Midwest Gaming and Destinations - July 2019 by Gaming and Destinations

TOP CASINO SPORTS BOOKS & BARS! PAGE 16 JULY/AUGUST 2019 VOL. 21 ISSUE 4

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM $5.00

SUBSCRIBE TODAY &

WIN BIG! PAGE 29

TOP CASINO

POOLS & MORE

PAGE 6

2019 NFL SEASON PREVIEW

PAGE 10

BONNIE BERNSTEIN...

THE CENTER OF SPORTS PAGE 14

PLUS: TIPS ON BLACKJACK • SPORTS WAGERING • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and the entire Midwest!

Your Seat is Reserved! THE MILLION DOLLAR EVENT

®*

It’s back. And bringing unprecedented competition and intensity to casinos across North America. Want to get in the game? Contact your Everi Promotions Specialist or visit www.TOURNEVENT.com for more information on how your casino can take part in The Million Dollar Event.

Powers the casino floor.® *Payable in periodic payments over 20 years or in a lump sum, present-day cash value payment.

everi.com

LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc. PRESIDENT

G. Douglas Dreisbach

sports teams this season. They all have plenty of televisions, comfortable seating and a great vibe for cheering on your teams.

With the summer season now in full swing, we all know the football season is right around the corner. Coaches and management are setting their strategies and finding out who their playmakers will be, and which players will come up short. This season looks to be an exciting year with teams who have struggled for years being projected to have winning seasons, and others who have dominated in previous seasons dropping down to the middle, or bottom, of the pack. Check out our NFL season preview on page 10 for a glimpse into what we feel will be a great year for betting, playing fantasy football and potentially cashing in big with some upsets, and surprises. Good luck finding your plays, we hope you win big! When it comes to watching your favorite sports teams battle it out on the field, court or wherever they compete, there is no better place to watch them than at a sports book or bar with a lot of televisions, great food and good drink prices. There is something about the camaraderie of fellow gamblers and enthusiasts all vested at some level pulling for various outcomes. You can relate it to a lively craps table in a casino, win or lose, the high fives and energy make it the most exciting game on the casino floor. You can rest assured that if you choose to watch your games at a casino, you will find a similar energy and surely have a fantastic time. On page 16, we highlight a few sports books and sports bars that we recommend for watching and wagering on your favorite 2

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

The summer heat also makes for a great opportunity to enjoy the plush pools and outdoor activities at casinos throughout the region. When you stay at a casino, there are usually amenities and perks that are reserved for hotel guests including lavish pool areas, work out facilities and lounges. So, if you are going to stay at a property, be sure to get your money’s worth and use their amenities. When booking your next trip, check out the property website to see if they offer a pool or outdoor area for a change of pace. Now we all know the best place to be is in the casino, but it’s always nice to have an option to go to an area for a change of atmosphere, and outdoor bars or lounge areas are perfect for the occasion. On page 6, we showcase some of our favorite casino pools and outdoor amenities to check out this summer. They all feature characteristics that are sure to please and we highly recommend adding them to your travel plans. Lastly, if you are looking for more tips, more articles or past issues, visit GamingandDestinations.com where you will find all of our tips and past issues for free! That’s right…stay on top of your game and read up on the games you play for the best chance to come out ahead. Have a great summer, and if you can’t be good…be lucky!

FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Larry Bisig LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Hill Harcourt CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd John Grochowski Phil Hellmuth, Jr. David Markward Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin

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

G. Douglas Dreisbach President & Publisher

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

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

14 Bonnie Bernstein:

The Center of Sports

WINNING TIPS AND STRATEGIES

HIGHLIGHTS & HOT SPOTS

20 Video Poker:

26 Casino Directory:

Honing Your Game

FEATURE ARTICLES

21 Blackjack:

22 Craps:

Top Casino Pools and Outdoor Attractions: Pools, RV Parks and more… our top picks!

10 NFL Season Preview:

Find out what teams and players will be hot this season.

16 Casino Sports Books & Sports Bars:

Find the best places to make bets and catch your top teams

Our preferred properties and attractions.

Playing 16…the right way

How to Increase Your Average bet

23 Texas Hold ‘em:

Lessons for Beginners & Top Ten Hands

24 Casino Knowledge:

Q&A with John G.

28 Sports Wagering:

Future odds on major sporting events

Find us on Facebook

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

FACTS & FUN STUFF

DID YOU KNOW

2 PIXIE STICK MARTINI There are many varieties of Martini’s. You can order them dirty, up, shaken (not stirred) and even different flavors. When the summer heat kicks in and you are craving something a little on the sweet side, try this Pixie Stick Martini. Ingredients: .75 oz Tito’s Vodka .75 oz Triple Sec .75 oz De Kuyper Island Punch .75 oz De Kuyper Grape Schnapps .75 oz. Sour Mix Splash of Sprite Cherry Pixie Stick Sugar Directions: 1. Pour all liquid ingredients (except the Sprite) into a shaker, add ice and shake until cold. 2. Add pixie stick sugar to the rim of a martini glass. 3. Add cherry to the bottom of the martini glass.

WHAT YEAR DID THE NFL REQUIRE PLAYERS TO WEAR HELMETS? A. 1932

1,700,000 to 1

128,000 to 1

C. 1956

300,000 to 1

D. 1977

650,000 to 1

B. 1943

HOW MANY TELEVISIONS WAS THE FIRST NFL GAME IN 1939 BROADCASTED ON? A. 500

6. Enjoy!

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

WHAT PLAYER HAD THE MOST FANTASY FOOTBALL POINTS IN THE 2018 – 2019 NFL SEASON? A.

Aaron Rodgers

C. 22,000

Patrick Mahomes

D. None

Deshaun Watson

Tom Brady

B. 1,900

WHAT IS THE OLDEST NFL TEAM IN THE LEAGUE? A.

Chicago Bears

San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings

Amount wagered on the Don’t Pass Line at the Craps table in 1980 by William Lee Bergstrom (A.K.A. The Suitcase Man). He won.

$101.1 billion

4. Pour mixed liquids into the martini. 5. Add a splash of Sprite on top.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF HITTING A ROYAL FLUSH IN POKER?

Amount spent by Americans on summer vacation travel

4.) D-650,000 TO 1 5.) B-PATRICK MAHOMES - 417

ANSWERS: 1.) B-1943 2.) A-500 3.) C-GREEN BAY

SIPS WITH GAMING & DESTINATIONS

$777,000

$4.65 billion $67.3 million

Percentage of casino revenue derived for sports betting (Over $5 billion annually)

Amount paid by CBS in 1962 for the exclusive rights to broadcast the NFL regular season games. (NBC bought the NFL championship rights for less than $1 million) Amount earned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in 2018 representing the highest paid NFL player for the season.

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO (BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI)

T OP CA SI NO P O OL S & OU T D O OR AT T R AC T IONS: S U M M E R O F S PL A S H

There is nothing better than planning a summer trip where you can enjoy the outdoors. Casinos around the country offer some of the best outdoor amenities to keep you entertained and cooled off in the summer heat. With that being said, we are excited to unveil a few of our favorites from Mississippi to Minnesota and everywhere in between. We hope you get a chance to stop by a few of these gems on your next gaming adventure!

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO (BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI) BEAURIVAGE.COM 1-888-567-6667 If there is a listing of awesome attractions on the Gulf Coast, you can be sure that Beau Rivage will be on it! The resort features a lavish getaway loaded 6

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

with plush pampering around every corner. Available exclusively to hotel guests, the resort’s exquisite outdoor amenities are worth the stay. Whether enjoying the expansive tropical pool area overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or playing a round at the award-winning Tom Fazio-designed golf course nestled among the oaks of the DeSoto National Forest, Beau Rivage offers world-class amenities combined with world-famous Southern hospitality. The pool at Beau Rivage has refined the art of relaxation for hotel guests with its luxurious sanctuary overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Located on the 2nd floor of the resort, Beau Rivage’s lushly landscaped tropical pool is the perfect blend of fun and relaxation for a crowd of friends, a business event or a private getaway for two. Private

poolside cabanas include every possible luxury, including impeccable service from a cabana concierge. Guests can also stroll over to the Pool Bar & Café for a delicious summertime drink or bite to eat. The resort also offers guests a great fitness room overlooking the pool area with relaxing areas spread throughout to take in the sights and sounds before, during and after your work out. If you are more into golf than swimming, one of the nicest courses in the country is located just a short drive away. Fallen Oak Golf Course is owned and operated by the property and reserved for the hotel guests. Designed by legendary course architect Tom Fazio, Fallen Oak offers spectacular play and formidable challenges through one of the most lush and splendid architectural landscapes in the country.

spaces with full hook-ups including power, water and sewer, the area also offers guests private bathrooms and showers, washers and dryers, bocce ball, a playground, firepit and more. Guests also have access to the resorts indoor pool, 18-hole golf course and of course, the casino!

IP CASINO RESORT SPA - BILOXI, MS

IP CASINO RESORT SPA (BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI) IPBILOXI.COM – 1-888-946-2847 When you have a pool that sits 11 floors up overlooking the Back Bay of Biloxi, you know you are in for a treat. Fully equipped with private cabanas, a fully stocked pool bar with tasty cocktails and lunch menu, and parties and promotions all summer long, this is a great spot to kick back and cool off. This summer, the property is running the Pirates of the Back Bay pool parties on Wednesdays in June and July and they are already the talk of the town. Here you will need to find your sea legs and show off your dance moves with a live DJ, great drink specials, while hanging out. Quench, the poolside bar, is always a blast and drink specials plentiful including Captain Morgan’s Rum drinks, Cathead frozen drinks, Abita summer brews and $25 six pack beer coolers. IP Aye, there’s a good time to be had at IP, where X marks the spot!

Also recently unveiled was The Rising Star Ferry, MS Lucky Lady, a car carrying ferry that shortens travel between Boone County, Kentucky & the Rising Star Casino from approximately a one-hour drive to a ferry ride of just a few minutes. Running every 15 minutes, seven days per week (8 a.m. to 10 a.m., SundayThursday and 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday), this has been a game changer for making it easy to get to the property. Also be sure to take in a round at the links-style golf course and fix your appetite at Wellington’s Steak House or other property dining outlets.

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT - CHEROKEE, NC

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT (CHEROKEE, NORTH CAROLINA) CEASARS.COM/HARRAHS-CHEROKEE 1-828-497-7777

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT - RISING SUN, IN

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT (RISING SUN, INDIANA) RISINGSTARCASINO.COM – 1-800-472-6311 Nestled along the Ohio River sits a fantastic casino find that will make you feel like you’re at home. Rising Star Casino Resort isn’t a mega resort, that’s not what they’re about, but what you will find here is a great gaming experience with some of the best customer service anywhere. Last year, the property unveiled one of the most elaborate, full-service RV Parks in the region and it has been getting great reviews. Equipped with over 50

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is situated at the doorstep to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most visited park in America. As such, the array of outdoor activities at Harrah’s Cherokee is as vast as the variety of games on the casino floor. The grounds at Harrah’s Cherokee are great for taking a leisure stroll where you can take in the beauty of the award-winning, immaculately groomed flower beds and gardens throughout. When it’s time to cool off, The Pools await. The indoor pool is open year-round, and the the outdoor pool features a zero-entry end and is conveniently close to the full-service bar and cabana rentals. You can also partake in some of the country’s best fishing in Soco Creek that runs through the Resorts grounds and is part of a 30-mile network of trout fisheries stocked and maintained year-round by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

The property also features Geyser Falls, a full-fledged water park with slides, lazy rivers and more fun in the sun that you could imagine. Don’t miss out on all of the action at Pearl River.

NORTH STAR MOHICAN CASINO RESORT (BOWLER, WISCONSIN) GOLDEN NUGGET BILOXI - BILOXI, MS

GOLDEN NUGGET BILOXI (BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI) GOLDENNUGGET.COM/BILOXI 1-800-777-7568 If you are looking for the flair of Las Vegas on the shores of the Gulf Coast, look no further than H2O Pool + Bar at Golden Nugget Biloxi. You’ll find plenty of space to lounge, play poolside blackjack, indulge in a cocktail or two, and swim in the sun. If you are looking for the VIP treatment, private cabana’s and daybed rentals are available for ultimate luxury relaxation. The cabana’s feature televisions, a ceiling fan, lounge furniture and bottled water to get you started, and to make sure you stay comfortable, a full-service staff is on hand to get you any snacks or refreshments that you may desire. Guests can also walk up to the H20 Bar and enjoy a refreshing drink at one of the area’s biggest and sleekest outdoor pool and lounge areas.

NORTHSTARCASINORESORT.COM 1-800-952-0195

NORTH STAR MOHICAN CASINO RESORT - BOWLER, WI

North Star Mohican Casino Resort prides itself on catering to their guests every need and providing a great experience. If you are an RV traveler, you can rest assured you will have a great experience. North Star has one of the best RV Parks in the region and when you stay there, you are close to the casino and the towering trees become your backyard. There are almost 60 full hook-up sites and 29 pull-thru sites, and each has 50/30/20-amp service, water and sewer, fire rings, and a picnic table. Be sure to pack the golf clubs as the property has an award-winning golf course to test your skills on the links.

FOUR WINDS CASINO (NEW BUFFALO, MICHIGAN) 1-866-494-6371 – FOURWINDSCASINO.COM

PEARL RIVER RESORT - PHILADELPHIA, MS

PEARL RIVER RESORT (PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI) PEARLRIVERRESORT.COM – 1-866-447-3275 If you wanted to get away for a few days and have everything at your fingertips, the perfect spot is Pearl River Resort. Featuring everything from delectable dining, to some of the best golf in the state, there won’t be a dull moment your entire stay. When it does come time to relax, be sure to check out the Infinity Pool at Golden Moon located near the east entrance of the property. The area is a deluxe resort-style pool and lounge for hotel guests and features both an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub and a bar with large screen TVs, private cabanas, daybeds, high-end green turf, LED lighting, and a staging area for live entertainment and special events. The rentable private cabanas include wicker couches and lounge furniture, TVs, stainless steel refrigerators, fans, safe and USB charging stations. 8

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

FOUR WINDS CASINO - NEW BUFFALO, MI

Four Winds Casino New Buffalo continues to impress guests at every level. Whether it is the dining or gambling, rave reviews are coming from everywhere. The properties new outdoor oasis offers guest a place to relax and socialize with plenty of room to find your spot in the summer sun. In addition to the pool, the area also features a hot tub, two fire pits, poolside service and The Pool Bar. Bask by the pool and escape in a luxurious chaise lounge or party into the night with entertainment and dining.

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

Photo courtesy of The Chicago Bears

2019 NF L SE A SON PR EV IEW: W HO ’ S HO T A N D W HO ’ S NO T by

s mandatory minicamps open and a new NFL season can be seen on the horizon, we are excited to bring you a our insight on a few teams who are bound to make some noise this year, a few that will come up short, and a little fantasy insight along the way.

Overachievers PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Last Season: 9-7 This Season Prediction: 12-4 With Nick Foles gone, the Eagles now have no safety net for franchise quarterback Carson Wentz. Availability has been the biggest issue for Wentz, who will be entering his fourth NFL season with plenty of offensive firepower. 10

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

DAV I D M A R K WA R D

The Eagles used their first three draft picks on the offensive side of the ball, selecting OT Andre Dillard, RB Miles Sanders, and WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside. The return of WR DeSean Jackson, along with new addition RB Jordan Howard, will also help bolster an offense with an elite offensive line and the best tight end duo in the league in Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. Defensively, the Eagles are worryingly thin at linebacker but will rely on the strength and depth of their defensive line, as they did during their championship run two years ago.

Wentz- Wentz currently sits around the 10-spot among QB’s but he should be snatched up well before this point. If he is healthy, look for him to be a bona fide QB1 every week. Expect Wentz to air it out this year.

Ultimately, the Eagles will go as Wentz goes. To this point in the offseason, the news has been all positive for Wentz. He has been practicing with no limitations and without a knee brace. If he can stay on the field, he could return to his 2017

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will enter their 20th season together looking to defend yet another Super Bowl championship. Until the legendary duo is broken up, the Patriots cannot be counted out as a contender. This coming season will present a few different challenges

MVP-candidate form, and the Eagles could return to Super Bowl form.

Fantasy Spotlight: QB Carson

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Last Season: 11-5 This Season Prediction: 13-3

for them, however. Significant coaching changes have taken place since last season including the departure of linebacker coach and defensive play caller Brian Flores, who has been hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots looked to Greg Schiano to fill the void before he abruptly resigned only two months after being hired. All signs now point to Belichick assuming the role of defensive play caller, as he has done with mixed results, in the past. Losing irreplaceable talent such as TE Rob Gronkowski (retirement) and DE Trey Flowers (free agency) will be even more of an adjustment for New England. The Patriots released free agency signing TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins while the current starting tight end, Benjamin Watson, is facing a four-game suspension for banned substances. Pats fans may have their fingers crossed in hopes that Gronk comes out of retirement and crashes the party at some point. There have been a few playmakers added to the roster, however, in WR Demaryius Thomas and DL Michael Bennett, among others. Despite all of the roster and staff turnover, New England draws the second-easiest schedule in the NFL and will continue to feast on the AFC East, as they have for decades now. So long as Tom Brady continues to defy nature, the Patriots could be sitting pretty with a high seed in the AFC.

Fantasy Spotlight : WR Julian

Edelman - The Patriots have extended Edelman for two years and with Gronk and Chris Hogan gone, Edelman remains as Brady’s most reliable target. He has been a PPR machine throughout his career and he should only get more targets this year.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Underachievers Last Season: 12-4

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

This Season Prediction: 13-3

Last Season: 12-4

The Chargers may very well be the most balanced team in the NFL. Leading the NFL with 7 players named to last year’s Pro Bowl, the Chargers look to take the next step after falling to the Patriots in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs. Phillip Rivers has had a Hall of Famecaliber career but still seeks his first Super Bowl ring. With a strong supporting cast around him, the Chargers will play their final season at Dignity Health Sports Park before leaving for their new facility in Inglewood next year. They will host Kansas City in a Monday night game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and finish the regular season at Kansas City, in what will likely be a crucial divisional matchup. The Chargers finally snapped their 9-game losing streak against the Chiefs back in December, and they will need to build on that to take the AFC West crown.

This Season Prediction: 10-6

The clock is ticking on Rivers’ career and it is officially Super Bowl or bust time. With a star-studded roster, this could be the team that finally wins it all.

Fantasy Spotlight: TE Hunter

Henry will look to pick up where he left off prior to tearing his ACL over a year ago. His knee healed enough for him to return to play in the divisional round of the playoffs last season, so an entire offseason should help him fully recover. Henry was highly effective per target in 2017 and, if he is healthy, he should outperform is current ADP by far.

A year after quarterback Patrick Mahomes set the NFL world on fire, the Chiefs will have a different look to them this season. While there is no denying Mahomes’ absurd playmaking ability, the NFL’s top offense is facing quite a bit of uncertainty due to off-the-field issues. Already having released young star running back Kareem Hunt last year, the Chiefs have now suspended explosive receiver Tyreek Hill indefinitely, due to a domestic abuse investigation. The Chiefs and the NFL await the outcome of this investigation to determine the penalty, if any, for Hill. Hill’s role in the offense can not be overstated, and he if he were to miss any time, the Chiefs will need to adjust significantly. On top of that, defense was a huge liability for Kansas City last season, and it could get worse. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be transitioning the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 base scheme. In the process, they have released LB Justin Houston and traded away LB Dee Ford, two of their biggest playmakers last season. The acquisition of pass rusher Frank Clark and safety Tyrann Mathieu will certainly help fill some holes but expect growing pains for this Chiefs defense. While not a catastrophic collapse, the Chiefs could take a step back in 2019 but still make playoffs. The offense will once again have to shoulder the load and carry this team as far as it can go. Come playoff time, that is not an ideal situation.

Fantasy Spotlight: TE Travis Kelce – Assuming Kelce is a full-go by the time training camp starts, after his offseason ankle surgery, there is no reason to believe he won’t be the most productive tight end in 2019. He will cost a pretty penny as far as draft price, even the back end of the first round, but with Tyreek Hill’s possible absence, Kelce could be a league-winner. Photo courtesy of The Kansas City Chiefs

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

Season Wins Over/Under Picks

Photo courtesy of The Chicago Bears

Team

Over/Under Pick

ARI

Over

ATL

8.5

Over

8.5

Under

BUF

6.5

Under

CAR

Over

CHI

Push

CIN

Over

BAL

CHICAGO BEARS

Ultimate Fantasy Team

CLE

Over

Last Season: 12-4

Looking for the Ultimate Fantasy team? Based on a ten team PPR format, here are my picks for the ultimate fantasy team using current ADP. Snake-draft style from the 5th spot:

DAL

Under

DEN

Under

DET

6.5

Over

QB : Aaron Rodgers (6th Rd) – If Rodgers is still hanging around in the 5th round or later, grab him without hesitation.

Over

HOU

8.5

Over

IND

9.5

Over

JAC

Push

10.5

Under

9.5

Over

LAR

10.5

Over

MIA

Under

MIN

Under

Over

10.5

Under

NYG

Under

NYJ

7.5

Under

OAK

Over

PHI

9.5

Over

PIT

Under

SEA

8.5

Over

6.5

Under

TEN

Under

WAS

6.5

Under

This Season Prediction: 9-7 Reigning Coach of the Year Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears finished with a 12-4 record last season as the Bears took the NFL by surprise. All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack led a stifling defense that helped secure a division title. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has since left the Bears for the head coaching position in Denver. This could be a setback for the strength of the team, as the Bears look to repeat as NFC North champions in what should be a tight divisional race. Outside of the division, the Bears have a tough schedule, 5th toughest in opponent win percentage. QB Mitchell Trubisky enters a critical third season showing promise, but it still remains to be seen if he can be the franchise guy. The departure of running back Jordan Howard will put more pressure on Trubisky as well. The Bears should find themselves in the mix, but they won’t be sneaking up on any teams this year. If Trubisky can take a step forward in his development and become a consistent passer, it could take Chicago far, but it is tough to tell if he is capable at this point.

Fantasy Spotlight: RB Tarik Cohen

– The backfield around Tarik Cohen has shifted with Jordan Howard’s departure, putting Cohen into more of a leadership role at only 23 years old. Cohen is a dynamic talent who will get the ball one way or another and put up lofty allpurpose yards. He can be drafted as an RB2 with upside.

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

RB1: Leonard Fournette (3rd Rd) –

Fournette suffered as a result of a bangedup offensive line last year but should bounce back this season. He is a rare workhorse back.

RB2: Sony Michel (5th Rd) – New

England RB’s are always tricky but Michel should be given the lion’s share of carries.

WR1: DeAndre Hopkins (1st Rd) - Last

year’s top receiver, Hopkins shows no signs of slowing down.

WR2: Brandin Cooks (4th Rd) – Cooks boom/bust factor stops him from being a WR1 but he will light up the scoreboard on a boom week. TE: Travis Kelce (2nd Rd) – If the clear-

cut number one tight end is available in the second round, take him.

FLEX (WR/RB/TE): Tarik Cohen

(7th Rd) – Cohen should have a more consistent role in Chicago’s offense this year. If he is lingering in the middle rounds of the draft, pick him up for his upside.

DEF: L.A. Rams – Chicago will likely be

the first defense off the board, the Rams can be taken afterwards and can be relied upon every week.

LAC

Your Seat is Reserved! THE MILLION DOLLAR EVENT®

Powers the casino floor.® *Payable in periodic payments over 20 years or in a lump sum, present-day cash value payment.

everi.com

BO N N I E B E R N S TE I N : THE CENTER OF S P ORTS When CBS hired Phyllis George in 1974 as the first female sportscaster, they changed the sports broadcasting landscape forever. The Miss America winner and savvy businesswoman set the stage for countless other women who have led successful careers in a male centric industry. What used to be a rarity, today is the norm as women bring us interviews with players and coaches as well as the latest sports news and information. Today, women in sports broadcasting is a part of our sports culture, and the ratings show they are here to stay. One modern-day female sports journalist who seems to be on top of the world is Bonnie Bernstein. From the beginning, Bernstein blazed her own path in journalism when she kicked off her television career at WMDT-TV (ABC) in Salisbury, MD, anchoring weekend news, and then broke into broadcasting in radio as the News and Sports Director for WXJN-FM in Lewes, DE. In 1993, Bernstein made local television history at KRNV-TV in Reno, NV (NBC), as the “Biggest Little City’s” first-ever female weekday sports anchor and has never looked back. Since then, she’s covered some of the world’s biggest sports events for ESPN and CBS and recently launched her own company, Walk Swiftly Productions. 14

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

We recently caught up with Bernstein to talk about the state of the sports industry, her career, and even a little gambling. Gaming and Destinations: When did you know you wanted to be in broadcast journalism? Bonnie Bernstein: When I was 12 or 13, I decided I wanted to write for Sports Illustrated, but it wasn’t until my first broadcast class when I was a sophomore at the University of Maryland, that I really got the TV bug. I loved the creative and collaborative process of it all! G&D: What sports did you play when you were young, and did your passion for playing sports translate into your passion to cover them? BB: I have always loved sports and played soccer, gymnastics, track and field and a little bit of softball. I loved them all, but ultimately, focused on gymnastics, which enabled me to earn a scholarship at Maryland. As for my passion for covering sports, I think I have always felt connected having experience of competition. I’ve always felt having that firsthand knowledge of what it takes to prepare mentally and physically for competition at a high level has enabled me to understand the mindset of athletes. I’d like to think

one of the by-products of that is informed questions that inspire insightful answers. G&D: How do you prepare for a broadcast or interview? BB: My process for prepping for games when I was on the sidelines was probably a lot more extensive than you’d imagine. I would read all of the local and national articles I could get my hands on, interview as many coaches and players as possible and prepare a whole pad full of stats and storylines just to try to be as prepared and informed as possible. Then once the game started, it was critical to keep an eye on what was going on in the bench area. I would also have a whole logging system that enabled me to easily identify trends in a game to be ready for anything. My goal was to provide insight to the viewer that they wouldn’t necessarily get by simply watching the broadcast. G&D:What has been the toughest interview or question you have ever asked? And how did it end up? BB: I’d say the toughest question was probably to Roy Williams after Kansas lost the 2003 National Basketball Championship to Syracuse. He was the Jayhawks head coach at the time, but the entire tournament, there was speculation

around whether he’d be the next coach at his alma mater, UNC. I knew that I had a postgame interview with him, and in those situations, I always ask myself, “What would fans want to know?” So, in that situation, I felt that the fans would want his reflections on the season and how it ended that evening, but also what the future held for him. The result? Well… look it up on YouTube! (Search Bonnie Bernstein Roy Williams) G&D: What are some of the most difficult things about covering sports? BB: “Difficult” is relative. I look at being a first responder, a medical professional or someone in the military as being difficult. I look at a single mom working three jobs to keep the lights on for her kids to be difficult. I talk about sports for a living. And now, with my production company, I create content about sports. Yes, sometimes it can be a grind, and you’re dealing with deadlines and traveling, and sleep deprived. But at the end of the day… it’s still sports. G&D: What is to best thing about covering sports and what are some of your favorite career moments? BB: The best thing about covering sports is the fact that I get to wake up every day and do something I love. To me, I have probably had four most memorable

Basketball Championship. There’s just nothing like being a broadcaster when your alma mater wins a national title. Especially after all the program’s struggles in the aftermath of Len Bias’ death and NCAA sanctions. The third would be being on the sideline of the Army-Navy game, three months after 9/11. It was extraordinarily emotional. I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud to be an American, being able to interview some of the young men who would one day be protecting our freedom, along with President Bush, General Norman Schwarzkopf and West Point Heisman winner, Glenn Davis. And the final moment was most recently, when ESPN bought a documentary series this year called GOOD GAME that I created through my company, Walk Swiftly Productions. It’s been really special to reflect back on ESPN hiring me as a reporter when I was 24 years old, then to fast forward and experience working with them today as an entrepreneur. G&D: Women in sports broadcasting have come a long way over the years. Do you consider yourself a pioneer of sorts in laying the tracks for more female sports broadcasters? BB: I don’t think it’s my place to categorize, but I learned very early on in my network career the importance of us all doing our part to create a welcoming environment and support system for women in our industry. My role model, colleague and friend Lesley Visser (who truly is a pioneer in our industry!) taught me that and passed the “sisterhood” baton on to me. That’s a responsibility I take very seriously. I love mentoring and coaching women, and hopefully providing helpful insight and advice based on my own experiences. G&D: What are your thoughts on the expansion of sports gambling throughout the country, and do you think it will increase viewership?

moments in my career. My first Super Bowl broadcast for CBS (SB XXXV) might top the list. It was Giants-Ravens in Tampa in 2001 and I was assigned to the Giants sideline and they were my hometown team, so I was excited, it was a dream come true even though Baltimore annihilated them. The second was having the opportunity to cover every single game during Maryland’s run to the 2002 Men’s

BB: It’s here. It’s not going away. It’s going to generate billions. And everyone in the content world is scrambling to figure out the right formula to capitalize on it. I’m not sure it creates a huge jump in viewership as much as it may keep folks in our short attention-span society glued to games a little longer, too see if their bets pan out.

success! CMT’s Country on Campus was a great multiplatform series, and among the best-performing videos for the network. Our docuseries, GOOD GAME on ESPN has been very well received (if you’re interested in checking it out, post-TV airdates, you can find it in the ESPN App. Just search “Good Game” in the video section). I have a podcast in development that I am really excited about and a few other things in the pipeline for football season! So stay tuned! FAST FACTS ABOUT BONNIE BERNSTEIN Favorite College Team: Maryland (gotta always root for the alma mater) Favorite Pro Team: New York Giants Favorite Athlete: Jerome Bettis Favorite Food: Eggplant parmesan, cheesecake, anything with dark chocolate Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption Movie you are looking forward to seeing: Secret Life of Pets 2 with my niece

G&D: What are some projects you are working on that your fans should be excited about?

Top Music Choices: Billy Joel, Elton John, Journey, Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, Mozart, Wynton Marsalis

BB:Most recently, it has been a blast getting Walk Swiftly Productions up and running, and I’m so grateful for its early

What would your walk-up song be? It Takes Two, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

TAP BOOK BAR & BISTREAUX @ BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO – BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

T OP CA SI NO SP OR T S BO OK S A N D BA R S: G E AR IN G U P FO R TH E G A M E

As the summer winds down, football talk ramps up. Teams are in full-scale practice mode and working to tweek their playbooks for the first games in August. This season is sure to be filled with some magnificent matchups both at the college and professional level, so we wanted to offer you our suggestions for which casinos have the best set-ups to take in the action, and even make some wagers. Several of the Mississippi casinos offer full sports betting, while others offer great places to watch games, grab some suds and grub and cheer on your favorite teams. We hope you like our suggestions. We feel that if there are a lot of televisions, good service and a relaxing atmosphere to kick back with some buddies for a few hours, that is good enough to make our ‘preferred list’. There are many other great casino sports bars, and sports books, that are not featured on this list, but you can rest assured these are all winning suggestions. Enjoy! 16

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

TAP BOOK BAR & BISTREAUX @ BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI 1-888-567-6667 – BEAURIVAGE.COM Within one year of making history as the first company to offer legalized sports wagering in Mississippi, Beau Rivage is excited to unveil the ultimate sports betting experience in the Southeast with the opening of TAP Book Bar & Bistreaux, a new $10 million sports entertainment venue at luxurious Biloxi property. TAP features more than 100 HDTVs including a massive 14-foot tall x 24-foot wide video wall with state-of-the-art technology and 70 individual screens that can operate in various combinations or as one huge display. The main video wall is flanked by two giant video walls and the entire venue is enveloped in sports coverage from every angle. When it comes time to place your wager,

there are fourteen sports carrels with individual HD touch-enabled monitors allowing guests to watch sports or horse racing with interactive controls for their convenience and comfort. There is also a five-window sports betting counter staffed with a knowledgeable and helpful team led by Race & Sports Book Manager Will Hall. True to its name, the new venue will feature more than 15 beers on tap and American sports bar classics such as the Tap Burger and Pecan Smoked Brisket Chili. Also at Beau: Six Restaurants (BR Prime, Jia, Stalla, Terrace Café, The Roasted Bean, The Buffet at Beau Rivage); Eight75 Lounge; Breeze Bar; showroom, spa and salon; fitness Center; outdoor resort-style pool; championship golf course; shopping

The set-up offers an ideal layout for you to eat, drink, and watch the games you wager on, or simply have a rooting interest in. When it comes time to place your wager though, utilize one of twelve self-service sports betting kiosks, and take advantage of some of the best parlay odds on the coast.

HIGHLIGHTS SPORTS LOUNGE @ IP CASINO RESORT SPA BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

Also at Golden Nugget: Five Dining Outlets (Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Michael Patrick’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Morton’s The Steakhouse, The Buffet); Rush Lounge; Bar 46; grand ballroom; spa and salon; outdoor resort-style pool; fitness center

HIGHLIGHTS SPORTS LOUNGE @ IP CASINO RESORT SPA BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI 1-888-946-2847 – IPBILOXI.COM Another great place to kick back and watch and wager this season is IP Casino Resort & Spa, also located in Biloxi. The sportsbook, located adjacent to Highlights Sports Lounge, is your one stop shop to wager on anything from football and basketball to rugby or even bull riding. Feed your hunger for sports on 76 HD TVs and check out the menu for some of your favorite game grub including burgers, wings, sandwiches and more, and quench your thirst with a great selection of beers and cocktails. Also at IP: Five Dining Outlets (thirty-two, tien, Bayview Café, Highlights Sports Lounge, Back Bay Buffet); 850 Wine Spirits; Studio A Showroom; Chill Ultra Lounge; thirty-two Lounge; spa and salon; outdoor resort-style pool

THE SPORTS BOOK @ GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL CASINO – BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

THE SPORTS BOOK @ GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL CASINO BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI 1-800-777-7568 – GOLDENNUGGET.COM/BILOXI Another Gulf Coast gem you can’t go wrong with is the sparkling Golden Nugget Casino where you will find The Sports Book and Michael Patrick’s Bar & Café. Featuring comfortable seating, more than 50 high definition televisions, two video walls, and a full restaurant and bar with seating for 120 guests at Michael Patrick’s, you’ll feel right at home when you plan your game day here.

MONEYLINE SPORTS BAR & GRILL @ GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI

MONEYLINE SPORTS BAR & GRILL @ GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI 1-888-245-7829 – GOLDSTRIKE.COM When Gold Strike Casino in Tunica says it’s going to do something new, you can bet the bank it will be the best. So, when the property recently announced the all-new Moneyline Sports Bar & Grill, guests couldn’t wait to get their eyes on it. The resort’s new three-meal dining and entertainment destination is fully equipped with a Topgolf ® Swing Suite – the first of its kind in the state – and is adjacent to the stateof-the-art Race & Sports Book. Moneyline offers an inviting atmosphere as the mid-South’s premier sports entertainment venue where sports fans can watch and wager on just about anything. “Moneyline will be the ideal casual place to meet, catch – or play – a game while enjoying great food and drinks,” said Gold Strike President & COO David Tsai. “Our goal is to introduce exceptional new experiences for our guests that keep them returning time and again.” Just in time for football season, the area features more than 50 large screen TVs, a vast selection of cocktails, domestic, craft and import brews and a menu offering everything from small bites to burgers and more. Also at Gold Strike: Five Dining Outlets (Chicago Steakhouse, Pickle & Jam, Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill, Buffet Americana) STAGE2; TEN10; showroom; spa; indoor pool; fitness room G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

SPORTSBOOK AT TIME OUT LOUNGE @ PEARL RIVER RESORT CASINOS & HOTELS PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI

The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino, as well as 1st Jackpot Casino, in Tunica are both first rate places to bet on the longshots and the sure things. At Hollywood, the sports betting area is located conveniently just off the casino floor and is home to the largest wide-screen TV in the area at 12 feet x 24 feet. There are also an additional ten screens for your viewing pleasure and comfortable seating to kick back and relax, enjoy tasty drink and food specials daily and watch and wager on your favorite sports teams and games. Open daily from 9:00 am until 11:00 pm, the Sportsbook is your place to get real-time odds, point spreads and over/under betting in a comfortable setting to enjoy the action. Also at Hollywood: Three Dining Outlets (Fairbanks Steak House, Epic Buffet, Celebrity Grill); spa, indoor pool, RV park, live music stage bar

1-866-447-3275 – PEARLRIVERRESORT.COM For a lot of people in the South, there are only two seasons: Football season and waiting for football season. Sports betting is as American as apple pie, and people love to bet on their football. As the first tribe outside of Nevada to open an independently operated sportsbook, Pearl River Resort and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians take great pride in their remodeled Sportsbook at Time Out Lounge. The area features 20 tv’s, 12 odds boards listing both odds and scores, 3 in-person wager stations and a full-bar with a plethora of food options. In addition to the traditional sports betting, Pearl River also unveiled PRRSPORTS, a mobile app that allows you to make Live-In-Play Betting for prop bets and other exclusive wagers. (Ie. First team to score a touchdown, next play a first down, etc…) You must be on property to take advantage of the feature, so be sure to check it out on your next visit. Also at Pearl River: Seven Dining Outlets (Phillip M’s, Time Out Lounge, Stats Sports Bar & Grill, Bistro, Whiskey Bean, Dancing Rabbit Clubhouse Restaurant, The Beach Club Restaurant, The Buffet at Silver Star); spa and salon; outdoor pool; Geyser Falls Water Park; two championship golf courses; Center Stage Showroom

THE SPORTSBOOK @ HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI

1-800-871-0711 – HOLLYWOODCASINOTUNICA.COM

THE SPORTSBOOK @ HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI

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

T. MCC’S SPORTS BAR @ ISLAND RESORT & CASINO HARRIS, MICHIGAN

T. MCC’S SPORTS BAR @ ISLAND RESORT & CASINO HARRIS, MICHIGAN 1-800-682-6040 – ISLANDRESORTANDCASINO.COM Everything is better when you’re on an island! Island Resort & Casino is known as the Upper Peninsula’s Premier Casino and Golf Resort, however, watching your favorite sports teams in the ultimate sports bar is also a benefit of regular visits. Named for the property’s late General Manager, Tom McChesney, T. McC’s is your destination for all things sports! Featuring a nine-screen video wall for your total sports bar experience, and over 30 screens for personalized viewing. T. McC’s also offers a classic sports bar fare and a large selection of beers on tap.Choose a seat at a tall top table, or sit at the bar where you can also play video poker, enjoy some grub and watch the games. The property also boasts two world-class golf courses, an array of amenities and first-class entertainment so be sure to check the concert calendar before you go. Also at the Island: Six Dining Outlets (5 Bridges Steak & Seafood House, 5 Bridges Pub, Firekeepers’s Restaurant, Coral Reefe Grille, Signature Subs & Pizza, T. McC’s Sports Bar); spa, salon, indoor pool, showroom, RV Park

TAP AND MONEYLINE SPORTS LOUNGE @ MGM DETROIT DETROIT, MICHIGAN

TAP AND MONEYLINE SPORTS LOUNGE @ MGM DETROIT DETROIT, MICHIGAN 1-877-888-2121 – MGMGRANDDETROIT.COM MGM Grand Detroit is the marquee casino property in Detroit. Offering 100,000-square-feet of casino action including a premier poker room, nearly 150 table games, and close to 3,500 of the hottest slots and video poker machines, you’ll feel like you are in Vegas from them oment you step through the doors. In addition to great gaming, the property also offers great restaurants, entertainment, a full-service spa and more, including one of the top sports bars in the area, TAP. Featuring tasty

NORTH STAR MOHICAN CASINO RESORT BOWLER, WISCONSIN

NORTH STAR MOHICAN CASINO RESORT BOWLER, WISCONSIN 1-800-952-0195 – NORTHSTARCASINORESORT.COM

pizzas, pastas, burgers and more, it won’t be hard to get in

When it comes to great gaming and entertainment in

the game. Plus, with 50+ beers and 40+ televisions, you

the Midwest, look no further than North Star Mohican

won’t miss a second of the action. If you are a golfer, you

Casino Resort in Bowler, Wisconsin. The property

are in luck! TAP also features cutting edge technology at the Topgolf Swing Suite suited for golfers and nongolfers alike. These mini suites come equipped with a full-service wait staff to bring you your favorite food and beverages, and a seating area to watch your friends take part in a variety of golf games that will challenge anyone who plays. Also, coming this Fall, is Moneyline Sports Lounge that will offer a whole new sport viewing experience and will certainly satisfy guests, and set the bar high for any competition. Don’t miss out on this one! Also at MGM Detroit: Five Dining Outlets (Wolfgang Puck Steak, Palette Dining Studio, TAP at MGM

offers a little bit of everything from a full casino to top line entertainment, and everything in between. When it comes to catching your favorite sports on television, they have you covered there as well with the popular lounge area, The Groove. You’ll find tasty bites, a great selection of beer, happy hour specials, and new local bands every week — The Groove is the place to be! Pull up a chair in the lounge-like setting and enjoy favorite eats like hand-tossed pizza and gourmet burgers. The bar features a state-of-the-art draft beer system with six taps. Game on!

Detroit, Breeze Dining Court, The Roasted Bean); Axis

Also at North Star: Three Dining Outlets (Embers

Lounge; 32°; Topgolf Swing Suite; spa, indoor pool,

Grill, The Groove, Aroma Deli/Café); championship

fitness center, showroom, shopping

golf course, RV park, showroom 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: Honing Your Skills A few years ago my friend Steve Bourie, publisher of American Casino Guide, said he and his son were going to Las Vegas and he wanted to brush up on his playing skills before leaving. Steve is a knowledgeable video poker (VP) player so you may wonder why he was still practicing. It’s because he’s a smart gambler and knows there are anomalies in every game and if you want to make few or no errors you’ll continue to practice, especially if you haven’t played the game in a while. For those who have used tutorial software and just want to hone their skills I suggest you use the “Hard Hand” mode on Dean Zamzow’s WinPoker software. (If you are a beginner then you should absolutely practice on tutorial software, but use the warn, test or show mode instead.) In this column, I will highlight a few ways for you to hone your skills. Software: First you must make sure your software is tutorial in nature and not just mindless practice. For example, some say they know how to play the game because they practice at home for free. If it’s not tutorial, then it may be lots of fun but also a waste of time. Whistles and bells are fine on VP software and tutorial software will enable you to change the colors on suits, make coin sounds and change the backs of cards, but the most important thing is to learn the mathematically correct holds. Be aware that you’re not a psychic so anything can happen in the short run but your smartest holds are to go with the odds. Practice: It is imperative that you set your pay schedule to be the same as the game you are playing before you begin your practice session. For WinPoker you go to Options, then Change Pay Tables and make sure it’s an exact match to the game you’ll be playing in the casino. Next, you should go to Analyze and then Run Analysis so you can see the expected return (ER) of the game you’ll be playing. After you learn the ER (this assumes computer-perfect play) you may change your mind about playing. Now you’re ready to begin your practice session. Training Modes: I was a high school math teacher years ago and know that people learn in different ways. That’s why I like the fact you can play around on your software until you find the mode 20

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

LI N DA B OY D

that best suits your learning style. For example, WinPoker offers several self-explanatory options: Warn, Test, Show or None. You can also access data indicating how well you’re doing and reset the data to zero if you’re frustrated over your low accuracy percentage and want to start again. Advanced: If you’re an experienced player and have spent lots of time practicing on your tutorial software, then you’ll want to focus on advanced skills since there are anomalies in VP games, some involving penalty cards and some the condition of the remaining deck. (Both concepts are explained in detail in my book, “The Video Poker Edge” available through Square One Publishers, Amazon or any major bookstore.) Hard Hands: This is an excellent mode for an experienced player. Just as you’d expect the hands dealt will be tricky and include unexpected holds. Make sure you pause and analyze the reason you made a mistake when you do. Trying to memorize video poker hands is an exercise in futility because there are too many possibilities. You will want to remember the “whys” for the correct holds rather than the exact hand. Error Log: I really like this mode when I want to make sure I’ve learned from my past mistakes. It’s a confidence builder when you go to this learning tool after a lapse of time and discover that you’ve corrected game errors you used to make. Final Thoughts: There are 2,598,960 possible hand combos, given a virtual 52-card deck. In addition, every time there is a change in the pay schedule, say 9/5 JOB (Jacks or Better) instead of 9/6JOB, it changes the correct holds, although the game’s basic strategy may be almost the same. The more changes in the pay schedule the greater the probability the correct holds will change. In addition, computer correct holds will change from the core game when you play a progressive version as the progressive jackpots grow, especially for Royal Flush holds. I hope this helps you hone your video poker skills and makes for a winning session on your next casino visit!

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, writes for Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations, Arizona Player and other media outlets. You can also see her videos on YouTube or her radio interviews are on iTunes. Boyd’s book, “The Video Poker Edge”, and includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. The latest edition is available from amazon.com, Square One Publishers and book stores. Kindle edition now available.

“YOU WILL WANT TO REMEMBER THE “WHYS” FOR THE CORRECT HOLDS RATHER THAN THE EXACT HAND.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

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

BLACKJACK: Playing 16…the right way One of the most frustrating hands in blackjack is a 16 against a dealer’s 10 upcard. How you play this hand depends upon the composition of the cards that make up your 16 and the playing rules. Here are some examples of different hands that total 16, and how you should play them against a dealer’s 10 upcard.

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog containing books, strategy cards, DVDs, and software for blackjack, video poker, and other casino games, call toll free 1-888-353-3234 (or view the catalog online at www. smartgaming.com). For a free three-month subscription to his monthly Blackjack Insider newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/freetrial. Tamburin’s websites are www. smartgaming.com and www. bjinsider.com.

“IF YOU WAGERED $25 AND WERE DEALT A 10-6 AGAINST A DEALER 10, YOUR EXPECTED TO LOSE $12.50 IF YOU SURRENDERED. IF YOU STOOD INSTEAD, YOU CAN EXPECT TO LOSE $13.53.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

How you play this hand depends on the rules. If the casino allows you to surrender your hand, you should surrender the 10-6 against a dealer’s 10 over hitting or standing. (The surrender rule means you can forfeit playing your hand and automatically lose half your wager.) You lose 50% of your wager when you surrender; however, you would lose greater than 50%, on average, if you were to hit or stand, which is why surrender is the better play. If the casino rules do not allow surrender, then you should always hit a two-card 16, like 10-6. For skeptics that don’t believe surrender is better than hitting (which in turn is better than standing), look at the data in the following table. It shows the expectation (in percent) of surrendering, standing, and hitting a 10-6 against a 10 in a 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17.

Surrendering -50.0% Standing -54.1%

This hard 16 hand consists of three cards (4-8-4). When you hold a multi-card 16, the best strategy is to stand. The reason standing is slightly better than hitting, is because you’ve removed two small cards from the decks (the two 4s in your hand), making it more likely you would break if you hit. The percentages are close between standing and hitting, but the slight edge is in favor of standing. (You can’t surrender this hand because you can only surrender your initial two-card hand. Once you draw a third card, the surrender option is no longer available.)

This 16 consists of a pair of 8s, which brings into play the option of splitting. Your choice is, therefore, to surrender, hit, stand, or split. First off, you should never surrender a pair of 8s so let’s rule out that option. Your best play is to split the 8s. I realize that many players do not like to split 8s against a strong dealer’s upcard like 10. However, the reality of this hand is this: Starting with two hands of 8 is better than starting with one hand of 16. You will lose less money in the long run when you split the 8s then if you stood or hit with 16. Yes, sometimes you will split the 8s, draw 10s to each split 8 for two pat 18s, and lose to a dealer 20. (Been there, done that.) However, in the long run, you will lose less money by splitting vs. standing or hitting.

Hitting -53.5% For example, if you wagered $25 and were dealt a 10-6 against a dealer 10, your expectation is to lose exactly $12.50 if you surrendered (i.e., 50% of your initial wager). If you stood instead, you can expect to lose $13.53 on average ($25 times -54.1%). The amount you will lose on average when you hit is $13.38 ($25 times -53.5%). Therefore, the math says that you will lose money in the long run no matter how you play the hand but you’ll lose less if you surrender (followed by hitting).

This 16 is a soft 16, consisting of an ace counted as 11. You should never stand on a soft 16 because you can’t bust with a one-card draw. The correct way to play this hand against a dealer’s 10 is to hit. Is there ever any situation where you wouldn’t follow the above basic playing strategy for 16 against a 10? The answer is, yes, when you play in a blackjack tournament. 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

CASINO CRAPS: How to Increase Your Average Bet Casinos love to use psychology against the players; it helps the bottom line. But players can also psych out the casinos in the comping game. We want the casinos to rate us as bigger bettors than we actually are and/or we want to get more comps than we actually have earned. Here are some helpful hints to achieve our goals: 1. A Tip on Tips: Always tip on top of your bet, whether Pass, Come, or Place bet. Keep that bet riding for dealers; never take it off or give it to them, but let them know that bet is theirs if you keep winning. By doing this, the bet counts as part of your bet, increasing your average bet. If you tip any other way, the bet does not count as part of your bet. Also, you are betting only a single bet that can win over and over again if you get on a hot streak. On other types of tips, the casino dealers take both the tip bet and the win down. To keep the dealers in action you may have to make tip after tip after tip. You are spending more this way and receiving no benefit. So, if you are betting a $25 Pass Line Bet and you want to tip, put $1 or $5 on top of it and tell the dealers that the “Red chip is a bet for you.” You can also put a tip directly on a number and tell the dealers, “I control it.” That means the dealers get to keep the win but cannot take down your bet. Some casinos will pay 2-to-1 on single-dollar tips on the box numbers. This is great for the dealers because they have an edge over the house on all 5 and 9; 6 and 8 tip bets. Do not waste your money by tipping on the Crazy Crapper bets. If the bet is bad for you, the bet is bad for the dealers too. 2. Early Placements: On the 4-Count if the shooter is on the Come-Out roll, you can put your Place bets up (if you are betting this way). You’ll receive credit for them even though they won’t be working on the Come-Out. 3. Fake Play Time: Always ask for a comp at least ten minutes before you plan to leave a table. Let the rater think he has kept you at the table longer than you planned to be there. 4. The Big Bet Ploy: If you want to occasionally put up a “show bet” that is substantially bigger than your normal bet to get that in your rating, then do it on the 4-Count during the Come-Out roll. It will be up longer, seen more readily by the rater, and not be at risk. (You take the bet down or reduce the amount when the shooter establishes his Point.)

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

5. Comp as You Go: If you are a marginal RFB/ RLFB player and you are staying at a property, do not put everything on your room and wait until the end to find out what it will comp. Insteadcomp as you go. Many times, you will be able to get café and buffet comps up front and then get the total theoretical loss at the end of your stay to put against your gourmet food as well. Often, the rater will say, “Are you staying here?” Tell the truth, “Yes, I am,” then add, “But I don’t want my wife (or husband) to know I am going to eat extra today!” That does work sometimes. Look for overweight pit personnel who have a better tendency to be sympathetic about all things involving eating. 6. Overstay your welcome: If you have stopped playing and asked for a comp, stay at the table. Let them ask you to move. The fact that you are taking up space will motivate “the computer” to work faster on your comps. 7. Fly Me to the Moon: If you are an RFB player and are interested in getting airfare for your play but have been turned down in the past, ask the casino to put you in a regular room and not a suite. Usually the suites are about five to ten times more expensive against your comp points. If you stay in a regular room, you might reduce what the casino figures you have spent, and it just might give you your airfare. And really, how many bathrooms and television sets do you need in a room? You don’t spend very much time in there, after all. 8. Screw Psychology: The “Casino Psychology Departments” use comps as a way to get you to measure your “self-worth” based on how many comps you get and what a big shot you are for getting them. No comp is worth the loss of money or sleep. Play your game, and the comps will come, or they won’t. Use these tricks too, because they can’t hurt!

by F R A N K

SCOBLETE

Visit Frank’s web site at www.frankscoblete.com. Frank’s latest books are Confessions of a Wayward Catholic!; I Am a Dice Controller and I Am a Card Counter. Available from Amazon.com, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, e-books and at bookstores.

“ALWAYS ASK FOR A COMP AT LEAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE YOU PLAN TO LEAVE.”

Please Note: I have saved this comping tactic for last. Why not ask the floor person what he is rating your play at? Then ask him to increase it. If you have been tipping and you’ve been a great player at the table, you might just find this simple technique works. It’s worked for all of us in the Five Horsemen. Do comps make you a big shot in the eyes of the casino bosses or dealers? Absolutely not. They look with disdain on most players who are, after all, essentially giving their money away on games they can’t beat. Who would ever be in awe of people like these?

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

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

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM: Lessons for Beginners

Phil Hellmuth Jr. is a 15-time World Series Poker Champion leading all poker players in the world. He also holds the world record for most cash finishes at the WSOP (100) and the most final tables (49). He has two New York Times best-seller books, “Play Poker Like the Pros” and “Bad Beats and Lucky Draws.” Both books can be found at Amazon.com. Phil’s books, blog, tips and more can also be found at PhilHellmuth. com. This column is an excerpt from Phil’s book “Phil Hellmuth’s Texas Hold’em, Rules, tips and strategies from the champ for playingand wining-the world’s hottest big money game.”

“PLAYING THESE HANDS AGGRESSIVELY IS A GOOD WAY TO PLAY HOLD’EM.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

& Top 10 Hands

To begin with, I recommend playing only the top ten hands and folding on all others. The top ten in order of relative promise are: A-A, K-K, Q-Q , A-K, J-J, 10-10, 9-9, 8-8, A-Q , and finally 7-7. Experience has shown me that these are the strongest starting hands in limit Hold’em. The beginning “strategy for survival” is designed to keep you in the game while you learn the more subtle techniques that are necessary to beat tougher games, or to extract more money from weak games. In some games using just this strategy will make you a winner. With this patient strategy alone, and not much else in the way of poker instruction, I was able to crush the games in Madison. What happens is that when you consistently play only the top ten hands, your opponents will begin to fear your bets and raises because they’ll see that you’re always playing something powerful. This fear gives you some leeway to make a few different plays later on, when you’ve absorbed the intermediate and more advanced advice I’ll be giving you later. In other words, the “top ten hands” strategy teaches the right fundamentals. You will need these fundamentals when you do add some intermediate and advanced strategy to your arsenal, because playing super tight alone just won’t get the pots in these tougher games: the good hands don’t come along often enough, and perhaps even more important, you risk becoming a bit too predictable.

to win the money, then you need to show some patience and entertain yourself in another way. And, anyway, how entertaining is it to play all the hands and lose most of them? In general, I recommend playing the top ten hands regardless of your position in the betting order or the number of bets it will cost you to get involved in the hand. Always raise with these hands, no matter what it costs you to get involved. Of course, if you have a lot of evidence to suggest that your 7-7 is beaten (perhaps the tightest player in the game had just re-raised the hand, making it as we say “four bets to go”), then you might do well to fold the hand. But in general, playing these hands aggressively is a good way to play Hold’em. I know that you’re probably thinking right now, “Is it really that easy? All I have to do is play Phil’s top ten hands?” The answer is basically yes, at least as far as your starting requirements (your first two cards) are concerned! Yes, because it will be easy for you to play before the flop (on the first round of betting) when all you have to remember is to play only the top ten. (Playing after the flop is much more complicated, I’m afraid; but don’t worry, we’ll cover that as well.

When you break limit Hold’em down to its basics elements, good game theory suggests that you wait for big starting hands before you get involved in a hand, because the blinds are relatively small compared with the size of the pots, unless you’re playing in a very tight game (which is rare at low stakes). It may seem a bit boring to play only these top ten hands; after all, most of you play poker just to have a good time and socialize-that is, for entertainment. Fair enough, but if you want G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

C A S I N O K N OW LE D G E : Q & A W I TH JO H N G . by

When it comes to casino knowledge, there aren’t many people, if any, that know more about the in’s and out’s of casino games, what’s hot and what’s not or general overall industry trends than John Grochowski. Over the years, we have published some of the questions John has received from readers and followers. We thought it would be fun to go back and republish a few of our favorites…enjoy! Q. When you play games that have mini-maxi jackpots, does the amount of the bet with the extra feature activated matter which level jackpot you happen to win. Sometimes I will play max bet ($2.60), hit the number bonus feature and win the mini. I have never seen a player wagering $.60 and hit the top prize. The machine itself states to play a higher denomination to increase your chances at hitting the jackpot. Does it really matter? Another question pertains to the amount of free spins potential --- is it tied to the amount of the wager? I see people hitting 500 free spins on lower denomination bets but have never seen that many on a max bet. Is it safe to assume the machine is programmed this way? After all it is a computer! 24

| 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

A. There are ways programmers can allow players with different bet sizes to play for the same-sized jackpots. One is by using a side bet for jackpot eligibility. Maybe you’re betting five coins per pay line and I’m betting only one per line, but jackpot eligibility requires a separate bet of 10, 15, or sometimes more, coins. So even though our bets are different overall, we’re betting the same amount on the progressive portion of the game. The other way is through the use of mystery programming. With mystery programming, the player who bets more does have a greater chance at the jackpot --- not just at the largest level, but at all levels. Progressive jackpots are built by adding a percentage of every player’s wager to the pot. The RNG is programmed to select a jackpot amount, and when the jackpot reaches that amount, it will hit. If the amount selected for the top jackpot is $1,134.17, then the player whose bet pushes the jackpot to $1,134.17 will win it. If we’re talking a minijackpot, and the RNG selects the value of $8.63, the player whose wager pushes the jackpot to $8.53 wins.

If you’re betting $2.60 and I’m betting $.60, then you are adding more to the jackpot totals and therefore are getting more chances to win. In the short term anything can happen. The minimum bettor can win the top jackpot. But if you watched over a very long time, you’d find that bigger bettors were winning jackpots of all levels more frequently than the small bettors. On the average, it will take fewer spins between jackpots if you bet more money. As for the number of free spins, that is not tied to bet size. What you’ve seen is just coincidence. Over a long time, the frequency of a high number of free spins vs. a low number of freebies would be the same regardless of your bet size. Q. I teach statistics and probability at a community college, so my brotherin-law was asking me about betting systems. He showed me a book in which the author claimed the way to beat baccarat was by betting streaks. The BIL wanted to know if he could apply that to roulette, maybe starting to bet on black after it won twice in a row, then getting off after a loss and

staying off until some other evenmoney bet won twice.

but at least you’re betting less and reducing exposure to that edge.

I told him I couldn’t see any reason a system like that would win in either baccarat or roulette. As long as the results are random, the streaks don’t have any predictive value. What do you think?

But what the Five Count is trying to do is zero in on those shooters who are in a rhythm where their roll is depressing the frequency of sevens and increasing the frequency of point numbers. If the rolls are bringing non-random results, then bettors can take advantage.

A. You are correct. A baccarat or roulette bet that has won a few in a row is no indicator that it will keep winning, nor is it an indicator a loss is due. The odds are unchanging, no matter what has happened in the past --- at least, they’re close enough to unchanging that the house can count on making its profit. In baccarat, the odds do change very slightly depending on what cards have been played, but the change is so small there is no practical card counting system that can put a dent in the house edge.

Baccarat and roulette are not games of changing odds, nor are most other casino games. Betting the streaks is just a systematic way of arriving at the usual house edge.

In craps, Frank Scoblete’s Five Count can beat the house edge only if there are controlled rollers bringing non-random results. If all rolls are random, the Five Count can extend play by keeping you from wagering until a shooter has rolled the necessary amount of point numbers. That doesn’t change the house edge,

With six decks, the house edge against a basic strategy player is 0.59 percent. Put those same rules on a single-deck game, and it’s nearly an even game, with a house edge of 0.008 percent. What happens if you make one adjustment to the single-deck game, and have blackjacks pay 6-5? The house edge soars to 1.40 percent. Look at that house edge. It’s not just higher than that on the six-deck game, it’s more than double --- a house edge 2.37 times as high as that on the sixdeck game with the higher blackjack payoff. I don’t know about you, but I want no part of that game.

Betting the streaks will work sometimes. So will always betting banker, or always betting red, or alternating plays between red and black. More often, any of those systems will lose and give the house its expected percentage. The few betting systems that actually can overcome the house edge depend on events being non-random to some extent. Blackjack has very strong random elements, but the odds change in a known way with each card that is dealt. That’s why card counting works. When there is a higher concentration than usual of high cards remaining in the deck, more blackjacks are dealt, and you draw more 10-values in double-down situations. Both those circumstances favor players, so card counters bet more money when there is a high concentration of low cards, and less when there is a low concentration.

total of four hands, players may double down on any first two cards and may double after splitting pairs. Aces can be split only once, and players get only one more card on each Ace. Blackjacks pay 3-2.

Q. I can understand your warnings to blackjack players not to play when blackjacks pay 6-5 instead of 3-2. You don’t want to settle for less than the usual payoff. But what about a single-deck game? I have always heard that single-deck was the best game. If blackjacks pay 6-5 but you’re playing with one deck, isn’t that a good tradeoff for players? A. No, it’s not a good tradeoff. You lose far more with the 6-5 blackjack pays than you gain by playing with fewer decks. Let’s take an ordinary set of rules. The dealer hits soft 17 --- sadly, this is ordinary nowadays --- players may split pairs up to three times for a

If all other rules are equal, you are better off with fewer decks. The main reason is that blackjacks occur more frequently with fewer decks. Say you start with an Ace. Let’s say the first card we’re dealt is an Ace. In a single deck game, 16 of the other 51 cards are 10 values. That means 31.37 percent of the remaining cards will complete the blackjack. If six decks are in play, removing an Ace means 96 of the remaining 311 cards are 10-values. That’s 30.87 percent, meaning we have a lesser chance of completing our blackjack in a six-deck game than in a single-deck game. Fewer decks also helps in double down situations. Start with 6-5, and 32 percent of the other cards are 10s in single-deck blackjack, and 30.97 percent in six-deck games. But if all other rules are not equal, you have to weigh the effects of the changes. And for players, the 6-5 blackjack rule is a weighty disadvantage indeed. 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 WEBSITE

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

PHONE NUMBER

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

KENTUCKY DERBY CITY GAMING

DERBYCITYGAMING.COM

502-961-7600

900

INDIANA 800-472-6311

•

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT & SPA

BELTERRACASINO.COM

1,600

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

RISINGSTARCASINO.COM

812-438-1234

897

INDIANA GRAND CASINO

INDIANAGRAND.COM

877-386-4463

2,000+

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, SIOUX CITY

HARDROCKCASINOSIOUXCITY.COM

712-226-7600

839

RIVERSIDE CASINO & GOLF RESORT

RIVERSIDECASINOANDRESORT.COM

877-677-3456

1,150

RHYTHM CITY CASINO RESORT

RHYTHMCITYCASINO.COM

844-852-4386

850

SOARINGEAGLECASINO.COM

888-732-4537

3,056

IOWA •

MICHIGAN SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT MGM GRAND DETROIT

MGMGRANDDETROIT.COM

877-888-2121

4,000

ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO

ISLANDRESORTANDCASINO.COM

800-682-6040

1,200

GUN LAKE CASINO

GUNLAKECASINO.COM/

269-792-7777

1,600

BLACK BEAR CASINO RESORT

BLACKBEARCASINORESORT.COM

888-771-0777

1,850

TREASURE ISLAND RESORT & CASINO

TICASINO.COM

800-222-7077

2,200

GRAND CASINO HINCKLEY

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-472-6321

3,500

GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-626-5825

3,100

AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL KANSAS CITY

AMERISTAR.COM/KANSAS-CITY

816-414-7000

115

2,300

LUMIERE PLACE CASINO AND HOTELS

LUMIEREPLACE.COM

877-450-7711

1,600

RIVER CITY CASINO & HOTEL, ST. LOUIS

RIVERCITY.COM

888-578-7289

2,000

JACKENTERTAINMENT.COM/CINCINNATI

513-252-0777

100

2,000

MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

OHIO JACK CASINO CINCINNATI HOLLYWOOD CASINO COLUMBUS

HOLLYWOODCOLUMBUS.COM

614-308-3333

2,200

JACK CASINO CLEVELAND

JACKENTERTAINMENT.COM/CLEVELAND

216-297-4777

100

1,600

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, TULSA

HARDROCKCASINOTULSA.COM

800-760-6700

2,600

WINSTAR CASINO & RESORT

WINSTARWORLDCASINO.COM

580-276-4229

7,400

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

OKLAHOMA

WISCONSIN

517 10

634

1,832

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

NORTH STAR CASINO RESORT

NORTHSTARCASINORESORT.COM

800-952-0195

1,200

LAKE OF THE TORCHES

LAKEOFTHETORCHES.COM

800-258-6724

837

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

1,200

* 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

689

•

294

•

201

• •

•

328

• • •

408

•

788

•

967

• •

•

• •

•

INDOOR

•

• •

116

517 400

967

294

• •

200

•

184

•

• •

INDOOR

•

• • •

INDOOR

184 294 200

454 1,500

• •

86 140

•

302

• •

129

• • •

100 391

• •

•

• INDOOR

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 2019 BRITISH OPEN – JULY 18, 2019 Player Brooks Koepka Rory McIlroy Dustin Johnson Tiger Woods Justin Rose Jordan Spieth Rickie Fowler Francesco Molinari Jon Rahm Tommy Fleetwood Xander Schauffele Patrick Cantlay Justin Thomas Jason Day Adam Scott Bryson Dechambeau Sergio Garcia Hideki Matsuyama Louis Oosthuizen Matt Kuchar *All others higher than 40-1.

May July 16/1 6-1 10/1 10-1 14/1 12-1 11/1 12-1 14/1 16-1 16/1 20-1 16/1 20-1 25/1 20-1 20/1 20-1 20/1 25-1 40/1 25-1 N/A 25-1 20/1 30-1 30/1 30-1 40/1 30-1 25/1 40-1 30/1 40-1 33/1 40-1 N/A 40-1 N/A 40-1

2019 MLB WORLD SERIES - NOVEMBER 1, 2019 Player Los Angeles Dodgers Houston Astros New York Yankees Minnesota Twins Chicago Cubs Milwaukee Brewers Tampa Bay Rays Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Atlanta Braves St. Louis Cardinals **Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com

May July 11/2 4/1 7/1 9/2 7/1 11/2 28/1 8/1 20/1 11/1 N/A 13/1 30/1 14/1 12/1 15/1 9/1 17/1 30/1 18/1 15/1 28/1

2019 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES – NOVEMBER 18,

Driver March May July Kyle Busch 9/2 12/5 9/4 Kevin Harvick 9/2 6/1 6/1 Martin Truex Jr. 6/1 15/2 6/1 Joey Logano 10/1 11/2 7/1 Brad Keselowski 9/1 6/1 7/1 Chase Elliott 7/1 12/1 10/1 Denny Hamlin 20/1 9/1 16/1 Ryan Blaney 10/1 11/1 20/1 Kyle Larson 7/1 18/1 20/1 Clint Bowyer 15/1 25/1 20/1 Kurt Busch 25/1 22/1 25/1 Aric Almirola 25/1 25/1 28/1 Jimmie Johnson 25/1 25/1 30/1 Erik Jones 15/1 25/1 3/1 Daniel Suarez 45/1 50/1 60/1 *All others higher than 60-1. **Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com

NFL SUPER BOWL LIV – FEBRUARY 2, 2020 HARD ROCK STADIUM – MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA

Team July New England Patriots 6/1 Los Angeles Rams 10/1 Kansas City Chiefs 10/1 New Orleans Saints 10/1 Cleveland Browns 14/1 Indianapolis Colts 15/1 Philadelphia Eagles 15/1 Los Angeles Chargers 19/1 Chicago Bears 20/1 Dallas Cowboys 22/1 Green Bay Packers 25/1 Minnesota Vikings 25/1 Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1 San Francisco 49ers 30/1 Atlanta Falcons 30/1 *All others higher than 30/1. **Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com

For the latest sports odds, updated every 5 minutes, visit GamingandDestinations.com 28 | G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

WSOP® CIRCUIT EVENT August 1-12 The WSOP Circuit returns to Cherokee to jump-start the 2019-20 season. Sunglasses optional. Get schedule updates at WSOP.com. For hotel room reservations call 1-800-CAESARS. Mention code WSOP19

@harrahscherokee

Subject to change or cancellation. Must be 21 or older to enter casino floor and to gamble, and must present a valid state or federal photo ID upon request. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. An Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. ©2019, Caesars License Company, LLC.

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