Mid-South area casinos have 'end of world' parties, looser slots and more

Heard it on the River

by Rudi Schiffer

(published in the current issue of Jackpot! Magazine at jackpotmagazine.com.)

I would think that a many of us hope 2013 is a lot better than the year about to end. Heck, even a little better would be fine. So many challenges remain out there that affect the casino industry and with them a lot of economic uncertainty. While the biz takes its share of arrows it is still a great source of entertainment and an effective contributor to the tax revenue bases of the communities in which it operates.
Online gaming is fast emerging, but it has legislative obstacles to overcome. As it makes headway, how much impact will it have on existing and traditional markets? It is an interesting development that will be closely watched.
If there is one thing the gaming industry has, it is resilience and a strongly developed sense of competition. Nobody is closing its doors in Mississippi and none are expected. Look at the success of Southland PARK Gaming & Racing in West Memphis, which turned an aged dog track into a casino that has enjoyed great success in tough times.
I feel a modest turnaround is coming. Let's face it, people love to gamble and with an uptick in the economy, the number of gamblers will increase. Gambling money is highly discretionary and has undergone lots of pressure the last several years. My gut feeling is that 2013 will be a better year, not back to the salad days of yesteryear, but forward moving at least. Ask me about my thoughts next December.
Poker players are not worried about the state of the business, just thinking about tournaments like the WINTER POKER CLASSIC kicked off at GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT on Dec. 14 and is running through the 22nd. Poker Room Manager Karen Kaegin says the main event will be a $750 +$50 buy-in with nightly no-limit tournaments and daily super satellites. While the tournament is running, non-poker gamers can get in on the $1,000,000 FREEPLAY promo running through Dec. 22. And in the spirit of the season, you are invited to bring the kiddies for free photos with Santa on Dec. 15 and Sunday Dec.16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Gold Strike's lobby. The kids get to eat free in the Courtyard Buffets with the purchase of an adult buffet. That means the desert bar will be raided. And HERMAN'S HERMITS starring PETER NOONE are still with us and will be performing Dec.14-15 with an OLDE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS. And if you want to escape the kitchen during the holidays, leave the cooking to Gold Strike on Christmas day and New Year's Eve. Chicago Steakhouse offers a specialty menu as does the Atrium Café.
What would you like to see in our Mississippi casinos next year. A new game, looser slots, more freeplay, easier comps, what? Email me your thoughts at goodtimesradio@comcast.net and I might put your name and suggestion in my next column. Send to me by Dec. 19 and keep your comment to about 20 words. And being the Holiday season, don't forget to tip those who serve you all year...the dealers, valets, cage folks, servers, maids, bartenders, et al. They work hard for you and tips are most welcome this time of year. Spread some cheer.
The Mayans of Mexico predicted the world would end on the 21st of this month. They must have had a heck of a calendar. So why not go out in a blaze and attend the END OF THE WORLD PARTY at SOUTHLAND PARK. There will even be Mayan dancers on the casino floor and every hour $1,212 in Freeplay will be given away. If it goes as predicted at least we won't have to file taxes next year. Reminder that Southland Park will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 but will re-open the next day - like one stroke past midnight on the 25th. Nice to see somebody respects this holy day. It’s time to plan for New Year’s Eve. The New Year's Eve Big Top Bash 5 is coming to Southland, too. Dance into 2013 with DJ Crumbz spinning all of your favorite rump-shakin' music in the Juke Joint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.  Indulge in your favorite carnival goodies for free from 9 to 11 p.m. while supplies last.  Enjoy carnival games and prizes from 8 to 10 p.m. while supplies last and ring in the New Year with champagne stations on the gaming floor. Experience the madness of stilt walkers and magicians or the creativity of balloon artists and the acrobatic skills of jugglers, to name a few of the variety entertainers who will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. You can also ride your favorite carnival rides like the Nemesis 360 and the Ferris Wheel. Player Rewards members ride for free from 5 p.m. to midnight.  You must be 21 years of age or older. You can also Countdown to Cash. As the clock counts down, beginning at 3 p.m., the prizes go up every half hour until 11 p.m.  Player Rewards members using their Player Rewards cards will be drawn every 30 minutes to win free play from $50 to $600. At 11:30pm, one lucky player will win $2,013 in cash. See Player Rewards for details.  
Resorts and Bally's will both be giving away cars for the holidays. Resorts is giving away a Fiat each day from Dec. 29 to the 31st plus $20,000 in free slot play each of the days. Sister Bally's is doing much the same but with three VW Beetles. At Gold Strike you can win a Lexus IS350 playing on the Revved Up Jackpot Penny Machines.
FITZ' “Loosened Our Slots” promotion has taken hold and one-third of the slots there are tagged as such. If you are playing there on Friday nights you can get in on the $60,000å Santa's Stash of Cash from 6-10 p.m. There will be 45 winners.
HOLLYWOOD CASINO has some new slots on the floor. They include OUTBACK JACK LINKED PROGRESSIVE and IGT’s ELVIS THE KING. Elvis fans will want to check out the new Elvis slots for sure. Hollywood also offers $1 Blackjack. This is a Hollywood exclusive. Hollywood offers you the excitement of playing blackjack for only $1 per hand on select tables. Play $1 blackjack all day, every day. There is a 25-cent commission each hand to the dealer, however, so keep that in  mind.


“The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet.”
— Sportswriter Grantland Rice


LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER!

 Listen for the latest casino news on the GOODTIMES radio show on Friday afternoon from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on 1180AM KXIQ, Memphis.

BACK HOME FROM COSTA RICA by Rudi Schiffer

BACK HOME FROM COSTA RICA

by Rudi Schiffer

  Just came back from a week in Costa Rica. Columbus called it the “Rich Coast” when he landed on the beach there on his fourth sailing. As advertised, it’s a friendly country with lots of pluses and some significant problems. Met some interesting people who have retired there or work there and they seemed content after a trial period. Stayed four days in the capital city of San Jose in the Central Valley where most of the people live and it’s not easy to blend in to avoid being accosted by street folks looking to make a buck on fake Cohiba Cigars, Viagra, and other such counterfeit crap.

Rudi Schiffer

  There are about 30 so-called casinos there which are really mom and pop joints, small and run well except they severely lack games on the floor. The biggest casino, Fiesta, is near the airport and it had only about ten table games consisting of rummy, an offshoot of blackjack that is strictly as house game with a big advantage. There was no regular blackjack in action as I was told the dealer would not be on duty for some time. I asked for blackjack at the Cocal Casino in Jaco Beach on the Western Pacific coast, but they had no games. At the Horseshoe in San Jose they did have a game and I was the only one to play on the $5 min to $300 max bet.

  There are some distractions, like young female dealers in high mini skirts and high heels. As soon as I broke a Benjamin I was joined by two scantily clad “hostesses” and a second watchdog dealer and some onlookers. Made me feel like John Daley with all the gawkers. I could only figure they were all trying to distract me. When I hit a 21 and was paid 3-2, the pit boss had to approve the payout. Weird.   

  The most interesting place was the casino at El Rey in San Jose. I took a stroll through the joint and went to bar for a Bacardi and Rum but couldn’t get in. It was wall-to-wall hookers all smiling and beckoning over their low-cut tops and more. I was told that prostitution was legal in the country and for sure that is a major attraction for lots of guys coming here. It’s a booming trade.  Beggars are plentiful there — no welfare here or food banks, and lots of addicts to boot. One plus is that smoking was declared illegal two months ago inside any establishment and if you want to puff a cigar, head for the street. You know that ticked me off. The water in the city was potable and food good at the restaurants, but none of the eateries on the beach had air-conditioning.

  Costa Rica is famous for its eco-friendly parks and reserves and hundreds of American school kids were pouring into the country when I was there. Lots of rain forest, volcanoes, alligator river tours, waterfalls and wildlife tours.  Met a Brit from London, who said she had just come back from a 17-day backpack trip through the jungle and never felt afraid.

  The only trouble I encountered was at Customs at the airport as I had picked up three small beach stones for my grandson. They were confiscated. I guess they are a national treasure. Everybody accepted dollars and communicated easily but it’s nice to learn some basic Spanish phrases before you go. Between the airfare from Memphis to Juan Santa Maria airport, my travel, food and lodging only set me back about $1,300. A reasonable expense. Would I go there again given the opportunity, yes. All in all it was a very interesting trip and enjoyable.

Rudi's report from Costa Rica and recent casino exploits

Rudi Schiffer

  Enjoying my trip to Costa Rica and several things stand out after two days in San Jose: The dirty and noisy capital city, traffic congestion and the sound of car horns and loud mufflers. Walking on a sidewalk is an adventure in itself as deep holes, large cracks and garbage test your agility. It has been sunny and warm - in the low 80s. It is not bad at all. Occasional thundershowers cool it down and wash the city, which needs it.
  People are really friendly here. Casinos are little corner stores and the games suck. They have outdated slots and when you place a $5 bet you have people looking at you like you are a high roller. Young and very pretty ladies hover in expectation. I asked why they were there and was told they are "hostesses." They didn't appear to work. They just lounged around in scant and revealing clothing. I suspect they have other duties.
  I visited the infamous Blue Marlin Bar (and casino), which had about 10 customers and 100 hookers who were not timid. I finally had to fend them off... "No mas, por favor." They were gorgeous though. Travels in Costa Rica will continue... Adios.

The Blue Marlin Bar is at the Hotel & Casino Del Rey

Rudi travels to Costa Rica

I’m off to Costa Rica and eagerly anticipating  my departure for San Jose on June 20. Of course it’s a gambling  junket  but  interspersed will be eco-tours (no zip lines for this  old boy) deep sea sport fishing, swimming at Jaco Beach on the West Coast, golf, dinning and lots of fun. I’ve heard only good things about this small country just north of  Panama and others have as well as some 135,000 Americans live there in retirement or work there. But I will still wear a money belt close to my tummy. Will also be doing a little business there and it may open new ventures that will be exciting. Just have to keep re-inventing myself. I’ll be sending reports from Tico land so stayed tuned.

Rudi

Goodtimes Radio moves casino news show to 1180 AM KXIQ and to other sister stations

Get your casino news on the longest running live-format gaming show in the country

Rudi Schiffer at the World Poker Open

MEMPHIS (April 28)—For the first time in its 19-year history of being the only live casino gaming format radio show in the Mid-South, the GoodTimes Radio Show will now be broadcast on prime drive-time radio on Classic Country 1180 AM KXIQ Classic Country, a station in the market owned by Pollock Broadcasting. In addition, it will also be simulcast on KMIS AM/FM in markets north of Memphis.

Hosted by Rudi and Mike Schiffer, the show will expand to two-and-half hours on Friday afternoons from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and be rebroadcast later. Formerly on 730Yahoo Sports, the change was made to take advantage of the opportunity to be on drive time, not only in Memphis, but also in adjoining markets, thus increasing its audience and reach with a clearer daytime signal from 5,000 watts of power offered by 1180 KXIQ.

“The show will increase its reach in the Mid-South and will also be broadcast on our sister stations, KMIS AM/FM, serving the Missouri Bootheel, Northeast Arkansas, Northwest Tennessee, Southwest Illinois and parts of Western Kentucky,“ said owner Bill Pollack. “Over 1.1 million people live in the area covered by our three stations.”

The first show will be aired Friday, May 4 beginning at 3 p.m. and will include a half hour segment with   John Robison, expert slot play writer, gaming, promotion, strategy and entertainment, live interviews with other gaming experts and casino executives for Mississippi casinos and Southland Park in West Memphis, Ark. The show is noted for its giveaway trivia prizes supplied by sponsors including overnight stays, free play, dinners and buffets.

 The Goodtimes Show joins another newcomer to 1180 AM, which is now the exclusive Mid-South affiliate for the Motor Racing Network. The Goodtimes show is currently sponsored by Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel, Goldstrike Casino Resort in Tunica, and Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, Miss., as well as Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis, Ark.

Live streaming on www.KXIQradio.com.

Email: goodtimesradio@comcast.net

Follow Rudi on Twitter @rudischiffer or on find the show on Facebook at GoodtimesRadio. You can also read Rudi’s blog at www.goodtimesradio.blogspot.com.

Lots of gaming action in the Mississippi Delta

Heard it on the River

by Rudi Schiffer

  Lots of green present in Tunica over the recent ST. PAT’S Day celebration in the form hats, t-shirts, beads and other doo-dads, and there was lots of green money being spread among table games and slots everywhere, making for a good weekend for all. It was especially noisy at the FITZ CASINO & HOTEL, with its natural Irish theme an attractant, but  playing in a blackjack tournament at GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT the green was in the GO FOR THE GREEN $50,000 event. PHIL HUNTER, director  of casino operations, said they planned for 150 to sign up but it ended up somewhere around 180. The overflow didn’t cause any logistical problems and the team handled it smoothly. 

Finally met the new GM at Gold Strike, NYKLAS RYTTERSTROM, from Sweden of course, and he has apparently fitted into his new post with little difficulty after coming over from hotel operations at Beau Rivage. He had some interesting stories to tell me about the post-HURRICANE KATRINA reconstruction on the Coast and will be the man if one hits Tunica. Anyway, look for a feature on Nyk in the next issue of JACKPOT! Magazine. 

  ANOTHER SIGN of the APOCALYPSE…In Vegas, CANTOR GAMING will now accept major credit cards to fund race and sports books betting accounts. They will also accept debit cards. Why not. Let’s give everybody the chance to go down the drain with stiff interest charges when they don’t  pay off in time. Cantor says it’s a “fast and convenient way to place wagers.?” Whatever happened to folding money? You gotta be nuts to make wagers with your credit card. Cantor is opening the door for players to go down the drain faster than ever before. When you squeeze those “Benjamin’s” out of your wallet, counting each one carefully, you know where you are going. Signing a credit card, especially when you have lost all your stash and need more on the spot, is so easy. 

 Of course Cantor has the bettor’s welfare in mind. Mike Colbert, Cantor’s race and sports book risk director, said: “We are constantly looking for ways to enhance the enjoyment of our Cantor sports wagering fans. Making the method of payment more convenient marked a logical step for our Race & Sports Book.” Thanks for the reassuring words Mike. Nice to know Cantor not looking out for itself but for its players. Of course it was logical for Cantor,  who now has opened a new path for gamblers to get lost on, at Cantor’s convenience. Gimme a break.

  The DELTA GOLD POKER CLASSIC is on at Gold Strike CASINO RESORT  and ends April 2, so there is still time to play in various daily events. An ASIAN SHOW will be on stage the Millennium theatre on April 14 and you can even access a line where you can converse in Vietnamese….(662) 529-2014. The FRONTMEN of COUNTRY will be at the Millennium on April 21. RISKY BUSINESS 3-card poker tournament has $50,000 in prize money and free play available on April 20-22 for a nice $100 entry fee. Speaking of Gold Strike, for the past two years, the casino has partnered with the Memphis Grizzlies for a benefit known as the Grizz Gala. This year’s event is Friday, April 13. Proceeds from the event go to the Memphis Grizzlies House on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s campus. Meet the players, dine on heavy hors d’ oeuvres and take part in the sports memorabilia and fan experience live silent auction. Individual tickets and tables are on sale now. Call (888) 245-7529 for more information. Scratch it Rich is also continuing at Gold Strike through March 31, so you can still win you share of $2 million.

Take the Lighthouse & Jubilee Casino Point Challenge now through April 30 at the GREENVILLE casinos and you could win big in this promotion. On May 6, the top 10 slot point earners, plus two wild card drawing winners combined from Jubilee and Lighthouse casinos will each win a trip for two to Tropicana Atlantic City, June 7-10, to compete with Tropicana Entertainment’s 300 best slot players for a shot at the $100,000 grand prize. See the cashier’s cage for details.

  Play at Resorts Casino and you could be a big winner in the Cash is King Giveaway in March. There will be 17 winners of $500 cash each Saturday, March 24 and 31, from 7 to 11 p.m. Visit the service center for complete details.

Southland Park Gaming & Racing is offering new player reward members $20 in free slot play with the coupon in this issue of Jackpot! Magazine. Enjoy more than 1,000 games with over 60 new progressive titles, including Wheel of Fortune, Reel’em In and Cash Man. 

  Bally’s Casino hosts the $100,000 Free Slot Play Giveaway in April. There will be 25 winners of $1,000 in free slot play each Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight in April. Earn entries now through 2 p.m. on April 28.

  If you like FITZ casino in Tunica, don’t go to VEGAS looking for it there. FITZGERALD, the sister property on downtown Fremont Street, has changed its name to D LAS VEGAS. The D harkens back to its Detroit roots and just also happens to be the name that friends call majority owner and CEO Derek Stevens. A $15 million makeover will spruce up the D.

  Here is a great dining deal. Hollywood Casino has added the 99-cent Star Comp Dollar Deal all day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for March. Players can enjoy a 99-cent Star Comp Dollar Deal for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Feb. 6 in the Epic Buffet. We’re talking about one 99-cent Star Comp Dollar Deal per day, per player account. You’ve still got time to get in on this action.

TODAY’S THOUGHT

“The longer you keep your temper, the more it will improve.”

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER.

 Listen for the latest casino news on the GOODTIMES radio show every Friday night from 6-8 on 730 YAYHOO! SPORTS & GAMBLING AM, Memphis.

HEARD IT ON THE RIVER - Rudi Schiffer's Mississippi River gambling report

SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING is in the midst of a massive $10 million renovation and feeling the pressure of the completing work on the new STARTING GATE EVENT CENTER for a good reason. The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is slated for the week of March 3, but TROY KEEPING, the GM now wearing a hard hat, assures me the facility will be ready before that. Trust Troy. Concurrently, more gaming space is being constructed as well as a new Players Reward booth, which should be ready about the same time. Then Phase II  will see construction on the new lounge in the old event center space. The new look is expected to be completed in May.
MIKE SCHIFFER, a gaming industry pit pro, has joined me on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW as co-host and producer. He brings a lot of hands-on experience in gambling to the show and is most welcome. You can hear us at 730YAHOOSPORTS.COM live audio streaming every Friday night from 6-8 pm and again on Saturdays from 6-8 a.m. The show is also archived at Audiovegas.com and is now in its 19th consecutive year as the longest running live casino  gambling format in the country, if not the whole dang world. Give Mike a call on the show at (901) 522-9730.
 There is still time to enter the HOT HANDS II blackjack tournament at the FITZ, but the competition just got stiffer as I have decided to give the event a second crack after being humiliated in the first tournament. Why do I put  myself under scornful scrutiny, there are $20,000 reasons why. Yup, that’s the first place money and its all CASH. Register on Feb. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. or the next morning from 8-10 a.m. You qualify for a free room, but call (866) 351-2515 to make reservations.
At SAM’S TOWN, you can get into the $50,000 buy-in slot tournament for only $200. It takes place Feb. 24-25 and includes a two night hotel stay. Registration is Feb. 24. Call (800) 946-0711 and mention code E212ST2.
 You can go for the green, some $50,000 of it, on March 15-17 in the blackjack tournament at GOLD STRIKE. The entry fee is $100 and registration takes place Friday, March 15 from 5-8 p.m. with late registration the next morning. Play begins at 10 on the 16th with finals on Sunday. Poker players will be flooding the ball room at Gold Strike when the DELTA GOLD CLASSIC kicks off March 23 through April 2. For reservations, call(888) 245-7529, ext 1136. In the meantime, play SCRATCH IT RICH for your share of up to $2,000,000 in freeplay and prizes with 900 total winners. Drawings every Wednesday and Saturday from 6-10 p.m.
Speaking of poker, the poker room at the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lula is reopening this Saturday. A grand opening is set for a week later, Saturday, March 3, when the room will host a free $2,500 Texas Hold’em Tournament. See the story in this issue of Jackpot!
If you haven’t checked it out already, you should. I’m talking about the new GATEWAY TO THE BLUES VISITORS CENTER on Highway 61. It’s located in a turn-of-the-century wood-frame train depot. It was moved from Dundee, Miss. and renovated to become the new center. Atop the depot is the new “Gateway to the Blues” sign. The red, white and blue sign is the same shape as a Highway 61 road sign. The visitor center is just the beginning. Preparations are already underway for an adjoining museum. Check out the story on the front page of this issue.
March 17 can be a lucky day, even if you’re not Irish, at Bally’s with its $25,000 POT OF GOLD giveaway. Start earning entries now and you would one of 25 winners of cash or free slot play. On March 31, Bally’s is holding a FREE $20,000 slot tournament from 2 to 8 p.m.
Everybody who is a serious wine drinker wished they had the knowledge of a sommelier and now you can. On a recent dining experience at the new PHILLIP M’s restaurant in SILVER STAR CASINO at Pearl River Resort, Sommelier Scott Sutherland proudly showed us his new toy that makes his job much easier. He has an iPad programmed with CELLAR TRACKER that organizes the inventory there. The app searches the inventory by price, region, varietals, drinkability, rating or alphabetically. You can even write in your own rating. It allows diners to make educated decisions about their selections. It is cool. See the complete review of Phillip M’s elsewhere in this issue.
The $10,000 CASH DROP continues on Saturdays at HOLLYWOOD this month when every 30 minute between 6 p.m. and midnight just five correct answers stand between you and $10,000. Earn entries daily with 5X entries on Fridays.
Chief Phyllis Anderson is making things happen for the Choctaws even though she has only been in office about five months. She e recently hosted Congressional representatives and briefed them on tribal projects, use of federal funding awards and the expanding needs of the 10,000-member tribe. The Mississippi delegation viewed the Choctaw Health Center, Choctaw TechPark and the Beaver Dam  road project. It was also announced that the Choctaws have received federal grants totaling over $2 million to fund the construction of a new transit maintenance facility and enhance the Choctaw Transit Authority Service.
 Want to take a vacation closer to home and reachable by automobiles? Get a free copy of TRUE SOUTH, the new official Mississippi Tour Guide. Go to www.visitmississippi.org or call (888) SEE-MISS for a hard copy.
   LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER
 Listen for the latest casino news on the GOODTIMES radio show every Friday night from 6-8 on 730 YAYHOO! SPORTS & GAMBLING AM, Memphis.

Mike Schiffer rejoins the Goodtimes Radio Show

Mike & Rudi

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mike Schiffer has rejoined his dad, Rudi Schiffer, to be co-host of the 19-year-old GoodTimes Radio Show, the longest running live casino format show in the country.

Mike is a veteran of the gaming business and brings 12 years of experience in the pits to the show. Goodtimes is aired Friday nights on 730 AM YAHOO SPORTS & GAMBLING, Memphis.

“He brings a nice balance to the show from hands-on experience at Lady Luck, Harrah’s, the Grand and most recently at Horseshoe,” said Rudi. “He will also take the show to a higher level with segments that he introduces, such as a segment on poker. I m delighted to work with him again.”

Mike is an avid poker, golf and hockey player and resides with his son, Ashton, in East Memphis. The show is also rebroadcast Saturdays from 6-8 AM and broadcast live streaming audio at www.730YAHOOSPORTS.COM and is also archived at audio Vegas.com.

Choctaws honor late Chief Phillip Martin with restaurant reopening at Pearl River Resort

by Rudi Schiffer
CHOCTAW — Chief Phillip Martin was a powerful chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws serving as tribal chief for 28 years. The Choctaws honored him last month with the reopening of Phillip M’s restaurant in the Silver Star Hotel & Casino at Pearl River Resort.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening, recently elected Chief Phyllis Anderson, a longtime admirer of Martin, said she had made the decision to change the name of the restaurant back to Phillip M’s, the original name that dates back to its opening in 1994.

“It was the right thing to do for our tribal members and it is a wise business decision,” said Anderson. To a crowd of more than 30 media members and dozens of guests, she said the name change recognizes the works of Martin and, “the name should remain the same permanently from here forward.”

She added, “Chief Martin left a long and enduring legacy and that’s what today is about…our Choctaw people.”

Chief Phyllis Anderson, second from the left, honors the late Chief Phillp Martin at the reopening of Phillip M’s at Pearl River Resort. She presented a portrait of Chief Martin to members of the Martin family.

Anderson recalled July 4, 1994, when the tribe, under Martin, opened the Silver Star Hotel & Casino with Phillip M’s as its flagship restaurant. “That day was a milestone achievement for our tribe that set our path once and for all toward true Choctaw self-destination.”

Since its opening, the restaurant was known throughout the South for its excellent chefs and staff, comfortable-but-classy atmosphere and first-class cuisine. Phillip M’s always featured a celebrated wine cellar known by wine aficionados as one of the best in the state. The new décor of the room reflects the original restaurant, as Martin knew it. With the reopening comes the reintroduction of several menu items that were popular not only with the late chief, a frequent visitor, but also with guests from all over the country.

In an interview some years ago, a magazine reporter asked Martin how often he dined at the restaurant. Martin told the reporter, ”Every chance I get… at least a couple times a week. …that’s what it’s all about… Good food and good games.”

During the ceremony, Martin’s family was introduced and honored with a special portrait of him. 

Plenty of action on tap at Mississippi casinos in February

Rudi Schiffer interviews Chief Phylis Anderson

Heard it on the River
by Rudi Schiffer
CRAPLESS CRAPS is making a comeback at the Fitz CASINO & HOTEL Tunica and with a name like that, it is bound to attract players, some who know the game, and others who ask…what the heck is this game? “We kept getting requests to bring it back and finally we decided it would be a good idea and to make it even more attractive we have set a low $3.00 minimum bet,” said Adolph Lepre, vice president of table games.
The game, it is believed, was started in Las Vegas by the colorful Bob Stupac, the former owner of the Stratosphere Casino. Players like it because it is impossible to lose a pass bet by crapping out on the come out roll. Any number besides a 7 becomes the point on the numbers 2,3,11 and 12. Of course you might ask, won’t I lose on a sure winner with the 11? You do give up that but you get the benefit of no crap outs on the other three numbers.  The game also offers free odds of 6:1 on the 2 and 12, and 3:1 on the 3 and 11. Your Place bets are $5 on the 2,3,11 and 12. The 2 and 12 pay 11:2. The 3 and 11 pay 11:4 .
 “What it all boils down to this is a modified version of a regular crap game,” said Lepre. “You do not lose on the come-out roll when the shooter tosses a 2,3, or 12, Instead, it automatically becomes the point, just as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 do on a standard game. You also do not win if the shooter throws a natural 11. It too becomes the point.”
The SILVER STAR HOTEL & CASINO has brought a familiar and great name to its high-end restaurant and it is now back to PHILLIP M’s, a legacy to the great Chief Phillip Martin who passed away a year ago almost to the day that the Pearl River Resort restaurant was named for him again. New Chief Phyllis Anderson said it was a “wise business decision.” A more complete feature story and a sidebar on Chief Martin are in this issue. On Feb. 25, Grammy award winner soul diva, PATTI LABELLE, will perform at Silver Star HOTEL & CASINO. Call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
More on Pearl River Resort, where the new marketing and advertising team sez its new day as they previewed a branding campaign to a large gathering of employees. The main theme “WE ARE PEARL RIVER RESORT-VEGAS WITH SWEET TEA” translates into a message that invites guests to the resort to experience all the gaming that a mecca like Vegas has to offer. Of course, if you don’t get it yet, duh, the Sweet Tea is so southern and represents true southern charm, which you won’t find in Vegas or ACC and certainly not in Macau. And that’s the essence of this great overnight destination resort that includes the fabulous DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB, two championship courses in an Augusta National-like setting, two casino-hotels and the GEYSER FALLS WATERPARK, not to mention the newly-reopened PHILLIP M’S award-winning restaurant. The new campaign came with the new talent in-house, GERRARD COOK, advertising and PR director, and CHAD McKENNEY, advertising manager.
SOUTHLAND PARK GAMING & RACING in West Memphis has a new promotion that I have never heard of in the 20 years I’ve been involved in the business as a reporter and that is the $100,000 YOU’RE HIRED promo. It runs through Feb. 25 and those chosen will have a chance to win a weekly salary of the job picked in free play and cash. Check it out at SOUTHLAND PARK.COM for more info.
How about this…if you smoke, chew or wear a nicotine patch, you cannot work for Penn National’s two new casinos in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. That goes for some 3,200 positions there. The casinos are smoke free anyway because of a state ban. It should be noted that 29 states have passed laws making it illegal to refuse to hire smokers. Interesting move.
 Fitz runs a regular blackjack tournament on Friday nights with a low $20 buy-in for $2,000 in cash for first place win but is also bringing back for a second time its HOT HANDS tournament with a $150 buy-in with THREE optional re-buys. The event will be held Feb. 24-25 and includes a free room with your entry fee. BOBBY WOMACK is in concert at the FITZ on Feb.  17 and 18 and you can buy a VIP package for front row seating and meet and greet pass only at the Gift Shop.
HOLLYWOOD CASINO is inviting you to play in the lowest limit blackjack game in town as it has introduced blackjack for just $1 per hand at selected tables. Also new on the floor, BONUS CRAPS with the option to place three additional side bets with high payouts. You can now also play PROGRESSIVE THREE CARD poker here. Also this month, you play $10,000 CASH DROP every 30 minutes on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. If your name is drawn and you can answer multiple choice trivia questions, you can be a winner. Sounds like fun.
Play Punch-A-Prize at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall and win your share of $30,000 Slot Dollars in February. Guests will have a chance to play Punch-A-Prize at the Sam’s Town’s Punch-A-Prize Board, which will be located in the Atrium, on Saturday, Feb. 18.
RESORTS CASINO is home to the Real Deal Giveaway on Saturday, Feb. 11. The casino will give away one F-150 truck and 20 people will win $1,000 in free slot play. Drawings are from 6 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Feb. 18, BALLY’S CASINO will give away a new Ford Escape in The Great Escape Giveaway. There will be one winner of an Escape and 20 winners of $1,000 in free play. Drawings are from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The new High Limit Slot Room at Gold Strike CASINO RESORT has 100 machines with denoms running from $5 to $100, not to mention 26 progressives with some going all the way up to $250,000.

 “Taxes could be worse…suppose we had to pay on what we think we’re worth.”

 LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER

 Listen for the latest casino news on the GOODTIMES radio show every Friday night from 6-8 on 730 YAYHOO! SPORTS & GAMBLING AM, Memphis.