Heard it on The River

While thousands of serious poker players continue to crowd through Tunica, especially at GRAND CASINO where the WORLD SERIES of POKER is unfolding and at GOLD STRIKE where the WORLD POKER OPEN rules, there are numerous smaller events that players can enjoy. But, if you want to watch big time poker, The WSOPChampionship Event take place Jan. 24-27. The final table at the Gold Strike WPO, which is a World Poker Tour event, runs Jan. 19-23. Sit in the front row for both events to see yourself on TV later when it is televised. It's free and the big names will be there.

"Never play cards with a man named Doc."

NELSON ALGREN (1909-81) As the big money poker tournaments are wrapping up, there are the many small non-poker tournaments taking place and these are ones we know about. The nice thing about them is that buy-ins are small and prize money decent.

ISLE of CAPRI—Tuesday night blackjack tournament with a $25 buy-in and first place money of $1,000 based on 42 players. Register at 6 p.m. but get there early as this event fills up immediately. One round with a player from each table, and one wild card advancing to the final table. Play begins at 8 pm. Call 1-800-THE ISLE.

SAM'S TOWN—With Sunday night NFLgames coming to an end, here is a nice alternative. Every Sunday night for a $25 buy-in you can win a share of $2,700. The top seven players win cash, with first place paying half of the pot but total prize money is based on a max of 108 players. Registration at 5 pm in the pit. Call 800-456-0711 SAM TOWN—Three Card Poker, now a very popular game in Tunica, has earned tournament recognition at Sam's Town and a $25 buy-in tournament takes place every Thursday at 7 pm with registration at 5 pm. The top seven players win cash with first place paying 54% of the total prize money based on 126 players participating.

SAM'S TOWN— Live Keno is only played in Mississippi at Sam's Town where it has been popular for years. Two tournaments are scheduled for Feb.6-8 and April 17-19 and up for grabs is $10,000 with first place taking in $6,000. Registration is from 10 am to 4:30 pm on the first day of event in the second floor Keno area.

HOLLYWOOD— $5,000 BLACKJACK KWIK KASH TOURNAMENT Blackjack players can play their best hand and win their share of $5,000 on Tuesday, February 14 in Hollywood's newest and hottest tournament. The top six players in the final round win, with first place receiving $2,500. Players who earn 100 slot points in a single day or have five hours of rated table play at a $20 average bet in a single day are eligible to enter. Tournament spots are limited. Call 1-800-871-0711 or stop by Club Hollywood to reserve your spot.

PEARL RIVER RESORT— Monthly Dice Tournament at SILVER STAR HOTEL & CASINO: Pearl River Resort will host monthly dice tournaments the first Thursday of every month at Silver Star Hotel & Casino. The entry fee is $25 and first place wins $3,000. Registration begins at 6 p.m. on the tournament night and the first round begins at 7 p.m.

Pearl River Resort kicks off monthly Blackjack tournaments: Pearl River Resort will host a monthly Black Jack tournament at GOLDEN MOON the second Tuesday of each month beginning Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. First place wins $3,000 and cash prizes will be awarded to the top five places. Registration begins at 6 p.m., the cost is $25 and it will be limited to the first 60 players.

ISLE of CAPRI, Vicksburg—There are two weekly tournaments here for really low buy-ins beginning with the regular Tuesday night slot event for only $5.00 for a shot at $750 in prize money. Wednesday night is for blackjack with a $10 entry for $1,500 in prize money and first place paying out $575.00.

THERE ARE some bigger events also taking place to attract players to gaming at a time of the year when the so-called "quiet period" is taking place as players recover from Dec. and get ready to pay their bills and taxes.

SHERATON—The $125,000 "Blackjack in Paradise" tournament takes place at Sheraton Jan. 27-29, it's first big tournament in a long time, and first place is a whopping $50,000 for a reasonable $500 buy-in. Prize money is guaranteed if entries exceed 200. Players get a two-night stay, a welcome reception, gift and comp breakfast buffets. Call Sharon at 1-800-391-3777, ext. 4579.

GOLD STRIKE—The $25,000 "End Zone" blackjack tournaments takes place on Jan. 27-28 with a $25,000 guaranteed prize pool and first place money of $12,500. The buy-in is $100 and rebuys are $50 with bonus wild card drawings as well for those not advancing after the first round. Call 866-245-7511.

SAM'S TOWN—During February slot lovers can get their fill at Sam's Town with $100,000 up for grabs. On Friday Feb. 10, registration will be held from 4 to 8 pm and the buy-in $400, rebuys $100. The package includes two comp nights, meal vouchers and gift. Play concludes on Saturday with an awards ceremony following at 7 pm.

SAM'S TOWN--Abig open dice tournament is set for Sam's Town on Feb. 24-25 and a $500 entry fee gives you a roll at $50,000 in prize money. It also gets you a welcome reception, two sessions of tournament play,two room nights, a buffet and tournament gift. First place is $25,000 and the total money is based on 96 players. Call -800-946-0711.

Down on the GULF COAST where the rebuilding is picking up, HARRAH'S has announced it will invest more than $1 billion to build two casinos, so Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway says. He also predicts the city's economy will be up to speed in about three years. Harrah's will have its two casinos built on the north and south side of Beach Boulevard and will give new names to them. How about Harrah's and Horseshoe? Just a guess. While that rebuilding will take some time, Harrah's is apparently going to open a temp casino at its BAYVIEW HOTELlater this year.
Sign of the times…

The NEW JERSEYstate assembly has banned public indoor smoking but exceptions were made for cigar bars, retailers and casino floors. The casino exemption was a sticking point for many but not enough as the legislation passed with a 62-12-2 vote.
The poker room at the ISLE of CAPRI, Lula, has re-opened for weekend play with new hours. Call 1-800-843-4753.

The annual GAMING SUMMIT will be held in Tunica for the first time on May 4-5 at the EXPO CENTER. Was that F& B guru URS VOGELI saw at FITZGERALDS? The new $5 slots there in the high limit room are getting a lot of action since their recent installation. Slot Boss TOM SMITH sez the 35 new machines are" the highest payback games in their respective denoms" in the area. They were good to me when I tested them. And welcome back to Tunica, old friend JAMES GRAVENMEIR, who is putting his talents to work at SAM'S TOWN as a graphic artist.

Although the fights at FTIZGERALDS will probably be sold out when you read this. You might check out availability at the gift shot there for the 28th when the "Old Fashioned Irish Brawl" takes place. Promoter BRIAN YOUNG of PRIZE FIGHT BOXING has put together a stellar card that includes a hot young contender, ANTHONY PETERSON, one of the "FIGHTING PETERSONS" who is world ranked and undefeated with a 15-0 record including 11 KO's. His brother, LAMONT, also sports a 15-0 mark and can seen at the FEDEX FORUM event Young is putting on Feb. 17. Anthony will also fight there. Young, who is based in Southaven, has made his mark in the boxing world as a promoter and his series of fights for casinos have been solid successes.