Heard It On The River

GOLDSTRIKE CASINO has been selected as the exclusive site for the WORLD POKER TOUR'S annual tournament in Tunica and it is scheduled for Jan. 20-23, the culmination of the casino's World Poker Open which begins Jan. 9. "We want to expand our presence in this important region," said STEVE LIPSCOMB, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises. The WPT is on track to approach its target of $100 million in prize money for a single season.

We've HEARD there are big, big plans in store for GRAND CASINO but we will have to wait and see what develops over the coming months. Stay tuned! ADOLPH LEPRE had his "coming out" party at SHERATON CASINO and over a 150 of his closest friends showed up for a weekend of fun and gaming. The big guy is now casino manager of table games and the most common question put to him was "will you start running those great blackjack tournaments you are associated with?" He answer was affirmative and the first such event will take place Jan. 27-29. It will offer $125,000 in prize money with a $50,000 first place prize. The buy-in is $500 and the early demand for spots put this event on the road to a sell-out. In my next column I will have contact information and more details. Stay tuned. Also coming up soon will be the $150,000 blackjack tournament at GRAND on Dec. 2.

While playing in the crowded high limit room at the Sheraton, I became acquainted with SUSAN BOYLE, Pit Manager. As friendly and accommodating as one can be, she was a hit with the players. She also knew how to make good decisions that were fair for players when disputes arose. She wins our coveted "ATTA GIRL" Award for Oct.

Went to the first MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES game the other night and while the result was a bad loss to the MIAMI HEAT, the night was saved by a halftime appearance of BALAGAN, who awed the audience. The Russian troupe of performers who put on a wonderful cirque style show, have had their gig extended at GOLDSTRIKE through Nov. 19 so there is still time to take in one of the best production shows ever to hit this market. Why do you think the show was extended? Get tickets now! You can even make it a night out by buying the Balagan pre-theatre Chicago Steakhouse dinner and tickets for only $35 each. For reservations call 662-357-1111.

FRANK SCOBLETE, perhaps the foremost authority on most forms of casino gambling and the leading author of gaming books in the USA, will be holding several seminars in Tunica soon including the GOLDEN TOUCH BLACKJACK classes on Nov. 12-13. The blackjack one interests me, as it appears it will improve my inconsistent play. I tried counting cards once, it was a disaster. Too much concentration needed cutting me off from socializing with dealers, pit guys, servers and assorted other characters that wander by. Now, it is said, there is a system that bridges the gap between basic strategy, Hi-Lo and other counting systems. It is called the SPEED COUNT, an entry level card counting system that supposedly can be learned in a few minutes allowing me time to check out the waitresses, ask the dealer how he's doing, hit up the pit guys for comp stogies and just have fun at the table. We shall see how it goes as I have to take two full days of the seminar and as we all know, even the best card counting systems do not mean a sudden windfall. Card counters, no matter how proficient, still lose more hands than they win, just like all the losers out there.

The next fight night is Dec. 10 at FITZGERALDS. It's always a sellout so get your tickets early. KATRINA not only flattened a lot of casinos on the Gulf Coast but in Sept. it knocked down state revenues. Mississippi's tax revenue from gaming fell almost $10 million during Sept. The Gaming Commission estimates the state is losing $500,000 a day in state and local taxes with the casinos out of business. Meanwhile the ISLE of CAPRI is said to be considering opening a land-based interim casino by New Year's, when the IMPERIAL PALACE says it will be open as well.

VIVACIOUS NICOLE WHITMAN joins SAM'S TOWN as Advertising and Communications Mgr. Fresh from the staff of Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.; she has also served in communications for the TUNICA Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Don't forget the annual HOLLYWOOD CASINO RED CARPET BASH for the benefit of ST. JUDE'S Saturday Nov. 12. Call 901-373-5051 for tickets. The live and silent auction this year will have at least one item that is outstanding and which I will bid on. How would you like to attend PAVAROTTI'S concert in New York, part of his 40-city final tour next year and then meet him backstage? The soon- to- be-70 tenor is bringing a fabulous 43-year career to a close. The most famous tenor of our times, he has sold more than 100 million albums. What's in your wallet? Better be plenty to bid on this baby. Don't know about you but I would rather spend a night with LUCIANO than ELVIS.

Old friend HEATHER PIKE. who did such a good job at Hollywood Casino several years ago, now runs a successful business in Memphis that specializes in floral and interior design, weddings and special events. You can contact her at h.pike@heatherpike.com if you have a need for such. If you need help with a gaming problem, the GAMBLING CLINIC at the University of Memphis, the oldest and largest problem gambling treatment facility in the region, has been designated by the TENNESSEE Dept. of Health, as the treatment center for the West Tennessee region.

Listen to RUDI & MIKE on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on the MIGHTY 790, AM, Memphis.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!