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Heard it on the river

GEORGE STADLER is the new GM at SAM'S TOWN taking over for TED BOGICH who was promoted for the good job he did here to BOYD GAMING'S BLUE CHIP casino in Indiana. Stadler comes with local market knowledge from working at CASINO AZTAR in Caruthersville and he also put in a stint in LAUGHLIN, NV. For football fans, George is an Ol' Miss supporter and has one daughter still there and another just graduated. Personable and easily met, says right now his job is to continue the success that SAM'S TOWN has enjoyed for the past year.

If you want to learn tournament blackjack strategies, no need to enter a high dollar event as you can now do so Sunday afternoons beginning Feb. 25 at HOLLYWOOD and all through March. For a $30 entry fee you have a shot at winning up to $1,000 in cash. Cash prizes also awarded for finishers 2 through 6th place. Registration begins at 4 p.m. On Feb. 17, Hollywood hosts its $10,000 BLAZING OPEN SLOT tournament with a $100 buy-in but only 100 people can enter. Top prize is $2,500 and cash prizes will be paid to the top 50 scorers. Not bad odds. Call 800-871-0711 to book a spot.

GRAND and SHERATON casinos continue the HARRAH'S HIDDEN JACKPOTS promotion through March 25. Check it out at (www.harrahs.com) if want a shot a becoming a millionaire. Players who swipe their TOTAL REWARDS cards at either casino have a chance to win on any given day of the promotion.

Feb. 24 is the night the fights return to FITZ with a five-bout card including one great match between undefeated featherweight LEON BOBO (15-0) and tough veteran JESUS PEREZ (24-14). Also on the under card is a Memphis boxer, DeANDREY ABRON (11-1) who has eight knockouts to put fear into his opponent, JOHN TURNER. Also, teenage sensation, Memphian IRA TERRY (13-0) with 9 knockouts, takes on tough HASSAN WASSWA in a six round super featherweight match. Tickets are on sale now at the Fitz gift shop or by calling 800-766-5825 (ext. 8291).

CORRECTION: JOHN LEFEVRE is a great guy and a great blackjack player but not good enough to win the tournament he was in charge of recently at the FITZ. Somehow (read mess-up) I dropped the name of the winner, one JASON SUTTER. He took the ten grand prize money home. Sorry, John. Hope you not getting hit-up for loans from all your new friends.

Sad news for the friends and family of local ROBERT LOCKE. He recently passed away just as a benefit golf tournament was in motion to raise funds as he combated serious illness. However, FRANK ROMAINE and GARY CLINE, the organizers, said the event was still going forward to defray funeral and other expenses. The 4-person Texas Scramble will still be held at TUNICA NATIONAL on March 18 with a slew of prizes. For more information call Gary Cline at 662-519-6501.

The TUNICA QUEEN is getting ready for another sailing season on the Mississippi River starting in March and is currently undergoing a major renovation according to LYNN BARTON, one the paddle wheeler's owners. One national magazine recently voted the Queen as the "Best Non-Gaming Attraction" and plans in the works now will make it an even more luxurious replica of a classic 19th century riverboat.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, The Lyons Press

"At the gaming table all men are equal; no superiority of birth, accomplishments, or ability avail there; great noblemen, merchants, orators, jockeys, statesmen, and idlers are here thrown together." - CHARLES GREVILLE, Memoirs (1874)

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER.