage, entertain and elevate the concept

of the traditional casino buffet.”

The new 13,500-square-foot restaurant will emphasize fresh, made-to-order meals at stations designed to mimic the feeling of an upscale specialty food market.

Many stations – including those offering pasta, omelets, wood-fired pizza and a customized Mongolian grill, to name just a few – will allow diners to design their own dishes while chefs prepare them on the spot. Buffet Americana will introduce a contemporary cooking concept to the Mid-South with delicious kabobs, Tikka skewers and freshly baked Indian breads prepared in the only Tandoori oven found in Mississippi. Other sections will offer traditional Southern cooking favorites and seafood selections that feature ingredients

The options are endless at Buffet Americana, with stations including everything from made-to-order omelets and pasta, to incredible fresh seafood like shrimp, crab claws and salmon.

from local farms and suppliers.

The buffet’s unique design pays tribute to the region – wall panels, ceiling beams and food stations crafted from Southern Heart Pine, and a large skylight infusing natural light generate a sense of warmth, comfort and familiarity rarely found in a casino dining setting. Arresting art displays inspired by the area’s textile industry are a prominent design component. The authenticity, versatility and widespread appeal of Levi’s 501 jeans provide a significant design inspiration, and denim weaves its way through the space.

“Levi’s is in kind of a unique position for an American brand in terms of how universally accepted it is,” said lead designer Chris Sheff ield, founder of SLDesign. “Whether out in the nightclub or out in the field, people feel comfortable

in those jeans. We want Buffet Americana to have that same kind of broad appeal.”

During weekend hours, Buffet Americana caters to seafood lovers. For $25.99, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat snow crabs every Friday night, as well as the region’s only all-you-can-eat whole lobster every Saturday night. The seafood buffet spotlights a variety of seafood dishes such as peel and eat shrimp, fried shrimp, potato crusted salmon, blackened tilapia with cheddar cheese grits, seafood stuffed eggplant, Moroccan fish tagine, Jonah crab claws, oysters, sushi and much more. Buffet Americana guests’ can enjoy complimentary beer and wine every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night – the area’s only restaurant offering of its kind.

Along with the swanky new buffet, Gold Strike’s multi-million dollar

transformation also included upgraded renovations for its deluxe rooms and suites, as well as the hotel lobby, 30,000-squarefoot conference and convention center, casino, high-limit gaming area and Chicago Steakhouse. The 1,200-room resort also features a refreshing spa and salon, the 800-seat Millennium Theatre, Atrium Café and 50,000 square feet of gaming space with 53 table games and more than 1,200 slot machines.

Buffet Americana is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is $10.99; Lunch is $13.99; Dinner is $20.99. The Champagne Brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday, features a variety of dishes, as well as complimentary Bloody Marys and Mimosas for $20.99.

For reservations or more information, call 888.245.7529 or visit goldstrike.com.

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT a regular basis, but never use money geared for other things.

Can you really control the dice in craps?

Yes. But many people think that a dice controller always wins. Not so. Dice controllers practice regularly and are fully aware they can take a pounding.

On a $10 craps table, if you had a bankroll of $500, how would you advise someone to bet?

You are playing a random game. Bet one bet. I would recommend a $10 Pass Line bet with as much as you can afford in odds (or a Come bet with odds) after getting through the 5-Count and leave it at that.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

Frank Scoblete on small bets and slow play Frank Scoblete has been a contributing writer to Southern Gaming for over 10 years and is one of the world’s most educated gamblers.

Check out his website, FrankScoblete.com.

What was your first gambling experience?

I was doing the role of a degenerate craps player in The Only Game in Town by Frank Gilroy. I knew nothing about craps and I had never been in a casino. My costar and I went to Atlantic City to learn the game. I met the Captain, fell in love with casinos and the rest is history. Oh, and I married my co-star, the beautiful A.P. At what point did you know you had a passion for craps and advantage gambling?

It was love at first sight. I was a good athlete as a kid and the competitive nature of the games intrigued me.

How do you stay on top of trends and strategies to inform your audience of winning techniques?

I am an active player and I do a lot of research into new concepts and ideas – most of which, I hate to say, turn out to be nonsense. I am always looking for ways to get an edge or reduce the house edge to its lowest in games where a player can’t get an edge.

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What’s your best advice for enjoying a night in a casino?

Be strict about how much money you are willing to play with. If you lose that, then you are done for the night. Look to play games where the house edge is as low as it can go, such as blackjack and craps. Slow down the pace of your play.

What is the number one mistake you see recreational casino gamblers make?

Staying too long at the party. Players sometimes forget themselves; they drink too much and play too long. Many players get shook when they lose and try to recover by betting larger amounts. If you want to gamble for fun in a casino, don’t allow your emotions to rule your intellect.

Do you use a certain bankroll or money management system when you are at the casino?

I was taught this by the late, legendary Captain of craps – always have a large bankroll for a small bet. You never want to worry that you are betting Betty’s college fund. Small bets; large bankroll. That’s first. Second is to have a money-market account for your gambling money. I call this a 401G where the “G” stands for gambling. You can add to the account on

HOMETOWN: New York AGE: 65 INTERESTS OTHER THAN GAMBLING:

Writing FAVORITE SPORTS TEAMS:

NY Yankees FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:

Cape May, New Jersey TWO THINGS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST:

1. Huge readership for my upcoming book, Bless Me Father for I Have Sinned: Confessions of a Wayward Catholic 2. Finish my odyssey of visiting all baseball parks in America – I’ll be at 10 by the end of this summer.

FAVORITE BOOK EVER:

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by Mark Twain FAVORITE MOVIE:

“It’s a Wonderful Life” FAVORITE BAND/MUSIC:

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I read books, watch movies and travel

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FA B U LO U S F I N E D I N I N G Checking out the Gulf Coast Scene

The dessert menu at Mignon’s features exceptional dishes, like strawberry cheesecake and brownies a la mode.

Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood AT PA L ACE CA SI NO R ESORT, BI L OX I, M ISSISSI PPI by

L

OCATED ON THE second f loor of the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi lies a gem of culinary bliss and Southern hospitality. Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood, the casino’s flagship restaurant, has surpassed the norm and landed in the world of exquisite dining that regular visitors to the Gulf have grown to expect.

On a recent visit we had the pleasure of stopping in and enjoying the recently updated menu, as well as the company of the experienced staff and a few regulars who made the evening all that much better.

An expansive lounge and bar area greet guests prior to entering the separate dining room, allowing you to escape 58 |

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G. DOUGL AS DREISBACH

from the casino and enjoy the luxuries a fine dining restaurant. Anchored by a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar surrounding the private dining room, the white table cloths and wood-lined room provide private, more intimate seating options, as well as tables that are better for seeing, and being seen. On this particular evening, we decided to enjoy the company of the hospitable bartender, Gina, which turned out to be a great decision as her recommendations were spot on! Divided into four sections (appetizers, soups & salads, Prime Cuts and Specialty Dishes), the menu is expansive enough to offer all of the traditional steakhouse dishes, yet simple enough not to be overwhelming.

The restaurant also hit a homerun with its new Executive Chef, Adrian Halpais, who

has over 20 years of culinary experience.

“This is a special dining experience that we take pride in as a team,” Halpais explained. “Our goal is to provide a perfect dining experience from the food, service and atmosphere. We want our guests to come back!”

Once comfortable in the kitchen at Mignon’s, Halpais updated the menu by eliminating some of the less popular selections, simplifying the ordering process and keeping the fan favorites.

“The prime steaks are the most popular items on the menu, followed closely by the Osso Bucco, so we didn’t want to change a thing with those items,” said Halpais. “We are in discussions now to expand on some of the fish offerings, as well as a couple of others that I think will be popular.”

Left: Not only do guests enjoy fantastic food and win selections, but the staff at Mignon’s is equally as great. Right: The Pork Osso Bucco at Mignon’s is to-die-for!

On this particular evening, we elected Napoleon ($31) served with shrimp to try several different appetizers and lump crabmeat and crawfish tails glazed desserts. To kick things off, we tried all six with Saffron sauce, the Pork Osso Bucco appetizers including, Jumbo Lump Crab ($32) caught my eye. The menu described Cakes ($14), Shrimp Cocktail ($17), this entree as, “Pork Demi-glace, Garlic Trio of Oysters offering Rockefeller, Mashed Potatoes” but that brief summary Bienville and The Biloxi ($14), New really doesn’t do this dish justice. You see, Orleans BBQ Shrimp ($16), Crab there’s a special spot in my heart – or rather Cocktail ($18) and Prosciutto Wrapped my stomach – for Osso Bucco so I had to Pears ($9). Surprisingly, the pears were be sure it was going to be up to par. After a hit. The salty flavor of the prosciutto more discussions with Gina, Chef Halpais accented by the sweetness of the warm and Brad Maples, the General Manager, pear wedges, drizzled with sherry vinegar I decided to go for it. And let me tell you, and olive oil resulted in a perfect medley it was perfect! The tournedo of bone-in of flavors. The BBQ Shrimp were also meat sat atop a healthy serving of garlic phenomenal. Served atop a thin slice of mashed potatoes swimming in a sweet French bread, the generously and salty mix of gravy sized shrimp were glazed in that complimented the “NEEDLESS TO SAY, I a sauce that started sweet tender cut. Every piece but rounded out with a hint GAVE THE OSSO BUCCO practically fell off the of spice. So while all the THE SOUTHERN bone. Needless to say, appetizers were delicious, GAMING “SEAL OF I gave the Osso Bucco t hese a re ou r top t wo APPROVAL,” AND I the Southern Gaming THINK YOU WILL TOO.” recommendations. “seal of approval,” and I think you will too.

With the appetizers now an afterthought, it was time to select an The steak and entrée accompaniments entree, and with this menu I knew this and sides offer a range of flavors, from wasn’t going to be easy. 22 oz. “Black the Oscar Topping (Jumbo Lump Crab, Diamond” Porterhouse ($60) sure would Asparagus and Bearnaise Sauce) ($14) hit the spot, but then again, the 12 oz. and Grilled Portabella Mushrooms ($8), Delmonico ($35) sounded a bit more to the Sauteed Brussel Sprout, Bacon & manageable. And under the Specialty Shallot Slaw ($7) and the Lobster Mac & Dishes, right above the Eggplant Cheese ($12). The sides were all delicious

and large enough to share with others. In addition, fresh French bread is served with flavored butters – Honey Butter Pecan and Boursin Cheese & Garlic Herb, both of which were excellent.

To round off a perfect meal, it doesn’t get any better than dessert and an after dinner cocktail. So when Gina suggested the to-die-for Crème Brulee and said her Manhattan-making skills were spot-on, I knew this was a place Southern Gaming readers needed to know about!

Mignon’s also hosts wine socials the first Thursday of every month in the lounge and bar area. The socials feature Chef Halpais’ specially prepared, passed hors d’oeuvres and a selection of wines from world-renowned vineyards. The socials cost $25 per person and have become widely popular among guests. Mignon’s also offers monthly wine dinners that include a five-course meal paired with the sommelier’s best recommendations, for $75 a person.

Restaurant hours are 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Monday – Saturday; 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday.

For reservations and more information, ca l l 1. 228.432 .8888 or v isit PalaceCasinoResort.com.

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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RAVE REVIEWS After my walks we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Gold Strike, got caught by the snack bar’s assortment of cookies and muffins, and had to indulge again!

Interestingly, Karen, who checked us in the day before, was working at the buffet and she remembered us. She told us she works in several areas at the casino and hotel and really loves the place. Karen and her co-worker, Desiree, were both very courteous and friendly and we enjoyed their positivity.

Hal and Jayne with their server, Sabrina, at Chicago Steakhouse.

RAVE REVIEWS:

T

Highlights from our Best of Southern Gaming VIP Getaway Winner

HE 2013 BEST OF Southern Gaming Awards was another great success. We compiled feedback from thousands of gamblers throughout the South and highlighted the top properties. We randomly selected one lucky voter to receive a VIP Getaway to the casino of their choice. The trip included a two-night stay, dinner at one of the property’s premium restaurants, breakfast and lunch at the buffet, gambling money, gas funds and a feature article in Southern Gaming – talk about a great prize!

This year’s lucky winner was Hal S. from Hot Springs, Arkansas who experienced Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi in true Southern Gaming VIP style. Here’s their trip review, enjoy!

“Jayne and I arrived at Gold Strike Casino on Sunday, May 19th. There were several people working the desk at that time, and when our turn came up we were directed to Karen who was very helpful. Soon after, we found our way to our room and were pleasantly surprised to find that it was a suite. It was the nicest room we have ever stayed in during any of our travels!

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After getting settled, we headed to the casino and started “contributing to the economy of Mississippi.” We had a few questions and found a pit boss, Quinton, who was also very helpful. We’re both slot machine gamblers and found many new, exciting machines to try – “Roll the Dice” and “Hot Shot” were my favorites. I enjoy the action of the penny machines and actually did quite well on them.

We were hoping the property’s new Buffet Americana would be open, but the official grand opening wasn’t scheduled until after our stay. We look forward to coming back to check it out, however we weren’t disappointed with the current buffet and found a great array of food to enjoy. The staff was very pleasant and accommodating too, which made for a delightful experience.

In the morning I like to take walks, so the first day I set out early on my journey.

I quickly found the convenient sidewalks lining the “Casino Center” complex, which is home to not only Gold Strike, but Horseshoe Casino and Tunica Roadhouse Casino as well. Along the way, I found the staff at each of the casinos to be very friendly.

For dinner that night we were treated to an amazing meal at Chicago Steakhouse, Gold Strike’s award-winning steakhouse.

Let me just start by saying, “WOW!” I ordered a New York strip steak and Jayne tried the lamb chops. It was the best steak I’ve ever eaten, and the restaurant manager, Andreas Karaminas, was very welcoming and helped make sure our dining experience was extraordinary.

Inside the dining room, the quiet atmosphere and pleasant surroundings were a great departure from the hectic and noisy casino. Andreas took a picture of Jayne and me with our server, Sabrina, who did a fantastic job of taking care of us.

We would certainly recommend Chicago Steakhouse to anyone travelling to Tunica!

The next morning, we enjoyed another round at the breakfast buffet and then, regretfully, had to begin our trip back home to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

We had an amazing trip and want to say THANK YOU to Southern Gaming for putting it together!”

For more information and to make reser vations at Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi, visit GoldStrike.com or call 1.888.245.7829.

We want to hear about YOUR trip!

On your next gambling adventure, take some pictures, get your waiter’s name at that awesome restaurant, or the valet’s name who helped you with your bags.

We want to hear about all the little things that made your trip special. We will select some and publish them on S o ut he r nG a m i n g.c om a nd i n upcoming issues of Southern Gaming too! Email your trip report and pictures to editor@southerngaming.com.

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PREFERRED HOT SPOTS Whether you’re a frequent jet-setter or simply a casual traveler, Southern Gaming and Destinations strives to recommend highquality establishments to our readers. We feel this array of our preferred casinos, racetracks, racinos, hotels and restaurants will deliver the best in accommodations, entertainment and gaming.

We encourage you to consider any of these incredible properties when planning your next getaway.

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FEATURED DESTINATION

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-888-750-7111

TROPICANA CASINO EVANSVILLE

FALLEN OAK GOLF COURSE (BILOXI) 1-877-805-4657

New name. Same great property.

Tropicana Casino Evansville (formerly Casino Aztar) is excited to boast a new name, colors, branding, promotions, players club and more. The casino offers over 1,000 slot machines, 40 table games and a poker room. Overnight guests can choose between two hotels. Be sure to stop in Cavanaugh’s for some of the best steaks and seafood in the area, then keep your night going at Blush Ultra Lounge. For more information and reservations, visit TropEvansville.com or call 1-800-342-5386

HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE (GULFPORT & BILOXI) 1-228-867-7001 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-877-877-6256 IP CASINO RESORT SPA 1-888-946-2847 MARGARITAVILLE CASINO & RESTAURANT (BILOXI) 1-855-667-6777 MARY MAHONEY’S FRENCH HOUSE RESTAURANT (BILOXI) 1-228-374-0163 SILVER SLIPPER CASINO (BAY ST. LOUIS) 1-866-775-4773 THE SHED BBQ (OCEAN SPRINGS) 1-228-875-9590

2 ALABAMA BAHAMA BOB’S BEACHSIDE CAFE (GULF SHORES) 1-251-948-2100 FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILL (MOBILE) 1-251-626-6710 THE TRELLIS ROOM RESTAURANT (MOBILE)

1-251-338-5493

WIND CREEK CASINO & HOTEL (ATMORE)

1-800-826-9121

3 ARKANSAS ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM 1-501-682-7777 THE FADED ROSE RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-9734 HOT SPRINGS VISITORS BUREAU 1-888-SPA-CITY

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LOCA LUNA RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-4666 OAKLAWN PARK RACING & GAMING (HOT SPRINGS) 1-800-OAKLAWN SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING (WEST MEMPHIS) 1-800-467-6182

4 FLORIDA DAYTONA BEACH KENNEL CLUB & POKER ROOM 1-386-252-6484 DERBY LANE RACE TRACK (ST. PETERSBURG) 1-727-812-3339 SHULA’S STEAK HOUSE (TAMPA) 1-813-286-4366 MARDI GRAS CASINO & RACING (HALLANDALE) 1-877-55-SLOTS WATERMARK GRILLE (NAPLES) 1-239-596-1400

5 GEORGIA

7 KENTUCKY

ECLIPSE DI LUNA (ATLANTA) 1-678-205-5862

21C MUSEUM HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-877-217-6400

GARIBALDI CAFE (SAVANNAH) 1-912-232-7118

BROWN HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-583-1234

HAL’S THE STEAKHOUSE (ATLANTA) 1-404-261-0025

CHURCHILL DOWNS (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-283-3729

ROCKS ON THE ROOF @ THE BOHEMIAN HOTEL

EQUUS RESTAURANT (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-897-9721

(SAVANNAH) 1-912-721-3901

6 INDIANA BELTERRA CASINO RESORT (VEVAY) 1-888-BELTERRA CASINO AZTAR (EVANSVILLE) 1-800-342-5386 HOOSIER PARK RACING & CASINO (ANDERSON) 1-800-526-7223 HORSESHOE CASINO SOUTHERN INDIANA 1-866-676-SHOE INDIANA GRAND CASINO (SHELBYVILLE) 1-877-386-4463

GALT HOUSE HOTEL & SUITES (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-THE-GALT GOLF COURSES OF KENTON COUNTY 1-859-371-3200 JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-584-0102 JOHN PHILLIP’S RESTAURANT & BAR (CRESTVIEW HILLS/N. KY) 1-859-344-0444 KEENELAND RACECOURSE (LEXINGTON) 1-800-456-3412 LASSING POINTE GOLF COURSE (BOONE COUNTY) 1-859-384-2266

NEVEL MEADE GOLF COURSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-228-9522 PAT’S STEAK HOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-896-9234 PORCINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-894-8686 SEELBACH HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-585-3200

8 LOUISIANA CAFÉ GIOVANNI (NEW ORLEANS) 1-504-529-2154 DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO (VINTON) 1-800-589-7441 PARAGON CASINO RESORT (MARKSVILLE) 1-800-946-1946 SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO (SHREVEPORT) 1-877-429-0711 SHREVEPORT/ BOSSIER VISITOR’S BUREAU 1-888-45-VISIT

WANT COMPS? If you are a qualified

casino player, let us know! We will be happy to connect you with some of our preferred casino properties around the world! For more information, please e-mail comps@southerngaming.com or call 1-877-582-9478.

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PEPPERMILL RESORT SPA CASINO 1-866-821-9996

VANDERBILT LEGENDS CLUB (BRENTWOOD) 1-615-790-1300

15 OHIO

18 WEST VIRGINIA

BLUE ASH GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-745-8577

HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES 1-800-795-7001

ELKS RUN GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-735-6600

THE GREENBRIER (WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS) 1-800-453-4858

JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-784-1200

MARDI GRAS CASINO & RESORT 1-304-776-1000

MONTGOMERY INN BOATHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-791-3482

MOUNTAINEER CASINO RACETRACK AND RESORT 1-800-489-8192 WHEELING ISLAND HOTEL, CASINO & RACETRACK 1-304-232-5050

16 SOUTH CAROLINA AUNT CHILADA’S EASY STREET CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-785-7700 CQ’S RESTAURANT (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-671-2779

9 MISSISSIPPI (TUNICA)

12 NEVADA (LAS VEGAS)

GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT 1-888-24-KSTAY

ARIA RESORT AND CASINO 1-866-359-7757

HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA 1-800-871-0711

THE BELLAGIO 1-888-987-6667 CAESARS PALACE 1-800-HARRAHS

THE HOLLYWOOD CAFE (OLD HWY 61) 1-662-363-1225

FERRARO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1-702-364-5300

SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL 1-800-456-0711

GOLDEN NUGGET 1-800-634-3454

WYNN LAS VEGAS 1-888-320-WYNN WILD WILD WEST HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-6-STATIONS

13 NEVADA (LAUGHLIN)

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN 1-800-950-7700

17 TENNESSEE

PEARL RIVER RESORT (PHILADELPHIA) 1-866-44-PEARL

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-473-7625

11 MISSOURI

MGM GRAND 1-877-880-0880

ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT 1-800-723-6500

AMERISTAR CASINO ST. CHARLES 1-800-325-7777

MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO 1-877-632-7800

CIRCUS CIRCUS RENO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-648-5010

CASINO QUEEN 1-800-777-0777

MIRAGE LAS VEGAS 1-800-627-6667

LUMIÈRE PLACE CASINO & HOTELS 1-314-881-7777

PALMS HOTEL 1-866-942-7777

ELDORADO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-879-8879

THE VENETIAN 1-877-283-6423

HILTON HEAD NATIONAL (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-842-5900 SALTY DOG CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-2198

10 MISSISSIPPI

PARIS LAS VEGAS 1-877-796-2096

HARBOUR TOWN GOLF COURSE (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-4485

AQUARIUS CASINO RESORT 1-888-662-5824

GOLDEN GATE HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-426-1906

RIVER CITY CASINO 1-888-578-7289

GOLDEN BEAR AT INDIGO RUN (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-689-2200

HARRAH’S LAUGHLIN CASINO AND HOTEL 1-800-427-7247

14 NEVADA (RENO)

HYATT REGENCY RESORT SPA & CASINO (LAKE TAHOE) 1-800-233-1234

BOUND’RY (NASHVILLE) 1-615-321-3043 CHEROKEE VALLEY GOLF COURSE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-525-4653 FOLK’S FOLLY (MEMPHIS) 1-901-762-8200 GAYLORD SPRINGS GOLF LINKS (NASHVILLE) 1-615-458-1730 HALF SHELL RESTAURANT (MEMPHIS) 1-901-682-3966 THE PEABODY HOTEL (MEMPHIS) 1-901-529-4000 RENDEZVOUS BARBECUE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-523-2746

GOT A FAVORITE SPOT? LET US KNOW! We do our best to list some of our favorite places to gamble, stay, eat, drink and be merry. If you want to share a hidden gem, email us at editor@southerngaming.com or call 1-877-582-9478!

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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PLAYER STRATEGY

POKER: Playing A-x Suited on the Flop

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ITH PRE-FLOP SITUATIONS, if no one else has raised the pot before the flop and you have A-x suited, then you should make it two bets to go. In general, if you’ve done that but missed the flop, you should bet out once anyway, thus representing that you’ve hit it. If an opponent calls your bet on the flop when you’ve missed the flop, prepare to fold soon. There’s no need to get too involved with A-x suited if you miss the flop. If you’re the raiser before the flop, then take one “shot” (bluff) at the pot and give up if you get called.

Where someone else has raised the pot before the flop, I recommend calling his two bets. In general if you’ve done that but have missed the flop, then you should fold.

With A-x suited, you’ll see many different flops that hit part or all of your hand. You may have A-7 when the flop comes down J-10-7, which is trouble for you (because you hit just enough of the flop that you may decide to play on until the end and lose a bunch of chips). You may have A-7 when the flop comes down A-7-4, a terrific flop for you. You may have A-7 when the flop comes down 8-7-2, a reasonably good flop for you. You may have A-7 when the flop comes down 7-5-2, a strong flop for you (top pair with top kicker).

Finally, there are dream flops for A-7 like K-J-2 (ace-high-flush) and A-A-7 (top full house).

There are clearly many ways to hit A-x suited, some good and others bad. Interestingly enough, you may win your biggest pot with the 7-5-2 flop! How? On the two “dream flops” I just mentioned, how much action can you expect to get from players? After all, you already have most of the cards that would get someone interested in playing, but on the 7-5-2 flop, others may sense a bluff and try what they think is a re-steal (they raise a bluff because they believe you’re trying to steal the pot). In poker, you never know which hands or flops will win you the biggest pot.

I’ll never forget a pot I played holding A-7 at the World Series of Poker in 1994. We were down to about 40 players in a no-limit Hold’em event.

First place was $220,000 and as with any WSOP event, money and history were at stake.

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Two players to my right was a jackal from Europe who was re-raising everyone while holding any kind of hand. He was a real nuisance to me because he kept re-raising and stealing all the pots that he and I were going after. In fact, he was reraising everyone at the table and outplaying us all after the flop with big bluffs. He had played this dangerous style to near perfection, parlaying his chips to over $65,000. I also had about $65,000 in front of me. This jackal and I were the chip leaders at the time, and the average chip stack in the tournament was less than $15,000. Why risk a boatload of chips in a single hand, when we could both just coast into the final table with huge stacks?

Well, so much for conventional wisdom! I soon found myself raising it to $2,000 to go before the flop with my A-7. The jackal was sitting in the big blind this hand, and he re-raised me by making it $8,000 to go. Perhaps he sensed my weakness and was trying to force me out of the pot. He was right, I was weak, but he didn’t count on the fact that I had sensed the same weakness in his re-raise. I re-raised it to $20,000 to go before the flop. Again, I think the jackal sensed weakness and called my $20,000 bet. The flop came down 7-5-4 and he bet out $15,000. I decided that top pair was enough to move all-in against him because I thought I had the best hand. Frankly, I wasn’t hoping for a call. So I moved all-in for $45,000. (I raised him $30,000!)

The jackal called me quickly and the next two cards to hit the board were the two worst cards I could think of. First the 6 came off the deck and then the Q (7-5-4-6-Q ), so that the flush draw and a straight draw had both hit the board.

I stared in disbelief. I put in $65,000 with an incredibly weak hand. I couldn’t beat anything anymore. The flush draw beat me, some straight draws beat me, a set beat me, and an overpair beat me!

With $130,000 in the pot, in a tournament where no one else had even $30,000, the winner of this pot would have an excellent chance of winning the tournament. Finally, he flipped up his hand and said, “One pair.” I stared in amazement: 7-9 off suit, which gave him a pair of sevens with an ace kicker. The pot was mine! Eventually I finished in second place and collected $110,000.

by

PHIL HELLMUTH, JR.

Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is a 13time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world.

He is the author of two New York Times bestsellers and his latest book, Deal Me In, is also widely popular. Visit phillhellmuth.com to check out his clothing line, blog and exclusive gaming tips.

“WITH A-X SUITED, YOU’LL SEE MANY DIFFERENT FLOPS THAT HIT PART OR ALL OF YOUR HAND.”

FOR MORE FREE POKER TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ POKER

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