SOUTHERN Gaming and Destinations | January 2016 by Gaming and Destinations

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

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

READERS’ CHOICE

AWARDS

VOTE TODAY &

WIN BIG! PAGE 32

TOP CASINO GAMES: YOUR BEST BETS

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PETE ROSE AND BETTING SCANDALS OF THE CENTURY

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PLUS TIPS ON BLACKJACK • CRAPS • HORSERACING • VIDEO POKER & MORE! Covering Florida, Indiana, Las Vegas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the entire South!

LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc. PRESIDENT

G. Douglas Dreisbach FOUNDING PUBLISHER

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

The holidays are behind us and it’s time to embark on a new year. That also means it’s time to start planning for your next great escape and travel adventure. The choices for gaming getaways are better than ever, with new properties opening and older properties making major renovations, all designed to meet your highest expectations. Whether you are looking for something new or prefer the places where everyone knows your name, we vow to do our part to highlight some of our preferred places to stay and play in 2016, as well as continue to provide the best gaming tips to help you win when you get there. In 2016, we also look forward to publishing additional interesting articles that look into other areas of entertainment, such as our cover story in this issue featuring Pete Rose and other iconic gambling scandals of the past century. The article highlights Rose’s gambling debacle, the 1919 Chicago Black Sox rouse, the NBA referee who was caught influencing game-calling in 2007 and more. While these articles may not give you tips and tricks to use in the casino, hopefully they will inspire some insightful conversation among your peers. We are also excited to feature our 2016 Gambling Getaway Bucket List on page 6, where you will find travel suggestions ranging from a zip-lining through Freemont Street in Las Vegas, to sailing 2

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As always, this issue features tips and strategy from some of the best gambling authors in the world including John Grochowski, Frank Scoblete, Henry Tamburin and Linda Boyd. Don’t miss the Best Bets in the Casino by Grochowski on page 18, where you will find 10 casino games that offer the best bets for your buck. Whether it is the Pass Line bet in craps or betting on the player in Baccarat, be sure to play the games that give you the best shot at winning and you will be off to a great start. Got questions? We’ve got answers! If you have any questions for our authors, we would love to hear from you. Simply shoot us an email at editor@gaminganddestinations.com and we will get your answer, and maybe even publish it in a future issue! Plus, you will be helping out your fellow gamers because if you don’t know the answer, chances are that others don’t know it either. We want to thank all of our readers for your continued support. Keep spreading the word about Gaming and Destinations to all of your friends and encourage them to join the fun by subscribing at GamingandDestinations.com for as low as $20 per year! We also have Gift Subscriptions so that you can give the gift that keeps on giving to that special gambler in your life. For gift subscriptions, give us a call at 1-877-582-9478 and we will get the gift recipient ’s information and send them a personalized letter from you! We hope you continue to enjoy Gaming and Destinations and have a great 2016! If you can’t be good, be lucky!

Larry Bisig CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Chip Dumstorf MANAGING EDITORS

Lauren Reisdorf Joseph Grove CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

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

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 583-0333 Fax (502) 583-6487 e-mail: editor@gaminganddestinations.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the ever-growing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist gamers in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest. Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Gaming Media Group Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 2015 by Gaming Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. This publication is printed by Publisher’s Printing Co., Inc. of Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Postage is paid in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Opinions of columnists are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor does Gaming and Destinations assume liability for claims of advertisers. POSTMASTER: Send

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

G. Douglas Dreisbach

PR ESIDENT & GENER AL MANAGER

Cover photo courtesy of Malcom Emmons - USA Today Sports.

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

TIPS & COLUMNS

10 Pete Rose, and Betting

18 Poker The power of the Raise.

Scandals of the Century

19 Craps

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

Back to the Basics.

20 Video Poker Strategies for Double Deuces.

FEATURE ARTICLES

21 Baccarat 101

22 Blackjack

Beginning with the Basics.

Ready to Hit the Road? Here are some of the top thrills for 2016.

Check out an excerpt from our expert's new Guide.

14 Top Casino Plays: Your Best Bets

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

HIGHLIGHTS & HOTSPOTS 26 Property Profile IP Casino Resort and Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi.

24 A Day in the Life

of a Casino Performer Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re visiting a megacasino, or a small one, one of the constants at almost every property is entertainment.

10 Find us on Facebook

@SouthernGaming GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

FACTS & FUN

DID YOU KNOW

1 2 3

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

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

4 5

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

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

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

SIPS WITH GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

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

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

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

Ingredients

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

1 ½ ounces of premium Kentucky Bourbon 1 Tablespoon of Honey Juice of a ½ lemon

1 cup of water 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Boil water. 2. While water heats, squeeze the juice from a half of a lemon in your favorite mug. 3. Add the honey and stir until smooth. 4. Add bourbon and stir. 5. Top off with the hot water and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

$2.4 million

The largest legal wager ever made. An unidentified individual bet that amount that the 49ers would win Super Bowl XXIX.

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

4256

The number of hits Pete Rose had during his professional Baseball career. 4|

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50,000

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

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

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MISTY JOHNSON

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

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

Experience Freemont Street like never before when you soar above the crowds on the new SlotZilla zip line. Like most things in Vegas, Slotzilla is larger than life. Measuring 12 stories high, it is the world’s largest slot machine. But this attraction is no gamble; it is one thrill you won’t want to miss. Take an exhilarating ride 77 feet up in the air on the Zipline. Fliers travel half way down Freemont Street in a seated position at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. If you think you can handle it, the Zoomline offers even more of a thrill, but it is not for the faint of heart. Feel like you’re flying when you zoom across Freemont Street in a prone position at 1700 feet in the air. No matter which option you choose, this is sure to be an experience you will never forget. www.vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line POKERSTARS CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE IN NASSAU

Every poker player dreams of one day playing among the elite, and this year PokerStars makes that easier than ever before. The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is the second largest poker tournament in the world, topped only by the World Series of Poker. Over the past ten years, the tournament has paid out more than $150,000,000 in prize money, but has required a steep buy-in. This year, PokerStars has made drastic changes, making the tournament better than ever. The buy-in fee for the Main Event has been slashed in half, and the selection of daily events has been tripled, with buy-ins as low as $120. It will be held once again at the luxurious Atlantis

Resort and Casino on Paradise Island January 6th-14th. Escape the dreary winter weather for the soft, white sands and warm breeze of the Bahamas. While this tropical paradise provides plenty of opportunities for close encounters with marine life, the poker table is where you will face off with the real sharks. With all the exciting changes, you won’t want to miss out on this exclusive event. www.pokerstarscaribbeanadventure.com PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE IN SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA

Forget Sin City, this year immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Sun City, South Africa. The legendary Sun City Casino may offer around the clock gaming, but the real gaming experience is located just ten minutes away at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The 550 kilometers of unadulterated wilderness land is situated inside an ancient volcanic crater and is home to over 7,000 land mammals. For an upclose and personal view of the stunning landscape and wildlife, take a guided tour through the safari, where you can fully appreciate the size and strength of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. If you hit the jackpot, you just might witness the Big Five—African lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo—named by big game hunters due to their difficulty to hunt. For a different view, take in the full splendor of the African safari with an hour long hot air balloon ride. Get the complete backwoods experience when you stay in one of the rustic safari tents overlooking the African bush, or for more upscale accommodations, choose from one of the many luxury lodges. Visit between July and October for the best animal viewing opportunities. www.pilanesbergnationalpark.org

Sun City, South Africa

LAKE TAHOE

Just one hour outside of Reno lies the largest alpine lake in North America. Known for its crystal clear waters and breathtaking panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a sight to behold. Whether you enjoy spending your hours relaxing on the soothing waters, hiking through the pine forests, or skiing the slopes, Lake Tahoe is truly nature’s playground. The calm, blue waters provide the perfect conditions for hours of exhilarating water activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking. If you’re looking to just relax, the majestic mountains provide the perfect backdrop as you leisurely cruise across the lake, particularly at sunset. Tahoe isn’t just a summer destination, with an annual snowfall of over 40 feet, it provides some of the top skiing conditions in the country. If skiing is not for you, you may want to try tubing, snowshoeing, or a scenic sleigh rides through the mountains. With plenty of fun in the sun and snow, Lake Tahoe is the perfect getaway. www.visitinglaketahoe.com WORLD POKER TOUR CRUISE

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

Photo courtesy of gary yim / Shutterstock.com

peacefulness of the open sea. Royal Caribbean has partnered with the World Poker Tour to bring you a poker cruise like no other. Start off your trip with a welcome party with your favorite World Poker Tour cast members, including commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten. During the cruise, there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle, and even get your picture made with your favorite stars. While on your way to exotic destinations, take part in a variety of tournaments, including the Free Roll Tournament, High Roller Tournament, and the WPT Cruise Main Event, where the lucky winner will be featured in WPT Magazine. www.worldpokertourcruise. com/5th-annual/index.html KENTUCKY DERBY AND TRIPLE CROWN TRAIL

Louisville, Ky., is a city rich in history, and there is no better time to visit than during the Kentucky Derby Festival. This prestigious horse race dates back to 1875 and is the first race in the US Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby may be the fastest two minutes in sports, but the festival is a two-week-long extravaganza, enjoyed by locals and the rich and famous alike. The festival is kicked off with a bang, beginning with one of the world’s largest firework and air shows, Thunder over Louisville. The Kentucky Derby 8|

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Festival is packed with plenty of family fun, including the Pegasus Parade, the Balloon Glow, great food and live music at Waterfront Park, and the historic steamboat race across the Ohio River. Cheer on your favorite Thoroughbred at the big event the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. From there the winner must win both the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York to join the elite winners of the Triple Crown. Throughout history, there have only been 12 lucky racehorses to pull off this monumental feat, with the last one being American Pharoah in 2015. www.kdf.org MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS

Let the good times roll at Louisiana’s largest annual celebration! Come be a part of this exciting tradition that has become a defining characteristic of the New Orleans’ culture since 1837, and see why no one throws a party quite like New Orleans. The Carnival season begins on Twelfth Night, January 6th, and the revelry culminates on Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, the day before the Catholic holiday Lent begins. Originally, this holiday was considered the last opportunity to indulge before fasting during Lent, but it has taken on a life of its own. Enjoy the mouthwatering crawfish and Cajun food, live Blues music and elaborate parades in the historic

French Quarter. Come prepared to catch plenty of beads and trinkets, treated like currency, as it’s thrown from the floats. As the celebration continues, it just keeps gets better. Join in on all the revelry, and adorn yourself with an elaborate costume, festive mask, and colorful beads for the final parades held on Mardi Gras. While there are plenty to choose from, you won’t want to miss the pinnacle of the festival, the Rex Parade. www. mardigrasneworleans.com THE MISSISSIPPI BLUES TRAIL

Mississippi is home to some of the best casinos in the South, but it is also the birthplace of the Blues. Relive the real story of the South—the history, the culture, the raw emotion—that mere words cannot fully portray when you take a trip on the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail. Start your journey in Tunica, at the Gateway to the Blues Museum. As you wind your way through the Mississippi Delta, there are more than 100 different landmarks detailing the history of the Blues and the musical pioneers who helped shape it, including B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and the musical icon, Elvis Presley. Learn how the Blues movement inf luenced modern day music at the Rock and Blues Museum. Be sure to save enough time for the oldest Blues museum, Delta Blues. Download the Mississippi Blues Trail app to map out your route so you won’t miss a thing. www.msbluestrail.org

SCANDAL PETE ROSE, THE BLACK SOX AND FIVE MORE OF SPORTS’ GREATEST SHAMES

OOR PETE ROSE. For awhile, it looked as though 2015 might be the year when finally—FINALLY— MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would pardon the equal parts famous and infamous Cincinnati Red and restore him in the good graces of the League and clear a path to the Hall of Fame. But weeks of waiting for a decision turned to months, and at least at the time of this writing, when the aroma of Thanksgiving feasts are heralding the advent of Advent and the beginning of the end of the year—no smoke has come from Manfred’s chimney to clue the world in on his thinking. That’s the thing about sports. Where there is opportunity for heroics, there is temptation for cutting the corner, noodling the numbers, doing the dope. And while fans will tsk-tsk about the players and teams who make the mess, that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy reading about them. So while we continue to stand-by for word on Mr. Rose, here is a deeper look at his troubles and recaps of more of sporting morasses. 1989 PETE ROSE AND BART GIAMATTI

At this point, not even Pete himself disputes the basic charge: Pete Rose violated Major League Baseball’s biggest taboo—he gambled on the outcome of a baseball game. Even worse, he 10 |

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TE R RY PA R R E T T

gambled on games he was managing and therefore could directly inf luence the outcome. In 1989, then-MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti placed Rose on the permanently ineligible list. Rose’s supporters point out that he never bet against his own team, and therefore was never negatively influencing the outcome of a game, and that this means the integrity of the games was maintained. Some supporters go so far as the claim that by putting his own money on the line, he had even more incentive to win, thus ensuring the fairness of the game. Critics, however, point out that the minute Rose bet on the game, he was clouding his judgment and was no longer able to manage a game objectively; he would be more likely to jeopardize a future day’s game for today’s outcome. He might be more willing to bring in a reliever to get a win in a wagered game, and thus leave that player unavailable for tomorrow’s game. Regardless of whether Rose changed his managerial strategy in games he was betting on, since the Black Sox scandal, MLB has been zealous about maintaining the appearance (and actuality) of propriety. The mere hint that anyone involved in the game, especially a player or manager who could affect the outcome, was involved in gambling on the sport is not tolerated.

San Francisco Giants face the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium on July 9, 1978. Photo Courtesy of Blake Bolinger.

Rose has admitted to the gambling, and it became known later that he also wagered at least 21 times on games as a player. Physicist Niels Bohr once said that the opposite of a trivial truth is plainly false, but the opposite of a great truth is also true. In the case of Pete Rose, it is a Great Truth that as a player, he is indisputably one of the alltime greats, and judged solely on that criteria, he belongs in the Hall of Fame. The opposite of that Great Truth, however, is that Baseball’s greatest taboo must be punished accordingly, and no matter how great a player Rose was, by knowingly breaking that rule, he must abide by the punishment. Rose’s supporters appear more vocal than his detractors, but both sides are convinced of their Truth.

1919 CHICAGO BLACK SOX SCANDAL

The grandfather of all sports scandals, the Black Sox scandal has been the subject of books, films and many other pop culture references. The basics are well known: A group of eight Chicago White Sox players, unhappy with tight-f isted owner Charles Comiskey, reportedly took money from gangster Joseph Sullivan in exchange for losing the World Series. The White Sox were strongly favored to win, but when gamblers began wagering heavily on the Cincinnati Reds, rumors began to spread that the series may have been tainted. When the Sox lost the Series, many suspicions were confirmed, and in September of 1920, a grand jury was convened to investigate.

“WHEN GAMBLERS BEGAN WAGERING HEAVILY ON THE CINCINNATI REDS, RUMORS BEGAN TO SPREAD THAT THE SERIES MAY HAVE BEEN TAINTED."

It remains to be seen what, if anything, Rob Manfred will say or do with regard to Rose’s lifetime ban. Rose seems resigned to whatever happens. As he stated on a recent FOX Sports broadcast, “I’ll die the Hit King.” In his heart, Rose knows he belongs in the Hall of Fame; whatever Manfred decides, Rose knows his place in the record books is a testament to his legacy as one of the game’s greatest players.

Ultimately, all parties involved were cleared of any legal wrongdoing, but the damage to the national pastime had been done. In 1921, MLB owners created the position of Commissioner of Baseball, and the first person to fill that role, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, used his virtually unlimited powers to place all eight accused players on the “ineligible list,” effectively permanently banning them from any involvement in professional baseball. In the years since, GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

many have argued that some of the players banned by Landis didn’t deserve their fate, and had in fact played to the best of their abilities. Regardless, the 1919 White Sox will forever be defined by the scandal, and the severity of that incident colors the way MLB punishes transgressors, including Rose, to this day. 2007 NBA REFEREE SCANDAL

Having inside information on players’ personal lives, such as their physical condition, personal relationships, etc., has always been a tool in the unscrupulous gambler’s bag of tricks. For such a person, knowing that a star player is having girlfriend trouble, battling a substance abuse issue, or fighting some other personal demon is like having money in the bank. By betting against that player’s team, the shady gambler is capitalizing on information not available to the general public. In 2007, NBA referee Tim Donaghy was revealed to be the source of precisely this sort of information. In his on-court role as referee, Donaghy was privy to a great deal of personal information, and he used it not only to make bets on his own, but was also paid by bookies to reveal what he knew. The whole situation unraveled when the New York Post got wind of the setup, and when the dust had settled, Donaghy found himself out of a job and sentenced to 15 months in prison, with another three years of probation tacked on for good luck. The NBA has made several changes to its officiating system to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences of this sort. 1977 LEBON-CINZANO THOROUGHBRED FRAUD

While not as well known as other sports betting scandals, this particular betting scandal is ingenious, as some of the principals involved weren’t able to incriminate themselves, since they couldn’t speak. In 1977, racing veterinarian Mark Gerard was discovered to have switched two horses: Lebon, a slow horse that had seen better days, was replaced by Cinzano, a speedy horse who was a close physical match. Fraudulent paperwork claimed that Cinzano met an untimely end due to a broken ankle, but in fact, Lebon rested in Cinzano’s place, and the fleet of foot Cinzano raced to a 57-1 longshot victory at Belmont. Dr. Gerard, who had placed $1,800 in bets on the doppelganger, was elated to win almost $80,000. Alas, his happiness was short-lived. A keen-eyed newspaper editor in Uruguay recognized a photo of Cinzano, and called New York detectives with his suspicions. In short order, Dr. Gerard’s role in the fraud was uncovered, and the veterinarian was sentenced to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. While the rest of his career was exemplary, in this case, greed got the best of him, and his name will forever be associated with the scandal. 2011 SUMO WRESTLING MATCH FIXING SCANDAL

In 2011, news broke that several Japanese sumo wrestlers had conspired to fix the outcome of their matches. While US readers may find sumo wrestling unusual and amusing, it is considered to be Japan’s national sport, and allegations of wrongdoing were taken very seriously. Investigations revealed that several wrestlers had been communicating prior to 12 |

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matches to discuss how the fights would proceed, and how much money would be involved. The match-fixing scandal closely followed another sumorelated scandal from the previous year, where up to 40 wrestlers were discovered to have been betting on baseball, which is illegal in Japan. Whenever athletes are discovered to have been involved in betting with underworld figures, as was alleged in the sumo-baseball scandal, the main fear of the sports’ officials is that the same athletes will be tempted to throw a game to pay back their partners, as was the case in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Four years later, sumo wrestling is still struggling to overcome the scandal. Fewer new wrestlers are entering the ring, and the future of the sport itself is being questioned. 2015 FIFA WORLD CUP SCANDAL

Although not technically a betting scandal, in this instance, the stakes were undoubtedly higher than in any of the other incidents discussed in this article. In 2015, 18 individuals and two corporations were indicted for a variety of crimes including bribery, fraud and money-laundering for attempting to inf luence the site selection process and sponsorship contracts for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Soccer has been gaining in popularity in the U.S. for the past few years, but the passion for it in other countries is hard to overstate. Hosting the FIFA World Cup is a huge boon to a country’s economy, and it’s understandable that some would use any means necessary to sway the decision-making process. In the case of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it is alleged that almost $150 million was spent in bribes, and the allegations have tarnished the names of some of the highest echelons of the sport. As of September 2015, the investigation has also begun to look at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and has led to the suspension of several FIFA officials, including FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter. 1963 ALEX KARRAS AND THE NFL

Modern day athletes are paid sums that make normal mortal heads spin, but this wasn’t always the case. Prior to the Curt Flood decision that created free agency in baseball and opened the doors for today’s multi-millionaire athletes, most professional athletes were not well paid. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to find professional athletes working at normal jobs in the off-season. Of course, one of the dangers inherent in underpaying athletes is the temptation to supplement that income in undesirable ways. In 1963, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Karras decided to become part-owner of a local sports bar, Lindell A.C., to supplement his $9,000 annual football salary. Unfortunately, some of Lindell’s patrons included a number of well-known Detroit gamblers, and Karras was soon given an ultimatum by the NFL either to sell his interest in the bar or face expulsion. Initially, Karras refused to sell and was suspended by the NFL for reasons that also included allegedly making small wagers on NFL games. Eventually, however, Karras relented, sold his share in the bar, and was reinstated in 1964. Karras continued playing in the NFL until 1972, and then began a long acting career, but he always remained resentful of his treatment by the NFL.

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TO P CA S I N O P L AYS

YO U R B E S T B E T S

LOOKING FOR THE BEST EDGE? T R Y T HE S E G A ME S by

JOHN GROCHOWSKI

N OT AL L CAS I N O G A M E S A R E CREATED EQUAL. SOME GIVE YOU A BETTER SHOT TO WIN THAN OTHERS. SOME PART YOU FROM YOUR MONEY FASTER THAN THE REST. Your guide to the best opportunities vs. the bankroll eaters is the house edge. You have a chance to win in a short session on any game, but you get more bang for your buck when the average percentage that the house keeps is smaller. Some of the best games are rarely found – it’s a rare casino that has video poker games with 100 percent-plus paybacks, or the table game Catch a Wave with its half-percent house edge. And some opportunities require skills players don’t have – card counters can get an edge on the house in blackjack, but few players can actually count cards. What follows are 10 casino best bets for games you can easily find in casinos, for players with normal skill levels. You’re not going to beat the house every time out, but these give you a shot to win. 14 |

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CRAPS: BET THE PASS OR DON’T PASS LINE

House Edge: 1.41% on the Pass Line, 1.36% on Don’t Pass, and less than 1% if you take free odds. Why it’s a Great Bet: Betting the Pass Line in craps can be a thrill like no other in the casino. When the shooter is on a roll and everyone is winning together and the cheers and high fives come along with the chips, the camaraderie can’t be beat. Don’t Pass bettors don’t get that, since they’re betting against the shooter making his point, but they do get a slightly lower house edge. What both Pass and Don’t Pass bettors have is a house edge that starts among the lowest in the casino, along with an opportunity to make a good bet even better. With the 3x, 4x, 5x odds that are common in today’s casinos, the edge falls to 0.4% on pass plus odds and 0.3% on don’t pass plus odds. That’s even lower than the house edge against basic strategy players at most blackjack tables and it can get even lower with 10x odds (0.2% on Pass, 0.1% on Don’t Pass) or the rare 100x odds (0.02% Pass, 0.01% Don’t).

For bettors who like to have several numbers working at once, the Come bet works just like the Pass and the Don’t Come bet just like the Don’t Pass, free odds and all, with the same house edges.

BLACKJACK: PLAY BASIC STRATEGY

House Edge: Approximately 0.6% on a six-deck game, depending on house rules Why it’s a great bet: There’s an appealing element of skill to blackjack where strategy matters. While the average player faces a house edge of 1.5% to 2%, you can trim that provided you know when to hit, stand, split pairs or double down. In a common six-deck game in which the dealer hits soft 17, you can double down on any first two cards and you can split pairs up to three times for a total of four hands, the house edge against a basic strategy player is 0.61%. On average, you lose 61 cents per $100 wagered. If you’re fuzzy on basic strategy fine points, no problem. Many casinos will allow you to refer to a basic strategy card, as long as you’re not overdoing it and slowing down the game. You do need to exercise some caution and beware of rules that pad the house edge. If blackjacks pay only 6-5 instead of the standard 3-2, it adds 1.4% to the house edge, and you might want to consider one of the other games on this list.

VIDEO POKER: PLAY 9-6 JACKS OR BETTER OR OTHER HIGH-PAYING GAMES

House Edge: 0.5%, or a few tenths of a percent less on some games, or more on others. Why it’s a Great Bet: Similar to blackjack, there’s a feeling of control in video poker. Your strategy matters, and in the best games available in casinos, the house edge is as low as any games on this list. You might never see games that return 100 percent with optimal play unless you venture into Las Vegas locals casinos, but there are a host of 99-percenters. In addition to that, there’s a chance at a big jackpot that low house-edge table bets don’t offer. With a five-credit bet, royal flushes usually pay 4,000-for-1, or $1,000 for a $1.25 wager on a quarter machine. With optimal play, 9-6 Jacks or Better returns 99.5% of money wagered to players. Optimal play takes practice, but it’s not difficult to learn, and in most states you can have a strategy card right at the machine and refer to it while you play. The “9-6” refers to payoffs on full houses and flushes – 9-for-1 on full houses and 6-for-1 on flushes. Other games in the 99-percent range include 8-5 Bonus Poker (99.2), 9-7-5 Double Bonus Poker (99.1) and 9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker (99.0).

BACCARAT:

BET WITH THE BANKER

House Edge: 1.06% Why it’s a Great Bet: Betting with the banker is a great bet because you actually win more hands than you lose. In a standard baccarat or mini-baccarat game using eight decks, the banker bet wins 45.9% of the time, and loses only 44.6 percent. The remaining 9.5% of hands are draws, and both the banker and player bets get their money back. The house has to claim an edge on the game, of course, so it charges a 5% commission on winning banker bets. That still leaves a house edge of only 1.06 percent, the lowest you’ll find without having to learn strategies, as in blackjack or video poker, or sort through dozens of possible bets, as in craps. Hands are played out according to a set of rules posted at every table. You can relax and enjoy, making this the best no-brainer bet in the house.

BACCARAT: BET ON PLAYER

House Edge: 1.24% Why it’s a Great Bet: You’ll find the second-best no-brainer bet in the casino at the same table as the best. You do lose more bets than you win when you bet on player, but that means the house doesn’t have to charge you a commission on winning bets. The house edge is still very low, at 1.24%. And you still can just sit back, relax and enjoy without learning strategies. Banker is the better bet, but most players like to flip back and forth between the two, trying to ride streaks. The main caution is to avoid the bet on ties, which has a house edge of 14.4%

MISSISSIPPI STUD POKER

House Edge: 1.37% Why it’s a Great Bet: Mississippi Stud is a great bet because you can maximize your winnings when you have good cards, and minimize your losses when you don’t. There is no dealer hand to beat – you’re strictly betting on whether your fivecard hand will be on a pay table that starts at a pair of 6s. GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

You start with an ante, and there are potential raise opportunities after you’ve seen two, three and four cards. There are a couple of different ways to look at the house edge. On average, you’ll spot the house 4.91% of your ante. But with the raises, on average you’ll wager 3.59 times the ante by the end of the hand. That leaves a house edge on your total wagers of 1.37%, one of the better bets around.

CRAPS:

BET ON 6 OR 8 AS PLACE BET

House Edge: 1.52% Why it’s a Great Bet: Place bets on 6 and 8 are great bets because you’re getting the most frequently rolled numbers other than that pesky 7 that turns place bets into losers. Among the 36 possible two-dice combinations, there are six ways to make 7, followed by five ways to make 6 and five ways to make eight. One thing to remember: Winners are paid at 7-6 odds, but only if they remember to bet in multiples of $6. If you bet $6, a winner 8 will pay $7, but if you bet $5, that winner will pay only $5.

THREE CARD POKER: BET ON THE ANTE-PLAY PORTION

House Edge: 2.01% Why it’s a Great Bet: There is some strategy to learn in Three Card Poker, but it’s easy to learn and remember. You start with an ante, and if you like your cards in the game against the dealer, you follow with a bet equal to the ante. The Strategy: Bet if your hand is Queen-6-4 or better, but fold with lesser cards. It doesn’t get much easier than that and the house edge is one of the lowest among games that are easy to learn.

CRAPS:

LAY THE 4 OR 10

House Edge: 2.44% Why it’s a Great Bet: Laying the 4 and 10 are for those who like to play the don’t side. You’re betting the shooter will roll a 7 before the next 4, or before the next 10. Most craps players like to have several wagers working at once, and if you prefer to bet specific numbers instead of come and don’t come, the best options are placing 6 and 8 for pass bettors, and laying 4 or 10 for don’t pass bettors.

You have to pay a 5% commission to make lay bets. At some casinos, you have to pay the commission only on winning bets. When that happens, the house edge dips to 1.67% and laying the 4 and 10 move up the chart of best bets.

House Edge: 2.5% to 2.8% Why it’s a Great Bet: Pai-Gow Poker is a great bet for extended play. You set seven cards into a five-card “High Hand” and a two-card “Second High Hand,” and if both hands beat the dealer, you win. If both lose, you lose. If you win one and lose the other, it’s a push. The house wins exact ties, but more important to the house edge is that winners pay a 5% commission. With optimal strategy 40% of hands push, so this is an evenkeel game great for spending some time at the table, enjoying a drink or two and kibitzing with the dealer and other players.

SLOT SPOTLIGHT: GOLD FISH DELUXE™ BY SCIENTIFIC GAMES

The proven WMS brand Gold Fish Deluxe is making a splash as one of the first games on the revolutionary new TwinStar cabinet by Scientific Games. In this nostalgic favorite, players will go wild in the virtual aquarium for the six bonuses that offer multipliers up to 10x, Free Spins, Wilds and huge credit prizes presented in high-definition graphics. Game highlights include, Gold Fish Betting -- the more active Gold Fish, the more frequently the Gold Fish Bonus will trigger and every Fish Bonus ends with a chance to find the Golden Fish! In Bonus Bubbles the number of bubbles equal to the bet multiplier appears and as each bubble pops it may reveal a credit award or the Golden Fish. Also swimmingly popular, feeding the fish! The scattered fish food symbols trigger the Fish Food bonus and award 10x to 100x the total bet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SLOT SPOLIGHT, visit

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PAI-GOW POKER

scientificgames.com

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PLAYER STRATEGY

POKER: The Power of the Raise

H E PR I NCI PLE T H AT I A M going to teach you in this column is how to use a raise on the flop to find out “where you are at” in a hand. I’ll show you how to use the raise or re-raise on the flop to gain information, so as to learn, perhaps, whether you have the best hand or not. Learning that is crucial to your decision-making process for the rest of the hand, and sometimes you have to pay heavily for the information! Another great thing about using a raise or re raise on the flop is that even though your purpose in betting was to find out if you had the best hand, your aggressive betting often causes a better hand to fold. Aggressive play in Hold ’em is often rewarded in ways you weren’t anticipating at the time; this is one of the reasons why jackals have developed their particular playing style, and why they seem to win more often than they should. After all, most of the time the flop that you are hoping for in Hold’em just isn’t there. When I make it three bets to go in a Hold’em hand with K-K, I’m hoping that no ace will hit the flop! And yet an ace does fall on the flop roughly 30 percent of the time. When I have Q-Q in a big multiway pot (with two or more opponents), then I’m hoping for neither an ace nor a king on the flop, because an ace or a king on the flop is the most likely way for me to lose the pot (to someone holding A-K or something similar). Yet often the ace or the king does come on the flop. But when you have Q-Q , and three small cards beneath the queen come on the flop, the hand is easy to play on the flop: just jam (raise and re-raise) the pot! I’ve been telling you “ram and jam” (raise and re-raise) with my Top 10 hands before the flop, but what happens when you’ve made it four bets to go with 10-10 and the flop comes 2-Q-K? This situation is a good bit trickier than one where you make it four bets to go with 10-10

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PHIL HELLMUTH

and the f lop comes down 10-7-2 (you have flopped the best possible hand in this case): there, you just jam it. You’ll be able to handle the dream flops, or even the really terrible flops, but what happens then when you have a marginal flop? What you do is raise your opponents, as if you have hit the flop perfectly, and then watch to see how they react to your raises. If you get the strong impression that you’re beaten, on the basis of your opponents’ reactions to your raises, then fold. But if you’re pretty sure you still have the best hand, keep on betting or calling. Notice here that woven into the principle of using raises on the flop to gain information about hands is the idea of using the occasion to read your opponents. I don’t want to be teaching you just plain old boring game theory without also showing you how to take into account your opponents’ moves, tendencies, and expressions. Poker is a lot more about reading your opponents than it is about how to play pocket eights against four opponents! If you don’t know how to read someone (or think your don’t), don’t despair: reading people is also a skill that can be learned. More on that later.

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.

"POKER IS A LOT MORE ABOUT READING YOUR OPPONENTS THAN IT IS ABOUT HOW TO PLAY POCKET EIGHTS AGAINST FOUR OPPONENTS!"

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PLAYER STRATEGY by

CRAPS: Back to the Basics

FRANK SCOBLETE

R APS IS ONE OF THE MORE intense and therefore more fun games in a casino. But it’s also among the more difficult to understand. With this column, I’m beginning a series on the basics of Craps to perhaps help even more people learn how to roll the dice.

Frank Scoblete’s newest book is “I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps!” He’d love to send you a free copy (while supplies last). Just email your mailing address to him at fscobe@optonline.net and he will get the book out ASAP.

"CRAPS IS ONE OF THE MORE INTENSE AND THEREFORE MORE FUN GAMES IN A CASINO. BUT IT’S ALSO AMONG THE MORE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND."

To begin, it helps to understand the roles of the casino personnel attending the game. There are usually three dealers working the game and a box person who supervises. One dealer, called the stickman, stands on the side of the table with the players. He has a long stick that he uses to move the dice. He gives the dice to the shooter, takes the dice to the middle of the table between rolls and announces the payoffs of the winning bets in the middle of the table. The other two dealers stand on the opposite side of the table from the stickman, one to his left and one to his right. Each of these dealers is responsible for paying off winning bets and taking losing bets from the players on their side of the table. The box person supervises the game. The box person also resolves most of the disputes at the table. In the pit will be a floor person, in charge of supervising various craps tables in his pit, rating the players, and giving comps. In serious disputes, the floor person will be brought in to judge. In charge of all the craps tables is the pit boss.

HERE WE GO!

The shooter selects his two dice. Now he will shoot his come-out roll. If he hits a 7 or 11, a Pass Line bet wins even money; if he shoots a 2, 3 or 12 the Pass Line bet loses. The small percentage of players betting Don’t Pass (also known as Darkside players) will lose on a 7 or 11 but win even money on a 2 or 3 with the 12 being a push (tie). You can see that in the come-out rolls, the Pass Line better will win eight decisions while losing four decisions. The Don’t Pass bettor will lose eight decisions but only win three decisions. When the shooter hits one of the point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), he must hit that number again before a 7 rolls in order for the Pass Line bet to win or hit a 7 for the Don’t Pass to win. At this point, the game shifts to the casino’s side on the Pass Line but it now favors the Don’t Pass player. House edge on the Pass Line is 1.41 percent. The player’s expectation is to lose $1.41 per $100 wagered. For a $10 Pass Line bet the expectation is a loss of 14 cents. House edge on the Don’t Pass Line is 1.36 percent. The player’s expectation is to lose $1.36 per $100 wagered. For a $10 Don’t Pass bet the expectation is to lose almost 14 cents. These are two of the best bets in the casino. But in my next column, we’ll review some wrinkles in the game.

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PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER: Strategies for Double Deuces

N AN EARLIER ISSUE, I gave you pay tables found on the same machine for two different deuces wild games. Of course you’ll choose the one that has an ER of 99.6206% and a variance of 50.98954 over the version with an ER of 94.8182% and variance of 25.25351. The best game may have a whopper of a variance and thus constitute a big risk to your bankroll, but it’s more than compensated for by the huge difference in the theoretical return. (Refer to the November/ December issue to see both pay schedules and comparisons.) You will need to know the basic game strategy and should put the pay schedule into your tutorial software (Dean Zamzow’s WinPoker is my favorite) for the best home practice. If you’re just interested in some strategy tips for the basics of this game, here they are. 1. Dealt Two Pair: Hold just one pair—either one, but not both. Be aware that there are some deuces wild (DW) games where you should hold both pairs but this is not one of them. 2. Dealt Wild Royal (WR): Hold all five cards. Even if you have four cards to a natural royal flush (RF) you still hold all to the WR. This is a frequent and costly error made by many who I’ve observed playing. Dealt 4 to a RF, you will get a natural RF one out of 47 tries statistically, but it will not make up for the money lost on WR’s. 3. Dealt Three Deuces: Hold all cards. The only exception is if you are dealt a WR. If dealt any WR, even with three deuces, you hold all to the WR. I see frequent player errors when all to either 5 of a Kind (5OAK) or a SF are held instead of just the three deuces. True you could end up sacrificing a dealt 5OAK to a lesser paying hand, but statistically you will be ahead by holding just the 3 deuces. 4. Dealt Two Deuces: Hold all 5 cards dealt a WR, 5OAK, SF or 4OAK. Hold 4 cards to a WR. Do not hold a straight, flush or 4 to a SF; instead, hold just the 2 deuces.

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LI N DA B OY D

5. Dealt Straight: Hold all cards with either 0 or one deuce. If two of the cards are deuces (see rule 4) then hold just the two deuces. Note that a straight is different from a SF. 6. Dealt Flush: Hold all cards with either 0 or one deuce. If two of the cards are deuces (see rule 4) then hold just the two deuces. Note that a flush is different from a SF. Make sure you understand that you can never use recent but past results to predict future dealt hands. In other words, even if you just had a RF or 4 deuces the odds of getting either a RF or 4 deuces on the next hand are unchanged. If you want to play computer-perfect or close to it you will need to practice at home on tutorial software or use the appropriate strategy card in the back of my book, “The Video Poker Edge.”

WINNING HAND/ 5-COIN BET

DOUBLE DEUCES

Royal Flush/NoDeuces

4000

4 Deuces

2000

Royal with Deuces/ Wild Royal

125

5 of a Kind

Straight Flush

4 of a Kind

Full House

Flush

Straight

3 of a Kind

Expected Return (ER)

99.6206%

Variance

50.98954

Linda Boyd was a long-time table-game player before turning to video poker. You can see her videos on YouTube. Her book, “The Video Poker Edge,” includes removable pay schedules and strategy cards for the most popular games.

"THIS SWITCHING OPTION GIVES PLAYERS A BIG ADVANTAGE BECAUSE YOU COULD CONVERT ONE OR TWO BAD HANDS INTO TWO VERY GOOD HANDS." FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

BACCARAT: Baccarat for Beginners

NICK SALMEN

"THE STICKMAN PUSHES OVER THE DICE TO THE PLAYER AND NOW THE RESULTS ARE IN THE PLAYER’S HAND."

ACCAR AT IS A RELATIVELY simple game where the players can place a bet, sit back and watch the action unfold. No major decisions are made during gameplay, only before the hand is dealt where there are three kinds of bets to be made: a bet that the bank/house will win, a bet that the player will win and a bet that neither will win and that they will tie. Each hand begins with the player(s) making a wager on who they believe is going to win. After all the bets are placed, the dealer will deal two hands, a banker hand and a player hand, each consisting of two cards. Multiple players at the table can place wagers on the outcome of the hand, but only one player hand will be dealt. So now what? The rules of Baccarat are easy to understand. The goal is to put together a hand as close to nine as possible without going over using two or three cards. The point total for a hand is calculated using the following values: • Face cards are valued at 10 • Aces are valued at 1 • 2-10 are counted at face value Baccarat is very different however from a game like Blackjack in the way that a hand would total. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to have a hand value that exceeds 9. A hand with a value greater than 9 has the first digit dropped, leaving the second digit to form the value of the hand. If either hand is an 8 or a 9 they are called a “natural” hand and no additional cards will be dealt; that person wins the hand. If the values of the hands are the same, the game results in a tie and wagers placed on a tie, win. So what if neither hand is a natural? The drawing rules are applied to determine whether the player, then the banker should receive a third card.

PLAYER'S RULE

• If the player has an initial total of 0–5, they would draw a third card. If the player has an initial total of 6 or 7, they stand. BANKER'S RULE

• If the player stands with two cards, the banker regards only their own hand and acts according to the same rule as the player. That means the banker draws a third card with hands 0–5 and stands with 6 or 7. If the player draws a third card, the banker acts according to the following more complex rules: • If the banker total is 2 or less, then the banker draws a card, regardless of what the player's third card is. • If the banker total is 3, then the bank draws a third card unless the player's third card was an 8. • If the banker total is 4, then the bank draws a third card if the player's third card was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. • If the banker total is 5, then the bank draws a third card if the player's third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7. • If the banker total is 6, then the bank draws a third card if the player's third card was a 6 or 7. • If the banker total is 7, then the banker stands. Once a game is complete it’s time for the pay-outs. Typically, winning on a player’s or banker’s hand will payout 1 to 1 and winning on a tying hand will payout 8 to 1. Check the table rules before playing however as these are just examples of the most popular payouts.

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HE FIRST STEP TO BECOME A SKILLFUL PLAYER is to learn the basic playing strategy. Many players believe they know the basic strategy. It’s been my experience that beginning players, who are serious about learning how to win, are usually enthusiastic about wanting to learn basic strategy. Experienced players, on the other hand, scoff at reading or learning about basic strategy because, “They know that stuff.” Well, if you are an “experienced player,’’ let’s see how much you really know about basic strategy. Jot down how you would play these hands; unless otherwise stated, assume a standard 6-deck game, dealer stands on soft 17, and doubling down after pair splitting is permitted.

You have 10-2 and the dealer shows a 3.

You have 8-8 and the dealer shows a 10.

You have 6-5 and the dealer shows a 10.

You have 10-6 and the dealer shows a 7.

You have ace-7 and the dealer shows a 9.

You have an ace-10 and the dealer has an ace. The dealer asks if you want even money. Should you take it?

You have 2-3-ace and the dealer shows 4.

You have 10-4 and the dealer shows an ace but doesn’t have blackjack. The casino allows surrender.

You have 9-9 and the dealer shows a 9.

You have Ace-8, and the dealer shows a 6. The rules specify that the dealer must hit soft 17.

THE CORRECT BASIC STRATEGY PLAYS FOR THE ABOVE HANDS IN ORDER ARE:

If you got some wrong, don’t fret, because the majority of blackjack players, even experienced players, flunk this quiz, which is why casinos continue to profit from a game that theoretically can be beaten. TO GET THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BLACK JACK, visit

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Henry Tamburin, Ph.D. is the author of the Ultimate Guide to Blackjack, editor of the Blackjack Insider e-Newsletter, lead instructor for the Golden Touch Blackjack course, and host of smartgaming.com. For a free three-month subscription to his blackjack newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/ freetrial. To receive his free Casino Gambling Catalog, call 1-888-353-3234 or visit www.smartgaming.com.

"THE 888CASINO ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BLACKJACK IS THE MOST EXTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO THE CASINO GAME OF BLACKJACK THAT YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE." FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

http://blog.888casino.com/casino-guides/blackjack

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... by

A CASINO PERFORMER

S TA F F W R I T E R

HETHER YOU’R E V ISITING A MEGACASINO IN LAS VEGAS, or a small one in your own town, one of the constants at just about every property is entertainment. Casinos know that one of the biggest attractions is the entertainment they offer, and staff are always looking for unique and engaging acts to help draw gamers to the tables and machines. But what’s it like to be the man or woman behind the microphone, travelling town to town, up and down the aisles? To find out, we spoke with casino entertainer Terry Parrett, who presents his comedy hypnosis show, “EnTRANCED: The Hypno-Reality Show,” at casinos around the country. A typical working day for Terry starts with a plane ride. Living in New York, he has several airports to choose from, and he usually gets going around 4 or 5 a.m. to get to the one with the most convenient and cheapest flights to his destination. Once he lands, he’ll rent a car and drive to the casino. He tries to arrive several hours before show time in order to do a sound and light check and make sure the stage is set properly for his show (his “tech rider” calls for 20 straight-back armless chairs to be onstage). Then, after all that, he checks in at the hotel. “One of the best parts about casino work is staying in all these wonderful hotels for free,” Terry said. “They also include complimentary meals, so I always need to watch my calories. Those buffets can really add up!” After freshening up and having dinner, Terry heads backstage to wait until show time. The backstage experience varies quite a bit from casino to casino. In some places, he will have a dressing room with a snack tray, beverages and all the niceties. In others, however, Terry’s “dressing room” will be a utility room filled with custodial equipment. Regardless, when he hits the stage, he’s ready to go. “One of the best things about being a comedy hypnotist is that every show is different, and I usually end up laughing as much as everyone in the audience,” Terry said. His show usually runs between 75 and 90 minutes, and he invites volunteers onstage to be hypnotized and become part of the show. Unlike many Las Vegas acts, Terry’s show is a “clean” show. He notes that many of the casinos he works with are either tribal casinos or in more conservative markets, and the types of hypnosis skits audiences enjoy in Las Vegas would not be as well received in other parts of the country. He says he’s made every effort to make sure that everyone leaves the show laughing and NOT offended by any X-rated material. The biggest difference between performing in a casino and a more traditional venue is that in a casino, a performer always needs to remember that his or her main job is to get people in the door. It’s important to do a great show, of course, but casinos 24 |

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are in the gaming business. Terry recalls a few times when he was booked to perform at VIP shows. The casinos had given away several hundred tickets, but only a handful of people came to the show. He expected the casinos to be upset with the attendance, but in following up after the show, he learned they were delighted with the event. As it turns out, the VIPs came to the casino planning on seeing the show, but once they were in the door, decided to play instead. From the casino’s point of view, the night was a terrific success. Terry notes that he’s learned to keep his ego in check when he works at casinos. As long as they’re happy, he’s happy. After the show is over, Terry enjoys visiting the casino floor. He’ll usually head to play bar-top video poker. One of his favorite post-show stories: “I just wrapped up a really fun show at a tribal casino in California, and my wife and I sat down at the bar. I threw in a 20, and three hands in, I hit a Royal Flush! I left that show with an extra $1,000 in my pocket! Definitely one of my more memorable shows!” Depending on his schedule, he will either fly back to New York the next day, or head off to another show in a nearby area. Terry says that his wife, Jennifer, will often accompany him when her work schedule allows. “It’s a fantastic lifestyle,” he said. “We love to travel, we love to visit casinos, and I get paid to do it.” If you happen to see Terry advertised at your local casino, make sure to come down and get “entranced.”

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PROPERTY PROFILE:

IP Casino Resort & Spa B I L OX I , M S

NE PROPERTY that seems to always bring their A-game is IP Casino Resort and Spa, a AAA Four Diamond-awarded resort. You can’t miss the towering 32-story hotel tower when coming across the I-110 bridge. Featuring a roof top pool with cabanas and cocktail services, a spa with all of your favorite treatments and services, top tier dining, including thirty-two, a restaurant on the 32nd floor of the hotel tower, IP has branded itself as a premium Biloxi gaming destination that appeals to the guests from the entire region. Upon entering, you will notice the Chill Ultra Lounge, a contemporary place to relax and enjoy the sounds of some of the Coast’s best local artists. Get there early on the weekends, as it tends to get crowded and seating is a premium, but the cocktails are always perfect. The stage is elevated behind the bar, making the band visible from anywhere in the lounge. Opening at 5 p.m. daily, Chill opens at 5 p.m. daily with a happy hour that lasts till 8 p.m. Every Thursday features Ladies Night, with free drinks for ladies from 9 p.m. until midnight. Chill Ultra Lounge is the perfect place to go with friends for a night on the town. The casino floor, just beyond Chill Ultra Lounge, features 1,700 slot machines, 60 table games and a 13-table non-

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smoking poker room. With 70,000 square feet of gaming, you are sure to find all of your classic favorites and may encounter a new favorite game. The slot personnel and dealers are professional and outgoing to ensure guest satisfaction and make every experience at IP a memorable one. From comedy to country and R&B to rock and roll, entertainment is king at IP. Studio A is IP’s state-of-the-art theater, where every seat could be considered “the best seat in the house.” Located on the second floor of the casino, this intimate venue offers comfort and personal service while you enjoy great performances from world-famous headliners. When it’s time to relax, IP has you covered with Senses Spa & Salon, a full-service spa that offers an escape from ‘the everyday’ and immersion into extreme relaxation. With services ranging from a 50-minute Senses Massage, to the ultimate Sense of Change combination package that features a Blueberry Wrap, Bamboo Fusion Massage, catered lunch and a Sense of Bliss facial, you can’t go wrong carving out some time to indulge in Senses. Nineteen private treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a co-ed lounge are guaranteed to provide a renewal remedy for everyone at Senses Spa & Salon. Saunas and steam rooms provide private

relaxation, and the Gulf Coast’s only arctic snow room refreshes and revitalizes with cooling crystals. There are eight restaurants at IP, all featuring different flavors and price ranges. Starting at the top, don’t miss thirty-two, a AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant offering delectable stake and seafood dishes along with the finest wine selection of the Coast. The views are simply amazing, as you can see for miles across the back bay of Biloxi and Gulf Coast. Thirty-two has won a number of awards in Gaming and Destinations’ Readers’ Choice Awards, and once you try it, you will know why! Another AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant at IP is tien, a multicultural inspired venue featuring a variety of Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. Some options include Teppanyaki, Shabu Shabu, Dim Sum and Sushi, all served with a unique, interactive experience right at your table. For a casual dining experience, you are sure to be satisfied. From Italian in Costa Cucina, to Highlight’s Sport Lounge and High Tide Café, options abound. For all your favorites in one place, stop by Back Bay Buffet to try classic southern dishes, Italian, Asian, Bar-B- Que and more. Infusion Coffee Bar offers the finest coffee concoctions, an array of pastries and desserts, and fresh deli sandwiches and salads. With more than 1,000 elegantly appointed hotel rooms, you will find all the comforts of home here. Make your next visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast a trip you won’t forget at IP Casino Resort Spa.

HOT HAPPENINGS AT IP JAN

1-17

TRIP OF A LIFETIME Win your share of $65,000

JAN

15 FRI JAN

22-23

ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK X MARKS THE SPOT Win your share of $35,000 of slot dollars or treaured prize

JAN

29 FRI FEB

5-6

JOSH TURNER

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY

FEB

13 SAT

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND

FEB

26 FRI FEB

27 SAT

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTORYERS

ARLO GUTHRIE Alice's restaurant 50th anniversary tour

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, visit IPBiloxi.com or call 1-877-774-8439.

SOU THERN

CASINO DIRECTORY

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

WEBSITE

PHONE NUMBER

*CC PARTNER

TABLES

MACHINES

BELTERRA CASINO RESORT

belterracasino.com

812-427-7777

•

1,473

RISING STAR CASINO RESORT

risingstarcasino.com

800-472-6311

•

1,278

TROPICANA EVANSVILLE

tropevansville.com

812-433-4000

•

905

FITZ CASINO & HOTEL

fitzgeraldstunica.com

662-363-5825

•

1,268

GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT

goldstrike.com

662-357-1111

•

1,400

HOLLYWOOD CASINO TUNICA

hollywoodcasinotunica.com

662-357-7700

•

1,079

SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL

samstowntunica.com

662-363-0711

•

900

SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING

southlandpark.com

800-467-6182

•

RACING

1,500

1,563

1,275

1,200

1,800

INDIANA

TUNICA

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

ameristar.com/vicksburg

601-638-1000

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO HOTEL

cypressbayou.com

337-923-7284

MARGARITAVILLE RESORT CASINO

margaritavillebossiercity.com

318-698-7177

PARAGON CASINO RESORT

paragoncasinoresort.com

318-253-1946

SILVERSTAR HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3276

1,200

GOLDEN MOON HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3277

1,150

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO BILOXI

hardrockbiloxi.com

877-877-6256

1,250

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO

beaurivage.com

228-386-7111

2,100

HOLLYWOOD GULF COAST

hollywoodgulfcoast.com

228-467-9257

1,154

IP CASINO RESORT & SPA

ipbiloxi.com

228-436-3000

1,900

SCARLET PEARL CASINO RESORT

scarletpearlcasino.com

888-266-5772

•

1,350

SILVER SLIPPER CASINO HOTEL

silverslipper-ms.com

228-469-2777

•

965

CALDER CASINO & RACE COURSE

caldercasino.com

305-625-1311

•

RACING

1,200

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO TAMPA

seminolehardrocktampa.com

813-627-7625

171

5,000

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK & CASINO HOLLY.

seminolehardrockhollywood.com

866-502-7529

130

2,200

• •

PEARL RIVER RESORT

GULF COAST

FLORIDA

28 |

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

FPO

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

# OF ROOMS

ENT. VENUE

GOLF

SPA

POOL

Photo courtesy of MardiGasNewOrleans.com

MARDIS GRAS NEW ORLEANS, LA January 6, 2015 – February 9, 2016 | MardiGasNewOrleans.com

608

•

201

•

OUTDOOR INDOOR

Mardi Gras is the biggest celebration the city of New Orleans hosts every year. This magnificent, costumed, beaded and feathered party is laced with tradition and is all about having a good time! The events kick off on January 6th and run until “Fat Tuesday” on February 9th! Let the parading begin!

INDOOR

349 506 1,131

•

494

•

840

•

INDOOR

•

INDOOR INDOOR

•

OUTDOOR

• 150

•

102

•

395

•

531

•

INDOOR OUTDOOR

•

OUTDOOR

•

BOTH WATER PARK

500

•

OUTDOOR

571

•

BOTH

492

•

OUTDOOR

1,740

•

OUTDOOR

291

•

LAZY RIVER

1,088

•

OUTDOOR

300

OUTDOOR

129

THE 9TH ANNUAL TASTE OF OXFORD OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI February 10, 2016 | stjude.org/get-involved/find-an-event/dinners-and-galas/ st-jude-taste-of-oxford.html

The ninth year in its running, the Taste of Oxford serves to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on February 10, 2016. Hosted by Peter Costa of CNBC, this event is a great place to enjoy live music, silent and live auctions, fabulous food and for all for a good cause.

KEY WEST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL KEY WEST, FLORIDA January 27-31, 2016 | web.keywestchamber.org/events/Key-West-Food-WineFestival-2016-3501/details

The festival attracts thousands of culinary explorers from around the country who descend on the tropical island to escape the winter and delight their senses. A series of over 40 wine and food themed events showcasing a diverse range of wines and inventive cuisine present the authentic taste of the region.

THE 14TH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCE ST. LOUIS, MO January 29-31, 2016 | repstl.org/events

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is proud to present the 14th Annual St. Louis Food and Wine Experience. With more than 900 wines to taste and culinary delights around every corner – this is certainly the can’t-miss event of the year no matter which tickets you purchase!

CHARLESTON JAZZ FESTIVAL CHARLESTON, SC January 22-24 2016 | chasjazzfestival.com

The annual festival brings together hundreds of jazz lovers from across South Carolina for three days of jazz performances by award-winning artists. The festival will take place January 22 – 24, 2016, with events at multiple locations throughout downtown Charleston, including the Gaillard Performance Hall, the Sottile Theatre, Woolfe Street Playhouse, and Barsa Restaurant.

THE HONDA CLASSIC PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL February 22-28, 2016 | thehondaclassic.com

250

•

OUTDOOR

481

•

OUTDOOR

The Honda Classic, part of the PGA Tour, brings the world’s best players to Palm Beach County, providing a week full of entertainment for the entire community. One hundred forty-four players will compete on this gorgeous par-72 course for a prize share of $6.1 million. Four rounds of thrilling golf you won’t want to miss!

WANT COMPS? If you are a qualified casino player, let us know! We will be happy to connect you with some of our preferred casino properties around the world! For more information, please e-mail comps@gaminganddestinations.com or call 1-877-582-9478.

GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

WIN THE

ULTIMATE

CASINO GETAWAY 2016

Each year, Gaming and Destinations gives you the opportunity to reward the properties that take care of you the most with our Gaming and Destinations Readers Choice Awards. You get to cast your vote for everything from rooms to restaurants, as well as have a chance to win a the Ultimate Casino Getaway!

THIS YEAR’S PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

READERS’ CHOICE

AWARDS

• A TWO-NIGHT STAY AT THE CASINO OF YOUR CHOICE • $250 CASINO PLAY • $100 GAS CARD