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| 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.
