Heard it on the River

14 June 2004

By Rudi Schiffer

This is somewhat hard to imagine but if it were to occur, it would it transform TUNICA COUNTY into a real hot destination. We heard, you have also, that Myriad Gold from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada not only has applied to the state gaming commission for a casino site here off Indian Mound Road but that it might also include a clear cover, yup, like in roof, over the entire complex which may include a golf course. This sounds like future fantasy but Allen & Hoshall, a top Memphis engineering firm apparently has been doing studies for this far out venture. It was said that it would be the largest covered complex in the world. We don't think this is a rumor as we got our info from a highly placed source that is not prone to blue-sky conjecture.

GRAND CASINO will heat up the Tunica, MS area on July 9-10 with its $100,000 SIZZLING HOT BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT. For a $500 buy-in you get a shot at top money of $50,000 guaranteed. VP BRAD RHINES is looking for a large turnout, maybe as much as 300 players, based on the successful $100,000 BJ tournament last Feb. Call 1-800-WIN-4-WIN. If you like the sound of SHA NA NA, take in BOWZER'S Rock 'n Roll party at BALLY'S Saloon June 11-12. Bowzer, formerly of Sha Na Na, studied at Juilliard in NYC and went with what he loved instead of a classical career. CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, Tunica Group, has donated $50,000 to PORTER-LEATH CHILDREN'S CENTER which impacts the literacy, safety and health of low income Memphis children and families. SHERATON's GM STEVE SHUTTE made the presentation to the social services organization that was founded in 1850.

Speaking of tournaments, get an early bird discount buy-in of $50 off the $500 for the $100,000 MISSISSIPPI CRAPS CHAMPIONSHIP at GOLDSTRIKE on August. 13-15. Goldstrike's craps tables are drawing a lot of attention in recent weeks. Any shooter who is able to throw and pass six consecutive points receives a $4,000 bonus. I can hear you doubters…"That won't happen very often, forget it." Well many were not doubters and to date, over a half million bucks have been awarded to hot shooters. Pass the dice, pal! Across the aisle, if you hit back- to-back blackjacks you will be given on the spot a really nice gold colored lighter that sends out a flame when the lighter, which looks like a mini card deck, is fanned.

The beautiful GOLDEN MOON at PEARL RIVER RESORTS is getting good response to its $120,000 blackjack tournament. The final winner will take home $50,000. The event is played every Wednesday night through Aug. 11 with registration at the Sports Ticker Lounge. The buy-in for each session is $100. Three winners each week advance to the semi-finals to play for a final spot on Aug. 18. More info at www.pearlriverresort.com. Congrats to Pearl River Executive Chef STAFFORD DeCAMBRA who was recently named as the American Culinary Federation's 2004 Chef Professionalism Award recipient for the Southeastern Region.

Now the Chef knows his stuff but he won't be cooking in this new restaurant at the Resort. We were lucky to be there when BONSAI EAST opened. It's a Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar and will be the 15th restaurant available at Pearl River Resort. President JAY DORRIS said the restaurant would be a partnership with Bonsai of Jackson, MS, a popular, long time favorite there operated by Tan and Cheryl Troung. A review will be forthcoming but if you get by there, try the GEISHA SEAFOOD COMBO of lobster tail, scallops, and shrimp with all the rice and veggie trimmings. It was wonderful but too much to finish. The prices on the menu were modest to downright inexpensive.

SAM'S TOWN is in the midst of its 10th anniversary celebration and kicked it off with the RIVER POKER TOUR. I got a chance to play in it, my first poker tournament with real money on the line, and overcame my mistakes and jumping nerves to survive nearly half the field. Three times I was dealt pocket aces and was ready to slam the table but everybody folded. What happened? One old poker war vet commented…"Rudi you need to work on your poker face." I did manage to go "all in" four times, and won, but the fifth time I was unmasked and swallowed alive with a chip loss of $18,000 that sent me back to the blackjack tables. BOB SERBE and his crew ran a good tournament. TWAIN'S, the already excellent restaurant at SAM'S TOWN, is adding a wine room that will be available for private dinning parties as well, says F&B DIRECTOR JACK ELIA. A new chef is also coming for Twain's… JEFF SCHNELL will be on board shortly.

If you like a really good slot tournament with big bucks on the line, you will have to wait until June 25-27 when Sam's Town 10th Anniversary $120,000 Open Slot Tournament will be held. First place money is a whopping guaranteed $60,000. We heard, however, that entries were coming in fast and furious and prize money might be increased and go deeper if entries continue to pile up. The buy-in is only $400 but includes rooms and other goodies. Call 800-456-0711 to enter. Lots of cash and a beautiful Ford Lariat 4X4 F-150 will also be given away during the month.

The new ISLE OF CAPRI PARADISE POKER ROOM will officially open with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on July 1. Poker room manager DALE CARDEN said World Series of Poker champion, CHRIS MONEYMAKER of Nashville, who won $2.5 million in last year's event as an unknown, and OKLAHOMA JOHNNY HALE, would attend. Tournament play kicks off on July 4 with a $100 buy-in no limit Texas Hold 'em event. Call Dale at 901-359-5336 for more information. When you visit the Isle, enter the WIN CASH, WIN GAS promotion for a chance at the great looking red CHEVY SSR truck sitting in the lobby. It's a head turner. The 4th Annual JACK BINION Mid-American Poker Classic will take place July 27-Aug. 8. To enter call Carole at 1-800-303-7463.

There are two more SUPER SATURDAYS at HOLLYWOOD CASINO set for June 12 and 19. A total of thirty-two slot players will win their share of $10,000 on each Super Saturday and randomly selected players also stand to win some dough, up to $1,000. Call Club Hollywood at 800-871-0711 for more info. Hollywood is also living up to its name by sponsoring the SECOND ANNUAL OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL June 17-20. For a schedule visit www.oxfordfilmfest.com.

BROOKS ROBINSON, director of operations, tells us that HARRAH'S has added over 20 new multi-denom video reel games in penny, two-cent and nickel denominations. They include popular games like Unicorn, Uncle Sam, Red, White and Blue, Money Storm, Tabasco and Wild Bear Salmon Rub. Harrah's has also received a PATROTIC AWARD from the Miss. Chapter of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for its support of employee participation in theGuard and Reserve.

BILLY HAWKINS is a hard-working electrician at HORSESHOE who can take pride now in more than doing a good job. Billy and wife Jeffie made the trip to Ohio recently to proudly watch daughter Brandie graduate with a law degree from Northern Pettit College of Law. From Horn Lake, Brandie received numerous honors including scholarships in the amount of $35,000. Way to go, girl. If you are proud of your papa, take him to GOLDSTRIKE for the Father's Day drawings on June 20 at 8 p.m. when two lucky pops will win high-def, big-screen TVs.

The ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Casino Factory Shoppes on Hwy 61 in Tunica County gets our coveted " ATTABOY AWARD." It is unusual for us to give out kudos to a non-casino entity but this one deserves the recognition. The Chocolate Factory is doing a nice thing for our beleaguered troops overseas by collecting donations of personal hygiene products that will then be shipped to our guys and gals via Millington Naval Air Station. There are two Chocolate locations…at Casino Factory Shoppes at the intersection of Highway 61 and Grand Casino Parkway and at Peabody Place in Memphis.

From the QUOTABLE GAMBLER…The Lyons Press
"When I told Canada Bill the game he was playing in was crooked, he said, 'I know it is, but it's the only game in town.'"
George Devol…Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi (1892)

LES BON TEMPS ROULER.