Southern Gaming - January 2018 - Readers' Choice Awards Voting Issue by Gaming and Destinations

2018 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

WIN A VIP CASINO GETAWAY...VOTE TODAY! PAGE 30 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 - VOL. 20—ISSUE 1 GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

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7 TOP GAMBLING

GETAWAYS FOR 2018

PAGE 9

PAGE 6

BLACKJACK:

THE INSURANCE DEBATE PAGE 20

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

WAYNE NEWTON UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MR. LAS VEGAS

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LETTER

from the Publisher

UP FRONT with G. DOUGLAS

PUBLISHER

Gaming Media Group Inc. PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

G. Douglas Dreisbach

Happy New Year! There has never been a better time to be a gaming enthusiast than now. There are new properties being built across the country and older properties investing millions to attract new customers, and to insure their existing ones are happy. The concerts and promotions are endless. The dining options are incredible. The amenities are first class. The only problem is finding the time to visit as many of the properties as you can! It can be overwhelming trying to choose where to stay and where to play, and that’s where Gaming and Destinations comes in. While we can’t cover all of the properties everywhere, we do strive to highlight the ones that we feel excel in offering the best experiences for everyone. We don’t necessarily just focus on the casino floor, but also in areas such as entertainment, amenities, dining and more. A main driver for determining what properties are excelling in these areas is our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. On page 31, there is a ballot where you can cast your vote for your favorite casinos and be entered to win the Ultimate Casino Getaway! There is also an online ballot at GamingandDestinations.com so be sure to spread the word! We will tally the votes and reveal the winners in our May Issue for all to see. We look forward to seeing the results and continuing to provide you with a guide for planning your next trip.

To kick off 2018, we are thrilled to feature Mr. Las Vegas himself on the front cover, Wayne Newton. An American icon, Newton has performed in Las Vegas, and around the world, since the fifties and is still going strong with a resident show at Bally’s in Las Vegas as well as his current nationwide tour. When he isn’t performing, he spends a lot of time at his lavish estate, and popular tourist destination, Casa de Shenandoah, where he tends to his Arabian horses and other exotic animals scattered throughout the plush property. We recently caught up with him to talk about everything from his career and influences to the tragic events in Las Vegas and the Kentucky Derby. Check it out on page 10 and be sure to stop by Shenandoah on your next Las Vegas visit! Also in this issue is our rundown of some of our favorite gaming getaways on page 6. These properties may be a little off the beaten path, but definitely offer the ultimate experience for any traveling gaming enthusiast. Whether you are looking for a Bahamas getaway or something within driving distance, we have you covered from Montreal to Aruba. As always you will find great gaming tips, property highlights and more in this issue and on GamingandDestinations.com so be sure to stay tuned in on what’s hot and where your next casino getaway should be. We wish you the best in 2018! If you can’t be good…be lucky!

FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Larry Bisig LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Hill Harcourt (Ashton Advertising) CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Linda Boyd Krystle Dickerson Eric Floyd Frank Scoblete Henry Tamburin Matt Willinger GAMING AND DESTINATIONS

640 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 212-5177 e-mail: editor@gaminganddestinations.com The goal of this publication is to help drive awareness of the ever-growing popularity of the gaming industry and to assist gamers in enjoying their gaming experience to the fullest. Gaming and Destinations is published for those who seek the best in gaming and in life, and is produced bimonthly by Gaming Media Group Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky. Copyright 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

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

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. Cover photo courtesy of Erik Kabik

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

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

10 Wayne Newton:

Up Close and personal with Mr. Las Vegas

WINNING TIPS & STRATEGIES

HIGHLIGHTS & HOTSPOTS

18 Video Poker vs.

22 Poker:

Table Poker:

FEATURE ARTICLES

Great Gaming Getaways:

Our latest list of top spots for your 2018 bucket list.

14 Super Bowl LII:

Similar Name, Different Game

19 Craps:

The Game Set-up

20 Blackjack:

Always Insure

21 Horseracing:

Playing Small Pairs on the Flop

23 Craps: Top Superstitions

24 Sports Wagering:

Future odds on major sporting events

26 Then and Now: Turn Back the Clock

Take what they give you

28 Casino Directory:

The Big Game in the Bold North

Our preferred properties and attractions.

30 2018 Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice

Awards: Voting Ballot Cast your Vote for a chance to win big!

10 6

Find us on Facebook

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

FACTS & FUN STUFF

DID YOU KNOW

1 2 GIOVANNA NERA

Created Angel’s Envy Cocktail Specialist, Kelly Ann Lynch, this twist on the traditional Manhattan hits the spot for those looking for an aromatic, full flavored cocktail to sip. The drink can be served neat, or with ice if you prefer to dilute

WHAT IS THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARK IN THE UNITED STATES? A. Great Smokey Mountain National Park

HOW MUCH DID WAYNE NEWTON DONATE TO THE VICTIMS FUND FROM THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTINGS? A. $1 million

B. Grand Canyon National Park

B. $10,000

C. Yosemite National Park

C. $5,000

D. Acadia National Park

D. $150,000

WHAT KIND OF HORSES DOES WAYNE NEWTON BREED AT HIS LAS VEGAS MANSION, CASA DE SHENANDOAH? A. Thoroughbreds

IN THE UNITED STATES, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE FLYING ON AIRPLANES AT ANY GIVEN TIME? A. 12,000

B. Quarter Horses

B. 61,000

C. Arabian Horses

C. 74,000

D. Wild Horses

D. 113,000

WHAT OF THESE NICKNAMES DID WAYNE NEWTON NOT EVER HAVE?

ANSWERS: 1. A, 2. C, 3. C, 4. D, 5. B

SIPS WITH GAMING & DESTINATIONS

A. Mr. Las Vegas B. The Midnight Idol C. Nighttime Newton D. Mr. Entertainment

the flavor’s, but either way, you’ll love this combination of premium Kentucky bourbon, bitters and a Luxardo Maraschino cherry. Ingredients: 1 ½ oz Angel’s Envy Bourbon ½ oz Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur

Percentage of Americans who have a valid passport

½ oz Averna Sicilian Amaro 4 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters 4 dashes of orange bitters 1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Lemon Zest Method: In a cocktail shaker, combine ingredients

2000

The year Wayne Newton was elected to the Gaming Hall of Fame

and stir sufficiently and strain into your cocktail glass (over ice or neat). Add lemon zest and a Luxardo cherry and enjoy!

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

Percentage of American adults who have gambled in their lifetime

Number of voting categories in G&D’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote on page 31!

Win a Volkswagen each day! ®

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B.B. KING’S BLUES BAND FEATURING TITO JACKSON JANUARY 5 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $20 . *

TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY

JANUARY 13 | 8:00pm

FEBRUARY 9 | 8:00pm

Tickets start at $39*.

JEFF FOXWORTHY

JANUARY 19 | 8:00pm

JANUARY 12 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $25*.

ANN WILSON OF HEART

Tickets start at $79*.

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED JANUARY 26 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $49 . *

TRACY LAWRENCE FEBRUARY 2 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $25 . *

Tickets start at $79*.

THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW

A TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES FEBRUARY 10 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $20*.

CHRISETTE MICHELE

FEBRUARY 17 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $35*.

MICHAEL McDONALD

FEBRUARY 23 | 8:00pm Tickets start at $39*.

For tickets, visit the IP Box Office or order tickets online at IPBiloxi.com or Ticketmaster.com! * Prices plus tax, service and convenience fees. Must be 21. Starting 01/01/18, guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a legally responsible adult 30 years of age or older. All events subject to change or cancellation. See B Connected for complete rules and details. Management reserves all rights. Call 888-946-2847 for details. Don’t Let The Game Get Out Of Hand. Gambling Problem? Call 1-888-777-9696.

| IPBiloxi.com

The Wynn Las Vegas

GR E AT GE TAWAY S F OR G A M B L E R S a mbler s lov e g l a morou s

vacation spots where they can try to win their fortunes while

enjoying other luxuries such as; great entertainment, delicious food, lavish

accommodations, spas, golfing, and even beaches. Gamblers can go to any bar with a

slot machine in their hometown anytime,

but the real fun and excitement comes from getting to go on an amazing vacation

and traveling the world to visit some of the best gambling resorts and casinos.

We are excited to unveil a few of our favorites for you to consider this year.

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

The Wynn Las Vegas 1-888-320-7123 WynnLasVegas.com The Wynn Las Vegas is an ideal location for serious gamblers, but is also perfect for couples that like to gamble and are also looking for a romantic getaway. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget the casual gambler that is in it for free booze and after-hours clubs. The hotel has earned more Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star awards than any other casino and boasts the best in dining, nightlife, spas, and more. At the Wynn, you can watch Le Reve-The

Dream which takes place underwater and includes mesmerizing performances by some of the most talented Cirque du Solei performers. If you win big at the tables, make sure to book VIP Dream Seats. They cost less than $500 per couple and will give you a view that you will remember forever. High Rollers will love the Salon Suite with breakfast included for $950 per night. The suite is accessible through a private, gated entry with daily coffee and tea service, breakfast until 11:30am, an in-room minibar, sitting area, dining area, interconnecting bedrooms, luxury amenities and fantastic views of the Las Vegas desert.

A five-day getaway for two will cost between $1,000 and $10,000 depending on the room type and other expenditures, but at The Wynn Las Vegas, you know you will get the first class treatment for everything.

Casino de Montreal 1-800-665-2274 Casino.lotoquebec.com/fr/ montreal/accueil There is only one casino in all of Montreal Canada and if you are a gambler who enjoys a cooler climate and a sophisticated city to spend time exploring, this may be just the vacation you are looking for. There are more than 100 tables and over 3,000 slot machines making it the casino with the largest gaming variety on the North American Continent. The Espacejeux Poker Classic takes place here where $100,000 is guaranteed at stake. The holidays are also a very festive time at the casino where elaborate decorations are used to pleasure the senses in the super chic restaurants featured in the casino. The Casino de Montreal also offers a rotating lineup of free live musical performances in many genres including the bands Raffy, Shine, Carter and The Boomers, Chico Band, The Singing Pianos, a plethora of different DJs, and much more. If you love to party and be amassed in an atmosphere of energy, visit the Zone of Pleasure where blackjack, craps, roulette, slots, and video poker are offered along with Baccarat in a hip and vibrant atmosphere. Games are all played through animation here and there are even options to play live with the animator. The Casino does not feature a hotel on property, however, they are partnered with eleven independent hotels located in downtown Montreal and offer packages based on double occupancies, breakfast for 2, game credits and discounts on the Cabaret show.

Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino | 1-800-421-8188 | RenAruba.com

has separate living and seating areas. Also,

The Caribbean is known for their exciting nightlife and exotic adventures. Mix some casino gambling into the itinerary and you’ll find the perfect getaway. Aruba is the island with the most casinos and perfect for vacationers who want to take a tropical trip centered around some of the best gambling in the world. The resort offers an exclusive getaway to the only private beaches in Aruba at Renaissance private island. The hotel features besides regular room also modern one bedroom suites with balconies overlooking the ocean, gardens, and exquisite outdoor pools. The Renaissance Mall is part of the resort and offers upscale shopping to keep the afternoons full of city excursions.

A five-night stay in the Royal Suite will

Vacationers who need a break can enjoy the Okeanos Spa and let paradise and massages take over. Another great feature of the property is that it is divided into two zones, one for adults only and the other for families. The Royal Suite is a great option for extended stays as it features a one-bedroom penthouse suite in the Renaissance Marina Hotel with ocean views, over 800-square-feet of space and

The resort offers three hotels to choose

floor to ceiling windows that can open and

make for relaxing mornings and evenings. cost around $6,000 dollars but worth the extra room and ocean views.

Baha Mar Casino Resort, Bahamas 1-242-788-8000 BahaMar.com Gamblers looking for white sand beaches and turquoise waters should definitely

check out the newest resort in the

Bahamas, Baha Mar Resort in Nassau. With 320 days of sunshine annually, this

tropical oasis is the best when it comes to relaxing and spoiling yourself. Bahamian cuisine is vibrant, and the Bahamas

is known as a food lover’s paradise. from including Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood. The SLS is an experience that

will not be forgotten. Staying at this all

luxury, stylish five-star hotel offers 300 rooms and more than 100 residences. The décor is chic and bohemian, and the hotel offers a global concierge, suites

with floor to ceiling windows a Children’s Explorers Club that offers day care, the

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

suites are $8,000 per night and are often booked by high rollers and celebrities. Standard Rooms start at 366 square feet and have small balconies overlooking the hotel patio or city views. These rooms start at $349 per night.

Casino Royale on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas 1-866-562-7625

Borgata Casino & Hotel - Atlantic City, New Jersey Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, an award-winning spa and two swimming

pools with dedicated butler service. This

hotel is also perfect for the gambling couple getting married as it features over

12,000 square feet of meeting space and a full-service events team.

The gem of the resort is Baha Mar Casino.

The floor to ceiling windows is a unique concept for gamblers who are used to being in a more dimly lit casino. The casino is

perfect for casual players or high rollers and is the most glamorous of all Caribbean

casinos. Expect to spend around $5,000 for an all-inclusive five-night stay in a suite, which is definitely the way to go!

Borgata Casino and Hotel 1-609-317-1000 TheBorgata.com Atlantic City is the second largest gambling destination in the United States, trailing only Las Vegas. The rebranding of the city over the past decade has made it once again a great getaway for gamers who are flying or driving to this coastal community. The Borgata features many great amenities and restaurants including Bobby Flay Steak and Wolfgang Puck American Grille. There are also several casual dining restaurants to choose from and the Borgata Buffet, a large Beer Garden, sophisticated bars, premier clubs, and lots of entertainment. Frequent 8

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

celebrity sighting occur and some of the top bands perform regularly at Borgata, so you know you in the right spot from the moment you get onto the property. Gamblers who love live music will be giddy to hang out in Gypsy Bar where bands play nightly. If you want to cut lose on the dancefloor to celebrate your big win, Premier Nightclub offers some of the most exciting nightlife in the

city. Immersion Spa will also relax away

your troubles or check in to the adjacent

Water Club hotel and where one of the

rooms even has rain dome showers, LED lighting, custom bedding and other in room amenities combined with a stylish

décor and views of the water. A five-night

stay at Borgata can easily top $2,000 just for luxurious accommodations. If you are

looking to get pampered and treated like

a VIP, this high roller location is perfect for your vacation.

Place du Casino and Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Monaco | +377 98 06 21 21 CasinoMonteCarlo.com The Hotel De Paris features elegant art works and sculptures as décor and is adorned with Crystal chandeliers and marble furnishings. The Diamond Suites feature sea views, contemporary furnishing and a light and airy atmosphere. The 1,238 square-foot suites include two bedrooms, a living area, and a private bathroom. These

If you love cruises, gaming at sea can be quite the experience and Royal Caribbean offers some of the best gambling cruises in the world. The Oasis of the Seas features the Casino Royale which is 18,000 square feet of table games, poker, and more than 500 slot machines. Royal Caribbean international cruise ships also feature hot dance clubs, Tony Award Winning Musicals, aquatic shows, on-ice shows, comedy and plenty of bars to choose from. There are also activities to keep teens and kids busy while adults have fun in the Casino Royale. On board swimming pools, rock climbing walls, fine dining, and trips to the spa will delight guests on board a Royal Caribbean ship. The Oasis is one of the newest and largest ships offered by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line with elegant interior rooms, ocean view rooms, balconies and Royal Suites. Each room comes with a daily stateroom attendant, 24-hour room service, nightly turn down service, and VOOM surf and stream for internet. Cruisers can get their scuba certification or zip line while on the ship or even visit the onboard waterpark!

The Oasis cruises the Eastern and Western Caribbean and offers 6-8-night cruises ranging from $433 per person per night all the way up to $1,300 per person per night. Every gambler enjoys being able to take a relaxing, fun-filled vacation where they can spend some time in the casino, as well as enjoying the various luxuries at the resorts. There are plenty of resorts and casinos to choose from all over the world, but these suggestions should get you started.

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

WAYNE NEWTON Up Close and Personal with Mr. Las Vegas

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

Photos courtesy of Erik Kabik Photography.

hen it comes to Las Vegas, no one knows the city better than Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton. Known as an American icon, Newton has performed with the biggest names in show business including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and many more. Making his Las Vegas debut in the 1950’s, he has played over 20,000 shows and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Gaming and Destinations recently caught up with the star himself and talked about everything from his early years as a performer to one day attending the Kentucky Derby. He is certainly one of a kind and we highly recommend making it a point to check out his show on your next Vegas visit.

Then he asked if I could count to 12. “Yes sir I can.” For the next two years he taught me to play the guitar by numbers. Then, he realized that I was actually playing the songs by ear. I couldn’t read the music nor did I follow numbers. At the end of the music session he would play the song that he wanted me to play the next week when I came back. I’d come back the next week and just kind of mess around all week with the kind of music I wanted to play and go back and play the song for him the way he had played it for me.

Photos courtesy of Erik Kabik photography.

Enjoy the interview!

Photo Courtesy: AP Photos/John Rooney

Gaming and Destinations: At an early age you played several instruments, sang, performed, and had a lot of interest in music. What really motivated you to pursue a career in entertainment and when did you know that was going to be your direction? Wayne Newton: When I was four years old my parents took me to see a Grand Ole Opry roadshow in Roanoke, Virginia to see Hawkshaw Hawkins and Hank Williams. I was a big country music fan because that’s pretty much all my parents listened to. We were way in the back of this auditorium and I really couldn’t see the performers and found myself looking around at the faces of the people in the room. I saw the happiness that those people had on their faces and turned to my mother and said that’s what I wanted to do. So, she took me to a piano teacher first and that didn’t work out too well because I didn’t even know my ABC’s yet. Then they took me to a guitar teacher and the first question he asked was do you know your ABC’s? I said “no sir I don’t.”

Wayne Newton has played over 20,000 shows.

G&D: You’ve been performing in Las Vegas since the 1950’s and today you are known as “Mr. Las Vegas”. You were one of the first pioneers of the residence show standard. Do you consider yourself one of the pioneers of the Las Vegas music scene? WN: The truth in the matter is I don’t really think about it very much. I started performing in Vegas in a lounge downtown called the Freemont in 1959. I started headlining at the Flamingo in 1963. When Howard Hughes bought the Frontier, I was under contract from 1967 until 1980 to play the Frontier, but I played all of the Hughes owned properties which included the Desert Inn, the Frontier, and the Sands in those days. As far as being one of the pioneers I don’t really think about it. I still enjoy what I am doing so much

and the look on people’s faces. I feel like if I can bring them a little bit of happiness that is a good thing. I was given a talent and feel that is what it should be used for. G&D: Your home, Casa De Shenandoah, is one of the most iconic residences in the world and today a popular destination for Las Vegas visitors. Why did you open it to the public and how do you keep with day to day activities when the public tours are taking place? WN: Well, when we opened it up, I bought another estate about six or eight blocks away, but I do spend a lot of time at the Shenandoah with the horses and that kind of thing. When the tours come through I will greet one or two of them, but by large I stay at the other estate. It is twenty eight acres so we have all the things here that we had at the Shenandoah except the horses and the cars and a few things like that. Over the years, as property became available adjacent to the Shenandoah I would purchase it. In most instances the properties were trailer homes or that kind of thing and I would just let the people live there until either they wanted to move away or nature took them. I wouldn’t charge them rent or anything like that. I would then connect the property as I could and today the property sits on fifty two acres. One of my favorite things about Shenandoah is that it is such a spiritual place. We have like five artesian wells that feed five little lakes around the property. When you go through the gates and they close behind you and you really won’t know where you are. You could be in Kentucky, Rhode Island, or you could be any place because the desert will grow anything if you can get water to it. It’s really quite a beautiful place as is our other place. That one kind of holds my heart because that’s where I started building and where I remained until we opened it to the public. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

I think if anything really prompted me to open it to the public it was the fact that we were getting a lot of mail asking what was behind those fences and one day my wife suggested that we should let people see this place. We have horses, monkeys, swans, wild ducks, and peacocks. You name it it’s there. It’s quite a spiritual place so we decided to open it up and let people come and see the beauty of it as we see it.

of their own and have simply taken over what I perceive to be as true art. G&D: Well, being based in Louisville, Kentucky, we have to ask if you have ever been to the Kentucky Derby?

in advance that you don’t think about it until you start to read the press that the Derby is coming up and all of that. I have visited a great many of the farms in Kentucky. When you are a horse lover, even though my preference might be Arabian horses,

G&D: Speaking of horses, today you’re an avid breeder of the Arabian horses, and in the past also spent some time with thoroughbreds and quarter horses. What intrigues you about horses and what eventually led you down the Arabian path? WN: From as long as I can remember, I have always loved horses and music and it’s hard to decide which I love more. I started with quarter horses and then I went to thoroughbreds. I’m not a spectator by nature. I like to be involved with them. I foal out all my mares myself and then decide which ones are going to be bred. I’m involved in every aspect of it as opposed to having thoroughbreds or quarter horses where you hand them over to a trainer. They seem to enjoy the riding and all of that kind of thing. At one point of my life that I was going to ride in the Olympics dressage. I took lessons every night when I would finish work from about 3:00 am to 6:00 am. I figured out after three years of that I had actually been putting in so much time that I started to lose my appreciation for what I really loved simply because it had become another job. I finally walked into a stall one day in Phoenix and there was an Arabian stallion and it was my first look at really what an Arabian horse was. The Arabian horse is the original horse that started pretty much every other breed of horses, other than wagon pulling horses. They love people and they are people oriented and very bright. You can ask them and they’ll do anything, but if you try to make them they’ll do nothing. They really do have a mind 12

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

Wayne Newton and wife Kathleen McCrone at Casa de Shenandoah in Las Vegas.

WN: No, I haven’t. I have always wanted to go though and my wife is from Cleveland, Ohio and has always wanted to go. For some reason, whenever we have been playing in Kentucky, it has not been at the same time as the Derby, but she has always wanted to go. I promised her one of these days I am going to take her. G&D: Well, consider the invitation granted. We would love to host you and your wife and show you the real red carpet treatment that the Kentucky Derby offers. Just let us know when you can come, and we’ll take care of it! WN: Well Doug, I would be thrilled and accept the invitation right up front. That would make my wife’s life. Every year she says I have to stop this and she wants to go to the Derby. Of course, we book our shows so far

you appreciate all the good blood lines and they certainly have them there. G&D: On October 1st last year, an American tragedy took place in Las Vegas that will never be forgotten. You were one of the first prominent voices of Las Vegas to not only speak up about the incident but also personally contributed funds to the victims. (Wayne donated $100,000 to the victims fund) You said this moment will not typecast Las Vegas and it is the responsibility of the entertainers to continue to perform and provide a great experience for tourists. Can you elaborate a little bit more about what you meant and what is next for Las Vegas moving forward? WN: I was doing a charitable show that Saturday night in Texas so I

was out of town. We flew back to Los Angeles on Sunday night. I had meetings scheduled for Monday morning. I was tired so I told my wife I was going to bed. She wasn’t tired so she stayed up and watched television. She had wakened me about 4:00 am when all of that really had started to be figured out a little bit. At first, I was in shock like everybody else. Then I was angry. I asked my wife to charter us a plane and let’s go home. When I got here I went through the same emotions as probably everybody else wondering how this could happen in our town. But, I saw the silver lining in the this terrible cloud in the fact that I saw what our community had turned into and that was to help other people. The first responders were incredible. The police were incredible. People who were wounded themselves were helping others to find ways to the hospital. I went to the hospitals and spent time visiting the wounded and being with them. It was just incredible. As we were leaving I saw local people walking into the hospital with blankets, fruit, and food. They were offering others their cars or anything they could to people they didn’t even know. I think that it showed a side of Las Vegas that I have always known existed. My comments referenced the importance to not let this define what Las Vegas is. The shooting I mean. What should define it is the phenomenal outreaching of people who live here. Who took strangers in that they didn’t even know. Who went to the hospital to see people they didn’t know. It’s really a phenomenal city that way. I think by and large most people didn’t know that existed until this terrible thing happened. G&D: Well, thank you for stepping up and continuing to drive that message for the city. Over the years, do you have any favorite onstage or offstage memories or times performing with other singers that you like to reminisce about?

WN: Yes, but we could go on for days talking about them all. I’ve been appearing here since I was 15. I think in 1980 they took a survey of how many shows I had done in Las Vegas and it was something like 30,000 shows in 1980. We can take it from there if you’d like. It has been such a special time for me. I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing and being friends with great people like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and all the greats that truly came through those days. Most of them were a great deal older than I was but they took me in because I was kind of a throwback to their generation of music. They wanted to make sure I survived. Frank, for instance, would make sure that no matter what was going on in my life, that he was there for me. One time I had pneumonia and was in the hospital and he was the first call I got. He asked how he could help and what he could do. The same thing was true when I was at my lowest points, the first call I would get was always from Frank asking what he could do. As performers, we would hang out after the shows because all of our shows were at the same times. When some performers had a night off they would come walking on my stage. If I had a night off or between shows, I’d go walking on theirs and sing parodies. G&D: You touched a little bit on old Vegas, and we currently see what direction new Vegas is going. What do you see Las Vegas being like in the next 10 or 20 years? Do you like the direction it’s going? WN: The truth of the matter is I think anytime anything grows the way Las Vegas has grown, with that growth comes some things that you wish didn’t happen. There’s a lot more corporate influence than there ever has been before. I think from a professional standpoint it was the fact when I started here and moved

into the main showrooms it was pretty much a star policy. Meaning that Frank would get one hotel, Dean would be in another, Bobby Darin in another, and me down the street. Liberace is the first one to have brought in Elvis to the Frontier. It was his first time in Vegas. Liberace brought in Barbara Streisand the first time. People think of that as maybe being competitive which it isn’t at all. We went through the star policy then I watched it evolve into the magician policy. Everybody had white tigers and Siegfried & Roy. Then it evolved again impressionist with Rich Little and Danny Gans and those kind of people. That went on for about ten years. Now we have been going through the Cirque phase. I think there are eight showrooms with Cirque shows in them. Now it is moving back to star policy again. I just waited it out which is maybe how I got the moniker of “Mr. Las Vegas”. I just wouldn’t leave. (Laughing) I think it has gone through all those evolutions and it seems to be coming right back to star policy again. G&D: What does the next chapter for Wayne Newton look like? WN: I’ll just take it as it comes, one day at a time. This is something I love to do and I’ve never looked at it as work. I have a new movie coming out in January or February that I am a part of called “Puppy Love”. But as they say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I enjoy doing what I do and as long as people show up, and as long as I can put a smile on their face and maybe bring them a little happiness for that two hours, I can’t think of anything that makes me happier. For the transcript of the full interview, visit GamingandDestinations.com/ WayneNewton

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

Super Bowl LII will be hosted at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

S U PE R B OW L L I I :

Photos Courtesy of Shutterstock

T H E BIG G A M E I N T H E BOL D NOR T H by

uper Bowl LII, the 52nd Super Bowl championship game, will decide the league champion for the 2017 NFL season. The Big Game is scheduled to be held on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It will be the second Super Bowl in Minneapolis, which previously hosted Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. This year’s game will be just the sixth Super Bowl in a cold weather city.

Welcome to the Bold North Recognized as one of 2016’s Best Sports Cities, one of the 52 Places To Go in 2017 and one of 2017’s Best Cities for Football 14

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M AT T W I L L I N G E R

Fans, Minneapolis has an amazing sports scene and bustling energy. “Super Bowl LII is our opportunity to showcase Minnesota to the world; all that life in the Bold North has to offer, and our incredible hospitality,” said Maureen Hooley Bausch, CEO of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. “While our bold new stadium plays host to the biggest event of the year, our community will host thousands of members of the media and more than a million visitors throughout the 10 days of festivities leading up to the Big Game.” As the host of Super Bowl LII in 2018,

Minneapolis has been celebrating the city and Bold North region for 52 weeks before the big game. Each week will feature a unique gem from the Minneapolis area—a restaurant, shop, attraction or natural wonder that make the metro area shine.

U.S. Bank Stadium Super Bowl LII Host Committee built their presentation on the theme, “Bold North,” highlighting the new, iconic and bold stadium as a centerpiece, and included the many bold moves Minnesotans have made in creating a destination that is ready to host the world’s biggest game. Located in the heart of Minneapolis, U.S.

Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium and home to the Minnesota Vikings and seats 66,200. With 137,000 square-feet on the stadium floor and six club spaces throughout the building, this state-of-theart facility will host prominent national and international programming including concerts, family shows, college and high school sporting events, conventions, trade/ consumer shows and other community events. The U.S. Bank Stadium cost $1.13 billion to build and is twice as big as its predecessor, the MetroDome. U.S. Bank Stadium opened on July 22, 2016 and has been chosen as the site of the Summer X Games (2017 and 2018), Super Bowl LII (2018) and the NCAA Men’s Final Four (2019). U.S. Bank Stadium features five of the world’s largest hinged doors, ranging from 75 to 95 feet tall. The doors can be fully opened on warm days with smaller, sectional entryways built right into the larger glass doors that can be opened when the weather turns wet and cold. That allows the natural light and clear views of the snowy environment to flow in while keeping the damp weather and drafts out. The stadium is not just a location, but an epicenter of excitement, opportunity, and Minnesota pride. The Vikings are an important part of the proud heritage and

the relationship between the Vikings and the citizens of Minnesota runs deep.

HALFTIME SHOW FOR SUPER BOWL 2018 Superstar Justin Timberlake will headline this year’s halftime show giving the crowd even more to cheer about. Timberlake has won ten Grammys and numerous other awards and this will be his third time performing on the halftime stage, the most appearances by any other entertainer. He previously performed at Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVII. Timberlake joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts including Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Madonna, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 and more. The Super Bowl Halftime Show is the most-watched musical event of the year. Last year’s show was the most-watched musical event of all-time across all platforms and the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime performance in history through broadcast and digital channels, reaching more than 150 million unique people, garnering more than 80 million views and totaling 260 million minutes watched.

I’m not planning on attending the game. Is there a way for me to still have a Super Bowl experience? The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it’s a 10-day festival, with events held across the metro area drawing in fans and families from around the state and around the world to enjoy all the Bold North has to offer. The 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl will feature events for all ages, with a variety of activities--including many at no or low-cost to attend. From Super Bowl Experience to Super Bowl LIVE, visitors will experience a world-class, uniquely Minnesotan event, including the Loppet, snowmobiling and outdoor ice bars.

IF YOU GO… HERE’S WHERE TO GO. Uptown Just outside of downtown Minneapolis, Uptown is a popular neighborhood known as the place to be when looking for something to do! Shop, catch a show, or grab dinner at Calhoun Square, right in the heart of Uptown.

Paisley Park The artist Prince’s home and studio, Paisley Park, is permanently open to the public for tours. Get a rare glimpse of his 65,000-square foot home, studio and rehearsal spaces. Throughout the experience, visitors will have the opportunity to see artifacts from Prince’s personal archives, including iconic concert wardrobe, awards, musical instruments, artwork, rare music and video recordings and motorcycles. Learn more about the artist that helped put Minneapolis on the map.

The Great Northern

Justin Timberlake will perform the halftime show at this year’s Super Bowl.

Embrace the winter season by exploring this 10-day festival celebrating winter sports, unique cuisine, local art and entertainment, plus more! With the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, Loppet, and St. Paul Winter Carnival as the G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

building blocks, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy great winter sports alongside local products and events and a beautiful winter wonderland.

Mall of America Shopping, top-notch restaurants AND unique attractions, all in one spot! You may need a full day for this one. Bring your kids and enjoy the thrilling theme park at Nickelodeon Universe, or explore and discover at the Sea Life Aquarium. With more than 500 stores, there is an endless amount of shopping to do.

Prop Bets From betting on the coin toss, to length of the national anthem, to the color of the Gatorade that will be poured on the coach after the game, there is almost nothing that you can’t bet on during the Super Bowl. Prop bets allow you to put money on individual events on the field (or off) rather than the entire game itself. The biggest broadcast of the year will draw diehards and non-fans alike, and the spread of nonessential prop bets reflects the wide net of viewers looking to make the game a bit more interesting. The list of prop bets is wide-ranging and has expanded exponentially to focus on halftime shows, first scores, and whether MVPs will declare their love for Disneyland.

• How long will it take to sing the U.S. national anthem? • Will any player on be seen kneeling during the national anthem on TV during live broadcast? • How many times will “Trump” be said on TV during the broadcast? • Will a fan run on to the field during the game? • What will the Nielsen TV Rating be for Super Bowl 52? -- Over 47.5/Under 47.5 • What color will the Gatorade be that is poured on the winning coach? The main bets like the Point Spread and Moneyline are obviously the biggest bets wagered for the Super Bowl, but secondhalf and in-game betting has also gained favor in American amongst bettors. These extra wagers have been a part of the big game since the eighties and probably won’t be going away any time soon.

HOW AND WHERE TO TUNE IN… Television

NBC will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl, as well as the 2018 Winter Olympics that will begin just five days later. This will be the first time since 1992 that a single broadcast network will air the Super Bowl and Winter

Olympics in the same year. NBC’s leadout program will be an episode of This is Us, alongside a special episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from the Orpheum Theatre.

Radio

This will be the last game in Westwood One’s current national radio contract with the NFL. Each participating team’s flagship station will also carry the game with local announcers.

Last Year’s Super Bowl

In Super Bowl LI (51) in Houston, the New England Patriots scored the largest come from behind victory in the history of the Super Bowl. Tom Brady smashed previous Super Bowl records for passing yards and completions, leading New England back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28. Brady demonstrated once again he’s the greatest QB of them all. Previously the largest come back in Super Bowl history was 10 points.

Future Super Bowl Sites

2019: Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Super Bowl LIII 2020: South Florida, Hard Rock Stadium, Super Bowl LIV 2 0 2 1 : Ta m p a B a y , R a y m o n d Ja mes Stad iu m, Super Bowl LV 2022: Los Angeles, Los Angeles Stadium, Super Bowl LVI

Minneapolis is home to attractions such as the Mall of America, Prince’s Paisley Park and other popular attractions. 16

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

PLAYER STRATEGY

VIDEO POKER VERSUS TABLE POKER:

LI N DA B OY D

Similar Name, Different Game Not too long ago I was heading for my favorite bank of video poker (VP) machines when my friend asked why I didn’t play “real poker” in the card room. This, of course, wasn’t the first time a nose was subtly turned up regarding the felt game’s “superiority” to step-daughter, video poker. I honestly feel no need to get defensive about VP, but must say they are very different games and neither one is entitled to #special bragging rights. That’s because, regardless of which poker version suits you, your legitimate game pride is derived from your skill level in your game of choice. There are, of course, many differences between the two and understanding them will be beneficial to players in both genres as well as switch hitters; those who play LP (live poker) and VP. Poker Face: It’s crystal-clear that you’re not going to bluff or have “tells” (inadvertent gestures, like a raised eyebrow) that clue others as to what’s in your hand if your game is video poker. Obviously, it’s an important part of live poker and the best players, say Phil Ivey, will reveal nothing helpful about their cards during play. That’s why Phil Laak, aka “Unabomber”, wears a hoodie and dark glasses throughout the game. Live Poker: The best poker players excel in both the analytical and psychological aspects of the game. There’s a large cadre of professional players whose skills are akin to those of world-class chess players. (Erik Seidel, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Antonio Esfandiari to name a few. What, you were expecting Toby Maguire, Ben Aff leck and Michael Phelps? They’re not in the same league.) How about John Doe players in local or unfamiliar casinos? Therein lies the problem. If you don’t have a clue as to their skills or even if they’re playing “teams” (signaling to others at the table), then you’re at a big disadvantage. Video Poker: Only you will know whether you made the correct holds during play and that’s assuming you know compute- perfect strategy per tutorial software. You may be playing with close to 100% accuracy and still lose money during your session. On the positive side, you will know your odds of winning in advance based solely on your skill and the pay schedule that appears on the display glass or by pushing the “see pays” button on the device. Over time (called the long run) skilled players will have an advantage if they choose a positive game. For 18

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example, if you play 9/6 Jacks or Better (9/6 JOB, ER 99.5439%)and get 0.50% slot card cash (this is possible, especially on multiple points days) your game’s ER is 100.0439%. You’ll also earn comps, bounceback cash and often promotional event entries. It’s certainly not a killing, but definitely better than any table game of poker, especially when you factor in the casino’s rake. Keep in mind that if you’ve selected a big house advantage game, say 7/5JOB (ER, 96.1472%), the casino will eventually make a profit; you won’t outrun the odds forever. Choosing Your Game: So, which is the better choice, video poker or live poker? Is VP truly an ugly step-sister to the beautiful princess, LP? There’s no correct response without more information. Live Poker: In addition to your poker skills, both analytical in evaluating your cards and psychological in evaluating other players you must consider the house’s rake. That’s the casino’s commission for operating the game and will vary from 2.5% to 10% of the pot, up to a predetermined maximum, although some houses use a different system. If you choose a casino with a high rake, even if you’re a low-roller, poker can become an expensive pastime. Video Poker: VP isn’t a slam dunk either in terms of positivity. You must select a game with a reasonable ER (theoretical return, assuming accurate play). Experts may argue about what’s acceptable, but it’s really an individual choice for each player. Smart gamblers will always have practiced on tutorial software at home and know the theoretical return before making a decision. Final Thoughts: There is no peer glory in playing VP according to Zamzow (Dean Zamzow wrote WinPoker software) since nobody but you and your wallet will know the accuracy of your holds. Even with perfect play, you may have only lint in your pockets on your way home from the casino. But it’s also true that you can be Phil Ivey and get eliminated playing tournament poker by Bob or Betty Beercan. As Amarillo Slim said, “Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn’t play poker”. The best you can do is carefully consider your skills and the game’s ER for VP and your ability, the rake and your familiarity with other players if you’re choosing table poker.

Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, writes for “Southern Gaming and Destinations”, Destinations, as well as other regional and national gaming publications. Boyd’s book, “The Video Poker Edge”, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. The latest edition is available from amazon.com, Square One Publishers and book stores. Kindle edition now available.

“ONLY YOU WILL KNOW WHETHER YOU MADE THE CORRECT HOLDS DURING PLAY.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

FRANK SCOBLETE

Frank Scoblete is America’s #1 bestselling gaming author. He is holding his “Frank Scoblete’s World Casino Championships” in Las Vegas on August 14, 15 and 16. This event consists of tournaments, classes, parties and an awards banquet! Call 1-800-9440406 for a free brochure. Frank also has his own Sports Service with his partner Dominator and best-selling author Bill Burton: “Dominator’s Golden Touch Sports Service.” Call 1-866-7383423 for more information.

“A DIE HAS SIX SIDES, SO THERE ARE 36 POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS.”

CRAPS: The Set Up of the Game To a new player, craps looks like a very intimidating game. Just look at the layout; it resembles an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph that tells some elaborate sacrificial story. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Craps is a simple game, made even simpler because most of the bets are worthless to the smart player, although ploppies – the unschooled, unthinking masses of craps players – will fall all over themselves to wager on them and regularly watch their chips go to the casino. If you have never played craps before, this column is for you. The Dice A die has six sides, so there are 36 possible combinations of two dice in the game of craps: six sides times six sides = 36 combinations. Each side (or face) of a die will have various numbered pips: 1-pip, 2-pips, 3-pips, 4-pips, 5-pips and 6-pips. Given two dice, the lowest number that can be rolled is a two (1-pip + 1-pip); the highest number is 12 (6-pips + 6-pips). There is only one way to make a 2 and only one way to make a 12. The 7 is the number that comes up the most and is the key number in the game of craps. If you look at a set of casino dice you will also find that the front side and its opposite back side add up to 7. So opposite the 1-pip is the 6-pip; opposite the 2-pip is the 5-pip; opposite the 3-pip is the 4-pip. The Personnel Craps tables generally have four people working the game, three dealers and a box person. One dealer, called the stickman, stands on the side of the table with the players. He is called the stickman because 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 for the dealers to pay. 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 are responsible for paying off winning bets and taking the losing bets from the players on their side of the table. Between the two dealers is the box person who supervises

the game to make sure no bets are mishandled and that buy-ins and payouts are done correctly. In the pit, behind the box person will be a floor person, in charge of supervising various craps tables in his pit, rating the players, and giving (usually) non-gourmet comps. In serious disputes, the floor person will be brought in to give his or her judgment. The Table There are different types of craps tables, each with minor differences in their layouts and sometimes in the payoffs of their bets. Going around the outside of the layout is the Pass Line (a good bet); above that is the Don’t Pass (a good bet) with the word bar and the dice showing a 12. The bar means that the 12 is a tie if it appears for Don’t bettors. On some of the older tables you will note a BIG 6/8 bet in the corners. This is a sucker bet. Above the Don’t Pass line is a bet called the Field (a bad bet). The Field combines the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Above the Field is the Come area. The Come bet is a good bet. At the top of the layout are the “Point” numbers, also called the “box numbers” – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. These point/ box numbers can be good or bad depending on how they are being used. In the upper corners of the layout are the Don’t Come boxes. The Don’t Come is also a good bet. Okay, now take a look at the center of the table. These are the worst bets at the game of craps, known as “Crazy Crapper” bets, so named by the legendary Captain. They are more commonly called “Proposition Bets.” They stink. Here are the names of these bets: the Hardways (2:2, 3:3, 4:4, 5:5), the 2 (Snake Eyes), the 12 (Boxcars), the 11 (Yo), the 3, and Any Craps. There are also combination bets called the Whirl or the World, the Horn, also a multitude of Hop bets and the dastardly Any Seven. Some tables will have other proposition bets such as the money gobbling Fire Bet. As stated, these bets all stink – they should be called suicide bets for your average craps player. If craps bets are compared to movie genres then the Crazy Crapper bets would be slasher films, cutting your bankroll into bloody chum so take this into consideration in your next playing session.

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

PLAYER STRATEGY

BLACKJACK: The Insurance Debate A friend of mine was watching me play blackjack in a casino. I was playing heads-up against the dealer in a double-deck game. He didn’t say much to me while I was playing other than to give me an “atta boy” when I beat the dealer, or offer condolences when the dealer pulled a miracle draw to beat me. After about forty-five minutes of playing, we broke for lunch. My friend is a typical casual blackjack player and he queried me about some of the insurance bets that I made. “How come you sometimes insured your 20s and other times you didn’t, and why in hell did you insure your 7? I always thought you’re supposed to insure your good hands and not your bad hands?” I proceeded to explain to him the following: When you make the insurance bet, you are betting on the dealer’s hand, not your hand. Specifically, you are betting that the dealer has a ten-value card in the hole for a blackjack. Insurance is a bad bet, I told him, but it’s an even worse bet when you are holding a pair of 10s rather than a weak hand that contains no tens. I asked him, “Can you see why?” He still had a confused look on his face, so I continued. If your hand contains two 10s, you’ve taken out of play two of the very cards that you are betting that the dealer has, making the odds worse compared to your holding a hand that contained no 10s. The light bulb finally went on in his hand. “OK,” he said, “Now I understand why it’s worse to insure a 20 rather than a 7 but how come you sometimes insured your 20?” I went on to explain that the reason the insurance bet, per se, is a bad bet for non-counters is because you’re getting paid 2-1 on a bet that has greater than 2-1 odds against winning. But, if you were tracking the cards as they were played, which I was, insurance becomes a profitable play when the number of 10s in the remaining decks is greater than half the number of non-10s. Card-counting 20

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

systems will alert you when this situation occurs, which is why the insurance bet can be a profitable for card counters regardless of what hand they happen to be holding. “Oh,” he said “so it’s not whether you have a good hand like 20 that determines whether you make the insurance bet, but rather if the remaining cards are loaded with 10s. I guess I should stop insuring my good hands until I learn card counting.” I finally smiled and said, “Now you got it!” Just when I was ready to leave, my friend asked me a question about taking “Even Money,” which is the same as taking insurance when you have a blackjack hand and the dealer has an Ace showing. When the latter occurs, the dealer will ask the player if he wants “Even Money,” meaning the dealer will automatically payoff the player’s wager at even odds before checking if she has a blackjack. Most players are perplexed when this happens and usually ask the dealer or a fellow player for advice on what to do. Their response is usually “take the even money because you can’t lose.” It’s true that if you take the even money proposition, you’ll automatically win a 1-1 payoff regardless if the dealer has a 10 in the hole. However, if you decline the even money bet and the dealer doesn’t have a ten in the hole you could win 1.5 times your wager for your blackjack. It turns out that 30.6% of the times that the dealer has a blackjack you will win nothing (push) but the other 69.4% of the times you will win 1.5 times your bet which equates to an average win of 1.04 units. In fact, the casinos know that the value of your blackjack hand is greater than 1 unit, which is why they are willing to pay you only 1 unit by offering you even money. So I asked my friend, “Is it better to always get a 1 unit payoff when you accept the even money or decline the even money and get an average return of 1.04 units. Thankfully, he said, “From know on, I’ll decline the even money proposition.”

Henry Tamburin is a blackjack and video poker expert. He is the host of the smartgaming. com website and the editor of the Blackjack Insider newsletter (for a free threemonth subscription, visit www. bjinsider.com/free). For a free copy of his Casino Gambling Catalog, which contains books, strategy cards, and software for video poker players, call toll free 1-888353-3234, or visit the web store at smartgaming.com.

“IS IT BETTER TO ALWAYS GET A 1 UNIT PAYOFF WHEN YOU ACCEPT THE EVEN MONEY?”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY by

E R I C F LOY D

Eric Vaughn Floyd is a turf writer for various gaming publications and a pari-mutuel consultant for several nationwide media outlets in regards to the Triple Crown. Excerpts from his gambling memoir, My First Decade Playing the Game, can be read at LuLu.com.

“PLACE BETTING POSSESSES A PESSIMISTIC STIGMA. IT’S BASICALLY JUMPING WITH A NET.”

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

HORSERACING: Take What They Are Giving Maybe it’s just a sign of the times, but lately, most every horse player I converse with is dead set on procuring a life-changing score. The advent, and hence marketing of, elaborate pari-mutual menus which promise acute financial solvency has no doubt led to this “shoot for the moon mentality” among punters yet while attempting to take down Santa Anita Race Course’s pick-6 is admirable, it’s also highly unlikely. On some days (maybe you can relate) I can’t select a single winner, never mind six in a row and although keying multiple racers in each leg of a prolonged horizontal wager augments one’s margin for error, bankrolls become devastated when copious equine inclusion goes awry. Rather than face the lottery-type odds associated with a Pick-6, many adventurous players will focus their efforts on less perilous ventures, which still may levy passage to the IRS window. Obviously, sessions are exceedingly amplified by cashing bets like: the “Daily Double” (selecting winners in consecutive contests) “Pick-3” (selecting winners in three consecutive contests), and countless other exotic wagers. However in some instances, handicappers should simply shelve gross speculation and “take what they are giving”. Virtually lost within today’s cornucopia of parimutual “exotics”, is something entitled “straight wagering”. Comprised of the “Win” bet (selecting an outright victor), “Place” bet (selecting a runner who may finish either first or second) and “Show” bet (selecting a runner who may finish either first, second or third) straight betting (in most cases) won’t precipitate an early retirement though quite honestly brethren; neither will shredding tickets aimed at winning $50,000 jackpots. When referencing horse racing’s three traditional “straight wagers”, there’s little doubt that “place betting” has practically become a lost art form. This is largely because conventional “straight wager players” typically gravitate towards either aggressively “betting on the nose” or conservatively selecting a racer to “hit the board”. Furthermore, place betting possesses a pessimistic stigma. It’s basically jumping with a net; said horse warrants a bet but he or she isn’t good enough to win and won’t pay squat to show.

Ask your average grizzled punter how to best utilize a place bet and they’ll likely say, “To hedge an enormous win bet.” You see, “insuring” large win bets with “par” place bets is quite common. Such a ticket might read $300 Win #2/ $300 Place #2. In this hypothetical example we are hoping to “break even” via an equivalent place bet should our selection be plagued by “second-itis”. While I stand in agreement regarding the aforementioned methodology, it’s worth noting two additional instances where wielding a place bet may prove most advantageous. The first occurs when a heavy favorite goes post ward at odds of 1/5 or 1/9. In almost every instance, Horse Racing Nation will look to take advantage of this “sure thing” by accepting a short win price or a ridiculously short show price; like five cents on the dollar. This dynamic often generates a deficient “place pool”, thus producing the following fictional payout WIN $2.40; PLACE $2.60; SHOW $2.10. Another advantageous place betting scenario arises when an upcoming contest showcases a dominant “entry”. Now conditions vary from race to race but usually, if two horses owned or trained by one individual are pointed towards the same race, they are pari-mutually “coupled”. In laymen’s terms, bettors receive two runners for the price of one! Consequently, if either equine finishes first or second, a punter cashes their place bet but here’s the catch. Extremely talented entries (customarily designated 1 and 1A or 2 and 2B) habitually round out a pursuit’s top two positions. When this occurs, place bettors receive what amounts to a win payout because the place pool remains intact instead of being divided between two separate entities. For instance, if an entry goes post ward at 4/5 and the race finishes 1A - 1 - 4, the tote board would resemble something like: WIN PLACE

1A 1

$3.60 $3.60 $2.20

SHOW

$2.80

Good luck finding the right spots to place your wagers and when be sure to always take what they are giving.

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

PLAYER STRATEGY

POKER: Playing Small Pairs on the Flop You have 4-4 in the fourth position, and the player in the second position (two seats to the left of the big blind) makes it two bets to go. You’re playing my theory—“three-bet with small pairs”—before the flop, so you make it three bets. No one else calls, and the flop is Q-10-3. The player in the second position then bets out into you and you raise him, thus “representing” a queen (or perhaps K-K or A-A) but also gaining information. If your opponent re-raises you, then either you’re already beaten (this is more likely) or your opponent has a straight draw, and it’s time for a decision. If you feel you have him beat at this point, then you may want to re-raise him. Or you might decide that your opponent has you beaten and fold your hand on the flop. You might decide simply to call his re-raise on the flop and defer a decision to call or fold when you see what drops on fourth street. I would call one more bet and make a decision on fourth street heavily weighted toward folding, but trust your instincts here. If your opponent just calls your raise, then he may still have you beaten, with something like A- may still have you beaten, with something like A-10 or Q-J. But if he doesn’t have you beaten, then he most likely has some sort of straight draw like K-J, A-J, or A-K. Therefore, any nine, jack, king, or ace would be a terrible card for you on fourth street. Let’s look at the way this hand would be played on the flop if you had just called the two bets with your 4-4 before the flop. In this case, it’s likely that at least one other player will have called the two bets before the flop. Suppose one of them was the big blind, since it costs him only one more bet. Now the big blind checks after the Q-10-3 flop, and the pre-flop raiser bets out. You have to use a bit more discretion here because you also have to worry about the big blind behind you. I would probably just call the bet in this case and see what the big blind does. If the big blind were to fold, then I would make a decision about this hand later, on fourth street. (In this case, it’s all about how you read your opponent on fourth street.) But if the big blind were to raise the bet on the flop, then I would just fold my hand right there. 22

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

PHIL HELLMUTH JR.

And if the big blind were to call the bet, then I

would assume that he has some sort of straight

draw, or maybe a mediocre piece of the flop with something like 10-8 or A-3.

Suppose now that the button player and the big blind both call the two bets before the flop. So we have the second position making it two bets, you calling the two bets with 4-4 in the fourth

position, and now the button and the big blind calling the two bets as well. The flop comes

down Q-10-3. Now the big blind checks and the

original raiser bets out on the flop. What do you do? With three other opponents still in this hand and two over-cards on the board (Q-10), folding is the proper play, Moreover, considering that the

second-position original raiser has bet out into

you, and that there are two other people behind

you yet to act, this scenario is a bit scary. You just have to give up and fold.

Phil Hellmuth Jr. is a 13time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world. He is the author of two New York Times best sellers, and his latest book, “Deal Me In” is also widely popular. Visit PhilHellmuth.com to check out his latest blog, clothing line and exclusive poker tips and stories. This tip column is an excerpt from his Best Selling book “Phil Hellmuth’s Texas Hold’em” found on Amazon and in bookstores around the world.

Playing Small Pairs: Flopping a Set You have 2-2 on the button, the second position raises, and then the fourth position calls the two bets. You play in my style and make it three bets

to go, everyone calls, and the flop comes down

2-4-J. You have flopped a set! You should put in

as many raises as you can, both to build the pot and to protect your hand.

If you’ve used the other approach and just called

before the flop with your 2-2, and then get your

“POT ODDS SAY, “CLOSE YOUR EYES AND CALL”

2-4-J flop, nothing changes in your post flop approach. You still put in as many bets and raises

as you can in order to build a pot and protect

your hand. No matter how you play your small pair before the flop, when you hit a set it’s time

to “ram and jam” (raise and re-raise). Sets usually win or lose (a majority of the time sets win) pretty good-size pots.

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

PLAYER STRATEGY

CRAPS: Top Superstitions With more and more believers in superstitions everyday, we have found some of the more popular ones for the ever popular game of craps. Some might sound familiar. Keep these in mind the next time you roll the dice. 1. Never call out the number seven. It’s like the dice have ears and since most players play the pass line, seven is bad after the point is established. It’s also a good way to get the other players at the table mad at you. If you need to call for it, then call it by its nickname, big red. 2. Don’t let the dice hit you when they are rolling. The shooter at the other end of the table has the dice and tosses them to your end while you’re making a bet. The dice hit your hand and come up a seven. Another bad mistake. Everyone at the table will be mad at you. Make your bets early and listen for the stickman to call out “the shooter has the dice” or something to signal to raise your hands.

“MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT CHANGING THE DICE WILL CAUSE A DISRUPTION IN THE FLOW OF THE GAME.”

3. When the dice go off the table, always request the same dice. Many people believe that changing the dice will cause a disruption in the flow of the game and therefore cause a seven out. To avoid this, they request the same dice. If the dice are hot, then stick with the same dice. 4. When calling for an eleven to be rolled, call for it by its craps nickname, yo. The only time you really want an eleven to be rolled is on the come-out roll. Calling it by its nickname seems to make it more likely the eleven will be rolled. At least it gets you involved in the game with the other players and hides the fact you’re a beginner. 5. Craps rolls come in pairs. It seems like once one craps roll occurs, then the very next roll will be another craps. You’ll often see people make the “any craps” bet after the first craps roll.

6. A woman who’s a beginner will always have a good first turn as a shooter. Lady Luck will shine when a woman playing craps for the first time throws the dice. You should bet the pass line if the shooter is a woman, just in case she’s a rookie. 7. Never play at a craps table by yourself. The reason no one is playing at that table is because it’s cold. Playing alone won’t change the table’s luck. Instead, find a table with a good number of players and a lot of noise. These are the tables that are hot. 8.Try to throw the dice so they roll as little as possible. It’s believed that the more the dice actually tumble, the more chance they have of coming up seven. 9. You have better luck when you throw the dice off the mirror on the table. Many craps players believe that if you shoot the dice off the mirror, the dice will land favorably for the players. The mirror on the craps table is located on the opposite wall from the dealers. Casino personnel will discourage this activity because it damages the dice and the mirror. 10. After the point is established, you always place the points opposite. The odds are the same as hitting the point or hitting its opposite, so many believe that the opposite will have a greater chance of coming up than the point. Here are the possible points and their opposites: point of four, opposite ten; point of five, opposite nine; point of six, opposite eight; point of eight, opposite six; point of nine, opposite five; point of ten, opposite four. Pairs of opposites always add up to fourteen.

FOR MORE FREE TIPS, VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

FUTURE ODDS FIND YOUR EDGE…PL ACE YOUR BET!

Check out the latest odds for major sporting events. For the latest up-to-the-minute odds, visit GamingandDestinations.com MASTERS - AUGUST 5-8, 2018 - AUGUSTA NATIONAL AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

NBA FINALS - JUNE 15, 2018 Team

January

Dustin Johnson

7/1

Golden State Warriors

2/3

Rory McIlroy

10/1

Cleveland Cavaliers

9/2

Houston Rockets

13/2

Hideki Matsuyama

14/1

Boston Celtics

10/1

Player

Jordan Spieth Jason Day

January 7/1

14/1

Justin Thomas

16/1

San Antonio Spurs

14/1

Justin Rose

18/1

Oklahoma City Thunder

20/1

Minnesota Timberwolves

25/1

Tiger Woods

20/1

Milwaukee Bucks

40/1

Adam Scott

25/1

Rickie Fowler Jon Rahm

Sergio Garcia *All others are higher than 25/1.

16/1

18/1

25/1

KENTUCKY DERBY - MAY 5, 2018 - CHURCHILL DOWNS LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

*All other teams are higher than 40/1 odds.

MLB WORLD SERIES -NOVEMBER 1, 2018 Team

January

New York Yankees

9/2

Los Angeles Dodgers

5/1

Houston Astros

13/2

Cleveland Indians

7/1

Chicago Cubs

8/1

Washington Nationals

10/1

Enticed 29/1

Boston Red Sox

14/1

Mutuel Field (All others)

Los Angeles Angels

16/1

San Francisco Giants

20/1

St. Louis Cardinals

20/1

Horse

Bolt d’Oro

Good Magic

Future Pool 1 7/1

11/1

McKinzie 12/1 Montauk 17/1

Solomini 22/1 Principe Guilherme

27/1

Avery Island

29/1

Untamed Domain

29/1

*All others odds are higher than 29/1

6/5

For the latest sports odds, updated every 5 minutes, visit GamingandDestinations.com 24 | G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M

Lumière Place Casino & Hotels | Proud Readers’ Choice Award Recipient

We’re offering even MORE in 2018! We appreciate your consideration.

MORE FUN. MORE VALUE. MORE VARIETY. 1-877-450-7711 | LUMIEREPLACE.COM | 999 NORTH SECOND STREET, ST. LOUIS, MO 63102 Void for persons ineligible to game or excluded from Lumière Place Casino for any reason. Must be age 21 or older to gamble. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-BETSOFF. ©2018 Tropicana St. Louis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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

T H E N A N D NOW:

T U R N B AC K T H E C L O C K

Do you realize that Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone just eleven years ago? In such a short period of time, look at the advancements of a product that virtually every person in the world has in their pocket. Today, it is more common to have a phone than a car. They take pictures, play your music, keep your calendar, and so much more, all on one device that is always with you. So much has changed in the past eleven years, but when was the last time you thought about the span of the past twenty five years? or fifty years? We thought it would be fun to compare some fun facts spanning over the past half century to remember where we have been, and see how far we have come. We hope you enjoy it! Category

1968

1993 2017

President

Lyndon B. Johnson (D)

Bill Clinton (D)

Donald Trump (R)

World Population

3.526 billion

5.477 billion

7.6 billion

Life Expectancy

M: 66.6 F: 74

M: 72.2 F: 78.8

F: 76.4 F: 81.2

Stock Market (Dow)

$985.08

$3,754.09

$24,753.23

Price of Gold

$43.50

$391.75

$1,262.08

Minimum Wage

$1.60

$4.25

$7.25

Gallon of Gas

$0.34

$1.16

$2.42

Loaf of Bread

$0.22 $1.57

$1.35

National Deficit

$25 billion

$255 billion

$666 billion

Masters Golf Champ

Bob Goalby

Bernhard Langer

Sergio Garcia

Super Bowl Champs

Green Bay Packers

Dallas Cowboys

New England Patriots

NCAA Football Champs

Ohio State

Florida State

Clemson Tigers

World Series Champs

Detroit Tigers

Toronto Blue Jays

Houston Astros

NCAA Basketball Champs

UCLA North Carolina

North Carolina

NBA Champs

Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls

Golden State Warriors

Kentucky Derby Champ

Forward Pass Sea Hero

Always Dreaming

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

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

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

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

RESORT’S CASINO

ResortsTunica.com

1-866-706-7070

•

1,052

1,563

1,275

1,200

1,800

INDIANA

TUNICA

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

ameristar.com/vicksburg

601-638-1000

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO HOTEL

cypressbayou.com

337-923-7284

MARGARITAVILLE RESORT CASINO

margaritavillebossiercity.com

318-698-7177

PARAGON CASINO RESORT

paragoncasinoresort.com

318-253-1946

SILVERSTAR HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3276

1,200

GOLDEN MOON HOTEL & CASINO

pearlriverresort.com

866-447-3277

1,150

WIND CREEK ATMORE

WindCreekAtmore.com

866-946-3360

N/A

1,600+

WIND CREEK MONTGOMERY

WindCreekMontgomery.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,200+

WIND CREEK WETUMPKA

WindCreekWetumpka.com

866-946-3360

N/A

2,500+

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO

beaurivage.com

228-386-7111

2,100

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

AMERISTAR.COM/KANSAS-CITY

816-414-7000

115

2,300

• •

PEARL RIVER RESORT

GULF COAST

FLORIDA

MISSOURI AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL KANSAS CITY

LUMIERE PLACE CASINO AND HOTELS

LUMIERE.COM

314-881-777

2,000

RIVER CITY CASINO & HOTEL, ST. LOUIS

RIVERCITY.COM

888-578-7289

2,000

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

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

# OF ROOMS

ENT. VENUE

GOLF

SPA

POOL

608

•

OUTDOOR

201

•

506 1,131

•

494

•

201

•

INDOOR •

INDOOR

•

INDOOR INDOOR

•

OUTDOOR INDOOR

150

•

102

•

395

•

531

•

OUTDOOR

•

OUTDOOR

•

BOTH WATER PARK

500

•

OUTDOOR

571

•

BOTH

236

•

OUTDOOR

123

•

OUTDOOR

283

•

1,740

•

OUTDOOR

1,088

•

OUTDOOR

300

OUTDOOR

129

250

•

OUTDOOR

481

•

OUTDOOR

184

• • •

•

294 200

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

WIN THE

ULTIMATE

CASINO GETAWAY 2018

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: • A ONE-NIGHT STAY AT THE CASINO OF YOUR CHOICE • DINNER FOR TWO AT THE PREMIUM RESTAURANT AT THE PROPERTY. (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL) • $100 CASINO PLAY • $100 GAS CARD • 4 BUFFETS • YOUR TRIP RECAP PUBLISHED IN SOUTHERN GAMING AND DESTINATIONS MAGAZINE.

IT’S EASY TO ENTER!

Choose your favorite casino from each category. Mail in your ballot and you will be automatically entered to win the prize! Or, complete the ballot online at GamingandDestinations.com to also be entered into the drawing. Don’t miss out – the voting deadline is February 28, 2018.

*One vote per person. Duplicate entries will result in disqualification. Faxes and copies are not accepted. All fields required. Mark N/A if a category is not applicable to you. If you do not have an email address, please provide a phone number. All entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2018.

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

VOTE! MAIL! WIN! Pick your favorite Southern properties from each category below, mail it in and you will be entered for the getaway! Or, vote online at GamingandDestinations.com

First Name:

Last Name:

Address: City:

E-mail:

State:

Zip:

Phone Number:

Date of Birth:

Yes

Are you a member of The Comps ClubTM?

Yes

What games do you like to play the most? Blackjack

Craps

Slots/Video Poker

Poker

Pari-mutuel (Horses)

Other:

What kind of comps do you typically receive from casinos? None, they are stingy

Free Buffet

Match Play Offers

Free Rooms

Whatever I want, I’m a high roller!

TELL US YOUR FAVORITE CASINOS IN THE CATEGORIES BELOW. CATEGORY:

Your Favorite Property:

State:

1. Best Overall Property: 2. Best New Casino/Casino Renovation: 3. Best Racetrack/Racino Facility: (Horse Racing/Greyhound Racing) 4.

Best Suites:

5. Best Rooms: 6. Best Casino Floor: (Game Variety/Options) 7.

Best Poker Room:

8. Best Restaurant: (Include Name of Restaurant and Property) 9.

Best Buffet:

10. Best Amenities: (Spa, Pool, Shopping, etc.) 11. Best Golf Course: 12. Best Entertainment: 13. Best Entertainment Venue: 14. Best Nightlife: (Night Club, Lounge, etc.) 15. Best Theme: 16. Best Casino Personnel: (Dealers, Slot Attendants, Hosts, Waitresses, etc.) 17. Best Customer Service: 18. Best Advertising: (Radio, Television, Billboards, etc.) 19. Best Players Club: 20. Best Slot Machine Game: *One vote per person. Duplicate entries will result in disqualification. Faxes and copies are not accepted. All fields required. Mark N/A if a category is not applicable to you. If you do not have an email address, please provide a phone number. All entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2018. G A M I N G A N D D E S T I N AT I O N S . C O M |

2018

RDS

G& D

S' C H O I C E

ER AD

WIN THE ULTIMATE GETAWAY TO THE

Casino of Your Choice! MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT

TODAY!

FOLD HERE AND TUCK IN FIRST

POSTAGE REQUIRED POST OFFICE WILL NOT DELIVER WITHOUT PROPER POSTAGE

2018 G&D READERS' CHOICE AWARDS Gaming and Destinations Magazine 640 S. 4th Street, Suite 300 Louisville, KY 40202-2416

FOLD HERE

Want Casino Comps?

Join The Comps ClubTM by Gaming and Destinations and we’ll send you coupons and special offers to casinos and racetracks throughout the region! Don’t delay, join today!

CALL 502-212-5177 OR VISIT GAMINGANDDESTINATIONS.COM

32 |

SOUTHERNGAMING.COM

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Must be 21 years or older. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-777-9696.

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

HIP HIP HOORAY Three cheers for James from Potawatomi Hotel & Casino! He will be taking home the $1 million* dollar grand prize and the title from the 2017 TournEvent of ChampionsÂŽ in Las Vegas. James came out on top of more than 250,000 entrants from over 100 casinos in North and South America, in our fifth annual TournEvent of Champions. The journey to the next Million Dollar Eventâ&#x201E;˘* in 2018 promises to be even more exciting as we search for our next champion. Could it be you?

Arrive a Winner. Leave a Legend. *Payable in periodic payments over 20 years or in a lump sum, present day cash value payment.

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