Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations - March 2021 Issue by Gaming and Destinations

MARCH / APRIL - VOL. 23 ISSUE 2 GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM $5.00

SLOT STRATEGY:

EXTEND YOUR SESSIONS PAGE 8

EDITORS’ PICKS PLACES TO PLAY PAGE 12

ENTERTAINMENT ICONS...

SIEGFRIED & ROY

PAGE 4

PLUS: TIPS ON BLACKJACK • CRAPS • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering casinos in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and more!

MARCH 1 - 27 WIN A ROYAL SHARE OF

$100,000 IN CASH! DRAWING DAY SATURDAY, MARCH 27 • BEGINS AT 5PM

! e c n e i r e p x E

LETTER

from the Publisher Gaming Media Group

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

Incorporated

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc.

Gaming Media Group

PRESIDENT Incorporated

G. Douglas Dreisbach FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Larry Bisig

We recently surpassed the one year anniversary of the COVID 19 virus that caused a global pandemic and wreaked havoc on every industry known to man. Within a few days, we went from a strong economy and healthy population to business’s being shuttered and people getting sick and even dying in some cases. What have we learned over the past twelve months? That social distancing and wearing facemasks may (or may not) discourage the spread of the virus? That things we may have taken for granted pre COVID, are now things we yearn for and can’t wait to do again? Or possibly simple visits with elderly friends and family who are now waving at us from the other side of a window or divider? And the kids, my goodness...the kids are missing out on so much interaction and education that they might as well repeat the year of curriculum to catch up to where they should be. I dwell on the past so that we can look forward to brighter times for the future. The future where we are going back to the casino without restrictions. Enjoying a bountiful buffet or going to a headliner concert seems like an eternity ago, but casino revenue trends are indicating that things are coming back and coming back strong. According to the Mississippi Gaming Association, adjusted gross gaming revenue for January 2021 was $194 million while January 2020, pre COVID, was $181 million. To recognize a $13 million increase this year, while the pandemic is still here, speaks volumes of how far we have come and how close we are to the light at the end of the tunnel. When things do open fully and people are comfortable with the interaction, there will be a rush to get back to the casinos. We strongly encourage you to visit the casinos you see in Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations. These are the properties who have stuck with us through these tough times, and we are grateful for their loyalty. Beginning with this issue, we will start having highlights of our Preferred Properties and why we feel they are great places to stay and play for your next casino visit. If you visit one, let them know you read about them in Southern & Midwest Gaming! Lastly, we are excited to feature two entertainment icons of Las Vegas on the front cover, Siegfried & Roy. They blazed a path in the entertainment industry that set the tone for generations to come. Their inspiration and creativity proved popular in Las Vegas for years and we are excited to feature them in this issue. We can’t wait to see you all again soon, playing your favorite games in your favorite casinos. Until then, stay healthy and as always if you can’t be good, be lucky!

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Hill Harcourt CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd

Tracey Bernard Buysse John Grochowski Terry Parrett

GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

136 St. Matthews Ave. #300 Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 212-5177 e-mail:

editor@gaminganddestinations.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the ever-growing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist gamers in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest. Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Gaming Media Group Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 2019 by Gaming Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by LSC Communications., 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 Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers. POSTMASTER:

Send address changes

to Gaming and Destinations, 136 St. Matthews Ave. #300 Louisville, KY 40207

G. Douglas Dreisbach President & Publisher 2

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On the cover: Las Vegas icons Siegfried and Roy set the standard for entertainment for generations to come. (Photo courtesy of dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo)

IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER

Siegfried & Roy: Entertainment Icons

A look at how these two superstars changed the Las Vegas scene forever.

WINNING TIPS AND STRATEGIES

HIGHLIGHTS & HOT SPOTS:

Slot Strategy:

12 Editors’ Picks:

Extend Your Session

16 Video Poker:

Check out a few of our favorite places to play.

14 Industry Insight:

Bad Intel

Konami Gaming is leading the charge for innovation.

17 Q&A w. John G.:

Gaming expert John G. answers slot questions.

20 Sports Wagering:

Find the future odds-on major sporting events.

18 Blackjack:

Back to the Basics

18 Find us on Facebook

@SouthernGaming

@MidwestCasinos G GA AM MIIN NG GA AN ND DD DE ES STTIIN NAT ATIIO ON NS S..C CO OM M ||

SIEGRIED & ROY ENTERTAINMENT ICONS by

Perhaps no form of entertainment is more closely associated with Las Vegas than large scale illusion shows. Audiences have watched magicians cut showgirls in half, levitate motorcycles, and magically produce helicopters. And within the world of Las Vegas magicians, no one did it bigger or better than Siegfried and Roy. For years, their show, “Siegfried and Roy at The Mirage” reigned as the must-see attraction on the Strip. Even today, 18 years after their final performance, a bronze statue of the duo stands at the entrance of The Mirage, a testament to their role in transforming the Las Vegas entertainment landscape. It might be surprising to discover that magic hasn’t always played a big role in the Las Vegas entertainment 4

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TE R RY PA R R E T T

scene. In the 1960s and 70s, magic was seen as either children’s entertainment, or an occasional novelty act on television. When Doug Henning transformed the image of magic into something modern and “hip” in the 1970s, casinos began adding magic acts to their lounge entertainment rosters and revue shows, and closeup magicians would amaze guests tableside at some of the higher end restaurants and bars. But it was still a long way from being the big-ticket draw we think of today. While magic was being relegated to small-room status in Las Vegas, half a world away, Siegfried Fishbacher was beginning his career as a professional magician working aboard a small cruise ship, the TS Bremen. His act consisted of standard tricks, including

producing small animals. A waiter on the ship, Roy Horn, who was also interested in magic, saw Siegfried’s act, and asked him if he would be able to produce something larger than a rabbit. Unbeknownst to Siegfried, Roy was an animal lover from a young age, and in fact, had smuggled a cheetah onboard, which was hidden in his cabin. The end result was that both Siegfried and Roy were fired from the TS Bremen because of the magically appearing contraband cheetah, but word got out about their act, and they ended up landing a gig with a New York based cruise line. The duo spent a few years honing their act on cruise ships and in nightclubs in Europe, and by 1967, had incorporated larger animals into

the show, including tigers. A Las Vegas promoter named Tony Azzie happened to see them performing in Paris and invited them to bring their act to Las Vegas. After a few years of working as a middle act in revue shows, in 1978, they were promoted to the headline act of the “Folies de Bergere” show at the Stardust. Three years later, they moved to the New Frontier with their own show, “Beyond Belief ”, which was produced by Kenneth Feld, the producer of Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey Circus. One of the important changes that Siegfried and Roy made when they took the jump from “Folies” to “Beyond Belief ” was to make the show family-friendly. At the time, many Las Vegas revue shows featured topless show girls, but S & R and Feld believed that the show would be more popular if it had a broader appeal, so they opted to keep everyone (except for the animals!) fully clothed. During periods when the show was dark on the Strip, the show would tour nationally, building awareness and popularity for the unique act. The ticket quickly became one of the most in-demand on the Strip, and when Steve Wynn began looking for an act to become the feature attraction at his soon-to-be opened Mirage mega-resort, he decided that Siegfried and Roy would be a perfect fit. They signed a five year contract for $57 million and began a run of an estimated 5,000 shows at the Mirage. In 2001, Wynn re-signed the pair to a lifetime contract, cementing their legacy as legends in Las Vegas history. Siegfried and Roy became so well-known, they achieved one of 1990s pop culture’s highest honorsbeing parodied on “The Simpsons” as the fictional duo “Gunter and Ernst”, and would go on to make three additional appearances on the show in animated form. As the show’s popularity continued to flourish, Siegfried and Roy attracted fans from across the show

business spectrum. King of Pop Michael Jackson, himself a wild animal enthusiast, became a frequent attendee at their shows, and even wrote a song for their show, “Mind is the Magic”. In return, they designed several illusions for his “Bad” world tour. The friendship would last until Jackson’s untimely death in 2009. By all reports, the show was incredibly demanding physically, as the duo performed 6 shows weekly. The show’s menagerie had grown to include 20 white tigers and lions, and other exotic animals, including an elephant. As the show evolved, new illusions would be added, and older ones would be taken out or given the special “Siegfried and Roy” touch. Fellow Las Vegas illusionist Lance Burton recalled being particularly impressed with how the team combined three classics of magic into a one-of-a-kind piece. They would float a woman assistant in full view of the audience, first up in the air, and then down into a box, where she would be promptly sawn in half. Upon being restored, the woman was covered with a sheet, floated again, whereupon she would disappear

altogether. It was an elegant melding of several magic principles that demonstrated how well Siegfried and Roy knew how to structure a magic act. In addition to the bevy of animals, the show also employed a cast of dancers large enough to rival any Broadway show. Unlike some magic acts, Siegfried and Roy were deeply attached to their animals, viewing them almost as partners rather than mere props. When he was growing up, Roy’s mother was good friends with the founder of the Bremen Zoo in Germany, and from a young age he was involved with caring for and learning about exotic animals. When they signed their contract with The Mirage, Wynn and the pair agreed to establish “Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat”. The attraction opened in 1990, and was designed to share their love of animals and nature. The Garden focused on scientific research, education, and conservation, and was popular with local schools. In later years, interactive exhibits such as Meet and Greets, “Dolphin Trainer Experience”, and “Paint with the G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

Dolphins” were added. The “Secret Garden and Dolphin Experience” remains popular to this day, although it is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Of course, everyone is all too familiar with the end of Siegfried and Roy’s onstage career. As a long-standing part of their act, Roy would walk one the tigers to the skirt of the stage to informally introduce the animal to the audience in a segment known as “The Rapport”. On the night of Roy’s 59th birthday, October 3, 2003, Roy began the segment, but ad-libbed a little, placing the microphone to the mouth of Mantacore, a 400 pound white tiger. Perhaps confused by the unexpected movement, the tiger responded by grabbing Roy’s sleeve with his mouth. Roy’s explanation for what happened next is that he became unsteady and partially fainted and fell; Mantacore attempted to protect him by picking him up by the neck and dragging him offstage. In doing so, Mantacore severed Horn’s spine, crushed his windpipe, and caused massive blood loss, resulting in permanent impairment of his physical and verbal abilities. It is also believed that at some point during the attack, Roy suffered a stroke as well, exacerbating his condition. The surgeon who treated Roy at the hospital revealed that Roy had flatlined twice during the drive from the theater to the hospital, and the fact that he survived at all was incredible. To be fair, there has been some controversy around the actual circumstances surrounding the attack. Animal behavior experts have questioned whether the described “protective” actions Mantacore displayed by dragging Roy by the neck were what the team claimed they were, or were in fact indicative of an attack. One of the team’s animal handlers went so far as to claim in an interview in “People” magazine that 6

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(Photos courtesy of dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo)

the events surrounding the attack had been misrepresented- that Mantacore had not been properly trained for the “Rapport” stunt, and that Horn misread the tiger’s intent, resulting in the tiger seeing Horn as potential prey, which led to the attack. Siegfried and Roy denied this version of the event, and were vocal in their defense of Mantacore, insisting that the tiger not be punished in any way. Their wishes were honored and Mantacore spent the remainder of his days at the Secret Garden, passing away of natural causes in 2014 at the age of 17. Regardless of the causes of the attack, the severe injuries left Roy unable to perform, and the long-time duo left the stage at The Mirage. Siegfried took on the role of Roy’s caretaker in the aftermath of the attack, and Siegfried saw to it that the grounds at their estate, “Little Bavaria” were properly modified to accommodate Roy’s wheelchair. As time went on, Roy’s condition improved- due in no small part to the same discipline that help propel the team to the top of the show business world. Roy was even able to make a one-time appearance performing again in 2009, appearing one last time with Mantacore at a charity benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

The pair returned mostly to private life after the 2009 appearance, and officially retired in 2010. Roy Horn passed away at the age of 75 on May 8, 2020 from complications of COVID-19. Siegfried Fishbacher followed his lifelong friend and partner not long after, succumbing to pancreatic cancer on January 13, 2021 at the age of 81. Their impact on both the field of magic and the world of Las Vegas entertainment cannot be overstated. They revolutionized the concept of what was possible in a Las Vegas stage magic show- their entire theater was built specifically to accommodate their vision of what a perfect magic show could be. Without Siegfried and Roy, it is hard to envision the spectacles that followed- the Cirque shows, Criss Angel, even the ubiquitous “residency” shows- all of these can be traced back to the incredible innovations brought into being by Siegfried and Roy. Perhaps no one stated it more clearly than the man who signed them to a record-setting contract in 1987, Steve Wynn, who said, “Siegfried and Roy have been the most successful entertainment attraction in Las Vegas history- by orders of magnitude. Thirty years, 48 weeks a year, capacity business.”

Y O U ’ V E A R R I V E D.

Ameristar Casino offers an exciting & clean place to play along with stunning views of the Mississippi River and bridges. Our restaurants offer delicious southern dishes for both dine-in or take-out, and you can rest in luxury on the banks of the Mississippi at the Ameristar Hotel. In the casino, play the way you want with almost 800 socially distanced slots, and all of your favorite table games. Or, for the ultimate sports betting experience, spend some time at The End Zone, a full-service sportsbook with 17 convenient betting kiosks, a spectacular viewing area with the largest HD screens around, and an expansive sports bar with lots of brews on tap! WE’LL SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET HERE!

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

SLOT STRATEGY: T O P T I P S T O S TAY I N T H E G A M E by

Slot machines by and large are not games of strategy. There are some rare exceptions in skill-based slots, but at present they make up a small minority of available games while waiting for player demand to grow, and on the slots nearly all of us play, nothing you do can change the outcomes. Winning on the slots is a matter of chance, basically being in the right place at the right time. Playing and betting strategies can’t change a machine’s payback percentage, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan of attack. Strategy on the slots means conserving bankroll and giving yourself the most chances to be in action should a big win come, choosing games that fit your player personality and above all, to play for fun. In this article, we will highlight a list of 8

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JOHN GROCHOWSKI

ways you can stretch your bankroll for more game play and have fun playing your favorite slots. Conserve Bankroll to Stay in Action This starts with deciding how much money you are willing to put at risk for your day at the casino. Consider your playing money as funds from an entertainment budget. Instead of going to dinner and a show, you’re spending on slots and a buffet. A shot to win is part of the deal, and that’s what makes it exciting. But on some days, the wins never come and you have to cut your losses. That starts with setting your day’s bankroll. If you decide your playing budget will be $100, stick to it. Don’t go over that $100, no matter what. The same applies if you’re a bigger player with more

discretionary funds. If you set $1,000 as your budget for the day, don’t go beyond it. If bad luck pushes your limits faster than you’d hoped or expected, cut your session short and remember, early losses don’t mean the machines are due to pay off. Payoffs are never “due.” Once you’ve set your budget, choose your games accordingly. If you have $100, you can’t afford three-reel, $1 slots at $3 a spin or maximum bets that can run $3, $4, $5 or more on some penny slots. You could be out of cash in 10 minutes or less. With that budget, you need to be playing penny slots at 1 cent per line. Even with a $1,000 budget, be careful. If you start out with big bets of $3 on a reel-spinner or about that much on a

multi-line video slot, be prepared to trim your wagers if the losses start to mount. If that $1,000 shrinks to $500, think about playing a less costly game. There’s no guarantee a big win will come your way no matter how long you play, but you can guarantee the big hits won’t come if you run out of funds and have to leave. Bet sensibly, avoid big losses and extend your play while staying within limits. Choose Games That Fit Your Wants and Needs Part of this suggestion is choosing the best bet sizes that fit your budget and not playing dollar slots on a penny slot bankroll. But there’s more to it. You also need to understand your own goals in playing. Are you single-minded in pursuit of jackpots? Would you rather have more of your overall return come in smaller, more frequent wins that keep you in the game longer? Is watching the reels spin for wins and losses enough for you, or do you value the entertainment that comes with the animation, video clips, music and sound effects of bonus events? There are a variety of machines where players can choose their experience that vary in payouts and perks for the player. Here are a few that you will see at your favorite casino. Three-Reel Slots vs. Video Slots Most of the games in modern casinos are video slots, with the most common format being five reel. But slots with three mechanical reels still have a hardcore following who still love their Double Diamond, Wheel of Fortune, Blazing 7 favorites and more. Results are determined by random number generators no matter which format you’re playing. Three-reel slots and video slots can be set up so the odds will lead to the same payback percentages. But the ways they get to those percentages are different. For decades, most three-reel slots had a single payline. Such games still exist, though three-line and nine-line games have carved a larger share of the market. Hit percentages, the proportion of winning spins. is low and typically, singleline three-reel slots pay out on only 9 to 12 percent of spins. However, nearly every

winning spin brings back multiple times your bet. Five-reel video slots have multiple pay lines, sometimes as many as 100, with 30 or 40 being most common. Most bring paybacks on 30 percent or more of spins, with some exceeding 50 percent. One tradeoff is that many winning spins bring a return smaller than your bet. The small paybacks help keep you in action, paying for future spins and extending play, but wins of five or 10 times your bet will be less common than on three-reel games. On three-reel slots, the big attraction is a top jackpot that can be thousands of dollars, even millions on big progressives. On video slots, the main events are the bonus rounds that keep you entertained and in the game. The result is that threereel slots are more volatile, with more chance at big wins but also a greater chance of a fast bankroll depletion. Pick ‘Em vs. Free Spin Bonuses When video slots rose to popularity in the late 1990s, the big breakthrough games

including Reel ‘Em In and Jackpot Party featured pick-a-prize bonuses. You would touch a fisherman to reel in a fish for bonus credits or touch the screen to open gift boxes for credits. Most of the early successes with these were found in nickel games. When penny slots came into vogue a few years later, game makers found they had to find a way to put more volatility and a chance at bigger wins into the bonuses. A 200-credit bonus on a nickel machine was a nice $10 that might pay for lunch, but 200 credits on a penny machine was $2 that might buy a soft drink and chips at the snack bar. The solution was free spins where you can win anything on the pay table, but you also can wind up with no pay at all. Some games layer on possibilities during free spins. Some add extra wild symbols to the reels. Others take the lowest-paying symbols off the bonus reels to enhance big-win possibilities. Still other add multipliers, so wins on free spins can be worth two, three, four or more times as much as the same combinations are worth during regular play. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

The volatility isn’t as extreme as in threereel slots, but it’s higher than on slots with pick ‘ems as the main bonus events. The picture gets muddled on many premium slots that offer possibilities of both free spin and pick ‘em bonuses, as well as wheel spins or more. But as a general guideline for your plan of attack, slots with free spins as their main bonus events are more volatile than games that spotlight pick ‘em events. Multi-level vs. Single Progressives Ever since Cash Express hit casinos 20 years ago, video slots that offer progressive jackpots have trended toward multiple levels. Sometimes they are labeled as mini, minor, major and grand, or perhaps bronze, silver, gold and platinum. There are games with two jackpots, games with 13, and any number in between, although four is common. The bottom jackpot level almost always starts building from just a few dollars, just enough to pay for a few more spins. Anyone who plays very much wins some lower-tier jackpots to keep them going. At the top, jackpots can run into thousands of dollars and, rarely, into

millions. Three-reel progressives most often feature a single progressive level. The lone jackpot is always a highlight, whether it’s the $1,000 starting point on dollar Blazing 7s or the lifestyle-changing millions on dollar Megabucks. If you are a “jackpot chaser” keep these things in mind: As you’d expect on three-reel slots, singlelevel jackpots are for players who love a lot of volatility in their games. The chance to win big is coupled with the chance to lose fast. Multi-level progressives share the wealth with small and medium progressives. More players win smaller jackpots and extend their play.

Single-level progressives almost always require maximum-coins bet to be eligible for the jackpot. Multi-level progressives sometimes require a separate bet on the jackpots, but often are available to all players. In spins that don’t bring jackpots, machines with progressives pay less than

non-progressive games. That makes it imperative to do what is necessary to be eligible for the jackpot. If you don’t want to bet the max on single progressives or make jackpot bets on multi progressives that require them, play a different game instead. ABOVE ALL, HAVE FUN! Slot machines are not profit centers for players and losing sessions are common. So the play here is to play the games you enjoy so you can have fun even when the wins aren’t coming often enough. That leaves the basics of slot strategy at setting an appropriate bankroll and sticking to limits; choose the games that yield the experience you like in terms of volatility and entertainment value; and have fun. Enjoy the wins when they come; keep losses small and consider them entertainment expenses; and let yourself be entertained.

MARCH 1 - 27 30 LUCKY WINNERS WILL WIN A SHARE OF

$100,000 IN CASH! DRAWING DAY SATURDAY, MARCH 27 • BEGINS AT 4PM

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi, MS)

Gold Strike Casino Resort (Tunica, MS)

E D ITORS’ PI C K S : P L AC E S TO P L AY We are excited to introduce Editors’ Picks, a new section in each issue that we will utilize to highlight our advertisers and supporters. We will showcase rooms, restaurants, sports books and more to consider for your next gambling getaway. While there might be other casinos out there that are worthy of being in our top recommendations, we feel the ones who support us deserve a little extra attention. We hope you will consider visiting the casinos you see in each issue and know they are the ones who support us, and we cannot thank them enough. This issue highlights the Casino Floors and great places to play. Whether it is the variety of games, overall layout or just the overall atmosphere of the casino, we feel you will enjoy each of these preferred properties of Gaming and Destinations. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi, MS) BeauRivage.com | 1-888-567-6667 Machines: 1,800 | Tables: 96 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is home to one of the largest casino floors on 12

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the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Boasting over 1,800 slot machines ranging in denominations from a penny to $100, and almost a 100 table games, you’re sure to find what you are looking for here. The expansive gaming floor has wide aisles and multiple dining options conveniently located just steps away from your machine. Beau Rivage offers the amenities of a full-service resort with spa, dining, entertainment and more, so be sure to build in some time for the extracurricular activities.

Gold Strike Casino Resort (Tunica, MI) GoldStrike.com 1-888-245-7829 Machines: 1,400 | Tables: 53

TripAdvisor.com Review: I stayed here for three nights and had SO MUCH FUN. My room wasn’t brand new or especially luxurious, but for the price it was an excellent value. The view of the Gulf was great, the TV was big, internet was fast, there were ample electric plugs, the bed was comfortable, and the shower’s water pressure was truly excellent. Also, the gym deserves special recognition. Even though it doesn’t open until relatively late in the morning, the gym was large and filled with really good equipment and weights for a full workout.

TripAdvisor.com Review: I was very hesitant about going to a casino and spending a couple nights during all the Covid issues; however, I have to say I was extremely impressed with all of the precautions Gold Strike was using to minimize exposure for everyone. Mandatory masks, hand washing stations, plexiglass shields and more. There were cleaning crews constantly wiping down machines and high touch areas and the bathrooms in casino area were exceptionally clean. Our room was nice and did not have any smoke odors, and the beds and pillows were very

With nearly 1,400 of your favorite video poker, reel, video and progressive machines, and almost just over 50 table games, Gold Strike Casino Resort is never short on energy or excitement. You name it, you can play it. The property consistently offers superior, friendly guest service, in addition to the latest games and fun promotions and giveaways in a well-spaced layout.

comfortable. All the employees were very pleasant and helpful who all seemed happy with their job and glad to have people there.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (Vicksburg, MS)

Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (Vicksburg, MS) AmeristarVicksburg.com 1-601-630-3786 Machines: 1,500 | Tables: 36 Ameristar Casino Hotel in Vicksburg is the largest and most exciting riverboat casino in central Mississippi. With a fluid casino floor layout hosting 1,500 of the hottest slots, 36 table games, and Vicksburg’s only poker room, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy on every visit. Indulge in mouth-watering Southern dishes with a serving of hospitality on the side at one of the many dining outlets and catch some blues music in the Bottleneck Blues Bar. Then, wind down in one of the comfortably modern hotel rooms, with plush European-style bedding and premium amenities. The property is also known for some of the best entertainment in the region, so be sure to be on the lookout later this year when they can start hosting concerts again. TripAdvisor.com Review: We had an exceptional overall experience, and the casino has keno and video poker games, which my wife and I love. The new games are fun as well. The hotel rooms have an art deco modern vibe, which makes the place feel luxurious and the staff are always friendly as well.

Rhythm City Casino Resort (Davenport, IA) Rhythmcitycasino.com 1-844-852-4386 Machines: 850 | Tables: 20 Whether you are an experienced or novice gamer, the casino floor at Rhythm City has you covered. The main casino floor comes together with the live poker, the Vegas-like High Limits Lounge, the Feature Bar and the Rhythm Room to create the perfect escape. And, when you game at Rhythm City, you’re gaming locally as the casino is fully owned by native Iowans! The space that also allows you to play socially or retreat quietly into your zone while roaming 32,000 square feet of slot machines and table games (electronic and traditional). TripAdvisor.com Review: Newly built casino with plenty of parking. I was passing through heading east- very near my hotel and wanted to see what slots they had. I was pleasantly surprised they had many various 3-reel old style ones that I like to play in multiple denominations. I had a lovely time trying my luck on all different ones. Nice atmosphere, clean, social distancing was in place like most casinos. I had some luck on the machines, played a good while and mostly won my money back, being conservative. I had a great time and will stop by again when in Davenport.

North Star Mohican Casino Resort (Bowler, WI)

North Star Mohican Casino Resort (Bowler, WI) NorthStarCasinoResort.com 1-800-952-0195 Machines: 1,200 | Tables: 16 Just two and a half hours North of Milwaukee, guests can enjoy over 1,200 of the newest multi-denomination slot machines and a variety of table games

at North Star Mohican Casino Resort. North Star offers a great variety of game choices to insure their guest’s happiness. The main floor features penny, nickel, quarter and dollar slots as well as the 31-machine High Limit slots offering $5, $10 and $25 options. Once you step foot in North Star you won’t want to leave. Reviews: Love, love, love this hotel and casino! Everyone is so friendly and the rooms so comfy! Hopefully, the pandemic will not cause any more issues for the casino. We love taking the trip up north to relax.

Island Resort & Casino (Harris, MI - Upper Michigan Peninsula)

Island Resort & Casino (Harris, MI - Upper Michigan Peninsula) IslandResortandCasino.com 1-800-682-6040 Machines: 1,212 | Tables: 14 Step into this extremely spacious tropical-themed gamer paradise and enjoy over 1,000 different up-to-date games and see why Island Resort & Casino keeps its guests coming back. The property has been named one of the best Vegas-style gaming floors in the Midwest along with some of the friendliest staff. The top priority at Island Resort is to keep customers satisfied and coming back for more. The tropicalthemed environment makes its guest feel like they’re welcomed on a relaxing and exciting vacation. TripAdvisor.com Review: Great place for a get-away. People who work there are very helpful and pleasant. Food was very good. We had a great time and I plan on going back very soon.

Rhythm City Casino Resort (Davenport, IA) G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

I N D US TRY I N S I G HT: KO N A M I G A M I N G : TO M J I N G O LI – KO N A M I G A M I N G , I N C . - E V P & CO O The gaming industry is one of the fastest moving industries on the planet. Having the pressure of constantly being on top of new trends and technology, and then adapting to the wants and desires of customer expectations, slot manufacturers have a never-ending task. The past year has accelerated those tasks and made it even more important for gaming companies to find new ways to adapt, and innovate, for the next wave of trends to come. We caught up with Konami Gaming’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Tom Jingoli, to talk about what the company is doing to adapt and stay ahead of the curve with the new normal in gaming. G. Douglas Dreisbach: What were your initial thoughts when the casinos started shutting their doors because of COVID? Tom Jingoli: It was an urgent response at a time when there were still many 14

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TJ: Casino cashless technology and touchless authentication are becoming more important than any other time in our industry’s history. We are all a little more conscious about physical touchpoints, and by allowing cashless wagering or loyalty points on a smartphone—as Konami’s SYNKROS technology provides—it gives you more options when you are on the casino floor and enjoying your time.

unknowns about the virus—how it was primarily spreading, how it was tracked, and how it was best treated. Many in the gaming and hospitality industry acted quickly, to try to protect guests and employees, and we see that strong commitment to safety still today. GDD: What are properties doing well? What could they improve on?

GDD: How has Konami adjusted their strategy and services for properties during the pandemic? New product roll outs? New technologies for machines? TJ: Konami’s popular All Aboard! slot series started arriving to casinos in the U.S. last summer, with Dynamite Dash and Piggy Pennies. Despite various closures and occupancy restrictions, it’s become one of the most anticipated new slot games and a fresh favorite for many players. That has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re looking forward

Konami’s SYNKROS technology allows for cashless wagering, touchless loyalty point redemption and funds transfer.

GDD: What do you think casinos will look like it 10 years? 20?

to expanding that game even further. Konami has offered cashless wagering for many years since the early 2010’s with our SYNKROS Money Klip technology. It allows players to load funds to their loyalty account and perform secure digital transactions directly at the gaming machine. Last July we leveraged that technology and worked with a company called Marker Trax to debut the first cashless casino slot markers. It allows you to apply for a cashless slot credit line from your smartphone, get approved, and begin play in minutes—entirely electronically. GDD: What do you feel the next up and coming casino technologies are and when will they be here? TJ: Konami has a mobile app called SynkConnect that allows guests to use their smartphone as a casino loyalty card. You can view real-time updates on your points, tier level, rewards, free play, offers, and benefits without going to a kiosk or carrying around a physical plastic card. Our SynkConnect mobile app also supports touchless login at the slot machine or table, via QR code or Near Field Communication (NFC). And for gaming jurisdictions that allow it, SynkConnect lets players view cashless funds on their account and digitally transfer them onto a slot machine through the secure app. The SynkConnect mobile app started arriving to the first locations last year, and we’re working with casino properties to help expand it to more places.

TJ: Times like these provide an important opportunity to make gaming more accessible and practical for players. A lot of the technology is there, but it’s going to require joint efforts from casino operators, casino suppliers, and casino regulators to help take this important industry sector get to the next level of growth. I’m hopeful that if we work together, we can help make way for key technology so the casinos of 2030 and 2040 reflect the preferences of players. GDD: What trends have evolved for slot players over the years? What games seem to be the most popular? (Ie. Themed games, large touch screen, loudspeakers, etc…)

we have many spectacular new series we can’t wait to share. Our All Aboard trainthemed linked jackpot game is arriving to more casinos than ever. We have an all-new underwater themed game called Ocean Spin coming out this spring with a wheel spin that floats horizontally across multiple machines! And Konami is now releasing its Quad Spin series, which lets you hit spin on 4 China Shores games at the same time. From fresh ideas to proven classics, Konami’s goal is to create enduring entertainment value for players across the globe. For more information on new games and technologies from Konami Gaming, visit Konami.com

TJ: We’ve seen a number of emerging slot game trends in recent years. Integrated progressive jackpot games like Star Watch, All Aboard, Triple Sparkle, and Ba Fang Jin Bao have become incredibly popular. There has also been overall increase in the size of slot machine screens, with increasingly richer highdefinition and ultra-high-definition graphics. Lastly, we should note the Stay & Spin bonus mechanic has become a top popular slot feature—granting players the opportunity to collect instant credit prizes from independently spinning reels. GDD: Tell us what we can look forward to seeing from Konami in the coming years. TJ: For more than two decades, Konami has maintained development teams in Las Vegas, Australia, and Japan—all working collaboratively to give players fresh and unique new games. This year G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: Bad Intel If you’ve been to a casino lately you already know they are among the cleanest places in town. There’s no smoking in most, the staff is cleaning and sterilizing everything in sight and there is hand sanitizer galore. Wonderful! How about the best video poker (VP) disinfectant? That would be sunlight. If you are still in the dark about the truth and myths associated with the games on casino floor, then it will impact your odds of coming home a winner. Let us examine the validity of comments frequently put forth by players and staff for their accuracy. Players Card: I still see players removing their card from the device they are playing claiming that it’s easier to win when you don’t have a slot club card inserted. That’s a totally false statement because your odds are neither better nor worse when you’re playing with a card. In fact, they are housed in different parts of the device with the RNG (random number generator) on the logic board in the bottom portion of the machine and the card slot in a higher, but separate, section. Believing this myth is harmful to your bottom line for two reasons. 1. If you’re not playing with a card you won’t get perks that add to your theoretical expected return (ER), the most valuable to me being earned and bounceback cash (in mailers and on kiosks). In addition, you won’t get either earned or discretionary comps or a higherlevel slot club card. There is a long list of benefits including show tickets (rare now with Covid), special drawings for VIPs, prizes, comped rooms and gifts. 2. You can fade your losses against your winnings on your federal taxes and on some state tax returns. (Check by contacting the gaming commission or tax entity in your jurisdiction.) If you don’t use a card, then the casino can’t verify your win/losses for the year. Almost every casino will print such a statement upon request. Mechanics: There are around 10 levels of mechanics (depending on the manufacturer) with the highest being the bench mechanics. You’ll never ever see a bench tech inside of a casino and they will take the secrets of the device manufacturer to their grave. Most casinos only have level one or two mechanics on the casino floor and most don’t even call it levels on the gaming floor. That’s why many

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LI N DA B OY D

problems are only “fixed” temporarily before the same problems occur on the same device, say the “hand pay” on a small amount of money. Therefore, advice that you get from a casino mechanic on when a machine will payout is simply their guess. Gaffed Devices: I often hear players say that “they’ve turned the machines off”, meaning the casino management has control of the device odds and can change them at will. That is a patently false statement. In jurisdictions that require RNGs that would be impossible. The odds of winning are based solely on the winning hand’s payout in conjunction with the probability of achieving that hand. Here’s an example: Table 1.1 Bonus Poker Hand/ 5-Coin Bet 8/5 Bonus Poker 7/5 BP Royal Flush (RF) 4000 4000 Straight Flush (SF) 250 250 4 Aces 400 400 Four 2’s, 3’s or 4’s 200 200 4 Fives-Kings 125 125 Full House 40 35 Flush 25 25 Straight 20 20 3 of a Kind (3OAK) 15 15 2 Pair 10 10 Jacks or Better 5 5 Expected Return (ER) 99.1660% 98.0147% Variance 20.90408 20.75378 Note that even though the game names are the same the theoretical return, assuming computer perfect play, is not. (It’s not too difficult to play close to perfect with practice by using the free cards in the back of my book, “The Video Poker Edge”.) In Table 1.1 the only thing different is the payout for one hand, the Full House; 8/5BP pays 8 times your bet while 7/5BP only pays 7 times your bet for the same hand. Just the one difference impacts both the ER and the game’s variance. Variance is the risk factor or likelihood that short-term results will be the same as long term results. The higher the variance the riskier the game to your bankroll. That is due to the reliance on a few hard to get high-paying hands in order to get the game’s ER.

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, writes for “Southern Gaming and Destinations”, “Arizona Player” and the latest edition of “American Casino Guide”. You can see her videos on YouTube or view them on American Casino Guide’s web site and her radio interviews are on iTunes. Boyd’s book, “The Video Poker Edge”, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games.

“ IF YOU’RE NOT PLAYING WITH A CARD YOU WON’T GET PERKS THAT ADD TO YOUR THEORETICAL EXPECTED RETURN.”

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PLAYER STRATEGY by

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

CASINO STRATEGY: Q&A with John G. Q. Please explain something about slot machines that use a wheel bonus. My wife once won the $1,000 jackpot on the wheel, but we’ve been playing for years, and that’s the only big win we’ve ever had. Mostly, we get $75, $25, $40.

according to coins wagered per line would mean changing the number set available to the random number generator or changing the way random numbers are mapped to reel symbols. I know of no U.S. jurisdiction that permits RNG switches dependent on wager size.

There are 22 equal spaces on the wheel, but the low ones come up over and over, and you hardly ever see the big ones. Why is that?

There are a few ways bonus events could be made to come up more often for bigger bettors. One is if players go to the bonus round only if the launch symbols land on an active payline. In that case, those who bet all the paylines would go to the bonus event more often than those who play fewer lines. However, a player who plays all the lines with one coin wagered on each will go to the bonus as often as those who bet maximum credits.

A. The wheel is programmed just like a slot machine reel, with numbers mapped onto a virtual wheel. I’m not privy to the exact numbers any given manufacturer uses, but I can make up an example to show you how it works. Let’s say you and I are setting up a game with a wheel divided into 22 segments, ranging from a $20 payoff to $1,000. We don’t want to be paying out $1,000 once per 22 spins, so we program a virtual wheel with 1,000 numbers. We map it so that every time our random number generator spits out number 1, the wheel stops on the $1,000 space. We map four numbers that will make the wheel stop on the $500 space, and so on until we use 100 numbers to make it stop on a $20 space. Now instead of paying out $1,000 once per 22 spins, it will pay the grand only once per 1,000 spins. And instead of paying $20 once per 22 spins, it’ll be one out of 10. The game is still random, but it’s skewed toward smaller payoffs.

Q. Is it legal for slot machines programmers to vary the odds that a machine will allow a player to reach the bonus round depending on how many credits per line they play?

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Let’s say I play a penny machine (or any denomination really) where I can play up to 40 lines at once, and 1 to 5 credits per line. If I choose to play all 40 lines, can the machine be set to vary the odds that I will get the typically required three symbols to enter the bonus depending on if I play one credit per line or five? A. If the bonus round is launched by symbols then the odds of going to the bonus round are the same no matter how many credits you bet per line. To change the frequency of bonus launches

Another way is to require a separate wager to be eligible for the bonus event. Sometimes you’ll see a game with buttons that say “Bet 1 line,” “Bet 5 lines,” “Bet 10 lines,” “Bet 20 lines,” and “Bet 20 lines plus feature,” or some similar combination. All those who make the bet on the feature have an equal chance of going to the bonus event. Those who do not make the feature bet cannot go to the bonus. If you find yourself at such a machine, either make sure you make the bonus bet or move to a different game. Don’t play without being eligible for the bonus events that are the main attraction of the games. The third way to give bigger bettor a better chance of reaching the bonus is with mystery triggers. The mystery is that the bonus feature isn’t linked to any symbols on the screen. It just turns up without you knowing how and why. One way it can be done is to randomly select a wager threshold. The RNG can be told to select a wager total between 1,000 and 1,200 credits, for example. If it selects 1,083 credits, then after the bet that pushes the total to at least 1,083, the bonus will show up. With such programming, every player has a chance of making the wager that reaches the bonus threshold. However, those who wager more have more chances. If I bet 20 coins, then I have 20 chances of being the one to reach the 1,083 total, while if you bet 200 credits, you have 200 chances of one of your credits being the lucky one. So bigger bettors have a bigger chance at triggering the mystery round. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

BLACKJACK: MASTERING THE GAME by

TR ACEY BERNARD BUYSSE

ave you ever walked into a casino

understand that no one wants to lose, but

straight to a blackjack table and

related to how relaxed, or serious, the

with the intention of going

taking a seat, but then, as you got

closer to the table there was a feeling of

tension between the dealer and the players? Next you start doubting your ability at the table, and who could blame you?

Well, I know that feeling all too well as

that was me many moons ago. However, as I dove deeper into the game of blackjack, I

learned a few golden rules that have made a big difference in how I play the game from a strategic point of view.

To get started, you need to understand that it is a fact that each player at a blackjack

your comfort level at the table is directly

table demeanor is. If you are determined

to master this game and play with the big dogs – then keep reading!

could end up being the bust card needed for the dealer.

However, the few exceptions to this rule are: •

and have the opportunity to win

seat at a blackjack table is where you want

double.

to sit and what responsibility you want to Well, the first seat (first base) and last

seat (third base) of the table pretty much

determine the way the game will go down. If these two players do not know the basic strategy rules of the game, then the odds

will be altered for every player at the table.

your two cards, by all means - Double Down! You are now placing two bets

The first thing to consider when taking a

hold at the table. What does that mean?

If you have a total of eleven between

•

If you have a pair of aces or eights -

•

Always consider doubling down on

split them and take the extra cards.

a ten if the dealer is showing nine or

less on their top card. It is a risk worth taking and normally works in your favor.

table has a significant role in how the

Playing First Base

strongly suggest you join a table that

the whole table. If the dealer has anything

The third base player is also important and

should not take any unnecessary cards that

been played prior to taking a card. If a lot

game will go. If you are a beginner, I would

First base sets the tone of the hand for

Playing Third Base

looks like the players are more interested

between three and six showing, the table

should be very mindful of what cards have

in having fun than winning. Now, I 18

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of higher cards have been played, then odds are that lower numbers are coming up and vice versa.

What to do if you’ve been dealt 16? This is probably the biggest upset most

players experience and they always seem to think they should take a hit because they will never win with a 16. However, what

is more important to consider is whether your 16 is hard or soft. Meaning, does

your 16 consist of just two cards, or do you have a few cards that add up to 16? If you are sitting on two cards (hard 16) and the

dealer’s up card is a 10 – you should always take the hit.

If you have three cards equaling 16 (Ie.

2-5-9), then it is in your best interest to stand down.

Should I take the insurance bet? A lot of people struggle with this, thinking ‘At least I will win something.’, but in

reality – did you really come there just to win ‘something’? No, I’m guessing you

didn’t and insurance in my opinion is just a cop-out! Place your bet and play the game with pride!

The odds are better that the dealer does not have blackjack and you will just be

throwing your money away. It does happen, sometimes, but in the long run, it doesn’t

pay off to keep taking the insurance every time the occasion presents itself.

When should I split my pairs? There are multiple answers to this question

and it often depends on how much of a risk you are willing to take. For example, being

higher than a 9 as their up card, the odds

are not really in your favor, but honestly – what have you got to lose? If you get hit

with a 10 card, you still have 18 (hard 18)

and if you should get a smaller number it is possible you could get 21 or close to it!

dealt a pair of 2’s can have a promising

When is the best time to double

the dealer is also showing a 2 or 3 as their

Easy answer, lucky 11! Yep, getting two

down if that 2 is complemented by a 9 or

double down because odds are that you will

outcome and often turn into extra profit if

down?

up card. You might even be able to double

cards that equal 11 is the best time to

you get an 8 to go with your 3 – see how this could easily go in your favor?

Should I take a hit when I have an ace and a 7 (aka, soft 18)? When the dealer is showing anything

be able to get to a soft 19, 20, or 21.

In my opinion, while percentages and playing correct strategy is important,

blackjack is also just as much about being lucky when all the players have equal knowledge of the game. You can do

everything right and if the cards are not in your favor that night, well, you just might not be that lucky.

Blackjack is one of the most popular games in the casino because it is easy to learn,

interactive with other players at the table

and thoroughly enjoyed by all skill levels of players. When you first join a table, don’t

be intimidated or persuaded by some of the players and their ‘game faces’, they are just in a different mindset than you and you

would probably enjoy the game more if you chose a different table to sit at.

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

FUTURE ODDS Check out the latest odds for major sporting events. For the latest up-to-the-minute odds, visit GamingandDestinations.com NCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 5, 2021 Team

March

January November

Gonzaga Bulldogs

5/2

9/2

9/1

Baylor Bears

3/1

8/1

Michigan Wolverines

4/1

N/A

Illinois Fighting Illini

10/1

12/1

15/1

Houston Cougars

18/1

11/1

N/A

Ohio State Buckeyes

18/1

N/A

Alabama Crimson Tide

20/1

N/A

Florida State Seminoles

20/1

N/A

Iowa Hawkeyes

20/1

13/1

9/1

West Virginia Mountaineers

20/1

15/1

20/1

Villanova Wildcats

25/1

7/1

8/1

*All others higher than 25/1. **Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com.

THE MASTERS – APRIL 8-11, 2021 AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB – AUGUSTA, GEORGIA Player

March

January

Dustin Johnson

5/1

8/1

Jon Rahm

11/1

10/1

Rory McIlroy

10/1

Bryson DeChambeau

12/1

11/1

Justin Thomas

12/1

11/1

Brooks Koepka

12/1

Jordan Spieth

14/1

N/A

Xander Schauffele

16/1

18/1

Patrick Cantlay

20/1

22/1

Patrick Reed

27/1

Tony Finau

27/1

N/A

*All others higher than 27/1. **Odds courtesy of VegasInsider.com. 20

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KENTUCKY DERBY – MAY 1, 2021 CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK – LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Horse Future Pool 4 (March 2021)

Future Pool 1 (Nov. 2020)

Life Is Good

2/1

5/1

Essential Quality

5/1

8/1

Greatest Honor

6/1

N/A

Caddo River

16/1

27/1

Concert Tour

17/1

N/A

Mandaloun 17/1

N/A

Collaborate 29/1

N/A

Prevalence 29/1

N/A

All Other 3 Year Olds

6/5

7/1

*All other entries are over 36/1 odds. **Odds courtesy of KYDerby.com

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES OCTOBER 26, 2021 Team March Los Angeles Dodgers

7/2

New York Yankees

6/1

Atlanta Braves

9/1

San Diego Padres

9/1

Chicago White Sox

10/1

New York Mets

12/1

Minnesota Twins

16/1

Tampa Bay Rays

16/1

Oakland Athletics

18/1

Houston Astros

22/1

St. Louis Cardinals

22/1

Toronto Blue Jays

25/1

Cincinnati Reds

30/1

Milwaukee Brewers

30/1

*All others higher than 30/1 odds. Odds courtesy of VegasInsider.com

G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |