Southern Gaming and Destinations July/August 2015 by Gaming and Destinations

S UMME R IN T HE S OU T H : T ON S OF F E S T I VA L F UN !

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JULY/AUGUST JUNE/JULY 2015 Vol. 17, Issue 4 SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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MILLENNIAL MAYHEM

WHAT ARE CASINOS DOING? PAGE 14

AMERICAN

PHAROAH

and the TRIPLE CROWN PAGE 6

PLUS TIPS ON BLACKJACK • CRAPS • TEXAS HOLD ’EM • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering Florida, Indiana, Las Vegas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the entire South!

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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

Another thing about Millennials is they want to know how things work, they don’t like mystery or variables when spending their hard earned money. But, once they have interest in something, they are not afraid to spend money on it.

We’ve got a Triple Crown Winner! Congratulations to Zayat Stables, trainer Bob Baffert, Jockey Victor Espinoza and of course, American Pharoah for capturing the first Triple Crown since 1978…and the hearts of America and racing nation. It has been a long wait and this horse certainly showed he had what it took with an impressive win in the Belmont Stakes on June 6 in New York. Check out the article on page 6 to relive some of the memories of this historic feat. On another note, what do you think casinos will look like in ten years? What about twenty? The casino industry is in an interesting predicament of maintaining their long standing customer base while trying to attract a younger audience. This next generation of casino customers are referred to as Millennials, mainly consisting of those who were born between the early 1980’s and the early 2000’s. This generation has grown up with the technology previous generations only dreamed of, or saw on the television show The Jetsons. While the current customer base remembers what it was like watching TV programs in a black and white, Millennials tend to watch more programming on their smartphone or tablet, as opposed televisions. They consume information in a much different way. It is literally at their fingertips, wherever they are, with access whenever they want it. 2

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

So, what does this have to do with casinos? Actually…a lot! I recently read an article about how skill-based slot machines and social media will shape the future of casinos as we know them. Originally, it caught my attention because it seemed intriguing, the countless hours my kids spend playing games on their devices might actually be beneficial one day, possibly even profitable! In March, the state of Nevada passed Senate Bill 9 allowing licensed game manufacturers to develop games that allow an element of skill to dictate the outcome of game, while still maintaining the payback percentages that are profitable for casinos. The reason for the bill is to allow the casinos to explore options for attracting Millennials through games that are more in tuned with their liking and understanding. I don’t think it is the silver bullet that will rescue all revenue doubts in the gaming industry, but I do feel it is a good start in identifying and adapting to an audience that will be relevant for years to come. Only time will tell. Be sure to check out Millennial Mayhem on page 14 for a more in depth look at this subject. Also in this issue is a list of some great summer festivals to check out, insightful gambling tips and more. Have a great summer and remember, if you can’t be good, be lucky!

G. Douglas Dreisbach GENER AL M ANAGER

Chip Dumstorf GENERAL MANAGER

G. Douglas Dreisbach MANAGING EDITOR

Lauren Reisdorf ACCOUNTING

Peggy Harris CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Erica Block Linda Boyd John Grochowski Phil Hellmuth, Jr. Kristen Lennard Darci Nolan Terry Parrett Frank Scoblete Jeremy Thogmartin Henry Tamburin 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 2014 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.

May/June 2015

ON THE COVER

TIPS & COLUMNS

6 American Pharoah

24 Craps

HIGHLIGHTS & HOTSPOTS 16 Aristocrat Game Changer

Good betting.

Zayat Stables, Bob Baffert, Victor Espinoza and of course, American Pharoah capture the first Triple Crown since 1978.

Creativity has long been a hallmark of games from Aristocrat Technologies.

25 Blackjack How to avoid the casino's psychological traps.

18 Show Review

26 Video Poker

YAYE at Beau Revage Resort and Casino.

A method to your madness.

FEATURE ARTICLES

27 3 Card Poker

10 Breeder's Cup

20 2015 TournEvent of Champions

Unusual Streaks.

Get the latest scoop on the hottest slot tournament in the country! Arrive a winner. Leave a legend.

28 Texas Hold'em

Million dollar finish.

Judgement is everything.

12 Festival Fun in

CONTENTS

22 Lake Charles, LA

the Summer

Summertime in the Southeast is the best time to take advantage of the region's many seasonal festivals and special summer events.

14 Millennial Mayhem

As technology continues to advance and Generation Y begins to take over, casinos are being forced to adapt.

Create memories of the wonderful adventures in Lake Charles.

32 A Day in the Life of... A Blackjack Dealer

They can be your best friend or your worst enemy - they can make or break your visit to a casino.

Find us on Facebook

@SouthernGaming SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

1 2 As the summer heats up, we've got you covered. Beat the heat with these cool drinks, courtesy of Sam Oakley, bartender at The Pool Bar at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. DON'T CALL ME SHIRLEY (TEMPLE)

Ingredients 1.5oz Black Cherry Cruzan Rum 1oz Sour Mix 3oz Sprite 4-5 Maraschino Cherries

HOW MANY JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE SUPPORTED BY CASINOS AND GAMING SERVICES? A. 200,000 jobs B. 150,000 jobs C. 220,000 jobs D. 180,000 jobs

HOW MANY YEARS PASSED BETWEEN THE 11TH TRIPLE CROWN WINNER (AFFIRMED) AND THE 12TH (AMERICAN PHAROAH)? A. 12 B. 22 C. 37 D. 41

BY LAW, WHAT IS THE MINIMUM RATE OF PAYOUT OVER THE LIFETIME OF A SLOT MACHINE?

WHAT IS INGREDIENT PARTNERED WITH GRENADINE TO MAKE A SHIRLEY TEMPLE?

HOW MANY DIFFERENT NUMBERS APPEAR ON AN AMERICAN ROULETTE WHEEL?

A. Lemonade B. Pineapple Juice C. Lemon-Lime Soda D. Ginger Ale

A. 38 B. 36 C. 32 D. 34

1. D-180,000, 2. C-37, 3. B-80 Percent, 4. C-Lemon-Lime Soda, 5. B-36

SIPS WITH SOUTHERN GAMING

A. 60 percent B. 80 percent C. 40 percent D. 25 percent

Directions 1. Add 4-5 Maraschino Cherries to a cocktail shaker cup. 2. Add ice, Black Cherry Rum and Sour Mix. 3. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass of choice. 4. Top with Sprite.

The number of horses to win the Triple Crown since the earliest feat in 1919.

The number of casinos in North America.

SPARKLING SANGRIA

Ingredients 1oz Apricot Brandy 2oz Pineapple Juice 3oz Champagne/Sparkling Wine/Prosecco Sliced Strawberries Sliced Orange

$4,530,300

Directions 1.

Put fresh berries in cocktail glass of choice.

Add ice.

Add Brandy and Pineapple Jioce.

Top off with sparkling wine.

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

230,000+

1,623

The number of players nationwide who participated in 2014 National TournEvent of Champions.

The total career earnings for American Pharoah.

The number of casinos in Las Vegas.

THERE’S NO

Place L I K E H O L L Y W O O D

Discove r a plac e like no othe r, whe re all that glit te rs is yours for the taking. World-Clas s Gaming H Fabulous Re staurants H Lu xur ious Accommo dat ions

THE AWARDS TO PROVE IT

A sp ec ial thanks to Souther n Gaming & De st inat ions Maga zine Re ade rs for five B e st in Tunic a Awards, including: B e st C asino Flo or H B e st C asino Pe rs onnel H B e st Re staurant – Fairbanks Ste akhous e

A M E R I CA N P H A R OA H Unleashed

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Unleashing BRILLIANCE AMERICAN PHAROAH AND THE TRIPLE CROWN by

DARCI NOL AN

istory was made this June with a stunning and unlikely feat. After a thirty-seven year interlude, one horse, American Pharoah, won each of the three major races that make up the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Since the first Triple Crown winner in 1919, Sir Barton, only 12 horses have been awarded the prestigious honor, making this triumphant victory so gallant and thrilling to those who follow horse racing, as well as to those who became intrigued with the magnificence of this standout horse.

AMERICAN PHAROAH

American Pharoah and his jockey, Victor Espinoza, have secured the world’s attention. But, American Pharoah didn’t get off to a smooth start with his racing career. The only race in which he was defeated was his first, where he appeared anxious, responding to commotion and reacting negatively to the blinker hood he was wearing. He finished fifth. Despite the disappointing maiden race, owner, Ahmed Zayat, and his trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, believed the horse had potential and set out to find what he could do. Zayat has been quoted as saying, “We felt that he had brilliance in him.” Unleashing that brilliance was the next step in creating a winner. Baffert removed the blinker hood for the next race and stuffed cotton in his ears to eliminate distraction. They spent weeks training him in the track paddock before bringing him back to the Del Mar Futurity in Del Mar, California . Here, with Espinoza jockeying, American Pharoah captured his first victory, displaying over a six length margin and catching the attention of the racing world. Onlookers weren’t the only ones who were intrigued with the promising two-year-old thoroughbred. American Pharoah is a beautiful specimen of racing ability. He moves smoothly over the ground and has an exceptionally long stride. Baffert, a seasoned horse trainer with many great accomplishments, was surprised by the combination of American Pharoah’s abilities and demeanor. “Horses of his caliber are not that nice and sweet,” he said. “They’re just sort of tough . . . He’s just so different than any horse I’ve ever had.” SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

A M E R I CA N P H A R OA H Unleashed

As he entered his three year-old season, American Pharoah hit his stride and the commentary about him echoed what would become everyone’s truth; He was “a superhorse.”

THE TRIPLE CROWN

The three races of the Triple Crown happen in quick succession in May and June of each year. Winning all three of the races is something many aspire to and few accomplish. Elusive elements have to work together - A powerful horse with potential, a seasoned jockey with strategy, a knowledgeable trainer with intuition and a bit of luck. Starting with the Kentucky Derby the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Kentucky, a maximum of 20 horses run the mile and a quarter length race at Churchill Downs. Churchill Downs is “the world’s most legendary race track,” and the Derby is the only one of the three Triple Crown races to have been run continuously, with no interruptions, and at its current location since 1875. The Kentucky Derby has been called the most exciting two minutes in sports and draws over 150,000 attendees each year. American Pharoah won his first race of the Triple Crown on May 2nd, 2015, by a single length, with a time of two minutes and three seconds. Only two weeks later, eight horses took on the mile and three-sixteenths race at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland. This race at Pimlico Race Course is the shortest of the three races and typically separates the horses who have the stamina to complete for the Triple Crown from the rest of the pack, due to the short recovery period that comes between it and the Kentucky Derby. Pimlico is the second oldest race track in America and comes weathered in tradition and inspiration. On May 16th, American Pharoah finished a full seven lengths in front of the second place horse with a time of one minute, fifty-eight seconds. Finally, the longest of the three races, the Belmont Stakes, takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, just three weeks after the Preakness. In this final

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

race, no more than 16 horses run the furthest they will likely run at any point in their lives – a mile and a half. The Belmont Stakes race is the oldest of the three races that make up the Triple Crown. On June 6th this year, American Pharoah finished in two minutes, twenty-six seconds and five and a half lengths in front of the next runner, thus winning the Triple Crown and ended the thirty-seven year drought.

Getting that close to the Triple Crown and barely missing the opportunity to make history creates a special kind of motivation, and the opportunity to engage the world’s most promising colt is something that Baffert has not hoarded. After winning the Triple Crown, Baffert allowed the assembled media to approach and pet the horse saying that he “wanted to share him with everybody.”

Winning the Triple Crown is not just about speed. The short rest time between each race is one of the major factors that has stolen Triple Crown glory from promising horses throughout history. Many fail to bring their best to all three races because they are unable to recover in such a short time. Recovery, strategy and training all play their own, major role and present their own challenges. In over 100 years of racing, 23 horses have had the chance to win the Triple Crown and only half of those have done so. Many have lost their chance to make history because of simple missteps. Running the horse too fast at the start of the Belmont Stakes, letting fatigue set in during the final stretch, and false starts have all dashed the dreams of Triple Crown hopefuls.

BREAKING RECORDS

BOB BAFFERT, HALL-OF-FAME TRAINER

The intuition, dedication and methodology of horse racing distinguishes the best trainers from the rest, and Bob Baffert has shown himself to be one of the best. Baffert adds four Kentucky Derby wins, six Preakness Stakes wins and two Belmont Stakes wins to his ten Breeder’s Cup wins and two Dubai World Cup wins. All climaxing with this years Triple Crown. 2015 wasn’t the first year that Baffert had an open gate to the Triple Crown. American Pharoah was his fourth attempt. Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2002 each finished first in the first two races of the Triple Crown. Silver Charm and Real Quiet placed second in the final race, delaying Baffert’s attempts at the high honor in 1998 by less than a nose.

Besides breaking the drought of Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah has broken other records in the racing world. American Pharoah was the betting favorite for the Belmont Stakes with over 94,000 bets placed on the then-hopeful to win. More than 90,000, over 90 percent, are still holding on to their $2 bets from Belmont, potentially the largest number of bets sitting un-cashed in history. Turning in the ticket gives the holder $3.80 in winnings while holding on to it may prove to be a wiser investment. Prior to the race, tickets were selling online for over $100, and post-race sales are still well above the cash-in amount. Some predict that tickets turned collectors items will return the highest possible value.

THE LEGACY OF AMERICAN PHAROAH

Winning the Triple Crown may be enough for some trainers and owners who would set their horse to stud after such a feat, but to the excitement of many, American Pharoah is currently poised to come back and run in the Breeder’s Cup in October and perhaps even the Travers Stakes at Saratoga prior to that. The break between races to recover from the physical challenge of the Triple Crown provides a dramatic pause and heightens anticipation around the horse’s next race. The ongoing legacy of American Pharoah comes with reports that stud rights have already been sold by owner Ahmed Zayat to Coolmore Ashford Stud for upwards of $20 million. Coolmore Ashford could charge between $175,000 and $200,000 or more in stud fees, quickly earning back their investment and giving racing fans another stunning colt to bet on.

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he Breeders’ Cup is the Super Bowl of horseracing. Held annually at various racetracks around the country, the 2-day thoroughbred spectacle encompasses 13 races ranging in categories based on running styles, age and distance specialties for the best horses in the world. This year, the event comes back to the homeland of horseracing in Kentucky at the historic Keeneland Racecourse on Friday, October 30 and Saturday October 31st. As we near the big day, the excitement builds with anticipation of watching Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s attempt to complete horseracing’s Grand Slam in the Breeders’ Cup Classic carrying a purse of $5 million! There are three ways for horses to become eligible for a Breeders’ Cup race, win one of the qualifying races (Win and You’re in!), accrue points in the official point system or selection by a panel of racing experts. However, you don’t have to own a race horse to cash in on the Breeders’ Cup. Back by popular demand, and driven by the popularity of fantasy sports, be sure to check out the Million Dollar Finish Fantasy Game. It is free to play and you have a shot at winning $1 Million! It’s easy and anyone can play, as long as you are 18 or older and live in the United States. There are a total of 10 races leading into the Breeders’ Cup that are ‘Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races’ that started in June and run thru October. Pick the order of finish in any of these 10 races and the player with the highest score for each designated race will win a VIP trip to the sold-out 2015 Breeders’ Cup and a chance to win $1 million by picking

the order of finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. To enter, visit MillionDollarFinish.com and register for free…what do you have to lose?

MILLION DOLLAR FINISH CHALLENGE RACE SCHEDULE JUNE 6

Belmont Stakes (Belmont Park)

JUNE 13

Stephen Foster (Churchill Downs)

JUNE 27

Gold Cup (Santa Anita Park)

JULY 4

Belmont Oaks (Belmont Oaks)

AUGUST 2

Haskell Invitational (Monmouth Park)

AUGUST 8

Whitney Handicap (Saratoga Racecourse)

AUGUST 29

Travers Stakes (Saratoga Racecourse)

SEPTEMBER 5 Woodward Stakes (Saratoga Racecourse) OCTOBER 3

Jockey Club Gold Cup (Keeneland Racecourse)

OCTOBER 4

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No purchase necessary to enter or win. The Promotion registration period begins on or about April 28, 2015 at 12:01 a.m. ET and ends on October 31, 2015 at 5:40 p.m. ET. Promotion is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C., who are 18 years of age or older. See Official Rules at www.MillionDollarFinish.com for exact registration times for each race, additional eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions/ restrictions/ARVs and complete details. Void where prohibited. PROMOTION IS DEVISED AS A NON-GAMBLING PROMOTION and is intended solely for entertainment purposes.Promotion is sponsored by Breeders’ Cup Limited. Breeders’ Cup Limited is the sole sponsor of the Promotion. NBC Sports and NBCUniversal Media, LLC are not sponsors of the Promotion and are not associated with the administration of the Promotion in any way. Entrants are providing information to the sponsor and not to NBC Sports and NBCUniversal Media, LLC. SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Summertime in the Southeast means it’s time to take advantage of the region's many seasonal festivals and outdoor events. Whether you enjoy music festivals, browsing craft and artisan fairs, or just want to consume as much BBQ as your stomach will allow, the following round-ups offer many delightful options, and some great gambling action nearby!

SUNSET FESTIVAL

ORANGE BEACH, AL Every Thursday thru August 27 Facebook.com/ SunsetFestivalOrangeBeach

Head to this weekly celebration by the beach and feel your blood pressure drop. If Ebeneezer Scrooge were at to Sunset Festival, even he’d enjoy himself--it’s impossible not to! Every Thursday, downtown Orange Beach transforms into a street festival, complete with live music, lawn games, and lots of local, mouthwatering food. Not sure where to take your date? Looking for a place to go on a family outing? In addition to quality entertainment, Sunset Festival presents a joyous and communityoriented atmosphere, which makes it the perfect destination for either. This is a real local gem! 12 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

ERICA BLOCK

Gambling Options: Only 40 minutes to the Pensacola Greyhound Track and Poker Room, 1 hour and 40 minutes to Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama, and 2 hours to Biloxi, Mississippi.

BACON, BOURBON AND BREW FESTIVAL

GRASSROOTS BLUES FESTIVAL

The holy trifecta: Bacon, Bourbon and Brews. Held along the riverfront of Levee’s Festival Park, this four-day celebration of the area’s Bourbon distilling and pork industries is an opportunity to really shine. Top-notch food vendors will be on hand, ready to make you salivate, and The Bourbon Society of Greater Cincinnati will hold tastings and discussions with the area's top mixologists. This is but one of many cultural events set to take place in the Greater Cincinnati area during the weekend of Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, which take place on July 13th and 14th at the Great American Ball Park, home to the Cincinnati Reds.

DUCK HILL, MS

July 10 - 11 | grassrootsblues.com

Now in its thirteenth year, The Grassroots Blues Festival celebrates the rich heritage and cultural importance of blues music. Grassroots exists thanks to Project CAM (cultural arts and multimedia), an organization dedicated to preserving and nourishing the blues as an art form. This festival attracts those who truly appreciate the blues and are eager to listen to artists who have shown a mastery of the discipline. Rumor has it that this year’s festival will feature some sort of tribute to the late B.B. King, a blues great who is sorely missed. Gambling Options: Duck Hill is just under 2 hours from Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi and Tunica, Mississippi.

Newport, KY

July 10 - 14 | facebook.com/ baconbourbonandbrewfestival

Gambling Options: There are several great gambling options nearby, all under an hour drive. Rising Star Casino Resort (Rising Star, Indiana); Belterra Casino Resort (Vevay, Indiana); Hollywood Casino (Lawrenceburg, Indiana). These are all premium

properties with hotels and luxurious amenities, Rising Star and Belterra both have golf courses as well. Downtown Cincinnati has a Horseshoe Casino, and just East of the city is the newly renovated Belterra Park and Gaming Center for live horseracing action and a slot casino.

FORECASTLE FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE, KY

July 17 - 19 | forecastlefest.com

At Forecastle, people come together by Louisville’s scenic Waterfront Park to unwind and let loose for a whale of a good time. Founded in 2002, Forecastle has grown from a neighborhood event to one of the region’s most exciting summer festivals. Forecastle also highlights the best brown liquor in bourbon country with its Bourbon Lodge, an interactive experience more featuring more than 10,000 square feet of bourbon-focused activities and tastings.

Gambling Options: Similar to Cincinnati, Louisville is near several great gambling options including the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack (Check live race dates a t k y d e r b y. c o m) . A l s o n e a r b y, approximately an hour to an hour and a half drive, are Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana, Belterra Casino Resort and Rising Star Casino Resort.

BAY HARBOR FEST

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS July 17- 19 | bayharborfest.com 228-363- 3547

Southern rock legend Gregg Allman leads a lineup of zydeco, reggae, R&B and country acts at the 3rd annual Bay Harbor Fest in Bay St. Louis. The 3-day festival highlights local and regional music, art and cuisine. A Boaters' Rendezvous offers VIP viewing just offshore at the Bud Lite Beach Stage. The Kids' Fishing Rodeo and other activities make the beach fest a family favorite. Plus, Friday and Sunday Art Walk and downtown activities are free.

Gambling Options: Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, Silver Slipper Casino Hotel are both nearby and the Gulfport and Biloxi Casino within a forty minute

Top of the Hops Beer Fest Gulf Coast, AL

drive make this a perfect festival to mix music and gaming!

ELVIS WEEK

Memphis, TN August 9-16, 2015 | elvisweek.com

Each year, the whole city of Memphis for one week in August lives, breathes, and exudes a burning love for Elvis Presley. Elvis fanatics from all corners of the U.S. travel to Memphis during Elvis Week, an eight day-long celebration to honor the King of Rock and Roll. A variety of different events are scheduled to unfold, including a Best Jumpsuit Contest and a candlelit vigil in remembrance of the King.

Gambling Options: Tunica, Mississippi is less than a thirty minute drive where you will find eight premium casinos, multiple golf courses and all of the casino action you would want!

TOP OF THE HOPS BEER FESTIVAL AT THE WHARF GULF COAST, AL

August 15 | topofthehopsbeerfest.com/wharf

If you’re all about IPAs and love a good craft beer, you’ll be a hoppy camper at Top of the Hops Beer Festival. Upon entry, festival-goers enjoy unlimited two-ounce samplings from 150+ microbreweries around the world. Good food, good tunes, and beer-

friendly games like cornhole. Perhaps you could ask for more, but why would you want to? Gambling Options: This festival is also only 40 minutes from the Pensacola Greyhound Track and Poker Room, 1 hour and 40 minutes to Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama, and 2 hours to Biloxi, Mississippi.

34TH ANNUAL BILOXI SEAFOOD FESTIVAL BILOXI, MS

September 12-13 | facebook.com/ biloxiseafoodfestival

The Biloxi Seafood Festival is a premier celebration of Gulf Coast cuisine and features a fabulous array of delicious food offerings and vendors selling art and dry goods. This is a kind of heaven for seafood lovers, who will enjoy Biloxi’s traditional offerings such as boiled crab and shrimp, catfish po-boys, gumbo, and biscuits. There’s even a ‘Best Gumbo’ Championship sponsored by the Sun Herald newspaper. You will not leave hungry! Gambling Options: Well…there are several world-class properties to choose from in Biloxi all featuring their own unique characteristics. We highly recommend Beau Rivage Casino Resort, IP Casino Resort & Spa and Golden Nugget Biloxi. SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Millennial Mayhem by

S GENER AT ION X cont inues its habit of volat i le spend ing, United States casinos and racetracks actively seek new methods to bridge the fiscal gap between the bet-loving Baby Boomers and the generation that is projected to overtake them as the nation’s largest living generat ion—t he high-tech, highmaintenance Millennials. Millennials generally eschew traditional forms of betting at casinos and racetracks in favor of easily accessible and low-cost entertainment found on phones and tablets or in real-world meet-ups centered around food and drinks. The average Millennial would rather join friends at a micropub than sit in front of a slot machine. With nearly 70% of casino gaming revenue sourced from slot and video poker machines, the gaming industry knows this needs to change. In an attempt to stay relevant on the casino 14 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

JEREMY THOGMARTIN

floor and lure Millennials to wager, the giants of slot design and manufacturing are taking cues from the industries with which most Millennials are thoroughly familiar: video gaming and television. Touch screen slots now offer additional playable content on top of usual betting, providing the same player expierence as smartphone games with the potential cash payout of traditional casino gaming. “If I’m going to play a slot machine, I’m going to play something like Batman—I feel like I’m getting more entertainment,” says 23-year-old Lindsey Franco, a Houston local who occasionally travels with friends and family to gamble at L’Auberge Casino in nearby Lake Charles, LA. “It’s like pinball: you pick the theme you like most and see what happens.” Comparing slot machines and pinball may not be too much of a stretch: it’s no secret t h at l e g e nd a r y pi n b a l l m a c h i ne manufacturer Bally Technologies is also one of the best-known makers of slot

machines and gaming equipment. As with its pinball machines, Bally offers slots branded with iconic properties like Betty Boop, the television show “Friends” and The Playboy Club, hopeful that nostalgia and brand recognition will encourage betting. With other top slot machine manufacturers such as IGT, WMS and Aristocrat offering their own lines of themed slots, it is apparent that the industry is trending toward the hyper-interactive and fully licensed. Although slots remain a betting favorite for Boomers over 50, the question remains of whether newer, full-experience slot machines are capable of gaining significant bets from Generation Y. Gamblit Gaming, “founded with the goal of bridging the gap between video games and gambling,” according to their website, is currently leading the slot industry in utilizing emerging technologies to stimulate Millennial gambling.

The Gamblit game "Police Pooches vs. Zombie Cats: In Time” is an example of what tech can do to get Millennials interested in gambling. Bettors download the game to their mobile devices and wager virtual credits from anywhere in the world with the option of toggling to actual currency once inside a participating commercial casino. This new spin on slot play could eventually lead to legal wagering on players’ favorite video game titles. Although a Congressional bill currently threatens to curb online wagering in Nevada and possibly cripple the hi-tech plans of companies like Gamblit, gaming revenue generated by online wagering hit 3.9 Billion dollars in 2014, making an outright ban unlikely. Whereas the slot industry looks to turn traditional casino gambling on its head, Thoroughbred breed registry The Jockey Club is using social media to reach-out to potential racetrack bettors. The Jockey Club’s social platform, America’s Best Racing, provides tips and how-tos to the uninitiated through their website and multiple social media outlets. With a strong drive to utilize social media to its full potential, ABR offers track and race info ranging from men and women’s fashion guides to betting techniques—all in attempt to connect with potential bettors in their twenties. Racetracks around the country host special events ranging from f lea markets to concerts, acquainting new prospective gamblers with the location and layout of the track. If the record-breaking attendance of this year’s Kentucky Derby can be used as an indicator, the ABR’s efforts over the past couple years to build a younger fan base are paying off. As with Vegas casinos, however, getting the Millennials on-site is the easy part. Getting them to wager and enjoy it is the difficulty. Millennials are willing to spend income on full experiences: clubs and alcohol, food and special events. How can the gaming industry propose wagering as being its own unique experience? The answer is that it may not even have to try. The consensus in Las Vegas is simply that Millennials may or may not gamble and so Vegas casinos can no longer rely strictly upon gaming revenue if they are to remain operational and relevant.

As CEO of MGM Resorts Jim Murrens succinctly stated in a 2014 interview with CBS News, “A dollar is a dollar.” If the only way to get that dollar from Millennials is diversification into shopping, clubs, and concert properties, Las Vegas is game. Major gaming properties on the Vegas Strip like MGM Resorts and Caesar’s Entertainment continue developing elaborate shopping centers and street-front hangouts in hopes of at tracting not just gamblers but consumers aged 21-45. "These indoor-outdoor spaces are really the future of Las Vegas,” Murrens stated in his interview.

grew up with—everybody got a trophy.” Back at the slots in Lake Charles, Lindsey Franco is sixty dollars in losses and ready to drive back to Houston. “I spent a little more than I wanted,” she laments, “but I do feel like I was entertained.” From enhanced slots and mobile wagering to social media outreach and special racetrack events, the gaming industry is trying hard to snag the attention of the over 75 million Millennials in the US a nd access t hei r estimated trillion-dollar direct purchasing power. And their efforts might be working—Vegas properties are reporting revenue growth in the first qua r ter of 2015 and forecasts for Nevada gaming in general are optimistic. Additionally, Millennials’ interest in the pageantry and tradition of horseracing continues to grow.

“GETTING THEM TO WAGER AND ENJOY IT IS THE DIFFICULTY"

Whether the other casinos and racetracks across the US can attract Generation Y dollars using Las Vegas’ diversification strategies remains to be seen.

A s ma rk et i n g cons u lt a nt Chuc k Underwood told an industry group at the 2013 Las Vegas Governor’s Tourism Conference, the way to get Millennials gambling may be as simple as introducing an incentive program that rewards Millennials specifically. “It’s not their fault,” Underwood added. “It’s what they

In the end, what might get and keep Millennials wagering is a strategy proven to work on casino floors for decades: When asked what would guarantee Lindsey Franco’s return to the L’Auberge Casino to gamble, the 23-year-old paused for only a moment. “Free drink coupons, probably.”

S L OT S P OT L I G H T

A R I S TO C R AT T E C H N O LO G I E S

ARISTOCRAT:

Game Changer by

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

REATIVITY THAT BOOSTS anticipation and fun long has been a hallmark of games from Aristocrat Technologies.

It was Aristocrat that introduced Hyperlink, the pioneering system that links achievable, multilevel jackpots on slot machines. It was Aristocrat that introduced Reel Power, the 243-ways-to-win format in which your bets buy reels rather than paylines. Matching systems across the reels form winners, even if they’re not on standard paylines. Both have been hugely influential, and today we see multilevel jackpots and 243-ways-to-win games from all major slot manufacturers. Has Aristocrat rested on its laurels? Heck no. It’s gone right back to innovating with Good Fortune, which uses both the Hyperlink and Reel Power formats to give slot players a game chock full of extra surprise bonus features, and Sons of Anarchy, which brings to casinos a new way to play called Cluster Power. The Asian-themed Good Fortune uses Aristocrat’s popular Choy Sun Doa, the Chinese God of Wealth, to help spread the riches. Players can choose from two Reel Power base games, the established favorite 5 Dragons and the new Dragons of the Eastern Ocean. There’s a four-level Hyperlink progressive that links multiple machines, along with a single-level standalone progressive jackpot for each machine. At random times, whole reels turn wild. Choy Sun Doa sometimes turns the reels gold, and you could win one of the progressives or a trip to the bonus jackpot feature for a matching game. In the free games feature you have a choice: Do you want maximum spins, with as many as 25, but with low multipliers on wild dragon symbols? Or do you want to go for it with fewer spins, as few as 10, but with wild dragons that could multiply your winnings up to 30 times? One of Aristocrat’s most famous characters, Choy Sun Doa, the Chinese God of Wealth, returns to spread the wealth in the action packed slot game Good Fortune. 16 |

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“Aristocrat produces the world’s best Asian themed slot games and Good Fortune is no exception.” said Aristocrat Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Matt Wilson. “Players will love this multi-level hyperlink progressive game for its gold reels, jackpots, free games and random prizes.” Sons of Anarchy, based on the hit F/X TV drama about an outlaw motorcycle club, is something different altogether. For starters, there’s Cluster Power. Any three or more adjacent symbols can form a paying combination, and since Sons of Anarchy uses stacked symbols that can take up every space on a reel, that means you can have a winner even without matches on the first four reels. Matching symbols can be touching vertically, horizontally, in a line,– as long as you have three or more adjacent, that’s a winner. Having no matching symbols on the leftmost reels doesn’t eliminate your chances at a winner. With Cluster Power, you still have a chance right to the end. “It’s really innovative,” said Siobhan Lane, Aristocrat’s senior director of product and marketing strategy, gaming operations. “Aristocrat brought Reel Power to the market, and this is our next innovative reel format that players are going to love.” Innovations go an extra mile with a No Limits feature. Megasymbols of the TV show’s five lead characters take up multiple spaces, leaving for the potential for the symbol to land partially in the playing field, and partially out of view. When that happens, the field can grow both vertically and horizontally to accommodate the symbol. For example, if a Jax Teller symbol is three symbols wide and three symbols deep, but lands so that it shows only one symbol on the last space to the right on the bottom row, then the reels can expand two more spaces to the right and two more deep to accommodate the entire megasymbol and potentially create extra winning combinations. The game uses video clips from the series, and Aristocrat also produced original video for the bonus feature transitions, using stunt doubles from the original series. Beyond all the features and entertainment packed into the game, Sons of Anarchy tries to capture the essence of the TV drama. “The game’s not focused on violence Lane said. “It’s about the key characters, and really getting into the depths of those characters. They all have a strong appetite for something, whether it’s being the leader of the gang or wanting stability or keeping the family together. By focusing on those traits, the studio created an extension of the series within the game while introducing a truly innovative way to pay players.”

Coming soon to a casino near you! With exciting clips, bone-deep sound and heartpounding action, we’ll put you right in the middle of the show—making a game so good, it’s criminal.

aristocrat-us.com #aristocratslots TM & © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Bluebush Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Aristocrat. 2015 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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SHOW REVIEW:

YAYE CIRCUS A circus show at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – Biloxi, Mississippi by

KRISTEN LENNARD

AY E ( PRONOU NCE D “YAY”) is the appropriate name for the newest cirque-style show being held at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, MS. Running from June 9th - August 9th, the month-long show features dazzling acrobatics, deathdefying aerial stunts, and a comedic clown krewe that will keep you entertained throughout the evening. While the Beau Rivage is not new to the circus game, with twelve years of cirque shows under its belt, YAYE brings a new kind of excitement to the gulf coast that we’ve never seen before. From the multi-million dollar theatre to the oversized props, colorful lighting, and custom music, YAYE brings Vegas-style entertainment to the beachside casino resort. The show itself requires a crew of nearly 50 technical staff to prepare, and according to Producers Anthony Gibson, of the Beau Rivage, and Mischa Matorin, it doesn’t stop there. “How big is the staff of the Beau Rivage? 3,000? And every single one of them is working toward this show. Whether it’s catering, or housekeeping, or bell staff, every single person here is working to make sure we are ready,” Matorin shares. Considering that past shows have brought in over 85,000 audience members each year, it’s no wonder the team at Beau Rivage is working tirelessly to prepare. Production for a show of this magnitude starts a year in advance, and despite the fact that Gibson and Matorin have been producing shows at the Beau for over a decade, each new show is not without its challenges. “The biggest challenge is coming up with 18 |

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something new. We have a lot of repeat guests who come 3 and 4 times, and they come every year to see the show, and we want to show them something new and exciting. The people of the gulf coast are really the inspiration, because we want to make sure the show is something different for them. We want a different look and feel, different acts, different music, everything different.” Matorin, who was raised in a circus family and toured with both the Moscow Circus and Cirque d’Soleil, strives to make each year’s show unforgettable, starting with an unbeatable cast. The cast of YAYE is especially unique this year as every act has won awards in some of the most famous international contests. These performers are the finest in the industry, and with numerous daring stunts, one of which is nick-named “The Wheel of Death,” it’s clear that this show is going to be unbelievable. “I don’t like to call it the ‘Wheel of Death,’ I won’t call it that,” Matorin laughed when describing the nearly 30 foot tall structure, “But there are no second takes. It’s not like film where you can try again. There is only one chance to get it right. We are constantly changing and evolving and trying new things. Even once the show starts, we are always changing things. These aren’t just people who like to do this sort of thing, these are professionals with years of experience.” Matorin and Gibson described a rehearsal schedule that is “24 hours a day” with only t wo weeks for the acts to all rehearse before the show. The acts are chosen specifically by Matorin and Gibson, and this year the cast is entirely new, with the youngest member only eighteen

years old. “He is actually the son of someone I performed with 25 years ago. We all know each other, we grow up together. You see children backstage and they’re watching and learning and practicing tumbling, because their parents do it and they want to do it. Most of the performers know each other from different shows, and when they get together it’s like a big family, and that energy comes out in the show, and goes out to the audience and to the audience families.” The Beau Rivage also has family in mind when it comes to YAYE, with ticket prices starting at only $12.95, or $40 for 4 tickets. The Beau Rivage is also offering kids eat free in the buffet with a ticket stub, and discounts at other casino restaurants. Mary Crachiollo Spain, Regional Director of Communications explains, “As a company we decided to make this a family event. Most of our guests are parents with two, three, or even four kids, and that can get expensive! We want families to be able to come out and see the show and have a good time. We have the resort and the arcade, and we have the casino, sure, but we have so much to offer families.” With the acts, music, lighting, props, and even the theatre seating meticulously redesigned, you are guaranteed to see something new at YAYE.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Beaurivage.com or call 1-888-750-7111.

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Find a qualifying casino near you at www.shufflemasterclassic.com Marks are owned in the US and elsewhere by Scientiﬁc Games Corporation or one of its wholly owned companies. © 2015 Scientiﬁc Games. All rights reserved. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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TOURNEVENTof CHAMPIONS ROLLS THROUGH SOUTHERN CASINOS

ULTIMEDIA GAMES TournEvent of Champions continues its Southern c i rc u it of qu a l i f y i ng tournament sites in search for the nation’s best slot tournament player.

“Each year, TournEvent of Champions has grown tremendously,” said GCA CEO Ram Chary. “This year’s qualifiers have now earned a chance to compete in Las Vegas for our biggest prize in the event’s four-year history — one million dollars.”

The TournEvent of Champions is a new concept that takes slot tournaments to a whole new level. Two TournEvent of Champions buses are crisscrossing the country from April through August, visiting 22 states with more than 250,000 players competing for the chance to represent their favorite casino in Las Vegas. Casinos are hosting slot leagues, semi-finals and then in-casino finals to find their top players to represent them at the National Championship.

The Southern casino qualifying circuit includes:

Through May, there have been 27 players who have qualified to compete for the national title at the Wynn’s XS Nightclub in Las Vegas on September 29-30, 2015. Qualifying rounds will continue into September with more than 175 slot players expected to compete for the National Championship and the grand prize of $1 million. 20 |

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in Las Vegas. The 2014 event expanded to 123 players from 98 casinos and a total purse of $500,000. In 2015, TournEvent of Champions is expecting more than 175 players from 100 casinos to compete for the $1 million top prize.

• Hollywood Casino Tunica (August 1) • Southland Park (August 8) • Wind Creek Casino (August 8) • Oaklawn Racing & Gaming (August 9) • French Lick Resort (August 15 & 6) • Pearl River Resort (August 15) • Fairgrounds Racecourse (August 22) • Harlows Casino (September 1) TournEvent of Champions began in 2012 with regional competitions in California and Washington. The event crowned its first national champion in 2013 after 88 players from 77 casinos competed in the finals at Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo

For more information and full list of participating casinos, visit: TourneventofChampions.com.

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Be a part of the most exciting slot machine tournament in the nation when the 2015 TournEvent of Champions速 tour hits the South. Visit www.TOURNEVENT.com to find out where and when to take the first step to the Million Dollar Grand Prize.*

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Check out these participating Southern casinos and be a part of TournEvent速 history!

ART IN LAKE CHARLES

If you are the type to be attracted to the splendor of performance art, then spend a Saturday with the Lake Charles Symphony and First Federal Bank of Louisiana. On July 11, watch the Cirque de la Symphonie, a new production taking place at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Witness professional acrobats flying high in the sky! Let’s not forget the brawn of veteran strongmen as they complete amazing feats of strength. The performance is played with modern and classical music with a live orchestra. Be amazed by the artistic expression of these men and women on July 11. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children under six years. The Lake Charles Civic Center is located at 900 Lakeshore Drive. Get your tickets and learn more at http://www.lcsymphony.com/summer-pops-2015/.

MARCH OVER TO MARSHLAND FESTIVAL Lake Charles, Louisiana is a place filled with exhilaration, adventure, and natural beauty. As one of the largest cities in the “Pelican State”, Lake Charles attracts guests in droves thanks to the magnificent entertainment. Concerts, festivals, and much more help friends and families enjoy the activities while making memories. This summer from July 10 to September 10, check out the wonderful festivities with friends and family as you witness Louisiana’s exciting events.

CAJUN FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Help celebrate Cajun culture at The Cajun Food & Music Festival starting July 17th. Experience the laughter and fun of the musical and artistic atmosphere as you listen to music and indulge in Cajun cooking. Children will enjoy the music, arts & crafts booths, and games. The Cajun French Music Youth Band will play authentic Cajun music on July 18th while adults may participate in a live auction or sit back and drink an ice cold beer. The Cajun Food & Music Festival is taking place at the Burton Complex, located at 7001 Gulf Hwy. Admission is $8.00; children under the age of 12 get in for free. Learn more about this fun-filled event by visiting http://cfmalakecharles.com/.

CASH OUT AT LAKE CHARLES CASINOS

Looking to win at blackjack or play the slot machine? Lake Charles has excellent, luxurious casinos such as the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. Over 1,000 slot machines and various table games, Golden Nugget gives you chances to win extra cash. Not only does Golden Nugget have great games, but club programs that allow you to receive complimentary game plays and invitations to special events. Enjoy amenities including the bar, pool, spa, and arcade. If you come to the casino July 10th, you can see country music singer Travis Tritt perform. The Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino is located at 2550 Gold Nugget Boulevard. For room reservations, call 844-777-GOLD (4653), or call for casino info at 337-508-7777. Visit the website for more information at http://www.goldennugget.com/. 22 |

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Speaking of the Lake Charles Civic Center, don’t forget to walk over to the Marshland Festival on July 24 and 25. If you are searching for authentic Cajun, country, and zydeco music, this festival is just for you! Besides music, mouthwatering Cajun cuisine will be sold in booths. Exhibits, games, and much more will be available for kids and adults. Active military and kids 12 and under enter for free. General admission on Friday is $10; Saturday will cost $15. For more information about the event, call (337) 802-2025 or (337) 540-3182. Check out the website to lea r n more at ht t p: //w w w.ma rsh la nd fest iva l.com /.

FOODIES HEAD TO FARMERS MARKET

Ever wonder where these Southern cooks find fresh ingredients to prepare many delicious Cajun foods such as jambalaya or gumbo? The Charleston Farmers Market is a great venue to visit with its fruit, vegetables, grains, canned and baked goods, and much more. It is a great place to see every Saturday from 8 AM until noon. Admission is free for everyone. The Charleston Farmers Market is on Bilbo Street behind the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center (1001 Ryan Street). You can learn more and download the f lyer here: http://w w w. cityoflakecharles.com/department/division.php?structureid=80.

LOUISIANAN LABOR DAY

Thankfully, not all of Lake Charles’s events take place in July; even September has a celebration many would enjoy. On September 7, the Boo Zoo's Labor Day Festival will be filled with yummy BBQ , delectable crawfish etoufee, and upbeat zydeco music to listen to while eating. The event begins at 10 a.m. with general admission at $15 and $2 for kids under 12 years. It will take place at 900 Lakeshore Drive. Enjoy the rich Louisianan heritage this summer either by yourself or with loved ones. Food, art, entertainment, and fun will come from the experiences you will have during these events. Create memories of the wonderful adventures you will have at Lake Charles, Louisiana.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

CRAPS: Good Betting FROM MARK My first bet is $220 inside. After three hits I make a $15 come and go down with full 75 odds. I play at a casino where I can go 5x odds. Am I better off just pressing to $75 or continue to make the come bets? I have read from some writers that the Pass Line and Come bets are not really that good; that the casino is tricking people to make those bets. I’d also like to know about systems that call for betting those bets that come in with high house edges in order to balance out expectations based on probability. What say you? FRANK RESPONDS Dump the placing of $220 inside. You are putting $50 on the 5 and $50 on the 9 and bucking a four percent edge. That's a major edge and means your expectation is to lose two dollars for each number. That’s four bucks for those two bets. That’s way too much money. And the more you play and the more you bet that 5 and 9 the more you will start to see your money going downhill. Placing the 6 and 8 is okay but you are still far better off going with Pass and Come (after the 5-Count). By betting $15 at a 5X odds game you can put $75 in odds on the 4 and 10; $100 in odds on the 5 and 9; and $125 in odds on the 6 and 8. The Place bets are only superficially interesting because you can Place the numbers you want directly, call off the numbers when you feel like it and take down the numbers at any time. This is how the bets are sold by many gambling writers because at first these options seem to be quite good. Well, they are and they aren’t. Here’s why: Let’s take a look at the best of the Place bets, the 6 and the 8. The house edge is 1.52 percent – pretty good right? You have to make these bets in increments of six dollars and based on the size of your betting you are placing these numbers for $60 each. With a 1.52 percent house edge your expectation is to lose 91 cents per bet for a total of $1.82. Not too bad.

FRANK SCOBLETE

Now take a look at a Pass Line or Come bet with 5X odds so a Come Bet of $15 bucking a house edge of 1.41 percent will lose the player 21 cents; meaning 42 cents for two numbers. Keep in mind that when the Come bet goes up on a number you can put the odds on the bet that I stated above – your potential losses are small and your potential for wins is far greater than using Place bets. You can see just how much better the Pass Line and Come is compared to Placing the 6 and 8. And the 6 and 8 are the best Place bets if you feel compelled to make Place bets. Often even good bets have even better bets if you look into the situation closely. The other Place bets are simply awful. Let me repeat: Awful. The 5 and 9 come in with four percent edges (as stated a loss of $2 per $50 wagered) and the 4 and 10 come in with a hefty 6.67 percent edge which means a loss of $3.34 on each number if you are betting $50. These bets will shred your bankroll in short order. Even “buying” the 4 and 10 in Atlantic City is not a great deal. If you buy them for $35, paying a $1 commission on both winning and losing bets, the house edge is 2.8 percent. In Tunica you can buy them for $25 dollars with a one dollar commission or $50 with a two-dollar commission bringing the house edge down to 1.3 percent. This is far better but still nowhere near as good as the Pass or the Come. So stick with the Pass Line and Come bets with odds. Math is the key to the game of craps; the casinos know that and the players should know that. Those who tell you otherwise are wrong. The casinos are not tricking anyone with the Pass Line or Come bets. You rarely hear the Stickman hawking those bets but they really hawk the worst bets on the table such as the Hardways, the Horn, the Whirl (World), the C&E and so forth. The very bets the house hawks are generally the bets to avoid.

Frank Scoblete is a best-selling casino gambling writer. His new book, I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps! is available from Amazon.com, Kindle or at your favorite bookstore. Join Frank on his web site at www. frankscoblete.com.

“OFTEN EVEN GOOD BETS HAVE EVEN BETTER BETS IF YOU LOOK INTO THE SITUATION CLOSELY.” FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

WANT COMPS? WE’VE GOT’EM. 24 |

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PLAYER STRATEGY by

BLACKJACK: How to Avoid the Casino's

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

Psycological Traps

O M AT T ER HOW G O OD a blackjack player you think you are, you will eventually experience a losing session. How you manage yourself when this happens is just as important as knowing when to double down and split.

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. He is the host of the smartgaming.com website and the editor of the Blackjack Insider newsletter (for a free three-month subscription, visit www.bjinsider.com/ freetrial). He also teaches a blackjack course featuring Speed Count. For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog, which contains books, strategy cards, and software for casino players, call toll free 1-888-353-3234, or visit the web store at smartgaming.com

"YOU WILL FIND PLENTY OF TEMPTATIONS TO KEEP YOU PLAYING AND LOSING."

Sometimes players’ lose their money because of their lack of self-control caused by the exciting atmosphere in a casino. I wrote about this in my book, The Ten Best Casino Bets. Here’s what I had to say about this. “When you enter a casino, you are entering a place of business. Moreover, like all successful businesses, the casinos are run by shrewd businesspeople whose job is first, to keep you playing and happy, and second, to separate you from your money as quickly and painlessly as possibly. To meet these objectives, they create an atmosphere in the casino that can be described as a “Disneyland for adults.” No clocks to let you know it’s time to leave this utopia, no windows to let you see out to the real world, free drinks at the tables, free lounge shows, and, of course, plenty of pretty girls to keep you happy and playing. And what happens to the gambler when he enters this casino-designed excitement? For him, the rewards of winning all of the casino’s money far outweigh the risks of losing his meager bankroll. Moreover, this exciting atmosphere makes it easy for the average player to feel lucky and go for broke at the chance of winning the jackpot. First, and foremost, in order to be a winner, you must learn to control your emotions in the casino. Here are some specific tips that you can use to avoid the casino’s psychological traps that doom players into losing.

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

1. If you are tired from a long drive or flight, now is not the best time to hit the tables. Play only when you are rested and alert. 2. W atch the alcohol consumption when you play. From the casino’s perspective, there’s a reason why they offer players free alcoholic drinks 3. If you get ahead, don’t be caught in the trap of thinking that you are betting with the “casino’s money.” Once the chips go from the casino’s chip tray to your side of the table, that’s now your money and not the casino’s. 4. Keep track of time and set reasonable win goals. Unless you are a card counter, the odds are stacked against you so be content with a modest win. If you manage to get ahead by, say, 30% or more of your starting bankroll, pocket half of your profit plus what you started with, and play with the rest. This way, even if you lose “the rest,” you’ll still be able to go home with a profit. 5. Set a stop loss ... and discipline yourself to stop playing if you reach it. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you have a losing session. The casinos will always be open for you to tr y your luck again, hopefully, with better results. 6. Th ere’s a reason that you bet chips and not cash in a casino. If you were to put down a couple of ten- or twenty-dollar bills on the felt as a bet, you might think twice about doing it. However, once your cash is converted to chips, players often lose sight of the fact that those chips represent hard-earned money. Betting chips rather than cash makes it easy for players to over bet their bankroll, resulting in a quick and painful losing session.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: A Method to Your Madness

PREFER TO FOCUS on promos where there are lots of opportunities to win prizes of moderate levels. I would rather have twenty or more possibilities of winning desirable prizes, of say $500, as opposed to just one grand prize of a car. As I’ve said in the past, you should always make sure the prizes are something you really want, otherwise don’t waste your time. If you are really motivated by the potential for a much-wanted prize, you can do several things to increase your equity in the drawing. Here are some tips to increase your odds. 1. R ead all the r ules of the promotion carefully and ask questions of management. Often times the staff doesn’t know all the details so you may have to be persistent and ask someone who will. 2. K eep the information to yourself if you learn of times or days where extra entries can be earned. For example, there’s a drawing for a 2015 Mustang at a local casino and I definitely want to win this car. On Mondays, the casino is slow and is giving 50 times the number of entries for your play. Needless to say, I reserve my play for Mondays and play long sessions. Interestingly, I’ve noticed few players on Mondays and even fewer have their slot cards inserted. I have never heard a single PA announcement letting people know about the extra entries, but I’m guessing it’s on their flyers. 3. I f you’re a video poker player, focus on games with a low variance to make sure the expected return (ER) is acceptable. A good VP game with a low variance is 9/6 Jacks or Better (9/6 JOB) and if that’s not available you might try 8/5 Bonus Poker (8/5BP). Sometimes there are simply no good VP options and you have to determine whether you still want to go for the coveted prize. 4. I f you’re a slots player you have no way of knowing the game’s ER. Side-by-side devices may look like the same game, but in fact

have different ERs. That’s because the slot supervisor orders the chips and they come in a variety of theoretical returns. However, you can find a game that offers a smaller number of bonus games so that you’re running more coin through the device and thus earning more entries. For example, in the game China Shores, players are attracted because you can earn up to 450 free games in a single play. Not only that, if it’s your day you can continue to earn more free games. In fact, that’s why it’s so popular with many gamblers. This is a bad choice, however, if your objective is to earn equity in an upcoming promotional event. 5. M ake sure you can hear the names of winners and that you’re in an area close enough to the claim area that you can easily get there on time. This may seem obvious but I’ve seen many winners lose the prize either because they were so engrossed in playing that they didn’t hear their name or were too far away to make it to the required area in time. 6. N ever assume that the grand prize is a better deal than taking the cash. Recently there was a drawing for a Kia at a casino (actually one a week for 8 consecutive weeks) and the cash option was approximately $1,000 more than the car was worth. Final Thoughts: Nowadays casinos are increasing the number of promotions they do to attract new players and entice regulars to remain loyal. The games and quality of promotions at a casino can be the deciding factor in who gets your business.

LI N DA B OY D

Linda Boyd was a long-time table-game player before turning to video poker. You can see her videos on YouTube. Her book, “The Video Poker Edge,” includes removable pay schedules and strategy cards for the most popular games.

“NOWADAYS CASINOS ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PROMOTIONS THEY DO TO ATTRACT NEW PLAYERS AND ENTICE REGULARS TO REMAIN LOYAL.”

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PLAYER STRATEGY by

3 CARD POKER: Unusual Streaks

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

F A LL T H E P OK ER-BA SED games that have carved out niches in table pits, Three Card Poker pays out its top jackpot the most often. That makes some unusual streaks not only possible, but inevitable given enough play.

John Grochowski is an internationally renowned gaming expert, syndicated columnist and author.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THAT MAKES SOME UNUSUAL STREAKS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT INEVITABLE GIVEN ENOUGH PLAY.â&#x20AC;?

Take the reader who once emailed to tell of being dealt straight flushes on four consecutive hands, each worth a 40-1 payoff on the Pair Plus portion of the game. That may pale in comparison to the 1,000-1 bonanza for a royal in Let It Ride or a progressive jackpot that can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars in Caribbean Stud. But any frequent player of Three Card Poker will experience straight flushes, with 1-in-460 odds. For most, royals in Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride are a none-in-a-lifetime occurrence, a 1-in649,740 super long shot. The four straight-flush streak? Even with frequent Three Card Poker jackpots, that was something really special. The player emailed to say, "I was playing Three Card Poker and was dealt four consecutive straight flushes. The first two were identical, 3, 4, 5 of hearts. I would like to know what the mathematical odds of this happening. How do you calculate this sequence of events? I was surprised the casino didn't really acknowledge that it was a big deal. I wasn't looking for anything, but I thought it would be good advertisement for them. Guess I was wrong." How big a deal was it? To be precise on the odds, a, there are 22,100 possible three-card combinations in a 52-card deck. Of those, 48 are straight flushes --- we see a straight flush about once per 460.417 hands.

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To get the chances of two consecutive straight flushes, multiply 460.417 by 460.417. We'll see back-to-back straight flushes about once per 211,984 trials. A third straight flush? Multiply by 460.417 again,

and up to once per 97.6 million trials. A fourth? How about a 1 in 44.9 BILLION shot. But this streak was even more improbable than that astronomical long shot. Remember, the first two straight flushes were identical. After any hand, your chances of receiving identical cards on the next hand are not 1 in 460.417, they're 1 in 22,100. Chances of being dealt a straight flush followed by an identical straight flush are 1 in 460.417 times 1 in 22,100 --- we're already at more than 10 million to 1. Follow that up with two more straight flushes and we're even out of the billions. Try 1 in 2.16 TRILLION. I can hear the wheels turning. OK, you might ask, how often would a casino deal such a streak? It's a long, long, shot for an individual player, but don't casinos deal enough hands that it's inevitable that some player, some time, will hit a streak like that? Let's put it this way. Royal flush jackpots at Caribbean Stud don't hit every day, do they? Those progressive pots are usually months in the making. This Three Card Poker streak was more than 3 million times less likely than landing a royal flush at Caribbean Stud. If a casino has two Three Card Poker tables, always full with seven players at each table playing 50 hands an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the casino will deal 876,000 hands of Three Card Poker a year. And they'll deal a straight flush, followed by an identical straight flush, followed by two more straight flushes, about once every two-and-a-half million years. Now, I don't know how much the player was wagering, but I'm sure it all made for a nice payday. On the Pair Plus portion of Three Card Poker, straight flushes pay 40-1, the biggest payoff at the table. If the player was betting $10 a hand, he'd have won $400, then $400 again, and again, and again, for a total of $1,600. Nice, even if it doesn't come close to measuring up to the odds against the streak.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

NO LIMIT HOLD'EM: Judgement is Everything

n NLH all manner of plays are possible. You can fold K-K before the flop or move all-in with 2-7 off suit, bluffing before the flop, if your judgement is good enough. By the way, I’ve folded K-K before the flop only a few times in my life, and every time I did, I was right, because my opponent did indeed have A-A! One thing you’ll learn as you play more poke is that when someone has the best possible hand, he is often easily readable. Quiz show hosts like to say, when the pauses are too protracted, “Go with your first gut instinct. That first instinct is always right.” You’ll find yourself in a lot of interesting situation in NLH where your judgement and your guts will be severely tested. Whether or not you make the right decisions will go far toward determining whether or not you’ll win for the day (it helps to have good cards too). You think that you’re under pressure at work? I’ve seen players who have all their money in the world on the table call other players’ bluffs for all their money. It other words, if they’re wrong, the they’re busted! One excellent rule for NLH is this: if you can’t allow yourself to fold the best hand, then you can’t win. In many of the tournaments that I’ve won I’ve had occasion to fold the winning hand. In the World Championships in 1989, when just four players were left, I folded pocket tens before the flop against Johnny Chan’s pockets nines in a big pot, but I still went on to win the tournament! It’s not who wins the battle; it’s who wins the war. Don’t be afraid to fold your hand in NLH if you think that it’s beaten. If it was the winner, so what? You made your decision, and you’re still at the table with chips. Stay focused on winning, not on looking back at your untimely fold. PHIL’S NLH STRATEGY I like to take pieces of every different strategy I’ll be laying out below and keep them in my arsenal for eventual use. I like to stick to a very tight beginner-type overall strategy, one involving playing very few hands for the most part. In this way, there isn’t too much pressure on me to

PHILL HELMUTH, JR.

make tough decisions all the time. So most of the time in NLH I like to play only the “NLH fifteen” hands. When someone behind me is playing too tightly, in NLH, I like to raise the pot to try to steal the blinds from him, whenever it’s his big blind. I trust my instincts when I’m deciding whether or not a player is bluffing. My poker instincts have been very, very good to me. I hone these instincts by practicing reading my opponents when I’m out of the hand being played, to try to get a better read on them for when I need it later. (In mentioning my own play I’m trying only to show you what’s possible if you practice and develop your instincts.) If someone has raised in front of me and I feel that he is weak, I usually fold anyway. But at the end of the hand I’ll watch to see if he exposes his hole cards, so that I can confirm that he was weak or see that I was wrong. If I have confirmation that I was right, then I wait for him to do it again. Anyone who makes one weak raise can be expected to make more than one. When that player makes another raise and I feel it is weak, I go ahead and reraise him, to force him to fold his weak hand. This reraise wins many more chips than a mere blind steal would win, but you’re also risking a lot more chips to win the pot when you reraise on a bluff.

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 philhellmuth.com to check out his clothing line, blog and exclusive gaming tips.

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2 ALABAMA BAHAMA BOB’S BEACHSIDE CAFE (GULF SHORES) 1-251-948-2100 FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILL (MOBILE) 1-251-626-6710 LUCY BUFFET’S LULU’S RESTAURANT (GULF SHORES) 1-251-967-5858 THE TRELLIS ROOM RESTAURANT (MOBILE) 1-251-338-5493

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 UNIVERSITY PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (SARASOTA) 1-941-359-9999 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 WATERMARK GRILLE (NAPLES) 1-239-596-1400

5 GEORGIA ECLIPSE DI LUNA (ATLANTA) 1-678-205-5862 GARIBALDI CAFE (SAVANNAH) 1-912-232-7118 HAL’S THE STEAKHOUSE (ATLANTA) 1-404-261-0025 ROCKS ON THE ROOF @ THE BOHEMIAN HOTEL (SAVANNAH) 1-912-721-3901

6 INDIANA FRENCH LICK RESORT (FRENCH LICK) 1-888-936-9360 BELTERRA CASINO RESORT (VEVAY) 1-888-BELTERRA RISING STAR CASINO RESORT (RISING STAR) 1-800-472-6311

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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!

7 KENTUCKY 21C MUSEUM HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-877-217-6400 BROWN HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-583-1234 CHURCHILL DOWNS (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-283-3729

SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO (SHREVEPORT) 1-877-429-0711

JACKS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-897-9721

SHREVEPORT/ BOSSIER VISITOR’S BUREAU 1-888-45-VISIT

GALT HOUSE HOTEL & SUITES (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-THE-GALT

9 TUNICA (MISSISSIPPI)

GOLF COURSES OF KENTON COUNTY 1-859-371-3200 JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-584-0102 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 MARGARITAVILLE RESORT CASINO (BOSSIER CITY) 1-855-346-2489 CAFÉ GIOVANNI (NEW ORLEANS) 1-504-529-2154

FITZGERALDS CASINO AND HOTEL 1-800-766-5825 GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT 1-888-24-KSTAY HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA 1-800-871-0711 THE HOLLYWOOD CAFE (OLD HWY 61) 1-662-363-1225 SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL 1-800-456-0711

10 MISSISSIPPI AMERISTAR CASINO (VICKSBURG) 1-601-638-1000 PEARL RIVER RESORT (PHILADELPHIA) 1-866-44-PEARL

11 MISSOURI CIELO RESTAURANT & BAR (ST. LOUIS) 1-314-881-2105 LUMIÈRE PLACE CASINO & HOTELS (ST. LOUIS) 1-314-881-7777

DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO (VINTON) 1-800-589-7441

RIGAZZI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT (ST. LOUIS-HILL DISTRICT) 1-314-772-4900

PARAGON CASINO RESORT (MARKSVILLE) 1-800-946-1946

RIVER CITY CASINO (ST. LOUIS) 1-888-578-7289

12 LAS VEGAS (NEVADA) ARIA RESORT AND CASINO 1-866-359-7757 THE BELLAGIO 1-888-987-6667 CAESARS PALACE 1-800-HARRAHS FERRARO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1-702-364-5300 GOLDEN NUGGET 1-800-634-3454 GOLDEN GATE HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-426-1906 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-473-7625 MGM GRAND 1-877-880-0880 MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO 1-877-632-7800 MIRAGE LAS VEGAS 1-800-627-6667 PALMS HOTEL 1-866-942-7777 PARIS LAS VEGAS 1-877-796-2096 THE VENETIAN 1-877-283-6423 WYNN LAS VEGAS 1-888-320-WYNN WILD WILD WEST HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-6-STATIONS

13 LAUGHLIN (NEVADA) AQUARIUS CASINO RESORT 1-888-662-5824

TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS & BOURBON EXPERIENCE

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY September 4-6 | http://www.kentuckybluegrassfestival.com

Live Bluegrass music, amazing bourbons and savory barbecue. For years, that’s how Louisville has celebrated the last days of summer. Kentucky Bluegrass & Bourbon Experience will feature three days of music by Bluegrass bands from around the country, amazing food, and even taste a few of the unique craft bourbons that help make Kentucky the bourbon capitol of the world.

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JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

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SILVIS, ILLINOIS July 6-12 | http://johndeereclassic.com

The John Deere Classic, part of the PGA Tour, has been held in various places over the years, and this year at the TPC at Deere Run, which has provided significant challenges to golfers of all skill levels. The par-71 course spans 7,257 yards and is relatively new by PGA Tour standards, opening its doors in 2000.The stroke play tournament carries a prize fund of $4.6 million and is played each July in the thick of the PGA Tour season.

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BLUE MARLIN GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE GULF ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA July 7-12 | http://gulfcoasttriplecrown.com/index.cfm

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN 1-800-950-7700 HARRAH’S LAUGHLIN CASINO AND HOTEL 1-800-427-7247

14 RENO (NEVADA) ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT 1-800-723-6500 CIRCUS CIRCUS RENO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-648-5010 ELDORADO HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-879-8879 HYATT REGENCY RESORT SPA & CASINO (LAKE TAHOE) 1-800-233-1234 PEPPERMILL RESORT SPA CASINO 1-866-821-9996

15 OHIO BLUE ASH GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-745-8577 ELKS RUN GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-735-6600 JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-784-1200 MONTGOMERY INN BOATHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-791-3482

16 SOUTH CAROLINA AUNT CHILADA’S EASY STREET CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-785-7700 ARTHUR HILLS GOLF COURSE AT PALMETTO DUNES (HILTON HEAD) 1-866-380-1778 BLOODY POINT GOLF CLUB & RESORT (HILTON HEADDAFUSKIE ISLAND) 1-843-341-3030 CQ’S RESTAURANT (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-671-2779 GOLDEN BEAR AT INDIGO RUN (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-689-2200 HARBOUR TOWN GOLF COURSE (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-4485 HILTON HEAD NATIONAL (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-842-5900 SALTY DOG CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-2198

17 TENNESSEE BOUND’RY (NASHVILLE) 1-615-321-3043 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 VANDERBILT LEGENDS CLUB (BRENTWOOD) 1-615-790-1300

18 WEST VIRGINIA HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES 1-800-795-7001 THE GREENBRIER (WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS) 1-800-453-4858 MARDI GRAS CASINO & RESORT 1-304-776-1000 MOUNTAINEER CASINO RACETRACK AND RESORT 1-800-489-8192 WHEELING ISLAND HOTEL, CASINO & RACETRACK 1-304-232-5050

Marlin tournament season in the Gulf of Mexico means big fish and big bucks as well as a serious adrenaline rush, and nowhere is that feeling more apparent than in the extremely popular Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series, consisting of five high-profile tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico.

FORECASTLE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY July 17-19 | http://forecastlefest.com

Forecastle has grown from a neighborhood event to one of the country’s most anticipated summer festivals, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the world to Louisville’s scenic Waterfront Park.

2015 SEMINOLE HARD ROCK POKER OPEN SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA July 30-August 19 | 954-327-7625

The championship single-entry structure will provide a unique opportunity for players to compete for their share of the $5 million guarantee and the chance to take part in the finale that showcases four final tables.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN August 13-16 | www.pgatour.com/tournaments/pga-championship

The annual golf tournament conducted by the Professional Golfers Association of America, one of the four major championships in professional golf, and it is the golf season's final major, with a purse of $10 million. Including golfers Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk.

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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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... A BLACKJACK DEALER by

TE R RY PA R R E T T

They can be your best friend or your worst enemy- the blackjack dealer is the person who can make or break your visit to a casino. When things are going well, the person on the other side of the table is your favorite person in the whole world; when your luck turns, well, let’s just say your thoughts aren’t as kind. Obviously, the blackjack dealer has no control over what happens during your gaming session, but as the casino representative you’re likely to have the most contact with, they are the face of your time at the casino. What is it like to be that person? We spent a few minutes talking to Joe Sapanaro, a blackjack dealer for over 30 years, most recently with Foxwoods Resorts Casino in Mashantucket, CT. A typical day for a blackjack dealer starts with a pre-shift meeting, where casino management will give dealers any special instructions, things to be aware of, special events for the day, etc. Once the meeting ends, the dealer will either go to his regular table, or if he is working “relief,” will move from table to table as other dealers take their breaks. A shift runs 8 hours, working one hour on and then followed by a 20 minute break. Since dealers spend the entire day standing in one place on their feet, those breaks are vitally important! Joe stresses that the job is all about customer service; players who are happy will return, but those who have a less-than-optimal experience are less likely to come back, So the primary job of the dealer, apart from making sure the game is being played properly, is to ensure a terrific guest experience. Making sure that cocktail service comes around and play is being accurately logged are part of making sure players are happy, even if they’re not winning. Of course, the players are supposed to show their gratitude by tipping dealers when they win; the biggest tip Joe received as a blackjack dealer? A cool $100,000! Of course, he was quick to add that unfortunately, he did not get to keep the entire thing. This may be a surprise to some readers, but in many casinos, tips are pooled and then divided among all the dealers. Joe says that in some Vegas casinos, dealers “take their own box,” or in other words, keep all their own tips, but in most other places, it’s safe to assume that everyone will be splitting tips. For those considering becoming a dealer, Joe says there will be a little school in your future. Typically, learning to become a blackjack dealer takes 6 to 8 weeks of training; if you want to deal other games, obviously more classroom time would be required. After formal training at a casino school, many casinos also require some in-house training to further instruct dealers on their particular rules and regulations. First time visitors to casinos may be a bit intimidated by the thought of approaching a table, concerned they might make a mistake. According to Joe, the dealer is there to make sure you play properly and will correct you if need be. He does add 32

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that if you’re concerned about not playing properly, it’s best to stick to the low-limit tables, where an occasional misplay, like “taking” someone’s card by hitting incorrectly, is more likely to be forgiven than doing the same thing in the high limit room. I asked Joe about the strangest thing he ever saw as a dealer, expecting to hear about an amazing run of luck, an unlikely play that worked out, or something similar. Without being too descriptive, Joe instead told a story about a player who was so engrossed in his blackjack session, he was unwilling to leave the table to answer the call of nature. Joe’s good-humored recollection of the incident was illustrative of the type of personality it takes to be a blackjack dealer for 30 years- low key, and taking it all in stride. Probably the one question everyone asks a dealer is the biggest win they ever personally witnessed. For Joe, there’s no doubt. “I saw one person win 1.25 million dollars at the blackjack table; that was the night I got that $100,000 tip.” You may not win a million, or be able to tip your dealer $100K, but on your next casino visit, if playing blackjack, take a minute and look up from your cards to chat with your dealer, you may find you’re talking to a very interesting person.

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Win a gift every Tuesday in July*! JULY 7, 14, 21 & 28 • Earn and win a gift – from sweet tea makers, digital cameras, stadium blankets, beach canopies and much more. • Earn 2,500 points 4:00am – 6:45pm on Tuesdays. • Play for your gift 2:00pm – 7:00pm. Everyone that plays is a winner!

*Points must be earned same day in order to receive gift. While supplies last; first come, first served. Gift availability not guaranteed. All events subject to change or cancellation. See B Connected for complete rules and details. Management reserves all rights. Call 888-946-2847 for details. Don’t Let The Game Get Out Of Hand. Gambling Problem? Call 1-888-777-9696.

Years of Boyd Style

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