HEARD IT ON THE RIVER
By Rudi Schiffer
One of the most frequently asked questions directed at me when walking casino floors is the status of MYRIAD RESORTS, the hoped-for $1.3 billion world class destination resort to be located on 500 acres of land south of Hollywood Casino. My standard answer is that it’s not going to happen soon, if ever, as my efforts to reach the owners for interviews on it have gone unanswered, not exactly making me a believer in the project. Beside my inability to get a dialogue going with them, there is now the extension of the earlier announced closing on the acreage that was originally scheduled for August 1 and which has now been pushed off to Oct. 2.
Myriad, a Delaware Corporation (OTCBB: MYRA), is seeking to buy the land from the JACK DAY PERRY SR. family and made the first public disclosure last May. It has since been amended to provide for an increase in the cash purchase price, and extension of the closing date. The problem is age old, mo’ money is needed. Don’t get me wrong. This resort with multiple casinos, hotels, convention and sport facilities, retail and more, would really put the name of Tunica in front of the world and drive up traffic tremendously to all casinos in northern Mississippi. I would love to see it come to fruition but in my old age I have become more skeptical. Show me the money!
THE FITZ will show you some money if you sign up for latest ULTIMATE BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT to be held there Oct. 5-6 with $75,000 on the line in cash and prizes. First place is $25,000 in cash and $10,000 in promo chips. It appears more and more Mississippi casinos are backing off cash and cash back and replacing the money with promotional chips or free slot play. I always liked the cash back as it assured me enough money to at least fill my guzzler’s gas tank for the return trip home. Second place money is $10,000 and full details are in a story elsewhere in this issue. Space is limited for the $500 buy-in event so call 1-800-766-5825, ext. 8291 and mention you read about it in this column.
At Lula, down the road apiece, the ISLE OF CAPRI is holding a $50,000 blackjack tournament on Sept. 14-16 for a $100 buy-in. First place pays $10,000 and $10,000 in promo chips. Call 800-789-5825.
Another Oct. tournament to sign up for early is the $50,000 open slot tournament at SAM’S TOWN. The buy-in is $200 but you also get a second chance with a $100 buy-in, a feature I like a lot. Call now…800-946-07611. And don’t forget to visit the DELTA RIVER CRUISING car show at Sam’s Town Sept. 14-16. Muscle cars and more. www.memphisstreetrods.com
It is probably fully subscribed for by the time you read this but there may be a few openings still available for HORSESHOE’S $250,000 LEGENDARY BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT that will be played Sunday Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept. 3 but with registration earlier on the Friday and Saturday before. If you have the $1,000 buy-in, call 800-371-7568. First place is only $100,000 cash. Oh gods of gaming, smile on me.
There must be a tournament flu bug in the morning mists over the cotton fields as outbreaks are everywhere with another report that Three Card Poker WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP qualifying play will start at HOLLYWOOD CASINO
Sept. 1. You can win your share of $1.2 million in the championship finals to be held in Las Vegas at the fabulous WYNN CASINO HOTEL Just hit a straight flush which gives you an entry for every $5 bet into a drawing. The winning name will be drawn Nov. 3 and the prize is a free seat in the event, airfare and $500 spending money. First place is a staggering half a million bucks. So start hitting those three card tables at Hollywood. It’s an easy game and the only strategy that really counts in a tournament, is based on how much you bet.
PEARL RIVER RESORT, in the heart of CHOCTAW COUNTRY, outside of Philadelphia, MS, is upping the prize money for its weekly dice and blackjack tournaments, in fact, the pot is being doubled. The Resort has been running two tournaments a week for some time, a craps game at every Monday at Golden Moon and Thursday at Silver Star across the highway. Now the prize money has been elevated to $10,000 with $5,000 for first place prize on Monday at Golden Moon for only a $50 buy-in. On Thursday at Silver Star, the dice tournament has a prize pool of $5,000 with $3,000 for first place on only a $25 buy-in. Now blackjack, which is my game, comes into play every Tuesday at Golden Moon and Wednesday at Silver Star with a $5,000 prize pool, $3,000 first place money all for only a $25 buy-in. Entries are limited so it’s best to get there early for registration. Call 866-44PEARL for more info.
HARLOW’S CASINO, down Greenville way at its key location between the old and new bridges on Highway 82 over the Mississippi just west of the Delta city, is looking for a few good men, and women. GM DOM MEZZETTA, he of Tunica fame, said work is progressing rapidly towards the 4th quarter opening date for the 33,000 square foot casino and 105 room hotel. There a still some good jobs open there, he said, including slots for a cage manager and purchasing manager. Other openings include positions for table game dealers, hotel staff, food and beverage, housekeeping, clerks, and slot tech and attendants. Call 662-335-9797, ext. 620 for an application.
Trivia question: Can a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve still be a regional vice president of casino marketing for three casinos? Of course, but only if his name is DARRELL PILANT who was graduated from the UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY and served in the Coast guard for ten years.
Darrell, who came to Grand Casino in 2005, will now oversee hotel yield, and regional player development for Grand, Horseshoe and Sheraton casinos as well as casino marketing for Grand and slot marketing for Horseshoe. Bon Voyage.
When you read this the WORLD SERIES OF POKER will have been underway for several days at GRAND but the circuit event does not conclude until Sept. 13 so there is plenty of time to play or just be a fan and watch. BOB MCGOVERN, the new regional poker room manager for Harrah’s Horseshoe and Grand properties in Tunica, said the event is the first of 12 circuit tournaments around the country. Players who win the $5,000 buy-in no limit, hold’em circuit championship at any Harrah’s host property will receive a seat in the 2008 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.
HOT SPOT…Check out the new MAGNOLIA DELTA GRILLE at Horseshoe, with its curtained private booths and unique Southern fare like your mee-maw never dreamed of. It’s all from the heart and soul and creative mind of CHEF JAMES GENTRY who is no stranger to local flavors, having grown up in the Mid-South. He brings an inventive modern twist on southern home cooking and it makes for a memorable visit when you dine. Read a full review on Magnolia in this issue.
Happy trails to CHUCK MILLER who has resigned as general manager of Pearl River Resorts. Told us he plans on spending some time with his family and perhaps take in a few rounds of golf. Good moves but expect to see Chuck, a real pro, itching to get back to work down the road.
ASK THE GURU…
Q. Guru, I recently heard on the Goodtimes Radio Show how to be “tough” gambler but was not paying attention. What is a tough gambler? B.B. Thornton, Hollywood, CA.
A. I hope it wasn’t about tough luck. Here is the gist….if you don’t understand the game, do not play it! You’ve seen the spate of airline televisions commercials of late taking away things you came to expect. It is the same in casinos, things constantly change and it’s up to you to monitor events so you can get the best deal and finally, try to play low house-edge games. If the edge is over 1.6 percent, caveat emptor sucker.
Email your question to goodtimesradio@aol.com and if we use it in this column, you will be rewarded with two comp buffet coupons from SAM’S TOWN.
LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER!
