The Pulse by Gaming and Destinations - October 2016 by Gaming and Destinations

HOT CASINO HAPPENINGS

AROUND THE COUNTRY

O CTOBER 1–NOVEMBER 5

100,000

FREEPLAY & LAND ROVER GIVEAWAY ®

L A N D ROV E R L R 4

DRAWING DAY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

–

8 2 1 R E B O T OC

DRAWINGS EVERY FRIDAY

175,000

FREEPLAY ® & LAND ROVER GIVEAWAY

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING FRIDAY, OCT 28

8 guests will win $3,000– $10,000 in FREEPLAY ® and 1 guest will win a 2016 Land Rover LR4

SOU THERN

CASINO DIRECTORY

Below is a list of our preferred properties of the South showcasing some of the great things that each property has.

WEBSITE

PHONE NUMBER

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT

belterracasino.com

812-427-7777

•

1,473

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

risingstarcasino.com

800-472-6311

•

1,278

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE

tropevansville.com

812-433-4000

•

905

FITZ CASINO & HOTEL

ﬁtzgeraldstunica.com

662-363-5825

•

1,268

GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT

goldstrike.com

662-357-1111

1,400

HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA

hollywoodcasinotunica.com

662-357-7700

1,079

SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL

samstowntunica.com

662-363-0711

900

1,563

1,275

1,200

1,800

INDIANA

TUNICA

•

MID-SOUTH: INCLUDES LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA AMERISTAR CASINO VICKSBURG

ameristar.com/vicksburg

601-638-1000

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO HOTEL

cypressbayou.com

337-923-7284

MARGARITAVILLE RESORT CASINO

margaritavillebossiercity.com

318-698-7177

PARAGON CASINO RESORT

paragoncasinoresort.com

318-253-1946

SILVERSTAR HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3276

1,200

GOLDEN MOON HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3277

1,150

WIND CREEK ATMORE

WindCreekAtmore.com

866-946-3360

N/A

1,600+

WIND CREEK MONTGOMERY

WindCreekMontgomery.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,200+

WIND CREEK WETUMPKA

WindCreekWetumpka.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,500+

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO

beaurivage.com

228-386-7111

2,100

HOLLYWOOD GULF COAST

hollywoodgulfcoast.com

228-467-9257

1,154

IP CASINO RESORT & SPA

ipbiloxi.com

228-436-3000

1,900

SCARLET PEARL CASINO RESORT

scarletpearlcasino.com

888-266-5772

•

1,350

SILVER SLIPPER CASINO HOTEL

silverslipper-ms.com

228-469-2777

•

965

CALDER CASINO & RACE COURSE

caldercasino.com

305-625-1311

•

RACING

1,200

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO TAMPA

seminolehardrocktampa.com

813-627-7625

171

5,000

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO HOLLY.

seminolehardrockhollywood.com

866-502-7529

130

2,200

•

PEARL RIVER RESORT

GULF COAST

FLORIDA

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

SLOT SPOTLIGHT * CC Partner means the property provides coupons and special oﬀers to members of the Comps Club. For more information, visit Thecompsclub.com

# OF ROOMS

ENT. VENUE

GOLF

SPA

POOL

608

•

OUTDOOR

201

•

INDOOR

349

The latest and greatest slot machine to hit the casino ﬂoor features music icon and diva, Cher, and players are loving it! The game is full of energy and excitement with every spin with great graphics and surround sound featuring hit songs from Cher's career. Using a 'U-Spin' wheel feature for bonus rounds, players can activate scenes from her Farewell Tour, earn the chance to pick costumes for Cher, and other bonuses. There is a wide area progressive jackpot displayed at the top of the machine while the bonus rounds are triggered through game play on the main high-deﬁnition screen. Be sure to check out this awesome game on your next casino visit!

INDOOR

506 1,131

•

494

•

840

•

INDOOR

•

INDOOR INDOOR OUTDOOR

•

INDOOR 150

•

102

•

395

•

531

•

OUTDOOR

•

OUTDOOR

•

BOTH WATER PARK

500

•

OUTDOOR

571

•

BOTH

236

•

OUTDOOR

123

•

OUTDOOR

283

•

1,740

•

OUTDOOR

291

•

LAZY RIVER

1,088

•

OUTDOOR

300

OUTDOOR

129

250

•

OUTDOOR

481

•

OUTDOOR

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

MIDWEST

CASINO DIRECTORY

Below is a list of our preferred properties of the Midwest showcasing some of the great things that each property has.

WEBSITE

PHONE NUMBER

AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL EAST CHICAGO

AMERISTAR.COM/EAST-CHICAGO

855-888-7289

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE

TROPEVANSVILLE.COM

800-342-5386

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT & SPA

BELTERRACASINO.COM

800-472-6311

HORSESHOE CASINO HOTEL

CAESARS.COM/HORSESHOE-SOUTHERN-INDIANA

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

RISINGSTARCASINO.COM

AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL, COUNCIL BLUFFS

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

1,953

1,000

1,600

812-369-6000

140

1,750

812-438-1234

1,400

AMERISTAR.COM/COUNCIL-BLUFFS

712-328-8888

1,584

RIVERSIDE CASINO & GOLF RESORT

RIVERSIDECASINOANDRESORT.COM

877-677-3456

1,150

MYSTIQUE CASINO, DUBUQUE

MYSTIQUEDBQ.COM

563-582-3647

1,000

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, SIOUX CITY

HARDROCKCASINOSIOUXCITY.COM

712-226-7600

839

SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT

SOARINGEAGLECASINO.COM

888-732-4537

4,200

MGM GRAND DETROIT

MGMGRANDDETROIT.COM

877-888-2121

4,000

MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL

MOTORCITYCASINO.COM

866-782-9622

2,900

FIREKEEPERS, BATTLE CREEK

FIREKEEPERSCASINO.COM

877-352-8777

2,900

ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO, HARRIS

ISLANDRESORTANDCASINO.COM

800-682-6040

1,200

TREASURE ISLAND RESORT & CASINO

TICASINO.COM

888-867-7829

2,219

GRAND CASINO HINCKLEY

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-472-6321

450

GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-626-5825

2,300

AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL KANSAS CITY

AMERISTAR.COM/KANSAS-CITY

816-414-7000

115

2,300

LUMIERE PLACE CASINO AND HOTELS

LUMIERE.COM

314-881-777

2,000

RIVER CITY CASINO & HOTEL, ST. LOUIS

RIVERCITY.COM

888-578-7289

2,000

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, TULSA

HARDROCKCASINOTULSA.COM

800-760-6700

2,600

WINSTAR CASINO & RESORT

WINSTARWORLDCASINO.COM

580-276-4229

7,400

634

INDIANA • •

IOWA

•

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

OKLAHOMA

WISCONSIN

HO-CHUNK GAMING, WITTENBERG

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/WITTENBERG

715-253-4400

HO-CHUNK GAMING, BLACK RIVER FALLS

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/BLACKRIVERFALLS

800-657-4621

HO-CHUNK GAMING, TOMAH

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/TOMAH

866-880-9822

HO-CHUNK GAMING, WISCONSIN DELLS

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/WISCONSINDELLS

800-746-2486

HO-CHUNK GAMING, MADISON

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/MADISON

608-223-9576

HO-CHUNK GAMING, NEKOOSA

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/NEKOOSA

800-782-4560

650

MENOMINEE CASINO RESORT, KESHENA

MENOMINEECASINORESORT.COM

800-343-7778

100

POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO

PAYSBIG.COM

800-729-7244

100

3,000

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

517

96 50

1,832 1,200

SLOT SPOTLIGHT * CC Partner means the property provides coupons and special oﬀers to members of the Comps Club. For more information, visit Thecompsclub.com

GOLF

SPA

POOL

•

• •

# OF ROOMS

ENT. VENUE

288

•

243 689 606 294

160 201 116 54

517 400 400

• • • • •

• •

•

• • • •

• •

•

• • •

243

• •

275

•

496

•

967

• •

•

• •

•

• •

967

184 294 200

454

• • •

1,500

• •

140

•

302

• •

103

•

391

•

• •

•

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

CRAPS: Trust Me Most casino gamblers come in three general types: CATEGORY ONE: The advantage-player is the type of player who wants to get a true statistical edge over the house. These individuals are rare indeed. Of the 54 (or so) million casino gamblers in the United States, I would hazard a guess that maybe ﬁve to 10 thousand are in this category – most of them being low-stakes blackjack card counters. Others might include skilled dice controllers, video poker experts and Pai Gow poker experts. Given enough time and patience (and bankroll) many of these players can be ahead of the casinos as they leave Earth and join the heavenly choir. CATEGORY TWO: The astute player who uses the best strategies at the best games he or she plays. These players cannot win in the long run, but their losses are contained by the excellent strategies they employ. They use the computer generated basic strategies in blackjack; they make the best bets of the Pass Line, Come or Don’t Pass and Don’t Come in craps, and the best strategies at video poker and Pai Gow Poker. They even know the best roulette games to play! CATEGORY THREE: This is an all-inclusive one and contains, but is not limited to, the instinctive player who develops his or her own strategies based on any one or many of the following un-principles: psychic vibrations, limited logic, silly erroneous beliefs and dogged idiocy. They will make the worst bets at games where some of the best bets in the casino exist – for example at craps and baccarat. These players are often cantankerous and more often angry that their lifetime results are losses – often major losses. Many of these players play too fast and perhaps imbibe too much and are generally not in control of their emotional states. These are not degenerate or problem gamblers, just generally dumb ones. Some of my books have been directed at the advantage-player or those who wish to become advantage-players. Most of my books, however, deal with and advocate strategies that will allow the players in Category Two to make the most of their casino gambling experiences. I get some negative feedback from casino gamblers in Category Three who take me to task because I state quite clearly that there are no ways to beat the games

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

FRANK SCOBLETE

if one does not understand the math behind them. In short and to make the shortest point – there are no strategies that can overcome the house edge. But some strategies are so bad that the player is asking for losses. Using craps as our example let me go through Category Three craps players and the silly and sad ways they play. (I fully expect to get some feedback on this column but, as Doris Day sang: “What will be will be!”) SAYINGS OF THE CATEGORY THREE PLAYERS AND THE REAL TRUTH “I walk by the tables and send out my sixth sense to see if the next shooters will be hot. If I feel they will be I jump on the table and bet on all the numbers.” The Truth: Many people believe in some form of extra-sensory perception, but such presumptive abilities have never been proven or shown to work at gambling games. Yes, you will meet people who claim that one night they felt they would get hot and they did. These people are more than cancelled out by the legions of other players who thought they might get hot, but instead got clobbered. “I am a trend bettor. I always see what numbers have been hitting and I bet on those numbers. Numbers repeat and all gamblers know this.” The Truth: Yes, numbers do repeat, but there is no way to predict which ones and how often and whether those repetitions actually can give players the long-term (or short-term) edge. Some players use trend betting with the numbers that have hit; some use it to bet against the numbers that have hit. It is not a winning strategy and does not reduce the house edge in any way.

Frank Scoblete is the author of several books on gaming. His most recent titles include, “I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps”; “Confessions of a Wayward Catholic”; and “I Am a Card Counter: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Blackjack.” All are available online and at bookstores.

“I AM A TREND BETTOR. I ALWAYS SEE WHAT NUMBERS HAVE BEEN HITTING AND I BET ON THOSE NUMBERS.”

“I never bet the Pass or Come because these bets have to stay up on the table once they are on a number. Place bets can be removed.” The Truth: A Place bettor would have to take his bets down at least 80 percent of the time to somewhat equal the house hit on his bankroll that the Pass, Come, Don’t Pass and Don’t Come have. I’ve never met any craps player who does this. I rarely meet craps players who take down their bets at all. “I love making the Whirl, the Hardways, the Horn, the C&E and the Big Red.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

CHECK YOUR COAT AND YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE AT THE DOOR. Whether you’re ready to play, relax or make it a night unlike any other, MGM Grand Detroit satisﬁes any desire.

GRAND TIMES AHEAD

mgmgranddetroit.com | 21+

FACTS & FUN STUFF SIPS WITH GAMING & DESTINATIONS

DID YOU KNOW

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PLAYERS LIST SLOT MACHINES AS THEIR PREFERRED CASINO GAME? A. 19%

WHAT WAS THE FIRST FOOD COOKED IN A MICROWAVE? A. Popcorn B. Soup

B. 27%

C. Coffee

C. 61%

D. Egg

D. 87%

WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PURSE MONEY FOR THIS YEAR’S BREEDERS’ CUP AT SANTA ANITA? A. $20 Million

WHAT NUMBER DO YOU GET WHEN YOU ADD ALL OF THE NUMBERS ON A ROULETTE WHEEL (1-36)? A. 37 B. 543

B. $28 Million

C. 666

C. $12.5 Million

D. 753

D. $50 Million

4.) D-Egg 5.) C-666

This might be the most popular, and classiest, cocktail in the world. While there are several folklores on the origination, we like to believe it originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1870’s, when Dr. Iain Marshall made it for a banquet for presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The success of the banquet made the drink fashionable prompting several people to start ordering the drink as “the Manhattan cocktail” referring to where they ﬁrst had it. Regardless of the origin, the truth of the matter is that if you like bourbon, you’ll like this classic cocktail. Enjoy!

ANSWERS: 1.) C-61% 2.) B-$28 3.) D-Theoretical loss

CLASSIC MANHATTAN

WHAT DO CASINO’S USE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY COMPS TO GIVE TO A PLAYER? A. Shoe size B. Bankroll C. First and last bet size D. Theoretical loss

Number of consecutive sold out shows performed by Elvis Presley at the Las Vegas Hilton.

837

Number of Breeders’ Cup Championship Race Divisions

Ingredients: • ¾ oz. Sweet Vermouth • 2 ½ oz. Kentucky Rye Bourbon/Whiskey (Bulleit Rye is great!) • Dash Angostura Bitters • 1 Maraschino Cherry Directions: Combine vermouth, bourbon and a dash of bitters in a mixing glass with 2-3 ice cubes. Stir gently so as not to cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass (or Martini glass, often referred to as having it ‘Up’) and strain the mixture over the cherry.

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

1.41% House advantage for betting the Pass or Come line in Craps

$200K 42%

Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah’s, stud fee. He has bred over 100 mares so far

Chances that a pair will come up in a 5-card hand

Set sail on a thrilling adventure just south of The Cities at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Try your hand at blackjack or any of our 2,200 slot machines. Then break for a juicy steak at Tado or an all-you-can-eat feast at our buffet. Finally, end your day relaxing at our luxury resort and spa. Find your escape today.

T I c a s i n o . c o m | 1 - 8 0 0 -2 2 2-707 7 ÂŠ 2016 Treasure Island Resort & Casino

PROPERT Y PROFILE: PAR AGON CASINO RESORT

a ragon Casino Resor t, i s L o u i s i a n a’s m o s t centrally located and most comprehensive resort. It’s the perfect gaming destination for a leisure trip or a meeting location that suites everyone’s needs.

In addition to the three-screen Paragon Cinema, indoor and outdoor pools and beautiful 18-hole golf course, Paragon features Kids Quest Hourly Childcare – a fun and safe environment for kids

Pa r a gon hote l ha s over 500 rooms and suites with a bayouthemed atrium with live alligators as its center piece. Atrium tower balconies overlook the breathtaking scene. In the Atrium you’ll find a three-screen movie theater, shops, a cocktail lounge and coffee shop.

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

Paragon has several unique dining options all under one roof with an elegant steak house, a 24 hour diner and everything in between. For varied tastes, the choices are endless at Market Place Buffet. Paragon hosts national acts in the Mari Show room. Our entertainment schedule can be found at ParagonCasinoResort.com. Concert-hotel packages are available to book for most shows. More exciting nightlife can be experienced at Club MeZazz on the casino floor and the Atrium Bar in the hotel lobby.

For lovers of the great outdoors, our RV resort is just steps away from the casino with 24 hour shuttle service. The outdoor playground is a big hit with the kids. Everyone will enjoy the huge pool. Paragon RV resort welcomes your pets, too. Make time to take a short stroll on the Tunica-Biloxi nature trail. This tree shaded boardwalk takes you across the natural waterway over to the TunicaBiloxi Cultural and Educational Resource Center to take a tour.

to the fitness center adjacent to the indoor pool.

On Paragon’s state-of-the-art gaming floor you are sure to find your game. We have the newest slots as well as the “reel” classics, video poker, hot table games and a separate poker room. as well as Cyber Quest family-friendly arcade filled with the latest high-tech games for kids of all ages. Spa La Vie is a full service spa including a steam room, sauna and hair and nail salon. Hotel guests also have access

Paragon Casino Resort is owned and operated by the TunicaBiloxi Tribe of Louisiana. For more information visit www. ParagonCasinoResort.com or call 800-946-1946.

SO MUCH TO DO, ONLY ONE PLACE TO

DO IT ALL! Vegas-style Slots & Table Games Over 500 Rooms and Suites Full-service Spa and Salon RV Resort with Cabins Seven Dining Options 18-Hole Golf Course World-class Shows Three Pools

BEST

Poker Room Buffet Entertainment Casino Personnel

Ask about our hotel and RV resort package options. Call 800-946-1946 or visit ParagonOffers.com.

ParagonCasinoResort.com A 800-WIN-1-WIN â&#x20AC;¢ MARKSVILLE, LA

Restrictions may apply. Visit website for more information. GAM I N G A N D Need D E S Thelp? I N ATCall ION S . C O M | (7867). 37 Game responsibly. 1-877-STOP

IP CASINO RESORT SPA GIVES BACK IN OCTOBER FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH P Casino Resort Spa, a leader in community service support efforts, is doubling down in October with a variety of promotions that bring awareness and funding to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® cause.

Guests may also “Say Boo to Cancer” with a free Halloween-themed breast cancer awareness T-shirt later in the month. After earning 1,000 points between 4:00am and 8:45pm on October 16, 23 or 30, players may print a T-shirt voucher and redeem at B Connected.

Support begins October 1 with the Cars for a Cause car giveaway. Players may earn entries with play to win one of two Volkswagen® Beetles or a share of $20,000 Slot Dollars daily until the final drawings on October 28 and 29. Entries are multiplied up to forty times beginning October 25.

Halloween hijinks are also in play with two spooktacular fun ways to win in the $400,000 Gone Batty Cash Cube October 1– 22, and the $60,000 Witch Potion drawings October 6–8. Players will enjoy these no-trick all-treat promotions. After scaring up a share of Slot Dollars and Promo Chips, guests can materialize in Studio A for a spellbinding entertainment lineup. Every audience member can get up close and personal with Art Garfunkel: IN CLOSE UP on October 1. Cheech and Chong sprinkle up some magic dust live on stage October 7, and The Charlie Daniels Band plays that fiddle hard on October 14.

For ever y guest who shows their support by playing in the $30,000 Show Your Support Slot Tournament, IP will donate $1 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Players may earn their entries to participate with 500 earned points every Tuesday in October. The tournament is played from 3:00pm to 7:00pm in the 2nd Floor tournament area. Every Thursday in October, IP will turn a variety of favorite table games PINK during the Hot Pink Hot Seats. One winner every 30 minutes will win $500 Promo Chips from noon to 5:00pm, for a total of up to $24,200 Promo Chips. Winners on a PINK table will receive a $50 bonus, and IP will match the amount with a donation to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. During the popular “Cruisin’ the Coast” event that brings thousands of classic cars to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, IP is “Cruisin’ for a Cause” by offering a special breast cancer awareness T-shirt available to players who earn 1,000 points from 4:00am to 8:45pm October 2 or 9, while supplies last.

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

automatically receive one entry for every 500 points earned from 4:00am October 13 to11:00pm October 15, the entries will be multiplied by 50 on Thursday, October 13. Drawings take place Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, beginning at 4:00pm.

Cadillac fans will go full throttle over the Rad Caddy Giveaway October 3–9. Players will receive one entry for every 500 points earned playing slots and tables for the chance to wheel away in a Cadillac XT5® or a share of $10,000 Slot Dollars on Sunday, October 9. The October 13–15 weekend could add up to a share of $40,000 in extra Slot Dollars for those entering the “Adding up to 40K” Giveaway. While players will

Country artist Jamey Johnson rocks it southern style October 15, while Heart pounds out the hits October 21 and Daughtry breaks the spell October 28. The holiday season gets into full countdown when Lou Gramm and Foghat perform in a double headliner show November 4, and Josh Turner arrives by long black train November 11. The full lineup of legends, as well as ticket sales, are available at IPBiloxi.com. To make reservations at the resort voted Best Overall Property by readers of Southern Gaming magazine in 2016, visit IPBiloxi.com or call 888-946-2847.

$70,000 CARS FOR A CAUSE Win one of two Volkswagen® Beetles or a share of $20,000 Slot Dollars! OCTOBER 1 - 29 • 1 entry for every 400 points earned 4:00am, October 1 - 11:00pm, October 29. • 40X entries October 25, 30X entries October 26, 25X entries October 27, 10X entries October 28 & 5X entries October 29. • Drawings to win a VW Beetle or a share of $20,000 Slot Dollars October 28 & 29. Volkswagen and Beetle are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. Make and model may vary.

ART GARFUNKEL IN CLOSE UP OCTOBER 1 | 8:00pm

JAMEY JOHNSON OCTOBER 15 | 8:00pm

Tickets start at $29 . *

Tickets start at $30*.

HEART

CHEECH AND CHONG

OCTOBER 21 | 8:00pm

OCTOBER 7 | 8:00pm

TRAVIS TRITT NOVEMBER 18 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $40*.

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

Tickets start at $65 . *

NOVEMBER 19 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $69*.

Tickets start at $34*.

DAUGHTRY

BRIAN MCKNIGHT

THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND

OCTOBER 28 | 8:00pm

NOVEMBER 25 | 8:00pm

OCTOBER 14 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $30*.

Tickets start at $64*.

Tickets start at $40*.

LOU GRAMM AND FOGHAT LISA LAMPANELLI LIVE NOVEMBER 4 | 8:00pm

NOVEMBER 26 | 8:00pm

Tickets start at $39*.

Tickets start at $30*.

JOSH TURNER

NOVEMBER 11 | 8:00pm

WIN A SHARE OF UP TO $400,000 CASH AND SLOT DOLLARS! OCTOBER 1 – 22 For tickets, visit the IP Box Office or order tickets online at IPBiloxi.com or Ticketmaster.com!

Plus tax and convenience fees. Must be 21. 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.

Tickets start at $40*.

| IPBiloxi.com

THE HOUSE ADVANTAGE IN BLACKJACK IS 0.62% AGAINST A BASIC STRATEGY PLAYER.

C A S I NO C OM P S : K NOW I NG T H E N U M BER S by

nterests of casinos and players don’t always precisely align when it comes to comps. Naturally enough, as players we’ll take whatever we can get. Cash back, free play, room and meal comps, shows, golf – bring it on! Casinos want to make sure their money is being spent productively. The purpose of comps is to reinforce player loyalty and provide an incentive for players to return. Ideally, from a casino standpoint, the biggest comps will go to the players who add the most to the casino’s bottom line. Determining who those players are has become more scientiﬁc over the years. On 18

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

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

electronic games, including slot machines and video poker, every bet is tracked through your player’s club card. As long as you use the card, casinos know exactly how much you’re betting – and if you don’t use the card, you don’t get comps. Table games still incorporate a little art with the science. Casinos can track every bet on games that use electronic betting screens instead of chips, or if the casinos invest in RFID chips and readers. But for most games, tracking your play means clocking you in with your player’s club card, recording your buy-ins and estimating your average bet, then applying a hands-per-hour rate and the house edge

to calculate a theoretical loss. How does that all work? Let’s take blackjack, craps and roulette as examples – games that have been casino standards for decades. Some players have been trying to game the system, as long as there have been comps. A few try to team with a partner to take opposite sides of a bet such as red/black in roulette and pass/don’t pass in craps so wins oﬀset losses. But as discussed in the July issue of Gaming and Destinations, the bets don’t precisely oﬀset. Either both players can lose as in roulette or one player can lose without the other winning as

in craps, but never can one win without the other losing. The casino still has its mathematical edge and players can never have a winning session. Serious comp chasers try to make it appear that they are betting more than they really are. They’ll buy in for more money is needed to sustain their play and make their biggest bets at the beginning, when the pit supervisor is most likely to be watching. Tipping the dealer also is part of the game plan, in hopes the dealer will give the supervisor a high estimate of the average wager. At the core, of course, is choosing a game and playing it well. Let’s take a look at those three standard games in terms of the house edge, speed of play, theoretical loss per hour and comps per hour. We’ll need to make a few assumptions. The starting point will be a $10 wager per hand, roll of the dice or spin of the wheel. For a comp rate, let’s assume 10 percent of your theoretical loss is returned to you in the form of comps. That’s not a hard and fast rule. Some casinos comp more than that – the old, pre-recession rule of thumb was that some returned up to 40 percent. Many comp at a higher rate to bigger players than they give to low rollers. In addition, casinos that have invested in analytics can use

them to zero in on player demographics and spending patterns to determine those most likely to increase their spending in the future. But for a quick overview of what you can expect from each game, let’s use 10 percent. BLACKJACK: The key for comp players is that blackjack has a house edge that varies with skill. In a no-frills six-deck game in which the blackjacks pay 3-2, dealers hit soft 17, you may split any pair except aces up to three times for a total of four hands, you may split aces only once, and you may double down on any ﬁrst two cards, including after splits, the house edge against a basic strategy player is 0.62 percent. But not all players know basic strategy. One who is just a little fuzzy on some of the ﬁne points might face a house edge of 1 percent. A player who hasn’t really studied the strategy charts might be playing against a house edge of 1.5 or 2 percent, and one who throws strategy out the window and plays by intuition and feel might see a house edge of 3 percent or more. Casinos’ assumption of their edge has evolved. Players have many more options for learning basic strategy than they once did, including free online trainers. Twenty years ago, when I was a student in a major casino company’s weeklong seminar on casino operations, we were told the house

assumed an edge of 2 to 2.5 percent against average players. In more recent years, table games directors have told me that assumption is closer to 1 percent. That makes a big difference. Let’s assume a busy table and about 60 hands per hour. Your initial wagers total $600 per hour. If you’re playing basic strategy at a 0.62 percent house edge, your average hourly loss is $3.72. If the house assumed a 2 percent edge, then it would estimate your theoretical loss at $12. At 1 percent, that drops to $6. At a 10 percent comp rate, a casino assuming a 2 percent edge sees an hour of your play as worth $1.20 in comps. If the assumption is a 1 percent edge, an hour’s comps for a $10 player come to only 60 cents. Should you find a casino that comps at the generous old rate of 40 percent, those comp averages are $4.80 at a 2 percent house edge, and $2.40 at 1 percent. With a 2 percent house edge assumption and 40 percent comp rate, the $4.80 in comps exceed the $3.72 in average losses for a basic strategy player. That made blackjack a comp player’s dream. At the less favorable assumptions of a 1 percent edge and 10 percent comp rate, the 60 cents in comps vs. $3.72 in losses still leaves a $3.12 profit to the house.

THE DON'T PASS/COME BET IN CRAPS IS A MERE 1.36%. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

CRAPS: There’s a wide range of available bets and house edges in craps – from 1.36 percent on don’t pass or don’t come and 1.41 percent on pass or come, on up to 16.66 percent on any 7. There is no house edge on free odds, but it’s an extraordinarily rare casino that includes the odds in your average bet for comp purposes. There’s room to comp generously to players who bet big on the bad bets. But if you’re serious about earning enough comps to oﬀset a large share of your losses and get close to break-even level, you won’t start by maximizing losses with high houseedge bets. For the most part, casinos assume you’re betting pass and augmenting with some higher-edge bets. A typical house edge assumption is about 1.75 percent. The best craps bets take multiple rolls to decide, so ﬁgure about 50 decisions per hour. At $10 per decision, that’s $500 in wagers. Assuming a 1.41 percent house edge on pass, your average loss is $7.05,

A STANDARD ROULETTE GAME WILL PRODUCE 40 SPINS PER HOUR. 20

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

while the casino’s 1.75 percent assumption takes your theoretical loss to $8.75 per hour. At a 10 percent comp rate, that’s 87.5 cents per hour, and a $6.175 profit to the house. Of course, most craps players make multiple bets, and if your average risk per decision is $30 instead of $10, you can triple the figures above. ROULETTE: Now we’re into much simpler territory. The house edge on double-zero roulette is 5.26 percent on every wager except the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. There, the house edge is 7.89 percent, so it’s a bet you don’t want to make. The casino knows all this. The math on roulette has been established for centuries, ever since modern roulette wheels appeared in Paris in the late 1700s. Casinos know they can count on that 5.26 percent. Roulette is a slow-moving game, with the assumption of about 40 spins per hour. At $10 per spin, you wager $400. Your average loss is $21.04, and that’s also your

theoretical loss. At a 10 percent comp rate, you’ll get $2.10 per hour, while 40 percent would kick that up to $8.40. Let’s look at the average hourly loss/comp differences for all three games, assuming $10 bets and 10 percent comps: Blackjack, $3.72 losses, 60 cents comps, $3.12 house profit; craps for pass bettors, $7.05 loss, 87.5 cents comps, $6.175 house profit; roulette, $21.04 loss, $2.10 comps, $18.94 house profit. At a 40 percent comp rate, the loss/ comp/house figures are $3.72/$2.40/$1.32 for blackjack, $7.05/$3.30/$3.75 for craps and $21.04/$8.40/$12.64 for roulette. Blackjack presents some opportunity to narrow the loss-comps gap because of player skill. Craps offers some opportunity because the casino assumes an edge slightly higher than the best bets at the table. Roulette, where the house edge and assumed house edge are identical, doesn’t present that opportunity. Good luck at the tables, and knowing how you can earn comps!

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times at the River Bend Links Golf Course, and the always extraordinary customer service. For those who prefer the privacy of their personal trailer, there’s a beautiful 123-space RV Park just steps away from the casino. Everything you need to feel right at home is provided including: electricity, water, cable TV, sanitary hookups, telephones, propane and handicap accessibility. Plus, shower and laundry facilities, and a picnic area with stunning golf course views. Hollywood also features Tunica’s “Best Casino Personnel” with the awards to prove it. Everyone is treated like a star. For the ultimate in star treatment, sign up for an online Marquee Rewards®

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2016 WORLD SERIES – OCTOBER 2016 (SEVEN GAME SERIES) Team

Chicago Cubs

Sept. 2016 July 2016 14/5

5/2

Washington Nationals 5/1

May 2016 Mar. 2016 Jan. 2016 9/2

7/1

10/1

12/1

16/1

15/1

10/1

San Francisco Giants 5/1

13/2

8/1

10/1

20/1

Boston Red Sox

10/1

14/1

8/1

18/1

Cleveland Indians

10/1

18/1

20/1

Over 25/1

Toronto Blue Jays

14/1

18/1

16/1

18/1

10/1

Baltimore Orioles

14/1

Over 25/1

Texas Rangers

15/2

16/1

20/1

15/1

12/1

Los Angeles Dodgers 16/1

18/1

14/1

16/1

8/1

Detroit Tigers

22/1

Over 25/1

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

Sept. 2016

Beholder California Chrome Dortmund Frosted Hoppertunity Keen Ice Eﬃnex Prospect Park Catch A Flight Commissioner

5/1 7/1 10/1 12/1 25/1 25/1 30/1 30/1 35/1 35/1

Open 5/1 8/1 10/1 10/1 25/1 25/1 30/1 30/1 35/1 35/1

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Sept. 2016

July 2016

May 2016 5/1

Team

Kevin Harvick

6/1

5/1

Brad Keselowski

7/1

8/1

9/1

Jimmie Johnson

7/1

5/1

Martin Truex Jr.

15/2

7/1

18/1

Tony Stewart

8/1

Over 25/1

Carl Edwards

10/1

8/1

10/1

Joey Logano

10/1

7/1

6/1

Matt Kenseth

15/1

8/1

10/1

Kurt Busch

20/1

15/1

14/1

*All others higher than 25/1.

New England Patriots Green Bay Packers Seattle Seahawks Pittsburgh Steelers Arizona Cardinals Carolina Panthers Denver Broncos Cincinnati Bengals Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings Kansas City Chiefs

15/2 17/2 9/1 11/1 11/1 11/1 17/1 19/1 19/1 20/1 23/1

15/2 11/1 9/1 10/1 18/1 13/1 12/1 16/1 18/1 18/1 25/1

**Odds courtesy of VegasInsider.com

Indianapolis Colts

25/1

20/1

Kyle Busch

4/1

12/1

Sept. 2016 July 2016

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

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