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Best of Rudi Schiffer
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Gaming Guru
Over time we have heard news about possible NASCAR involvement in TUNICA
COUNTY, but it was in the form of rumors. We heard it again recently,
but this time we checked it out with the man who knows what's going on
here, KEN MURPHREE, Tunica County administrator. Ken said that private
parties have been talking to the county about a track—checking out
sites, sizing up infrastructure requirements and so on, but nothing has
been solidified.
I think such a facility, especially if it had a
tie-in with NASCAR, would be a boon for the county and the casinos here
and would speed up development. In the meantime, our TUNICA NAVY is
about to become operational and that's an infrastructure amenity we can
count on to bring in more visitors. It will be a first class operation.
It appears the TUNICA QUEEN, a most exciting non-casino attraction, will
possibly start plying the waters of the Mississippi River in late August
with four daily cruises and seating for 300 on the paddlewheeler.
We snuck dockside adjacent to FITZGERALDS where the Queen is now berthed
and being outfitted. It appears the dock is ready, although steps and
walkways from the River Park museum there still have to be built for
passenger access. If the final work gets completed in time, the Queen
will sail soon. There is a complete feature on this subject beginning on
page 1.
And we heard that the Airport will be ready to land
aircraft in about two weeks. I hope somebody is booking those junkets.
Moving up is HANK THOMAS who has been named as assistant general manager
at Sam's Town to GM JOHN PHILLIP.
For all you listeners who have
been fans of the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW, thanks for being with us these
past nine years as we celebrate our anniversary on July 12. It's been a
great run for the show on SPORTSPLUS 790WMC AM, Memphis. We thank all
our casino sponsors who have made possible for it to be the longest
running live casino gaming format show in the USA. And special thanks to
CLYDE CALLICOTT whose contributions to the show during most of that time
were immeasurable.
The ISLE of CAPRI in Lula has just opened a
high stakes gaming area that encompasses table games and slots with
denoms up to $100.00 and fitted out with a lounge area, private bar and
a personalized host staff. It's called THE MEZZ. The casino is also
hosting a $50,000 BEAT THE HEAT BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT on August 8-9.
There is a $250 buy-in. Call 800-789-5825 for more info.
NANCY ZIOLKOWSKI, one of the best casino marketing directors ever to
come through Tunica County, is now in charge of the Las Vegas office of
the ERICSON GROUP of Memphis, a leading supplier of promotional
materials to casinos everywhere. The group also produces live casino
entertainment. Nancy helped open the first Harrah's here. Hat's off to
SAM'S TOWN for putting on its monthly Saturday Night Fight Series, which
are entertaining and sell out. Now the casino is moving up in weight
class.
Sam's Town will hook up with ESPN for a championship fight
card on July 26 when super welterweight J.C. CANDELO (25-5-3, 17 KOs)
takes on challenger JULIO GARCIA(25-1-2, 11 KOs) in an NABF 154-pound
title match. The North American Boxing Federation fight will be a 12
rounder. In a co-featured bout, ART SIMONYAN (12-0-1, 7 KOs) will
challenge for the vacant United States Boxing Association Jr.
featherweight title against an opponent to be named. Tickets will be
available at Sam's Town box office (800-456-0711) or Ticketmaster
outlets.
Closer in time is the 4th ANNUAL DELTA RIVER CRUISIN'
event staged by Sam's Town and MEMPHIS STREET RODS on July 11-13. You
can view up close a wide array of pre-1972 vehicles including street
rods, trucks, customs, antiques, classics and more on the property's
parking lot. There will also be cash drawings for over $10,000.
LOCAL fight promoter BRIAN YOUNG tells us that he thinks Tunica will
edge out Cleveland for the 2004 Olympic Boxing Trials. He said a
decision will be forthcoming soon. GOLD STRIKES' first major blackjack
tournament was won by EUGENE HORTON of Marshall, Ark. He took home a
cool $50,000.
I can't remember if and when there ever was a
bigger money craps tournament in any Tunica casino than the one GOLD
STRIKE will run August 15-17. A total of $50,000 in prize money and a
guaranteed first prize of $25,000 make this one exciting. Only 144
players can enter so don't wait. If you register and pay before August 4
the buy-in is reduced from $500 to $450.
It nice to see the
increased security in Tunica...did you see the Sheriff's cars now parked
outside each casino? JOHN MICHAEL SISINNI...remember that name. The
11-year-old golfer just won the Mississippi state championship in his
age category and will represent the state in the US Kids World
Championship. He had a little help...JOHN DALY'S caddy toted the bag for
little John, son of JOHN SISINNI, VP at Horseshoe.
More on our
ongoing DEALER GRIPES..."Taking shots at the dealer, trying to talk
dealers into making mistakes, over-pays, and deal extra hands." More
later.
Live in Southaven area and like good pizza?...try out
PEPPERONI'S PIZZERIA on Church Rd., just west of the DeSoto Center.
GE0RGE "MAV" puts out a good pie!
FROM THE QUOTABLE
GAMBLER...The Lyons Press: "If you win, and you're not excited,then you
haven't won at all." John Gollehon...A Gambler's Little Instruction Book
(1994)
LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER.
Heard it on the River is published courtesy of Jackpot Magazine, the South's leading gaming newspaper.
Recent Articles
Best of Rudi Schiffer
Rudi Schiffer is a long time columnist and contributing writer for Jackpot Magazine, the South’s leading gaming publication, and for casinocitytimes.com, the world’s leading casino industry internet news distributor. He is also owner and co-host of the 20-year-old Goodtimes Radio Show, now simulcast on Fridays from 3-6 PM Central Time from Country Classic 1180 AM, Memphis networked with KMIS 1050 AM, and 103.9 KGLU FM from Kennet, MO covering parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. His radio show is also archived at audiovegas.com. A Boston University Journalism graduate, he resides in Memphis, TN. Known as the "Voice of Tunica" for his support the gaming jurisdiction for two decades, he was also recently named to Memphis Business Quarterly Magazine’s 3rd annual “The Power Players, Who’s Who” of Memphis.He is also a contributing writer for Southern Gaming & Entertainment and Mississippi Gaming.
Rudi Schiffer Websites:
www.AudioVegas.com
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Rudi Schiffer is a long time columnist and contributing writer for Jackpot Magazine, the South’s leading gaming publication, and for casinocitytimes.com, the world’s leading casino industry internet news distributor. He is also owner and co-host of the 20-year-old Goodtimes Radio Show, now simulcast on Fridays from 3-6 PM Central Time from Country Classic 1180 AM, Memphis networked with KMIS 1050 AM, and 103.9 KGLU FM from Kennet, MO covering parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. His radio show is also archived at audiovegas.com. A Boston University Journalism graduate, he resides in Memphis, TN. Known as the "Voice of Tunica" for his support the gaming jurisdiction for two decades, he was also recently named to Memphis Business Quarterly Magazine’s 3rd annual “The Power Players, Who’s Who” of Memphis.He is also a contributing writer for Southern Gaming & Entertainment and Mississippi Gaming.
Rudi Schiffer Websites:
www.AudioVegas.com
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