Southern Gaming November 2013! by Gaming and Destinations

NFL FAN FAVORITE OR OFFENDER AT FAULT?

COACHES UNDER SCRUTINY PAGE 16

NOVEMBER 2013 Vol. 15, Issue 6 SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Southern Sights & Delights:

5 WONDERFUL WINTER VACATION

DESTINATIONS

PAGE 32

Behind the Scenes of

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

Exclusive Interview with Producer, Terence Winter

PAGE 10

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Not retroactive. Schedule subject to change. Offer and seating is based on availability. Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a legal adult at all times. Valid ID required. Food offers available December 3-29, 2013, excluding December 20, 21, 27 28 & 29, 2013. Offers valid on cash purchases only, not Express Comp purchases. Guests must present their same day show ticket to redeem an offer. Some restrictions may apply. *Limited availability. 48 hour advanced booking required. 24 hour cancellation policy. Package rates are per room and limited to one package per trip. Two show tickets are per room, per stay, valid only during package trip and cannot be transferred. Package cannot be combined with any other package or promotions. Room packages not available during blackout dates of December 20, 21, 27 28 & 29, 2013. Not available to persons attending meetings, groups or conventions. Non transferable. A deposit for full package price is required and charged at time of reservation. Must be 21 to reserve a room and check into Beau Rivage. Beau Rivage charges a daily Resort Fee. This daily Resort Fee is in addition to the daily room rate charge and local and state taxes. Theater seating is based on availability and on a first come first served basis. Additional restrictions may apply. Beau Rivage management reserves all rights. ©2013 MGM Resorts International®.

IT’S TImE TO GET YOUR FILL OF EvERYThInG YOU CRAvE It’s time to put fun and thrills front and center with a true casino resort. Go ahead, play the newest slots, experience a Tom Fazio golf course and unwind at the Spa. Just save time for the main course—great food. Fill up on all your favorites like artisan breads, decadent desserts and more at the completely remodeled Buffet at Belterra. Catch every game on over 30 high definition TVs at the all-new Stadium Sports Bar & Grill. And savor a tender New York strip at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. There’s no better place to enjoy everything you love than Belterra.

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November 2013

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

Tips & Columns

Highlights & Hotspots

10 Behind the Scenes of

14 Blackjack:

22 Raising the Stakes:

Boardwalk Empire:

Exclusive Interview with Producer, Terence Winter

FEATURE ARTICLES

16 NFL Fan Favorite or Offender at Fault? Today’s Coaches Under a Microscope of Scrutiny

28 Call to the Post:

6 Tips for Wagering on Intermediate Thoroughbred Race Tracks

Does it Matter Where I Sit?

20 Casino Knowledge: Q&A with John G.

26 Horseracing: Concentrating on Comment Lines

$1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot on November 23

40 A Greenwood Getaway: The Rustic Appeal of South Carolina’s Old 96 District

36 ‘Tis the Season Gift Ideas for Gamers

38 Video Poker: Winning Hand Frequency for 9/6 Jacks or Better

44 Craps: I’ll Drink to That!

48 Poker: Stealing the Blinds

32 Southern Sights & Delights:

5 Wonderful Winter Vacation Destinations

SOUTH E R NGAM I NG.COM

LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Bisig Impact Group CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Larry Bisig PRESIDENT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

information much differently than we did ten, or even just five years ago. Now, there are countless ways to find anything you can imagine, from used cars to dinner deals and everything in between. Whether you use search engines like Google or Bing, or scour social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, information and special offers are more accessible than ever before. And while you are on your virtual quest for coupons, comps or Christmas gifts, you will without a doubt have the opportunity to sign-up or opt-in for giveaways, newsletters and daily deals. My suggestion is this: SIGN UP! Why not? These services provide great deals and they want to send you special offers, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Sign me up! Have you ever been talking to a friend who couldn’t stop telling you about the awesome trip he just went on? Like when your buddy Tunica Tom says, “Hey man, you got to hear about my trip to Tunica, it was AWESOME!” He then goes on to fill you in on all the details: they checked in at Gold Strike Casino and stayed for half price for a couple nights, the guys played golf at River Bend Golf Links with half price green fees, while the wives went shopping with 20% off cards. After, they played craps at Hollywood Casino and ate dinner at the award-winning Fairbanks Steakhouse, where they received comped appetizers and desserts. Following dinner, they saw an amazing concert at Sam’s Town Casino, and got to go backstage and party with the band. The next day they started the morning off with Bloody Marys in bed, courtesy of their new friend Harry, the Casino host, who also invited them to play in a $50,000 slot tournament, which they won and… blah, blah, blah. But then Tunica Tom says, “I got all of this because I am member of The Comps Club from Southern Gaming!” Suddenly, Tunica Tom has your attention, as you quietly think, wow that sounds great! Sign me up! And, those three little words are where it’s at – SIGN ME UP! In today’s world, we process

And the next time you see Tunica Tom, you will be the one bragging about your trip to Biloxi, where you stayed for free at Beau Rivage, went on a chartered fishing boat and caught Red Fish and Tuna, and tried the world-famous gumbo at Mary Mahoney’s Restaurant, only before walking over to Hard Rock for dinner at Vibe Surf, Turf, & Roll. Oh, and IP Casino not only treated you to front-row seats at an incredible concert, but you also went backstage and got to sing the encore on stage with the band! When you woke up, there were mimosas waiting in the room, followed by a round of golf at The Preserve Golf Course while your wife enjoyed a massage and drinks at the Beau Rivage pool. Now we’re talking, right? Good luck on your own virtual journey. If you are looking for the inside scoop on casinos, special deals and the best tips, the place to start is with us, The Comps Club by Southern Gaming and Destinations. Give it a shot for just $29 per year. We guarantee you will be the one doing the bragging! Check out page 9 for more details! If you can’t be good… be lucky!

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GENERAL MANAGER

G. Douglas Dreisbach MANAGING EDITOR

Roger Angel ACCOUNTING

Peggy Harris CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd Beth D’Adonno Eric Floyd John Grochowski Brianna Gunter Phil Hellmuth, Jr Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin Jeremy White Letters to the editor, address changes and other correspondence should be sent to: SOUTHERN GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 e-mail: editor@southerngaming.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the evergrowing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist the gamer in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest. Southern Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Bisig Impact Group of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 2004 by Bisig Impact Group. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by Publisher’s Printing Co., Inc. of Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Postage is paid in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Opinions of columnists are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor does Southern Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers. POSTMASTER: Send

G. Douglas Dreisbach

GENER AL M ANAGER

Chip Dumstorf

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

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The Spirit of Christmas

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS CASINO-STYLE! Whether you are already spreading the Christmas cheer, or need a little help feeling festive, we are excited to tell you about two exciting events that will surely get you in the holiday spirit, casino style! GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT

1.888.747.7711 | goldstrike.com If you’re going to be near Tunica between December 13-22, then check out A Country Christmas at Gold Strike Casino Resort. Enjoy spot-on impersonations of Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McIntire, Tim McGraw and Kenny Rogers as these ‘country superstars’ sing some of their most famous hits and Christmas classics throughout the production. Show times are Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 3p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets start under $10. 6|

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BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO

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PAT’S STEAKHOUSE

2437 Brownsboro Road Louisville, Kentucky 502.893.2062 PatsSteakhouseLouisville.com We venture to our hometown of Louisville to feature this gem of a steakhouse. This Louisville landmark is the perfect place for a romantic date or a night out with friends. While they don’t accept credit cards, they do accept compliments— and they’ve gotten a lot of them over their 57 years in business! When you walk in the front door, you can feel the history and know you are in for a treat. The steaks are specially cut and handselected by second-generation owner, Pat Francis. His son Corey and bartender Hank Wolf (who has worked there since 1974) make exquisite cocktails and pour the finest wines. Be sure to try their signature cocktail, the Maker’s Manhattan- it’s delicious! Beyond the selection of filets and strip steaks, Pat’s is famous for its signature fried chicken and mouth-watering sides served family-style. The homemade salad dressings are also a big hit (the bleu cheese is our personal favorite). Pat’s is a regular stop for travelers including celebrities, athletes, and horsemen in search of a great meal with great service and an aura of local tradition. Just ask Shug McGaughey, owner of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner, Orb. He called from the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs and asked Francis, “Can you find me some room? We’re coming in!” Of course the smiling Irishman made room for the Derby champ and his entourage. The celebratory evening made life-long memories for McGaughey and his team. Whether you stop by for a steak entrée or just a cocktail, it’s a sure bet you will not be disappointed by your visit to Pat’s Steakhouse.

PLAYER USES INFRARED TECHNOLOGY TO CHEAT CASINOS That’s right, a man used infrared contact lenses to spot specially marked cards at a Mediterranean casino resort to cheat fellow poker players. His “partner in crime” sat across from him at the stud poker table, and used signals to instruct him on the correct plays when the previously marked cards appeared. The cards were marked by two corrupt staff members at the casino. He ended up racking up 70,000, but don’t get any clever ideas. Once caught, the man was sentenced to two years in prison, a $100,000 fine, and his accomplishes were also issued similar consequences. So, what do you think they’ll try next?

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SILVER SLIPPER CASINO BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW HOTEL

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WSOP.com If you happen to be in Nevada, your virtual poker room awaits! First it was Ultimate Poker, now it’s the World Series of Poker. On September 19th, the world famous name became the second site to enter into the world of real money, online gambling with the launch of its poker website, WSOP. com. The site is legal for residents and tourists to log in and play, making layovers at McCarron MUCH more enjoyable! This is a major milestone for poker players since online gambling was banned in 2011. New Jersey is also scheduled to legalize online gambling in November, upon which several companies are lobbying for a piece of the action, including Caesars Interactive Entertainment, owner of the WSOP brand.

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FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

2 3

WHAT WAS THE MOST POPULAR TOY OF CHRISTMAS, 1984? a. Cabbage Patch Kid b. Transformer c. Care Bear d. Rainbow Brite

WHICH EARLY SEVENTIES NFL MIAMI DOLPHIN WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1946? a. b. c. d.

WHO COACHED THE DOLPHINS TO VICTORY OVER THE CHIEFS IN THE LONGEST NFL GAME OF ALL TIME HELD ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1971? a. b. c. d.

4 5 6

Bob Griese Larry Csonka Jim Kiick Paul Warfield

Hank Stram Tom Landry George Wilson Don Shula

WHAT TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FOOD IS MADE FROM “MARSH-WHORTS”? a. Cherry Pie b. Gingerbread c. Stuffing d. Cranberry Sauce

WHAT SNACK WAS INTRODUCED IN 1902 AS A HOLIDAY NOVELTY? a. b. c. d.

Candy Canes Animal Crackers Cracker Jacks Chocolate Kisses

WHAT WAS THE TOP SELLING HOLIDAY GIFT IN 2012? a. iPad b. Rubik’s Cube c. Kindle Fire d. Nintendo Wii

“Did You Know” Answers: 1. A-Cabbage Patch Kid, 2. B-Larry Csonka, 3. D-Don Shula, 4. D-Cranberry Sauce, 5. B-Animal Crackers, 6. C-Kindle Fire

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“THE WORST GIFT IS A FRUITCAKE. THERE IS ONLY ONE FRUITCAKE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, AND PEOPLE KEEP SENDING IT TO EACH OTHER.” -JOHNNY CARSON

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Average spent per shopper on holiday gifts, décor, greeting cards and more in 2012 Weight in pounds of the largest gingerbread man, baked by The Gingerbread House in Rochester, Minnesota in 2006

18 Billion

$749.51

317 466 Million

THE SUDOKU PUZZLE

Projected U.S. population as we ring in the New Year

9 2

7 8

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8 7

7 1

7 8

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The number of cards, letters and packages delivered last holiday season

8 6 3

Game courtesy of Sudokutoday.com

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T H E R OA R I N G T W E N T I E S

An inside look at one of HBO’s hit shows

Nucky Thompson, the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City, is played by Steve Buscemi.

Behind the Scenes of

BOARDWALK EMPIRE E XCL U S I V E I N T E RV I E W W I T H PROD U CE R , T E R E N CE W I N T E R by

T ALL BEGAN AFTER THE conclusion of the HBO hit series, The Sopranos in 2007. With the mysterious finale wrapping one of the most successful shows of all time, the network was left looking for a replacement and wasn’t quite sure what it was going to be. Upon suggestion, Sopranos writer and executive producer, Terence Winter read the historical novel, Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, written by Atlantic County native, Nelson Johnson. Though the book covers decades of history, it was the chapter about Prohibition that stuck out, and it was then that a hit series to fill the void left by The Sopranos was born. “It was such a gift to come off of The Sopranos, which really explored organized 10 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

BRIANNA GUNTER

crime at its end,” Winter said in a recent interview with Southern Gaming. “And the most pivotal moment in organized crime history was the enactment of Prohibition, because it really made millionaires out of criminals.” After learning that Martin Scorsese was already attached to the project, Winter knew he wanted to be involved. As it turned out, the Prohibition chapter in Johnson’s book would also provide the basis for the show’s main character. Nucky Johnson (no relation to the author) was already a corrupt Atlantic City official by the time Prohibition began, so Winter worked off that knowledge to write and produce his next big hit, Boardwalk Empire.

“I KNOW THAT HE WAS A CORRUPT POLITICIAN AND CERTAINLY DEALT IN BOOTLEGGING, BUT I WANTED TO LICENSE THIS CREATIVELY AND ALSO PSYCHOLOGICALLY TAKE THAT FICTIONAL NUCKY ANYWHERE WE WANTED TO GO.” “I pretty much just took the basic character of Nucky and then created a fictional world around him,” Winter explained. The character of Margaret, he said, is based off of a real woman who asked Nucky Johnson to help her find a job for her husband. Due to various details being altered and added, Nucky’s last name was changed to “Thompson.”

“I didn’t want to start attributing bad things to the real Nucky that we’re really not sure he did,” Winter said. “I know that he was a corrupt politician and certainly dealt in bootlegging, but I wanted to license this creatively and also psychologically take that fictional Nucky anywhere we wanted to go.” The casting of Steve Buscemi as Enoch Malachi “Nucky” Thompson was not a difficult decision. Having previously worked with both Winter and Scorsese, he was easily favored to play Nucky. Before anything was written, the time period needed to be mastered and Winter spent months researching Atlantic City’s history from the 1920s. For help, he hired Atlantic City native Ed McGinty, whose grandfather worked as head bellman at the Ritz Carlton during the time that the real Nucky Johnson lived there. Historian Vicki Gold Levi, whose father was the official photographer for Atlantic City for decades, was also hired as a consultant. While the series definitely emulates what a 1920’s boardwalk might have looked like, no filming actually takes place in Atlantic City due to its lack of authentic 1920s architecture. Instead, the show is filmed on a giant set in a Brooklyn parking lot. Thanks to modern digital technology, the set comes together very convincingly as Atlantic City in its roaring 20s (the show’s producers hired the same company that worked on HBO’s John Adams mini-series to ensure the illusion of authenticity). Meanwhile, modern-day Atlantic City is trying to re-market itself and Boardwalk Empire has helped boost these efforts. “Obviously it’s a vastly different place than it was a hundred years ago, but it’s still really cool, and basically this is where it all happened,” Winter said. “I love Atlantic City. I always have, and always will.” Boardwalk Empire is in its fourth season and continues to receive praise from critics and audiences alike. For those who have yet to see the show, here’s a summary of what you’ve missed: SEASON ONE

Boardwalk Empire hit the ground running and at $18 million, it was the most expensive TV pilot ever produced. Premiering September 19, 2010, the show opens in January 1920, the day before Prohibition would take effect in the

A behind the scenes look at the on-set production of the HBO hit series, Boardwalk Empire.

United States. Atlantic City treasurer, Nucky Thompson, publicly supports the new law, but secretly conspires to go into bootlegging with local associates and New York gangsters, Arnold Rothstein, Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Chicago’s Johnny Torrio. Nucky’s driver, Jimmy Darmody and a young Al Capone are also interested in entering the business, and the pair hijacks Nucky’s shipment to Rothstein, resulting in conf lict between Nucky and Rothstein. After speaking at a Women’s Temperance League event, Nucky meets Margaret Schroeder, an Irish immigrant who asks him for help finding employment for her husband, a man who Nucky and his sheriff brother Eli kidnap and beat to death after they discover he abuses Margaret. As the season progresses, Margaret and Nucky grow closer. Eventually she discovers his corruption and decides to end their relationship, but only after realizing he is using her for political gains. By the end of the season, the two reconcile. Meanwhile, Nucky expands his shady business and starts working with local black community leader and racketeer, Albert “Chalky” White. Nucky also survives an attempted assassination and is forced to fire Eli in the aftermath. The season concludes with Commodore Kaestner, Nucky’s supposed mentor and former associate, and Jimmy’s newly revealed father, recruiting Jimmy and Eli to bring down Nucky. Critics’ responses to the first season

were largely positive. The American Film Institute named Boardwalk Empire one of the “Top 10 Most Outstanding Television Programs of the Year” for 2010, and the first season was nominated for 18 Primet ime Emmy Awa rds, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Steve Buscemi) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Kelly Macdonald). The show won eight Emmys including, Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. Scorsese also took home the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. To top it off, the first season also won Golden Globes for Best Television Series-Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series-Drama. SEASON TWO

The second season premiered September 25, 2011, with Gretchen Mol and Jack Huston promoted to series regulars after appearing several times in the first season as Gillian Darmody and war veteran, Richard Harrow. The second season begins in January 1921. Jimmy, Eli and the Commodore get the KKK to attack Chalky White’s bootlegging storeroom and frame Nucky for election fraud. Agent Nelson Van Alden agrees to supply incriminating evidence, but only out of financial desperation. Jimmy attempts to become allies with Rothstein and crime boss Manny Horvitz, and while Rothstein doesn’t bite, Horvitz is impressed by Jimmy’s manners. However, he isn’t in Horvitz’ good graces for long. Influenced by Eli, Jimmy puts a hit out on Nucky, SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Left: The Capone brothers played by (left to right) Domenick Lombardozzi, Stephen Graham, Morgan Spector. Right: Boardwalk Empire producer Terry Winter on set.

which causes him to resign (although his pending court case is also a factor). Jimmy takes Nucky’s place, and Horvitz murders his wife in revenge. Meanwhile, Margaret and her two children are living with Nucky. She is conflicted over her feelings about him and is also attracted to Owen Sleater, Nucky’s driver and bodyguard. Though she feels guilty, Margaret marries Nucky by the end of the season, which also means she cannot testify against him in his trial. The charges are dropped, and Nucky forgives Eli but kills Jimmy. Margaret then takes a land grant Nucky had intended to use to pave roads to Atlantic City and donates it to the church. This season of Boardwalk Empire was also well received critically. It was nominated for 12 Emmys, with another nod for Buscemi as Lead Actor and a win for Timothy Van Patten in directing. It was also nominated for the same three Golden Globe awards the inaugural season was recognized for. SEASON THREE

Despite the loss of one of its most dynamic characters, Jimmy Darmody, writers turned up the excitement in the third season with the addition of Bobby Cannavale as Giuseppe Colombano “Gyp” Rosetti, and the expanded role of Chalky White. The season opens on New Year’s Eve 1922 with Rosetti, a short-tempered New York gangster, who is displeased with Nucky’s now exclusive distribution contract with Rothstein. Meanwhile 12 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Richard Harrow is taking care of Jimmy’s orphaned son under Gillian’s watchful eye, and Margaret is striving for better women’s health care. Because she donated Nucky’s grant to the Catholic Church, he receives an award for his “charity,” and Margaret uses this to gain support for a women’s clinic. But that’s the least of Nucky’s problems. Rosetti starts blocking his shipments and eventually makes his move to oust Nucky for good. Nucky manages to escape and hides with Chalky. In exchange for helping him, Nucky agrees to give Chalky a spot on the boardwalk for a new club. A full-on turf war finally breaks out between Rosetti’s and Nucky’s men, with Nucky receiving support from Purnsley, Eli and Capone. After Rosetti’s alliances crumble and he survives an attempt on his life by Gillian, his fed-up lieutenant, Tonino Sandrelli kills him. Nucky wins the war, but his problems aren’t over. Margaret appears to terminate a pregnancy resulting from a tryst with Owen, but she no longer wants any part of Nucky. The public also appears to be more than well-aware of his criminal activity by this point, meaning his life will never be the same moving forward. The third season garnered positive reviews, with Cannavale’s performance being particularly praised. This season was nominated for nine Emmys and two Golden Globes, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series-Drama and Best Television Series-Drama.

SEASON FOUR

The fourth season premiered this fall on Sunday, September 8. It is now February 1924 and Nucky’s life is still reeling from last season’s events. In an attempt to ensure peace exists between all the mob bosses, he holds a meeting at Chalky’s thriving new club. Unfortunately, things don’t go as smoothly as planned, and it looks as though things are only going to get more complicated. Joining the show this season are Patricia Arquette, Brian Geraghty, Ron Livingston and Jeffrey Wright. WHAT’S NEXT FOR HBO

Also airing on HBO this season is the award-winning series The Newsroom, as well as Eastbound and Down, Treme and new series, Getting On. Fan favorites Game of Thrones and True Blood will also be back again next year – the only two HBO shows currently outranking Boardwalk Empire in terms of audience numbers. Though it ended almost seven years ago, nothing has been able to top The Sopranos, which really put the premium cable network on the map when the series launched in the late 1990s. At that point, HBO had been around for over 20 years and had only just begun to gain popularity with programs like Dream On, Tales from the Crypt, Mr. Show and later, Oz. However, The Sopranos was the first HBO show to enjoy cult status and widespread critical acclaim, as well as a multitude of major awards and nominations. And it doesn’t sound like Winter is slowing down anytime soon. Winter and Scorsese are already hard at work on their next major project.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

BLACKJACK: Does it Matter Where I Sit?

ou stroll through a crowded casino, itching to play blackjack, when you spot two tables with open seats. The first with a seat at the first-base position, the second table with an opening at third base. Where should you sit? As you face a blackjack table, the first betting position (seat) on your far right is first base. The dealer always starts by dealing the cards one at a time from left to right, so the player seated at first base receives cards first, and is also the first to act on his hand (meaning to make a playing decision, like whether to stand or hit). On the opposite end of the table is the third base position, which is often called the anchor player. The third base player is the last to receive the initial two cards from the dealer, and is also the last to act on his hand before the dealer acts on his or her hand. So, which seat is best? If you are a casual player (not card counting) it makes no difference where you sit. This surprises many players because they mistakenly believe the anchor player can influence whether the table wins or loses by how he plays his hand. Some players even expect the anchor player to “sacrifice” his hand for the betterment of his fellow table players. Why do players believe this? Probably because they can recall a time when an anchor player misplayed and screwed the other table players, which goes something like this: “I’m playing blackjack, minding my own business when that anchor fellow decides to hit his 16 with the dealer showing a 6. We tried to convince the dummy to stand, but he wouldn’t listen. Sure enough he draws the dealer’s bust card. And of course the dealer has a picture card in the hole, and draws a 5 for 21 and we all lose. So don’t tell me a screwball playing third base won’t hurt me.” If you play blackjack I’m sure you’ve experienced a similar scenario. Somehow we always seem to remember when we lose a big hand because of the clueless player at third base (I call it selective memory). Let’s suppose the lack of skill of an anchor player can result in bad things for other table players. Now let’s suppose we pool our money and open a

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

casino with lots of blackjack tables. To ensure we make a ton of money, we’re going to pay players to sit at every third-base seat with instructions that they must hit when they are supposed to stand, and stand when they are supposed to hit, to cause all the other players to lose. We’ll be rich! Of course, this is nonsense; otherwise casinos would have implemented “clueless shills” to their benefit a long time ago. The skill of the anchor player, or any other player on the table, has no affect on your chances of winning or losing. In fact, you could have five chimpanzees playing next to you on the table and your chances of winning and losing won’t change one iota, because you have no idea what sequence of cards is in a shoe. It could just so happen that a dumb play by any player will result in you winning the hand, or just as likely, losing the hand. In the long run, it all evens out. Nevertheless, blackjack misconceptions live on, so here’s my advice for players who fret about where to sit. If you are a newbie and need to bring a strategy card for aid (hey, there is nothing wrong with that, and it’s casino legal), I suggest you sit in spots 3, 4 or 5. If you sit at first base, the dealer will be looking for you to make a play quickly, which doesn’t give you much time to look at your hand and the dealer’s upcard, and then at your strategy card to determine how to play the hand. If you sit in positions 3, 4 or 5, you will have more time to figure out a play. And when you are not rushed, you are more likely to make the right play, win more and enjoy the game more. So why shouldn’t a newbie sit at third base, since the anchor player has the most time to determine playing strategy because he acts last? As I said earlier, blackjack misconceptions live on, and there are still some goofballs who get annoyed at anchor players who misplay hands. I recommend that newbies avoid the anchor position and choose a middle seat instead.

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. He is the host of smartgaming.com and editor of Blackjack Insider newsletter (for a free three-month subscription, visit bjinsider.com/ freetrial). For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog, which contains books, strategy cards and software for casino players, call 1.888.353.3234 or visit smartgaming.com.

“THE SKILL OF THE ANCHOR PLAYER, OR ANY OTHER PLAYER ON THE TABLE, HAS NO AFFECT ON YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING OR LOSING.”

If you are a more experienced blackjack player, one seat is just as good as another. For card counters, seat position is important and counters can actually boost their edge slightly if they know where to sit. But that’s a story for another day. FOR MORE FREE BLACKJACK TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ BLACKJACK

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KE I NR GE D ZO N E ICNO O TH N F L Trisha c o a c hYearwood es battling rumors, with the press and fans

New Orleans’ Coach, Sean Payton was suspended the entire 2012 season for enacting a program that rewarded players for intentionally hurting the opposition. Photo Courtesy of AP

NFL FAN FAVORITE OR OFFENDER AT FAULT?

T ODAY ’ S C OACH E S U N DER A M ICRO S C OPE OF S CRU T I N Y by

TOIC AND SEEMINGLY agitated, Bill Belichick stands behind the podium Sunday a f ter Sunday, September through January, and fields questions about his team’s play. The New England Patriots have been no strangers to success under his reign. The difficult-to-read head coach has guided the Pats to three Super Bowl wins. A three-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, Belichick has compiled a career record of 205-108. That’s a .655 win percentage. And in the playoffs he’s even better – his 18-8 mark gives him a postseason winning percentage

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JEREMY WHITE

of .692. He’s won the AFC a total of five times (2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2011). Which is why we must as ourselves, is there a better football coach on the planet? Far from revered though, NFL fans have a love/hate relationship with the man. If you’re a Patriots fan, there’s a good chance you have his back, otherwise he may not be the guy you’d want to sit down with for a beer. Sure, continuous success often breeds contempt. Everyone likes an underdog. Watching a giant tumble is fun. But that’s not what it’s about with Belichick. He’s uninterested in the media. It pains him to

answer questions in press conferences. He rarely smiles. There’s nothing warm and fuzzy about him. He isn’t amusing like say, Rex Ryan of the New York Jets. And, people think he’s a cheat. In 2007, an assistant in the Patriots organization was caught stealing signals from the opposition. This was nothing new. But this assistant wasn’t just attempting to decipher coaching signals from the New York Jets – he was caught videotaping the signals. The ensuing uproar was loud, and the incident was quickly named “Spygate” by the media. The NFL took it

very seriously and Belichick was levied a $500,000 fine. The Patriots organization was fined another $250,000. It was the largest fine ever handed down by the league to a head coach. Perhaps most damaging though was that the league also forced New England to forfeit its first-round draft pick for the following 2008 season. And while there’s no concrete proof, plenty of NFL insiders have publicly said that the Patriots didn’t do anything that other teams within the league don’t do as well. According to many, the infraction is commonplace; it just so happened that the Pats got caught. Whether that’s true or not doesn’t matter. Belichick’s reputation was tarnished and he remains a lightning rod for online social media discussions to this day. “He’s a bad guy, no question,” says Kane Dawson, an NFL fan who we recently caught up with outside a restaurant at Horseshoe Southern Indiana. A selfproclaimed Packers fan, Dawson says he has no reason to dislike Belichick for his success. “It’s not like my team’s in his Division. Hell, they’re not even in his Conference. It’s not a jealousy thing, like if I were a Colts fan or something. I just think he’s a jerk. And he cheated, plain and simple.”

Since 2011, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has maintained an excellent reputation. Photo Courtesy of AP.

Belichick when it comes to reputation management. “That makes no sense to me,” says New England fan Robert Norton. “The Saints had an actual bounty program. They were calling for heads. But he’s a good guy? Seriously? If he’s not a bad guy, tell me who is.”

Is it really that plain and simple? Not to Josh Keown, an NFL aficionado and sports fan. While he’s a Bengals fan, Keown says he’s also known to respect Clearly it depends on who you ask. the acumen of New England quarterback Keown’s bad guy is New York Giants Tom Brady. “You instantly think of Bill coach Tom Coughlin. “I don’t like Tom Coughlin at all,” he says. Belichick when you think “He doesn’t seem like he’s ‘bad guy,’ but I don’t think “BEING AN NFL having any fun. Doesn’t he’s a bad guy, I think he’s just seem like he lets his players misunderstood more than COACH IS TOUGH. have any fun. It reminds me anything,” Keown explains. THERE ARE ONLY of some of the teachers I Belichick isn’t the only one THIRTY-TWO SUCH used to have in high school who takes hits. Most fans that were just no-nonsense would have described New JOBS, AND GETTING all the time.” Orleans coach Sean Payton ONE ISN’T EASY. Another fan we interviewed, as a good guy, but he was BUT KEEPING ONE Jeff Phillips, has trouble with suspended for the entire the headman in Seattle. 2012 season after the league IS EVEN HARDER.” “My least favorite coach is determined the Saints had Pete Carroll,” Phillips says. enacted a “bounty” program in which players received rewards for “As much as I admire what he can do as intentionally hurting the opposition. This a coach, I cannot admire the guy for how punishment was much more severe than he ended up at his current position. It is Belichick’s, but thanks to his winning undeniable that he was very successful at smile and charming personality, Payton the collegiate level and now in the NFL, seems to get off the hook a bit more than but there was something more happening

behind the scenes that shouldn’t have been. When the NCAA got wind of it he bolted for the NFL where he wouldn’t be touched and he left a school in shambles for others to pick up the pieces. I’m not even a USC fan. Ethics, morals and values come into play when I think of Pete Carroll. Although he is not the first, nor the last to have done it, he is the most recent that I have paid attention to.” Another name that tops the list of least liked coaches is the Jets’ Rex Ryan. Known for his tirades and humorous antics, he is probably one of the most entertaining coaches in the league. Catapulted by the inside the locker room looks from the show Hard Knocks on HBO in 2010, Ryan was projected as what seems like a good guy, but still a coach everyone loves to pick on. Historically, the NFL has always had good guys and bad guys. For every Al Davis there has been a Don Shula. And for every Rex Ryan there’s a Marvin Lewis. “I really like Marvin Lewis,” says Keown. “If I’m correct, I think he’s the second-most tenured coach in the NFL. So hats off to him for being able to keep the Cincinnati Bengals job for so long.” A coach that seems to have a good reputation is Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers. It takes a certain attitude SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Left: Even though Patriots coach Bill Belichick is one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, he is constantly surrounded by controversy. Right: Jets coach Rex Ryan is known for his entertaining press conferences. Photos Courtesy of AP

to be a successful coach, and as we saw with the previous coach for the 49ers, Mike Singletary, you cannot demand respect. They’re coaching the best of the best in their profession. Coaches have to earn their respect with the perfect mix of compassion and praise to keep players in line while also making them want to make you proud. Jim has that perfect mix, and his results show it. Let’s face it. Ultimately, fans seem to let their emotional attachment to a particular team determine which coaches are dubbed the good guys or bad guys. If you’re a Redskins fan, you hate the Cowboys coach. If you’re a Packers fan, you hate the Bears coach. If you’re a Patriots fan, you hate the Jets coach. It has always been that way, and always will be. But with some of these guys, like Ryan, Belichick and Payton, there’s so much controversy that follows them that it’s elevated to a whole new level. Whether it’s personality or scandal, or both, it finally gets to a point where you question how their own fans can even support them. So, where is the line drawn between good guy and that coach everyone loves to hate? Fans can understand Belichick and Payton. They’re hugely successful. Belichick is one of the most successful

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coaches in NFL history and Payton has a Super Bowl ring, so what’s really not to like? But what has Rex Ryan done? His post-game rants and his press conferences are far more interesting than anything he does as a coach on the field. The most exciting thing about him is his foot fetish that was unveiled to the world in a breaking news style press release!

it, or they can’t. But the pressure to win shouldn’t make a coach a bad person. It shouldn’t make a coach a cheat. It shouldn’t make them want to hurt players on other teams. They should know the difference between right and wrong, which will ultimately determine their reputation and define the fans’ perception of them as good or bad.

Being an NFL coach is tough. There are only thirty-two such jobs, and getting one isn’t easy. But keeping one is even harder. Maybe it’s the pressure and how one reacts to it that ultimately defines whether a skipper falls into the good or bad category? “There’s constant pressure to succeed,” says Dwayne Smith, a St. Louis Rams fan who believes his team has had more than its share of poor coaching over the years. “It’s ‘win at all costs. Win or you’re out. What have you done for me lately? I don’t care what you did yesterday, what are you doing today?’ That has to wear a person down and expose his flaws. Not that the pressure makes you turn into a bad person, though I could see how it could. But if you’re already a bad guy, I’d say it would amplify that.” Others say it doesn’t matter if you are supposed to win, coaches know the pressure is there and they can either handle

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PLAYER STRATEGY

CASINO KNOWLEDGE: Q&A with John G.

I DON’T KNOW IF THIS question has been asked (I’m sure it has) but I will ask anyway. When you play these games that have the mini-maxi jackpots like Vibrant 7s, 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 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 is in regards to games like China Shores and China Mystery. The amount of potential free spins – 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 that the machine is programmed this way? After all it is a computer! A. I don’t know the specifics of Vibrant 7s, a Konami game I’ve never played, but 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 payline 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, where the player who bets more has 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 who pushes the jackpot to $1,134.17 will win it. With a mini-jackpot, and the RNG selects the value of $8.63, the player whose wager pushes the jackpot to $8.63 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.

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JOHN GROCHOWSKI

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 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 versus a low number of freebies would be the same regardless of your bet size. Q. I usually play blackjack, basic strategy, but I was at a casino for a bachelor party and a couple of my friends wanted to play Caribbean Stud poker. One of them said he’d had a straight flush once and won over $8,000. He was going to teach us to play. He never even looked at his cards, he just bet every time. I asked if there shouldn’t be some strategy, and he said, “Meh. We’re here to gamble, right?” What do you think? A. I think I’d have let your friend play his way while I played mine. The “we’re here to gamble” line has never made much sense to me. You’re a blackjack player. Would you ever say, “We’re here to gamble,” then double down on every hand, split every pair or hit whenever intuition told you to? Of course not, you play basic strategy and try to narrow the house edge as much as you can. Betting every hand in Caribbean Stud means action on A LOT of weak cards. The house edge soars to 16.6% of the ante, or 5.5% of total action. There are a number of variations on Caribbean Strategy, all of which start with betting when you have a pair or better, and betting with Ace-King when one of your other three cards matches the dealer’s up card. That leaves a house edge of 5.26% of the ante, or 2.6% of total action. With a few fine points, you can narrow that to 5.22% of the ante and 2.55% of the ante. There are a couple more Ace-King hands to play: Make the bet if the dealer’s up card matches your Ace or King, and you also have a Queen or Jack in your hand. And stay even if the dealer doesn’t match any of your cards if your fourth highest card is higher than the dealer’s up card.

Syndicated gaming columnist John Grochowski has been covering the casino industry for 17 years in his weekly column distributed to newspapers, websites and magazines. He is also the author of six books, including The Slot Answer Book and The Video Poker Answer Book. You can also find him online at CasinoAnswerMan.com.

“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.” FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY

SPORTS BETTING: Money Lines & Halftime Action by

JOHNNY DETROIT

ETTING HALFTIMES AND QUARTERS

I remember in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I had to get all my early and mid-day action in to “Ed” before 1 p.m. on Saturday because he was not back in the office until 3 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. games (and back at 6:30 for the late action). There was no betting halftimes or quarters. Side, total, parlay and basic teasers were the extent of my betting options. This all changed when gambling went online, which allowed bookmakers to offer action on almost every aspect of a game, including creating a side/ total for quarters and halves. When setting the line for quarters and halftimes, the sportsbook tended to use a basic chart and set these numbers based off the overall game side and total. Granted, there are exceptions for big TV games where the flow of the game can be factored in, but on a college football Saturday, the majority is set using a basic formula. Here is where the edge for the sharper or even casual player (who understands patterns for certain teams) comes into play. For example, during the USC Pete Carroll era, they would start slower versus above average for better teams, but Pete would eventually make adjustments and put the rout into effect (i.e. Rose Bowl vs. Michigan). When you look at the second half, the sportsbooks have limited time to put up a line and total, and are

forced to use the current score in conjunction with the overall game odds, which gives a huge edge to someone watching the game who can see the flow, adjustments and reasoning behind what the score is at half (sloppy play, bad call, etc.). UNDERSTANDING THE MONEYLINE

Before the Internet came along, players and local bookies tended to shy away from moneylines because it seemed confusing. Anyone ever try calculating a moneyline parlay by hand? With the Internet, the money needed to wager plus the payout is all displayed without you having to figure anything out. When talking moneylines over with some offshore bookmakers, it is a general policy not to jump and move the moneyline with the pointspread in every instance. This is usually true in big games, such as the Super Bowl, where they get an overwhelming amount of money on a certain game line. The year the Patriots beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl (2005), based off the game line movement, the moneyline should have been at -290, but it stayed static at -230. So even though you may not want to lay $230 to win $100, in this instance you have an edge because you are paying -230 for something that should be -290, especially since the Patriots only won by three.

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B E AT I N G T H E O D D S Delta Downs R acetrack Casino & Hotel

Last November, Goldencents claimed the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, then went on to run in the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

Raising the Stakes $1, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 DE LTA D OW NS J ACK P O T ON NOV E M BER 2 3 by

H E N AV I D H O R S E fans think of premium thoroughbred racing, I doubt Vinton, Louisiana is at the top of their list. As a matter of fact, it might not even crack their top twenty! Instead, one might reflect on images of big colorful hats and Mint Juleps on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. Or being star struck watching celebrities at Del Mar in California. But, when you combine the excitement of a casino property with the thrill of the thoroughbred racing, something magical happens… and don’t you dare call it a racino! Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is located in Southwestern Louisiana, just five miles from the Texas border, and is 22 |

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G. DOUGL AS DREISBACH

the pioneer of the casino-racetrack combo concept. Utilizing a portion of the revenue from the casino and slot machines to bolster the purses for races, Delta Downs can offer higher purses than standalone tracks and ultimately attract better quality horses and trainers, while also boosting its racing profile and the image of the property as a whole. So in 2002, when the property introduced the first Delta Downs Jackpot, a $500,000 purse at the time, it was big news. Never before had a single race purse rivaled those of the elite Triple Crown or Breeders’ Cup races, but Delta Downs drew the line in the sand and threw their name in the ring for the battle of the best.

After years of modifications, tweaks and upgrades, track announcer Don Stevens is as excited as ever. “This is our Derby. We have an 11-race card featuring eight stakes races, the $500,000 Delta Downs Princess for the fillies and the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot,” Stevens said. “These are the kind of purses that draw some of the biggest names in racing and can make dreams come true.” The $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, one of the richest races in the country for 2-year olds, is classified as a grade 3 race and is contested over 1 1/16 miles. This is also an optimal starting point for Triple Crown hopefuls to begin their quest, as the 2012 race featured three entries that raced in this year’s Kentucky Derby. They were

Delta Downs made big news in 2002 by introducing the first Delta Downs Jackpot, a $500,000 purse.

Mylute who finished 5th in the Derby and 3rd in the Preakness, Itsmyluckyday who finished 15th in the Derby and 2nd in the Preakness, and Goldencents, who finished 17th in the Derby and 5th in the Preakness. The race is attractive to top tier contenders, not only for the purse money, but also because it is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Point System, a series of races where the winner of each race will be awarded points for their accomplishment (second, third and fourth place also receive points). The 20 horses with the most points at the end of the series will receive a spot in the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby. The point system was implemented by Churchill Downs to serve as a way for race fans to easily follow horses through a series of prep races, similar to the point system made popular by NASCAR. This year, the race will be held Saturday, November 23 as the marquee race card with a first post of 1:15 CT. Stevens is

expecting a record crowd and another field of stellar contenders. In addition to racing, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is a Southern Gaming Preferred Property, featuring all of the amenities of a major casino property. Boasting over 1,600 slot machines, a lu xurious hotel, two restaurants, a buffet and food court, you will never want to leave! Plus, they regularly take home first place honors in Southern Gaming’s Readers Choice Awards. And, Chef David Savoie from the property’s ac cla i med re st au r a nt , VISTA, recently claimed Southern Gaming’s Top Casino Chef of the South! This property is on a roll and we encourage you to check it out! For more information on the $1,000,000 D elt a D ow n s Jac k p ot a nd D elt a Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, visit DeltaDowns.com or call 1.800.589.7441.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

HORSERACING: Concentrate on Comment Lines

NNU MER A BLE W EA PONS AR E readily available to those who habitually scour thoroughbred racetracks for gross capital windfall. But ultimately, the Daily Racing Form remains every horseplayer’s bosom buddy. Covering America’s predominant ovals, the “Form” is a cornucopia of information, and when referencing DRF “past performances,” it contains more pertinent statistical data than one could dissect over twelve lifetimes. Past performances, or “PPs” as they are referred to, divulge what an equine has accomplished over the course of their career. And while punters comb through Beyer Figures, Tomlinson Ratings, workout reports, par-times, the merits of various jockeys, trainer percentages, post positions, weight assignments, medications and surface variants, they may place little emphasis on (or totally forget to examine) a former race’s comment line. Perhaps due to the comment line’s location (far right of the running line), even grizzled handicappers sometimes mistakenly identify why an apparently sound racer finished poorly in a prior competition. And although decoding comment lines remains imperative, I should first explain certain terminologies regularly used in these all-important summaries. In truth, much of the verbiage remains self-explanatory, but specific numeric notations might confuse those unfamiliar with standard racetrack configuration. Comment lines frequently use fractional notations to better communicate where important incidents occurred during a race. And since majority of American turf courses measure one mile in circumference, we’ll focus on better visualizing such ovals. For instance, a comment line which reads “ driving, checked 1/8” means that even though our racer was finishing fast, he or she was “cut off” at the eighth pole. The eighth pole is 1/8 of a mile (one furlong) before the finish line of a one-mile (eight furlong) racetrack. If you’re picturing the eighth pole in your mind’s eye, it’s smack dab between the top of the home stretch and the wire.

E R I C F LOY D

before where the first turn straightens into the backstretch, 1/2 (Pole) - 330 feet from the start of a strip’s far turn, 5/16 (Pole) - located in the middle of the far turn, 1/4 (Pole) - just before where the far turn straightens away into the home stretch, 3/16 (Pole) - located at the very beginning of the home stretch. Not all comment lines pertain to incidents that transpire near specific poles or “calls” as regulars refer to them. Abbreviated race rundowns also regularly describe happenings that take place just before or after the start of a competition. Summaries reporting: “Bumped Hard Start,” “Bobbled Break” or “Broke in Air” mean a horse’s initiation was greatly compromised. Naturally, any such instance can cost an entry a placing or two, yet more severe mishaps articled “Hit Gate” or “Broke Through Gate” plainly illustrate serious debacles where runners lost all chance of achieving success. Types of comment lines depicting “in-race” action are nearly infinite but some definitely point players towards recent losers who might be worthy of a second look. Remember, for every path a thoroughbred travels out from the rail on a turn, they lose one length of ground at the wire. Therefore, a comment line reading, “3 Wide Turns, Rallied” informs of an overall six-length concession. Obviously if our fictional example lost by three lengths to another contestant who secured a ground saving trip, it’s not unreasonable to assume said bridesmaid might locate the winner’s circle in a subsequent start against similar company. Even pari-mutuel purists will admit “racing luck” plays a key role in the “Sport of Kings,” and although the best horse doesn’t always win due to being “Carried 6 Wide Into the Lane” or “Steadied Late,” most agree it’s sensible to bet thoroughbreds with enormous heart. Comment lines with phrases like: Determinedly, Fought on, Gamely, Surging, Dug in, Handily, Long Drive, Came Again and Willing point to a beast who’ll give everything they’ve got and that’s all a reasonable horseplayer can ask for!

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.

“PAST PERFORMANCES, OR “PPS” AS THEY ARE REFERRED TO, DIVULGE WHAT AN EQUINE HAS ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR CAREER.”

Other fractional notations frequently featured in the comment line include: 3/4 (Pole) - just FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT SOUTHERNGAMING.COM 26

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I N TH E MON EY

Wagering on Intermediate Tracks

Dubbed “America’s favorite nighttime track,” Delta Downs is one of many smaller tracks that offer an excellent chance to cash in with smart betting.

Call to the Post

6 T I P S F OR WAGER I NG ON I N T ER M E DI AT E T HOROU GH BR E D R ACE T R ACK S by

I K E M O S T AV I D horseplayers, I haven’t quite achieved the elusive goal of absolute financial solvency. That being said, professional responsibility typically kicks my f irst love to the curb throughout the calendar year yet aside from limiting weekly gaming engagements; being acutely entrenched in life’s perpetual “rat race” imposes another major recreational burden. Seldom is the sun shining when yours truly enters an OTB (Off-Track Betting Parlor) so instead of dabbling in pari-mutuel pools tendered by major thoroughbred race tracks, I often find myself risking greenbacks on equines relegated to the “minor leagues.” 28 |

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E R I C F LOY D

Even those far removed from the “Sport of Kings” are familiar with historic ovals like Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby), Santa Anita, Saratoga, Gulfstream and Belmont, yet within thoroughbred racing’s vast realm, sacred turf fixtures are not the norm; they’re the exception. At day’s end, “intermediate” racetracks far outnumber colossal coliseums dedicated to rarefied equine routes, although you’d never know it by the amount of national attention they garner. Now while a sparse number of these middling courses operate under supervision of daylight, intermediary equine theater more often than not actualizes around dusk across stages like: Evangeline, Prairie Meadows,

“AT DAY’S END, “INTERMEDIATE” RACETRACKS FAR OUTNUMBER COLOSSAL COLISEUMS DEDICATED TO RAREFIED EQUINE ROUTES, ALTHOUGH YOU’D NEVER KNOW IT BY THE AMOUNT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION THEY GARNER.” Canterbury, Mountaineer, Charles Town, Delta, Penn National, Remington, Fairmount and Assiniboia. Surprisingly enough, I know many resistant punters who simply refuse to

wager on contests run at the venues just mentioned. Reasoning f luctuates, but shared by most of these “large track” loyalists is the notion that it’s a fool’s errand to handicap mediocre horseflesh. Well if honesty is my aim (and it is) then I’ll attest that intermediate racetracks often parade racers with average ability, but on the flip side, all ovals, large or small, offer their fair share of “unplayable” contests. Even the most intuitive horse player will be hindered by a brain void of rudimentary mechanics so before more advanced handicapping theory is explored, let’s review six proven fundamental doctrines pertinent to purging cash from diminutive racing strips.

Retain familiarity with trainers and jockeys

This is perhaps the most vital particular associated with launching a successful f iscal siege against an intermediate racetrack. Believe me, 99% of the time there is a complete standout residing within the trainer and/or jockey colony, so before the start of any card, simply review the appropriate standings (they’re usually located on the program’s last page) then bet accordingly.

Don’t be bamboozled by the tote board

Compared to their dominant counterparts, low-end strips confer relatively humble pari-mutuel pools. As a result, players often discover glaring disparity between morning-line and actual odds, especially early on in the wagering. Hence, when a hopeless 30-1 morningline entry sits at 4-1 with 15 minutes to post, don’t assume insiders know something you don’t. More than 80% of all pool monies haven’t even breached the teller’s window yet so this underlay is likely the result of an isolated player’s stout recklessness.

Avoid certain types of wagers

D ue to t he a for eme nt ione d deflated pari-mutuel pools presented by intermediate racetracks, players should think twice about making large show bets. A $100 flutter might literally comprise half of the total show pool and would significantly dilute prices, even on doubledigit long shots. Comparatively, abstain

Wagering at smaller tracks can require just as much pre-planning as larger tracks, but can also pay off.

from wagering the “Pick 6” since there isn’t enough booked action to warrant pursuit of horse racing’s most difficult horizontal sequence.

Study state-bred statistics

A modest racing strip’s normal card will conveniently feature multiple state-bred competitions. Unearth what conditioners specialize in readying homegrow n stock then determine how successful they’ve been inside the current meet.

Be willing to accept a short price

Contests at less popular courses often fill with many plodders and one standout. I’ll never assert a player should accept 1-9 odds, but virtually unbeatable runners often leave the gate at even money inside small racing markets. Additionally, if a strip’s leading horseman saddles chalk (that’s race tracker slang for “the favorite”), be assured capital attached to said runner’s nose will likely multiply.

Revise class handicapping values

Those fancying themselves “class handicappers” should note that the two lowest claiming levels at middling hippodromes are often one in the same. Available participants are simply pointed towards whatever race is available in a given week. This is no exaggeration; the same batch of horses can be found in a $2,500-claiming race one day, then a $3,000-race two weeks later.

Since we’re on the subject of bargain basement horseflesh, bettors intent on dabbling inside a petite pari-mutuel market place must grasp that claiming races (competitions where participating equine combatants are for sale) remain the absolute backbone of intermediate racetracks. There are several keys to handicapping these prevalent clashes, but it’ll be useless for you to interpret past performances before analyzing the conditions of a race. Please note that claiming races with the same numerical price (or tag) are not necessarily identical in stature. Below are three different examples of pursuits where the horses are in for a “tag” of $5,000: • $5000N2L: This race is restricted to $5,000 claimers without two lifetime victories. • $5000N1Y: A flight featuring $5,000 claimers who haven’t won over the past six months. • $5000: In a $5,000 “open claiming” race, entries will possess diverse backgrounds. Some runners could be three-years old with only one lifetime win; others might retain a much older birth certificate and sport numerous career triumphs. When someone is originally presented a diagnosis of thoroughbred race conditions they’ll expectantly ask, “Which spot is tougher – a $5,000 open claiming test or a $10,000N2L event? I’d say the $5,000 open claimer attracts a higher class of animal because in this type of battle, SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

checked hard or carried wide on the turns, yet shook off misfortune then determinedly accelerated towards daylight. Arguably the most able jockey of all time, Eddie Arcaro (nicknamed “The Master”) was once quoted as saying, “Most horses flaunt one or two moves in a race; Citation has six or seven.”

Personal experience and revelation will position you for success in your next assault against an intermediate thoroughbred racetrack.

entries may own ten, twenty or even thirty wins. In a $10,000N2L dispute all participants profess exactly two lifetime conquests but one of those came in a maiden race (a contest with horses seeking an initial score). With our breakdown of race conditions consigned to the back burner, here’s a plate full of hearty sustenance pertinent to handicapping intermediate racetracks. I’ll start by benevolently advising those who put a tremendous emphasis on class to consider affixing focus towards pace and speed. Reason being, that virtually all equines currently ambling along horseracing’s bottom rung have raced against better (sometimes much better) competition at some point; consequently, rating present ability using “back class” can prove to be extremely dangerous. This guideline’s one enormous exception applies when a “large track ” invader competes over an intermediate oval for the very first time. Take Artfully for instance, a three year-old filly out of A.P. Indy (1992 Belmont Stakes Champion) who made her third lifetime start at Charles Town Races in West Virginia on this past August. In two preceding starts against much classier clientele (at Saratoga and Aqueduct) Artfully lost by twenty and twenty-six lengths, respectively, yet was heavily backed under Charles Towns’ bright lights by savvy punters who witnessed an easy 2 ½ length romp translate into a respectable $5.60 mutual. Speed figures obviously assist players to pinpoint win candidates, but how does 30 |

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one know if a minor league claimer will move forward off their latest number? Contenders making their second or third start off a layoff often positively progress, as do equines that try new equipment or medications. Furthermore, expect a decent turn of foot from any logical contender recently acquired by a high percentage barn via the claim box. One of the oldest adages in horseracing is “Pace makes the race.” This is especially true in cheap claiming races run over intermediate ovals. Lone speed remains a potent angle and even equines showcasing dreadful records invariably sprout wings if permitted to set soft fractions up front. Habitually check how quick each entry can scoot away from the starting gate by exploiting the Daily Racing Form’s “splits” and Equibase’s well-maintained data bank of “pace figures.” Persistently dealing with self-proclaimed “serious horse players” routinely leaves my brain inundated with an untold number of atypical gambling hypothesizes, yet seldom, if ever, do I hear punters at my local OTB discuss “trip handicapping.” A grossly foreign concept to the vast majority of horseplayer nation, trip handicapping becomes exponentially vital when wagering in conjunction with intermediate racetracks, and here’s why. Tremendously talented thoroughbreds overcome troubled trips and still win. Racers like Man O War, Citation, Secretariat, Affirmed, Cigar and Zenyatta were often sternly bumped at the break,

Alas, cheap claimers at middling ovals seldom secure the blue ribbon if awarded a disastrous trip. Deficient talent and lingering physical ailments (which keep minor league horses from participating within immense racing markets in the first place) are overt explanations for this limitation, but at day’s end, fault does not squarely fall on an equine’s withers. Intermediate racetracks play host to horsemen who occasionally employ inexperienced jockeys, and the likelihood a perfect trip will manifest may significantly lessen when an apprentice rider sits atop a “one-run” thoroughbred. Being that discounted racers who tread rural ovals will seldom overcome a bad trip, I advise you to seek out “in-condition” entries harboring a concrete tactical advantage. At “bull-rings” (racetracks less than one-mile in circumference) post position plays a vital role, and will routinely cause those drawn far outside to lose valuable ground, especially when there’s an abbreviated run into the first turn. Hastings Racecourse, a five-furlong (five-eighths of a mile) bull-ring located in Vancouver perfectly illustrates this phenomenon. From 2010-11, British Columbia’s thoroughbred racing jewel staged 22 six-furlong races featuring ten participants, and you guessed it, the horse that broke from post #10 never managed to win. In order to pen a comprehensive tutorial dealing with wagering on middling ovals, I’d require far more parchment. Yet merely disseminating topics we’ve touched on here will significantly raise an average horseplayer’s virtual I.Q. Quite understandably, handicapping minor league strips may appear a touch overwhelming, so if nothing else, hark back to this article’s three golden statues: Retain familiarity with trainers and jockeys, be able to understand a race’s conditions, and recognize those horses likely to inherit a good trip.

Ca OtO, KDIrNi n Gk a n d B e M e r r y E ‘with Ti s tTrisha he sea s o n t o t r av e l s o u t h Yearwood

Enjoy the nostalgia outside the legendary gates of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.

Southern Sights & Delights 5 WON DER F U L W I N T ER VACAT ION DE S T I N AT IONS by

H E T H ER YOU ’ R E planning a holiday escape or just a long weekend, a drive-about is always a good idea. Here are some quirkier destinations that will surely liven up your winter calendar.

GE ORGI A LIGHTS OF THE SOUTH

Grovetown, Georgia lightsofthesouth.com If it’s a dose of holiday cheer you’re seeking, head to Lights of the South in Grovetown, Georgia, just outside of Augusta. Forget the North Pole, this place is Christmas Central. This incredibly 32 |

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B E T H D ’A D D O N O

merry extravaganza features more than five million lights, a Christmas tree maze, an American flag made of lights, a real Candyland, a train, Santa Claus – it’s all here. Snack on boiled peanuts and hot chocolate (yum!), take a hayride and climb onto Santa’s lap for some face time. THE BEE’S KNEES TAPAS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

211 Tenth Street Augusta, Georgia 706.828.3600, beeskneestapas.com Located in Augusta, this multi cultural global tasting experience delivers delicious nibbles like Fried Organic Tempeh doused in a spicy Buffalo sauce, a Spanish-style omelet dubbed Tortilla Española, Goat

cheese Bruschetta and large plates of Pad Thai and Market-fresh Fish.

NOR T H CA ROL I N A BALSAM MOUNTAIN INN

Balsam, North Carolina balsaminn.com Need to slow things down and get in touch in a way that doesn’t require a smart phone? Point your car towards the grand old Balsam Mountain Inn, located in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, just 40 minutes west of Asheville. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Inn has a first rate restaurant, excellent wine list and comfy accommodations. At least once a month,

Left: A breathtaking view from the 4th floor deck of the Balsam Mountain Inn. Right: Take a step back and enjoy the slower pace and simple living of life in Mayberry.

M ISSISSIPPI “HAVE A TASTY MEAL AT 206 FRONT, A RELAXING DOWNTOWN SPOT KNOWN FOR ITS LOCAL ARTWORK, LIVE MUSIC, OPEN DECK AND ZESTY MIX OF ITALIAN, CREOLE AND NEW AMERICAN COOKING.” the Inn hosts the popular “Songwriters in the Round” series, an always sold-out event that attracts top musicians like Casey Kelley from Nashville, who plays covers of classic chart topping hits once performed by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West. These are the songwriters whose work is picked up by big names like Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Kathy Mattea and John Michael Montgomery. There’s always a special New Years Gala Retreat that combines dinner and the show, but you’ll want to stay a few nights while you’re in the neighborhood. THE CHEF’S TABLE

30 Church Street, Waynesville, North Carolina 828.452.6210 thechefstableofwaynesville.com Try the seasonal Mediterranean specialties at The Chef’s Table in nearby Waynesville. Executive Chef and Owner Josh Monroe pairs wine country cuisine with a Wine Spectator Best of list and a menu of fresh pastas, local trout and produce from the his very own 12-acre farm.

Just an hour north of Gulf Coast casinos and attractions, Hattiesburg is a town full of beautiful historic neighborhoods like the Mobile Street District, with its well-preserved architecture and African American heritage. There’s also Hub City, North Main and Oaks Historic Districts lined with old growth treed buildings dating back to the 1880s. Don’t miss the impressive Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, the largest National Guard training base in the United States. Military history buffs will also want to visit the African American Military History Museum, a compelling showcase of local African American men and women who have served their country. Four tourist information visit hattiesburg.org. 206 FRONT

206 West Front Street Hattiesburg, Mississippi 601.545.5677, 206front.com Enjoy a tasty meal at 206 Front, a relaxing downtown spot known for its local artwork, live music, open deck and zesty mix of Italian, Creole and new American cooking. My suggestion? Be sure and try the Parmesan Crusted Salmon.

T E N N E S SE E Memphis is roots, rock and roll, and barbecue all rolled into one dynamic

destination. Visit Memphis and you’re guaranteed to get barbecue sauce on your face, smoke in your eyes and a groove in your soul. Soak up only-inMemphis culture by day, including a trip to Graceland, a music tour of the famed Sun Studios and check out the Stax Museum of American Soul. African American history permeates the Memphis landscape. Home to the National Civil Rights Museum, constructed on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, the museum is the nation’s first dedicated to documenting the complete history of the American civil rights movement. The museum is a mustsee for visitors of every age, but young children may find the copy-heavy exhibits a bit overwhelming. Instead, a trip to the Children’s Museum of Memphis will give youngsters a chance to play and interact with exhibits like Garage, where they can “drive” a minivan, Going Places which features a flight simulator, hot air balloon and a real airplane cockpit, and Kid’s Market, where they’ll shop for groceries, scan the items themselves and learn about healthy food choices. Memphis is also home to the Burkie Estate/Slavehaven, an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Other historic sites include the home of W.C. Handy, who wrote “Memphis Blues” in 1909, Beale Street Baptist Church, the first brick constructed multi-story church for African Americans, and Church Park, SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

Left: Statue of Andy and his son Opie outside the Andy Griffith Museum. Right: Step into Andy Griffith’s shoes and enjoy a homemade meal at The Snappy Lunch.

a recreational area dedicated to African Americans, founded in 1899 by Robert Church, the f irst African American millionaire in the South. Music lovers may want to organize a juke joint blues safari with tour guide Tad Pierson. Pierson takes clients beyond Beale Street to the clubs that are really off the beaten track, like the Hard Luck Cafe and Wild Bill’s, which lay down a scene that can only be branded “the Memphis Sound.” Visit americandreamsafari.com for more details. For tourist information about Memphis, visit Memphistravel.com. RENDEZVOUS

52 S. Second Street Memphis, Tennessee 901.523.2746, hogsfly.com Rendezvous is where locals take out-oftowners for true downhome cooking. Famous for its dry-rub of secret spices, the slabs of rib are huge, the pulled pork sandwiches are divine and the crowd is always friendly.

NOR T H CA ROL I N A Gloria Joyner Johnson had one wish for her birthday. She wanted to go to Mayberry. So Gloria and her friend Addie Lisby traveled 100 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina to Mount Airy, Andy Griffith’s hometown, which inspired The Andy Griffith Show. “I have every DVD, 34 |

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but I still watch the reruns,” said Gloria. “The show captures a more peaceful time. Mayberry was a real neighborly place, a place where funny things happened, but there wasn’t ever any cussin’ or real problems. Andy practiced ‘do unto others,’ which is something I believe in.”

all the craziness. Here, I have a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I like small town life. Everybody still calls me Betty Lou, but I really don’t mind.”

The show, which celebrated its 53rd anniversary on October 3, inspires a cult following with a regular stream of pilgrims fueling Mt. Airy tourism. Visitors can take a Mayberry squad car tour in a black and white Galaxy police car, stopping at landmarks like Wally’s Fillin’ Station, Floyds Barber shop, Snappy Lunch and the Griffith’s homestead. The Andy Griffith Museum features an impressive array of memorabilia collected for more than a quarter century by Andy’s schoolmate and life-long friend, Emmett Forrest. The collection includes Sheriff Andy Taylor’s original office set, one of Barney Fife’s dandy suits and the keys to the town jail. In front of the museum, a statue of Andy and his son Opie (played by a young Ron Howard) is a popular place for photo opps.

THE SNAPPY LUNCH

Addie and Gloria were lucky enough to have run into Betty Lynn, the retired actress who played Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend from 1960-65. Lynn, whose resume includes June Bride with Bette Davis and Cheaper by the Dozen with Myrna Loy, moved to Mount Airy from Hollywood a few years ago. “I was tired of

For visitor information about Mayberry, visit Visitmayberry.com 125 North Main Street Mount Airy, North Carolina 336.786.4931, Thesnappylunch.com When it comes to visiting Mayberry, you won’t want to pass up the famous pork chop sandwich at the classic landmark, Snappy Lunch. TRIO RESTAURANT

247 City Hall Street Mount Airy, North Carolina 336.719.0131 triorestaurantandbar.com For dinner, it’s all about Trio Restaurant, a lively spot with a fine selection of craft brews, wine and innovate dishes like the Bacon-Egg-Avocado Salad, Warm Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart, Grilled Angus Flank Steak, and Leek & Bacon Stuffed Roasted Pork Loin. Wherever you choose to spend the holidays, it’s a great time to jump in the car and explore the beautiful South on a family road trip.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: Winning Hand Frequency for

LI N DA B OY D

9/6 Jacks or Better

N SEPTEMBER’S ISSUE OF Southern Gaming, I wrote about the winning hand frequency for 9/6 Double Double Bonus (9/6 DDB), one of the most popular games on the casino floor. (You will find 9/6 DDB pay schedule and hand frequency tables in that issue.) However, 9/6 Jacks or Better (9/6 JOB) has both a higher expected return (ER) and a lower variance (less risk to your bankroll) than 9/6 DDB. Why then, do so many players choose 9/6 DDB over 9/6 JOB? They love the potential thrill of more jackpot opportunities and they do not understand the implications of the hand frequency data. Note that I rounded occurrences to the nearest whole number. You will also see same hand differences between hand frequencies for 9/6DDB (September issue) and 9/6JOB (this issue) since both tables assume statistically accurate play. ANALYZING THE DATA

Many players complain that they only get a return of 125 coins for any four of a kind (4OAK) with 9/6 JOB but with 9/6 DDB the return is a minimum of 250 coins and special 4OAKs pay more. In fact, four Aces with a kicker (2, 3 or 4) returns a whopping 2,000 coins on a 5-coin bet. Lost on them is the fact that 4OAK occurs once in every 423 hands and four Aces with a kicker once every 16,236 hands. More important though, is what you must sacrifice for the chance TABLE 1.1 9/6 JOB PAY SCHEDULE

Hand: 5-Coin Bet

9/6 JOB

of special jackpots. 9/6 JOB returns double your wager for two pair, a frequent hand and 9/6 DDB only gives you even money or a return of your bet. You can see that two pair occurs once every eight hands. This means that if you play 800 hands per hour you will give up 100 times 5 coins (assuming a 5-coin bet) or 500 coins per hour by choosing DDB over JOB. To replace this loss you will need two regular 4OAKS (5s through Kings) since they return 250 coins with a 5-coin wager. It’s important to understand that any time a video poker game shorts your return on frequent hands, like two pair, it becomes risky to your bankroll. Looking at these two games, for example, the variance for 9/6JOB is 19.51468 compared to 41.98498 for 9/6 DDB. You’ll play longer with the lower variance, thus earning more promo entries, slot club points and possibly rising to a higher level slot card since most are based on coin in. You may still want to play 9/6 DDB instead of 9/6 JOB because the potential for big jackpot rushes may trump the higher return and lower variance. Regardless of the choice you make, you should make sure you know both the ER and variance of a game before depositing your money. (This information is on removable tables in my book, The Video Poker Edge.) TABLE 1.2: 9/6 JOB HAND FREQUENCY: ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER

Hand: 9/6 JOB

Occurs Once In:

Royal Flush

4000

Royal

40,391

4 of a Kind

125

4 of a Kind

423

Straight Flush Full House Flush

Straight

3 of a Kind Two Pair

Jacks or Better

250 45

20 15 10 5

Straight Flush Full House Flush

Straight

3 of a Kind Two Pairs

Jacks or Better

Expected Return Variance

| SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

9,148 87 91

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player and knowledgeable video poker player, writes for Southern Gaming, Midwest Gaming and Travel and Arizona Player. Watch her videos on YouTube or on American Casino Guide’s website. Her book, The Video Poker Edge, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. The 2010, second edition is on amazon.com and in various bookstores. Kindle edition is available.

“...IF YOU PLAY 800 HANDS PER HOUR YOU WILL GIVE UP 100 TIMES 5 COINS... OR 500 COINS PER HOUR BY CHOOSING DDB OVER JOB.”

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E o Ir N i nGg t h e E m e r a l d C i t y Cx OpOl K T h e s i m p l e j oy s o f l i f e i n t h e c o u n t r y

with Trisha Yearwood

Residents of Greenwood celebrate the city’s historic roots with Revolutionary Way reenactments.

A Greenwood Getaway T H E RU S T IC A P PE A L OF S O U T H CA ROL I N A’ S OL D 96 DI S T R IC T by

B E T H D ’A D D O N O

a stone’s throw from Georgia and 121 miles southwest of Charlotte – Old 96 District is a compact area, just 60 miles across at its widest point, making all of its charms within an hour’s drive of each other.

Old 96 District, one of 11 regional tourism districts in South Carolina, includes five counties: Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick. Tucked into the northwestern corner of the state, bordered by the Savannah River along the west – just

The area has many calling cards, as its communities are home to headquarters for companies like Fuji Film and Wamsutta. Famous people hail from the area, including Strom Thurmond and a handful of South Carolina state governors. History greets you at every turn. Greenwood County was home to the first southern land battle in the Revolutionary War and the Confederacy was born, and buried, in Abbeville. Ask any of the docents at the historic BurtStark Mansion in Abbeville to tell you the story, and they might just put you in the

UR AL OLD 96 SOUTH Carolina is a world away from the crowds that collect on the state’s coastline for rounds of golf and afternoons of sun worshipping. Travel along scenic back roads in South Carolina’s up country, you’ll find small towns that give a whole new meaning to the term “family values.” Add in the friendliness of the locals and the slower pace of life, and Old 96 District is just what the doctor ordered.

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car and drive you over to Secession Hill, where the first public meeting to consider secession from the union was organized on November 22, 1860. Driving along these country roads, you’re likely to see plenty of farmland, as well as countless orchards of neatly pruned fruit trees – most of which are peach trees. While the peach is often associated with Georgia, South Carolina is actually the second largest producer of peaches in the U.S., behind frontrunner California and ahead of Georgia. Peach producers like Chalmers and Lori Ann Carr of Titan Farms in Ridge Spring take great pride in their technologically advanced peach production, harvesting 56 varieties from 425,000 trees on 3,750 acres from Mid-

Left: The historic Burt-Stark Mansion in Abbeville. Right: Gorgeous view of Lake Greenwood from one of the city’s many scenic campsites.

May through Labor Day. You probably even enjoyed a juicy Lori Ann peach this summer, a delicious southern peach shipped all over the south once they’ve reached their peak of ripeness. During the season you can stop at the Titan farm stand or order peaches and other products at titanfarms.com to have the rich taste of South Carolina peaches delivered right to your doorstep.

talks turkey on his front porch. Dioramas, turkey calling, conservation information and trivia, along with specimens of all five subspecies, make this museum a must on every visitor’s agenda.

Speaking of must-see spots, go ahead and add Emerald Goat Farm to your list. Located on a country road on the edge of Greenwood, this 75-acre goat farm is Kathy Zahn’s labor of love. Zahn started Head to Edgefield to check out some raising Saanen goats some 30 years ago wild turkey – and no, this isn’t the kind for the healthful milk they produce, you pour over ice. The National Wild and soon her part-time hobby became a Turkey Federation is a gem. bustling enterprise. After years of equating turkeys Z a h n’s b u s i n e s s with big-breasted birds that “WITH ITS TREE-LINED now includes a soap come equipped with a pop-up TOWN SQUARE, OLD factory and cosmetic temperature gauge in their line featuring goat’s rump, it’s a switch to see the STOREFRONTS, CIVIL milk, a holistic store birds rendered in their native WAR MONUMENTS AND and organic grocery, state in all their glory with and even a craft and ANTEBELLUM SOUTHERN model train shop. Be brilliantly hued feathers and expansive wings, which are good HOMES, THE TOWN OF sure to ask to see the for more than just gnawing on. ABBEVILLE HARKS BACK baby goats, they’re The Federation is one of those so cute and there are out-of-the-way attractions that TO ANOTHER ERA.” usually some around. delivers more than you’d expect. The goat farm is open The only museum in the world dedicated to for families and tours, where you might the restoration, management and hunting find Kathy fussing over a postpartum of the five subspecies of wild turkey, it goat named Sugar, feeding the fish in the invites visitors to step into a low country pond or trying to keep track of the everdawn in the museum’s video theater, where multiplying rabbits in the farmyard. Then the calls of wild turkeys and other birdlife there’s Bismark the Bassett hound that are captured on video that’s narrated by a greets you at the entrance, one of a few grizzled old hunter, who looks like one of dogs who live in doggie paradise on this those animatronics Disney characters and wonderful farm. Bring a picnic lunch and

relax by the pond. Zahn’s welcome mat is always out. If you looked up “small Southern town” in the dictionary, a picture of Abbeville could easily accompany the definition. With its tree-lined town square, old storefronts, Civil War monuments and antebellum Southern homes, the town of Abbeville harks back to another era. Used as a location in the film Sleeping With the Enemy, Abbeville made national headlines when a black friend of Julia Robert’s wasn’t allowed into the local pool hall. Locals shake their heads when telling the story, “Not everybody around here is like that,” they’re quick to say. Plan to stay and have dinner at the recently renovated Belmont Inn. The Inn, with its sweeping front veranda, is located next door to the Abbeville Opera House, once an overnight stop for touring companies traveling by train between New York and Atlanta. Theatre troupes would spend the night at the Belmont Inn and perform at the Opera House, with the likes of Jimmy Durante, Sarah Bernhardt and the Ziegfield Follies in the early 1900s. Now the setting for top rate Repertory Theater, the Opera House attracts patrons from as far away as Atlanta and Charlotte. For more information about tourism in Old 96 District, South Carolina, call 800.849.9633 or visit sctravelold96.com

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A Civil War era cannon serves as a reminder of Greenwood’s historic past.

SL E E P BELMONT INN

104 East Pickens St, Abbeville, SC 864.459-9625, belmontinn.net The historic 25-room Belmont Inn, now owned by German developer Jurgen Laatc, enjoyed a stem to stern renovation, resulting in an inn that combines traditional Southern charm with modern amenities. There’s also a great restaurant on site, and the spacious veranda is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon break. Rooms start at $129.

E AT THE OLD EDGEFIELD GRILL

202 Penn Street, Edgefield, SC 803.637.3222, oldedgefieldgrill.com Offering new Southern fare in its circa 1786, historic home setting, The Old Edgefield Grill is a favorite in these parts. Southern Style Country Pate, Fried Risotto Crab Cakes, and Shrimp and Grits are just a few tasty options to try. 42 |

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POLO’S RESTAURANT

THE ORDINARY

328 Main Street, Greenwood, SC 864.943.4173, polosrestaurantsc.com Polo’s Restaurant in Greenwood is an upscale spot for fresh American and international fare from chef and owner Apolonio (Polo) Mojarro. Enjoy a variety of grilled steaks and seafood, an incredible assortment of Polo’s Pasta and grilled pizzas, along with a full bar.

544 King Street, Charleston, SC 843.414.7060, eattheordinary.com New seafood restaurants are getting plenty of buzz these days, from Donald Link’s outstanding Peche in New Orleans, to this winning eatery from chef Mike Lata in Charleston, a solid follow-up to his original FIG. There’s certainly nothing ordinary about The Ordinary. Co-owned by Adam Nemirow, this sustainably focused, high temple of fish bounty is located on Upper King Street in a bank-turned-restaurant that features high ceilings, mezzanine dining and plenty of room for 116 hungry seafood-lovers. On a given week, The Ordinary shells out around 3,500 oysters from regions along the Atlantic Ocean, from South Carolina to Nova Scotia. Try The Ordinary Lobster Roll, Fried Oyster Sliders or the Smoked Amberjack Pâté. Feeling flush from your latest jackpot? The Triple Shellfish Tower of raw and cooked ocean delights goes for $125 and is worth every penny.

PASCAL’S CAFÉ & GRILL

307 W. Cambridge Ave. Greenwood, SC 864.223.2329, pascalscafe.com Pascal’s Café & Grill is yet another i nd e p e nd e nt l y ow ne d opt ion i n Greenwood. Chef Pascal Hurtebize and his wife Lisa operate this charming FrenchAmerican bistro, which offers updated takes on local favorites like Pimento Cheese Hushpuppies, Fried Gulf Oysters, Blue Crab Cakes, Shrimp and Grits, and a wide selection of entrée salads.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

CRAPS: I’ll Drink to That!

enjoy a drink. Actually, I enjoy two drinks of Belvedere vodka neat; three drinks if it’s wine. On the first, I get a slight glow. On the second, I get a buzz. I have rarely gone to a third – the times I did, I slurred my words and it was noticeable (at least according to my wife, the Beautiful A.P.) – and the six times in 45 years that I went to four or more, well I ended my night in the bathroom sick as a dog. The last one of those horrible nights occurred in 2002. The one time I played when I was way over my two-drink threshold, I played stupidly. Yes, I will admit it now, that I made some pretty lousy bets at craps; the very bets I have railed against in my articles and books. The year of my rotten “sotten” play was 1998; the place was Atlantic City. And I had over five drinks. I was hammered. I am happy no one saw that performance because I would never have lived it down. “Hey, who’s that?”

“Oh, that is Frank Scoblete, the great gambling writer.” “My Lord, he’s an idiot!”

I threw out Hardway bets, C&E’s, I saw a Horn, I bet a Horn, I bet the worst propositions in the game. I lost money but I was not completely aware of how much that was during my playing session – but the next day I discovered it was a lot. I even stopped playing the 5-Count as I wanted more and more action. The person playing that game was my Mr. Hyde inside my normal Dr. Jekyll. I had released my inner maniac. I don’t even remember how I got back to my hotel room. That was my worst casino performance in over a quarter century of gambling. I have lost money, even more money than that night cost me, but those losses saw me playing properly. The vagaries in gambling dictate that you will win some and lose some. But my “normal” losses were not due to my overt stupidity as was my Mr. Hyde loss. Hyde was an aberration. Hyde was an abomination. I vowed after that horrible performance never to allow Mr. Hyde out again and so far he has remained a vivid memory, nothing more. I know that Hollywood has made the “Hangover” type of casino gambling some kind of glamorous 44 |

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FRANK SCOBLETE

outing. A bunch of guys head to the casinos and let it all hang out. I see young guys heading for Vegas with the intent of mimicking that movie – how stupid, how sad, how Mr. Hyde-like. Going to a casino to deliberately debauch oneself seems like one of the most senseless of things – I know that because, as you can see, I have been there. Sadly, I am not alone when it comes to alcohol affecting one’s judgment during casino play. Slot players, video poker players, craps players, blackjack players et al; line them up and yes, I’ve seen gamblers at all of these games blitzed out of their minds throwing caution and money to the wind. No doubt while they are enjoying their boozy play the dramatic realization that their alcohol intake is affecting their judgment won’t come about until the next day when they ask, “I lost how much money?” If you like to imbibe, you must know at what point your own personal Mr. Hyde will show his ugly face. It might be at drink number “whatever” but knowing that is your threshold, you should never allow yourself to get to that drink number “whatever.” I realize that people who enjoy their drinks will often find it hard to act diligently in the money management department. It certainly does take effort to control one’s inner Mr. Hyde. If you don’t control him, then you are asking for trouble. I realize the allure of drinks is overwhelming for many people since a majority of casinos offer free drinks to their players. These “free” drinks probably return a pretty penny to the casinos from players enjoying the thrill of altered consciousness as their bankbook gets altered in the bargain. I am not an advocate of prohibition. Adults should have the right to enjoy the fruit of the vines. I am, however, an advocate of informed drinking when playing casino games. Your money is a precious commodity and should be handled as such. Booze and smart money management are often at odds with each other. It’s tough enough to face the odds in a casino game without being hampered by additional odds because of alcohol’s effects on one’s discipline and judgment. Gambling is fun. Drinking and gambling might be just the opposite. Keep your Mr. Hyde shackled.

Frank Scoblete is a bestselling casino gambling writer. His latest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines, Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games!, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker! and Casino Craps: Shoot to Win! Frank also gives private lessons in dice control with his partner Jerry “Stickman.” For books or more info, call 1-800-944-0406.

“IF YOU LIKE TO IMBIBE, YOU MUST KNOW AT WHAT POINT YOUR OWN PERSONAL MR. HYDE WILL SHOW HIS UGLY FACE.”

FOR MORE FREE CRAPS TIPS, VISIST SOUTHERNGAMING.COM/ CRAPS

PLAYER STRATEGY

SOUTHERN GAMING’S BEST BET: The Field Bet in Craps

While the Field Bet doesn’t hold the lowest odds in the casino, it is fun to play and you will find that the odds are pretty fair too.

ou will find this issue’s Best Bet on the felt of the craps table clearly marked as FIELD in all capital letters. While the Field Bet doesn’t hold the lowest odds in the casino, it is fun to play and you will find that the odds are pretty fair too. You are basically betting that the next roll of the die will be one of seven numbers: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Any win will pay even money, except 2 or 12, which usually pay double. If you happen to roll a 5, 6, 7 or 8, you lose. A popular betting strategy is to combine the field bets with your place bets. For example, suppose you placed $25 on the 5, $30 on the 6 and 8, and $20 on the field. If the 5, 6 or 8 roll, you win $35 from the place bet and lose the $20 from the field bet for a profit of $15. If the 2 or 12 roll, you win $40 since they each pay double. And if the 2, 4, 9, 10 or 11 come up, you win the $20 field bet and your place bets stay in play. The house edge on the Field Bet with 2 and 12 paying double is 5.56%. While this isn’t nearly as low as the Don’t Pass / Don’t Come (1.36%) or the Pass / Come (1.41%) bet, it is always fun to have different plays to hedge your bets and add some action to the gaming session.

COOL CRAPS FACT: WITH A HOUSE EDGE OF ONLY 1.4% FOR SPECIFIC WAGERS, CRAPS OFFERS SOME OF THE BEST ODDS AMONG TABLE GAMES. Here are a few other popular craps bets with their House Edge: Place 6 or 8

1.52%

Place 4/10

6.67%

Place 5/9 Big 6, 8

Hard 6/8

Any Craps

9.09% 9.09%

11.11%

Do you want the inside scoop on a particular bet or game? Let us know! Email editor@southerngaming.com

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SOU THERN GAMING’S

PREFERRED HOT SPOTS Whether you’re a frequent jet-setter or simply a casual traveler, Southern Gaming and Destinations strives to recommend highquality establishments to our readers. We feel this array of our preferred casinos, racetracks, racinos, hotels and restaurants will deliver the best in accommodations, entertainment and gaming. We encourage you to consider any of these incredible properties when planning your next getaway. 1 GULF COAST BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-888-750-7111

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FALLEN OAK GOLF COURSE (BILOXI) 1-877-805-4657 HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE (GULFPORT & BILOXI) 1-228-867-7001 HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO (BILOXI) 1-877-877-6256 IP CASINO RESORT SPA 1-888-946-2847 MARY MAHONEY’S FRENCH HOUSE RESTAURANT (BILOXI) 1-228-374-0163 SILVER SLIPPER CASINO (BAY ST. LOUIS) 1-866-775-4773 THE SHED BBQ (OCEAN SPRINGS) 1-228-875-9590

2 ALABAMA BAHAMA BOB’S BEACHSIDE CAFE (GULF SHORES) 1-251-948-2100 FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILL (MOBILE) 1-251-626-6710 THE TRELLIS ROOM RESTAURANT (MOBILE) 1-251-338-5493 WIND CREEK CASINO & HOTEL (ATMORE) 1-800-826-9121

3 ARKANSAS ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM 1-501-682-7777 THE FADED ROSE RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-9734 HOT SPRINGS VISITORS BUREAU 1-888-SPA-CITY LOCA LUNA RESTAURANT (LITTLE ROCK) 1-501-663-4666

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RIVER CITY CASINO: With its ideal downtown location, River City Casino & Hotel recently underwent

a massive expansion with its addition of a 193-room hotel adjacent to the casino. The new hotel offers guests a unique stay experience, with luxury suites on the seventh floor and additional suites that will each include a bar and surround sound. The 90,000-square foot casino features slots, table games and five restaurants. For more information and reservations, visit rivercity.com or call 1.800.578.7289. OAKLAWN PARK RACING & GAMING (HOT SPRINGS) 1-800-OAKLAWN

GARIBALDI CAFE (SAVANNAH) 1-912-232-7118

EQUUS RESTAURANT (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-897-9721

SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING (WEST MEMPHIS) 1-800-467-6182

HAL’S THE STEAKHOUSE (ATLANTA) 1-404-261-0025

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

ROCKS ON THE ROOF @ THE BOHEMIAN HOTEL

GOLF COURSES OF KENTON COUNTY 1-859-371-3200

4 FLORIDA DAYTONA BEACH KENNEL CLUB & POKER ROOM 1-386-252-6484 DERBY LANE RACE TRACK (ST. PETERSBURG) 1-727-812-3339

(SAVANNAH) 1-912-721-3901

6 INDIANA BELTERRA CASINO RESORT (VEVAY) 1-888-BELTERRA

SHULA’S STEAK HOUSE (TAMPA) 1-813-286-4366

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE (EVANSVILLE) 1-800-342-5386

MARDI GRAS CASINO & RACING (HALLANDALE) 1-877-55-SLOTS

HORSESHOE CASINO SOUTHERN INDIANA 1-866-676-SHOE

WATERMARK GRILLE (NAPLES) 1-239-596-1400

7 KENTUCKY

5 GEORGIA

21C MUSEUM HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-877-217-6400

ECLIPSE DI LUNA (ATLANTA) 1-678-205-5862

BROWN HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-583-1234 CHURCHILL DOWNS (LOUISVILLE) 1-800-283-3729

JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-584-0102 KEENELAND RACECOURSE (LEXINGTON) 1-800-456-3412 LASSING POINTE GOLF COURSE (BOONE COUNTY) 1-859-384-2266 NEVEL MEADE GOLF COURSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-228-9522 PAT’S STEAK HOUSE (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-896-9234 PORCINI ITALIAN RESTAURANT (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-894-8686 SEELBACH HOTEL (LOUISVILLE) 1-502-585-3200

8 LOUISIANA CAFÉ GIOVANNI (NEW ORLEANS) 1-504-529-2154 DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO (VINTON) 1-800-589-7441 PARAGON CASINO RESORT (MARKSVILLE) 1-800-946-1946 SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & CASINO (SHREVEPORT) 1-877-429-0711 SHREVEPORT/ BOSSIER VISITOR’S BUREAU 1-888-45-VISIT

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

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JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-784-1200

RENDEZVOUS BARBECUE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-523-2746

MONTGOMERY INN BOATHOUSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-791-3482

VANDERBILT LEGENDS CLUB (BRENTWOOD) 1-615-790-1300

18 WEST VIRGINIA

16 SOUTH CAROLINA AUNT CHILADA’S EASY STREET CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-785-7700

ARTHUR HILLS GOLF COURSE AT PALMETTO DUNES (HILTON HEAD) 1-866-380-1778

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GOLDEN GATE HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-426-1906

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN 1-800-950-7700

PEARL RIVER RESORT (PHILADELPHIA) 1-866-44-PEARL

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-473-7625

HARRAH’S LAUGHLIN CASINO AND HOTEL 1-800-427-7247

11 MISSOURI

MGM GRAND 1-877-880-0880

AMERISTAR CASINO ST. CHARLES 1-800-325-7777

MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO 1-877-632-7800

14 NEVADA (RENO)

LUMIÈRE PLACE CASINO & HOTELS (ST. LOUIS) 1-314-881-7777

MIRAGE LAS VEGAS 1-800-627-6667

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

PARIS LAS VEGAS 1-877-796-2096

12 NEVADA (LAS VEGAS) ARIA RESORT AND CASINO 1-866-359-7757

PALMS HOTEL 1-866-942-7777

THE VENETIAN 1-877-283-6423 WYNN LAS VEGAS 1-888-320-WYNN

THE BELLAGIO 1-888-987-6667

WILD WILD WEST HOTEL & CASINO 1-800-6-STATIONS

CAESARS PALACE 1-800-HARRAHS

13 NEVADA (LAUGHLIN)

FERRARO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1-702-364-5300 GOLDEN NUGGET 1-800-634-3454

AQUARIUS CASINO RESORT 1-888-662-5824

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

15 OHIO BLUE ASH GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-745-8577 ELKS RUN GOLF COURSE (CINCINNATI) 1-513-735-6600

THE GREENBRIER (WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS) 1-800-453-4858 MARDI GRAS CASINO & RESORT 1-304-776-1000

BLOODY POINT GOLF CLUB & RESORT (HILTON HEADDAFUSKIE ISLAND) 1-843-341-3030 CQ’S RESTAURANT (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-671-2779

HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES 1-800-795-7001

MOUNTAINEER CASINO RACETRACK AND RESORT 1-800-489-8192 WHEELING ISLAND HOTEL, CASINO & RACETRACK 1-304-232-5050

GOLDEN BEAR AT INDIGO RUN (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-689-2200 HARBOUR TOWN GOLF COURSE (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-4485 HILTON HEAD NATIONAL (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-842-5900 SALTY DOG CAFÉ (HILTON HEAD) 1-843-363-2198

17 TENNESSEE BOUND’RY (NASHVILLE) 1-615-321-3043 CHEROKEE VALLEY GOLF COURSE (MEMPHIS) 1-901-525-4653

GOT A FAVORITE SPOT? LET US KNOW! We do our best to list some of our favorite places to gamble, stay, eat, drink and be merry. If you want to share a hidden gem, email us at editor@southerngaming.com or call 1-877-582-9478!

FOLK’S FOLLY (MEMPHIS) 1-901-762-8200 GAYLORD SPRINGS GOLF LINKS (NASHVILLE) 1-615-458-1730 HALF SHELL RESTAURANT (MEMPHIS) 1-901-682-3966 THE PEABODY HOTEL (MEMPHIS) 1-901-529-4000

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PLAYER STRATEGY

POKER: Stealing the Blinds I need to introduce a strategy called “stealing the blinds,” one that can yield a few chips in certain circumstances, even with a worthless hand, and at a minimal risk. In most tough games, you’ll see a lot of folding before the flop. When everyone folds up to the player on the button, then that player will usually raise in the hope that the small blind and the big blind will fold their hands too. If they do, then the button player gets to keep the blind money. Even if the player on the button has something like 5-8, he will often raise in this situation in order to try to steal the blinds. Experienced opponents will know that the button player who raises at this high point might be attempting to steal, but if their hands are just as bad, they’ll fold rather than get involved with a bad hand in bad position. You can see how the term “stealing” would have arisen when players put in a raise with a hand this weak! The power of the blind steal is related to the fact that the button player has the best position. Being on the button gives a player the advantage of position, in that he will act last during the whole hand. In Hold’em acting last (having position) is a huge edge. If you’re powerful, weak or somewhere in between, you can sit back and wait for all the other players to reveal their strength or weakness before you act on your hand. Two good reasons for you to fold a marginal hand in the blinds when the button raises are, that you’re in bad position and that the button may actually have a real hand instead of a weak hand. WEIRD THINGS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU’RE STEALING THE BLINDS

I still remember a hand that came up with 11 players left (five at one table and six at my table) in a limit Hold’em event at Caesar’s Palace in 1991. With the limits at $1,000-2,000 I decided to raise in late position with Q-7-7. The poker legend Hans “Tuna” Lund (twice a final-table finisher at the World Series of Poker!) decided to call me with 10-J in the big blind, because he thought that I was just trying to steal his blind. The flop came up Q-10-7, which gave him a very powerful two pair, and Tuna checked and then called my $1,000 bet. When a jack came off on fourth street, giving him two pair (tens and jacks), he bet out $2,000 and I raised him to $4,000. He then raised me, and I just called his three

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PHIL HELLMUTH, JR.

bets ($6,000), thinking that he probably had me beat. Tuna then bet out $2,000 on the end, and I called. He then stated, “Two pair, jacks up,” and I responded, “No good, I have queens up.” Tuna replied, “You lucky puppy, I knew you were just trying to steal my blinds!” It was indeed a very lucky hand to have come up, when 11 players were left in the tournament and the limits were as high as they were. I won a $22,500 pot all because I was trying to steal the blinds! Of course, although an attempt to steal may lead to either a successful steal with nothing or a big win like the one I got against Tuna, you can also end up losing a big pot if you flop something good in that endeavor and it loses to something better. In another tournament, this one at the U.S. Poker Open at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City in 1997, I kept trying to steal the blinds, and I kept getting crushed! I would steal from a position one off the button (you will observe that a steal attempt looks less like a steal attempt the farther you are from the button) with 9-10, and I’d get called with K-10. Then the old 10-4-2 flop would hit and I would lose the maximum. Or I would raise 8 of Diamonds - 9 of Diamonds stealing on the button and be called with Q-J. With a flop of J-10-2, I then had to play my open-ended straight all the way. And boom, an eight would come up on the last card and I would call that bet too! After repeatedly getting crushed stealing blinds that day, I decided to be more careful in the future, both in using that play and how aggressively I would continue on after I got called, and so should you. If you have a really steep learning curve, and the ability to read players well, then you may be able to move up rather quickly from the beginners’ level to the intermediate level. You will need to play for at least a few months to absorb the nuances of limit Hold’em. The intermediate level limit Hold’em player does extremely well in low-limit games. In fact, he does so well that he wants to test himself at the next level up. If you’re only breaking even or losing at this higher level, then you need to drop back down and continue to win at the lower levels for a while before you test your game again.

Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is a 13-time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world. He is the author of two New York Times bestsellers and his latest book, Deal Me In, is also widely popular. Visit philhellmuth.com to check out his clothing line, blog and exclusive gaming tips.

“THE POWER OF THE BLIND STEAL IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE BUTTON PLAYER HAS THE BEST POSITION.”

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