MIDWEST Gaming and Destinations | January 2016

READY TO HIT THE ROAD? HERE ARE THE TOP THRILLS OF 2016

PAGE 6

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 Vol. 18, Issue 1 GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY &

WIN BIG!

TOP CASINO GAMES: YOUR BEST BETS

PAGE 14

PETE ROSE AND BETTING SCANDALS OF THE CENTURY

PAGE 10

PLUS TIPS ON BLACKJACK • CRAPS • HORSERACING • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the entire Midwest!

LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc. PRESIDENT

G. Douglas Dreisbach FOUNDING PUBLISHER

the seas on a luxury cruise ship while playing in a six-figure poker tournament. We hope our suggestions will get your wheels turning and offer insight to help you plan your next trip.

The holidays are behind us and it’s time to embark on a new year. That also means it’s time to start planning for your next great escape and travel adventure. The choices for gaming getaways are better than ever, with new properties opening and older properties making major renovations, all designed to meet your highest expectations.

Whether you are looking for something new or prefer the places where everyone knows your name, we vow to do our part to highlight some of our preferred places to stay and play in 2016, as well as continue to provide the best gaming tips to help you win when you get there.

In 2016, we also look forward to publishing additional interesting articles that look into other areas of entertainment, such as our cover story in this issue featuring Pete Rose and other iconic gambling scandals of the past century. The article highlights Rose’s gambling debacle, the 1919 Chicago Black Sox rouse, the NBA referee who was caught influencing game-calling in 2007 and more. While these articles may not give you tips and tricks to use in the casino, hopefully they will inspire some insightful conversation among your peers.

We are also excited to feature our 2016 Gambling Getaway Bucket List on page 6, where you will find travel suggestions ranging from a zip-lining through Freemont Street in Las Vegas, to sailing 2

| GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

As always, this issue features tips and strategy from some of the best gambling authors in the world including John Grochowski, Frank Scoblete, Henry Tamburin and Linda Boyd.

Don’t miss the Best Bets in the Casino by Grochowski on page 18, where you will find 10 casino games that offer the best bets for your buck. Whether it is the Pass Line bet in craps or betting on the player in Baccarat, be sure to play the games that give you the best shot at winning and you will be off to a great start.

Got questions? We’ve got answers! If you have any questions for our authors, we would love to hear from you. Simply shoot us an email at editor@gaminganddestinations.com and we will get your answer, and maybe even publish it in a future issue! Plus, you will be helping out your fellow gamers because if you don’t know the answer, chances are that others don’t know it either.

We want to thank all of our readers for your continued support. Keep spreading the word about Gaming and Destinations to all of your friends and encourage them to join the fun by subscribing at GamingandDestinations.com for as low as $20 per year! We also have Gift Subscriptions so that you can give the gift that keeps on giving to that special gambler in your life. For gift subscriptions, give us a call at 1-877-582-9478 and we will get the gift recipient ’s information and send them a personalized letter from you!

We hope you continue to enjoy Gaming and Destinations and have a great 2016!

If you can’t be good, be lucky!

Larry Bisig CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Chip Dumstorf MANAGING EDITORS

Lauren Reisdorf Joseph Grove CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd John Grochowski Joseph Grove Phil Hellmuth, Jr. Misty Johnson Terry Parrett Nick Salmen Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin Letters to the editor, address changes and other correspondence should be sent to: GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 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 2015 by Gaming Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by Publisher’s Printing Co., Inc. of Shepherdsville, Kentucky.

Postage is paid in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky.

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

POSTMASTER: Send

G. Douglas Dreisbach

PR ESIDENT & GENER AL MANAGER

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

Cover photo courtesy of Malcom Emmons - USA Today Sports.

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

TIPS & COLUMNS

10 Pete Rose, and Betting

18 Poker The power of the Raise.

Scandals of the Century

19 Craps

Where there is opportunity for heroics, there is temptation for cutting the corner, noodling the numbers or doing the dope.

Back to the Basics.

20 Video Poker Strategies for Double Deuces.

FEATURE ARTICLES

21 Baccarat 101

6

22 Blackjack

Beginning with the Basics.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Here are some of the top thrills for 2016.

Check out an excerpt from our experts new Guide.

14 Top Casino Plays: Your Best Bets

Not all casino games are created equal. Looking for the best edge?

Try these games.

HIGHLIGHTS & HOTSPOTS 26 Heartland Poker Tour 'Mr. HPT' Wins Second Title and $153k

24 A Day in the Life

of a Casino Performer Whether you’re visiting a megacasino, or a small one, one of the constants at almost every property is entertainment.

14

6

28 Roadside Attractions

The World’s Largest! The Biggest!

The Tallest! The Smallest!

Nothing says America like a good roadside attraction.

32 The Future is Now

The latest future odds for major sporting events in 2016.

24

10 Find us on Facebook

@MidwestCasinos GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

|

3

FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

1 2 3

?

WHO IS THE ONLY PLAYER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY TO PLAY MORE THAN 500 GAMES AT 5 DIFFERENT POSITIONS? A. Hank Aaron B. Pete Rose C. Johnny Bench D. Roberto Clemente

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE VET BEHIND THE 1977 LEBON AND CINZANO THOROUGHBRED SCANDAL? A. Dr. Mahmood Al Zarooni B. Dr. Mark Gerard C. Dr. Miguel Trevino Morales D. Dr. Steve Asmussen

4 5

WHAT IS A SUMO WRESTLER'S OUTFIT CALLED? A. Pantsu B. Himo C. Mawashi D. Tanpan

WHEN PLACING A “FIELD” BET IN CRAPS, WHAT NUMBERS ARE YOU NOT BETTING ON? A. 2, 3, 4, 5 B. 5, 6, 7, 8 C. 8, 9, 10, 11 D. 2, 4, 6, 8

1. B-Pete Rose, 2. B-Dr. Mark Gerard, 3. D-Chicago White Sox, 4. C-Mawashi, 5. B-5,6,7,8

SIPS WITH GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

IN 1919, WHAT TEAM WAS ACCUSED OF THROWING THE WORLD SERIES?

A. Chicago Cubs B. Boston Red Sox C. New York Yankees D. Chicago White Sox

HOT TODDY The traditional hot toddy drink dates back to the 1800s, when doctors would prescribe a hot drink of brandy, canella (white cinnamon), sugar syrup and water to their patients with colds. The drink has several variations, but the one we prefer uses Kentucky bourbon, honey and lemon, and is the perfect nightcap to take off the chill on a cold winter night.

8

The number of 1919 Chicago White Sox players indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public.

Ingredients 1 ½ ounces of premium Kentucky Bourbon

31

1 Tablespoon of Honey Juice of a ½ lemon 1 cup of water 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Boil water.

2. While water heats, squeeze the juice from a half of a lemon in your favorite mug.

3. Add the honey and stir until smooth.

4. Add bourbon and stir.

5. Top off with the hot water and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

4|

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

$2.4 million

The largest legal wager ever made.

An unidentified individual bet that amount that the 49ers would win Super Bowl XXIX.

The number of people still permanently banned from Major League Baseball.

50,000

$

4256

The number of hits Pete Rose had during his professional Baseball career.

The amount of money that famous Vegas performer, Liberace was making per week in 1955 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.

READY TO HIT THE ROAD? Here are top thrills and chills for 2016 by 6|

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

MISTY JOHNSON

"IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL, LIFE CAN QUICKLY PASS YOU BY, TAKING YOUR GREAT INTENTIONS AND FUTURE AMBITIONS ALONG WITH IT. YOU HAVE TO MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT, LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST, AND START FULFILLING YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS TODAY."

W

hether you are looking for adventure, want to overcome your fears, or just bask in earth’s vast beauty, these top 10 attractions at the top of every gambler’s bucket list will not disappoint.

ZIPLINE THROUGH FREEMONT ST. IN VEGAS

Experience Freemont Street like never before when you soar above the crowds on the new SlotZilla zip line. Like most things in Vegas, Slotzilla is larger than life. Measuring 12 stories high, it is the world’s largest slot machine. But this attraction is no gamble; it is one thrill you won’t want to miss. Take an exhilarating ride 77 feet up in the air on the Zipline.

Fliers travel half way down Freemont Street in a seated position at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. If you think you can handle it, the Zoomline offers even more of a thrill, but it is not for the faint of heart. Feel like you’re flying when you zoom across Freemont Street in a prone position at 1700 feet in the air. No matter which option you choose, this is sure to be an experience you will never forget. www.vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line POKERSTARS CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE IN NASSAU

Every poker player dreams of one day playing among the elite, and this year PokerStars makes that easier than ever before. The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is the second largest poker tournament in the world, topped only by the World Series of Poker. Over the past ten years, the tournament has paid out more than $150,000,000 in prize money, but has required a steep buy-in.

This year, PokerStars has made drastic changes, making the tournament better than ever. The buy-in fee for the Main Event has been slashed in half, and the selection of daily events has been tripled, with buy-ins as low as $120. It will be held once again at the luxurious Atlantis

Resort and Casino on Paradise Island January 6th-14th.

Escape the dreary winter weather for the soft, white sands and warm breeze of the Bahamas. While this tropical paradise provides plenty of opportunities for close encounters with marine life, the poker table is where you will face off with the real sharks.

With all the exciting changes, you won’t want to miss out on this exclusive event. www.pokerstarscaribbeanadventure.com PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE IN SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA

Forget Sin City, this year immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Sun City, South Africa. The legendary Sun City Casino may offer around the clock gaming, but the real gaming experience is located just ten minutes away at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

The 550 kilometers of unadulterated wilderness land is situated inside an ancient volcanic crater and is home to over 7,000 land mammals. For an upclose and personal view of the stunning landscape and wildlife, take a guided tour through the safari, where you can fully appreciate the size and strength of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

If you hit the jackpot, you just might witness the Big Five—African lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo—named by big game hunters due to their difficulty to hunt. For a different view, take in the full splendor of the African safari with an hour long hot air balloon ride. Get the complete backwoods experience when you stay in one of the rustic safari tents overlooking the African bush, or for more upscale accommodations, choose from one of the many luxury lodges.

Visit between July and October for the best animal viewing opportunities. www.pilanesbergnationalpark.org

Sun City, South Africa

LAKE TAHOE

Just one hour outside of Reno lies the largest alpine lake in North America.

Known for its crystal clear waters and breathtaking panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a sight to behold. Whether you enjoy spending your hours relaxing on the soothing waters, hiking through the pine forests, or skiing the slopes, Lake Tahoe is truly nature’s playground. The calm, blue waters provide the perfect conditions for hours of exhilarating water activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking.

If you’re looking to just relax, the majestic mountains provide the perfect backdrop as you leisurely cruise across the lake, particularly at sunset. Tahoe isn’t just a summer destination, with an annual snowfall of over 40 feet, it provides some of the top skiing conditions in the country. If skiing is not for you, you may want to try tubing, snowshoeing, or a scenic sleigh rides through the mountains. With plenty of fun in the sun and snow, Lake Tahoe is the perfect getaway. www.visitinglaketahoe.com WORLD POKER TOUR CRUISE

The World Poker Tour revitalized the world of professional poker with its popular broadcasts of premiere highstakes poker tournaments, beginning in 2003. Millions of viewers tune in to witness the entertaining quirks of the pros and hopefully learn a few useful pointers along the way. You can now be a part of all of the excitement of the World Poker Tour while enjoying the GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

|

7

peacefulness of the open sea. Royal Caribbean has partnered with the World Poker Tour to bring you a poker cruise like no other.

Start off your trip with a welcome party with your favorite World Poker Tour cast members, including commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten.

During the cruise, there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle, and even get your picture made with your favorite stars. While on your way to exotic destinations, take part in a variety of tournaments, including the Free Roll Tournament, High Roller Tournament, and the WPT Cruise Main Event, where the lucky winner will be featured in WPT Magazine. www.worldpokertourcruise. com/5th-annual/index.html KENTUCKY DERBY AND TRIPLE CROWN TRAIL

Louisville, Ky., is a city rich in history, and there is no better time to visit than during the Kentucky Derby Festival.

This prestigious horse race dates back to 1875 and is the first race in the US Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby may be the fastest two minutes in sports, but the festival is a two-week-long extravaganza, enjoyed by locals and the rich and famous alike. The festival is kicked off with a bang, beginning with one of the world’s largest firework and air shows, Thunder over Louisville. The Kentucky Derby 8|

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

Festival is packed with plenty of family fun, including the Pegasus Parade, the Balloon Glow, great food and live music at Waterfront Park, and the historic steamboat race across the Ohio River.

Cheer on your favorite Thoroughbred at the big event the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. From there the winner must win both the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York to join the elite winners of the Triple Crown. Throughout history, there have only been 12 lucky racehorses to pull off this monumental feat, with the last one being American Pharoah in 2015. www.kdf.org RV CASINO HOPPING THROUGH THE MIDWEST

The Midwest is filled with beautiful landscapes, intriguing landmarks, and a wide array of casino resorts, making it the perfect road trip for any gaming enthusiast. The Island Resort and Casino on the Upper Michigan Peninsula offers world-class gaming, affordable pricing, convenient access to Lake Michigan, and is considered the best RV Park in the state. The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort and Detroit’s luxury casino MGM are also very popular among both locals and tourists. The River City Casino in Illinois has an expansive gaming floor, is entirely smoke-free, and is only thirty minutes from downtown Chicago.

While you’re here, be sure to visit Sue,

the world’s largest T-Rex skeleton, at the Field Museum of Natural History, and check out the amazing city view from the SkyDeck observation area at Willis Tower. The Native American casinos in Wisconsin are always a crowd pleaser; they are rich with history and culture and have a charm all of their own. Don’t skip the largest casino in Minnesota, Mystic Lake. It is known for its selection of top entertainers and world-class golf courses. With so many great casinos to choose from, the hardest part of your trip will be deciding which ones to see first. travelthemidwest.com/guides/casinos.html MOUNT RUSHMORE

Take a step back in time with a visit to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

This Midwestern state is filled with monuments and attractions that celebrate the history and cultural diversity that has helped shape our great nation. The most popular monument, however, is Mount Rushmore, w ith a lmost three million visitors each year. The faces of some of the most inf luential leaders of the United States—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln— were painstakingly etched out into the mountain to memorialize these men and their contributions. Get an up-close view of this magnificent sculpture when you walk the Presidential Trail. www.nps. gov/moru/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

PAID

PLAYERS SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT Mt. Pleasant,MI November 23, 2015

Buy-in: $1650 Main Event: 465 Total Prize Pool: $666,600

Craig Casino celebrates his second HPT title and a $153,323 payday.

'MR. HPT' WINS 2ND TITLE & $153K Over 450 players at Championship Open event in Michigan

M

T. PLEASANT, MI - Craig Casino has seen plenty of success with Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) since he won his first title over four years ago. He's won more money, been to more Final Tables, and cashed in more tournaments than any other player in HPT history. However, that second title has always eluded him. Until now. On Monday, the certified arborist from Winfield, Illinois defeated a star-studded Final Table that included a reality TV star and a former world champion to earn $153,323 at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.

"I love the HPT. It's my home game," said the man who has become known on tour by his nicknames 'Mr. HP T' and 'The Legend'. "I'm feeling very fortunate and it's great to have the second win."

The two found themselves allin before the flop with Dennis holding two sevens to Casino's king-ten. A ten on the flop all but sealed Dennis's fate. The turn nor the river produced a seven and he was sent home with $93,724. For Dennis, the payday was all profit.

The poker dealer from Elmwood, Illinois won his seat by making the Final Table of HPT's cruise event back in February.

One of the biggest names at the table Monday was former world champion Joe Cada.

With two previous HPT Final Tables and over $10 million in career earnings, Cada is no stranger to high-pressure situations. The Shelby Township, Michigan man came in with one of the smaller stacks but used his experience to climb all the way to a third-place finish. Cada earned $62,127 for his efforts.

It only took Casino two hands Pro poker player and reality TV of heads up play to dispose of star Vanessa Rousso was making r unner-up Jimmy Dennis. her first appearance under the 26 |

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

bright lights of an HPT Final Table, though she is no stranger to the cameras. Rousso recently finished in third place on the hit TV show Big Brother. The Las Vegas resident had the support of hundreds of her fans on the virtual rail of the live stream. She was eliminated in eighth place, taking home $16,665.

The season-ending Championship Open event at Soaring Eagle drew a total of 465 players. It was also the last chance for players to earn points towards the Season XI Player of the Year race. Tour veteran Shawn Roberts finished in 23rd place, good enough to lock up POY honors. Roberts will receive complimentary buyins and hotel accommodations to six tour stops in 2016 for the accomplishment. HPT will kick off Season XII with a midJanuary stop in East Chicago. To see details for that series as well as a list of other 2016 tour stops, visit HPTpoker.com.

1st: Craig Casino Winfield, IL $153,323 2nd: Jimmy Dennis Elmwood, IL $93,724 3rd: Joe Cada Shelby Township, MI $62,127 4th: Danny Hannawa W. Bloomfield, MI $43,196 5th: Chan Pelton College Station, TX $32,330 6th: Andrew Holland Macomb, MI $24,998 7th: Steven Hagar White Lake Township, MI $20,331 8th: Vanessa Rousso Las Vegas, NV $16,665 9th: Mark Johnson Warren, MI $13,332

All Paid Players Listed at HPTpoker.com

PLAYER STRATEGY by

E R I C F LOY D

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

“WHEN REFERENCING HORSE RACING’S THREE TRADITIONAL STRAIGHT WAGERS, THERE’S LITTLE DOUBT THAT PLACE BETTING HAS PRACTICALLY BECOME A LOST ART FORM.”

HORSERACING: Shooting Straight

AYBE IT’S JUST A SIGN OF the times, but lately, most every horse player I converse with is dead-set on procuring a life-changing score.

The advent, and hence marketing of, elaborate pari-mutuel menus which promise acute financial solvency has no doubt led to this shoot for the moon mentality among punters. But while attempting to take down the Pick 6 at Santa Anita Park is admirable, it’s also highly unlikely.

On some days (maybe you can relate) I can’t select a single winner, never mind six in a row, and although keying multiple racers in each leg of a prolonged horizontal wager augments one’s margin for error, bankrolls become devastated when copious equine inclusion goes awry.

Rather than face the lottery-like odds associated with a Pick 6, many adventurous players will focus their efforts on less perilous ventures which still may levy passage to the IRS window. Obviously, sessions are exceedingly amplified by cashing bets like the Daily Double (selecting winners in consecutive contests), Pick 3 (selecting winners in three consecutive contests), exacta (selecting the top two finishers of a race in precise order), trifecta (selecting the top three finishers of a race in precise order) and superfecta (selecting the top four finishers of a race in precise order). In some instances, however, handicappers should simply shelve gross speculation and take what they are giving.

Virtually lost within today’s cornucopia of parimutuel exotics is something entitled straight wagering. Comprising the win bet (selecting an outright victor), place bet (selecting a runner who may finish either first or second) and show bet (selecting a runner who may finish either first, second or third), straight betting (in most cases) won’t precipitate an early retirement, though quite honestly brethren, neither will shredding tickets aimed at winning $50,000 jackpots.

When referencing horse racing’s three traditional straight wagers, there’s little doubt that place betting has practically become a lost art form.

This is largely because conventional straight wager players typically gravitate towards either aggressively betting on the nose or conservatively selecting a racer to hit the board. Furthermore,

place betting possesses a pessimistic stigma.

It’s basically jumping with a net: said horse warrants a bet but he or she isn’t good enough to win and won’t pay squat to show.

Ask your average grizzled punter how to best utilize a place bet and they’ll likely say, hedge an enormous win bet. You see, insuring large win bets with par place bets is quite common. Such a ticket might read -$300 Win #2/ $300 Place #2-. In this hypothetical example we are hoping to break even via an equivalent place bet should our selection be plagued by second-itis.

While I stand in agreement regarding the aforementioned methodology, it’s worth noting two additional instances where wielding a place bet may prove most advantageous. The first occurs when a heavy favorite goes post ward at odds of 1/5 or 1/9. In almost every instance, Horse Racing Nation will look to take advantage of this sure thing by accepting a short win price or a ridiculously short show price, like five cents on the dollar. This dynamic often generates a deficient place pool, thus producing the following fictional payout – WIN $2.40 – PLACE $2.60 – SHOW $2.10.

Another advantageous place-betting scenario arises when an upcoming contest showcases a dominant entry. Conditions vary from race to race, but usually, if two horses owned or trained by one individual are pointed towards the same race, they are pari-mutuelly coupled. In laymen’s terms, bettors receive two runners for the price of one! Consequently, if either equine finishes first or second, a punter cashes their place bet but here’s the catch. Extremely talented entries (customarily designated 1 and 1A or 2 and 2B) habitually round out a pursuit’s top two positions.

When this occurs, place bettors receive what amounts to a win payout because the place pool remains intact instead of being divided between two separate entities. For instance, if an entry goes post ward at 4/5 and the race finishes 1A - 1 - 4, the tote board would resemble something like: WIN 1A $3.60 PLACE 1 SHOW 4 $2.80

$3.60

$2.20

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

|

27

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS See them while you can by

T

The World’s Largest! The Biggest!

T he Ta l le s t ! T he Sm a l le s t !

Nothing says America like a good superlative, and nothing helped paint the idyllic image of travel-by-car in mid-century USA as much as the roadside attraction did.

Equal parts museum piece, carnival sideshow and schlock, these tawdry excuses to pull off the highway for a little respite from the white lines showcase some of the best and worst of what our country has to offer: For every mammoth monument to the legendary folk heroes of your (Paul Bunyan) there is macabre marker of our dark side (who wouldn't want to see the Bonnie and Clyde death car?).

But alas, the roadside attraction is becoming yet another piece of our uniquely American culture to be borne back ceaselessly into the past. Interstate 28 |

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

JOSEPH GROVE

travel has all but made irrelevant the system of U.S. highways, at least for long-distance travel, that afforded easy access to stops of all kinds. And now that tablets and onboard video players are omnipresent in the modern family truckster, who needs a life-size T-Rex and mini-golf course to break up the monotony of going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house? Who needs kitsch when Dora can doing the exploring for the kids on the iPad in back?

But there are still roadside attractions around, and they still manage to do some attracting. Here are a few of our favorites across the Midwest. Fuel up, put some Beach Boys on in the station wagon, and hit the road.

As of 2014, the bottle is for sale. Good lucking having someone pass it around your picnic table if you buy it.

FATAL CRASH SITE OF BUDDY HOLLY, RITCHIE VALENS, AND J.P. "THE BIG BOPPER" RICHARDSON Clear Lake, Iowa WHAT’S NEARBY: Not much, but at least

you’re just about 90 minutes of Des Moines on I-35.

WHY:

Because it’s where the music died.

Early on February 3, 1959, a small Beechcraft Bonanza took off in light snow in Clear Lake, Iowa, and plummeted to the ground just minutes later, in a farm field. Dead were three young musicians whom papers the next morning would refer to as “idols.” Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were gone, and the trajectory of rock ‘n’ roll was forever altered.

Fans of their music or historians of American music culture generally can

find connection with the crash, referred to as “the day music died” in Don McClean’s sweeping musical ode, at a couple of small monuments close to the crash site. One of them is a large replica of Holly’s famously thick and black glasses. And while the actual point of impact is farther away from the road, friendly locals have been known to guide fans to it.

Kicker: This being Iowa, many aspiring political campaigns also have crashed nearby. Ever heard of President Dean?

DINOSAUR GARDENS Ossineke, Michigan

Traverse City is just a quick 140 miles away, if that’s any consolation.

Photo courtesy of Dinosaur Gardens

WHAT’S NEARBY:

WHY: Because no list of roadside

attraction is complete without at least one dinosaur.

Dinosaurs! New Pteradon Nest! Frozen Yogurt Topping Bar! Seriously, folks, what more can you ask for when you’ve packed the minivan with ADD kids and a spouse who won’t get off the text machine long enough to fire up Waze for you? Acres of forest environment populated by dinosaurs—some of which you can climb to stairs to mount—are spread out before you, monetized in addition to the aforementioned Frozen Yogurt Topping Bar! by a souvenir shop and putt-putt golf course. Want more? Ok, greedy, you can also hike and watch birds.

Snark aside, the folks at Dinosaur Gardens must be doing something right. The park is celebrating their 80th anniversary, an especially impressive feat given that there is absolutely nothing close to the place. Seriously. Nothing.

The nearest interstate is more than 81 miles away.

KICKER:

Frozen Yogurt Topping Bar!

PIERRE THE PANTSLESS VOYAGEUR Two Harbors, Minnesota

Duluth and all its Minnesotan pleasures.

WHAT’S NEARBY:

WHY:

It had us at “pantsless”.

This one was tough for us. We could have gone for the Greyhound Bus Museum.

(Motto: “Sometimes you ride the dog.

Sometimes the dog rides you.” Not really.)

You also have your fair share of large ottos and pelicans. And then there’s all those Paul Bunyan graven images. But when your Googler brings up someone named Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur, well my friends, that’s when you know search is ended.

Meant as an homage to the long ago days when French explorers charted Lake Superior (which, as we all know, never gives up her dead when the gales of November come early) and her sisters. Do you know why he’s pantsless? Seriously.

We’re asking. Couldn’t find it anywhere.

placed the pants and other artifacts from the short life and brutal death of the Depression-era gangster in the basement of the old Lake County (Ind.) Court House. In addition to the trousers of doom, visitors can see the robber’s Indiana baseball shoes, wax figures of the gang robbing a bank, fake guns Dillinger wielded when he didn’t have real one, and even a bucket (hopefully not the actual one) that Dillinger had as his only toilet during nine years of incarceration. And for the climax, a recreation of the city morgue where a waxen Dillinger cadaver is spread out in all its gory glory.

KICKER: A life-size diorama of the

Second place would have been the monument to St. Urho, Grasshopper Chaser. No, we did not make that up.

death-by-electrocution of Bruno Hauptmann, history’s fall guy for the kidnapper and killer of the Lindberg baby. Why? Well, why not?

JOHN DILLINGER MUSEUM

GIANT BOTTLE OF CATSUP

Crown Point, Indiana

Collinsville, Illinois

Gary, Ind., another city that’s no stranger to crime.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Just a 15 mile jaunt

WHY:

You just can’t get enough fake autopsies.

WHY:

Death cars virtually litter the American countryside. Bonnie and Clyde’s. JFK’s.

Mansfield’s. Patton’s. But death pants?

Now we’re talking something interesting.

And if you’re interest in the macabre takes a bent toward crime as well, then the John Dillinger Museum should be on your list the next time you make the trip from Indy to Chicago.

Almost 70 feet tall and hoisted above the landscape atop a 100-foot-tall tower, the bottle—designed for use as a water tower at the old Brooks Catsup plant—was built in 1949 and is capacious enough to hold up to 640,000 bottles of the spicy red syrup the Reagan administration wanted to classify as a vegetable. Some say the monument has supernatural powers in that pregnant women who come too close to it will give birth to red-headed children.

KICKER:

WHAT’S NEARBY:

Not too far off the highway, Dillinger devotee and curator Joe Pinkston has

along I-55 to St. Louis.

Pay respects to America’s favorite condiment.

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

|

29

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.COM/EAST-CHICAGO

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

855-888-7289

41

1,953

TROPEVANSVILLE.COM

800-342-5386

40

1,000

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT & SPA

BELTERRACASINO.COM

800-472-6311

•

40

1,600

HORSESHOE CASINO HOTEL

CAESARS.COM/HORSESHOE-SOUTHERN-INDIANA

812-369-6000

•

140

1,750

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

RISINGSTARCASINO.COM

812-438-1234

30

1,400

AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL, COUNCIL BLUFFS

AMERISTAR.COM/COUNCIL-BLUFFS

712-328-8888

22

1,584

RIVERSIDE CASINO & GOLF RESORT

RIVERSIDECASINOANDRESORT.COM

877-677-3456

32

1,150

MYSTIQUE CASINO, DUBUQUE

MYSTIQUEDBQ.COM

563-582-3647

22

1,000

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, SIOUX CITY

HARDROCKCASINOSIOUXCITY.COM

712-226-7600

25

839

SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT

SOARINGEAGLECASINO.COM

888-732-4537

79

4,200

MGM GRAND DETROIT

MGMGRANDDETROIT.COM

877-888-2121

98

4,000

MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL

MOTORCITYCASINO.COM

866-782-9622

59

2,900

ILLINOIS AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL EAST CHICAGO

INDIANA

IOWA

•

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA MYSTIC LAKE CASINO, PRIOR LAKE

MYSTICLAKE.COM

952-445-9000

76

3,883

TREASURE ISLAND RESORT & CASINO

TICASINO.COM

888-867-7829

41

2,219

GRAND CASINO HINCKLEY

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-472-6321

44

450

GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS

GRANDCASINOMN.COM

800-626-5825

30

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

73

2,000

RIVER CITY CASINO & HOTEL, ST. LOUIS

RIVERCITY.COM

888-578-7289

54

2,000

MISSOURI

OKLAHOMA FIREKEEPERS, BATTLE CREEK

FIREKEEPERSCASINO.COM

877-352-8777

84

2,900

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, TULSA

HARDROCKCASINOTULSA.COM

800-760-6700

40

2,600

ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO, HARRIS

ISLANDRESORTANDCASINO.COM

800-682-6040

15

1,200

WINSTAR CASINO & RESORT

WINSTARWORLDCASINO.COM

580-276-4229

97

7,400

10

634

WISCONSIN

30 |

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

517

96 50

1,832 1,200

HO-CHUNK GAMING, NEKOOSA

HO-CHUNKGAMING.COM/NEKOOSA

800-782-4560

50

650

MENOMINEE CASINO RESORT, KESHENA

MENOMINEECASINORESORT.COM

800-343-7778

11

100

POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO

PAYSBIG.COM

800-729-7244

100

3,000

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

* 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

288

•

GOLF

SPA

POOL

THE MID-STATES POKER TOUR MILWAUKEE, WI January 14-17 | msptpoker.com

243 689

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

• •

606 294

160 201 116 54

• • •

400

• •

400

•

517

586 496 967 967

• •

•

•

• • • •

BREEZY POINT, MN January 8-10, 2016 | breezypointresort.com/winter-events

Tune up your snowmobile, sharpen your skates, and mark your calendar to attend the 21st Annual Ice Fest in Breezy Point. This two-day community event features tons of free and low-cost activities for the whole family.

• •

•

•

MADISON, WI January 16, 2016 | isthmusbeercheese.com

ISTHMUS BEER & CHEESE FEST

• •

• •

• •

•

Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest will return to the Alliant Energy Center for a warm and happy celebration in the midst of the bleak Wisconsin winter. Meet and mingle with brewers and cheese makers from around the state (and beyond) and sample hundreds of delicious creations. Must be 21+ years old to attend.

• •

•

•

• •

ANNUAL SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL

200

243

•

454 275

• •

• •

•

• •

1,500

•

•

•

•

294

ANNUAL ICE FEST

• •

• • •

184

One of the Midwest's most exclusive poker tours returns to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The Mid-States Poker Tour caters to poker players who desire affordable buy-ins that lead to large prize pools, and blind structures that allow for patient play. The Main Event is scheduled for January 14–17 in the Event Center and the Poker Room with a guaranteed prize pool of at least $50,000—last tournament's prize pool reached $462,000! The Main Event will include live reporting from PokerNews and a live final table broadcast with hole cards shown.

•

•

•

ST. PAUL, MN January 28 – February 7 | wintercarnival.com

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival attracts over 250,000 visitors a year and it an event you won’t want to miss! Since 1886, the carnival continues to bring family-friendly events and community pride to the Twin Cities area. Events at the carnival includes a royal coronation, parades, historic art exhibit, a dogsled race, snow sculpting and much more!

WINTER DANCE PARTY CLEAR LAKE, IA February 3-6 | www.surfballroom.com/wdp-schedule

The Surf Ballroom marks the 57th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly with concerts, luncheons, dance lessons and crash-site tours.

Come enjoy three days of entertaining performances as a tribute to Buddy Holly, an event that ensures the music will never die.

11TH ANNUAL WINTER BEER FESTIVAL 140

•

302

• •

103

•

391

•

• •

•

•

GRAND RAPIDS, MI February 26-27 | mibeer.com

The 2016 Winter Beer Festival will feature more than 100 Michigan breweries and brewpubs. Each guest ticket comes with tasting tokens that guests can exchange for samples of almost 1000 different craft beers.

Guests will also enjoy fine music from local bands, other entertainment, tasty foods, ice sculpture demonstrations, and fire pits to warm up by.

WANT COMPS? If you are a qualified casino player, let us know!

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

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

|

31

FUTURE ODDS FIND YOUR SPOT AND MAKE YOUR BETS

Airforce

18/1

2016 WORLD SERIES

April 7, 2016

Swipe

18/1

8/1

21/1

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jordan Spieth

Brody’s Cause

Jason Day

8/1

Exaggerator

25/1

Rory McIlroy

8/1

Bubba Watson

18/1

Mor Spirit

31/1

Dustin Johnson

18/1

Conquest Big E

39/1

Justin Rose

25/1

Rickie Fowler

25/1

Drefong

40/1

Tiger Woods

30/1

Adam Scott

35/1

Henrik Stenson

35/1

Phil Mickelson

35/1

Brooks Koepka

45/1

Hideki Matsuyama

45/1

Matt Kuchar

45/1

2016 MASTERS AUGUSTA GOLF CLUB | AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

*All others 50/1 or higher.

KENTUCKY DERBY CHURCHILL DOWNS | LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

May 7, 2016

New York Mets

10/1

Toronto Blue Jays

10/1

Chicago Cubs

10/1

Washington Nationals

10/1

St. Louis Cardinals

12/1

Texas Rangers

12/1

Houston Astros

12/1

Pittsburgh Pirates

12/1

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

New York Yankees

16/1

June 2, 2016

Boston Red Sox

18/1

Kansas City Royals

18/1

Greenpointcrusader 28/1

*13 other listed from 45/1 – 99/1.

SEVEN GAME SERIES

Cleveland Cavaliers

3/1

San Antonio Spurs

3/1

Golden State Warriors

5/1

Oklahoma Thunder

8/1

Los Angeles Clippers

10/1

Chicago Bulls

20/1

Houston Rockets

16/1

All other 3 yr. Olds

3/5

Miami Heat

20/1

Nyquist

9/1

Memphis Grizzlies

33/1

Mohaymen 32

| GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

11/1

8/1

*All others 50/1 or higher.

*All others 20/1 or higher.

18 |

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM